Changes of ion absorption, distribution and essential oil components of flowering Schizonepeta tenuifolia under salt stress / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, a pot experiment using quartz sands was conducted to study the effects of different concentrations of NaCl (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mmol·L⁻¹) on the ion absorption, distribution and essential oil components of flowering Schizonepeta tenuifolia. The results showed that as NaCl concentration increased, Na⁺ content of root, stem, leaf and flower increased significantly, and that of the aerial parts was in a higher level than in the root. Regarding the K⁺ content, it decreased in the root but increased in stem, leaf and flower. Some changes were detected in the Ca²⁺ content, but not significant on the whole. The value of K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca²⁺/Na⁺ reduced as a result of increasing NaCl concentrations. The content of essential oil increased under medium salt treatment (50 mmol·L⁻¹ NaCl). However, the synthesis and accumulation of essential oil was inhibited by the serious salt treatment (100 mmol·L⁻¹ NaCl). Over 98% of the essential oil components were terpenes, in which pulegone and menthone were the most two abundant compounds. Varieties of essential oil components did not change significantly under salt stress but their relative proportions did. The transformation of pulegone to menthone was enhanced and the value of pulegone/menthone based on their relative contents decreased with NaCl concentration increasing. Consequently, menthone ranked the most abundant compound by replacing pulegone. Relative content of D-limonene increased under medium and serious salt stress, and that of β-caryophyllene only increased under mild treatments. So our research could provide references for the standard cultivation on saline soil of S. tenuifolia.

Effects of nitrogen and sulfur combined application on nutritional components and active components of Isatis indigotica at seedling stage / 中国中药杂志

Using split plot design, a pot experiment with sand culture was conducted to investigate the effects ofnitrogen and sulfur combined application on nutritional components and active component of Isatis indigotica at seedling stage under different N (5，15，25 mmol·L⁻¹)and S(0.00，1.25，2.50，5.00，7.50 mmol·L⁻¹) levels. The results showed thatthe two elements had obvious effects and the leaf and root dry weights of I. indigotica seedlings increased greatly at N₂ level. Under the same nitrogen concentration, the leaf and root dry weights increased firstly and decreased with the rising of sulfur concentrations in which S₂ was conducive to the growth and biomass accumulation. Soluble sugar, soluble protein, soluble amino acids contents were the highest in N₁, N₂ and N₃ treatments, respectively. The influence of sulfur concentrations on nutritional components was same as biomass, but the peak of different nutritional components was diversity in different nitrogen levels. The effects on secondary metabolites (total flavones, indigo, indriubin, epigotrin contents) were not obvious significantly, in which these indexes by N₁S₃，N₁S₂，N₃S₀，N₃S₁were the highest, respectively. In conclusion, the combination of nitrogen and sulfur of N₂S₂(N 15 mmol·L⁻¹ and S 2.5 mmol·L⁻¹) was beneficial to the growth and secondary metabolites accumulation of I. indigotica. These results could provide a theoretical basis for rational fertilization and cultivation of I. indigotica seedling.

