[Effects of chemical fertilizer reduction and organic fertilizer substitution on yield and quality of Saposhnikovia divaricata].

To explore the suitable fertilizing pattern for Saposhnikovia divaricata in the genuine producing area, a field trial was carried out to investigate the changes in the yield and quality of medicinal materials and soil in different fertilization patterns, such as organic fertilizer substitution(organic fertilizer+NPK fertilizer) and chemical fertilizer reduction(organic fertilizer+NPK fertilizer decrement and organic fertilizer+NPK fertilizer decrement+soil conditioner). The comprehensive analysis of all treatments was based on the medicine quality evaluation data set and soil quality evaluation data set, respectively, by CRITIC weight method. The results showed that(1) the yield of S. divaricate increased by 4.93%-12.67% under the organic fertilizer substitution mode, and the yield increased by 44.43% under the treatment of chemical fertilizer reduction YHT15, which was higher than that of the organic fertilizer substitution mode.(2) The quality of S. divaricate under the two fertilization modes was superior to the standard in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and the application of biochar was helpful to improve the quality of S. divaricate quality, with an increase of 82.83%-181.54%. CRITIC method analysis showed that fertilization treatments with high comprehensive scores were YHT15, YH30, and YH15.(3) Soil quality under the two fertilization modes was higher than that under the control. The fertilization treatments with higher comprehensive scores of soil quality were YHT15, YHT30, and YHT. The fertilization mode of adding biochar as soil conditioner, applying an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer, and reducing part of chemical fertilizer is the appropriate way to develop ecological plantation of S. divaricata in the Baicheng area in the western Jilin province. The specific fertilization mode is as follows. The basic fertilizer was 361 kg·hm~(-2) superphosphate+110 kg·hm~(-2) potassium sulfate+82 kg·hm~(-2) organic fertilizer+10 000 kg·hm~(-2) rice husk biochar, and urea was applied as top fertilizer three times, 29, 29, and 20 kg·hm~(-2), respectively.

[Changes in pulmonary function in infants and young children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in pulmonary function in infants and young children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). METHODS: A total of 196 hospitalized children (at age of 0-36 months) who were diagnosed with MPP from January 2014 to June 2018 were enrolled as study subjects. A total of 208 children (at age of 0-36 months) with pneumonia not caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection during the same period of time were enrolled as controls (non-MPP group). A retrospective analysis was performed for their clinical data. The two groups were compared in the pulmonary function on the next day after admission and on the day of discharge. The children with MPP were followed up to observe pulmonary function at weeks 2 and 4 after discharge. RESULTS: Compared with the non-MPP group, the MPP group had significant reductions in the ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory time (TPTEF/TE), ratio of volume to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory volume (VPTEF/VE), inspiratory-to-expiratory time ratio, and tidal expiratory flow at 25% remaining expiration on the next day after admission and on the day of discharge (P<0.05). In addition there were significant increases in the ratio of peak tidal expiratory flow to tidal expiratory flow at 25% remaining expiration, respiratory rate, effective airway resistance, and plethysmographic functional residual capacity per kilogram (P<0.05). Compared with the normal reference values of pulmonary function parameters, both groups had reductions in VPTEF/VE and TPTEF/TE on the next day after admission; on the day of discharge, the MPP group still had reductions in VPTEF/VE and TPTEF/TE, while the non-MPP group had normal values. The MPP group had increases in VPTEF/VE and TPTEF/TE from the day of discharge to weeks 2 and 4 after discharge (P<0.05), but TPTEF/TE still did not reach the normal value at week 4 after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Airway obstruction is observed in infants and young children with acute MPP or non-MPP, and the children with MPP have a higher severity of airway obstruction and a longer time for improvement, with a certain degree of airway limitation in the recovery stage.

