The interspecific association of companion species in Artemisia annua community in 48 region of southwest China was analyzed by variance analysis, chi2-test and association indices. The total related variance ratio among species in A. annua community was 2.05. Among 45 species pairs of 10 main species in the community, only 4 pairs showed significant negative correlations. Chi2 test, PC, OI, DI and AC values indicated pairs 1-8 (A. annua- A. lactiflora), 1-9 (A. annua- Setaria viridis) and 1-10 (A. annua- Bidens pilosa) showed a high correlations, and common utilization to non-restrictive resources. The results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation among species,and the community was at a stable stage, showed strong ability to human interference.
Analysis of Variance ; Artemisia annua ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Symbiosis

king condition before pregnancy were associated with the development of polydactyly and syndactyly.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the potential role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) autograft for the treatment of silicosis.

METHODSBone marrow (100 ml) was aspirated from a severe silicosis patient. BMSCs isolated, purified and cultured in vitro. When BMSC came to 70% confluence at passage 3, the culture medium was added liposomes (lipo2000) and plasmid-HGF (p-HGF) and cultured for 2 d. HGF-MSCSs (5 × 10(7) cells) were resuspended in 50 ml 0.9% sodium chloride (NS) and infused Intravenous drip at 3 consecutive times (once a week). Clinical follow-up were performed before and after treatment: (1) pulmonary high-kV X-ray, chest CT examination; (2) pulmonary function test; (3) determination of serum ceruloplasmin.

RESULTSThe symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness disappeared at 12 months after treatment. Pulmonary function tests showed significant changes after treatment: forced vital capacity (FVC) increased from 64.6% to 81.0%, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1.0)) increased from 68.7% to 90.1%, 1 second rate (FEV(1.0)/FVC%) reduced from 111.6% to 107.1%, the maximum mid-expiratory flow (FEF(25%∼75%) decreased from 100.2% to 94.6%, forced expiratory vital capacity 75% of the moment bit of gas flow (MEF(75%)) increased from 99.2% to 113.5%, forced expiratory vital capacity 50% of the moment bit of gas flow (MEF(50%)) increased from 125.3% to 130.2%, forced expiratory vital capacity 25% of the moment bit of gas flow (MEF(25%)) reduced from 86.9% to 71.7%; serum ceruloplasmin levels decreased from 690 mg/L to 180.6 mg/L; lung high-kV X-ray at 1st review showed that diffuse lung nodules had been absorbed and getting smaller than before treatment; chest CT showed that the distribution and number of small nodules at double lung fields decreased than before treatment.

CONCLUSIONHGF combined with BMSC transplantation may have some potential role for the treatment of silicosis patients.

Adult ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Silicosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Stem cell growth factor (SCGF) is an early-acting hematopoitic cytokine that has two isoforms including hSCGF with full length molecules and hSCGFbeta, 78 amino acids of which lost in the conserved calcium-dependent carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD). It has been demonstrated that hSCGFbeta is strictly species-specific in regulating he-matopoiesis. This study was aimed to explore whether human SCGF can exert synergistic stimulatory effect on heterogenous murine CFU-GM progenitor. Firstly, hSCGF cDNA was amplified from human fetal liver cDNA library by using two-step PCR. The hSCGF mature peptide coding sequence was subsequently placed at downstream of glutathione S-transferase (GST) sequence in GST gene fusion expression vector. The results indicated that there existed an additional 60 kD protein compared with mock BL21 when the cells hosting recombinant plasmid were induced with IPTG at 37 degrees C. SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the GST-hSCGF fusion protein mainly existed in insoluble form. When induced at low temperature (28 degrees C), the recombinant protein was mostly soluble. The GST-fusion recombinant protein was subsequently purified by using affinity chromatography. The clonogenic assay revealed that, unlike hSCGFbeta, hSCGF had the granulocyte/macrophage promoting activity (GPA) for murine bone marrow GM progenitor. It is concluded that, in contrast to human SCGFbeta, the intact molecular hSCGF may have no species specificity, implying that CRD domain in human SCGFbeta does not directly bind to corresponding SCGF receptor, but may have certain biological function.
Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hematopoiesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Species Specificity ; Stem Cell Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUNDPlantar pressure serves as a key factor for predicting ulceration in the feet of diabetes patients. We designed this study to analyze plantar pressure changes and correlating risk factors in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODSWe recruited 65 patients with type 2 diabetes. They were invited to participate in the second wave 2 years later. The patients completed identical examinations at the baseline point and 2 years later. We obtained maximum force, maximum pressure, impulse, pressure-time integral, and loading rate values from 10 foot regions. We collected data on six history-based variables, six anthropometric variables, and four metabolic variables of the patients.

RESULTSOver the course of the study, significant plantar pressure increases in some forefoot portions were identified (P < 0.05), especially in the second to forth metatarsal heads. Decreases in heel impulse and pressure-time integral levels were also found (P < 0.05). Plantar pressure parameters increased with body mass index (BMI) levels. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) changes were positively correlated with maximum force (β = 0.364, P = 0.001) and maximum pressure (β = 0.366, P = 0.002) changes in the first metatarsal head. Cholesterol changes were positively correlated with impulse changes in the lateral portion of the heel (β = 0.179, P = 0.072) and pressure-time integral changes in the second metatarsal head (β = 0.236, P = 0.020). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) changes were positively correlated with maximum force changes in the first metatarsal head (β = 0.137, P = 0.048). Neuropathy symptom score (NSS) and common peroneal nerve sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) changes were positively correlated with some plantar pressure changes. In addition, plantar pressure changes had a correlation with the appearance of infections, blisters (β = 0.244, P = 0.014), and calluses over the course of the study.

