Effect the accumulation of bioactive constituents of a medicinal plant (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge.) by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community.

BACKGROUND: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic relationships with various terrestrial plants and have attracted considerable interest as biofertilizers for improving the quality and yield of medicinal plants. Despite the widespread distribution of AMFs in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge's roots, research on the impact of multiple AMFs on biomass and active ingredient accumulations has not been conducted. In this study, the effects of five native AMFs (Glomus formosanum, Septoglomus constrictum, Rhizophagus manihotis, Acaulospora laevis, and Ambispora gerdemannii) and twenty-six communities on the root biomass and active ingredient concentrations of S. miltiorrhiza were assessed using the total factor design method. RESULTS: Thirty-one treatment groups formed symbiotic relationships with S. miltiorrhiza based on the pot culture results, and the colonization rate ranged from 54.83% to 89.97%. AMF communities had higher colonization rates and total phenolic acid concentration than single AMF, and communities also appeared to have higher root fresh weight, dry weight, and total phenolic acid concentration than single inoculations. As AMF richness increased, there was a rising trend in root biomass and total tanshinone accumulations (ATTS), while total phenolic acid accumulations (ATP) showed a decreasing trend. This suggests that plant productivity was influenced by the AMF richness, with higher inoculation benefits observed when the communities contained three or four AMFs. Additionally, the affinities of AMF members were also connected to plant productivity. The inoculation effect of closely related AMFs within the same family, such as G. formosanum, S. constrictum, and R. manihotis, consistently yielded lower than that of mono-inoculation when any combinations were applied. The co-inoculation of S. miltiorrhiza with nearby or distant AMFs from two families, such as G. formosanum, R. manihotis, and Ac. laevis or Am. gerdemannii resulted in an increase of ATP and ATTS by more than 50%. AMF communities appear to be more beneficial to the yield of bioactive constituents than the single AMF, but overall community inoculation effects are related to the composition of AMFs and the relationship between members. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the AMF community has great potential to improve the productivity and the accumulation of bioactive constituents in S. miltiorrhiza, indicating that it is an effective way to achieve sustainable agricultural development through using the AMF community.

Development and evaluation of a direct TaqMan qPCR assay for the rapid detection of diverse carnivore amdoparvoviruses.

Amdoparvoviruses infect carnivore species, including mink, raccoon dog, fox, skunk, and red panda. Amdoparvovirus infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in farmed minks. Here, we developed a direct TaqMan qPCR assay for detection and quantification of carnivore amdoparvoviruses by using three primers and one probe based on the conserved VP2 gene. The detection limit for Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) and Raccoon dog and arctic fox amdoparvovirus (RFAV) were 4.06 × 101 copies/µl and 2.93 × 101 copies/µl, respectively. Both intra- and inter-assay variability were less than 2%. Among 74 carnivore samples, the positive rates for amdoparvoviruses were 62.2% (46/74) by direct TaqMan qPCR, while only 40.5% (30/74) by SYBR Green I qPCR. This result suggests that the direct TaqMan qPCR was more sensitive than the SYBR Green I qPCR. Additionally, the direct TaqMan qPCR is a rapid and sensitive method for liquid samples at microliter level as the assay employed the direct alkaline lysis method to obtain viral DNA and, therefore, eliminated the cumbersome steps in extracting DNA. Overall, the direct TaqMan qPCR assay possessed high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, indicating that it can be used as a powerful tool for detection and quantification of various carnivore amdoparvoviruses in epidemiological and pathogenesis studies.

[One new truxillic amide compound from Abrus mollis leaves].

The butanol extract part was extracted and isolated with water, alcohol and different organic solvents from Abrus mollis leaves. 6 compounds were isolated and purified using various column chromatographies and identified with the spectral techniques such as UV, MS, TLC, HPLC and NMR. The structures of 6 compounds were trigonelline (1), praline (2), alanine anhydride (3), (Z)-N-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)tyrosine (4), (E)-N-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)tyrosine (5), and abrusamide C (6). Compound 6 is a new compound, and compounds 1-4 were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Analyzing Spectral Characteristics of Water Involving In-Situ Multiangle Polarized Reflectance and Extraction of Water-Leaving Radiance.