Continuous renal replacement therapy with oXiris® in patients with hematologically malignant septic shock: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The mortality rate from septic shock in patients with hematological malignancies (HMs) remains significantly higher than that in patients without HMs. A longer resuscitation time would definitely be harmful because of the irreversibly immunocompromised status of the patients. Shortening the resuscitation time through continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with oXiris® would be an attractive strategy in managing such patients. AIM: To explore the effects of CRRT and oXiris® in shortening the resuscitation time and modifying the host response by reducing inflammation mediator levels. METHODS: Forty-five patients with HM were diagnosed with septic shock and underwent CRRT between 2018 and 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the hemofilter used for CRRT (oXiris® group, n = 26; M150 group, n = 19). We compared the number of days of negative and total fluid balance after 7 d of CRRT between the groups. The heart rate, norepinephrine dose, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and blood lactic acid levels at different time points in the two groups were also compared. Blood levels of inflammatory mediators in the 26 patients in the oXiris® group were measured to further infer the possible mechanism. RESULTS: The average total fluid balance after 7 d of CRRT in the oXiris® group was significantly lower than that of patients in the M150 hemofilter group. The SOFA scores of patients after CRRT with oXiris® therapy were significantly lower than those before treatment on day 1 (d1), d3 and d7 after CRRT; these parameters were also significantly lower than those of the control group on d7. The lac level after oXiris® therapy was significantly lower than that before treatment on d3 and d7 after CRRT. There were no significant differences in the above parameters between the two groups at the other time points. In the oXiris® group, procalcitonin levels decreased on d7, whereas interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor levels decreased significantly on d3 and d7 after treatment. CONCLUSION: CRRT with oXiris® hemofilter may improve hemodynamics by reducing inflammatory mediators and playing a role in shortening the resuscitation period and decreasing total fluid balance in the resuscitation phases.

Advanced Metal-Organic Frameworks-Based Catalysts in Electrochemical Sensors.

Developing efficient catalysts is vital for the application of electrochemical sensors. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with high porosity, large specific surface area, good conductivity, and biocompatibility, have been widely used in catalysis, adsorption, separation, and energy storage applications. In this invited review, the recent advances of a novel MOF-based catalysts in electrochemical sensors are summarized. Based on the structure-activity-performance relationship of MOF-based catalysts, their mechanism as electrochemical sensor, including metal cations, synthetic ligands, and structure, are introduced. Then, the MOF-based composites are successively divided into metal-based, carbon-based, and other MOF-based composites. Furthermore, their application in environmental monitoring, food safety control, and clinical diagnosis is discussed. The perspective and challenges for advanced MOF-based composites are proposed at the end of this contribution.

[Associativity between differentiation potential and VEGF secretory capability of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the multi-differentiation potential and VEGF secretory volume of monoclonal immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-TERT) and to determine the relationship between them. METHODS: Monoclonal hMSC-TERT were isolated using limiting dilution. The growth curves of them were detected by method of MTT. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of VEGF in the supernatant of those monoclonal hMSC-TERT. Their adipocytic, osteogenic, neuronal differentiation potential in vitro were determined by Oil Red O staining, Von Kossa staining and immunocytochemistry for Tubulin-ßIII antibody. Those Monoclonal hMSC-TERT were transplanted into the subcutaneously of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. The grafts of those cells were removed and analyzed by immunohistochemistry for pathologic tissue markers to discover the multi-differentiation potential of those monoclonal hMSC-TERT in vivo. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference between different monoclonal hMSC-TERT in mult differentiation potential and the decreased concentration of VEGF in the supernatant of those monoclonal hMSC-TERT from the 3(rd) day to the 5(th) day. The positive rates of CK in grafts formed by those monoclonal hMSC-TERT in SCID mice were direct correlation with the decreased concentration of VEGF in the supernatant of those cells. CONCLUSION: The secretory capability of VEGF of those monoclonal hMSC-TERT may direct correlation with the epithelial differentiation potential of those cells.

[Treatment strategy and microsurgical operation of complex cerebral arteriovenous malformations].

OBJECTIVE: To study the treatment strategies and operative principles of complex cerebral arteriovenous malformation (CAVM). METHODS: Total 27 cases of complex CAVM were microsurgically resected from June 2004 to May 2011. These account for 67.5% of CAVMs in the same time. Of the CAVM, 25 were eloquent CAVMs and 2 were non-eloquent CAVM. Among the 27 cases, the size of CAVM was large in 12 cases, median in 8, and small in 7. According to Spetzler-Martin CAVM grading, 8 cases were grade II, 5 cases were grade III, 9 cases were grade IV, and 5 cases were grade V. Pre-operative endovascular embolizations were carried out in 2 large CAVMs. All CAVMs were resected by microsurgical techniques. RESULTS: There were 23 cases of complex CAVMs totally removed. The total resection rate was 85.2%. The residual CAVMs were found in postoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 4 cases. Three of these residual cases were treated with gamma knife. Nineteen cases recovered very well after operation. The main complications were hemianopsia in 2 cases, moderate weakness in 4 cases. Two patients in coma before operation were still comatose after operation. The follow-up period were 2 months to 6 years. Twenty-two cases were Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) 5, 3 cases were GOS 4, and 2 comatose patients were improved a little during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The microsurgical total resection of the CAVMs is the most effective method to cure the disease. With the use of microsurgical technique skillfully, mose complex CAVMs can achieve good outcomes. Preoperative embolization and radiosurgery on the residual nidus are good supplementary methods to treat the complex CAVMs.

