[The westward migration of Tongji Medical College during the Anti-Japanese War].

Tongji Medical College began its "education Long March" after the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, with six westward migrations across almost 10,000 kilometers over eight years. It first moved to the city of Shanghai because Tongji Medical College had to rent space in Shanghai, then moved to Jinhua in Zhejiang Province soon afterwards. After that it migrated to Ganzhou and Jian in Jiangxi Province, then He County in Guangxi Province and Kunming in Yunnan Province, ultimately locating in Li Village in Sichuan Province. Tongji Medical College was operated by Chinese and implemented high-level administration and teaching under the difficult conditions during the Anti-Japanese War. As a result, Tongji Medical College made advances in the medical field, such those by Professor Wu Mengchao. It also made advancements in research and treatment, such as identifying pathogenesis of a local epidemic and offering some treatment methods, and popularised medical knowledge for local people by exhibitions and news paper columns. It also established the Number One and the Number Five UMC Trauma Centre, participating in battlefield treatment. The German teachers of Tongji Medical College, who did not move to the west, established a German Medical School in Shanghai. Tongji Medical College returned back to Shanghai, incorporating the German Medical School in Shanghai after the Anti-Japanese War.

[A prospective randomized controlled study of the therapeutic effects of a self-developed novel low-temperature boric acid wet dressing on the face and neck wounds of patients with superficial burns].

Objective: To observe and explore the clinical therapeutic effects of a self-developed novel low-temperature boric acid wet dressing on the face and neck wounds of patients with superficial burns. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. One hundred cases of superficial burn (sunburn) patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Department of Dermatology of Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2016 to June 2018, the course of sunburn was less than 15 days. According to the of random number table, the patients were divided into new dressing (ND) group (30 males and 20 females, aged (55±14) years) and conventional dressing (CD) group (28 males and 22 females, aged (59±12) years). Patients in ND group were treated with a self-developed new low-temperature boric acid wet dressing, and patients in CD group were treated with normal temperature boric acid solution wet dressing, 3 times a day. The Eczema area and severity index (EASI) score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of patients before and 14 days after treatment (patients discharged from hospital within 14 days were recorded on the day of discharge), the number of cured patients at 6, 8, 10, and 11 to 14 days after treatment, and the efficacy were compared between the patients in 2 groups. The nurse operators were investigated by self-made convenience questionnaire, and the time and convenience required of 2 dressings were compared. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test or Mann-Whitey U test. Results: Before the treatment, the EASI and VAS score in those two groups showed no significantly difference (t=1.576, 1.492, P>0.05). At 14 days after treatment, the EASI score (2.4±0.4) points in ND Group was significantly lower than (4.6±0.7) points in CD Group (t=3.552, P<0.01); the VAS score (0.51±0.12) points in ND Group was significantly lower than (0.98±0.19) points in CD Group (t=3.496, P<0.01). At 14 days after treatment, the cured time of sunburns in ND Group was significantly shorter than that in CD Group (Z=-6.690, P<0.01); the treatment effects of ND Group showed better than that in CD Group (Z=3.387, P<0.01). The time for nurses operating ND was significantly shorter than that in CD (Z=-5.575, P<0.01); the nurses also believed the operation of ND was more convenient than CD (Z=-4.304, P<0.01). Conclusions: Compared with that of CD, the application of ND can shorten the recovery time and improve the treatment efficiency. At the same time, the application of ND can significantly reduce the time of nursing operations, and the material is easy to use. This new material is worthy of clinical promotion for the treatment of superficial burns.

Effects of capsaicin on laying performance, follicle development, and ovarian antioxidant capacity in aged laying ducks.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of capsaicin (CAP) on egg production performance, follicular development, and ovarian antioxidant capacity in laying ducks. Three hundred seventy eight 58-wk-old laying ducks were randomly divided into 3 treatments, each treatment consisted 6 replicates, with 12 individually caged laying ducks per replicate. Ducks fed a basal diet served as control, the other 2 groups of ducks were fed the same diet containing 150 mg/kg CAP but in the manner of feed restriction (pair-fed) or ad libitum fed. The experiment lasted for 8 wk. The results showed that the dietary supplementation with CAP under conditions of ad libitum feeding increased feed intake (P < 0.001) and tended (P < 0.1) to increase egg production and egg weight in laying ducks but had no effects on daily egg mass and feed conversion ratio. The relative weight of large yellow follicles from the 2 CAP-supplemented groups at 64 wk of age were significantly higher than that of the controls (P = 0.01). The relative weight of the small yellow follicles in the CAP free-fed group was significantly higher than that of the other 2 groups (P < 0.01). Capsaicin supplementation under ad libitum feding conditions tended to increase the number of dominant follicles in laying ducks (P = 0.06). The ovarian mRNA expression of genes related to calcium signaling (TRPV4, ATP2A2, ITPR1, and CaM) in the CAP ad libitum fed groups were significantly higher than those of the other 2 groups (P < 0.05). The ovarian mRNA expression of CDK1 in CAP free-fed ducks was significantly higher than that of the other 2 groups (P = 0.01). Capsaicin supplementation significantly increased the plasma glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.01) in comparison with the control group but reduced the malondialdehyde content in the ovaries of laying ducks (P < 0.01). The results of this study indicates that dietary supplementation of CAP increased feed intake and improved egg production performance probably by activating calcium signaling pathway and improving redox status.