Polarization is defined as an asymmetry in the direction of vibration with respect to the direction of light propagation. Polarization information is an important component to remote sensed data, which comprises spatial, spectral, and radiation information. In optical remote sensing, polarization information supplements spectral information. Polarization-based remote sensing has a significant application potential for analyzing the spectral characteristics of water bodies, wherein a very important technique is eliminating the mirror reflection caused by skylight on the water surface and extracting water-leaving radiance that carry the constituent information. The incident sunlight on the surface of water either reflects or scatters owing to the existence of particles in water, which results in water-leaving signals with strong polarization characteristics. The ongoing experiments on remote sensing involve water polarization cover either clean ocean waters under natural light or indoor simulations of water under artificial light; however, turbid inland waters under natural light have rarely been investigated. Through the combination of a field spectroradiometer and a Thompson polarizing prism, this study obtained in-situ measurements of the spectral polarization reflectance over inland waters under natural light conditions. Using the obtained multiangle polarized reflectance spectra, the polarization spectral characteristics of water under multiangle viewing conditions were quantitatively analyzed, and the water-leaving radiance was achieved by eliminating skylight reflection. When observing water bodies at an azimuth of 135° and a zenith of 53°, the measurement of polarization to eliminate skylight reflection had better elimination efficiency than at other viewing angles, and this observation angle was recommended for conducting spectral polarized above-water observations. Compared with the traditional methods including non-polarized above-water measurements, the proposed method is less prone to being affected by changes in weather conditions, and it can extract water-leaving radiance more accurately.

[Typical Medicinal Plants Community and Diversity Research in Altay Region of Xinjiang].

Objective: To investigate typical medicinal plants of Rheum altaicum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Ferula sinkiangensis, Paeonia sinjiangensis, Ephedra equisetina, and Origanum vulgare in Altay region of Xinjiang, and to clarify their current existing situation under natural condition. Methods: Based on the 30 sample plots, ecological methods were used for investigating the community structure and species diversity of local medicinal plants. Results: 39 species belonging to 20 families,36 genera were recorded in the area. Xerophytic shrubs, half shrubs and herbs were dominant plants. The important values of six typical medicinal plants were 0. 32,0. 37,0. 42,0. 50,0. 49 and 0. 34,respectively. Six indexes of species diversity were generally low( 0. 63 ~ 0. 80),in which the species diversity indexes of Paeonia sinjiangensis, Ferula sinkiangensis, and Rheum altaicum were the highest( 0. 80,0. 80 and 0. 76),the species diversity indexes of Ephedra equisetina and Origanum vulgare were lower( 0. 74 and 0. 64),and the species diversity index of Glycyrrhiza uralensis was the lowest( 0. 63). Conclusion: Composition and community structure of medicinal plant species in Altay region of Xinjiang were relatively simple, which need to be protected urgently.

Human Bone Marrow Derived-Mesenchymal Stem Cells Treatment for Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a relatively common gynecologic endocrine disorder, which is hypogonadism associated with amenorrhea, increased levels of gonadotropins, and hypoestrogenism. POI resulting from ovarian autoimmunity is a poorly understood clinical condition lacking effective treatments. This study is aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on autoimmune premature ovarian insufficiency. METHODS: In this study, in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to clarify the therapeutic effects and possible mechanisms of human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBMSCs) on autoimmune POI, and to provide an experimental evidence for the treatment of autoimmune POI by hBMSCs. Noteworthy, in this study, we used interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to induce autoimmune inflammation in human granulosa cell line KGN, simulating the pathophysiological changes of granulosa cells in autoimmune POI, and therefore sought to establish an in vitro cell model of autoimmune POI, which is still lacking in experimental methodology. RESULTS: And we found that, in vitro, co-culture of hBMSCs could promote granulosa cell proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, improve hormone synthesis capacity, and reduce the occurrence of pyroptosis; and in vivo, hBMSCs resulted in improved estrous cycle disorders in autoimmune POI mice, increased serum estradiol, decreased follicle-stimulating hormone, improved ovarian morphology, increased number of primordial and primary follicles, decreased number of atretic follicles, and decreased ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: hBMSCs have therapeutic effects on autoimmune POI both in vitro and in vivo.

