BMRMI Reduces Depressive Rumination Possibly through Improving Abnormal FC of Dorsal ACC.

Rumination is a common symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) and has been characterized as a vulnerability factor for the onset or recurrence of MDD. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying rumination and appropriate treatment strategies remain unclear. In the current study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the effects of body-mind relaxation meditation induction (BMRMI) intervention in MDD with rumination. To this aim, we have recruited 25 MDD and 24 healthy controls (HCs). Changes in functional connectivity (FC) of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) subregion and the scores of clinical measurements were examined using correlation analysis. At baseline, MDD showed stronger FC between the right dorsal ACC (dACC) and right superior frontal gyrus than did the HC group. Compared to baseline, the HC group showed a significantly enhanced FC between the right dACC and right superior frontal gyrus, and the MDD group demonstrated a significantly weaker FC between the left dACC and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) after the intervention. Furthermore, the FC between the right dACC and right superior frontal gyrus was positively associated with rumination scores across all participants at baseline. The above results indicate that BMRMI may regulate self-referential processing and cognitive function through modulating FC of the dACC in MDD with rumination.

Methods and Influencing Factors for the Simple and Rapid Identification of Depleted Uranium Weapon Use under Battlefield Conditions.

The purpose of this paper is to explore how to rapidly and easily identify depleted uranium (DU) samples under battlefield conditions and to study the factors that influence their measurement. The air-absorbed dose rate and surface contamination levels for DU samples of 2-330 g were measured using a patrol instrument and portable energy spectrometer. The results were analyzed in accordance with IAEA standards for judging radioactive substances. The energy spectra of 5-g quantities of DU samples were analyzed using a high-purity germanium gamma spectrometer, and the uranium content of 100 mg DU samples was determined with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to clarify the type and composition of the uranium. The same batches of DU samples were identified using a portable gamma-ray spectrometer. We added 0-5 g environmental soil powders at different proportions. After sealing, the spectra were collected with a detection distance of 1-5 cm for 10 min. The activities of U and U nuclides in the samples were detected with an NaI(TI) scintillation detector. The U and U mass abundances in samples were calculated from measured specific activities. The sample was determined to contain DU if the U to U ratio was below 0.00723. It is found that for detecting DU materials with a low activity, surface contamination level measurements are more effective than calculating the air-absorbed external irradiation dose rate. Hence, for low-activity samples suspected to be radioactive, a radiometer with a high sensitivity for surface contamination is recommended, and the optimal measurement distance is 1-3 cm. Under all detection conditions, U can be identified using a portable gamma spectrometer, whereas U can only be detected under certain conditions. If these nuclides can be detected simultaneously, a U to U ratio of below 0.00723 indicates the presence of DU. The main factors affecting this identification include the sample mass, sample purity, measurement distance, and measurement time. For the rapid identification of DU with a portable gamma-ray spectrometer, the mass of uranium in the sample must be more than 1 g, the measuring distance needs to be less than 1 cm, and the measuring time must be 1-10 min. It is feasible to use a portable gamma-ray spectrometer to rapidly identify the types and composition of nuclides in DU samples. The detection of U activity is a precondition for the identification of DU.

Characterization of antioxidant activity of sulfur compounds in black garlic.

Different types of sulfur compounds, namely S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (ACSO) and a synthetic γ-L-glutamyl-S-allyl-L-cysteine (GSAC) were extracted from black garlic and their inhibition to the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) were investigated. Upon addition of inhibitor, the amount of produced fructosamine was determined by UV visible spectroscopy. The change of pentosidine and fluorescent AGEs during reaction was detected by fluorescence method and the change of carboxymethyl lysine (CML) was detected by high performance liquid chromatography. It was found that the inhibitory effects of SAC and ACSO are stronger to the early and mid non-fluorescent products in glycosylation reaction, and GSAC has an obvious inhibitory effect on the later reaction products. All these three inhibitors can effectively inhibit advanced glycation reaction. Although their effects on glycation products are different due to different chemical structures, they have similar inhibitory effects on fluorescent products.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of the CsSnRK2 family in Camellia sinensis.