[Microsurgical treatment of ophthalmic segment aneurysms of internal carotid artery: 28 cases report].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the operative modalities and outcomes of 28 cases of ophthalmic segment aneurysms of internal carotid artery. METHODS: Twenty-eight cases of ophthalmic segment aneurysms of internal carotid artery were operated on from May 2004 to August 2009. Of all 28 cases, 20 were large or giant. Nineteen aneurysms were directly clipped or resected with internal carotid artery revascularization. Since 2006, high-flow extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass were available and performed in 9 patients of large or giant aneurysms and then the aneurysms were resected or trapped. RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA), computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) postoperatively. The images demonstrated that 5 grafts of bypass were in patency, and 2 were occluded. Only 1 aneurysm was partially clipped and the others disappeared on imaging. The 78% of these cases had good results (GOS 4-5). One patient died after EC-IC bypass due to neck hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of ophthalmic segment aneurysms of internal carotid artery, especially the large and giant ones, remains a challenge for neurovascular neurosurgeon. The accessory high-flow EC-IC bypass procedures and selection of suitable aneurysm clips are very important to improve the effectiveness of the operation.

Antitumor activity of F90, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on glioblastoma cell line SHG-44.

BACKGROUND: Over-expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is thought to be related to cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, resistance to chemoradiotherapy and poor prognosis of various human cancers. Forty percent to fifty percent of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) possess deregulated EGFR, which may contribute to the aggressive and refractory course of GBM. Therefore, blockade of EGFR signal transduction may be a promising treatment strategy for GBM. METHODS: MTT assay, cell growth curve assay and tumor xenograft model were used to evaluate the antitumor activity of F90 against SHG-44 in vitro and in vivo. Western blot assay was applied to evaluate the expression of p-EGFR, p-ERK1, p-JNK, p-P38, Bcl2 and P53 proteins. RESULTS: F90 inhibited the cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. The growth of SHG-44 tumor xenografts was suppressed by F90 at a high dose level (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). Phosphorylation of EGFR and activated downstream signaling proteins, such as ERK1, JNK and P38, were found to be depressed after incubation with F90 for 48 hours in vitro. Down-regulated Bcl2 protein and up-regulated P53 protein were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that F90 is effective in inhibiting the proliferation of SHG-44 cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, suggesting that F90 may be a new therapeutic option for treatment of GBM.

Fabrication of electrospun polylactic acid nanofilm incorporating cinnamon essential oil/ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex for antimicrobial packaging.

A novel antimicrobial packaging material was obtained by incorporating cinnamon essential oil/ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (CEO/ß-CD-IC) into polylacticacid (PLA) nanofibers via electrospinning technique. The CEO/ß-CD-IC was prepared by the co-precipitation method and SEM and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis indicated the successful formation of CEO/ß-CD-IC, which improved the thermal stability of CEO. The CEO/ß-CD-IC was then incorporated into PLA nanofibers by electrospinning and the resulting PLA/CEO/ß-CD nanofilm showed better antimicrobial activity compared to PLA/CEO nanofilm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PLA/CEO/ß-CD nanofilm against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was approximately 1 mg/ml (corresponding CEO concentration 11.35 µg/ml) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was approximately 7 mg/ml (corresponding CEO concentration 79.45 µg/ml). Furthermore, compared with the casting method, the mild electrospinning process was more favorable for maintaining greater CEO in the obtained film. The PLA/CEO/ß-CD nanofilm can effectively prolong the shelf life of pork, suggesting it has potential application in active food packaging.

Inhibition of baicalin on metabolism of phenacetin, a probe of CYP1A2, in human liver microsomes and in rats.

