Novel Sulfate Reduction Coupled to Simultaneous Nitrification and Autotrophic Denitrification Process for Removing Nitrogen and Organics from Saline Wastewater.

Highly efficient sulfate reduction coupled to autotrophic denitrification plus nitrification is demonstrated by integrating an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) with a membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR). Concurrent chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and sulfate reduction were accomplished in the AnMBR, while simultaneous nitrification and autotrophic denitrification were carried out in the MABR. Separate operation of the MABR achieved >90% total nitrogen (TN) removal when the N/S ratio was controlled at 0.4 gN/gS. The integrated AnMBR-MABR system efficiently resisted influent variability, realizing >95% COD removal in the AnMBR and >75% TN removal in the MABR when the influent COD/N ratio was above 4 gCOD/gN. Membrane fouling did not happen during ∼170 days of operation. Due to sulfide oxidation, a large amount of elemental sulfur (S0) accumulated in the MABR biofilm, where it served as an electron donor for denitrification. Microbial community analysis indicated that Nitrospira and Thiobacillus played key roles in nitrification and sulfide-driven denitrification, respectively, and that they occurred in different layers of the biofilm. This novel process offers advantages of a small land-area footprint, modular operation, and high efficiency electron-donor and oxygen utilizations, particularly for wastewater with a low COD/N ratio.

LncRNA TUG1 compromised neuronal mitophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeting sirtuin 1.

BACKGROUND: Mitophagy protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R)-induced neuronal apoptosis via mitochondrial clearance. Although taurine-upregulated gene 1 (lncRNA TUG1) has been proposed to be involved in the neuronal apoptosis evoked by CI/R, its specific role in mitophagy during the progression of CI/R injury remains unknown. METHODS: The CI/R rat model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). Human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y was subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). Ubiquitination assay, co-immunoprecipitation assay, RNA pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to determine the interplay among TUG1, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7). RESULTS: The upregulation of the TUG1 level and downregulation of the mitophagy were observed in both MCAO/R-treated rats and OGD/R-treated cells. The administration of si-TUG1 (a siRNA directed against TUG1) potentiated mitophagy and suppressed neuronal apoptosis in OGD/R-treated cells. However, the neuroprotective effect of si-TUG1 was reversed by mitophagy inhibitor or SIRT1 knockdown in vitro. Functionally, TUG1 enhanced FBXW7-mediated SIRT1 ubiquitination by upregulating FBXW7 expression. The overexpression of FBXW7 abrogated the si-TUG1-reinforced mitophagy by decreasing SIRT1 expression, thus aggravating neuronal apoptosis in the OGD/R+si-TUG1-treated cells. In rats with MCAO/R, the interference of TUG1 clearly decreased neuronal apoptosis, lessened the infarct volume, and relieved the neurological deficits. CONCLUSION: TUG1 knockdown promotes SIRT1-induced mitophagy by suppressing FBXW7-mediated SIRT1 degradation, thus relieving the neuronal apoptosis induced by CI/R injury. LncRNA TUG1 promotes neuronal apoptosis through inhibition of mitophagy. TUG1 decreased SIRT1 expression by promoting FBXW7-mediated SIRT1 ubiquitination. FBXW7/SIRT1 axis mediated the effect of TUG1 on OGD/R-induced neuronal apoptosis by regulating mitophagy.

A Rapid Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe for Cysteine Based on Isophorone and its Application in B16 Cell Imaging.

A novel near-infrared fluorescent probe SWJT-5 based on dicyanoisophorone was synthesized. It achieved the rapid (within 40 s) and discriminative detection of Cys over Hcy and GSH with a large Stokes shift (205 nm). It showed high selectivity and sensitivity for Cys, and had an obvious enhancement of fluorescence emission. The detection limit was 0.43 µM. This probe also had low background interference and little damage to biological samples. Therefore, SWJT-5 had been applied to bioimaging in living cells successfully.

