Adoptive transfer of immunomodulatory M2 macrophages suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice via blockading NF-κB pathway.

Macrophages play important roles in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and M2 macrophage may have anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we elucidated the roles of M1 and M2 macrophages in the pathogenesis of EAE and the effects of treatment with M2 macrophages that target certain proinflammatory cytokines and with immunomodulatory preparations that beneficially influence the disease course. We found macrophages increased at the onset of clinical signs in the EAE group, consistent with an increased proportion of M1 macrophages and low numbers of M2 macrophages. As the disease progressed and the symptoms worsened, M1 macrophages decreased and M2 macrophages gradually increased until the peak. In the recovery stage, M2 macrophages gradually decreased. Treatment with M2 macrophages inhibited the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, alleviated the symptoms of EAE, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination in the central nervous system and decreased the numbers of macrophages in the spleens. BAY-11-7082, an NF-κB blocking agent, could reduce the total number of macrophages both in vivo and in vitro, effectively prevented EAE development and significantly inhibited EAE symptoms in mice. Our study demonstrates that macrophages may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of EAE, while M2 macrophages have anti-inflammatory effects. Transfer of M2 macrophages to EAE mice can block the NF-κB pathway successfully and relieve EAE symptoms. Application of NF-κB blockers is useful in the prevention and treatment of EAE.

A review about industrialization of Chinese materia medica decoction pieces.

Chinese materia medica decoction pieces (CMMDPs), one of the three pillars of the Chinese materia medica industry, are a key link in the Chinese materia medica industrial chain. Industrialization is the only way for the modernization of CMMDPs. This review mainly summarizes the characteristics, history, current situation and prospect of CMMDPs industry, providing a new reference for promoting the flourishing development of the industrialization of CMMDPs and for serving massive health industry. The literature was collected from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier and CNKI (Chinese). CMMDPs industry has the characteristics of regionalism, resource dependency, customer diversity and low industrial concentration. Deeply processed products include traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula granules, small-packed decoction pieces, ultrafine decoction pieces, puffed decoction pieces, compressed decoction pieces and instant decoction pieces. Integration of treatment and processing at the place of origin is emerging. However, there is still room for improvement, for example, the manufacturing technologies of CMMDPs industry need to be continually improved. The management of CMMDPs' normalized production also needs to be strengthened. The quality of CMMDPs should be strengthened supervision and it should establish the objective and feasible quality evaluation system for CMMDPs. At present, China has attached unprecedented importance to the development of TCM, and issued a number of supporting policies, sparing no effort to support its development.

The influences of ambient temperature and crude protein levels on performance and serum biochemical parameters in broilers.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ambient temperature, crude protein levels and their interaction on performance and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 216 Arbor Acre broiler chickens (108 males and 108 females) were used in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement and randomly reared at two temperatures (normal temperature: 23 °C; daily cyclic high temperature: 28-32 °C) and fed on three diets with different crude protein levels (153.3, 183.3 or 213.3 g/kg, with constant essential amino acids) from 28 to 42 days of age. Daily cyclic high ambient temperature decreased final body weight, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and serum total protein contents (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.008 respectively), but increased feed/gain, mortality, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, serum uric acid contents and serum creatine kinase activity (p = 0.008, p = 0.003, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.003 respectively), irrespective of crude protein levels. At the ambient temperature, reducing crude protein levels resulted in an increase in feed/gain (p < 0.001), but a decrease in serum total protein and uric acid contents. Only serum creatine kinase activity in broiler chickens was interacted by daily cyclic high ambient temperature and dietary crude protein levels (p = 0.003). These results indicated that daily cyclic high ambient temperature had a great effect on performance and serum biochemical parameters in broiler chickens, whereas dietary crude protein levels affected them partially.

