[Remediation of Petroleum-contaminated Soil by Highly Efficient Oil-degrading Bacteria and Analysis of Its Enhancement Mechanism].

A 120-day in situ remediation of oil-contaminated soil was carried out by using highly efficient oil-degrading bacteria. The effects of bio-enhanced remediation and changes in soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were investigated. Combined with metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, the strengthening mechanism was revealed. The results showed that compared with the blank control group (Ctrl), the degradation rate of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the bioremediation group (Exp-BT) was significantly increased, reaching 81.23%. During enhanced bioremediation by highly efficient oil-degrading bacteria, the pH of the soil was stable, the oxidation capacity of the system was improved, and the electrical conductivity was in the range suitable for agricultural activities. Lipase and dehydrogenase maintained high activity during repair. In addition, the analysis of the initial contaminated soil (B0), the highly efficient oil-degrading bacteria obtained from domestication (GZ), and the soil samples after bioremediation (BT) in the obtained samples showed that, at the phylum level, the total proportion of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria increased by 17.1%. At the genus level, the abundance of Nocardioides, Achromobacter, Gordonia, and Rhodococcus increased significantly. The species and function contribution analysis of COG and KEGG proved that the above bacterial genera had important contributions to the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. A high abundance of petroleum hydrocarbon-related metabolic enzymes and five petroleum hydrocarbon-related degradation genes was found in the soil after remediation:alkM, tamA, rubB, ladA, and alkB. The analysis showed that the introduction of the exogenous petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria group enhanced the metabolic activity of microorganism-related enzymes and the expression of corresponding functional genes.

Water-Soluble and Degradable Gelatin/Polyaniline Assemblies with a High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency for pH-Switchable Precise Photothermal Therapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is regarded as one of the potential techniques to replace surgery in the treatment of tumors. Polyaniline (PANI) shows better biocompatibility than inorganic reagents, which has been widely used in tumor photoacoustic (PA) imaging and PTT. However, the poor water solubility and nonspecific aggregation of PANI nanoparticles severely restricted their biomedical application. In addition, it is difficult to control the photothermal effect just on cancer cells. Herein, we develop tumor pH-responsive PANI-Gel/Cu assemblies, which can achieve targeted and precise ablation of tumors. Due to the high hydrophilicity of gelatin, the PANI-Gel/Cu assemblies show excellent dispersion in physiological solutions and long-term stability. By taking advantage of the self-doping effect between the carboxyl groups in gelatin and the imine part of the PANI skeleton, the photothermal characteristics of PANI-Gel/Cu assemblies can be promoted effectively by the acid tumor microenvironment, and the PA imaging of PANI-Gel/Cu assemblies can also be activated by tumor pH. Consequently, both the PTT enhancement and PA signal amplification can be triggered under a tumor microenvironment, and PANI-Gel/Cu assemblies can be targeted to cancer cells with the RGD sequences in their gelatin skeleton. In vivo imaging-guided PTT to A549 cancer shows precise treatment with little harm to normal cells, and PANI-Gel/Cu assemblies can disassemble into tiny particles (<15 nm) under laser irradiation. This work overcomes the intrinsic limitation of PANI materials, i.e., poor water solubility and nonspecific aggregation, meanwhile providing a pH-active PANI-based platform for precise and effective ablation of cancer.

Cav3.1-driven bursting firing in ventromedial hypothalamic neurons exerts dual control of anxiety-like behavior and energy expenditure.

