A systematic investigation on animal models of cyclosporine A combined with Escherichia coli to simulate the immunosuppressive status of sepsis patients before onset.

Immunosuppression is an important mechanism for the development of sepsis pathology, and is the key to the high mortality of sepsis. However, patients appear to be immunocompromised before sepsis onset due to lack of enough attention. Present sepsis models cannot fully mimic the onset of sepsis in patients. Hence, effective treatments in animal experiments could not be transformed into clinical application. In the present study, we improved the animal model of sepsis and used cyclosporine A immunosuppressive mice to make it closer to immune status before the onset of sepsis, followed by the intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) CMCC (B) 44,102 standard strain to produce the immunocompromised sepsis model. This trial systematically evaluates the new immunosuppressive sepsis model. Compared with routine sepsis models, the release of inflammatory factors in the new sepsis model was insufficient, blood bacteria were more cultured, diffuse intravascular coagulation (DIC) was more severe, lung, liver and kidney damage were heavier, and mortality rate was higher. In conclusion, the new sepsis model can mimic the patient's pre-onset immunocompromised state, is suitable for the development and evaluation of new methods of sepsis, and solves the controversy of sepsis treatment, providing new ideas and direction.

Polyethylene glycol as a promising synthetic material for repair of spinal cord injury.

Polyethylene glycol is a synthetic, biodegradable, and water-soluble polyether. Owing to its good biological and material properties, polyethylene glycol shows promise in spinal cord tissue engineering applications. Although studies have examined repairing spinal cord injury with polyethylene glycol, these compelling findings have not been recently reviewed or evaluated as a whole. Thus, we herein review and summarize the findings of studies conducted both within and beyond China that have examined the repair of spinal cord injury using polyethylene glycol. The following summarizes the results of studies using polyethylene glycol alone as well as coupled with polymers or hydrogels: (1) polyethylene glycol as an adjustable biomolecule carrier resists nerve fiber degeneration, reduces the inflammatory response, inhibits vacuole and scar formation, and protects nerve membranes in the acute stage of spinal cord injury. (2) Polyethylene glycol-coupled polymers not only promote angiogenesis but also carry drugs or bioactive molecules to the injury site. Because such polymers cross both the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers, they have been widely used as drug carriers. (3) Polyethylene glycol hydrogels have been used as supporting substrates for the growth of stem cells after injury, inducing cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Simultaneously, polyethylene glycol hydrogels isolate or reduce local glial scar invasion, promote and guide axonal regeneration, cross the transplanted area, and re-establish synaptic connections with target tissue, thereby promoting spinal cord repair. On the basis of the reviewed studies, we conclude that polyethylene glycol is a promising synthetic material for use in the repair of spinal cord injury.

Endophytic Trichoderma gamsii YIM PH30019: a promising biocontrol agent with hyperosmolar, mycoparasitism, and antagonistic activities of induced volatile organic compounds on root-rot pathogenic fungi of Panax notoginseng.

BACKGROUND: Biocontrol agents are regarded as promising and environmental friendly approaches as agrochemicals for phytodiseases that cause serious environmental and health problems. Trichoderma species have been widely used in suppression of soil-borne pathogens. In this study, an endophytic fungus, Trichoderma gamsii YIM PH30019, from healthy Panax notoginseng root was investigated for its biocontrol potential. METHODS: In vitro detached healthy roots, and pot and field experiments were used to investigate the pathogenicity and biocontrol efficacy of T. gamsii YIM PH30019 to the host plant. The antagonistic mechanisms against test phytopathogens were analyzed using dual culture, scanning electron microscopy, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Tolerance to chemical fertilizers was also tested in a series of concentrations. RESULTS: The results indicated that T. gamsii YIM PH30019 was nonpathogenic to the host, presented appreciable biocontrol efficacy, and could tolerate chemical fertilizer concentrations of up to 20%. T. gamsii YIM PH30019 displayed antagonistic activities against the pathogenic fungi of P. notoginseng via production of VOCs. On the basis of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, VOCs were identified as dimethyl disulfide, dibenzofuran, methanethiol, ketones, etc., which are effective ingredients for antagonistic activity. T. gamsii YIM PH30019 was able to improve the seedlings' emergence and protect P. notoginseng plants from soil-borne disease in the continuous cropping field tests. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the endophytic fungus T. gamsii YIM PH30019 may have a good potential as a biological control agent against notoginseng phytodiseases and can provide a clue to further illuminate the interactions between Trichoderma and phytopathogens.