The scalping forehead flap for 1-stage reconstruction of large facial defects after tumor resection.

Skin tumors often occur in the face or other sun-exposed areas in the aged population, and cancerous ulceration in the face leads to facial damage. Regarding the aesthetic character of the facial unit and the age or concomitant pathologies of these patients, it is necessary to use quick, reliable methods to debride malignant ulcer and cover the wound or suture the incision. We report 2 cases of large facial malignant ulcer that were treated with forehead flap based on the supratrochlear artery or the frontal branch of a side superficial temporal artery in a 1-stage operation. Both of them got satisfying functional and aesthetic results.

[Correlation between dissolution in vitro and absorption in vivo of chuanping sustained release tablets].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between dissolution in vitro and absorption in vivo of Chuanping sustained release tablets. METHOD: The ephedrine, pseudoephedrine were chosen as marker components, dissolution in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets in the different pH were tested by the rotating basket method and HPLC; urine drug levels were determined by HPLC and absorption fractions were calculated according to Wagner-Nelson's formula and deconvolution technique. RESULT: The linear regressive equation between the absorption percentage in vivo F and accumulative release percentage in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets was established as F(ephedrine) = 1.572 5f-20. 729 (R2 = 0.974 5); F(pseudoephedrine) = 1.237f-0.147 6 (R2 = 0.959 5). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that there was fine correlation between the absorption percentage in vivo and the accumulative release percentage in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets.

Mean nocturnal baseline impedance: Influencing factors and diagnostic value in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: At present, there are few studies related to mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI), esophageal dynamic reflux monitoring, high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) parameter indexes, and its diagnostic value in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors influencing MNBI and examine the diagnostic value of MNBI in GERD. METHODS: A retrospective analysis on 434 patients with typical reflux symptoms who underwent gastroscopy, 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring (MII/pH) and HRM. They were divided into the conclusive evidence group (103 cases), borderline evidence group (229 cases), and exclusion evidence group (102 cases) according to the level of diagnostic evidence of GERD based on the Lyon Consensus. We analyzed the differences in MNBI, esophagitis grade, MII/pH and HRM index among the groups; the correlation between MNBI and the above indexes and its influence on MNBI; and to evaluate the diagnostic value of MNBI in GERD. RESULTS: There were significant differences in MNBI, Acid Exposure Time (AET) 4%, DeMeester score, and total reflux episodes among the three groups (P< 0.001). EGJ contractile integral (EGJ-CI) of the conclusive evidence group and the borderline evidence group was significantly lower than that in the exclusion evidence group (P< 0.001). MNBI was significantly and negatively correlated with age, BMI, AET 4%, DeMeester score, total reflux episodes, EGJ classification, esophageal motility abnormalities, and esophagitis grade (all P< 0.05), and significantly and positively correlated with EGJ-CI (P< 0.001). Age, BMI, AET 4%, EGJ classification, EGJ-CI, and esophagitis grade had significant effects on MNBI (P< 0.05); MNBI was used to diagnose GERD with a diagnostic cutoff of 2061 Ω, and AUC was 0.792 (sensitivity 74.9%, specificity 67.4%); MNBI was used to diagnose exclusion evidence group with a diagnostic cutoff of 2432 Ω, AUC was 0.774 (sensitivity 67.6%, specificity 72%). CONCLUSION: AET, EGJ-CI, and esophagitis grade are the most important influence factors of MNBI. MNBI has good diagnostic value in identifying conclusive GERD.