The central nervous system has evolved to coordinate the regulation of both the behavior response to the external environment and homeostasis of energy expenditure. Recent studies have indicated the dorsomedial ventromedial hypothalamus (dmVMH) as an important hub that regulates both innate behavior and energy homeostasis for coping stress. However, how dmVMH neurons control neuronal firing pattern to regulate chronic stress-induced anxiety and energy expenditure remains poorly understood. Here, we found enhanced neuronal activity in VMH after chronic stress, which is mainly induced by increased proportion of burst firing neurons. This enhancement of VMH burst firing is predominantly mediated by Cav3.1 expression. Optogenetically evoked burst firing of dmVMH neurons induced anxiety-like behavior, shifted the respiratory exchange ratio toward fat oxidation, and decreased food intake, while knockdown of Cav3.1 in the dmVMH had the opposite effects, suggested that Cav 3.1 as a crucial regulator. Interestingly, we found that fluoxetine (anxiolytics) could block the increase of Cav3.1 expression to inhibit the burst firing, and then rescued the anxiety-like behaviors and energy expenditure changes. Collectively, our study first revealed an important role of Cav3.1-driven bursting firing of dmVMH neurons in the control of anxiety-like behavior and energy expenditure, and provided potential therapeutic targets for treating the chronic stress-induced emotional malfunction and metabolism disorders.

Therapeutic targets of neuroprotection and neurorestoration in ischemic stroke: Applications for natural compounds from medicinal herbs.

Neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapy represent two major drug intervention strategies for ischemic stroke. Multiple factors such as excitotoxicity, inflammation, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis are the main pathological processes that underlie acute and chronic ischemic brain injury. Furthermore, their intimate interactions mediate blood-brain barrier permeability, increase neurovascular unit structural damage as well as a hemorrhagic transformation during ischemic stroke. We aimed to review the current understandings of the underlying mechanisms of neuroprotection and neurorestoration in ischemic stroke. Notably, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has notable advantages in the comprehensive treatment and overall regulation of multi-site and multi-target diseases. Therefore, we reviewed the recent advances in natural compounds from medicinal herbs that possess the bioactivities of simultaneously promoting neuroprotection (e.g., excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy) and neurorestoration (e.g., angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and axonal sprouting) following brain ischemia injury. These natural compounds were divided into glycosides (astragaloside IV, gastrodin, ginsenoside Rg1 and salidroside), flavonoids (baicalin, icariin, puerarin and breviscapine), phenols (resveratrol, curcumin and salvianolic acid B), and terpenes (ginkgolide B and catalpol). We found that all compounds exhibited anti-brain ischemia activities in vivo and in vitro experiments by promoting neuroprotection and, or neurorestoration. This review tracks and summarizes the progress of the past five years to explore the active compounds and the underlying molecular mechanisms of TCMs that produce pro-neuroprotection and pro-neurorestoration. Additionally, we provide another basis of reference supporting the advantages of TCMs, which could ultimately lead to the development of precise clinical medications for ischemic stroke treatment.

[Study on mechanism of curcumin in treatment of acute pancreatitis based on regulation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway by miR-198].

Curcumin was used to interfere with acute pancreatitis model rats to explore its possible mechanism. One hundred and twenty rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, model+curcumin group, model+mock+curcumin group, model+antagonist+curcumin group and model+curcumin+LY294002 group, with 20 rats in each group. The wet/dry weight ratio of pancreatic tissue was measured and the pathological changes of pancreas were observed by HE staining. The apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining; the levels of serum amylase, lipase, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by ELISA, and the levels of PI3 K, Akt and p-Akt in pancreatic tissue were measured by Western blot. HE staining showed that curcumin could improve the pathological changes of pancreas and reduce the pathological score of pancreas, while ELISA results showed that curcumin could decrease the levels of amylase, lipase and Bax in peripheral serum and increase the concentration of Bcl-2. Western blot results showed that the expression levels of PI3 K and p-Akt in pancreatic tissue of model rats were up-regulated after the intervention of curcumin, and the apoptosis rate of pancreatic cells decreased in TUNEL staining. The above effects could be weakened by miR-198 antagonist and PI3 K-Akt signal pathway inhibitor LY294002. In conclusion, curcumin has an ideal effect on acute pancreatitis, and its mechanism may be mediated by miR-198-PI3 K-Akt axis.

