ObjectiveTo establish a geographical origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan， providing a new technical reference for the protection of Haiyuan's geo-authentic medicinal materials and its designation as a national geographical indication agricultural product. MethodsSamples of Foeniculi Fructus were collected from eight producing areas， including Minqin （Gansu）， Bozhou （Anhui）， Qingdao （Shandong）， Dezhou （Shandong）， Urumqi （Xinjiang）， Nujiang （Yunnan）， Gutuo （Inner Mongolia）， and Haiyuan （Ningxia）. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to detect the volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in samples from these geographic origins. VOCs were qualitatively analyzed through dual matching with the National Institute of Standards and Technology （NIST） mass spectral database and the IMS drift time database. Using the Reporter module and Gallery Plot visualization tools within the LAV analytical platform， VOC fingerprint profiles characterizing geographic origins were constructed. A non-targeted analytical strategy was adopted， and 97 VOCs detected via GC-IMS were subjected to principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） based on their differential distribution patterns to construct an origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan region. Key discriminative markers were screened using variable importance in projection （VIP） values greater than 1. ResultsA total of 97 VOCs were identified， including alcohols， aldehydes， ketones， esters， organic acids， terpenoids， ethers， alkenes， and benzenes. The PLS-DA model， based on VOCs data obtained by GC-IMS， effectively distinguished Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from those of other origins. During cross-validation， the model achieved a prediction parameter （Q²） of 0.976 and a goodness-of-fit parameter （R²） of 0.936， with no overfitting observed in permutation testing. Twelve key flavor markers with VIP > 1 were identified as characteristic indicators of Haiyuan origin. ConclusionA stable and highly predictive origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan was successfully established using GC-IMS technology， PLS-DA， and VIP-based marker screening. This model provides a novel technical strategy for accurately distinguishing Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from other regional varieties and offers new technical support for its protection as a geo-authentic medicinal material and a nationally designated geographical indication agricultural product in China.

ObjectiveTo establish a geographical origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan， providing a new technical reference for the protection of Haiyuan's geo-authentic medicinal materials and its designation as a national geographical indication agricultural product. MethodsSamples of Foeniculi Fructus were collected from eight producing areas， including Minqin （Gansu）， Bozhou （Anhui）， Qingdao （Shandong）， Dezhou （Shandong）， Urumqi （Xinjiang）， Nujiang （Yunnan）， Gutuo （Inner Mongolia）， and Haiyuan （Ningxia）. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to detect the volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in samples from these geographic origins. VOCs were qualitatively analyzed through dual matching with the National Institute of Standards and Technology （NIST） mass spectral database and the IMS drift time database. Using the Reporter module and Gallery Plot visualization tools within the LAV analytical platform， VOC fingerprint profiles characterizing geographic origins were constructed. A non-targeted analytical strategy was adopted， and 97 VOCs detected via GC-IMS were subjected to principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） based on their differential distribution patterns to construct an origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan region. Key discriminative markers were screened using variable importance in projection （VIP） values greater than 1. ResultsA total of 97 VOCs were identified， including alcohols， aldehydes， ketones， esters， organic acids， terpenoids， ethers， alkenes， and benzenes. The PLS-DA model， based on VOCs data obtained by GC-IMS， effectively distinguished Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from those of other origins. During cross-validation， the model achieved a prediction parameter （Q²） of 0.976 and a goodness-of-fit parameter （R²） of 0.936， with no overfitting observed in permutation testing. Twelve key flavor markers with VIP > 1 were identified as characteristic indicators of Haiyuan origin. ConclusionA stable and highly predictive origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan was successfully established using GC-IMS technology， PLS-DA， and VIP-based marker screening. This model provides a novel technical strategy for accurately distinguishing Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from other regional varieties and offers new technical support for its protection as a geo-authentic medicinal material and a nationally designated geographical indication agricultural product in China.