The sucrose nonfermenting 1 (SNF1)-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) genes play central roles in plant stress signal transduction. In this study, 8 SnRK2 genes were identified from the tea plant genome database and named CsSnRK2.1-8. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the CsSnRK2 genes were classifiable into three groups, similar to those of Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa and maize. The coding sequences (CDSs) of all CsSnRK2s were separated by eight introns, and their exon-intron organizations exhibited high similarity to those of other plants. The fluorescence of GFP fused with CsSnRK2.3 was detected in only the cytoplasm, while the rest of the proteins showed GFP signal in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The results of the expression patterns of the CsSnRK2 genes showed that CsSnRK2s were differentially induced by salt, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and abscisic acid (ABA) stress. Interestingly, The expression of CsSnRK2.3 was inhibited by ABA, suggesting the complicated roles of CsSnRK2s in the ABA signal transduction pathway. Some CsSnRK2 gene pairs showed significant expression change correlations under stresses, indicating that CsSnRK2s might exhibit synergistic effects of signal regulation in response to various stresses. In summary, this comprehensive analysis will facilitate further studies of the SnRK2 family of Camellia sinensis and provide useful information for the functional validation of CsSnRK2s.

[Combined Process of DNBF-O3-GAC for Nitrogen and Phosphorus and Metabolite Advanced Removal].

To improve the quality of the tailings water from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), a denitrification biofilter (DNBF) with a composite filler composed of a new slow-release organic-carbon source (SOC-F), sponge iron, and activated carbon was tested. Studies were conducted in the combined process of DNBF-O3-GAC to explore the efficiency of the advanced removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and microbial metabolite by using synthetic effluent made from running water and chemicals. Corresponding comparative studies were conducted by using the secondary effluent from the WWTP. The microbial population structure in the biofilm of the denitrification biofilter was analyzed by adopting MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technologies. The results indicated that the combination process achieved high efficiency removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and microbial metabolite. The average removal rate of NO3--N in the simulated and actual water period reached 88.87% and 79.99%, respectively; the average removal rate of TP reached 87.67% and 65.51%, respectively; and the average removal rate of UV254 reached 45.51% and 49.23%, respectively. Each processing unit had different functions. The changes in NO3--N, TN, TP, and TFe mainly occurred in the denitrification biofilter, and the removal of UV254 and the change in the three-dimensional fluorescence intensity mainly occurred in the ozone-activated carbon reactor. The cluster analysis at the genus level indicated that the denitrification system had sulfur autotrophic denitrifying bacteria and heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria. Sulfur autotrophic denitrification increased obviously in the actual water period when relatively lack of carbon sources, and the proportion of Thiobacillus increased from 7.44% to 29.62%. The complementary effect of sulfur autotrophic denitrification and heterotrophic denitrification had extended the use of the new slow-release carbon source.

8-isopentenyl isoflavone derivatives from the whole herb of Sphaerophysa salsula.

Phytochemical studies on the whole herb of Sphaerophysa salsula has resulted in the discovery of one new 8-isopentenyl isoflavone derivative, named sphaerosin s2 (3-(8-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-furo[2,3-h]chromen-3-yl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenol) (1), along with four know 8-isopentenyl isoflavone derivatives (2-5). Compounds (2, 4 and 5) were isolated for the first time from this species. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of ESI-MS, UV, IR, 1D NMR and 2D NMR data.

Prognostic Factors for Survival After Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Sorafenib in the Treatment of BCLC Stage B and C Hepatocellular Carcinomas.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze prognostic factors for survival after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages B and C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 198 patients with BCLC stage B and C HCCs who underwent TACE combined with sorafenib between June 2012 and January 2017 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Survival curves were detected using log-rank test. Univariate analysis was performed using log-rank test with respect to 11 prognostic factors potentially affecting survival. All statistically significant prognostic factors identified by univariate analysis were entered into a Cox proportion hazards regression model to identify independent predictors of survival. P values were two-sided and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: By the end of this study, the median follow-up duration was 43.6 months. The median overall survival (OS) of the patients was 21.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.94-25.05), and the 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 72%, 43%, 28%, and 4%, respectively. Tumor size (χ2 = 33.607, P < 0.0001), tumor number (χ2 = 4.084, P = 0.043), Child-Pugh class (χ2 = 33.187, P < 0.0001), BCLC stage (χ2 = 50.224, P < 0.0001), portal vein tumor thrombus (χ2 = 88.905, P < 0.0001), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (χ2 = 98.007, P < 0.0001), extrahepatic spread (χ2 = 34.980, P < 0.0001), TACE times (χ2 = 8.350, P = 0.015), and sorafenib treatment strategy (χ2 = 81.593, P < 0.0001) were found to be significantly associated with OS by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that BCLC stage (95% CI: 1.133-3.982, P = 0.019), extrahepatic spread (95% CI: 1.136-2.774, P = 0.012), and sorafenib treatment duration (95% CI: 0.352-0.574, P = 0.000) were independent prognostic factors associated with OS. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that extrahepatic spread was a risk factor, and sorafenib treatment and superior BCLC stage were protective factors. Therefore, the study indicated that TACE combined with sorafenib was an effective and safe treatment for patients with BCLC stage B HCC without extrahepatic spread.