Expressions of the related genes in fibroblasts of human keloid and the effect of artesunate / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify whether abnormal expression of calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) and inhibitors of differentiation 1 (ID1) exist in Fb of keloid, and to observe the effect of artesunate on two genes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen samples of keloid and 12 samples of normal skin tissue (discarded) excised from patients admitted to our hospital were collected. Tissue particle adherent method was used in the primary culture of Fb, and cells from the third to the eighth passage were used for test. Expressions of CASK and ID1 in Fb harvested from both sources were observed with immunofluorescence staining. Fb of keloid were stimulated with artesunate in various concentration for different time, and the median inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined with the MTT colorimetric assay, which served as the intervention concentration of artesunate. Fb of normal skin were set as normal control group (NC, treated with medium solution). Fb of keloid were divided into scar control group (SC, treated with medium solution) and scar administration group (SA, treated with artesunate in IC50). The cycle and apoptosis of Fb were detected with flow cytometric assay, and the nucleic acid and protein expressions of CASK and ID1 of Fb in each group were determined with RT-PCR and Western blotting. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD-t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expressions of CASK and ID1 were detected in two kinds of Fb. The concentration of 75 mg/L was selected as the intervention concentration of artesunate. (1) There were statistically significant differences among the three groups in the percentages of cells in G0/G1 phase and G2/M phase (with F values respectively 118.064 and 163.840, P values all below 0.01). The percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase of group SA was (91.4 ± 1.4)%, which was significantly higher than that of group SC and group NC [respectively (80.7 ± 0.3)% and (82.4 ± 0.6)%, with t values respectively 12.740 and 9.872, P values all below 0.05]. The percentage of cells in G2/M phase of group SA was (6.9 ± 0.3)%, which was significantly lower than that of group SC and group NC [respectively (13.7 ± 0.3)% and (12.7 ± 0.8)%, with t values respectively 43.702 and 12.276, P values all below 0.05]. (2) There were statistically significant differences among the three groups in the early and late apoptotic rates (with F values respectively 61.879 and 4710.862, P values all below 0.01). The early and late apoptotic rates of group SA were respectively (7.1 ± 1.0)% and (14.9 ± 0.3)%, which were significantly higher than those of group SC and group NC [with early apoptotic rate respectively (2.6 ± 0.4)% and (2.7 ± 0.3)%, t values respectively 7.974 and 7.767, P values all below 0.05; with late apoptotic rate respectively (2.3 ± 0.3)% and (2.5 ± 0.4)%, t values respectively 72.882 and 69.792, P values all below 0.05]. (3) The mRNA expression of CASK in group SC was 0.658 ± 0.024, and it was lower than that of group NC (1.076 ± 0.008, t = 28.997, P < 0.01) and group SA (0.855 ± 0.008, t = 13.549, P < 0.01). The protein expression of CASK in group SC was 0.067 ± 0.007, and it was lower than that of group NC (0.179 ± 0.015, t = 12.042, P < 0.01) and group SA (0.132 ± 0.010, t = 9.498, P < 0.01). (4) The mRNA expression of ID1 in group SC was 0.416 ± 0.006, which was higher than that of group NC (0.317 ± 0.020, t = 8.299, P < 0.01) and group SA (0.217 ± 0.009, t = 32.417, P < 0.01). The protein expression of ID1 in group SC was 0.789 ± 0.034, and it was higher than that of group NC (0.366 ± 0.029, t = 16.341, P < 0.01) and group SA (0.114 ± 0.006, t = 33.978, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is speculated that CASK and ID1 participate in the proliferation of Fb in keloid. The mechanism of artesunate in inhibiting the proliferation of Fb in keloid may be related to the up-regulation of CASK and down-regulation of ID1.</p>

Effect of different nitrogen forms and concentrations on biomass and alkaloids of isatidis folium / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to provide theoretical basis of improving nitrogen utilization efficiency in Isatis indigotica, the biomass and active components in Isatidis Folium under different nitrogen forms and concentrations were analyzed.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>I. indigotica was cultivated by sand culture in greenhouse, and the experiment was designed with orthogonal test L25 (5(6)). As an index to the biomass and indigo, indirubin, the effects on the I. indigotica by three factors [NO3(-) -N, NH4(+) -N, CO(NH2)2] at five different levels were studied.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There were significant difference of the biomass and active components by different nitrogen forms and concentrations. The effect of amide nitrogen [CO(NH2)2] on biomass of Isatidis Folium was the most apparent, and the effect of ammonium nitrogen on indirubin was more obvious. Considering the biomass and active ingredient, one combination was optimized, which was (NH4)2SO(4)-7.5 mmol x L(-1), KNO(3)-2.5 mmol x L(-1), CO(NH2)(2)- 5 mmol x L(-1).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is important to promote the growth in pre-stage of I. indigotica, and cost-effective combination of balanced nitrogen fertilizer could reasonably promote the growth, and improve the contents of active components and individual biomass.</p>