[Analysis of volatile constituents and chemical relationship of cultivated and wild Angelica dahurica].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the volatile constituents and their contents in the roots of 5 cultivated Angelica dahurica and one wild A. dahurica and analyze the chemical relationship among the plants of A. dahurica. METHODS: The essential oil was extracted from the roots of 5 cultivated plants of Angelica dahurica and one wild A. dahurica by water steam distillation. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to separate and identify all the volatile oil components in the extracts, and their relative contents were calculated with area normalization method. We also conducted clustering analysis and principal component analysis of the volatile oil components. RESULTS: We identified a total of 81 compounds from the roots of the 6 plants of Angelica dahurica, including 27 in Chuanbaizhi (Angelica dahurica cv. 'Hangbaizhi'), 34 in Hangbaizhi (Angelica dahurica cv. 'Hangbaizhi'), 24 in Qibaizhi (Angelica dahurica cv. 'Qibaizhi'), 32 in Yubaizhi (Angelica dahurica cv.'Qibaizhi'), 28 in Bobahizhi (Angelica dahurica cv.'Qibaizhi'), and 34 in Xinganbaizhi (Angelica dahuirca). These compounds included, in the order of their relative contents (from high to low), alkanes, olefins, esters, organic acids and alcohols. Among the common components found in the roots of all the plants of A. dahurica, nonylcyclopropane, cyclododecane and hexadecanoic acid were identified as the volatile oil components that showed the highest relative contents. Clustering analysis of the volatile oil components showed that wild Angelica dahurica (Xing'anbaizhi) and the 5 cultivated Angelica dahurica (Chuanbaizhi, Hangbaizhi, Qibaizhi, Yubaizhi, Bobaizhi) could be divided into two groups, and the cultivated Angelica dahurica could be divided into two subgroups: Chuanbaizhi, Yubaizhi and Hangbahizhi were clustered in one subgroup, and Qibaizhi and Bobaizhi in another. The results of principal component analysis was consistent with those of clustering analysis. CONCLUSION: The main volatile oil components and their contents vary among the 6 plants of A. dahurica. Nonylcyclopropane, cyclododecane and hexadecanoic acid are the most abundant volatile oil components in all the plants of A. dahurica, which can be divided into two clusters.

Homogeneous modification of sugarcane bagasse cellulose with succinic anhydride using a ionic liquid as reaction medium.

The homogeneous chemical modification of sugarcane bagasse cellulose with succinic anhydride using 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AmimCl) ionic liquid as a reaction medium was studied. Parameters investigated included the molar ratio of succinic anhydride/anhydroglucose units in cellulose in a range from 2:1 to 14:1, reaction time (from 30 to 160min), and reaction temperature (between 60 and 110 degrees C). The succinylated cellulosic derivatives were prepared with a low degree of substitution (DS) ranging from 0.071 to 0.22. The results showed that the increase of reaction temperature, molar ratio of SA/AGU in cellulose, and reaction time led to an increase in DS of cellulose samples. The products were characterized by FT-IR and solid-state CP/MAS (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. It was found that the crystallinity of the cellulose was completely disrupted in the ionic liquid system under the conditions given. The data also demonstrated that homogeneous modification of cellulose with succinic anhydride in AmimCl resulted in the production of cellulosic monoester. The thermal stability of the succinylated cellulose decreased upon chemical modification.

[Epidemiological analysis of malaria prevalence in Jiangsu Province in 2015].

Objective To understand the malaria epidemic situation and characteristics in Jiangsu Province in 2015, so as to provide the evidence for malaria elimination. Methods The data of malaria cases in Jiangsu Province in 2015 were collected from China's routine diseases surveillance information system. Results Totally 405 imported cases were reported in Jiangsu Province in 2015, and the cases increased by 14.08% compared with those in 2014. All the malaria cases were imported, and 5 cases (1.23%) were from Southeast Asia and 400 (98.77%) were from 25 African countries or regions. The imported malaria cases were reported in 13 cities across Jiangsu Province, where Taizhou, Lianyungang, Nantong, Huaian and Yangzhou cities accounted for 68.64% of all the cases in the province. Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases (JIPD) reference lab checked all the cases and classified 299 falciparum malaria cases, 13 vivax malaria cases, 18 quartan malaria cases, 71 ovale malaria cases, and 4 mixed Plasmodium infection cases. Conclusions In Jiangsu Province, there are no local malaria cases for 4 consecutive years, but the imported cases are on the rise. Compared to 2014, the imported vivax cases increased significantly in 2015. It should be the key points to strengthen the surveillance of imported malaria cases, improve malaria diagnosis and treatment abilities for all levels of medical institutions, and promote the abilities of Plasmodium check, and focus survey and disposal of all Center for Disease Control (CDC) staffs across Jiangsu Province.