Study on the interaction of bioactive compound S-allyl cysteine from garlic with serum albumin.

Multispectroscopic techniques were used to investigate the interaction of S-allyl cysteine (SAC) from garlic with human serum albumin (HSA). UV-Vis absorption measurements prove the formation of the HSA-SAC complex. An analysis of fluorescence spectra revealed that in the presence of SAC, the quenching mechanism of HSA is considered static. The quenching rate constant Kq, KSV, and the binding constant KA were estimated. According to the Van't Hoff equation, the thermodynamic parameters enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) were calculated to be -1.00×105 J/mol and -255 J/mol/K, respectively. These indicate that hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces are the major forces between SAC and HSA. The changes in the secondary structure of HSA, which was induced by SAC, were determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Energy transfer was confirmed and the distance between donor and acceptor was calculated to be 2.83 nm.

Isolation and dynamic expression of four genes involving in shikimic acid pathway in Camellia sinensis 'Baicha 1' during periodic albinism.

Flavonoids are the main flavor components and functional ingredients in tea, and the shikimic acid pathway is considered as one of the most important pathways in flavonoid biosynthesis, but little was known about the function of regulatory genes in the metabolism phenolic compounds in tea plant (Camellia sinensis), especially related genes in shikimic acid pathway. The dynamic changes of catechin (predominant flavonoid) contents were analyzed in this study, and four genes (CsPPT, CsDAHPS, CsSDH and CsCS) involving in shikimic acid pathway in C. sinensis albino cultivar 'Baicha 1' were cloned and characterized. The full-length cDNA sequences of these genes were obtained using reverse transcription-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. At the albinistic stage, the amounts of all catechins decreased to the lowest levels, when epigallocatechin gallate was the highest, whereas gallocatechin-3-O-gallate the lowest. Gene expression patterns analyzed by qRT-PCR showed that CsPPT and CsDAHPS were highly expressed in flowers and buds, while CsSDH and CsCS showed high expression levels in buds and leaves. It was also found that the transcript abundance of shikimic acid biosynthetic genes followed a tightly regulated biphasic pattern, and was affected by albinism. The transcript levels of CsPPT and CsDAHPS were decreased at albinistic stage followed elevated expression, whereas CsSDH and CsCS were increased only at re-greening stage. Taken together, these findings suggested that these four genes in C. sinensis may play different roles in shikimic acid biosynthesis and these genes may have divergent functions.