MiR-92b-3p is Induced by Advanced Glycation End Products and Involved in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Nephropathy.

PURPOSE: The current study aims to examine the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in the kidney tissues of rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal experiment groups: the AGE group, the RSA group, and the control group. The rats in the AGE group and the RSA group were administered with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and rat serum albumin (RSA) via the tail vein, respectively, whereas the control group received PBS. Total RNA was prepared from the rat kidney tissues, and the miRNA expression profiles in different experiment groups were compared by microarray analysis. The expression levels of selected differential miRNAs were verified by RT-qPCR. Target gene prediction was conducted using algorithms such as TargetScan, miRanda, and PICTar. Functional analysis was performed to determine the putative biological roles of the validated miRNAs. RESULTS: The microarray study revealed 451 upregulated and 320 downregulated miRNAs in the AGE group compared with the RSA group (p < 0.05). Seven miRNAs, including miR-21-5p, miR-92b-3p, miR-140-3p, miR-196a-5p, miR-181b-5p, miR-186-5p, and miR-192-5p, were screened and verified using RT-qPCR, of which, the change of miR-92b-3p was the most obvious according to the miRNA expression different multiple and p < 0.05). Seven miRNAs, including miR-21-5p, miR-92b-3p, miR-140-3p, miR-196a-5p, miR-181b-5p, miR-186-5p, and miR-192-5p, were screened and verified using RT-qPCR, of which, the change of miR-92b-3p was the most obvious according to the miRNA expression different multiple and. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study suggested that miR-92b-3p could mediate AGE-induced development of renal abnormalities through targeting Smad7 in rats with DN.

[Cloning and functional characterization of farnesyl diphosphate synthase in Senecio scandens].

As a secondary metabolite, sesquiterpenes are not only have important functions in plant defense and signaling, but also play potential roles in basic materials for pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and flavor. As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Senecio scandens exhibits effects of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive, as well as invigorating the blood and removing extravasated blood. Over 600 sesquiterpenes with diverse structures were isolated from S. scandens and related species in the same genus. To characterize sesquiterpenes synthesis, two FPS genes(SsFPS1 and SsFPS2) were identified in S. scandens through transcriptomic analysis. Bioinformatic analysis showed that both SsFPSs have conserved motifs for FPS function. Both SsFPSs exhibited constitutive gene expression in S. scandens tissues and SsFPS2 accumulated higher transcript in leaves and roots than SsFPS1. Meanwhile consistent with constitutive sesquiterpene accumulation in S.scandens tissues, most of these sesquiterpenes were detected in leaves and roots more than stems and flowers. Recombinant expression through Escherichia coli metabolic engineering, SsFPS1 or SsFPS2 was co-transformed with ZmTPS11(maize ß-macrocarpene synthase) into BL21 competent cells. The results showed that the content of ß-macrocarpene was increased by co-transformation with SsFPSs. It is demonstrated that SsFPS1 and SsFPS2 catalyzed E,E-FPP formation and provided FPP precursor for downstream sesquiterpene synthases. Characterization of SsFPSs provided the foundation for the exploration of biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoid with diverse structures and potential pharmaceutical values in S.scandens, and provide an important theoretical basis for the development of S. scandens abundant resources.

[Functional characterization of SsNES responsible for nerolidol biosynthesis in Senecio scandens].

A short terpene synthase gene was obtained by screening the transcriptome data of Senecio scandens. The phylogenetic tree and sequence alignment putatively identified this gene as a nerolidol synthase gene, named SsNES(GenBank MH518312). Protein homology modeling indicated that SsNES contained a complete conserved domain and folded correctly. SsNES was cloned and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli as soluble protein. The biochemical function of SsNES was characterized by E. coli metabolic engineering, which showed that SsNES catalyzed formation of trans-nerolidol with(E, E)-farnesyl diphosphate as the substrate. Nerolidol was also detected in stems and leaves of S. scandens, indicating that SsNES might act as the nerolidol synthase in plant. RT-PCR analysis indicated that SsNES was mainly expressed in stem, flowers and leaves, and no expression was observed in roots. After the treatment of SA, MeJA or Ala, SsNES was induced significantly at 6 h, indicating involvement in the defense response of S. scandens. The identification of SsNES not only clarified biosynthesis of nerolidol in S. scandens, but also provided diversity of sesquiterpene synthase, as well as theoretical basis for disease and pest defense mediated by the terpene metabolites.