Application of fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) in latent finger mark detection.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) in frequency domain enables the mapping of the spatial distribution of fluorescence lifetimes of a specimen. It has been extensively applied in biology. In this paper, a theoretical analysis for the fluorescence lifetime determination of latent finger mark samples is described, which is followed by the feasibility study of using FLIM in frequency domain for latent finger marks detection. Preliminary experiments are carried out with latent finger marks treated with a fluorescent powder on two different substrates. The resulting fluorescence lifetime image of finger mark revealed a good contrast, and was able to detect the latent finger marks clearly.

Fluorescence optimisation and lifetime studies of fingerprints treated with magnetic powders.

Fluorescence study plays a significant role in fingerprint detection when conventional chemical enhancement methods fail. The basic properties of fluorescence emission such as colour, intensity and lifetime could be well exploited in the detection of latent fingerprints under steady state and in dynamic methods. This paper describes a systematic study of fluorescence emission intensity from fingerprint samples treated with different magnetic powders. Understanding of suitable excitation wavelength required for getting maximum fluorescence emission intensity could be beneficial when selecting the appropriate fluorescent powders for the fingerprint detection. Lifetime study of fingerprints treated with various magnetic powders was also carried out. The importance of lifetime study is well explained through the time-resolved (TR) imaging of fingerprints with nanosecond resolution. Results from the TR imaging study revealed an improvement in the fingerprint image contrast. This is significant when the print is deposited on fluorescing background and its emission wavelength is close to that of treated fingerprint.

Flumethrin residue levels in honey from apiaries of China by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A method for detection of flumethrin residue in honey by high-performance liquid chromatography was established. After n-hexane-dichloromethane (4:6, vol/vol) extraction, the honey samples were concentrated by rotary evaporation, purified by an Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction column, and detected using a UV detector at 267 nm. The interference of the matrix was greatly reduced by optimizing pretreatment conditions; thus, the minimal detection limit of cyhalothrin was 0.005 mg/kg, the average recovery was 80.8 to 96.8%, and the coefficient of variation was 0.6 to 1.5%. The precision and reproducibility of this method was suitable and applicable for detecting flumethrin residue in honey. With this method, 135 honey samples from seven locations in the People's Republic of China were tested; 77 samples tested positive for flumethrin residue, resulting in a detection rate of 75.3%. Samples from the Guangdong province had the highest flumethrin residue level (0.122 mg/kg) of the locations tested. On the basis of analytical validation, the high-performance liquid chromatography has been shown to be a promising alternative for the analysis of flumethrin residue in honey samples.

Choledochoscopy in management of retained biliary stones and recurrent lesions.

Postoperative choledochofiberscopy was performed in 188 patients with retained biliary stones and recurrent lesions. The following entrances to the biliary tract for choledochoscopy were used: the T-tube tract (129 patients), an afferent jejunal limb of a choledochojejunostomy (43), the jejunostomy tube tract of an efferent limb (12), an U-tube tract (2), and a ductal fistula after segmental liver resection (2). 380 choledochoscopic sessions were carried out, 2 sessions on the average for each patient. The overall success rate of stone removal was 90.5%. No mortality was related to this procedure. Eleven patients developed fever and chills after manipulations but all responded to antibiotics. Two patients had perforation of the T-tube tract during the removal of stones and were reoperated on for abdominal drainage. They recovered eventually. Stone extraction with a flexible choledochoscope is a proven procedure. For residual intrahepatic stones, however, a satisfactory entrance into the biliary tree should be provided for subsequent stone removals. We believe that the jejunostomy tube tract of an efferent limb of an afferent jejunal limb of a choledochojejunostomy is a useful entrance for choledochoscopy because it is permanent in meeting therapeutic demands.

[Acute pulmonary embolism and pulmonary infarction].