[Yinxingye Capsule Intervened Vascular Endothelial Cell Apoptosis of Hyperhomocysteinemia Rats: an Experimental Study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore targets of Chinese herbal medicine at cellular and molecular leve1s through an experimental study on Yinxingye Capsule (YC) intervening vascular endothelial cell apoptoeis of hyperhornocysteinemia (HHcy) rats. METHODS: The HHcy model was prepared in male Wistar rats. Totally 42 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the control group (n =10), the model group (n = 11), the YC group (n =11), the folic acid group (n =10). Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solution (1%) was administered to rats in the control group by gastrogavage.3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg was administered to rats in the model group by gastrogavage. 3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg and folic acid suspension at 0. 06 g/kg was administered to rats in the folic acid group by gastrogavage. 3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg and YC at 0. 02 g/kg was administered to rats in the YC group by gastrogavage. Morphological changes of aortic tissue were observed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. The plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level was detected in each group. The endothelium-dependent diastolic functions of the thoracic aorta on different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and acetylcholine (Ach) were detected. Gene expressions of Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), c-Fos, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (c-IAP2) were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Pathological results showed that thickening aortic endothelium, swollen and desquamated endothelial cells. Few foam cells could be seen in the model group. Myoma-like proliferation of smooth muscle cells in tunica media could also be seen. These pathological changes were milder in the YC group and the folic acid group. Compared with the control group, plasma Hcy levels increased in the model group (P <0. 05). The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates at 10(-6) and 10(-4)mol/L Ach and 10(-7) -10(-3)mol/L SNP all decreased in the model group (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS increased, but c-IAP2 gene expressions decreased in the model group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, plasma Hcy levels decreased in the YC group and the folic acid group (P <0. 05). The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates increased in the YC group and the folic acid group at various SNP concentrations except 10(-6) mol/L SNP in the folic acid group. The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates increased in the YC group and the folic acid group at 10(-6) and 10(-4)mol/L Ach (all P <0. 05). Gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS decreased in the YC group and the folic acid group, but c-IAP2 gene expression increased in the folic acid group (all P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: YC could reduce plasma Hcy levels, down-regulate gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS, thereby reducing apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells, improving vascular endothelial function, and delaying atherosclerotic process.

Low Resistance Thought Induction Sleep-regulating Technique (TIP3-2) combined with medication for primary insomnia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is well-validated in the western countries. However, it has not been widely adopted or disseminated in China. One possibility is that therapeutic approaches drawn from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) will be more widely accepted. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of medication in combination with a therapeutic approach drawn from TCM, Low Resistance Thought Induction Sleep-regulating Technique (TIP3-2), for acute treatment of insomnia. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Ninety primary insomnia patients were randomly assigned to receive TIP3-2 combined with medication (n = 45) or medication only (n = 45) for 4 weeks. Medication consisted of 1-2 mg Estazolam nightly. On the basis of taking Estazolam, TIP3-2 combined with medication group was given Low Resistance Thought Induction Sleep-regulating Technique (TIP3-2) treatment twice a week. Outcomes were assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in the PSQI and polysomnography indices. The TIP3-2+ medication group demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in PSQI total score, sleep medication use, daytime dysfunction, subjective sleep quality, as well as polysomnography indices of sleep efficiency and awakening times (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among patients with primary insomnia, the addition of TIP3-2 provided benefits above and beyond the role of medication alone.

Effects of electro-acupuncture on personality traits in depression: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the personality-adjusting effect of electro-acupuncture treatment for depression and compared this treatment with paroxetine treatment. METHODS: A non-blinded, randomized controlled trial was adopted. Sixty depressed patients, who met trial criteria, were randomly assigned to the treatment and the control groups. In the treatment group, electro-acupuncture treatment was used, and paroxetine treatment was used in the control group. During the 24-week study period, 12 patients dropped out and 48 patients completed the study. The Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI) was adopted as the evaluation tool. At the same time, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were used to evaluate the psychological state. Evaluations were done before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, patients' psychological state improved significantly in both groups (P<0.01). For the treatment group, within-group comparison between baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment showed that severity of depression had significantly decreased (P<0.01). MADRS and SDS scores decreased significantly (P<0.05) and MMPI subscale scores for hypochondriasis, depression, psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia, social introversion and fake decreased significantly (P<0.05). For the control group, severity of depression also decreased significantly. MADRS and SDS scores decreased significantly (P<0.05); and MMPI subscale scores for hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, paranoia, and psychasthenia decreased significantly (P<0.05). Between-group comparison demonstrated that for the MMPI subscales paranoia and social introversion, the decrease of score was greater in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). However, there were no other significant differences between the control group and the treatment group. CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture is effective for treating depression and affects personality traits.

