[Exogenous NO application effectively alleviates the allelochemical stress on cucumber root border cells caused by Eupatorium adenophorum extracts.] / 外源NOç¼“è§£ç´«èŒŽæ³½å °æå–ç‰©å¯¹é»„ç“œæ ¹è¾¹ç¼˜ç»†èƒžçš„åŒ–æ„Ÿèƒè¿«.

Using suspension cultures of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cultivar Jinyou 35, we investigated the effects of allelochemical stresses induced by Eupatorium adenophorum extracts on root border cells (RBC), and the role of exogenous NO application in alleviation of the damage of root tips exposed to E. adenophorum extracts. The results showed that, 1000 mg·L-1 E. adenophorum extracts had significant damage to the cucumber root tip, resulting in severe tissue damage, exfoliated surface cells and irregular arrangement of inner cells, while those damages could be effectively alleviated by spraying exogenous NO. Compared with the control, E. adenophorum extracts (ZL) markedly reduced RBC numbers and survival rates by 54.5% and 97.2%, respectively, the RBC apoptosis rates were 12.3 times higher, the thicknesses of RBC adhesive layers were increased by 31.4%, and the root cap PME activities were markedly increased. Compared with the ZL treatment, exogenous NO application (ZN) significantly increased RBC numbers and survival rates by 72.4% and 146.0%, respectively, reduced the corresponding RBC apoptosis rates and the thicknesses of RBC adhesive layers by 30.7% and 15.0%, respectively, and inhibited the PME activities by 14.3% upon treatment for 72 hours. Our findings revealed that E. adenophorum extracts showed toxic effects on the cucumber RBC, resulting in cell apoptosis, abolishment of the RBC protection on root tips, and the destruction of root tip structure. Exogenous NO application, to some extent, could prevent the root tip and RBC from cell damage caused by E. adenophorum extracts.

Outcomes of microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma adjacent to large vessels: a propensity score analysis.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the long-term efficacy of MW ablation as a curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) adjacent to large vessels(≥3 mm) with that in safe location. Between 2010 and 2016, 406 patients diagnosed with early-stage HCC at Chinese PLA general hospital were enrolled. One-to-one matched pairs between the vessel group and the safe group were generated using propensity score matching. The associations of treatment strategy with overall survival and local tumor progression were determined by Cox regression. Before matching, 113 patients were classified into the vessel group and 293 patients were classified into the vessel group. The patients in the vessel group were more frequently classified as larger tumor size (P<0.05) and higher AFP level (P<0.05) than patients in the safe group. After propensity score matching, 113 pairs of well-matched HCC patients were selected from different treatment groups. No significant differences were found in local tumor progression, overall survival and complication rates for MW ablation as a first-line treatment for the early-stage HCC between two groups. In conclusion, MW ablation provides an effective and safe way to treat early-stage HCC adjacent to large vessels.

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry based chemical profiling approach for the holistic quality control of complex Kang-Jing formula preparations.

The Kang-Jing (KJ) formula is a compound preparation made from 12 kinds of herbs. So far, four different methods (M1-M4) have been documented for KJ preparation, but the influence of preparation methods on the holistic quality of KJ have remained unknown. In this study, a strategy was proposed to investigate the influence of different preparation methods on the holistic quality of KJ using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) based chemical profiling. A total of 101 compounds mainly belonging to flavonoids, tanshinones, monoterpene glycosides, triterpenoid saponins, alkaloids, phenolic acids and volatile oils, were identified. Among these compounds, glaucine was detected only in M3/M4 samples, while two dehydrocorydaline isomers merely detected in M2/M3/M4 samples. Tetrahydrocolumbamine, ethylic lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid E and rosmarimic acid were only detected in M1/M3/M4 samples. In the subsequent quantitative analysis, 12 major compounds were determined by UHPLC-MS/MS. The proposed method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and recovery. It was found that the contents of marker compounds varied significantly in samples prepared by different methods. These results demonstrated that preparation method does significantly affect the holistic quality of KJ. UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS based chemical profiling approach is efficient and reliable for comprehensive quality evaluation of KJ. Collectively, this study provide the chemical evidence for revealing the material basis of KJ, and establish a simple and accurate chemical profiling method for its quality control.