Hydrogen sulfide and nervous system regulation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This review discusses the current status and progress in studies on the roles of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) in regulation of neurotoxicity, neuroprotection, and neuromodulator, as well as its therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative disorders.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>The data used in this review were mainly from Medline and PubMed published in English from 2001 to August 2011. The search terms were "hydrogen sulfide", "neuron", and "neurodegenerative disorders".</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles regarding the regulation of neuronal function, the protection against neuronal damage and neurological diseases, and their possible cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with H(2)S were selected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The inhibited generation of endogenous H(2)S is implicated in 1-methy-4-phenylpyridinium ion, 6-OHDA, and homocysteine-triggered neurotoxicity. H(2)S elicits neuroprotection in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease models as well as protecting neurons against oxidative stress, ischemia, and hypoxia-induced neuronal death. H(2)S offers anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, as well as activates ATP-sensitive potassium channels and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels. H(2)S regulates the long-term potentiation (LTP) and GABAB receptors in the hippocampus, as well as intracellular calcium and pH homeostasis in neurons and glia cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These articles suggest that endogenous H(2)S may regulate the toxicity of neurotoxin. H(2)S not only acts as a neuroprotectant but also serves as a novel neuromodulator.</p>

Audiology characteristics in newborns and infants who failed in the hearing screening by transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions: 89 cases study / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The present study was to evaluate the audiological characteristics of infants with normal auditory brainstem response thresholds in click and abnormal transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions. Relationships between test results of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and other hearing testing methods were also evaluated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The participants consisted of eighty-nine infants, with a total of 123 ears. All participants' TEOAE screening results were abnormal but diagnostic click ABR results were normal. The participants were classified into the following groups based on the test results from distortion product otoacoustic emissions: group A (normal all-frequency), group B (abnormal low-frequency), group C (abnormal high-frequency), and group D (abnormal all-frequency).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Obtained from these groups were compared to results of other hearing tests including the latency of ABR wave I, 40 Hz auditory event related potential (40 Hz AERP), 226 Hz and 1000 Hz tympanometry, and acoustic reflex. Results In six hearing tests in the 123 ears, seven ears (5.7%) were normal, while 116 ears (94.3%) were abnormal. No significantly differences were detected between boys (93.9%) and girls (95.1%), as well as between left (93.1%) and right ears (95.4%). The proportion of abnormal test results ranked as follows: 59 ears in group D (48.0%), 34 ears in group B (27.6%), 20 ears in group A (16.3%), and 10 ears in group C (8.2%). The highest abnormal rates in groups A, B and D were acoustic reflex, which were 40.0% for group A, 55.9% for group B and 66.1% for group D respectively. The highest abnormal rate in group C was the latency of ABR wave I (50.0%). Distribution of low-frequency hearing loss in each group was mainly mild. However, one ear in group B was moderate hearing loss, six ears in group D were moderate hearing loss, and one ear in group D was severe hearing loss.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The present study showed that, of which infants with normal thresholds of ABR failed the hearing screening, comprehensively audiology assessment is needed. And of which infants with normal DPOAE in full frequency or abnormal in high frequency region or low frequency region need to be followed up.</p>