[The early graduates from Tongji Medical University(1912-1955)].

The early history of Tongji Medical University can be demonstrated from the graduate certification and the photos of graduates from the Tongji Deutsch Medical School in 1912 to the Wuhan Medical College in 1955. It was found that the names, the chancellors and the affiliations of the university kept changing based on the changing of the names, stamps and signatures of the chancellors on the graduate certificates. It was also found that the apparent morale among graduates appeared to be different during different historical stages in graduate photos. Both graduate certificates and graduate photos show the educational achievements by the Tongji Medical University.

[A multicentric study on clinical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity in children with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of pediatric methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates. Methods: The clinical data of children with MRSA infection and antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates from 11 children's hospitals in Infectious Diseases Surveillance of Paediatrics (ISPED) group of China between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 were collected retrospectively. The children's general condition, high-risk factors, antimicrobial therapy and prognosis, differences in clinical disease and laboratory test results between different age groups, and differences of antibiotic sensitivity between community-acquired (CA)-MRSA and hospital-acquired (HA)-MRSA were analyzed. The t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis of the quantitative data and Chi-square test were used for comparison of rates. Results: Among the 452 patients, 264 were males and 188 were females, aged from 2 days to 17 years. There were 233 cases (51.5%) in the ≤1 year old group, 79 cases (17.5%) in the>1-3 years old group, 29 cases (6.4%) in the >3-5 years old group, 65 cases (14.4%) in the >5-10 years old group, and 46 cases (10.2%) in the>10 years old group. The main distributions of onset seasons were 55 cases (12.2%) in December, 47 cases (10.4%) in February, 46 cases (10.2%) in November, 45 cases (10.0%) in January, 40 cases (8.8%) in March. There were 335 cases (74.1%) CA-MRSA and 117 (25.9%) cases HA-MRSA. Among all cases, 174 cases (38.5%) had basic diseases or long-term use of hormone and immunosuppressive drugs. During the period of hospitalization, 209 cases (46.2%) received medical interventions. There were 182 patients (40.3%) had used antibiotics (ß-lactams, glycopeptides, macrolides, carbapenems, oxazolones, sulfonamides etc) 3 months before admission. The most common clinical disease was pneumonia (203 cases), followed by skin soft-tissue infection (133 cases), sepsis (92 cases), deep tissue abscess (42 cases), osteomyelitis (40 cases), and septic arthritis (26 cases), suppurative meningitis (10 cases). The proportion of pneumonia in the ≤1 year old group was higher than the >1-3 years old group,>3-5 years old group,>5-10 years old group,>10 years old group (57.5% (134/233) vs. 30.4% (24/79), 31.0% (9/29), 38.5% (25/65), 23.9% (11/46), χ(2)=17.374, 7.293, 7.410, 17.373, all P<0.01) The proportion of skin and soft tissue infections caused by CA-MRSA infection was higher than HA-MRSA (33.4% (112/335) vs. 17.9% (21/117), χ(2)=10.010, P=0.002), and the proportion of pneumonia caused by HA-MRSA infection was higher than CA-MRSA (53.0% (62/117) vs. 42.1% (141/335), χ(2)=4.166, P=0.041). The first white blood cell count of the ≤1 year old group was higher than that children > 1 year old ((15±8)×10(9)/L vs. (13±7)×10(9)/L, t=2.697, P=0.007), while the C-reactive protein of the ≤1 year old group was lower than the 1-3 years old group,>5-10 years old group,>10 years old group (8.00 (0.04-194.00) vs.17.00 (0.50-316.00), 15.20 (0.23-312.00), 21.79(0.13-219.00) mg/L, Z=3.207, 2.044, 2.513, all P<0.05), there were no significant differences in procalcitonin (PCT) between different age groups (all P>0.05). After the treatment, 131 cases were cured, 278 cases were improved, 21 cases were not cured, 12 cases died, and 10 cases were abandoned. The 452 MRSA isolates were all sensitive to vancomycin (100.0%), linezolid (100.0%), 100.0% resistant to penicillin, highly resistant to erythromycin (85.0%, 375/441), clindamycin (67.7%, 294/434), less resistant to sulfonamides (5.9%, 23/391), levofloxacin (4.5%, 19/423), gentamicin (3.2%, 14/438), rifampicin (1.8%, 8/440), minocycline (1.1%, 1/91). The antimicrobial resistance rates were not significantly different between the CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The infection of MRSA is mainly found in infants under 3 years old. The prevalent seasons are winter and spring, and MRSA is mainly acquired in the community. The main clinical diseases are pneumonia, skin soft-tissue infection and sepsis. No MRSA isolate is resistant to vancomycin, linezolid. MRSA isolates are generally sensitive to sulfonamides, levofloxacin, gentamicin, rifampicin, minocycline, and were highly resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin. To achieve better prognosis. clinicians should initiate anti-infective treatment for children with MRSA infection according to the clinical characteristics of patients and drug sensitivity of the isolates timely and effectively.

