Study on wild medicinal plant resources and their applied ethnology in multiethnic areas of the Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia intersection zone.

INTRODUCTION: This study conducted an ethnobotanical survey of wild medicinal plants in the multi-ethnic areas of Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia intersection zone. Traditional knowledge of medicinal plant use in the region was compiled to identify important medicinal plants currently used for treating relevant diseases and to determine species with potential for development. METHODS: Key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews, participatory rural appraisal methods, and ethnobotanical quantitative evaluation were used to investigate and study the traditional knowledge of local residents' use of wild medicinal plants in the region. The relative importance of the referenced plants was assessed, as well as the prominent species widely used in medicinal applications. RESULTS: The study found that the region has a total of 204 wild medicinal plant resources, belonging to 149 genera of 51 families. Among these resources, a total of 50 commonly used plants were identified (44 of which were herbs, some of which were multi-origin), belonging to 27 families, with the most species found in the Asteraceae family, with 11 species. These herbs are mainly used for preventing and treating colds and nourishing health, followed by treatment of fever, stomach problems, and bleeding. The most frequently used medicinal plant in the region is "Ai", which includes Artemisia argyi Lévl. et Van. and Artemisia kanashiroi Kitam. All respondents provided information about the use of this medicinal plant to varying degrees, followed by Artemisia annua Linn., Ephedra sinica Stapf, Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz., Sonchus arvensis Linn., Artemisia capillaris Thunb., among others. CONCLUSION: Our investigation gained a wealth of traditional knowledge about the use of wild herbs, using wild herbs, which plays an important role in the lives of local residents. Especially, the herbs and application methods used for treating colds, bleeding, and stomach problems are worthy of further research and development.

Postsynaptic glutamate response downregulates within presynaptic exaggerated glutamate release by activating TRPV1 in the spinal dorsal horn.

Activating primary afferent TRPV1-positive (TRPV1+) fibers in the spinal dorsal horn triggers exaggerated glutamate release and induces acute pain. However, whether the glutamate postsynaptic responses on dorsal horn neurons are regulated by excessive glutamate is unknown, largely due to intrinsic technical difficulties. In the present study, capsaicin, a specific TRPV1 agonist, was used to activate TRPV1+ fibers in the spinal dorsal horn. Combining three-dimensional (3-D) holographic photostimulation and whole-cell recordings on acute spinal cord slices from adult rodents, we found that postsynaptic glutamate responses were attenuated when activating TRPV1+ fibers with capsaicin. Electron microscopy and Western blot studies found that postsynaptic GluA1 (a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors) on the postsynaptic membrane was decreased by acute capsaicin treatment. Therefore, postsynaptic glutamate receptor occupancy and/or downmodulation may underlie this postsynaptic attenuation. Our data thus clarify a scenario in which postsynaptic glutamate responses are largely downregulated upon TRPV1+ activation, and this change may contribute to homeostasis in the dorsal horn circuit when "acute pain" occurs.

Isoflurane decreases substantia gelatinosa neuron excitability and synaptic transmission from periphery in the rat spinal dorsal horn.

Isoflurane is an inhaled anesthetic, though its actions at the cellular level remain controversial. By using acute spinal cord slices from adult rats and the whole-cell recording technique, we found that aqueous isoflurane at the minimum alveolar concentration decreased postsynaptic neural excitability and enhanced membrane conductance, while suppressing glutamate release from presynaptic afferent onto substantia gelatinosa (lamina II) neurons in the dorsal horn. The data demonstrate that isoflurane modulates synaptic transmission from peripheral to the spinal cord via both pre- and postsynaptic effects and these actions may underlie its spinal anesthesia.

GABA releases from parvalbumin-expressing and unspecific GABAergic neurons onto CA1 pyramidal cells are differentially modulated by presynaptic GABAB receptors in mouse hippocampus.

Hippocampus CA1 pyramidal cells receive γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from multiple GABAergic interneurons. Combining optogenetic strategy and whole-cell recordings, we demonstrate that baclofen, a specific GABAB receptor agonist, depresses monosynaptic GABAA receptor-mediated transmission from parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneuron terminals onto pyramidal cells with less efficacy than that from the unspecific GABAergic terminals. The depression from PV neuron terminals is mainly mediated by presynaptic P/N type calcium channels. The results suggest that GABAB receptors are widely expressed on GABAergic interneurons, where they exert inhibition onto pyramidal cells by GABA release with different efficacy. The data strengthen the proposal that diverse GABA neurons play different roles in modulating CA1 pyramidal cell excitability.

[Immune Response of Recombinant Pseudorabies Virus rPRV-VP2 Expressing VP2 Gene of Porcine Parvovirus in Mice].