Visual symptoms and G-induced loss of consciousness in 594 Chinese Air Force aircrew--a questionnaire survey.

A questionnaire survey was performed for the first time to assess the prevalence of visual symptoms and G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) due to +Gz exposure in the Chinese Air Force (CAF) to determine the effectiveness of current G tolerance training. Responses were received from 594 individuals. Among them, 302 reported at least one episode of some sort of symptoms related to +Gz, including 110 (18.5%) with visual blurring, 231 (38.9%) with greyout, 111 (18.7%) with blackout, and 49 (8.2%) with G-LOC. Incidences were most common in aircrew with 250-1,000 flying hours (53.6%) and were more prevalent in those with fewer on type flying hours (p < 0.001). The most common situation was reported between +5 and 5.9 Gz. The results indicate a fairly high prevalence of visual symptoms and G-LOC among Chinese Air Force aircrew. There remains considerable scope for +Gz education, particularly in the early centrifuge training and selection of rational physical exercises.

Artificial gravity with ergometric exercise preserves the cardiac, but not cerebrovascular, functions during 4 days of head-down bed rest.

Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal deconditioning occurring in long-term spaceflight requires new strategies to counteract these adverse effects. We previously reported that a short-arm centrifuge produced artificial gravity (AG), together with ergometer, has an approving effect on promoting cardiovascular function. The current study sought to investigate whether the cardiac and cerebrovascular functions were maintained and improved using a strategy of AG combined with exercise training on cardiovascular function during 4-day head-down bed rest (HDBR). Twelve healthy male subjects were assigned to a control group (CONT, n=6) and an AG combined with ergometric exercise training group (CM, n=6). Simultaneously, cardiac pumping and systolic functions, cerebral blood flow were measured before, during, and after HDBR. The results showed that AG combined with ergometric exercise caused an increase trend of number of tolerance, however, there was no significant difference between the two groups. After 4-day HDBR in the CONT group, heart rate increased significantly (59±6 vs 66±7 beats/min), while stroke volume (98±12 vs 68±13 mL) and cardiac output (6±1 vs 4±1 L/min) decreased significantly (p<0.05). All subjects had similar drops on cerebral vascular function. Volume regulating hormone aldosterone increased in both groups (by 119.9% in CONT group and 112.8% in the CM group), but only in the CONT group there were a significant changes (p<0.05). Angiotensin II was significantly increased by 140.5% after 4-day HDBR in the CONT group (p<0.05), while no significant changes were observed in the CM group. These results indicated that artificial gravity with ergometric exercise successfully eliminated changes induced by simulated weightlessness in heart rate, volume regulating hormones, and cardiac pumping function and partially maintained cardiac systolic function. Hence, a daily 1h alternating +1.0 and +2.0 Gz with 40 W exercise training appear to be an effective countermeasure against cardiac deconditioning.

Artificial gravity with ergometric exercise as a countermeasure against cardiovascular deconditioning during 4 days of head-down bed rest in humans.

We have shown previously that combined short-arm centrifuge and aerobic exercise training preserved several physiologically important cardiovascular functions in humans. We hypothesized that artificial gravity (AG) and exercise is effective to prevent changes of physical problems during head-down bed rest (HDBR). To test this hypothesis, 12 healthy male subjects had undergone 4 days of 6° HDBR. Six of them were exposed to AG of an alternating 2-min intervals of +1.0 and +2.0 Gz at foot level for 30 min twice per day with ergometric exercise of 40 W as a countermeasure during bed rest (CM group), while the remaining six served as untreated controls (no-CM group). Before and after 4 days of bed rest, leg venous hemodynamics was assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography and autonomic cardiovascular control estimated by power spectral analysis of blood pressure and heart rate. Further, orthostatic tolerance was evaluated by a 75° head-up tilt test and physical working capacity was surveyed by near maximal physical working capacity test before and after bed rest. The data showed that combined centrifuge and exercise applied twice daily for a total of 60 min during 4 days of HDBR prevented (a) a decrease in working capacity, (b) autonomic dysfunction (a decrease in the activity of parasympathetic cardiac innervation) and (c) an increase in leg venous flow resistance. The combination of a 30 min alternating of +1.0 and +2.0 Gz for twice per day of AG with 40 W ergometric exercise may offer a promising countermeasure to short duration simulated microgravity.