[A century of memory of Tongji Medical College: Selected collections from Museum of History].

This paper presents a harsh course of Tongji Medical School.The school was relocated several times, but still kept running though it met with the cataclysm-the World WarⅠand World WarⅡ.By using collections from School History Museum of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Hospital History Museum of Tongji Medical School as clue and combining the years of itself, it's found that Tongji Medical School is a medical education institution which has Germanic medical educational tradition. The information from this paper has provided the primary sources for research on the origin and development of modern Chinese medical education.

[A multicentric clinical study on clinical characteristics and drug sensitivity of children with pneumococcal meningitis in China].

Objective: To understand clinical characteristics of children with pneumococcal meningitis (PM) in China and to analyze the drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates and associated impacts on death and sequelae. Methods: The clinical data, follow-up results and antimicrobial sensitivity of isolated strains of 155 children (including 98 males and 57 females, age ranged from 2 months to 15 years) with PM in 10 tertiary-grade A class hospitals of Infectious Diseases Surveillance of Pediatrics (ISPED) from 2013 to 2017 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into different groups according to the following standards: ≤1 year old group,>1-3 years old group and >3 years old group according to age; death group and non-death group according to the death within 30 days after PM diagnosis; complication group and non-complication group according to the abnormal cranial imaging diagnosis; sequelae group and no-sequelae group according to the follow-up results. Bonfereoni chi-square segmentation and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were 64 cases (41.3%) in the ≤1 year old group, 39 cases in the >1-3 years old group (25.2%), and 52 cases (33.5%) in the >3 years old group. The most common clinical manifestation was fever (151 cases, 97.4%). The mortality was 16.8% (26/155) during hospitalization. The neurological complication rate was 49.7% (77/155) during hospitalization, including the most common complication, subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 50 cases (32.3%) and hearing impairment in 6 cases. During follow-up after discharge, no death was found and focal neurological deficits were found in 47 cases (30.3%), including the frequent neurological sequelae: cognitive and mental retardation of different degree in 22 cases and hearing impairment in 14 cases (9.0%). The rate of cure and improvement on discharge was 74.8% (116/155) and the lost to follow-up rate was 8.4% (13/155). The proportions of died cases, neurological complications during hospitalization and proportions of peripheral white blood cell count <12 × 10(9)/L before admission in ≤1 year old group were significantly higher than those in >3 years old group (25.0% (16/64) vs. 5.8% (3/52), 75.0% (48/64) vs. 25.0% (13/52), 48.4% (31/64) vs. 15.4% (8/52), χ(2)=7.747, 28.767, 14.044; P=0.005, 0.000, 0.000). The proportions of headache, vomiting, neck resistance and high risk factors of purulent meningitis in >3 years old group were significantly higher than those in ≤ 1 year old group (67.3%(35/52) vs. 1.6%(1/64), 80.8% (42/52) vs. 48.4% (31/64), 69.2% (36/52) vs. 37.5% (24/64), 55.8% (29/52) vs. 14.1%(9/64), χ(2)=57.940, 12.856, 11.568, 22.656; P=0.000, 0.000, 0.001, 0.000). Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were completely sensitive to vancomycin (100.0%, 152/152), linezolid (100.0%, 126/126), moxifloxacin (100.0%, 93/93) and ofloxacin (100.0%,41/41); highly sensitive to levofloxacin (99.3%, 142/143) and ertapenem (84.6%, 66/78); moderately sensitive to ceftriaxone (48.4%, 45/93), cefotaxime (40.0%, 44/110) and meropenem (38.0%, 38/100); less sensitive to penicillin (19.6%, 27/138) and erythromycin (4.2%, 5/120). The proportions of non-sensitive strains of penicillin (21/21) and meropenem (17/18) in the death group were significantly higher than those (90/117, 45/82) in the survived group(χ(2)=4.648 and 9.808, P=0.031 and 0.002). Conclusions: The children's PM is mainly found in infants under 3 years old in China. Death and neurological complications are more common in PM children under 1 year old. The clinical manifestations and peripheral blood inflammatory markers of PM patients under 1 year old are not typical. Fever is the most common clinical manifestation and subdural effusion and (or) empyema is the most common complication. Long-term hearing impairment is common in PM and the follow-up time must be prolonged. The dead PM cases had high in sensitive rates to penicillin and meropenem.