A novel near-infrared fluorescent probe based on isophorone for the bioassay of endogenous cysteine.

A dicyanoisophorone/acrylate-combined probe (DDP) was synthesized and designed as a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent sensor for the rapid identification of Cys over Hcy and GSH in aqueous solution with a large Stokes shift (143 nm). The detection limit of Cys was 1.23 µM, which was lower than that of the intracellular Cys concentration. DDP was cell membrane-permeable and had been successfully applied to the detection of intracellular Cys in HeLa cells. The detection mechanism was determined by 1H NMR titration, MS and DFT calculations.

Cutaneous Immunoprofiles of Three Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Cases.

Spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) can cause mild to fatal illness. The early interaction between the host and rickettsia in skin is largely unknown, and the pathogenesis of severe rickettsiosis remains an important topic. A surveillance of SFGR infection by PCR of blood and skin biopsy specimens followed by sequencing and immunohistochemical (IHC) detection was performed on patients with a recent tick bite between 2013 and 2016. Humoral and cutaneous immunoprofiles were evaluated in different SFGR cases by serum cytokine and chemokine detection, skin IHC staining, and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). A total of 111 SFGR cases were identified, including 79 "Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae," 22 Rickettsia raoultii, 8 Rickettsia sibirica, and 2 Rickettsia heilongjiangensis cases. The sensitivity to detect SFGR in skin biopsy specimens (9/24, 37.5%) was significantly higher than that in blood samples (105/2,671, 3.9%) (P < 0.05). As early as 1 day after the tick bite, rickettsiae could be detected in the skin. R. sibirica infection was more severe than "Ca Rickettsia" and R. raoultii infections. Increased levels of serum interleukin-18 (IL-18), IP10, and monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) and decreased levels of IL-2 were observed in febrile patients infected with R. sibirica compared to those infected with "Ca Rickettsia." RNA-seq and IHC staining could not discriminate between SFGR-infected and uninfected tick bite skin lesions. However, the type I interferon (IFN) response was differently expressed between R. sibirica and R. raoultii infections at the cutaneous interface. It is concluded that skin biopsy specimens were more reliable for the detection of SFGR infection in human patients although the immunoprofile may be complicated by immunomodulators induced by the tick bite.

A 5-year molecular epidemiology survey of human enterovirus 71 before vaccine application in Yunnan Province, China.

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection is known to cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Last year, an inactivated EV-A71 whole virus vaccine was used to prevent this disease in Yunnan, China. To obtain a viral genetic background for evaluating vaccine protection and monitor the adaptive evolution of the virus after the vaccination, a 5-year molecular epidemiology survey was performed before the vaccination. Twenty-six EV-A71 strains were separated from 561 stool specimens of patients with serious HFMD. The whole-genomic sequences of these strains were sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were constructed, and the mutation spectra were analyzed based on these viral sequences. There was no obvious mutation for the circular EV-A71 strains of the same year. Pathogenic EV-A71 strains may arise from a "subgroup" randomly each year. Whole-genomic analyses showed that a hotspot nonsynonymous substitution potentially affecting the immunogenicity of vaccines was found in the 2A gene, but not in genes of the viral capsid proteins, and the genetic diversity of whole viral genomes associated with the incidence of HFMD. Therefore, it will be valuable to monitor the genome-wide changes of EV-A71 to detect the adaptive mutations affecting immunogenicity or perform investigations using genetic diversity as a parameter.

[Pre-formulation physicochemical properties of component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang].