Effect of calcium or vitamin D supplementation on vascular outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Whether calcium or vitamin D supplementation reduces serious vascular outcomes in older people remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of calcium or vitamin D supplementation on the risk of major cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We performed electronic searches in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to measure the effect of calcium or vitamin D supplementation on the risk of major vascular outcomes with a random-effect model. RESULTS: Of the 1643 identified studies, we included 11 trials reporting data on 50,252 individuals. These studies reported 2685 major cardiovascular events, 1097 events of myocardial infarction, and 1350 events of stroke. Calcium or vitamin D supplementation did not have an effect on major cardiovascular events (OR, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-1.12; P=0.54), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.08; 95% CI: 0.96-1.22; P=0.21), or stroke (OR, 1.01; 95% CI: 0.91-1.13; P=0.80) when compared to the effect with a placebo. Subgroup analysis indicated that calcium supplementation alone might play an important role in increasing the risk of major cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, but this difference could not be identified as statistically significant. Furthermore, males seem to experience more harmful effects with supplements of calcium or vitamin D than the effects experienced by females. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium supplementation might increase the risk of major cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, and stroke compared to the risk with a placebo.

Nitric oxide participates in cold-inhibited Camellia sinensis pollen germination and tube growth partly via cGMP in vitro.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays essential roles in many biotic and abiotic stresses in plant development procedures, including pollen tube growth. Here, effects of NO on cold stress inhibited pollen germination and tube growth in Camellia sinensis were investigated in vitro. The NO production, NO synthase (NOS)-like activity, cGMP content and proline (Pro) accumulation upon treatment with NO scavenger cPTIO, NOS inhibitor L-NNA, NO donor DEA NONOate, guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitor ODQ or phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor Viagra at 25°C (control) or 4°C were analyzed. Exposure to 4°C for 2 h reduced pollen germination and tube growth along with increase of NOS-like activity, NO production and cGMP content in pollen tubes. DEA NONOate treatment inhibited pollen germination and tube growth in a dose-dependent manner under control and reinforced the inhibition under cold stress, during which NO production and cGMP content promoted in pollen tubes. L-NNA and cPTIO markedly reduced the generation of NO induced by cold or NO donor along with partly reverse of cold- or NO donor-inhibited pollen germination and tube growth. Furthermore, ODQ reduced the cGMP content under cold stress and NO donor treatment in pollen tubes. Meanwhile, ODQ disrupted the reinforcement of NO donor on the inhibition of pollen germination and tube growth under cold condition. Additionally, Pro accumulation of pollen tubes was reduced by ODQ compared with that receiving NO donor under cold or control condition. Effects of cPTIO and L-NNA in improving cold-treated pollen germination and pollen tube growth could be lowered by Viagra. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of cPTIO and L-NNA on Pro accumulation were partly reversed by Viagra. These data suggest that NO production from NOS-like enzyme reaction decreased the cold-responsive pollen germination, inhibited tube growth and reduced Pro accumulation, partly via cGMP signaling pathway in C. sinensis.

Traditional Chinese medicine herbal preparations in restless legs syndrome (RLS) treatment: a review and probable first description of RLS in 1529.

Occidental medicine has a given definition for restless legs syndrome (RLS) and knowledge of RLS pathophysiology has led to the development of its therapeutic management. RLS has no cure. Many methods have been used for its treatment, among which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been considered as a new approach. However, description and management of the disease symptoms can be found in Chinese ancient medical systems. The first mention of RLS may have been as early as the third century BC described as "leg uncomfortable". Nonetheless, the lack of a complete description encompassing all four modern cardinal features of RLS makes this uncertain. On the other hand, the first description of RLS encompassing three of the four major modern criteria occurs in the ancient book of Neike Zhaiyao (Internal summary), 1529 AD just about a century and a half prior to the description of RLS by Sir Thomas Willis in England. Here, we introduce the philosophical concepts of traditional Chinese medicine and the description, classification and understanding of RLS symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine. We have conducted an in-depth review of the literature reporting one part of TCM, Chinese herbal treatment efficacy for RLS, through both English and Chinese search engines. Eighty-five studies were included in the review and more than 40 formulas (including 176 different ingredients) were found in the literature. According to the literature, Chinese herbs have been demonstrated to be safe and hold great potential to be an effective treatment modality for RLS, but the evidence is limited by the quality of these studies. Of the eighty-five studies, only nine were clinical trials with a control group and only three of them were randomized. In cases where herbal preparations were compared to Western medications for RLS, the herbal preparations appear to be superior. However, uncertainty as to whether the diagnosis of RLS was made in accord with Western norms and the use of homemade non-validated rating scales create uncertainty as to the meaning of these results. High-quality randomized and double blinded clinical trials of Chinese herbs in treating RLS will be required in the future. This review highlights aspects of Chinese herbal treatment important to guide future research and clinical practice. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic English review of the role of Chinese herbs in the treatment of RLS.