[Effects of exogenous EBR and NO signal on antioxidant system and low response gene expression under cold stress on maize embryo].

In this study, Xianyu 335, a maize hybrid, was used to investigate the effects of 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR, a synthetic BR) on antioxidant capacity and low-temperature response gene expression in maize embryo germination under low temperature (LT) stress. The germination rate of maize seeds under LT stress was not affected by EBR, but the seed activity index and seedling growth were improved. EBR increased the activities of some antioxidative enzymes including SOD, POD, CAT and GR, and the contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as GSH and proline, and induced the accumulation of nitric oxide (NO). NO scavenging c-PTIO and NOS inhibitor L- NAME decreased but NO donor SNP increased the enzyme activities of CAT and POD, and the content of proline, indicating NO mediated the EBR-induced antioxidant capacity. The gene expression pattern analysis showed that the expression of P5CS1, CBF1, CBF3 and COR15a was induced by LT stress, and further increased by EBR treatment in maize embryo, while their expression was suppressed by c-PTIO and L-NAME, and improved by SNP, which implied LT-responsed genes were regulated by NO. These results demonstrated that NO was involved in the EBR-induced LT tolerance in maize embryo by modulating the antioxidative capacity and the expression of LT-responsive genes.

Cultural adaptation and application of the IBS-QOL in China: a disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and episodic illness characterized by altered bowel habits and associated abdominal pain. At present, IBS is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders affecting countries around the world. Surveys have found that patients with IBS have a significantly lower health-related quality of life. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to translate and examine the validity of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life questionnaire (IBS-QOL) in patients suffering from IBS in China. METHODS: A structured procedure was used for the translation and cultural adaptation of the original English IBS-QOL into Chinese. The questionnaire was administered to 73 clinical patients with IBS and 70 healthy individuals. Psychometric testing for reliability, validity and responsiveness followed standardized procedures. Test-retest reliability (10-20 hours) was assessed using the clinical patients. Follow-up (4 weeks) was collected for 61 clinical patients. All enrolled patients also completed the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) at the baseline visit. Responsiveness to treatment (Venlafaxine and traditional Chinese herbal medicine) was assessed by one-way ANOVA methods. RESULTS: The average length of time required to complete the questionnaire was short (5.63 min for IBS patients and 5.54 min for healthy subjects by self-administration). Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) values ranged from 0.722 to 0.914 for the Chinese IBS-QOL subscales and test-retest reliability coefficients were higher than 0.920 on all subscales. The convergent and discriminate validity results comparing the Chinese translation of the IBS-QOL overall score and the SF-36 subscales confirmed our predicted hypotheses. The Chinese IBS-QOL scores are more highly correlated with social functioning, vitality and general health (SF-36) and show weaker associations with physical functioning, role physical, mental health, and bodily pain (SF-36). The Chinese translation of the IBS-QOL was responsive to treatment. CONCLUSION: In general, the Chinese translation of the IBS-QOL, after cultural adaptation and revision, possesses good reliability, validity and responsiveness. It is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the quality of life in Chinese patients suffering from IBS and is an appropriate measure to use in further clinical trials or for related research projects in China.

Efficacy of subdural saline injection during surgery for acute epidural haematomas.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of subdural space saline injection surgery in the management of large acute epidural haematomas (EDHs). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Over a period of 6 years, the authors employed the technique of subdural space saline injection to facilitate elevation of dura after evacuation of supratentorial epidural haematomas. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS. Eighty patients with supratentorial epidural haematomas underwent the procedure. Infusion of saline in the subdural space not only helps elevation of the dura, facilitate haemostasis and application of suspension stitches during operation, it also avoids ICP fluctuations during the operations. Post-operative CT scans showed rapid disappearance of saline and reposition of cerebral structure. No patient required re-operation for residual haematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Subdural saline injection is an effective operative technique in the management of large epidural haematoma.