[Proteomic analysis of human fetal and adult brain cortex].

OBJECTIVE: To study the differences of protein expression levels in the brain cortex of human fetus and adult with proteomics technique, and provide preliminary data on the change of proteins during brain development. METHODS: Proteins extracted from human temporal lobes in fetal (3 month and 5 month respectively) and adult (30 years old) brain were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE). The proteins were then stained with colloidal Coomassie blue to produce a high-resolution map of the proteiome. The differential protein spots were analyzed by PDQuest 7.0 software and 8 spots, which were gradually reduced or gradually increased in brain development process and the protein spots of difference over two-fold in the brain, were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF). RESULTS: (1) On average, 642, 511 and 527 protein spots could be obtained in the temporal lobes of adult, 3 month and 5 month fetus. The matching rate of images was 87%. The basic proteins in adult brain were obviously much more than that in the fetus; (2) There were 172, 171 and 152 singular protein spots in temporal lobes of adult, 3 month and 5 month fetus respectively.(3) Compared with adult, there were 131 and 115 different protein spots in the 3 month and 5 month fetus respectively. There were 60 and 40 protein spots with more than 2 fold difference, among which 24 and 17 were down-regulated, and 36 and 23 were up-regulated respectively. (4) There was different expression in proteins such as serum albumin, triosephosphate isomerase, etc. in the 3 groups. Fatty acid binding protein 7 and unnamed proteins were only highly expressed in the 3 month brain; ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit and transducin beta-1 subunit were up-regulated in adult brain. Serum albumin decreases gradually with brain development. However, ATP synthase, mitochondrial F0 complex, and triosephosphate isomerase increase gradually with brain development. CONCLUSION: The proteins of human brain cortex were obviously changed from embryonic stage to adult. The differentially displayed proteins may provide further insight into the understanding of development of human brain.

Diversity and function of culturable actinobacteria in the root-associated of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.

The root-associated actinobacteria play important roles in plant growth, nutrient use, and disease resistance due to their functional diversity. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a critical medicinal plant in China. The root actinobacterial community structure has been studied; however, the functions of root-associated actinobacteria of S. miltiorrhiza have not been elucidated. This study aimed to decipher the diversity and function of the culturable root-associated actinobacteria in plant growth using culture-dependent technology and culturable microbe metagenomes. We isolated 369 strains from the root-associated actinobacteria, belonging to four genera, among which Streptomyces was dominant. Besides, the functional prediction revealed some pathways related to plant growth, nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism, and antagonistic pathogens. We systematically described the diversity and functions of the culturable root-associated actinobacteria community. Our results demonstrated that the culturable root-associated actinobacteria of S. miltiorrhiza have rich functionalities, explaining the possible contribution of culturable root-associated actinobacteria to S. miltiorrhiza's growth and development. This study provides new insights into understanding the function of the culturable root-associated actinobacteria and can be used as a knowledge base for plant growth promoters and biological control agent development in agriculture.

Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma in treating patients with burn wounds: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Burns are still regarded among severe health problems related to high morbidity and mortality rates globally. In essence, health problems associated with burns can cause significant economic burden to society. Regardless of treatment available options, no best treatment was considered adequate for treating severe burns. In particular, only a few studies have focused on the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma to treat burn wounds. The present study aim to systematically review existing literature to examine the effectiveness and safety of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat burn wounds. METHODS: For this study, we will conduct a systematic search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, as well as Scopus to discover randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for the examination of effectiveness and safety of autologous PRP to treat burn wounds from their inception to March 2021 with no language restrictions. Additionally, we will search Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as the reference lists of studies considered in the research to ascertain possibly eligible studies. We used two independent authors to evaluate studies for inclusion and conduct data extraction. We intend to assess study bias and quality utilizing the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. Also, we will pool study results using the fixed-effects model or random-effects model. Finally, any disagreements emanating from the process will be addressed through discussion or using a third author to mediate situations leading to disagreement. RESULTS: The study aims at assessing the effectiveness and safety of autologous PRP for treating burn wounds. CONCLUSION: The study will provide specific substantiation to assess autologous PRP's effectiveness and safety in treating patients with burn wounds. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study does not require ethical approval since no published studies are used in it. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: March 29, 2021.osf.io/74z5u. (https://osf.io/74z5u/).

Effects of Native Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Isolated on Root Biomass and Secondary Metabolites of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMFs) are a group of soil-dwelling fungi that form symbiotic associations with plants, to mediate the secondary metabolism and production of active ingredients in aromatic and medicinal plants. Currently, there is little research on Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. inoculation with native AMFs and the concomitant effects on growth and secondary metabolites. In this study, S. miltiorrhiza was treated with eight AMFs, i.e., Glomus formosanum; Gl. tenebrosum; Septoglomus constrictum; Funneliformis geosporum; Rhizophagus manihotis; Ambispora gerdemanii; Acaulospora laevis; Ac. tuberculata, to investigate the influence of AMF inoculation on biomass and secondary production under greenhouse conditions in S. miltiorrhiza roots. The results showed that mycorrhiza formation rates were between 54.83 and 86.10%. Apart from Ac. laevis and Gl. tenebrosum treatment, the roots biomass of the other treatment groups was effectively increased, and the fresh and dry weight of the plant inoculated with Fu. geosporum were increased by 86.76 and 86.95%, respectively. Specifically, AMF treatments also impacted on phenolic acids production; inoculation with both Fu. geosporum or Ac. laevis significantly reduced total phenolic acids, whereas the other treatments effectively increased these levels, of which Gl. formosanum generated significant levels. Most AMF-plant symbiotic experiments facilitated phenolic acid accumulation in the secondary metabolites of S. miltiorrhiza (except Ac. laevis). This study showed that most native AMFs inoculation with S. miltiorrhiza promoted roots growth and increased secondary metabolites production (especially phenolic acids). Going forward, inoculation of native AMF is a promising method to improve the quality and yield of S. miltiorrhiza and should be considered during production.

Combined short-arm centrifuge and aerobic exercise training improves cardiovascular function and physical working capacity in humans.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal and cardiovascular deconditioning occurring in long-term spaceflight gives rise to the needs to develop new strategies to counteract these adverse effects. Short-arm centrifuge combined with ergometer has been proposed as a strategy to counteract adverse effects of microgravity. This study sought to investigate whether the combination of short-arm centrifuge and aerobic exercise training have advantages over short-arm centrifuge or aerobic exercise training alone. MATERIAL/METHODS: One week training was conducted by 24 healthy men. They were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) short-arm centrifuge training, (2) aerobic exercise training, 40 W, and (3) combined short-arm centrifuge and aerobic exercise training. Before and after training, the cardiac pump function represented by stroke volume, cardiac output, left ventricular ejection time, and total peripheral resistance was evaluated. Variability of heart rate and systolic blood pressure were determined by spectral analysis. Physical working capacity was surveyed by near maximal physical working capacity test. RESULTS: The 1-week combined short-arm centrifuge and aerobic exercise training remarkably ameliorated the cardiac pump function and enhanced vasomotor sympathetic nerve modulation and improved physical working capacity by 10.9% (P<.05, n=8). In contrast, neither the short-arm centrifuge nor the aerobic exercise group showed improvements in these functions. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that combined short-arm centrifuge and aerobic exercise training has advantages over short-arm centrifuge or aerobic exercise training alone in influencing several physiologically important cardiovascular functions in humans. The combination of short-arm centrifuge and aerobic exercise offers a promising countermeasure to microgravity.

