The ITS/ITS2 barcodes were used to simply and effectively identify Codonopsis Radix and its adulter-ants. In this study, ITS (internal transcribed spacer of unclear ribosomal DNA) regions were amplified using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) from thirty-three samples of Codonopsis Radix and ITS2 regions were obtained from the ITS sequences using the hidden Markov model (HMMer)-based annotation methods. The sequences of ITS/ITS2 regions were aligned and the genetic distances were computed by MEGA5.0. Species identification efficiency of ITS/ITS2 sequences were evaluated using BLAST1 and nearest distance methods. The results indicated that The sequences lengths of ITS regions of Codonopsis Radix were 654-655 bp, and the lengths of ITS2 regions were 239 bp. The intraspecific genetic distances among Codonopsis Radix were obviously lower than the interspecific genetic distance between Codonopsis Radix and its adulterants. Therefore, ITS/ITS2 regions can stably and accu-rately distinguish Codonopsis Radix and its adulterants.

Objective To investigate the effects of azithromycin and clarithromycin on biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of azithromycin,clarithromycin,ceftazidime,ciprofloxacin and gentamicin against 4 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853,PA1,PA2 and PA3) were determined by broth microdilution method.The biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified by silver dyeing method on the biofilm model with medical microporous membranes in vitro.The effects of azithromycin and clarithromycin on the adhesion of biofilm were detected by crystal violet staining.The synergistic bactericidal effects of azithromycin and clarithromycin with ceftazidime,ciprofloxacin or gentamicin were detected by thiazolyl blue method respectively.Results The MIC values of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853,PA1,PA2 and PA3 for azithromycin,clarithromycin,cefiazidime,ciprofloxacin and gentamycin were 32,64,1,≤0.125 and 0.25 μg/mL;32,256,8,0.25 and 1 μg/mL;64,128,＞ 256,32 and 2 μg/mL and 64,128,8,2 and 0.25 μg/mL.The results of silver staining showed that the microfiltration membranes of all the four P.aeruginosa cultures appeared to be grayish black,thick and dense,and cotton-like.Compared with the control group in which no antibacterial drugs were added,both azithromycin and clarithromycin (1/16 or 1/4 MIC) reduced significantly the adhesion of the 4 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853,PA1,PA2 and PA3) on the microporous membrane (Pall ＜ 0.05).Compared with the use of 1 MIC of ceftazidime,ciprofloxacin or gentamycin alone,the combination of anyone of the four antimicrobial drug with azithromycin or clarithromycin (1/16 MIC) reduced the counts of viable bacteria on each biofilms with significant differences (P all ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Azithromycin and clarithromycin could effectively inhibit the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and may present synergistic effects combined with cefiazidime,ciprofloxacin or gentamicin.

Objective To establish a quality control standard for Qingre Baidu granules .Methods Isatidis Radix ,Fruc-tus Forsythiae ,Herba Violae ,and Glycyrrhizae were identified by TLC ,and the concentration of chlorogenic acid was deter-minedbyHPLC.ThismethodwasemployedonanAgilentZORBAXSB-C18column(4.6mm×250mm,5μm)at30℃ witha mobile phase of acetonitrile (A) and 0 .2% formic acid (B) using the gradient elution program shown as follows :0-12 min , 11%-12% A run at the flow rate of 1 .0 ml/min .The injection volume was 20 μl and the detection wavelength was 327 nm . Results Characteristic spots could be detected by TLC and the specificity of the method was satisfactory .As for chlorogenic acid ,the equation of linear regression of chlorogenic acid was Y=60 .239 4X+9 .096 3 (r=0 .999 9) with the linear range of 6.19-396 .00 μg/ml .The average recovery was 99 .66% (RSD=2 .82% ) .Conclusion The established method is simple ,reli-able ,reproducible ,and can be used for the quantitative determination and quality control of Qingre Baidu granules .

Background:Crohn's disease(CD)was a kind of inflammatory bowel disease,whichwas chronic and recurrent attacked,seriously affect the quality of life of patients.Its pathogenesis is not clear.Aims:To study the effect of hsa_circRNA_103124 which was highly expressed in CD on its downstream gene expression,and the expression level of hsa_circRNA_103124 and its downstream genes in Crohn's disease.The mechanism of hsa_circRNA_103124 in the occurrence and development of CD was discussed in this study.Methods:Transcriptome sequencing revealed differentially expressed genes inhsa_circRNA_103124 overexpressed THP1 cells which was induced macrophage-like differentiation with PMA.IL4 was used to induce macrophage M2 differentiation in hsa_circRNA_103124 overexpressed THP1 cells.The expression levels of M2 differentiation markers CD206 and CD163 were detected by flow cytometry.The expression levels of hsa_circRNA_103124 and its downstream genes were analyzed by qPCR.The levels of hsa_circRNA_103124 and mRNA of its downstream genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 30 patients with CD and 30 healthy controls were analyzed by qPCR.Results:Hsa_circRNA_103124 overexpressed and PMA-induced THP1 cells showed low expression of FGF18(P<0.01).Hsa_circRNA_103124 inhibited macrophage M2 differentiation and down-regulated the expression of CD206(P<0.05)and CD163(P<0.01).The expression of FGF18(P<0.05)and CCL2(P<0.05)was down-regulated in M2-polarized THP1 cells with hsa_circRNA_103124 overexpressed.The expression of hsa_circRNA_103124(P<0.05)in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of CD patients was up-regulated,and the expression of FGF18(P<0.01)and CCL2(P<0.05)was down-regulated.Conclusions:The high expression of hsa_circRNA_103124 in peripheral blood of patients with CD inhibits the M2 polarization of macrophages by down-regulating the expression levels of FGF18 and CCL2,which may play a role in promoting inflammation in the occurrence and development of CD.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds with more than two benzene rings, widely exist in the environment, and can affect human health in various ways. Previous studies on the health effects of PAHs mainly focused on their carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and effects on pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, etc. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the negative influence of PAHs to inflammatory skin diseases (especially psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and lupus erythematosus). This review summarizes recent research advances in the role of PAHs in the occurrence and development of inflammatory skin diseases.