Comparison of sensitivity of audiological tests to identify otitis media with effusion in newborn infants / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the sensitive factors which were used in routine audiological tests to find out otitis media with effusion (OME) in newborn infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Subjects of this study were 48 infants, including 31 males and 17 females, who failed in the universal newborn hearing screening. The age ranged from 1.5 to 12 months with the average age of 4.3 months. All subjects accepted temporal bone CT and routine audiological assessments, including air-conduction and bone-conduction auditory brainstem response (ABR), 40 Hz-auditory event related potential (40 Hz-AERP), distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), acoustic reflex, tympanometries using 226 Hz and 1000 Hz probe tone. Nine factors were statistically analyzed using Kappa test, Univariate chi(2) test and multivariate condition Logistic stepwise regression analysis, which included the results of acoustic immittance, the air-conduction and bone-conduction ABR thresholds, the difference between air-conduction and bone-conduction ABR thresholds, the latency of ABR wave I, duration between ABR wave I and V, 40 Hz-AERP thresholds, amplitudes and thresholds of DPOAE, and acoustic reflex thresholds (ART).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventy-seven ears were diagnosed with OME, and 19 ears were normal. CT scan of temporal bone was set as a comparative standard. Kappa test indicated that the results of tympanometry with 1000 Hz probe tone (Kappa = 0.745, P < 0.001), the air-conduction ABR threshold (Kappa = 0.453, P < 0.001), the latency of ABR wave I (Kappa = 0.430, P < 0.001), the threshold of 40 Hz-AERP (Kappa = 0.582, P < 0.001), and DPOAE (Kappa = 0.495, P < 0.001) had agreement with the results of temporal bone CT on evaluating the function of middle ear. Univariate analysis indicated that sensitive factors of middle ear function in newborn infants were tympanometry with 1000 Hz probe tone (P < 0.001), ART (P < 0.001), the air-conduction ABR threshold (P < 0.001), the difference between air-conduction and bone-conduction ABR thresholds (P < 0.001), the latency of ABR wave I (P < 0.001), the threshold of 40 Hz-AERP (P < 0.001) and DPOAE (P < 0.001). And multivariate conditional Logistic stepwise regression model showed that tympanometry with 1000 Hz probe tone (P < 0.001) and 40 Hz-AERP threshold (P = 0.004) can be substituted into Logistic stepwise regression equation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tympanometry with 1000 Hz probe tone and are sensitive factors to find out OME in newborn infants. The air conduction ABR threshold, ABR wave I latency, 40 Hz-AERP threshold and DPOAE could reflect the middle ear function of newborn infants effectively.</p>

Analysis on biomasses and contents of active components in roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza from different populations / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide some evidence for breeding excellent lines of Salvia miltiorrhiza.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Contents of tanshinone II(A), cryptotanshinone, salvialic acid A and salvianolic acid B in root of S. miltiorrhiza from different populations were determined by HPLC. Total tanshinone and total salvianolic acids were determined by spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The biomass of individual plant from Zhongjiang of Sichuan province, content of tanshinone II(A), from Shanxi province, cryptotanshinone and total tanshinone from Zhongjiang of Sichuan province, salvialic acid A of High-Stem cultivation from Hebei province, salvianolic acid B and total salvianolic acids of tetroploid were higher than the other samples, respectively. With the value of biomass of individual plant multiplying contents of every active components as indicative constituents, the multiplying value from Zhongjiang of Sichuan province was higher than the other samples.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>With biomasses and effective components as indicative constituents, it suggested that S. miltiorrhiza from Zhongjiang of Sichuan province was a better derivative material.</p>

Effects of formula fertilization to yield and content on polysaccharide of Isatis indigotica / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To select the optimum formula fertilization of Isatis indigotica through analyzing the yield and contents of polysaccharide of Radix Isatis for different treatments.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>An orthogonal experiment design on the basis of three factors and four levels was applied for studying the effect of formula fertilization on yield. The contents of polysaccharides were determined with phenol-witriolic colorimetry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The optimum formula fertilization of Radix Isatis was carbamide 869.0 kg x hm(-2), superphosphate 1 428.6 kg x hm(-2) and potassium sulfate 0 kg x hm(-2).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Superphosphate can observably influence the yields of Radix Inditis. while carbamide influence the contents of polysaccharide of Radix Inditis.</p>