[Liposomal encapsulation of free anthraquinones in rhizoma et radix rhei and its quality control].

OBJECTIVE: To encapsulate the free anthraquiones in Rhizoma et Radix Rhei (rhein, chrysophanol, physcione, emodin and aloeemodin) in liposomes and characterize the liposomes. METHODS: The liposomes were separated from free drug with sephadex G-50 with HPLC determination of the free anthraquinones in liposomes, then its entrapment efficiency was calculated. Ethanol injection method was used to prepare the liposomes with the addition of a suitable amount Ca2+ in the medium. The influence of Ca2+ on the entrapment efficiency of free anthraquinones in Rhizoma et Radix Rhei in liposomes has been studied. Dynamic laser scatterometer and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the sizes and morphology of the liposomes. RESULTS: The entrapment efficiency of rhein, chrysophanol, physcione, emodin and aloeemodin in liposomes were 27.63%, 85.16%,100.14%, 99.77% and 66.16%, respectively. The total entrapment efficiency of free anthraquinones in Rhizoma et Radix Rhei was 80.67%. Ca2+ could greatly promote the liposomal encapsulation of free anthraquinones in Rhizoma et Radix Rhei from 13.98% - 23.78% to 81.42% - 89.43%. The liposomes were white spheres and its average size was mainly concentrated on 340 nm. CONCLUSION: The entrapment efficiency of the liposomal encapsulation of free anthraquinones in Rhizoma et Radix Rhei is high. The quality control method is simple and rapid with good repeatability.

Cryptotanshinone: A review of its pharmacology activities and molecular mechanisms.

As a natural quinone compound, the medicinal value of cryptotanshinone (CT) has received increasing attentions, but there is no systematic literature review that describes the pharmacological activity of CT. This paper reviewed the pharmacology researches of CT, with a primary focus on its anti-tumor activity. We also discussed the underlying molecular mechanisms, and proposed future outlooks. In addition to anti-tumor activity, CT was found to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, visceral protective, anti-metabolic disorders and other abilities. Furthermore, the potential molecular mechanisms contributing to the anti-tumor effect of CT likely involve the following aspects: the induction of apoptosis, targeting of ER and AR, reversion of MDR, combined pharmacotherapy, and the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We also found that different pharmacological effects involved various signaling pathways. Among them, STAT3-related signaling pathways played a vital role in the CT-mediated induction of tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation, while NF-κB signal pathway also was essential for inhibition of inflammation by CT. Furthermore, CT could significantly enhance the activities of several anticancer drugs and reverse their resistances in tumors. Therefore, we proposed suggestions for future studies of CT, including enhancing anti-tumor activity by targeting STAT3-related receptors, targeting NF-κB-related pathways to inhibit inflammatory responses, enhancing anti-tumor efficacy by combining with anti-tumor drugs, and further studying the dose-effect relationship to ensure safer and more effective applications of CT.

Heart rate and respiration responses to real traffic pattern flight.

The purpose of this study was to observe heart rate and respiration responses to real traffic pattern flight. Nine experienced and nine less-experienced military pilots on active flying status participated in four uninterrupted traffic patterns flight missions with F-7 jet trainer. The heart rates and respiration waves were continuously recorded using a small recording device strapped around the chest. As compared with baseline values, significant increases in heart rates of the two groups (for experienced pilots group, F (11, 88) = 4.636, p = 0.000; for less-experienced, F (11, 88) = 4.437, p = 0.000) and mean respiration rates of less-experienced group (F (11, 88) = 4.488, p = 0.000) were obtained during the phases of take-off, final approach and landing. Heart rates of less-experienced pilots were significant higher than those of experienced pilots during the take-off phase (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in respiration rates between the two groups at each phase of the whole flight. The results show that take-off, final approach and landing are the most mental workload phases in-flight, and less-experienced pilots show more mental workload than experienced pilots in take-off phase in-flight.