MicroRNAs in the Progress of Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature to evaluate the different outcomes of microRNAs (miRNAs) in diabetic nephropathy (DN), including urinary albumin excretion rates, urinary albumin creatinine rates, glomerular filtration rate, HbAc1, and creatinine. METHODS: Electronic databases including PUBMED, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched for eligible publications to July 2018. The following comparisons between treatment groups were included: normal group versus DN group; control group versus micro/macroalbuminuria group. RESULTS: Twelve eligible studies that included 2500 participants were finally recruited in this meta-analysis. Fifteen miRNAs (miRNA-21, miRNA-181b, miRNA-194, miRNA-30, miRNA-215, and others) were upregulated whereas seven miRNAs (miRNA-26a, miRNA-126, miRNA-424, miRNA-574-3p, miR-223, miR-155, and miR-192) were downregulated in the DN group compared with control groups. The miR-133b, miR-342, miR-30, miR-192, miR-194, and miR-215 were significantly correlated in urinary albumin excretion rates (r=0.33, 95% CI= 0.26-0.39). miR-192, miR-217, miR-15b, miR-34a, and miR-636 were correlated with urinary albumin creatinine rates (r=0.69; 95% CI=0.12-0.92), while miR-133b, miR-345, miR-33, miR-326, miR-574-3p, miR-126, miR-217, miR-15b, miR-34a, and miR-636 were significantly correlated with HbAc1 (r =0.23, 95% CI = 0.15-0.31). There were twelve miRNAs that were closely related to the glomerular filtration rate (r=0.28, 95% CI =0.21-0.34). Creatinine (r=0.33, 95% CI = 0.22-0.40) was significantly different between normal and DN groups. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis acquired the correlations between miRNAs and outcomes including UAER, UACR, eGFR, HbAc1, and creatinine in DN. It suggested that miRNAs may participate in the pathogenesis of DN process.

[Identification of stable reference gene by qRT-PCR in Senecio scandens].

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Senecio scandens is rich in important compounds such as flavonoid and sesquiterpenoid. Based on the transcriptome data of S. scandens, 15 candidate reference genes were selected including ABCT, ACT1, ACT2, ACT3, ACBP, ARF, ATPS, EF-H, EF-1α, ETIF, GAPDH, GTPB, MPS, UCE and 60S. Firstly, 9 candidate genes with relatively stable expressions such as ACT1, ACBP, ARF, ATPS, EF-1α, GAPDH, MPS, UCE and 60S were screened from different tissues of S. scandens by RT-PCR. Then, qRT-PCR was used to quantitatively analyze gene expression of these nine candidates in S. scandens with or without stress treatments. Further analysis of these gene expression data by geNorm and NormFinder showed that ACT1 exhibited the stablest expression in all samples and could serve as a reference gene for future study of S. scandens, and provide an endogenous control for gene expression analysis.