[FTIR study of the influence of leaf senescence on magnoliaceae cluster analysis].

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with hierarchical cluster analysis was used to study the influence of leaf senescence on magnoliaceae cluster. FTIR spectra of young, mature and old yellow leaves were obtained from 14 species trees belonging to the three magnoliaceae subtribes. Results showed that the infrared spectra of the three subtribes plant leaves were similar, only with minor differences in the absorption intensity of several peaks. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed on the second derivative infrared spectra in the range 1800-700 cm(-1). The HCA results showed that the cluster based on mature leaves is better than that based on young and old yellow leaves. Our study suggests that it should be cautious to select leaf sample while using leaf spectra for classification.

[Application of PiCCO monitoring in patients with neurogenic pulmonary edema].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of pulse induced contour cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring in patients with neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE), and to assess the accuracy of capacity parameters such as intra thoracic blood volume index (ITBVI) and global end diastolic volume index (GEDVI) and pressure parameters such as central venous pressure (CVP) in estimating severity of NPE, and to assess the prognostic significance of extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) on patients with NPE. METHODS: In this prospective study, 36 patients with NPE in the department of neurological intensive care unit (NICU) underwent PiCCO monitoring, including mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), CVP, ITBVI, GEDVI, EVLWI, pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI). The correlation between ITBVI, GEDVI, CVP and EVLWI was assessed. According to the outcome, these patients were divided into nonsurvivor group and survivor group. The change in EVLWI before and after treatment was compared between two groups. RESULTS: ITBVI, GEDVI were significantly and positively correlated with EVLWI, for the former r =0.54, P<0.001, and for the latter r=0.62, P<0.0001, but there was no significant correlation between CVP and EVLWI, r= 0.12, P>0.05. PVPI, EVLWI were significantly and negatively correlated with oxygenation index (PaO2 / FiO2), for the former r=-0.55, P< 0.001, and for the latter r=-0.48, P<0.05. The difference in EVLWI level before treatment between survivor group and nonsurvivor group was not statistically significant (8.6±2.6 ml/kg vs. 9.4±1.8 ml/kg, P>0.05). In survivor group, EVLWI level obviously declined after treatment (6.92±1.64 ml/kg vs. 8.64±2.62 ml/kg, P<0.05), EVLWI level of survivor group was significantly lower than that of nonsurvivor group (6.92±1.64 ml/kg vs. 9.88±2.44 ml/kg, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Capacity parameters such as GEDVI, ITBVI can assess EVLWI of NPE patients accurately and reliably. In NPE patients, the higher the PVPI and EVLWI, the lower the PaO2 / FiO2. By dynamic observation of the trends of EVLWI in NPE patients, we are able to assess the prognosis of these patients.

[Clinical analysis of linezolid in treatment of infection with methicillin--resistant Staphylococcus in 14 neurosurgical patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of linezolid in the treatment of post-neurosurgical intracranial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) infection. METHODS: The data from 14 patients, admitted to neurological intensive care unit (ICU) of Medical College of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces between March 2009 and November 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. All these cases suffered from post-neurosurgical intracranial infection by MRS and received linezolid treatment. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected before and 7 days and 14 days after treatment for routine and bacteriological examinations to assess clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of linezolid. RESULTS: After 14-day treatment with linezolid, the clinical and laboratory parameters showed significant improvement: glucose (mmol/L) in CSF rose from 1.00 (0.65) to 3.15 (1.60), protein (mg/L) in CSF dropped from 2238.50 (2072.50) to 606.50 (217.30), white blood cell count [×106/L] in CSF fell from 920.00 (1587.50) to 30.00 (40.00), and the number of patients with CSF neutrophil ratio>0.20 was reduced from 14 to 1 (all P < 0.01). In addition, serum procalcitonin level (µg/L) was significantly reduced from 0.65 (1.16) to 0.08 (0.09) after linezolid therapy (P < 0.01). Total effective rate was 85.7% (12/14), and CSF bacterial clearance rate reached 100%. No adverse events were found during the treatment. CONCLUSION: Linezolid could effectively control post--neurosurgical intracranial MRS infection and alleviate the inflammatory responses with safety.