Analysis of the found age and way for children age 0 to 6 with hearing loss / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the children with hearing loss from the age 0 to 6, and discuss the found age, found way and audiological characteristics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>General information of found age and found way of 265 children, were investigated with self-made questionnaire and routine audiological evaluations, and then made statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average (x +/- s) found age for the children with hearing loss was (23.21 +/- 10.02) months, and the first average coming age was (28.01 +/- 13.41) months. The found age of girls [(27.11 +/- 13.13) months] was 6.1 months later than the boys' [(21.03 +/- 12.32) months] and the countryside children [(28.27 +/- 11.09) months] later than the city's [(19.52 +/- 13.05) months] 8.65 months in the average found age. The found age of children who were found with speech disability was later than others. As the hearing loss degree of children went milder, the found age might later.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The popularization of knowledge in preventing from hearing loss must be strengthened. It is also necessary to popularize newborn hearing screening and early intervention while to enhance the parents' consciousness.</p>

Hydrogen peroxide preconditioning protects PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by oxidative stress / 生理学报

Oxidative stress can induce significant cell death by apoptosis. We explore whether prior exposure to H2O2 (H2O2 preconditioning) protects PC12 cells against the apoptotic consequences of subsequent oxidative damages and what role the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels play in the preconditioning protection. PC12 cells were preconditioned with 90 min exposure to H2O2 at 10 micromol/L, followed by 24-h recovery and subsequent exposures to different concentrations (20, 30, 50 and 100 micromol/L) of H2O2 for 24 h respectively. We used PI staining flow cytometry (FCM) to observe the apoptosis of PC12 cells. It was shown that 24-h exposures to H2O2 at 20, 30, 50 and 100 micromol/L respectively induced substantial cell apoptosis, which was greatly prevented in the preconditioning cells, indicating that H2O2 preconditioning protected PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by H2O2. Administration of pinacidil (10 micromol/L), an K(ATP) channel activator, significantly attenuated the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by H2O2 at 30 and 50 micromol/L for 24 h respectively. Glybenclamide (10 micromol/L), a K(ATP) channel inhibitor, significantly suppressed or abolished the protective effects caused by the pinacidil but not by H2O2 preconditioning. However, when both H2O2 preconditioning and pinacidil were co-applied, their protection against the apoptosis of PC12 cells was much stronger than that of the individual one of them. These results suggest that H2O2 preconditioning protects PC12 cells against apoptosis and that the activation of K(ATP) channels is not involved in, but synergetically enhances adaptive protection of H2O2 preconditioning.

Follow-up study for newborns and infants who failed hearing screening / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the audiological characteristics of newborns and infants who failed hearing screening.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and six infants failed hearing screening received follow-up study with routine audiological evaluations (auditory brainstem response, distortion product otoacoustic emission, tympanometry and visual reinforcement audiometry).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-five infants (61.3%) of this group were normal hearing subjects and 39(36. 8% ) of the infants had hearing loss. Two cases (1.9%) received follow-up by phone. Fifteen cases (14.2%) with conductive hearing loss and 24 cases (22.6%) with sensorineural hearing loss. Thirteen (12.3%), 14 (13.2%), 6 (5.7%), and 6 (5.7%) cases were found to be mild, moderate, severe and profound hearing loss respectively. Diagnosis of hearing loss in the thirty-nine infants conducted a prevalence of 0.264% (39/14 785) of congenital hearing loss (both binaural and monaural). The hearing level of those cases with severe and profound hearing loss basically did not change, but that of cases with mild and moderate hearing loss changed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Early identification and intervention of infants with severe and profound hearing loss by 6 months of age were successful. Infants with mild and moderate hearing loss should be followed up to six or eight months and received routine audiologic evaluations.</p>

Comparison of the botanic morphology and blooming characteristics of four cultivars of rose / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish identifying method for further development and utilization by studying botanic morphology and blooming characteristics of four varieties of roses in Jiangsu province.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Flower-bud and flower-form were observed by dissection and plant modality and blooming process were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>The flower form and plant modality was obviously different among the 4 varieties of roses. The process of differentiation of flower-bud could be divided into five stages: the transformation of nutritive growth cone, the occurrence and development of sepal, formation of petal primordium, formation of pistil and stamen. The blooming process was made up of flower-bud period, display-petal period, initiating blooming period, blooming period, withering period and corresponding biological marks.</p>