Tripterygium glycoside fraction n2: Alleviation of DSS-induced colitis by modulating immune homeostasis in mice.

BACKGROUND: The Tripterygium glycosides (TG) is the main active extractive of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F and is widely used in clinical practice to treat inflammatory diseases (including inflammatory bowel disease). However, due to its severe toxicity, TG is restricted to the treatment of many diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to study a new method to obtain the attenuated and synergistic extracts from TG. PURPOSE: Tripterygium glycosides-n2 (TG-n2) was obtained from TG by a new preparation method. In this study, we aimed to investigate the difference in the chemical compositions between TG and TG-n2, further explored its toxicity and therapeutic effects on DSS-induced colitis in mice. METHODS: The major chemical compositions of TG and TG-n2 were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Subsequently, acute toxicity test was applied to evaluate the toxicity difference between TG and TG-n2. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis model was used to explore the therapeutic effect of TG and TG-n2 and their potential mechanisms of action. RESULTS: We found that the chemical compositions of TG-n2 is different from TG. The main difference is the ratio of triptriolide (T11) / triptolide (T9). Acute toxicity test proved that TG-n2 was less toxic than TG. Base on this, further studies showed that TG-n2 has a similar therapeutic effect as compared to TG on attenuating the symptoms of colitis, such as diarrhea, bloody stools, body weight loss, colonic atrophy, histopathological changes, inhibiting cytokines secretion and reducing absolute lymph number. In addition, TG and TG-n2 can increase the apoptosis of T lymphocyte in vivo. Further investigated showed that TG and TG-n2 could increase the expressions of Bax and p62 on CD3-positive T cells. CONCLUSION: This study showed that oral administration of TG-n2 is safer than TG. Moreover, the attenuated TG-n2 has the similar therapeutic effect on treating experimental colitis in mice when compared to TG. Its mechanism may be related to activating the expression of Bax in T cells and inducing T cells autophagy to regulate the survival of T lymphocytes in colitis mice, thus reducing inflammation in colon.

