[Nucleosides-based identification model for Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus].

A high performance liquid chromatography( HPLC) method was established for the fast,and precise determination of ten nucleosides in Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus and its counterfeits. Then multivariate statistical analyses,such as clustering analysis,principal component analysis( PCA),and Fisher' s linear discriminant analysis( LDA),were conducted to establish a discriminant function model for an integrated analysis. The results indicated that data acquisition time of a single sample was shortened within 16 min by the HPLC method. In the range of 5-1 000 mg·kg~(-1),the mass concentrations of all nucleosides exhibited good linear relationships with the corresponding peak areas( R2> 0. 999). The spiked recoveries were in the range of 93. 83%-108. 9% with RSDs of0. 12%-1. 3%( n = 5). The limit of quantitation( LOQ) was 0. 98-4. 13 mg·kg~(-1). As revealed by the clustering analysis,Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus and the counterfeits could be discriminated into two clusters based on the content of nucleosides. Fisher's LDA could achieve this discrimination,while PCA dimension reduction failed. The accuracy of the discriminant function model established on the screened characteristic indicators reached 97. 5%. The present study proposed a new identification method of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus with one-dimensional indicators,which is simple,accurate,and reliable. It can provide a scientific basis for further optimizing the identification techniques for Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus and inspiration for quality control strategy development of Chinese medicinal materials.

A simple and effective method to discern the true commercial Chinese cordyceps from counterfeits.

The Chinese cordyceps, a complex of the fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis and its species-specific host insects, is also called "DongChongXiaCao" in Chinese. Habitat degradation in recent decades and excessive harvesting by humans has intensified its scarcity and increased the prices of natural populations. Some counterfeits are traded as natural Chinese cordyceps for profit, causing confusion in the marketplace. To promote the safe use of Chinese cordyceps and related products, a duplex PCR method for specifically identifying raw Chinese cordyceps and its primary products was successfully established. Chinese cordyceps could be precisely identified by detecting an internal transcribed spacer amplicon from O. sinensis and a cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 amplicon from the host species, at a limit of detection as low as 32 pg. Eleven commercial samples were purchased and successfully tested to further verify that the developed duplex PCR method could be reliably used to identify Chinese cordyceps. It provides a new simple way to discern true commercial Chinese cordyceps from counterfeits in the marketplace. This is an important step toward achieving an authentication method for this Chinese medicine. The methodology and the developmental strategy can be used to authenticate other traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

[Chinese expert consensus on the use of topical timolol maleate treatment of infantile hemangiomas].

Non-selective ß-blocker propranolol has been proved by FDA as the first-line agent for infantile hemangioma (IH) with dramatic response. To reduce the side effects caused by systemic administration of propranolol, timolol maleate treatment has been increasingly used as an alternative to systemic ß-blockers and watchful waiting for many IH patients in recent years. However, the appropriate indications, drug dosage, dosing regimen, time for initiation, optimal duration, monitoring for side effects still remains controversial. To standardize the use of topical timolol in treating IH, avoid overtreatment or under-treatment, as well as minimize complications, a Chinese expert consensus on the use of topical timolol treatment of IH has been approved and written by a multidisciplinary experts group based on an up-to-date literature review and repeated discussion, which can be used to reduce inappropriate variations in clinical practice and to promote the delivery of high quality, evidence-based health care for IH patients.

MiR-138/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ß signaling regulates human hypertrophic scar fibroblast proliferation and movement in vitro.

Excessive scars affect a patient's quality of life, both physically and psychologically, by causing pruritus, pain and contractures. Because there is a poor understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying the processes of hypertrophic scar formation, most therapeutic approaches remain clinically unsatisfactory. In this study, we found that miR-138 was downregulated and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARß) was inversely upregulated in hypertrophic scar tissues compared to in paired normal skin tissues. Using a dual-luciferase assay, we validated that miR138 directly targets PPARß and regulates its expression at the transcriptional and translational levels. In gain-and-loss experiments, we found that miR-138/PPARß signaling regulated human hypertrophic scar fibroblast proliferation and movement, and affected scarring-related protein expression, which suggests that miR-138/PPARß signaling is important for hypertrophic scarring. Thus, our study provides evidence to help determine whether miR-138/PPARß signaling may be a potential target for hypertrophic scarring management.

[Effects of herbivorous insect stress on the growth and yield-related traits of insect-resistant transgenic rice].

A field experiment was conducted to test the effects of high and low herbivorous insect stresses on the growth, development and yield-related traits of insect-resistant transgenic rice. Three Bt transgenic rice Bt63, R1 and R2 were selected as the test materials, and non-transgenic rice Shanyou63 was taken as the control. The differences in the vegetative growth, seed-setting, and stem borer resistance between transgenic and non-transgenic rice were compared. Under herbivorous insect stress, the transgenic rice fully displayed the stem borer-resistance of exogenous gene. Under the high stress, the stem borer-damaged degree of the three transgenic rice lines was much lower than that of the control. The plant height, tillers per plant, aboveground fresh mass, panicle length, panicle fresh mass, productive panicles per plant, filled grains per plant, grain mass per plant, seed setting rate, and 1000-grain mass of the three transgenic rice lines excelled the control, but had no significant differences except plant height, tillers per plant, and panicle length. Therefore, introducing exogenous Bt gene into rice had no negative effect on rice seed-setting, and high herbivorous insect stress had less impacts on transgenic rice yield.