Pre-formulation physicochemical properties of the component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang were investigated to provide a research basis for the design of the dosage form for component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang. The macroporous resin adsorption and refining technology was used to prepare the total glycosides extract of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, Panacis Majoris Rhizome and Corni Fructus respectively in the prescription of Qinqi Fengshi Fang. Their physicochemical properties were investigated, including solubility, wettability, hygroscopicity, equilibrium solubility, oil-water partition coefficient, and stability. The results showed that the total glycosides of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, Panacis Majoris Rhizome and Corni Fructus all had good solubility and wettability. The solubility index of each total glycoside component was greater than 85%, and the water absorption index was greater than 50%. In the range of pH 2.0-7.4, the equilibrium solubility of three kinds of total glycosides all increased with the increase of pH, showing a consistent change trend of solubility. The hydrophilicity was also suitable and similar. Overall, three kinds of total glycosides showed good stability, but strong hygroscopicity. The degree of hygroscopicity was as follows: total glycosides of Gen-tianae Macrophyllae Radix > total glycosides of Corni Fructus > total glycosides of Panacis Majoris Rhizome. Therefore, the hygroscopi-city needed to be considered in the preparation of the component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang. The excipients and packaging materials can be properly selected to reduce the hygroscopicity of the preparation. This study provides a reference for the dosage form design of the component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang.

[Permeation mechanism of phenolic acid components from traditional Chinese medicine on PES membrane separation process].

To explore the permeation mechanism of micro-molecule medicinal ingredients of water extract of tradition Chinese medicine(TCM) in membrane separation process. With phenolic acid components as the model solute, five phenolic acids with similar molecular weight and structure, namely gallic acid, protocatechuate acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and salicylic acid, were selected in the PES membrane separation experiments. With the relative flux and the transmission rate as indexes, the scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) were used to analyze the permeation mechanism of different phenolic acid components. The results showed phenolic acids with similar molecular weight had different permeation behaviors, with decreased relative flux and increased solute permeation with the increase of solute concentration. According to the permeation behavior analyzed by the molecular structure of solute, the transmission rate of phenolic acids increased with the increase of the number of hydroxyl, and the order of substituent positions of phenolic acids based on the permeation rate as follows: para-substituted > meta-substitution > ortho-substitution. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reflected the role of charge repulsion in the membrane process; that is to say, the greater the resistance is, the less the solute permeation is. Therefore, the permeation phenomenon of the phenolic acid components in the PES membrane is not only the result of simple sieving mechanisms, but also has the effects of steric hindrance and charge repulsion during the membrane process.

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of tick-borne diseases at One Sentinel Hospital in Northeastern China.

Northeastern China is a region of high tick abundance, multiple tick-borne pathogens and likely human infections. The spectrum of diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens has not been objectively evaluated in this region for clinical management and for comparison with other regions globally where tick-transmitted diseases are common. Based on clinical symptoms, PCR, indirect immunofluorescent assay and (or) blood smear, we identified and described tick-borne diseases from patients with recent tick bite seen at Mudanjiang Forestry Central Hospital. From May 2010 to September 2011, 42% (75/180) of patients were diagnosed with a specific tick-borne disease, including Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, human babesiosis and spotted fever group rickettsiosis. When we compared clinical and laboratory features to identify factors that might discriminate tick-transmitted infections from those lacking that evidence, we revealed that erythema migrans and neurological manifestations were statistically significantly differently presented between those with and without documented aetiologies (P < 0.001, P = 0.003). Twelve patients (6.7%, 12/180) were co-infected with two tick-borne pathogens. We demonstrated the poor ability of clinicians to identify the specific tick-borne disease. In addition, it is necessary to develop specific laboratory assays for optimal diagnosis of tick-borne diseases.

Human Babesiosis Caused by a Babesia crassa-Like Pathogen: A Case Series.