In order to develop a combined live vaccine that will be used to prevent against porcine parvovirus (PPV) and Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection, the VP2 gene of PPV was inserted into the transfer vector plasmid pG to produce the recombinant plasmid pGVP2. The plasmid pGVP2 and the genome of PRV HB98 attenuated vaccine were transfected by using lipofectamine into swine testis cells for the homologous recombination. The recombinant virus rPRV-VP2 was purified by selection of green fluorescence plaques for five cycles. 6-week-old female Kunming mice were immunized intramuscularly with attenuated PRV parent HB98 strain, commercial inactivated vaccine against PPV, recombinant virus, DMEM culture solution. The injections were repeated with an equivalent dose after 2 weeks in all of the groups, and then challenged with the virulent PRV NY strain at 7 weeks after the first immunization. The recombinant virus rPRV-VP2 was successfully generated, and the recombinant virus could effectively elicite anti-PPV and PRV antibody and significant cellular immune response as indicated by anti-PPV ELISA and HI, PRV-neutralizing assay and flow cytometry. The challenge assay indicated that recombinant virus could protect the mice against the virulent PRV challenge. These results demonstrated that the recombinant virus can be a candidate recombinant vaccine strain for the prevention of PRV and PPV.

[Immunogenicity of a recombinant pseudorabies virus coexpressing ORF2 gene of PCV2 and porcine IL-18 gene in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a bivalent vaccine against pseudorabies virus (PRV) and porcine circovirus (PCV2), IL-18 was used as immunologic adjuvant. METHODS: Porcine IL-18 gene was inserted into vector pGO. The obtained recombinant transfer plasmid pGO18 was transfected into ST cells with PRV attenuated vaccine HB98 strain. Then plaque selection and purification were performed to obtain purified recombinant virus PGO 18. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to demonstrate the expression of PGO18 from transcription and protein levels, respectively. Six-week-old female Kunming mice were immunized with recombinant virus PGO18 and PGO, commercial PCV2 inactivated vaccine, PRV attenuated vaccine HB98 strain, 1640 medium. Mice were vaccinated twice 4 weeks later and then challenged with the virulent PCV2 DF strain and PRV Min/A strain 4 weeks after the second immunization. ELISA, serum neutralization assay, flow cytometry and protect experiment were used to demonstrate the immunity of mice. RESULTS: The recombinant virus PGOl8 was obtained, and it could express on ST cells. Mice vaccinated with PGO18 elicited high levels of humoral and cell immune response, and could also be protected against PCV2 and PRV challenge. CONCLUSION: The recombinant virus possessed high safety and good immunogenicity. It may be a candidate vaccine strain against PCV2 and PRV infection.

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression and gene copy number analysis in gastric carcinoma samples from Chinese patients.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and gene copy number have been observed to be associated with a positive clinical response to EGFR inhibitors. The present study aimed to evaluate EGFR expression and gene copy number in samples of gastric carcinoma (GC) from Chinese patients. EGFR expression and gene copy number were detected using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization, in tissue array slides containing 150 individual samples of GC tissue. The association between EGFR status, clinicopathological features and overall patient survival was analyzed. Out of the 150 cases of GC evaluated, 63 (42.00%) demonstrated weak EGFR expression and 20 (13.33%) demonstrated EGFR overexpression. EGFR expression was observed to be associated with tumor location (P<0.05). Out of 104 cases of GC, which produced a clear FISH signal, 6 (5.77%) exhibited EGFR gene amplification and 5 (4.80%) exhibited balanced polysomy. Patients exhibiting GC, who demonstrated weak EGFR expression, EGFR overexpression or increased EGFR gene copy number, possessed an unfavorable prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that EGFR expression, tumor/node/metastasis stage and tumor location were potential independent unfavorable prognostic factors for GC patients. In conclusion, EGFR overexpression, gene amplification and polysomy were observed in GC patients and were associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Evaluation of EGFR status may therefore facilitate the identification of a subset of GC patients sensitive to treatment with EGFR-targeted therapies.

Expression and activation of EGFR and STAT3 during the multistage carcinogenesis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma induced by 3'-methyl-4 dimethylaminoazobenzene in rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) signal pathway contributes to the carcinogenesis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) induced by 3'-methyl-4 dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'Me-DAB) in rats. EGFR, TGFα, STAT3 and p-STAT3 in different stages of carcinogenesis were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In situ hybridization (ISH) was applied to investigate the expression of STAT3 mRNA. Oval cells were verified by the immunohistochemical staining of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), CD133 and epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EpCAM). Sequential development of necrosis, oval cell proliferation, cholangiofibrosis (CF) and ICC was observed in the liver of rats administered 3'Me-DAB. Oval cells showed positive expression of AFP, CD133 and EpCAM. The expression of EGFR was significantly higher in the ICC than in oval cells, CF or normal bile ducts (p<0.05), but there was no difference in EGFR expression between the other groups. The highest expression of p-STAT3 and TGFα was observed in CF. The expression of these two molecules in the ICC and oval cells was significantly higher than in normal bile ducts (p<0.05). Elevation of STAT3 mRNA was detected during carcinogenesis as shown by ISH, strong intensity was observed in the ICC and moderate intensity was observed in oval cells and CF. These observations suggest that the EGFR and STAT3 signal pathway contributes to the carcinogenesis of ICC. High activity of STAT3 during the carcinogenesis of ICC may be the result of high activity of EGFR triggered by TGFα.