[Effect of different surface treatments on the crystal structure and properties of zirconia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 3 surface different treatments on the crystal structure, shear bond strength,roughness value and flexural strength of zirconia. METHODS: The zirconia specimens were prepared and randomly divided into 4 groups and received the following treatments: (1) blank control group,the specimens without treatments; (2)sandblasting with alumina group, sandblasting the specimens with 110 µm alumina particles for 21 s as working pressure 0.25 MPa and working distance 10 mm; (3)laser etching group, coating the surface of the specimens with graphite powder and using Er:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) laser to irradiate the surface 30 s; (4) hot-etching group, putting the specimens in a closed reactor within a 1:1 mixture of 40% (mass traction) nitric acid and 68%(mass traction) hydrofluoric acid liquid, the reaction of 30 min in a water bath at 100 degrees centigrade. The changes of crystal structure, shear bond strength(SBS) and flexural strength of zirconia after different surface treatments were tested. RESULTS: The X-ray diffractometer (XRD) patterns showed that the volume percentage of monoclinic phase of the 4 groups was 0.91%, 12.50%, 6.64% and 17.81% respectively. The roughness value for the four groups were as follows: blank control group,(0.29±0.01) µm; sandblasting with alumina group, (1.05±0.11) µ m; laser etching group, (0.73±0.04) µm; hot-etching group, (1.31±0.06) µm, respectively(P<0.05). Mean SBS was (7.09±0.46) MPa in blank control group, (12.14±1.51) MPa in sandblasting with alumina group, (8.82±0.74) MPa in laser etching group and (11.97±0.99) MPa in hot-etching group. There was no statistically significant difference between sandblasting with alumina group and hot-etching group (P>0.05), but the difference between the other groups were statistically significant(P<0.05). Mean three-point bending was (933.70±44.13) MPa in blank control group, (850.95±60.66) MPa in sandblasting with alumina group, (771.53±68.08) MPa in laser etching group and (766.27±57.49) MPa in hot-etching group. There was no statistically significant difference between sandblasting with alumina group and hot-etching group (P>0.05), but the difference between the other groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: After different surface treatments, the surface of zirconia has changed from tetrago-nal to monoclinic phases in varying degrees. In addition, surface treatments could improve the bond strength of zirconia to resin cement, and also lead to a decrease in the flexural strength of zirconia.

Dietary supplementation with arginine and glutamic acid modifies growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs.

Sixty Duroc × Large White × Landrace pigs with an average initial BW of 77.1 ± 1.3 kg were used to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with arginine and glutamic acid on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs. The animals were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment groups (12 pigs/group, male:female ratio 1:1). The pigs in the control group were fed a basal diet (basal diet group), and those in the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.05% -alanine (isonitrogenous group), 1.0% -arginine (Arg group), 1% glutamic acid + 1.44% -alanine (Glu group), or 1.0% -arginine + 1.0% glutamic acid (Arg+Glu group). After a 60-d period of supplementation, growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality were evaluated. The results showed no significant differences ( > 0.05) in growth performance and carcass traits of the pigs in the Arg group relative to the basal diet group; however, the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle and back fat showed a decrease ( < 0.05) in the percentage of SFA. In the Glu group, the final BW, phase 1 (d 1 to 30) and phase 2 (d 31 to 60) ADFI, and average back fat thickness of the pigs decreased ( < 0.05) by 7.14%, 23.43%, 8.03%, and 33.88%, respectively, when compared with the basal diet group. Dietary Arg+Glu supplementation had no effect ( > 0.05) on the final BW, phase 2 ADFI, and average daily weight gain in pigs but decreased ( < 0.05) their phase 1 ADFI, average back fat thickness, and percentage of SFA in the LD muscle and back fat, and increased ( < 0.05) the i.m. fat (IMF) content of the LD and biceps femoris muscles when compared with the basal diet group. Furthermore, a 16% decrease in yellowness (b* value; < 0.05) was observed in the Arg+Glu group pigs when compared with the isonitrogenous group. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with both Arg and Glu beneficially increases the IMF deposition and improves the meat color and fatty acid composition without affecting growth performance and s.c. fat in pigs, providing a novel strategy to enhance meat quality in growing-finishing pigs.

Effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on the senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells.

The development of age-related cardiovascular disease is associated with the senescence of vascular cells. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence. Primary VSMCs were cultured and divided into control, D-galactose (D-gal), Rg1-L, and Rg1-H groups, which were cultured without and with D-gal, and with low- and high-concentrations of Rg1, respectively. D-gal-induced cellular senescence was identified by b-galactosidase staining, and ultrastructural changes within the cells were observed. The expression of p16, p21, and p53 in the four groups of VSMCs was determined by western blotting, and the cell cycle was investigated by flow cytometry. Compared with the control group, there was an obvious change in the ultrastructure of VSMCs in the D-gal group, and the proportion of b-galactosidase-positive cells was significantly increased (P < 0.05). In addition, p16, p21, and p53 expression was significantly increased (P < 0.05) and the cell cycle was arrested in the G0/G1 phase. Compared with the D-gal group, the percentage of positive cells was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the Rg1 groups, the expression of p16, p21, and p53 was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase decreased (P < 0.05). Ginsenoside Rg1 can inhibit VSMC senescence, and the mechanisms may be related to its partial inhibition of the p16INK4a/Rb and p53-p21Cip1/Waf1 signaling pathways during the cell cycle.

Gastrodin suppresses BACE1 expression under oxidative stress condition via inhibition of the PKR/eIF2α pathway in Alzheimer's disease.