Background: Human babesiosis is an emerging health problem in China. Methods: Babesia were identified in ticks, sheep, and humans in northeastern China using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by genetic sequencing. We enrolled residents who experienced a viral-like illness after recent tick bite or were healthy residents. We defined a case using the definition for babesiosis developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: A Babesia crassa-like agent was identified in Ixodes persulcatus and Haemaphysalis concinna ticks using PCR followed by sequencing. The agent was characterized through phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA gene, the ß-tubulin gene, and the internal transcribed spacer region. We tested sheep as a possible reservoir and found that 1.1% were infected with the B. crassa-like agent. We screened 1125 human participants following tick bites using B. crassa-specific PCR and identified 31 confirmed and 27 suspected cases. All the patients were previously healthy except for 1 with an ovarian tumor. Headache (74%), nausea or vomiting (52%), and fever (48%) were the most common clinical manifestations of confirmed cases. Six of 10 cases remained PCR positive for B. crassa-like infection 9 months after initial diagnosis. Asymptomatic infections were detected in 7.5% of 160 local residents. Conclusions: We identified B. crassa-like infection in people in northeastern China that caused mild to moderate symptoms. The possibility of more severe disease in immunocompromised patients and of transmission through the blood supply due to asymptomatic infections justifies further investigation of this reported infection.

Borrelia miyamotoi Infections in Humans and Ticks, Northeastern China.

We conducted an investigation of Borrelia miyamotoi infections in humans and ticks in northeastern China. Of 984 patients reporting recent tick bites, 14 (1.4%) were found to be infected with B. miyamotoi by PCR and genomic sequencing. The 14 patients had nonspecific febrile manifestations, including fever, headache, anorexia, asthenia, and arthralgia. Rash, eschar, and regional lymphadenopathy were each observed in 1 patient. Four (28.6%) patients were hospitalized because of severe disease. B. miyamotoi was detected in 3.0% (19/627) of Ixodes persulcatus, 1 (2.8%) of 36 Haemaphysalis concinna, and none of 29 Dermacentor silvarum ticks. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of a nearly entire 16s rRNA gene, a partial flagellin gene, and the glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase gene revealed that B. miyamotoi identified in patients and ticks were clustered in the group of the Siberian type. These findings indicate that B. miyamotoi is endemic in northeastern China and its public health significance deserves further investigation.

[Study on essential oil separation from Forsythia suspensa oil-bearing water body based on vapor permeation membrane separation technology].

To investigate the feasibility of vapor permeation membrane technology in separating essential oil from oil-water extract by taking the Forsythia suspensa as an example. The polydimethylsiloxane/polyvinylidene fluoride (PDMS/PVDF) composite flat membrane and a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) flat membrane was collected as the membrane material respectively. Two kinds of membrane osmotic liquids were collected by self-made vapor permeation device. The yield of essential oil separated and enriched from two kinds of membrane materials was calculated, and the microscopic changes of membrane materials were analyzed and compared. Meanwhile, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to compare and analyze the differences in chemical compositions of essential oil between traditional steam distillation, PVDF membrane enriched method and PDMS/PVDF membrane enriched method. The results showed that the yield of essential oil enriched by PVDF membrane was significantly higher than that of PDMS/PVDF membrane, and the GC-MS spectrum showed that the content of main compositions was higher than that of PDMS/PVDF membrane; The GC-MS spectra showed that the components of essential oil enriched by PVDF membrane were basically the same as those obtained by traditional steam distillation. The above results showed that vapor permeation membrane separation technology shall be feasible for the separation of Forsythia essential oil-bearing water body, and PVDF membrane was more suitable for separation and enrichment of Forsythia essential oil than PDMS/PVDF membrane.

[Preliminary study on RC membrane permeability and mechanism of seven traditional Chinese medicine alkaloids such as berberine].

In order to analyze the law of membrane permeation of different alkaloids, seven traditional Chinese medicine alkaloids with different parent nucleus and substituent structures, including berberine, palmatine, sinomenine, matrine, oxymatrine, sophoridine, and tetrandrine, were prepared into the simulated solution with same molar concentration, and the membrane penetrating experiments with membrane RC1K and membrane RC5K were carried out. The dynamic transmittance, the total transmittance and the total adsorption rate of each substance were measured, and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the membrane surface before and after the membrane experiment were considered to predict and analyze the reason of differences in dynamic transmittance of different alkaloids. The results showed that there were significant differences in the dynamic transmittance of the chemical constituents of different alkaloids during penetrating the two membranes. The contamination degree on the surface of the membrane material was also different. The transmittance of the same compound through the RC5K membrane was larger than that through RC1K membrane. Within a certain range, the smaller the pore size of the membrane, the better the selective screening effect on the chemical constituents of traditional Chinese medicine. All the membrane surfaces were less polluted. The difference in transmittance between different substances on the same membrane showed a positive correlation with the difference in structural complexity, providing an experimental basis for the surface modification design in contamination control of membrane materials. In the design of membrane modified material, the surface properties of the membrane can be improved by grafting different polar groups, thereby changing the adsorption characteristics of the membrane surface. The pore size was designed accordingly to achieve the high transmittance and low pollution of the corresponding compounds.

ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 inhibits the growth, migration, and invasion of Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 on the growth, invasion, and migration of Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). The methods of the study are as follows: After being routinely cultured for 24 h, Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells were treated with Y-27632 solution. The morphological change of Y-27632-treated cells was observed under an optical microscope and an inverted microscope; MTT assay was performed to measure the optical density (OD) of cells and calculate cell growth inhibition rate; the change of apoptosis was detected by AnnexinV-FITC/PI assay; cell invasion and migration were measured by Transwell assay. The results were as follows: (1) With increasing concentration of Y-27632, cell morphology changed and cell apoptosis appeared; (2) MTT assay showed that inhibition effect of Y-27632 on Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells was enhanced with increasing concentrations and time (all P < 0.01); (3) Apoptosis showed that, compared with controls, the number of apoptosis cells in experimental groups was significantly increased (all P < 0.01). Apoptosis rate was elevated with increasing concentrations of Y-27632; (4) Transwell assay showed, after a treatment with Y-27632, the number of migrated and invaded Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells in each group was statistically different (all P < 0.01); compared with controls, the number of migrated cell in groups treated with Y-27632 was decreased and less Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells in experimental groups passed through polycarbonate membrane (all P < 0.05). The study concludes that Y-27632 can inhibit the growth, invasion, and migration of Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells, suggesting that Y-27632 may be therapeutically useful in TSCC.

[Study on Chemical Constituents of Delphinium caeruleum].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the whole plant of Delphinium caeruleum. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and physicochemical properties. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated and purified from the ethanol extract of Delphinium caeruleum. They were identified as ß-sitosterol( 1),kaempferol( 2),quercetin( 3),isovanillic acid( 4),apigenin( 5),luteolin( 6),8-methoxy-5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-flavone( 7),ß-daucosterol( 8),kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucoside( 9),3,5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone-7-yl-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-( 1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside( 10),rutin( 11) and sucrose( 12). Conclusion: Compounds 1 ~ 12 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Stability of cantharidin and cantharidic acid in Mylabris aqueous solution].

To investigate the stability and the conversion rules of cantharidin and cantharidic acid contained in the Mylabris aqueous solution under different conditions. The contents of cantharidin and cantharidic acid under different conditions (pH, temperature and light) were determined by HPLC-TQ-MS. The results showed that the content of cantharidin was gradually decreased with the rising of pH value, while on the contrary, the content of cantharidic acid was increased gradually; after Mylabris aqueous solution with different pH values were placed at 25, 40 ℃ and 25 ℃ respectively for lighting for 90 days, the samples were collected for analysis. The results showed the contents of cantharidin and cantharidic acid were changed greatly in the first 10 days, mainly including the decrease of cantharidic acid and increase of cantharidin when the solution was acidic, and the increase of cantharidic acid and decrease of cantharidin when the solution was alkaline. After that, the contents of the above two components basically remained stable. This study revealed that pH was the main factor to affect the contents of cantharidin and cantharidic acid, and they could be converted into each other with the changes of pH value. High temperature and light can accelerate the speed of achieving such balance. The study can provide certain reference for the quality control of the medicines using the Mylabris as raw material.

