Advances in biosynthesis of indigo in plants / 中国中药杂志

Natural indigo, as one of the oldest dyes, is also a pivotal dye utilized in cotton fabrics today. A diversity of plants rich in indigo compounds belong to traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Indigo compounds have a variety of biological and pharmacological activities, including anticonvulsant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer activities. A substantial progress in indigo biosynthesis has been made lately. This paper summarizes the value of indigo from the aspects of cultural history, biosynthetic pathways and the medicinal activities of its related derivatives involved in the pathways. In addition, the latest research advancements in indigo biosynthetic pathways is demonstrated in this paper, which would lay the theoretical foundation for the exploration and utilization of natural indigo.

Seasonal and geographical dispersal regularity of airborne pollens in China / 解放军医学杂志

Allergic diseases can be induced by abundant airborne allergenic pollens with symptoms such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma,which can seriously threaten human health.The species and distribution of airborne pollens differed in different regions,based on the difference of geographical environment and climate conditions.Therefore,the occurrence of pollinosis was of obviously regional and seasonal divergence.Inappropriate urban greening,tree species selection and environmental pollution have contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of pollen sensitizing plants and hay fever.The species and dispersal regularity of allergenic pollen plants in different administrative areas in China in recent 10 years are reviewed in present paper for providing scientific basis on controlling pollinosis and reasonable greening of urban environment.

Role of NF-?B in hepatocyte apoptosis induced by intestinal perforations due to abdominal firearm wound / 中国现代普通外科进展

Objective: To investigate the role of NF-?B in signal transduction of hepatocyte apoptosis in liver injury. Methods: A total of 42 Chang-Bai piglets were divided into 7 groups: control group, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours wound group. The model of intestinal perforations due to abdominal firearm wound was established in wound groups. Hepatic NF-?B activity was measured with immunohistochemical staining and image analysis in all groups. Hepatocyte apoptosis indexes and serum ALT levels were also determined. Results: Levels of hepatic NF-?B activity in wounded groups were significantly elevated compared with control group, and there were two peaks (1 and 8 hours group P