CONCLUSIONSWe should pay attention to the BMI, HbA1c, cholesterol, ABI, SCV, and NSS changes in the process of preventing high plantar pressure and ulceration. Some associated precautions may be taken with the appearance of infections, blisters, and calluses.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Foot ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Foot ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pressure ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic polymorphisms of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region in Chengdu Han population.

METHODSSequence polymorphisms of the mtDNA control region, hypervariable regions I and II from 100 unrelated Chinese Hans were determined by PCR and direct sequencing.

RESULTSSequences of 404 nucleotides for hypervariable region I and 379 nucleotides for region II were obtained. Ninety-two and fifty variable sites were revealed in region I and region II respectively as compared to the reference sequence, and a total of 97 different genetic patterns from both the regions I and II were determined. The probability of identity was estimated at 1.84% for region I, 1.94% for region II, and 1.18% for both the regions.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that sequence polymorphism of mtDNA control region would be very useful in forensic practice as a marker for individual identification.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; chemistry ; Genetics, Population ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the population dynamics of aphid on Lonicera macranthoides and their natural enemy in Xiushan and control method of pesticide so as to provide scientific basis for its integrated pests management (IPM).

METHODThe field investigation and the field controlling trial were carried out for the research.

RESULTSemiaphis heraclei was the dominant species among L. macranthoides aphids. The population dynamics of apterous aphids went through five consecutive stages: initial, fluctuating, rising, peak and declining. The population dynamics of alate aphids was 4-7 days later than that apterous aphid's. Significant positive correlations were found between the population size of spiders and ladybugs which were natural enemies and number of aphids. The result of pesticides against aphids in field trial showed that 25% thiamethoxam WG, 70% imidacloprid WG and 20% acetamiprid WP had well controlling effect.

CONCLUSIONAphids on L. macranthoides could be well controlled while 25% thiamethoxam WG, 70% imidacloprid WG and 20% acetamiprid WP are sprayed during the period of aphid population raising, the early April to the mid May.

Animals ; Aphids ; growth & development ; Lonicera ; Pest Control ; Pesticides ; pharmacology ; Population Dynamics

Objectives: An Asian Gynecologic Oncology Group phase III randomized trial was conducted to determine whether maintenance chemotherapy could improve progression-free survival (PFS) in stages III/IV ovarian cancer. Methods: Between 2007 and 2014, 45 newly-diagnosed ovarian cancer patients were enrolled after complete remission and randomized (1:1) to arm A (4-weekly carboplatin area under the curve 4 and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin [PLD] 30 mg/m2, n=24) for 6 cycles or arm B (observation, n=21). The primary end-point was PFS. A post hoc translational study was conducted to deep sequence BRCA/homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) genes, because BRCA/HRD mutations (BRCA/HRDm) are known to be associated with better prognosis. Results: Enrollment was slow, accrual was closed when 7+ years had passed. With a medianfollow-up of 88.9 months, the median PFS was significantly better in arm A (55.5 months) than arm B (9.2 months) (hazard ratio [HR]=0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.19–0.87; p=0.020), yet the median overall survival was not significantly different in arm A (not reached) than arm B (95.1 months) (p=0.148). Overall grade 3/4 adverse events were more frequent in arm A than arm B (60.9% vs 0.0%) (p<0.001). Quality of life was generally not significantly different. Distribution of BRCA1/2m or BRCA/HRDm was not significantly biased between the two arms. Wild-type BRCAon-HRD subgroup seemed to fare better with maintenance therapy (HR=0.35; 95% CI=0.11–1.18; p=0.091). Conclusions Despite limitations in small sample size, it suggests that maintenance carboplatin-PLD chemotherapy could improve PFS in advanced ovarian cancer.

L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment design was used to optimize the preparation of the patches,and investigate its affecting factors and skin irritation. Eugenol was taken as the index component to study the release behavior in vitro and percutaneous penetration of Cangai oil transfersomes patches by HPLC.The results showed that the optimal prescription for preparing Cangai oil transfersomes patches were Eudragit E100 0.6 g, succinic acid 0.08 g,triethyl citrate 0.25 g,glycerol 0.2 g.Patches prepared by the preferred preparation had a flat appearance without obvious bubbles.The initial adhesion was 18.33±2.52, the stickiness was(30.01±2.45) min,and the peel strength was(5.62±0.95) kN·m~(-1).The results of affecting factors experiment showed the order of factors affecting its adhesion was humidity>temperature>lighting,and the skin irritation test results showed no significant skin irritation after 24 h of single administration. The results of drug release behavior in vitro showed that the release and the percutaneous penetration of both Cangai oil patches and Cangai oil transfersomes patches conformed to the Higuchi equation.The release amount of eugenol were 80.66% and 82.25% at 72 h, with no significant difference. The cumulative permeation area of eugenol per unit area reached(0.195 6±0.065 9),(0.131 0±0.045 5) mg·cm~(-2) at 72 h, with significant differences(P<0.05).The experiment results proved that the preparation process of Cangai oil transfersomes patches was stable,and the prepared patches had a good adhesion. At the same time,the preparation of transfersomes patches could alleviate and control the release of the drug to a certain extent, and provide a certain experimental basis for clinical pediatric drug safety.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Liberation ; Humans ; Plant Oils/pharmacology* ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Skin/drug effects* ; Skin Absorption ; Transdermal Patch

Arm ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Carboplatin ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Maintenance Chemotherapy ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Recombination, Genetic ; Sample Size