Baicalin has been used as mainly bioactive constituent of about 100 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines in Chinese pharmacopoeia. The effect of baicalin on cytochrome P450 should be paid more attention because baicalin was used widely. The aim of this study was to investigate whether baicalin could inhibit CYP1A2 in pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) and in rats in vivo and the gene polymorphisms could affect inter-individual variation in IC50 in 28 human livers. Phenacetin was used as probe of CYP1A2. Kinetic parameter of CYP1A2 and IC50 of baicalin on CYP1A2 to each sample were measured and the common CYP1A2 polymorphisms (-3860G>A and -163C>A) were genotyped. The results showed that baicalin exhibited a mixed-type inhibition in pooled HLMs, with a Ki value of 25.4 µM. There was substantial variation in Km, Vmax, CLint of CYP1A2 and IC50 of baicalin on CYP1A2 (3∼10-fold). The range was from 26.6 to 114.8 µM for Km, from 333 to 1330 pmol·min(-1)·mg(-1)protein for Vmax and from 3.8 to 45.3 µL·min(-1)·mg(-1) protein for CLint in HLMs (n = 28). The Mean (range) value of IC50 in 28 HLMs was 36.3 (18.9 to 56.1) µM. The genotypes of -3860G>A and -163C>A had no significant effect on the inhibition of baicalin on CYP1A2. The animal experiment results showed that baicalin (450 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly decreased the Cmax and CL of phenacetin, and increased C(60 min), t1/2, Vd and AUC (P<0.05). There were significant correlations between percentage of control in C(60 min), t1/2, CL, AUC of phenacetin and Cmax of baicalin in 11 rats (P<0.05). Protein binding experiments in vitro showed that baicalin (0-2000 mg/L) increased the unbound phenacetin from 14.5% to 28.3%. In conclusion, baicalin can inhibit the activity of CYP1A2 in HLMs and exhibit large inter-individual variation that has no relationship with gene polymorphism. Baicalin can change the pharmacokinetics of phenacetin in rats.

[Effect of hyperoxia and TGF-ß1 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition of type II alveolar epithelial cells].

AIM: To investigate the effect of hyperoxia and TGF-ß1 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)of type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC-II) of mice. METHODS: AEC-II cells (MLE-12 lines) were randomly divided into following groups: air exposure group, hyperoxia exposure group, air exposure combined with TGF-ß1 treatment group, hyperoxia exposure combined with TGF-ß1 treatment group. The morphological changes of cells in each group were observed at 6, 12, 24, 48 hours. The protein and mRNA expressions of AECII specific marker lung surfactant protein B(SP-B)and fibroblast specific marker fibroblast specific protein (FSP1)were detected by double-labeled immunofluorescence and real time-PCR at the same time point, respectively. RESULTS: Along with the time of exposure to hyperoxia and TGF-ß1, AECIIcells gradually changed from pebble-like shape to spindle shape, and showed some fibroblast appearances. Synchronously, the protein expression of SP-B in AECII cells decreased, whereas the expression of FSP1 increased. The co-expressed were observed at 24 hours. Comparing with that of the air exposure group, the mRNA expression of SP-B in the hyperoxia exposure group, air exposure combined with TGF-ß1 treatment group, hyperoxia exposure combined with TGF-ß1 treatment group decreased significantly, whereas the mRNA expression of FSP1 increased significantly at 24 hours and 48 hours (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Hyperoxia and TGF-ß1 can induce EMT of type II alveolar epithelial cells in a time-dependent manner.

[Effects of acupuncture on diabetic peripheral neuropathies].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-eight cases of DPN were treated with acupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5) etc. and their blood sugar, blood lipids and hemorrheologic indexes and nerve conductive velocity before and after treatment were determined. RESULTS: After treatment, 43 cases were markedly effective, 20 cases were effective and 5 cases were ineffective, with a total effective rate of 92.6%; the nerve conductive velocity, plasma insulin, C-peptide, opioid peptides increased significantly (P<0.01) and blood viscosity significantly decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture has a definite therapeutic effect on DPN and the increase of nerve conductive velocity is possibly related with the increase of plasma opioid peptides.

[Construction and expression of retroviral vector containing bone morphogenetic protein-7].

AIM: To achieve stable and long-term expression of BMP-7 gene in bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: Retrovirus expression vector containing BMP-7 gene was constructed and transfected into packaging cells PT67. After puromycin selection and cells cloning, cell clones producing high level of recombinant virus were obtained. The viruses were used to infect directly BMSCs and the expression of BMP-7 gene in BMSCs was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Retrovirus vector containing BMP-7 gene was successfully reconstructed and BMP-7 was expressed in the BMSCs.The transfection rates was about 30%-40%. CONCLUSION: The construction of recombinant retrovirus vector containing BMP-7 gene can provide a reliable tool for the formation of bone or cartilage seed cells in the research of tissue engineering.