The expression of ß-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is increased in the brain of late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and oxidative stress may be the potential cause of this event. The phenolic glucoside gastrodin (Gas), a main component of a Chinese herbal medicine Gastrodia elata Blume, has been demonstrated to display antioxidant activity and suppresses BACE1 expression. However, the mechanisms by which Gas suppresses BACE1 expression are not clear. Morris water maze test was performed to assess the effect of Gas treatment on memory impairments in Tg2576 mice. The level of oxidative stress in the brain of Tg2576 mice was determined by measuring the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS. In vivo and in vitro, we detected the expression levels of BACE1, pPKRThr446, PKR, pPERKThr981, PERK, peIF2αSer51, and eIF2α using western blot analysis. We found that Gas improved learning and memory abilities of Tg2576 transgenic mice and attenuated intracellular oxidative stress in hippocampi of Tg2576 mice. We discovered that the expression levels of BACE1, activated PKR (pPKRThr446) and activated eIF2α (peIF2αSer51) were elevated in the brains of Tg2576 mice and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, peptide PKR inhibitor (PRI) and Gas down-regulated BACE1 expression in Tg2576 mice and H2O2-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells by inhibiting activation of PKR and eIF2α. Gas alleviates memory deficits in mice and suppresses BACE1 expression by inhibiting the protein kinase/Eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (PKR/eIF2α) pathway. The research suggested that Gas may develop as an drug candidate in neurodegenerative diseases.

Extrication process of chlorogenic acid in Crofton weed and antibacterial mechanism of chlorogenic acid on Escherichia coli.

Crofton weed is a perennial herb and a biological intruding species. The present study firstly used the orthogonal test to compare the differences in extraction of chlorogenic acid in leaves and stems of Crofton weed by using three kinds of solvents, namely water, ethanol and ethyl acetate. The best effect was found by using ethonolic extraction of chlorogenic acid in Crofton weed. Further, by choosing Escherichia coli as test object, in-vitro antibacterial test was conducted to study the antimicrobial activities of chlorogenic acid by testing a series of indexes before and after the interaction between chlorogenic acid and Escherichia coli, to clarify the antibacterial mechanism of chlorogenic acid on Escherichia coli. Finally, by comparing the antibacterial activities of isochlorogenic acid A on Escherichia coli, it was concluded that both chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid A showed antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, wherein chlorogenic acid had a better antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli than isochlorogenic acid A.

[Outcomes of total deafness type of idiopathic suddendeafness in different ages].

Objective:This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the characteristics of hearing recovery in the complete deafness type of SSNHL(≥81 dBHL) in patients with different ages.Method:Clinical outcomes of 179 total deafness type of idiopathic sudden deafness were compared.Patients were divided into 5 groups according to age,they were,pediatric group(13 years or less),youthful group(14-44 years),middle-aged group(45-59 years),presenium group(60-74 years),senectitude group(75 years or higher).Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the initial degree of hearing loss: 81 dB group (81-89 dBHL),90 dB group(90- 99 dBHL),100 dB group(100 dBHL or higher).Routine comprehensive treatment including corticosteroids,the inner ear microcirculation improvement drugs,neurotrophic drugs,saturationoxygen and hyperbaric oxygen therapy,etc.was applied.Patients were treated in accordance with the age and body weight.Result:The percentage of youthful group(83/179,46.4%) was highest(P<0.05),middle-aged group(57/179,31.8%)followed(P<0.05),presenium group(26/179,14.5%)was lower(P<0.05),pediatric group(8/179,4.5%) and senectitude group(5/179,2.8%)were the lowest.No a complete recovery in either pediatric group or senectitude group.A complete recovery was rare in the other groups.Recovery rate of the different aged groups was similar(P>0.05).The percentage of 100 dB group(108/179,60.3%) was highest(P<0.05).The percentage of 81 dB group(39/179,21.8%)was similar to 90 dB group(32/179,17.9%)(P>0.05).Recovery rate was similar in 81 dB group(25/39,64.1%)and 90 dB group(18/32,56.2%)(P>0.05).Recovery rate of both 81 dB group and 90 dB group were greater than 100 dB group(24/108,22.2%)(P<0.05).The 100 dB group reduced the satisfactory recovery effects.There were no differences in the proportion of the patients with dizziness(95/179,53.1%)and without dizziness(84/179,46.9%)(P>0.05).Recovery rate of patients without dizziness(43/84,51.2%) was greater than with dizziness(24/95,25.3%)(P<0.05).The percentage of the patients without dizziness(31/39,79.5%)in 81 dB group was the highest(P<0.05),90 dB group(18/32,56.2%)followed(P<0.05).The percentage of the patients with dizziness in 100 dB group(73/108,67.6%)was highest(P<0.05).Recovery rate was similar in the patients without dizziness of 81 dB group(21/31,67.7%)and 90 dB group(11/18,61.1%)(P>0.05).Recovery rate of the above two groups was greater than that of 100 dB group(11/35,31.4%)(P<0.05).Conclusion:Recovery rate of the different aged groups was similar.The percentage of the patients with dizziness in 100 dB group was highest.Initial hearing threshold in excess of 100 dB reduced the satisfactory recovery in patients with total deafness type of SSNHL.Our results provided a good reference for other clinicians.