BACKGROUND: Currently, a significant number of miners are involved in mining operations at the Gejiu tin mine in Yunnan. This occupational setting is associated with exposure to dust particles, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radioactive radon, thereby significantly elevating the risk of lung cancer. This study aims to investigate the involvement of leptin-mediated extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in the malignant transformation of rat alveolar type II epithelial cells induced by Yunnan tin mine dust. METHODS: Immortalized rat alveolar cells type II (RLE-6TN) cells were infected with Yunnan tin mine dust at a concentration of 200 μg/mL for nine consecutive generations to establish the infected cell model, which was named R₂₀₀ cells. The cells were cultured normally, named as R cells. The expression of leptin receptor in both cell groups was detected using the Western blot method. The optimal concentration of leptin and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (U0126) on R₂₀₀ cells was determined using the MTT method. Starting from the 20th generation, the cells in the R group were co-cultured with leptin, while the cells in the R₂₀₀ group were co-cultured with the MEK inhibitor U0126. The morphological alterations of the cells in each group were visualized utilizing hematoxylin-eosin staining. Additionally, concanavalin A (ConA) was utilized to detect any morphological differences, and an anchorage-independent growth assay was conducted to assess the malignant transformation of the cells. The changes in the ERK signaling pathway in epithelial cells after the action of leptin were detected using the Western blot method. RESULTS: Both the cells in the R group and R₂₀₀ group express leptin receptor OB-R. Compared to the R₂₀₀ group, the concentration of leptin at 100 ng/mL shows the most significant pro-proliferation effect. The proliferation of R₂₀₀ cells infected with the virus is inhibited by 30 μmol/L U0126, and a statistically significant divergence was seen when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Starting from the 25th generation, the cell morphology of the leptin-induced R₂₀₀ group (R₂₀₀L group) underwent changes, leading to malignant transformation observed at the 30th generation. The characteristics of malignant transformation became evident by the 40th generation in the R₂₀₀L group. In contrast, the other groups showed agglutination of P40 cells, and the speed of cell aggregation increased with an increase in ConA concentration. Notably, the R₂₀₀L group exhibited faster cell aggregation compared to the U0126-induced R₂₀₀ (R₂₀₀LU) group. Additionally, the cells in the R₂₀₀L group were capable of forming clones starting from P30, with a colony formation rate of 2.25‰±0.5‰. However, no clonal colonies were observed in the R₂₀₀LU group and R₂₀₀ group. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) was enhanced in cells of the R₂₀₀L group. However, when the cells in the R₂₀₀L group were treated with U0126, a blocking agent, the phosphorylation level of pERK decreased. CONCLUSIONS Leptin can promote the malignant transformation of lung epithelial cells infected by mine dust, and the ERK signaling pathway may be necessary for the transformation of alveolar type II epithelial cells induced by Yunnan tin mine dust.
Rats ; Animals ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; Dust ; Tin/adverse effects* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Leptin/adverse effects* ; Receptors, Leptin ; China ; Signal Transduction ; Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/adverse effects*

Objective To study the pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG) on gene regulation role of ESF-1 cells in collagen secretion, to reveal PDG repair mechanisms on scalded skin.Methods The cells cultured in vitro were divided into the control group, the estradiol group and the three different PDG doses groups. The concentration of the high, medium and low dose groups were 100, 10, 1μmol/L, and that of estradiol group were 10-3μmol/L. The activity of proliferation was detected by MTT. Then collagen type I (Col I), collagen typeⅢ (ColⅢ), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) expression levels of mRNA after administration of cells were detected by RT-PCR.Results Compared with the control group, the proliferation of ESF-1 cells (0.559 ± 0.027, 0.552 ± 0.034vs. 0.489 ± 0.027,P<0.05) in the estradiol and medium-dose PDG was significantly higher. The expression level of mRNA of ColⅠ(0.958 ± 0.021, 0.929 ± 0.031, 0.916 ± 0.015vs. 0.844 ± 0.022), ColⅢ (0.783 ± 0.038, 0.918 ± 0.021, 0.855 ± 0.017vs. 0.678 ± 0.024), TIMP-1 (0.939 ± 0.025, 0.889 ± 0.036, 0.853 ±  0.015 vs. 0.780 ± 0.023), TIMP-2 (0.507 ± 0.024, 0.655 ± 0.037, 0.572 ± 0.025vs. 0.405 ± 0.062) in the estradiol, low-, medium-dose PDG groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Besides, the MMP-1 (0.343 ± 0.038, 0.407 ± 0.046, 0.435 ± 0.037vs.0.519 ± 0.041) mRNA expression level in the middle and low dose PDG groups significantly decrease (P<0.05 orP<0.01). Conclusions The PDG could enhance the activity of ESF-1 cell proliferation, increase the expression of related collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases and inhibit that of matrix metalloproteinases to repair scalded skin.