32 cases of pulmonary embolism were reported, 18 cases had been autopsied (massive pulmonary embolism 9 cases. moderate pulmonary embolism 23 cases). The incidence risk factors pathogenesis, clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism were presented. The relation between pulmonary embolism and pulmonary infarction and treatment of massive pulmonary infarction were discussed.

[Avulsion damage of penile and scrotal skin].

Five cases of severe avulsion damage of penile and scrotal skin were treated from 1978 to 1988. One case was complicated by disruption of arteria and vena iliaca externa, 2 cases were complicated by rupture of testes and 2 cases by pelvic fracture and urethral damage. Three cases were cured by utilizing femoral island flap. In the other 2 cases treated with debridement, the damaged skin appeared necrotic postoperatively and satisfactory results were achieved by utilizing a mid-thick stamp-shaped flap technique. All the 5 cases were followed up for 1-10 years and normal sexual function and fertility were restored.

[The change of trace elements content in hair during the period of gestation].

Study on trace elements content change in hair during the period of gestation for 52 lying-in women was performed. The quantitative results for 7 elements have been obtained and the change tendencies for other 7 elements without standard value have been observed on the basis of a self comparison method for each individual.

[Chemical constituents of the pericarp of Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms].

Nine compounds were isolated from the pericarp of T. rosthornii and identified on the basis of spectral data to be palmitic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, montanic acid, melissic acid, L-(-)-alpha-monopalmitin, delta 7-stigmastenol, delta 7-stigmastenone-3 and delta 7-stigmatenol-3-beta-D-glucopyranoside. All but the last one are obtained from this species for the first time.

[Studies on chemical constituents from fruits of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of methanol extract from the dried ripe fruits of Trichosanthes kirilowii. METHODS: Silica gel column chromatographic technology and Sephadex G-10 gel filtration were employed to separate and purify the methanol extract, and the compounds obtained were elucidated by means of IR, MS, 1HNMR and authentic specimens. RESULT: Palmitic acid, stigmast-7-en-3 beta-ol, stigmast-7-en-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, galactonic acid gamma-lactone and galactose were isolated and elucidated. CONCLUSION: All the compounds were obtained from the fruit s of T. kirilowii for the first time.

[Chemical constituents of the essential oil from the pericarp of Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms].

The composition of the neutral essential oil from the pericarp of Trichosanthes rosthornii was analysed by means of GC and GC-MS-DS. A total of 61 compounds were identified. The major constituents were dibutyl phthalate, methyl hexadecanoate, phenanthrene, fluranthene and 3-methyl phenanthrene. The total contents of identified compounds accounted for 80.17% of the neutral essential oil.

[Betaine in differently processed root of Achyranthes bidentata Bl].

The contents of betaine in differently processed root of Achyranthes bidentata were determined to be 0.930%-1.029% by reineckate precipitation and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The average recovery and relative standard deviation were 99.2% and 6.2%, respectively.

[The descriptions identification of "yimu cao"].

Remained but entire bracts beneath the inflorescence and the persistent calyxes were selected as primary characteristics to distinguish "Yimu Cao", which derived from 8 species and 1 variety in the same genus Leonurus. The results were reliable.

[Identification on crude drugs from genus Leonurus: II. Leaf and flower surface characters].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the crude drugs originated from 9 species and 1 variety of genus Leonurus (called Yimucao) through leaf and flower surface characters. METHOD: Routine slide processing and the characters under microscope were observed and compared. RESULTS: Obvious characteristics for identification were revealed. CONCLUSION: The shape and length of non-glandular hairs are useful in identifying this sort of crude drugs. Leaf constants and cluster crystals are also useful as reference. However, pollen grains and secretory tissues are worthless.

[Studies on introducing and cultivating ginseng in Emei Mountain area].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce and cultivate Panax ginseng in Emei Mountainarea of low latitudes. METHODS: Introduce and cultivate ginseng in some fields of different elevations, and determine the contents of ginsenosides in ginseng samples obtained from the different elevations and different growth periods. RESULTS: Ginseng was successfully introduced to Emei Mountain area. Its quality basically approaches the quality of ginseng growing in northeast China. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to introduce and cultivate ginseng in Emei Mountain area with elevations from 1200 m to 1600 m.