Nrf2-ARE signals mediated the anti-oxidative action of electroacupuncture in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are early events associated with dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies indicated that electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is effective in protecting dopaminergic neurons from degeneration in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. In this study, we further characterized the effect of EA on MPTP-induced oxidative responses in the mouse dopamine system. We found that subacute administration of MPTP enhanced lipid and protein oxidation and reduced expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase and catalase) in the striatum. MPTP also reduced expression of an antioxidant transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and Nrf2-regulated antioxidant enzymes (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase-1 and heme oxygenase-1) in the striatum and/or midbrain. Using human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPAP) as a reporter of Nrf2-regulated gene expression in hPAP transgenic mice, we found that MPTP suppressed hPAP expression in the striatum and midbrain. Application of EA at an effective frequency (100 Hz) was sufficient to reverse these changes induced by MPTP. In addition, EA reduced microglia activation and astrogliosis in the striatum and midbrain, increased tyrosine hydroxylase levels in the striatum, and improved vertical movement in MPTP mice. These results provide further evidence supporting that EA produces a series of anti-oxidative effects that effectively counteract with the oxidative stress in the nigrostriatal dopamine system induced by MPTP in a mouse model of PD.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis after extensive dermal use of realgar-containing (arsenic sulfide) herbal ointment.

BACKGROUND: Realgar (arsenic sulfide) is thought to be safe with few reports on toxicities or adverse effects and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for many centuries. Serious realgar poisoning is rare, and we report a fatal case resulted from short-term use of realgar-containing herbal medicine through dermal route. CASE DETAILS: A 24-year-old man with atopic dermatitis had received 18 days of oral herbal medicine and realgar-containing herbal ointments over whole body from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. Seven days after the herbal use, he had diminished appetite, dizziness, abdomen discomfort, itching rash, and skin scaling. He later developed generalized edema, nausea, vomiting, decreased urine amount, diarrhea, vesico-edematous exanthems, malodorous perspiration, fever, and shortness of breath. He was taken to the hospital on Day 19 when the dyspnea became worse. Toxic epidermal necrolysis complicated with soft tissue infection and sepsis was noted, and he later died of septic shock and multiple organ failure. The post-mortem blood arsenic level was 1225 µg/L. Herbal analysis yielded a very high concentration of arsenic in three unlabeled realgar-containing ointments (45427, 5512, and 4229 ppm). CONCLUSION: Realgar-containing herbal remedy may cause severe cutaneous adverse reactions. The arsenic in realgar can be absorbed systemically from repeated application to non-intact skin and thus should not be extensively used on compromised skin.

Advanced phytochemical analysis of herbal tea in China.

Herbal tea is a commonly consumed beverage brewed from the leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, stems and roots of plants species rather than Camellia sinensis L., which has been widely used for health care and diseases prevention for centuries. With the increasing consumption of herbal tea, a number of public health issues e.g., efficacy, safety and quality assurance have attracted concern. However, to date, there is no a review focus on herbal tea. Phytochemical analysis, as a key step to investigate the chemical composition of herbal tea and ensure the quality, is very important. In this review, we summarized and discussed the recent development (2005-2012) in phytochemical analysis of herbal tea commonly used in China.