Association between the concurrence of pre-existing chronic liver disease and worse prognosis in patients with an herb- Polygonum multiflorum thunb. induced liver injury: a case-control study from a specialised liver disease center in China.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between the concurrence of pre-existing chronic liver diseases (CLD) and worse prognosis in patients with HILI. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital specialising in liver diseases in China. PARTICIPANTS: 145 hospitalised HILI patients were assessed with respect to prognosis by comparing HILI with or without pre-existing CLD from February 2007 to January 2017. Twenty-five HILI cases with pre-existing alcoholic liver disease (ALD) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and 200 ALD or NAFLD controls matched 1:8 for sex, age (±4 years old), body mass index (±2 kg/m2), the type of CLD, alcohol intake (±5 g/d) and the presence or absence of cirrhosis. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality and chronicity in HILI patients with or without pre-existing CLD, and matched CLD patients. RESULTS: Of the 193 714 hospitalised patients with liver diseases, 5703 patients met the diagnostic criteria for drug-induced liver injury (DILI), which was attributed to Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PMT) in 145 patients. Among these HILI patients, 22.8% (33 of 145) had pre-existing CLD, including 17 (51.5%) with ALD, 8 (24.2%) with NAFLD, 5 (15.2%) with chronic viral hepatitis and 3 (9.1%) with autoimmune liver disease. Compared with HILI patients without CLD, HILI patients with pre-existing CLD showed higher mortality (0.9% vs 9.1%, p=0.037) and higher chronicity (12.5% vs 30.3%, p=0.016). Compared with matched ALD (136 patients) or NAFLD (64 patients) patients, HILI patients with pre-existing ALD showed higher chronicity (35.3% vs 11.8%, p=0.019). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that concurrence of pre-existing CLD was an independent risk factor for both of chronicity and mortality (OR 3.966, 95% CI 1.501 to 10.477, p=0.005), especially the chronicity (OR 3.035, 95% CI 1.115 to 8.259, p=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrence of pre-existing CLD could be an independent risk factor for worse prognosis, especially chronicity, in PMT-related HILI.

Chromanopyrones and a flavone from Hypericum monogynum.

Six new compounds, including three pyrone derivatives (2-4), one new flavone (5), and two new naturally-occurring compounds (1 and 6), together with 16 known compounds were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Hypericum monogynum. In addition, compounds 2-4 are racemates. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined on the basis of extensive analysis of spectroscopic data and ECD calculation. All compounds were evaluated for the inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase, compounds 1, 5, and 7 showed moderate inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 161.46, 257.78, and 11.54µg/ml, respectively. Compound 8 exhibited weak anti-oxidant activity with IC50 value of 12.55µg/ml.

Combination Therapy of Nifedipine and Sulphonylureas Exhibits a Mutual Antagonistic Effect on the Endothelial Cell Dysfunction Induced by Hyperglycemia Linked to Vascular Disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: By inducing severe endothelial impairment, hypertension and diabetes are two leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Hypertensive patients with concomitant diabetes must take both antihypertensive and hypoglycaemic medications, for which there is a lack of experimental and clinical guidelines. This study aimed to examine the interaction between these two types of medication on the endothelial cell function. METHODS: The effect of antihypertensive (nifedipine and irbesartan) and anti-diabetic (metformin and glibenclamide/glimepiride) drugs on human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs) function was examined using a modified Boyden chamber assay. The intracellular NO and O2- levels of HUVECs were detected through flow cytometry. RESULTS: Our findings showed that nifedipine/sulphonylurea monotherapy significantly attenuated high glucose-induced (33 mM) HUVECs migration incapacity, while combination therapy of nifedipine and glibenclamide/glimepiride showed no protective effect. Both nifedipine/metformin monotherapy and combined therapy significantly mitigated the migration incapacity induced by high glucose in HUVECs. Combined with either metformin or sulphonylureas, irbesartan therapy was able to attenuate the high glucose-induced migration incapacity of HUVECs. Nifedipine monotherapy decreased the O2- levels and increased the NO levels in in vitro-cultured HUVECs treated with high glucose. However, the combination therapy of nifedipine and glibenclamide increased the O2- levels and decreased the NO levels compared to the nifedipine monotherapeutic group. CONCLUSION: The nifedipine and glibenclamide/glimepiride combination exerted a mutual antagonistic effect on the protection from high glucose-induced impairment in endothelial cells, which might be partially attributed to the increased O2- level and decreased NO level. These results imply that calcium channel blockers + sulphonylurea combination therapy warrants further attention in patients suffering from both hypertension and diabetes.

