ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of modified Taohe Chengqitang on NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome activation in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy. MethodSPF male SD rats aged 3-4 weeks were randomly divided into a normal group and an experimental group. The rats in the experimental group were fed on a high-fat diet for 4 weeks and then received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ） at 35 mg·kg^-1 to induce the diabetes model. The rats in the experimental group were randomly divided into model group， low- and high-dose modified Taohe Chengqitang groups （11.7 g·kg^-1 and 23.4 g·kg^-1）， and metformin hydrochloride group （67.5 mg·kg^-1） according to the fast blood glucose （FBG）. The cardiac function and structure of rats were detected by ultrasonic imaging after 8 weeks of continuous intragastric administration. Blood samples from the femoral artery were collected to detect FBG， triglyceride （TC）， and total cholesterol （TG） of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in rat myocardium. Serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein expression of NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 1 （Caspase-1）， and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B p65 （p-NF-κB p65） in the myocardium was detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased levels of FBG， TC， and TG （P<0.01）， decreased left ventricular ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （FS） （P<0.05）， myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis as revealed by HE staining， increased serum levels of 1L-1β and 1L-18 and protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and p-NF-κB p65 in myocardial tissues （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the modified Taohe Chengqitang groups and the metformin group showed reduced levels of FBG， TC， and TG （P<0.05）， restored EF and FS （P<0.05）， improved pathological changes in myocardial tissues， and decreased serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 and protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and p-NF-κB p65 in myocardial tissues （P<0.05）. The improvement was more significant in the high-dose modified Taohe Chengqitang group （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Taohe Chengqitang can protect the myocardium by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Heortia vitessoides has been a serious defoliating pest of Aquilaria sinensis forests in recent years.The adults displayed strong tropism to the frequency trembler grid lamps and the nectar source plants.The favorite nectar source plants of H.vitessoides adults as the trap plants and the frequency trembler grid lamps in the integrated management of H.vitessoides were studied in the adult eclosion period through both the laboratory and field.The results showed that Kuhnia rosmarnifolia and Santalum album plants showed strong attraction to the H.vitessoides adults, with significant differences among the different nectar source plants.K.rosmarnifolia and S.album as trap plants with board type of planting area to total planting area of 5%-10%, and the frequency trembler grid lamps trapped significantly more adults of H.vitessoides. These results suggested that the frequency trembler grid lamps and trap plants could play an important role in the integrated management of the pest H.vitessoides of A.sinensis.

Objective:To study the astragalus polysaccharides ( APS) effect on immune induced by influenza A virus HA2 eu-karyotic expression vector.Methods: The HA2 encoded by the DNA vaccine vector was efficiently expressed in CHO cells, as determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) and fluorescence analysis.60 rats were divided into six groups randomly,which were immunized with normal saline,pEGFP-N1,pHA2/EGFP+different dose of APS by intramuscular injection.The control sera were collected before injection.After injected the 36th day, sera were collected to analyzing IFN-γ, IL-4 and IgG level.Results:IFN-γ,IL-4 and IgG level of pHA2/EGFP+mAPS group was different from that of pEGFP-N1 group or pHA2/EGFP+lAPS group( P<0.05 ).Conclusion: Middle dose of APS could increase immune induced by influenza A virus HA2 eukaryotic expression vector.

Objective:To study feasibility of preparing artificial antigen by membrane coated with hapten-carrier.To compare the Emodin-BSA membrane antigen immunogenicity and specificity against the liquid antigen.Methods:Emodin-BSA-PVDF membrane was prepared by the method that BSA was coated on PVDF membrane and the BSA was coupled with Emodin-couplint agent derivative.Rats were immunized by subcutaneous implantation.The immunogenicity and antibody specificity were characterized using Emodin-CA or Chrysophanol-CA or Physcion-CA membrane immunoassay. Results: The immunogenicity of Emodin-BSA coated membrane antigen was higher than Emodin-BSA liquid antigen;the specificity for three anthraquinones was almost the same(P>0.05). Conclusion:Emodin antiserum generated using Emodin-BSA coated membrane antigen has a high immunogenicity and specificity to Emodin.The results show it is feasible that membrane coated with hapten-carrier is used as artificial antigen.

Objective:To study whether high dose astragalus polysaccharides( APS) could affect the expression of pNS1/EGFP that included influenza A virus(IAV) non-structure protein 1(NS1) gene in the tissue.Methods:pNS1/EGFP was constructured with NS1 of IAV.Sixty Kunming mice were divided into three groups randomly.Each group of mice was injected separately with one of the following:pEGFP-N1, pNS1/EGFP and pNS1/EGFP+APS in intraperitoneal injection.The mice were injected by intramuscular injection twice with a 3-week interval between injections.The serum samples and muscle samples were obtained on day 14 and day 28 after the booster injection.Sera IL-4,sera IFN-γ,muscle caspase-3 and muscle NS1 expression were measured in ELISA,Western blot or RT-PCR.Results:There were no significant difference among the different groups in day 14 expect that IFN-γof pNS1/EGFP+APS were lower(P<0.05).IFN-γlevel or IL-4 level of pNS1/EGFP+APS were lower compared with other groups in day 28.caspase-3 of pNS1/EGFP+APS were lower compared with other groups in day 28.Conclusion:APS could increase the expression of pNS1/EGFP by decreasing the inflammation and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of the present study was to screen the Metarhizium strains with high virulence against the larvae of Dorysthenes hydropicus, a serious pest of Citrus grandis.

