OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing. METHODS Using appearance score， the contents of gallic acid， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural （5-HMF）， sennoside A+sennoside B， combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes， analytic hierarchy process （AHP）-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators； the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R. palmatum with fire temperature， simmering time， paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors； validation test was conducted. The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones （aloe-emodin， rhein， emodin， chrysophanol， physcion）， five anthraquinone glycosides （barbaloin， rheinoside， rhubarb glycoside， emodin glycoside， and emodin methyl ether glycoside）， two sennosides （sennoside A， sennoside B）， gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R. palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R. palmatum. RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R. palmatum was as follows: each 80 g R. palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h， simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃， the total simmering time was 2.5 h. The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 （RSD＜1.0%）. After simmering， the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly， while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents； a new component 5-HMF was formed. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R. palmatum. There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing， which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R. palmatum and beneficiate it.

ObjectiveTo explore the application value of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) in rapidly detecting and evaluating the morphological characteristics of digestive tract tissues in mice. MethodsTwelve male SPF Kunming mice aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into two groups. Six mice were subjected to gastric gavage with 52% Red Star Erguotou to establish the model, and six were given saline by gastric gavage as a control. After 28 days of modeling, 3 mice were randomly selected from each group. After deep anesthesia induced by inhalation of 3% isoflurane, the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and rectum tissues were excised and immersed in 1% fluorescein sodium solution for staining. The microstructure of the mucosal surface of each tissue was observed using pCLE. The remaining mice in the model group and the control group were deeply anesthetized by inhaling 3% isoflurane, then cardiac perfusion was performed successively with saline and 4% paraformaldehyde. The stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and rectum tissues were excised for dehydration, section and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the morphological changes of the tissues were observed under a microscope. ResultsUnder pCLE imaging, fluorescence staining on the surface of the gastrointestinal mucosa was uniform in the control group; the morphology of gastric pits, intestinal villi, and intestinal crypts was intact, arranged compactly, and had distinct boundaries. In the model group, the gastrointestinal mucosa exhibited mucosal swelling and deformation, with uneven fluorescence staining and fluorescein leakage. Furthermore, some tissues showed defects or cell shedding, and the boundaries between adjacent characteristic structures (e.g., gastric pits, intestinal crypts) were blurred. HE staining showed that the gastrointestinal tissue structure of the control group mice was normal and well-organized, with no structural defects. Moreover, submucosal glands were uniform in size, with no hyperplasia observed, and no obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. In the model group, some gastrointestinal mucosal structures were defective and sparsely arranged; submucosal glands showed atrophy, accompanied by obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. The histological characteristics detected by pCLE were consistent with those of HE staining. ConclusionpCLE can be used to obtain rapid, real-time, large-scale, and high-resolution microscopic imaging of the gastrointestinal mucosa, realistically and comprehensively displaying its physiological and microstructural characteristics. It shows promising prospects and practical utility in the histological evaluation of digestive system injuries in small animals.

Objective: To explore the relationship between processed food consumption and blood pressure level of students in a university in Yunnan Province, so as to provide the reference for preventing hypertension in university students. Methods: In October 2021, a cluster sampling method was used to select 4 781 freshmen from a university in Kunming, Yunnan Province. The frequency of processed food consumption of university students was assessed by using the dietary frequency questionnaire, and height, weight and blood pressure were measured. Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the differences in blood pressure level of university students with different demographic variables, and the association between processed food consumption and blood pressure level was analyzed with a generalized linear model. Results: Among the students of a university in Yunnan Province, the detection rates of systolic prehypertension and hypertension were 33.86% and 1.23%, and the detection rates of diastolic prehypertension were 32.13% and hypertension 7.22%. The results of generalized linear model analysis showed that after controlling for demographic variables and other variables that might affect the blood pressure level of university students, the consumption of processed food (bread and cake: β =0.15, 95% CI =0.01-0.29) and ultra processed food (coffee beverage: β =-0.29, 95% CI =-0.54--0.03) were associated with systolic blood pressure level( P <0.05). The consumption of processed food (salted duck egg: β =0.21, 95% CI =0.01-0.41) was correlated with the diastolic blood pressure of college students ( P <0.05). Conclusions Processed food consumption in university students may increase the risk of high blood pressure.The education of healthy eating among college students should be strengthened to reduce the consumption of processed foods.