A CdTe/ZnSe quantum-dot submicrobead ( QBs ) , which exhibited fluorescence intensity approximately 2800-fold stronger than that of single quantum dots, was conjugated with the anti-histidine rich protein( HRP )-Ⅱ mAbs using N-( 3-( Dimethylamino ) propyl )-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride ( EDC ) method as fluorescence probe. The goat anti-HRP-Ⅱ polyclonal antibodies and donkey anti-mouse polyclonal antibodies were sprayed onto the nitrocellulose membrane as test line and control line, respectively. The resultant fluorescence probes were introduced to the immunochromatographic strip for the quantitative determination of Plasmodium falciparum. For determination of Plasmodium falciparum in serum, the QBs based immunochromatographic strips exhibited a good dynamic linear range from 5 . 8 Parasite/μL to 8010 Parasite/μL with a limit of detection of 5. 8 Parasite/μL. The detection time of the proposed QBs based immunochromatographic strips for each sample was only 15 min. Moreover, the recovery rates of the intra-and inter-assay ranged from 93. 0% to 111. 9%, and 98. 3% to 115. 1% respectively, while the relative standard deviations ( RSDs) of intra-and inter-assay were below 5%.

Objective To explore the feasibility and value of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-MRI) parameters in assessing early effects of anti-angiogenesis medicine in targeted therapy for tumors.Methods Twenty BALB/C-nu nude mice were injected subcutaneously with human colon cancer cells HT-29 to the right hind leg.The nude mice were evenly divided into the experimental group and control group with 10 mice in each group.The mice of experimental group were intraperitoneally injected with bevacizumab,and the control group were injected with the same volume of saline.DCE-MRI was performed before medication and one hour,24 h and 48 h after medication.The Ktrans,Kep,Ve and initial area under enhancement curve (iAUC) of DCE-MRI were analyzed.The animals were sacrificed 48 hours after medication.Microvessel density (MVD) of the tumors was detected by immunohistochemistry.One way analysis of variance was performed to analyze parameters of DCE-MRI.The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between parameters of DCE-MRI and MVD.Results Under DCE-MRI,the edge of subcutaneous colon cancer xenografts was obviously gradually enhanced,pseudo color indicated high perfusion,the strength degree of the central region was low and which meant low perfusion.The differences in Kep of different time point of experimental group were statistically significant (F=3.752,P=0.016) ; there as no significant difference in other parameters of DCE MRI (all P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in Ktrans and Kep before medication and one hour after medication (all P＞0.05).There were significant difference in Ktrans and Kep 24 hour and 48 hour after medication between experimental group (24 hour∶ (0.095 ± 0.039) min-1 and (0.297 ± 0.141) min-1,48 hour∶ (0.090±0.033) min 1 and (0.314±0.148) min-1) and control group (24 hour∶ (0.150±0.074) nin-1 and (0.494±0.126) min-1,48 hour∶ (0.171±0.045) min-1 and (0.441± 0.092) min-1) (F24h =4.824 and 11.386,F48h =22.605 and 5.455,all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in Ve and iAUC between two groups at different time points (all P＜0.05).MVD of experimental group was lower than that of control group.Ktrans and Kep were positively correlated with MVD (r=0.745 and 0.400,both P＜0.05).Conclusion Ktrans and Kep parameters of DCE-MRI may be used in monitoring the earlier effects of anti-angiogenesis medicine in targeted therapy for colon cancer.

This study examined the expression pattern of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and its association with age-related hearing loss in mice. Sixty C57BL/6J (C57) mice at different ages were divided into four groups (3, 6, 9 or 12 months). PDCD5 expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot. Morphological change of the cochleae was also evaluated by using immunoassay. The results showed that the expression of PDCD5 had a gradual increase with ageing in both protein and RNA levels in C57 mice, as well as gradually increased apoptosis of cochlear hair cells and SGNs. In addition, we also found that caspase-3 activity was enhanced and its expression was enhanced with ageing. It is implied that overexpression of PDCD5 causes the increase in caspase-3 activity and the subsequent increase of apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and SGNs, and thereby plays a role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis. Thus, PDCD5 may be a new target site for the treatment and prevention of age-related hearing loss.