Stem cells modified by brain-derived neurotrophic factor to promote stem cells differentiation into neurons and enhance neuromotor function after brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To promote stem cells differentiation into neurons and enhance neuromotor function after brain injury through brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) induction. METHODS: Recombinant adenovirus vector was applied to the transfection of BDNF into human-derived umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the secretion phase of BDNF. The brain injury model of athymic mice induced by hydraulic pressure percussion was established for transplantation of stem cells into the edge of injury site. Nerve function scores were obtained, and the expression level of transfected and non-transfected BDNF, proportion of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and the number of apoptosis cells were compared respectively. RESULTS: The BDNF expression achieved its stabilization at a high level 72 hours after gene transfection. The mouse obtained a better score of nerve function, and the proportion of the NSE-positive cells increased significantly (P<0.05), but GFAP-positive cells decreased in BDNF-UCMSCs group compared with the other two groups (P<0.05). At the site of high expression of BDNF, the number of apoptosis cells decreased markedly. CONCLUSION: BDNF gene can promote the differentiation of the stem cells into neurons rather than glial cells, and enhance neuromotor function after brain injury.

[Investigation of Amanitaceae mushrooms by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy].

In the present paper, FTIR was used for obtaining vibrational spectra of untreated Amanitaceae mushrooms harvested in the mountains of Yunnan province, Southwest of China. The results show that the spectra of fruiting body and spore exhibit obvious differences. In the spectra of fruiting body, the strongest absorption band appears at about 1 655 cm(-1), which is described as amide I. There are two strong absorption bands at 1 077 and 1 042 cm(-1) which are assigned to C-O stretching in carbohydrate. The vibrational spectra indicate that the main compositions of the Amanitaceae mushrooms are protein and carbohydrate. The spectrum of spore of Amanita fritillaria shows strong bands at 2 926, 2 855 and 1 747 cm(-1), which can be assigned to the absorption of lipids. The spectra of fruiting body exhibit complicated patterns in the interval between 1 800 and 750 cm(-1), which may be used to discriminate different species of Amanitaceae mushrooms. In addition, FTIR spectral differences were observed between different parts of Amanita manginiana. The result suggests that the chemical constituents are various in different parts of fruiting bodies. It is showed that FTIR spectroscopic method is a valuable tool for rapid and nondestructive identification of Amanita mushrooms.

[Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study of truffles].

Truffles, which belong to ascomycetes, are rare wild growing edible mushrooms; their fruit body contains high nutritive value composition, and their polysaccharide constituents have potential medical applications. In the present paper, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used for obtaining vibrational spectra of mushrooms of truffles growing in mountains of Yunnan province, southwest China. The results show that the mushrooms exhibit characteristic spectra. The two strongest absorption bands appear at about 1 077 and 1 042 cm(-1), respectively. The spectra exhibit complicated patterns between 1200 and 750 cm(-1), which may be used as fingerprints to discriminate different species of truffles. Great changes were also found between mold and healthy truffles, showing major differences observed in the bands of protein. In addition, some vibrational-spectrum differences were observed among the same species of truffles from different growing areas. It is showed that FTIR can provide valuable information about the chemical constituents of intact truffles prior to any extraction method is used.

[Raman spectroscopic study of human tissues].

Raman spectroscopy has been applied to the investigation of human thyroid, lung, oviduct, ovarian, cervical, and uterine tissues. Thyroid and uterine tissues exhibit more Raman bands than the other tissues in the range from 500 to 3 500 cm(-1) with 514.5 nm excitation, while lung and cervical tissue do not show any bands. In the range of 600-1 800 cm(-1), uterine and ovarian tissues show 20 c only the Raman features of carotenoids near 1 004, 1 158, and 1 cm(-1). Remarkable differences between normal and follicular carcinoma samples of thyroid were observed by the absence of characteristic bands at 1 585 and 1 634 cm(-1) in the latter. The spectral intensity of lung cancerous sample is much lower than that of normal sample, by which normal and malignant samples can be discriminated. The results indicate that Raman spectroscopic technique will play an important rule in clinical diagnosing.

[Identification of gastrodia elata blume by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy].

In this paper, a method of rapid and undamaged identification of wild and cultivated Gastrodia elata Blume, and one of its fakes by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is reported. The results show that Gastrodia elata Blume and its fake have different characteristic infrared spectra, by which Gastrodia elata Blume can be identified from its fake. Wild winter, wild spring, and cultivated Gastrodia elata Blume can be discriminated by FTIR, according to the differences of their spectral peaks and absorbance ratios. By the differences of absorbance ratios of several peaks, different grade of Gastrodia elata Blume may be classified. FTIR has proved to be a rapid, simple and nondestructive method for the identification of Gastrodia elata Blume.