Comprehensive evaluation of wild Cordyceps cicadae from different geographical origins by TOPSIS method based on the macroscopic infrared spectroscopy (IR) fingerprint.

Cordyceps cicadae is an entomogenous fungus that has been used as a valuable traditional Chinese herbal tonic, however, it can be difficult to discern the false from the genuine. In this study, the macroscopic IR fingerprint methods containing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and second derivative infrared spectroscopy (SD-IR) were used to elucidate wild C. cicadae. The TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method was used to comprehensively evaluate C. cicadae from different geographical origins based on the macroscopic infrared spectroscopy (IR) fingerprint. The FT-IR spectra of C. cicadae exhibited the major characteristics of the absorptive peaks of carbohydrates, lipids and nucleosides at the position of 3291, 2925, 2845, 1651, 1547, 1455, 1080 and 950 cm-1. The high resolution of SD-IR further amplified the difference and revealed the potentially characteristic IR absorption spectrum. TOPSIS evaluation showed that C. cicadae from Anhui possess the strongest intensity of absorption bands among all the samples. Notably, FT-IR combined with SD-IR can effectively reveal the overall chemical components without damaging medicinal materials, and TOPSIS methods can provide a novel scientific evidence for comprehensively assessing different origins of wild C. cicadae.

Biological characteristics of Edgeworthia tomentosa (Thunb.) Nakai flowers and antimicrobial properties of their essential oils.

Edgeworthia tomentosa (Thunb.) Nakai belongs to Thymelaeaceae family, its alabastrum is used as the traditional Chinese medicine 'Buddleja Officinalis Maxim'. The present study was to elucidate the ultrastructure characteristics of the flower, the phytochemical composition of the aroma essential oils (EOs) and the relevant antimicrobial properties. There were exclusive characters of calyx, ovule, anther and pollen grain of the flowers under scanning electron microscopy. A total of 40 phytochemical components representing 98% of the EOs were successfully identified: monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were the dominant terpenoids according to Kovats retention index and MS database. EOs exhibited a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, the best bacteriostatic effect was against Diplococcus pneumonia with MIC and MBC values ranging between 7.8 and 62.5 and 26.0-71.0 µg/mL, respectively. These results demonstrate that the surface microscopic morphological characteristics of Edgeworthia chrysantha Lindl. flowers, are full-scale chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of the EOs.

The effect of hand-hygiene interventions on infectious disease-associated absenteeism in elementary schools: A systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Hand-hygiene interventions are widely used in schools but their effect on reducing absenteeism is not well known. METHODS: The aim of our literature review was to determine whether implementation of a hand-hygiene intervention reduced infectious disease-associated absenteeism in elementary schools. The eligible studies (N = 19), published between 1996 and 2014, were summarized and the methodologic quality of each was assessed. RESULTS: Our review indicated evidence is available to show hand-hygiene interventions had an effect on reducing acute gastrointestinal illness-associated absenteeism but inadequate evidence is available to show an effect on respiratory illness-associated absenteeism. CONCLUSIONS: The methodologic quality assessment of eligible studies revealed common design flaws, such as lack of randomization, blinding, and attrition, which must be addressed in future studies to strengthen the evidence base on the effect of hand-hygiene interventions on school absenteeism.