To prepare a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based subunit vaccine of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigen EsxV and study its immunological characteristics, the LNP containing EsxV and c-di-AMP (EsxV: C: L) was prepared by thin film dispersion method, and its encapsulation rate, LNP morphology, particle size, surface charge and polyphase dispersion index were measured. BALB/c mice were immunized with EsxV: C: L by nasal drops. The levels of serum and mucosal antibodies, transcription and secretion of cytokines in lung and spleen, and the proportion of T cell subsets were detected after immunization. EsxV: C: L LNPs were obtained with uniform size and they were spherical and negatively charged. Compared with EsxV: C immunization, EsxV: C: L mucosal inoculation induced increased sIgA level in respiratory tract mucosa. Levels of IL-2 secreted from spleen and ratios of memory T cells and tissue-resident T cells in mice were also elevated. In conclusion, EsxV: C: L could induce stronger mucosal immunity and memory T cell immune responses, which may provide better protection against Mtb infection.
Animals ; Mice ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Antigens, Bacterial ; Immunization ; Nanoparticles ; Vaccines, Subunit ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the common mechanism for its onset and development is oxidative damage to the lens.The expression of a large number of antioxidant genes is regulated by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and the Nrf2 oxidative defense system is one of the main defense systems for antioxidant damage in the body.The activity of Nrf2 signaling pathway is primarily regulated by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and Keap1 mediates Nrf2 protein degradation thereby inhibiting the activation of the Nrf2 pathway in a Keap1-dependent manner.Increasing research has revealed other mechanisms of Nrf2 regulation in a Keap1-independent manner, including phosphorylation and acetylation of Nrf2 (PKC, PI3K/Akt, JNK, and P300/CBP) and epigenetic factors (promoter methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs-144, -28 and -34). Reduced expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant genes has been shown to play an important role in the onset and development of various types of cataracts.Many compounds, such as morin, hyperoside, sulforaphane, rosae laevigatae extract, 3-n-butylphthalide, and acetyl-L-carnitine, have been found to be able to upregulate the expression of antioxidant genes by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway to protect lens epithelial cells from oxidative stress to prevent or alleviate cataract.This article reviewed recent researches on Nrf2 signaling pathway and the relationship between Nrf2 activators and cataract to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of cataract.

Objective:To describe the epidemiological characteristics of mental disorders in community resi-dents aged 18 years and over in the Chifeng City of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Methods:Six thousand three hundred and seventy six individuals aged 18 years and over were sampled using stratified Probability-Propor-tional-to-Size Sampling in Chifeng City in 2010.All respondents were investigated by face-to-face interview.The Composite International Diagnostic Interview-3.0 Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CIDI-3.0-CAPI)was used to make diagnoses based on the definition and criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Dis-orders,Fourth Edition (DMS-IV).Results:A total of 4528 subjects completed the CIDI-3.0-CAPI.Regarding anxi-ety disorder,mood disorder,substance use disorder,and impulse control disorder,the 30-day adjusted prevalence rates (95%CI)were 2.5%(2.08% -2.99%,0.9%(0.67% -1.23%),0.5%(0.34% -0.76%),and 0.6%(0.41% -0.86%)respectively,and the 12 -month prevalence rates were 4.5% (3.93% -5.15%),2.4%(2.0% -2.90%),1.1% (0.84% -1.45%),and 1.0% (0.74% -1.32%)respectively.The lifetime adjusted prevalence rates were 6.6% (5.92% -7.36%),6.5% (5.81% -7.24%),2.7% (2.26% -3.21%),and 1.4%(1.23% -1.95%)respectively.Conclusion:According to morbidity,anxiety disorders,mood disorder,substance use disorders and impulse control disorders are common in Chifeng City of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region se-quencely,being a prominent public health problem.

Adult ; Corneal Perforation ; surgery ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study mRNA differential expression from microtubes of Pinellia ternata in vitro, and give more information of the molecular mechanism in the formation of microtubers.

METHODDDRT-PCR was used to identify the expressed gene fragments related to the microtubers development of P. ternata in vitro.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONFifteen cDNA fragments differentially expressed in the induction of microtubers of P. ternata in vitro were identified and characterized by using mRNA differential display DDRT-PCR. The deduced amino-acid sequences of six fragments of cDNA showed no significant homology with ESTs and genes in the Genbank databases, and they could be new cDNA fragments. However, the remaining three showed significant homologies with sequences encoding components of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit H, MADS-box protein and ethylene signal transcription factor, respectively. Their differential expression patterns were confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis. And the expression level of the induction of microtubers of P. ternata in vitro was different.

Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pinellia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Tubers ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Objective: To study the effects of triptolide-medicated serum on secretory function of adrenocortical cells isolated from rats. Methods: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into control group, prednisone group, and low-, medium- and high-dose triptolide groups. Rats were administered with normal saline, prednisone and low-, medium- and high-dose triptolide respectively by gastrogavage to prepare sera containing drugs. Primary adrenocortical cells were isolated from normal male rats and cultured with sera containing drug for 48 hours. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was observed by immunohistochemical method and number of PCNA-positive cells was counted. Ultrastructure of adrenocortical cells was observed under a transmission electron microscope. Content of corticosterone in supernatant of adrenocortical cell culture was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to investigate the expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) mRNA. Results: As compared with the control group, content of corticosterone in supernatant of adrenocortical cell culture and expression of 3beta-HSD mRNA were significantly increased in the triptolide-treated groups, and the numbers of PCNA-positive cells were increased in the medium- and high-dose triptolide groups, however, they were decreased in the prednisone group. Conclusion: Triptolide-medicated serum can increase the secretion of corticosterone in rat adrenocortical cells in vitro.