METHODThirty six strains of Metarhiziums were isolated from the soil of C. grandis GAP base and collected from other institutions, and the pathogenicity of these strains against 1st instar larvae of D. hydropicus was detected at concentration of 1 x 10(8) conidia/g. The high violence strains against D. hydropicus were cultivated in sabouraud dextrose yeast medium at first, then transfer to rice grain. And the sporulations of these violent strains against D. hydropicus were detected.

RESULTTwenty-eight strains showed virulence against D. hydropicus by preliminary study, and 7 strains of them were collected for further study, 6 of the 7 showed high virulence, the highest cadaver rate was higher than 74%. The conidia production of strain 1 and strain 4 were 2.35 +/- 0. 25 (1 x 10(9) conidia/g), 2.21 +/- 0.27 (1 x 10(9) conidia/g), respectively, showed significantly higher than other strains.

CONCLUSIONStrain 1 and strain 4 of the 36 Metarhiziums strains showed high virulence against D. hydropicus, and the highest sporulation ability, so they have a best application prospect.

Animals ; Citrus ; parasitology ; Coleoptera ; microbiology ; Metarhizium ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Pest Control, Biological ; Plant Diseases ; parasitology ; prevention & control ; Soil Microbiology ; Spores, Fungal ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo study the effects and mechanism of Buzhong Yiqi decoction on adriamycin-induced acute myocardial injury in rats.

METHOD50 rats were randomly divided to five groups: control group, heart failure group, low dose Buzhong Yiqi decoction, high dose Buzhong Yiqi decoction and captopril group. Adriamycin was injected into the latter four groups to built a model of heart failure. Then, the effects of different doses of Buzhong Yiqi decoction on hemodynamics, cardiac tissue histological changes, antioxidant capacity and apoptosis of the damaged hearts were studied.

RESULTAdriamycin led to myocardial fiber swelling and fracture, Buzhong Yiqi decoction could reduce myocardial lesions. Buzhong Yiqi decoction could also improve heart antioxidant capacity and inhibit adriamycin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONBuzhong Yiqi decoction could significantly ease adriamycin induced heart failure in rats, and the mechanism is related to anti-oxidation and inhibiting apoptosis.

Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; toxicity ; Doxorubicin ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart Failure ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects

Objective: To observe effect of Kechuanning on expression of nuclear factor kB(NF-?B) in lung tissue of bronchial asthmatic rats.Methods: 40 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the normal group,the model group,Kechuanning high-dose group(27g/kg),Kechuanning low-dose group(13.5g/kg),GuilongKechuanning control group(0.45g/kg),8 rats in each group.The bronchial asthmatic model was established by egg protein sensibilization and long-term inhalation provocation.The rats of each treatment groups were lavage administration each day from the first time of provocation to execution.After 4 weeks of treatment,the rats were killed and lung tissue were taken to dyeing of HE to be observed.The expression of NF-?B in lung tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry.Result: Compared with the normal group,the thickness of bronchus wall and bronchus smooth muscle,the numbers of eosinophile granulocyte and leukomonocyte,and expression of NF-?B in lung tissue were increased in the model group(P

Objective: To observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine Jiusuyu(酒速愈) on activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT),as well as the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) in liver tissues of mice with acute alcoholism.Methods: The models of acute alcoholism mice were established by drinking 56% Hongxing Erguotou(红星二锅头) drink.Eighty healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided(into) normal group,model group,high Jiusuyu dosage group,low Jiusuyiu dosage group and Gehua Jiecheng decoction(葛花解酲汤) group,with 16 animals in each group.The SOD,CAT activities and the content of MDA in(liver) tissues of each group were detected 6 hours after treatment.Results: The content of MDA in(liver) tissues of the model group was increased(P

Objective To observe effect of Kechuanning on the expression of IL-5mRNA in lung tissue of bronchial asthmatic rats.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:the normal group,the model group,Kechuanning high-dose group (27 g/kg),Kechuanning low-dose group (13.5 g/kg),Guilong Kechuanning control group (0.45 g/kg),8 rats in each group.The bronchial asthmatic model was established by egg protein sensibilization and inhalation provocation.The rats of each treatment group were lavage administration each day from the first time of provocation to execution.After 4 weeks of treatment,the rats were killed and lung tissue were taken to dying of HE to be observed.The expression of IL-5mRNA in lung tissue were determined by RT-PCR.Result Compared with the normal group,the thickness of bronchus wall and bronchus smooth muscle,the numbers of eosinophile granulocyte and leukomonocyte,and expression of IL-5mRNA in lung tissue were increased (P