Enhancement of the immunogenicity of a porcine circovirus type 2 DNA vaccine by a recombinant plasmid coexpressing capsid protein and porcine interleukin-6 in mice.

The development of effective vaccines against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been accepted as an important strategy in the prophylaxis of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome; a DNA vaccine expressing the major immunogenic capsid (Cap) protein of PCV2 is considered to be a promising candidate. However, DNA vaccines usually induce weak immune responses. In this study, it was found that the efficacy of a DNA vaccine expressing Cap protein was improved by simultaneous expression of porcine IL-6. A plasmid (pIRES-ORF2/IL6) separately expressing both Cap protein and porcine IL-6 was constructed and compared with another plasmid (pIRES-ORF2) expressing Cap protein for its potential to induce PCV2-specific immune responses. Mice were vaccinated i.m. twice at 3 week intervals and the induced humoral and cellular responses evaluated. All animals vaccinated with pIRES-ORF2/IL6 and pIRES-ORF2 developed specific anti-PCV2 antibodies (according to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and a T lymphocyte proliferation response. The percentages of CD3(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), and CD3(+)CD4(+) subgroups of peripheral blood T-lymphocytes were significantly higher in mice immunized with pIRES-ORF2/IL6 than in those that had received pIRES-ORF2. After challenge with the virulent PCV2 Wuzhi isolate, mice vaccinated with pIRES-ORF2/IL6 had significantly less viral replication than those vaccinated with pIRES-ORF2, suggesting that the protective immunity induced by pIRES-ORF2/IL6 is superior to that induced by pIRES-ORF2.

Recurrent genetic alterations in 26 colorectal carcinomas and 21 adenomas from Chinese patients.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The incidence of CRC in the Chinese population has increased dramatically during the last two decades; however, nonrandom chromosomal alterations in Chinese patients have not been described. In the present study, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was applied to detect recurrent chromosome alterations in 26 primary colorectal carcinomas and 21 colorectal adenomas from Chinese patients. In CRC, several recurrent chromosomal changes were found, including gains of 8q (14/26 cases, 54%), 20q (54%), 3q (50%), 13q (50%), 5p (46%), 7p (42%), 7q (42%), and 12p (38%) and losses of 18q (65%) and 17p (42%). From comparison with previous CGH studies, the frequent gains of 3q and 12p might be distinctive occurrences in Chinese patients. The distribution of frequently found chromosomal alterations in different locations was studied. The gain of 20q was more frequently found in colon cancer (P<0.01) and the gain of 12p was more frequently found in rectal cancer. Chromosomal alterations were found in 19/21 of adenomas; the most frequent chromosomal alteration was the loss of 18q (9/21 cases, 43%). These recurrent alterations provide several starting points for the isolation of candidate oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.

[Candida infection in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize our hospital's experience in the diagnosis and treatment of Candida infection in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). METHODS: Seventy-eight cases with ANP were reviewed. There were diagnoses either by operative finding or by CT scanning. Sixty-two cases received prophylactic antibiotic treatment, other sixteen did not. For cultivation of Candida, blood, urine, stool, sputum and wound drainage fluid culture, and swabs were examined microbiologically for fungi. RESULTS: The incidence of Candida infection in all patients with ANP was 17.9% (14/78) and mortality was 28.6% (4/14). The incidence of prophylactic antibiotic group was 19.4% (12/62) and mortality was 25.0% (3/12). Non prophylactic group was 12.5% (2/16) and 50.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence for the clinical significance of Candida infection in patients with ANP. The current prophylactic antibiotic treatment can prevent a septic course of the ANP, but might lead to the evolution of Candida infection.

The relation of laparotomy timing to prognosis in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation of laparotomy timing to the prognosis in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). METHODS: The laparotomy timing, morbidity, mortality and reoperation rate were reviewed in 78 patients with ANP at our hospital from 1988 to 2001. RESULTS: The morbidity rates of early operation, delayed operation and non-operation groups were 68.7%, 34.2% and 29.1%, respectively, and their mortality rates were 37.5%, 10.5% and 12.5%. The reoperation rates in early operation and delayed operation groups were 87.5% and 18.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy for the management of ANP is an important factor influencing the prognosis of ANP patients. For ANP, delayed operation if necessary is more preferable than early operation in terms of better prognosis, and surgery should be simple and free from severe trauma.