[Analysis of Clinical Characteristics in 595 Patients with Herb-induced Liver Injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical characteristics of herb-induced liver injury (HILI). METHODS: General conditions, medical history, clinical manifestations, biochemical indices, prognosis, and Roussed Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) scores were retrospectively analyzed in 595 inpatients at 302 Military Hospital between January 2009 and January 2014. RESULTS: There were 423 cases (accounting for 71.1%) were females with multiple onset age ranging 41 to 50 years old. The median time from starting Chinese herbs to the occurrence of liver injury (LI) was 30 days (15-75 days), and 511 cases (85.9%) were classified as hepatocellular injury. Chinese herbs inducing HILI were mainly used for skin disease (102 cases, 17.1%), osteoarticular disease (57 cases, 9.6%), and gastrointestinal disease (49 cases, 8.2%), covering 207 kinds of Chinese patent medicines. Polygonum multiflorum, Psoralea corylifolia, and Corydalis ambigua were often seen in Chinese prescriptions. In RUCAM scoring, 451 HILI patients (accounting for 74.1%) were very possibly associated with Chinese herbs. Liver failure occurred in 47 HILI patients (accounting for 7.9%), cirrhosis in 45 patients (accounting for 7.6%), chronic HILI in 80 patients (accounting for 13.4%), 27 (4.5%) died, and only 2 (0.3%) underwent liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese herbs could cause LI or even death. Attention should be paid to herbal hepatotoxicity and improving monitoring system of HILI.

[Variations of soil microbial community composition and enzyme activities with different salinities on Yuyao coast, Zhejiang, China]. / ä½™å§šæ»¨æµ·ä¸åŒç›ç¢±åº¦åœŸå£¤å¾®ç”Ÿç‰©ç¾¤è½ç»„æˆåŠåœŸå£¤é ¶æ´»æ€§çš„å˜åŒ–.

In October 2015, soil samples with different salinity were collected in a coast area in Yuyao, Zhejiang, and soil microbial community composition, soil catalase, urease activities, as well as soil physical and chemical properties were studied. The results showed that Nitrospira took absolute advantage in the bacterial community, and showed good correlations to total potassium. Cladosporium and Fusarium were predominant in the fungal community. Meanwhile, Cladosporium was related to soil urease and total nitrogen, and same correlation was found between Fusarium and soil urease. Catalase activity ranged from 3.52 to 4.56 mL·g-1, 3.08 to 4.61 mL·g-1 and 5.81 to 6.91 mL·g-1 for soils with heavy, medium and weak salinity, respectively. Catalase activity increased with the soil layer deepening, which was directly related to soil total potassium, and indirectly related to pH, organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus through total potassium. Soil urease activity ranged among 0.04 to 0.52 mg·g-1, 0.08 to 1.07 mg·g-1 and 0.27 to 8.21 mg·g-1 for each saline soil, respectively. Urease activity decreased with soil layer deepening which was directly related to soil total nitrogen, and was indirectly related to pH, organic matter and total potassium through total nitrogen. The total phosphorus was the largest effect factor on the bacterial community CCA ordination, and the urease was on fungal community.

A novel isocoumarin with anti-influenza virus activity from Strobilanthes cusia.

Strobilanthes A (1), a novel isocoumarin with an unusual tetrahydro-4H-pyran-4-one moiety fused isocoumarin core skeleton, together with a known compound (2) was isolated from Strobilanthes cusia. Its chemical structures were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The biosynthetic pathway of 1 could be supposed to be originally derived from 3-methylisocoumarin, a product of AA-MA pathway. Both of two compounds displayed anti-influenza virus activity in vitro.