[The use of composite sodium lactate and sorbitol composition in fluid resuscitation for shock in patients with major burn].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of the use of sodium lactate and sorbitol (CISS) in the fluid resuscitation for shock in patients with major burns. METHODS: Fifty - three adult patients with major burns (hospitalized within 6 hours after burns) were randomly divided into A (n = 24, with i.v. infusion of 50 g/L CISS, 2 000 ml per day) and B (n = 29, with i. v. infusion of 50 g/L glucose, 2 000 ml per day) groups. The amount of electrolytes and colloid as the main resuscitation fluids was calculated according to the formula in both groups. Meanwhile, additional electrolytes and insulin were supplemented to the patients in the B group. The result of combating shock, energy supply, and side effects in the two groups were observed. The changes in hepatic and renal function, and the changes in electrolytes were monitored. The amount of fluid supplementation and urinary volume were recorded. The level of blood glucose of each patient was determined at the admission time and 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury. RESULTS: No obvious difference was found in control of shock and energy supply between A and B group. There was no side effects or damage to hepatic and renal function related to infused fluids in A group. But the patients of the B group required supplementation of exra electrolytes and insulin during the fluid resuscitation period in order to maintain the normal levels of electrolytes and blood glucose, and this was not necessary in group A. The diuretic effect in group A was better than that in group B (average urinary volume in the first two 24 hours: group A: 1.9 +/- 0.6 and 3.3 +/- 0.8 L; group B:1.0 +/- 0.5 and 2.3 +/- 0.8 L). CONCLUSION: The use of CISS during shock stage of the patients with major burns could be beneficial to the replenishment of blood volume, control of shock, promotion of diuresis and subsidence of edema. It could also provide electrolytes and energy, without the influence on the level of blood glucose.

[Repair of rabbit tendon by autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as seed cells for the repair of tendon defect. METHODS: The MSCs were isolated, amplified and identified by detection of surface protein CD44 mRNA. A 3 cm long defect was made in the Achilles tendon of the rabbit. The rabbits were divided into experimental (E) and control (C) groups. The autologous MSCs were implanted into a collagen-polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffold to form a tissue-engineered tendon, which was then transplanted to bridge the defect in the E group, while only collagen-PGA was transplanted to bridge the defect in the C group. The transplanted tendon was observed grossly and microscopically at 4, 8, 12 weeks after operation. RESULTS: The cultured MSCs exhibited positive staining of CD44 on 11 days after in vitro culture. A tendon-like tissue could be discerned at the operation site in the E group 4 weeks after operation. Tendon-like cells similar to normal tendon tissue, being axially arranged in collagen matching the mechanical direction, with uniform morphology could be seen in E group 12 weeks after operation. The newly regenerated tissue in C group adhered to the adjacent tissue and was smaller than that in E group. The collagen fibers in the regenerated tissue were loose with reticular and filiform structure, and the cells were arranged disorderly 12 weeks after the transplantation. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to repair the tendon defect with autologous MSCs as seed cells.

[Interchange of facial scar flap with upper arm subdermal vascular network skin flap to improve facial appearance].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the result of subdermal vascular network skin flap raised from the upper arm to interchange with a facial skin flap carrying a scar resulted from previous burn. METHODS: A transit flap was designed in the anterior medial aspect of the upper arm according to the reverse design method. The subdermal vascular network flap in the upper arm with length-width ratio less than 1.5:1 was raised with the pedicle located outside of the intermuscular septum of musculus biceps/triceps brachialis. The length-width ratio of the facial scar flap should be less than 1.2:1. The two flaps were cross-grafted to repair the facial wound left by raising the scar flap. The pedicles of the flaps were divided on 14 approximately 15 post-operative days (PODs). RESULTS: The two flaps survived with satisfactory appearance in 9 patients with this method. CONCLUSION: Interchange of facial scar flap with subdermal vascular network skin flap from the upper arms could be a new, reliable and effective method for the facial plastic surgery.

[Long-term result of repair of deeply burned hands with large sheet of split-thickness autoskin grafting with the preservation of denatured dermis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term results of repair of burn hands with large sheet of split-thickness autoskin grafting with the preservation of denatured dermis. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-two hands in 86 burn patients with deep partial thickness and full thickness burn were enrolled in the study. The burned hands were treated by tangential excision and grafted with large sheet of split-thickness autoskin with the preservation of denatured dermis. The patients were followed-up from 3 months to 3 years. The skin color, elasticity, degree of contracture and the functional grading of the operated hands were observed. RESULTS: Good function was found in one hundred and forty-one out of the 152 burn hands (92.8%). For the rest 11 hands, pigmentation was found in 4, poor appearance in 4, and 3 hands with both poor appearance and function. CONCLUSION: Large sheet of split-thickness autoskin grafting with the preservation of denatured dermis could be an optimal choice for the management of hands with deep partial thickness burn, and it could restore the appearance and function of the hands satisfactorily.

[Repair of the penial injury in patients inflicted by high-voltage electrical injury].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the repair and reconstruction of penial defect in patients inflicted by high-voltage electrical injury. METHODS: Among one hundred and fifty three patients inflicted with high-voltage electrical injury, 6 suffered from penial injury (including 3 with necrosis of whole penis, 1 with partial necrosis of penis, 1 with partial necrosis of penial shin and 1 with necrosis of entire skin of penis) were enrolled in the study. The penis was repaired by direct suture of the residual skin following excision of necrotic skin in one case, by skin grafting in two case, by scrotum skin flap transplantation in 3 cases. RESULTS: The appearance and function of the penis in three cases were satisfactory, and the result was also satisfactory in one patient who underwent reconstructive operation at late post injury stage. The penis was totally lost in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: The skin necrosis of penis after high-voltage injury could be repaired with scrotum skin flap. Total necrosis of the penis could be reconstructed with abdominal skin flap.