This study examined the expression pattern of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and its association with age-related hearing loss in mice.Sixty C57BL/6J (C57) mice at different ages were divided into four groups (3,6,9 or 12 months).PDCD5 expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry,real-time PCR and Western blot.Morphological change of the cochleae was also evaluated by using immunoassay.The results showed that the expression of PDCD5 had a gradual increase with ageing in both protein and RNA levels in C57 mice,as well as gradually increased apoptosis of cochlear hair cells and SGNs.In addition,we also found that caspase-3 activity was enhanced and its expression was enhanced with ageing.It is implied that overexpression of PDCD5 causes the increase in caspase-3 activity and the subsequent increase of apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and SGNs,and thereby plays a role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis.Thus,PDCD5 may be a new target site for the treatment and prevention of age-related hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of conventional treatment with different routes of administration of dexamethasone on sudden deafness. METHOD: Eighty-four patients with sudden deafness were included in this prospective randomized study. Twenty one patients (group 1) were treated with taking dexamethasone orally combined with conventional methods. Another 21 patients (group 2) were treated with intravenous dexamethasone injection combined with conventional methods. Group 3 (21 patients) were treated with intratympanic dexamethasone injection by the way of external ear combined with conventional methods. The other 21 patients (group 4) were treated with intratympanic dexamethasone injection by the way of pharyngotympanic tube combined with conventional methods. The hearing gains at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 kHz and the mean values were compared among four groups. RESULTS: The average hearing gains of 1, 2, 3 and 4 group was 21.3 dB, 27.5 dB, 43.2 dB and 48.1 dB respectively. Group 3 and group 4 had statistical difference compared with group 1 and group 2 in the average hearing gains. There was no obviously statistical difference between group 1 and group 2 and between group 3 and group 4. In patients with PTA < or = 70 dB, the average hearing gains at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 kHz had no obvious difference (P > 0.05) among four groups. However, in patients with PTA > 70 dB, there was statistical difference between group 1, 2 and group 3, 4 (P < 0.05), the hearing gains of group 3. 4 were apparently higher than that of group 1, 2. However, there was no significant difference of hearing gains between group 1 and group 2 (P > 0.05) and between group 3 and group 4 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The conventional drug treatment with taking dexamethasone orally or intravenous dexamethasone injection had no obvious effect on sudden deafness with PTA > 70 dB, but the conventional drug treatment with intratympanic dexamethasone injection is a useful treatment for sudden deafness. Comparison with whole body administration, intratympanic dexamethasone injection is more convenient to use in clinic, and with less prohibitions and complications. Patients with PTA > 70 dB should take intratympanic dexamethasone injection in early days.
Adult ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Administration Routes ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: L-type voltage-gated calcium channel subunit alpha1D-/- mice (homozygous mutant, knockout), alpha1D+/- (heterozygous) and alpha1D+/+ (wild-type) have played role in L-type voltage-gated calcium channel alpha1D subunit in auditory function of inner ear as well as sinoatrial node function of the mice. METHOD: Hearing threshold and endocochlear potential (EP) were measured in the alpha1D knockout mice, heterozygous mice and wild-type mice by auditory brainstem response(ABR), EP recordings and Electrocardiograph (ECG) respectively. To assessment of the vestibular function of the mice, the ability of Balancing was performed by a swim test and a horizontal cylinder test. RESULT: The auditory function of alD+/+ mice were normal, the mean value for ABR thresholds in response to click sound stimulus was (34.8 +/- 5.7) dB SPL,EP was (105.3 +/- 3.1) mV. The mean value for ABR thresholds in response to click sound stimulus was elevated in alpha1D+/- mice was (54.4 +/- 12.4) dB SPL, relative to that observed in alpha1D+/+ mice significantly increased (P < 0.05); EP of alpha1D+/- mice was about (75.8 +/- 9.9) mV. alpha1D-/- mice were completely deaf, the ABR wave form was not observed for even 100 dB SPL sound stimuli used and EP was still remain in (48.6 +/- 19.3) mV. alpha1D knockout mice were deaf and demonstrated no vestibular defect. alpha1D+/- and alpha1D-/- mice show significant sinus bradycardia with significant prolongation of the RR interval (146 +/- 1.4 and 244 +/- 2.9, respectively) comparing to the alpha1D+/+ wild-type mice (117 +/- 0.4) in the same littermates. In addition, the homozygous alpha1D-/- show a significant prolongation of the PR interval (53 +/- 0.5) compared to that of the a1D+/+ wild-type mice (38 +/- 0.3). CONCLUSION L-type voltage-gated calcium channel alpha1D subunit plays a critical role in calcium homeostasis in the inner ear. Mice lacking of alpha1D calcium channel gene would lead to influence auditory function and sinoatrial node dysfunction subsequently.
Animals ; Auditory Threshold ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; genetics ; Deafness ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Electrocardiography ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Sinoatrial Node ; physiopathology