The association between hantavirus infection and selenium deficiency in mainland China.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by hantaviruses and transmitted by rodents is a significant public health problem in China, and occurs more frequently in selenium-deficient regions. To study the role of selenium concentration in HFRS incidence we used a multidisciplinary approach combining ecological analysis with preliminary experimental data. The incidence of HFRS in humans was about six times higher in severe selenium-deficient and double in moderate deficient areas compared to non-deficient areas. This association became statistically stronger after correction for other significant environment-related factors (low elevation, few grasslands, or an abundance of forests) and was independent of geographical scale by separate analyses for different climate regions. A case-control study of HFRS patients admitted to the hospital revealed increased activity and plasma levels of selenium binding proteins while selenium supplementation in vitro decreased viral replication in an endothelial cell model after infection with a low multiplicity of infection (MOI). Viral replication with a higher MOI was not affected by selenium supplementation. Our findings indicate that selenium deficiency may contribute to an increased prevalence of hantavirus infections in both humans and rodents. Future studies are needed to further examine the exact mechanism behind this observation before selenium supplementation in deficient areas could be implemented for HFRS prevention.

Clinical Analysis of Drug-induced Liver Injury Caused by Polygonum multiflorum and its Preparations / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze hepatotoxicity of Polygonum multiflorum and clinical character- istics of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by Polygonum multiflorum and its preparations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was performed in 158 patients treated at 302 Military Hospital between January 2009 and January 2014. All of them had used Polygonum multiflorum and its preparations before the onset of DILI, and their clinical characteristics and prognoses were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 158 DILI patients who used Polygonum multiflorum or its preparations, 92 (58.2%) combined with Western medicine or Chinese herbal preparations without Polygonum multiflorum; 66 patients (41.8%) used Polygonum mult florum and its preparations alone. In 66 DILI patients induced by Polygonum multiflorum or its preparations alone, 51 cases (77.3%) were induced by Polygonum multiflorum compounds and 22.7% by single Po- lygonum multiflorum; 4 cases (6.1%) were caused by crude Polygonum multiflorum and 62 (93.9%) by processed Polygonum multiflorum and its preparations. Clinical injury patterns were hepatocellular 92.4% (61 cases), cholestatic 1.5% (1 case), and mixed 6.1% (4 cases). Pathological examination was per- formed by liver biopsy in 32 cases (48.15%), manifested as hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, fibroplasia, Kupffer cells with pigment granule, and a large number of eosinophil infiltration, were ob- served. Four patients were developed into liver failure, 4 into cirrhosis, and 1 died.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Polygo- num multiflorum and its preparations could induce DILI, but clinical diagnosis of Polygonum multiflorum induced hepatotoxicity should be cautious.</p>

[WU Xiao-ren: an outstanding physician of acupuncture and moxibustion].

WU Xiao-ren devoted his whole life into acupuncture practice and education. During his 50 years clinical practice, teaching and researching, he focused on standardization and application of acupuncture manipulations. Through the integration of western and Chinese medicine as well as technique innovation, he developed new therapies for hypertension, stroke and various pain syndromes with the combination of acupuncture and materia medica and various acupoint prescription. He was against parochial prejudice by advocating absorption of others successful experiences and integration of different schools. Moreover, being conscientious and meticulous, WU Xiao-ren was always strict with his followers. He set up examples for his students with both precept and practice, and made great contribution to the inheritance of both acupuncture theory and practice.

[Progress in regulation effect of aromatic refreshing traditional Chinese medicine on BBB permeability and its mechanism].

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain against unwanted substances, while, at the same time, limits the transport of many drugs into the brain. Aromatic refreshing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can induce resuscitation and modify the permeability of BBB, promoting other drugs entering into the brain with brain protection effect. This paper mainly reviews the research progress in regulation effects and mechanism of usual aromatic refreshing TCM, such as borneol, moschus, styrax, benzoinum and Tatarinow Sweetflag Rhizome, on BBB permeability. To broaden the application of these drugs in modern pharmaceutics in the future, the relatively research should emphasis on combining aromatic refreshing TCM with new formulations and technologies in pharmaceutics, providing novel promising strategies for brain diseases therapy.