[Chemical Constituents from Rubus stans].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Rubus stans. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and physicochemical properties. Results: Eleven compounds were isolated and purified from the ethanol extract of Rubus stans. They were identified as ß-sitosterol( 1),betulinic acid( 2),euscaphic acid( 3),ursolic acid( 4),corosolic acid( 5),kaempferol( 6),quercetin( 7),2α,3ß,19α,23-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid( 8),ß-daucosterol( 9),quercetin-3-O-ß-D-glucoside( 10) and kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-6-O-( p-hydroxycinnamoyl)-glucopyranoside( 11). Conclusion: All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Quality Analysis and Evaluation of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Rhizome from Different Habitats].

UNLABELLED: tive: To compare and analyze the quality of Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome from different habitats. METHODS: Simultaneous determination of nine components in Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome by UPLC-TQ/MS was performed on a Phenomenex Kinetex XB-C18 (100 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) column with the mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile (gradient elution) at the flow rate of 0.4 mL/min and thecolumn temperature at 35 degrees C. Multiple reaction mode detection (MRM) in mode was used in this assay. RESULTS: Nine components were separated totally within 15 min. Good correlation were found between the investigated compounds concentrations and their peak areas within the test ranges with the correlation coefficient from 0.9917 to 0.9992. The average recoveries were from 98.1% to 103.7%, and the RSD of precision was in the range of 1.7% - 4.7%. 0.074-3.620 mg/g for sarsasapogenin, 0.042-2.530 mg/g for timosaponin A III, 22.1- 50.4 mg/g for timosaponon B II, 0.10 -8.28 mg/g for officinalisinin II, 0.64 -7.29 mg/g for anemarsaponin B III, 3.28 -27.40 mg/g for mangiferin, 1.83 - 7.21 mg/g for isomangiferin, 0.36 -9.25 mg/g for neomangiferin and 4.72 x 10(-5) - 1.38 x 10(-3) mg/g for baohuoside I in Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome from different habitats were detected. CONCLUSION: The method is rapid, accurate and can be used for quality evaluation of Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome. The quality of Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome from different habitats are different. The saponins content of Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome in Hebei is higher than that of the others.

[Expression and significance of toll-like receptors 7 and 8 in brain and lung tissues of death cases caused by EV71 infection].

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of toll-like receptors (TLR) -7 and -8 in the pathogenesis of infection caused by Enterovirus type 71 (EV71) through measuring the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 in brain and lung tissues from the death cases caused by EV71 infection. METHODS: Nine children who died of EV71 infection (EV71 group) were selected as study subjects, and 7 children who died of accidents or non-infectious diseases were used as the control group. Brain and lung tissues from the death cases in both groups at autopsy were collected, and immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 in lung and brain tissues in both groups. Integrated optical density (IOD) was applied for semi-quantitative analysis of the expression of TLR7 and TLR8. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 in lung and brain tissues was strongly positive in the EV71 group, and the IOD values in the EV71 group were also significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 between lung and brain tissues in the EV71 group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TLR7 and TLR8 are highly expressed in lung and brain tissues from the patients who die of severe EV71 infection, suggesting that TLR7 and TLR8 may be involved in the pathogenesis of brain and lung damages caused by severe EV71 infection.

[Biological characteristics of Fusarium oxysporum and inhibitory effects of five fungicides].

The mycelium growth and sporulation in different temperature, pH value and light conditions were detected by using the crossing and haemocytometer method. The toxicity of five fungicides to Fusarium oxysporum was tested by mycelia growth method, so as to provide the reference for prevention and control against F. oxysporum. The optimum temperature and pH value of F. oxysporum to grow and spore were 28 degrees C and 6-7. Alternating light and darkness promoted growth and sporulation of bacterial colony. As for five fungicides, the EC50 of tebuconazole was 10.02 mg x L(-1), 92.50 times as much as carbendazim. The EC50 of myclobutanil and Fuxing was 91.23, 96.68 mg x L(-1), respectively. Tebuconazole showed the most tremendous inhibitory effect and control efficiency on F. oxysporum.