Energy, amino acid, and phosphorus digestibility of phytase transgenic corn for growing pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate energy, AA, and P digestibility in a phytase transgenic corn (PTC) containing a phytase gene (phyA2) isolated from Aspergillus niger compared with a nontransgenic near-isoline conventional corn (CC) grown in the same environmental conditions for growing pigs. Experiment 1 was an energy balance experiment conducted to measure DE and ME in PTC and CC. Eighteen growing barrows (initial BW 25.8±0.3 kg) from 9 litters were allotted by BW and litter to 1 of 2 dietary treatments with 9 pigs per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were individually placed in metabolism cages and fed diets based on the 2 corns. The DE and ME in PTC (3,967 and 3,941 kcal/kg of DM, respectively) were greater (P<0.05) than those in CC (3,917 and 3,848 kcal/kg of DM, respectively). Experiment 2 was conducted to measure apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) values of CP and AA in the 2 corns. Eighteen growing barrows (initial BW 41.8±0.7 kg) were equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. Pigs were placed in metabolism cages in a completely randomized design with 3 dietary treatments of 6 pigs each. An N-free diet was used to estimate basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. The AID and SID values for CP and all AA did not differ between the 2 corns. Experiment 3 was conducted to measure apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) values of P in the 2 corns. Eighteen growing pigs (initial BW 30.5±0.5 kg) from 6 litters were placed in metabolism cages in a randomized complete block design with 3 dietary treatments of 6 pigs each based on BW and litter. Two diets were based on the 2 corns, and a P-free diet was used to measure endogenous P losses. The ATTD and STTD values of P were greater (P<0.05) in the PTC diet (71.4% and 76.9%, respectively) than those in the CC diet (27.6% and 33.4%, respectively). Pigs fed the PTC diet had a greater (P<0.05) P retention (70.7%) than those fed the CC diet (27.1%). It was concluded that PTC had a greater digestibility of energy and P than CC for growing pigs. As a consequence, if PTC replaces CC in a pig diet, the DE and ME in the diet will increase, and less inorganic P will need to be supplemented to the diet, and thus P excretion in manure will be decreased.

Effects of antinutritional factors on plasma lipoprotein levels in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus.

This study examined the effects of four types of antinutritional factor (phytic acid, stachyose, soy saponins and soy isoflavones) on lipoprotein levels in plasma of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. A basal diet was prepared with fish meal as primary protein source, the other diets were supplemented with 0·2, 0·4 or 0·8% phytic acid, 0·4, 0·8 or 1·5% stachyose, 0·1, 0·35 or 0·7% soy saponins and 0·10, 0·35 or 0·70% soy isoflavones, by dry mass, in place of white flour in the basal diet. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels in plasma of P. olivaceus were not affected by phytic acid or stachyose. In general, addition of 0·2-0·8% phytic acid or 0·4-1·5% stachyose decreased plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, increased plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, thereby increasing the LDL-C:HDL-C ratio. By contrast, supplementation with 0·35-0·7% soy saponins generally depressed plasma TC levels and the LDL-C:HDL-C ratio. Supplementation with 0·35-0·7% soy isoflavones, however, increased plasma TC and TG levels. These results indicate that soy saponins may be partly responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of soybean meal.

Acute toxicities of betel nut: rare but probably overlooked events.

BACKGROUND: Betel nut chewing has long been a social habit in Taiwan and other Asian and tropical countries. It produces various autonomic and psychoneurologic effects including tachycardia, flushing, warmth, cholinergic activation, alertness, and euphoria. Although the oral carcinogenic effects are well known, data concerning its acute toxicity are few. To better understand the toxicity of betel nut, cases reported to the Taiwan Poison Control Center as probable or possible betel nut-related toxicity (January 1988-June 1998) were reviewed. In the 17 cases suitable for review (14 males, 3 females, age 21 to 60 years), the most common manifestations were tachycardia/palpitations (7); tachypnea/dyspnea (6); hypotension and sweating (5); vomiting, dizziness, and chest discomfort (4); abdominal colic, nausea, numbness, and coma (3); and acute myocardial infarction and related manifestations (2). The reported quantity of betel nut used was low (1 to 6 nuts), except an extract of 100 betel nuts was used in 1 case and 66 chewed in another. Most cases recovered within 24 hours after the exposure. One patient developed probable acute myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation and died despite repeated cardiac defibrillation. Although betel nut chewing is widespread, significant toxicity as reported to a poison center is rare. Because most betel nut-related effects are transient and mild in nature, the incidence of such events is likely to be underreported. Nevertheless, betel nut chewing can produce significant cholinergic, neurological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal manifestations. It is possible that it may aggravate cardiac diseases in susceptible patients but this hypothesis must be further investigated. Treatment is symptomatic. With timely support, rapid and complete recovery is anticipated but a small risk of major complications cannot yet be discounted.