[Effective analysis of continous perfusion with Dandshen and heparin for treatment of femoral head necrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of continous perfusion with Danshen and heparin for treatment of femoral head necrosis. METHODS: From April 2004 to June 2007,42 patients of femoral head necrosis were treated by contious perfusing with Dandshen and heparin, included 24 males and 18 females with an average age of 39.2 years ranging from 13 to 61 years. There were 18 patients on stage II, 13 patients on stage III, 11 patients on stage IV according to Ficat standard. The venous duct were inserted into femoral head then perfused Danshen and heparin into femoral head for 15 days. Every patient was carried out opacification before treatment and 1 month after operation. Every patient was evaluated according to Harris standard before treatment and 3, 6, 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed-up for 32 to 68 months (means 42.7 months). The average scores of 18 patients on stage II on 3, 6, 12 months after treatment were (88.43 +/- 3.41), (94.37 +/- 3.47), (92.84 +/-4.29), respectively, and the scores after treatment were higher than the score (78.23 +/- 3.47) after treatment. The average scores of 13 cases on stage III on 3, 6, 12 after treatment were (82.94 +/- 3.31), (88.60 +/- 2.31), (86.09 +/- 3.17) respectivly, and the scores after treatment were higher than the score (66.11 +/- 4.50) before treatment. The average scores of 11 cases on stage IV on 3, 6, 12 months after treatment were (61.31 +/- 4.06), (59.2 +/- 7.31), (54.62 +/- 8.20) respectivly,and the scores on 3, 6 months after treatment were higher than the score (50.16 +/- 2.35) before treatment,but there was no obvious difference between before treatment and 12 months after treatment. The rank of phlebography of 18 cases on stage II and 13 cases on stage IlI were improved obvi ously 1 month after treatment,but there was no obvious difference in 11 cases of stage IV. CONCLUSION: The method of contious perfusing with Danshen and heparin into femoral head has the advantage of little damage and good effect. It refers to patients in early stage (II and II ).

Berberine inhibits acute radiation intestinal syndrome in human with abdomen radiotherapy.

Radiation-induced acute intestinal symptoms (RIAISs) are the most relevant complication of abdominal or pelvic radiation. Considering the negative impact of RIAIS on patients' daily activities, the preventive effects of berberine on RIAIS in patients were investigated. Thirty-six patients with seminoma or lymphomas were randomized to receive berberine oral (n = 18) or not (n = 18). Forty-two patients with cervical cancer were randomized to a trial group (n = 21) and control group (n = 21). Radiotherapy used a parallel opposed anterior and posterior. 300-mg berberine was administered orally three times daily in trial groups. Eight patients with RIAIS were treated with 300-mg berberine three times daily from the third to the fifth week. Toxicities, such as fatigue, anorexia/nausea, etc., were graded weekly according to CTC version 2.0. Patients with abdominal/pelvic radiation in the control group showed grade 1 fatigue, anorexia/nausea, colitis, vomiting, proctitis, weight loss, diarrhea and grade 2 anorexia/nausea, fatigue. Only grade 1 colitis, anorexia/nausea, and fatigue were seen in patients of abdominal radiation treated with berberine. Grade 1 fatigue, colitis, anorexia/nausea, and proctitis occurred in patients of pelvic radiotherapy treated with berberine. Pretreatment with berberine significantly decreased the incidence and severity of RIAIS in patients with abdominal/pelvic radiotherapy when compared with the patients of the control group (P < 0.05). RIAIS were reduced in patients with abdominal radiotherapy/pelvic radiation after receiving berberine treatment. Berberine significantly reduced the incidence and severity of RIAIS and postponed the occurrence of RIAIS in patients with abdominal or whole pelvic radiation.

[Interactive guided breathing technology].

OBJECT: Scientific guided breathing technology is to be studied based on the cardiopulmonary interaction. METHODS: Heart rate variability was used as the target function to study the smoothly respiratory relaxation procedure in order to acquire the common pattern of regular and slow breathing. RESULTS: Music based on the acquired common pattern was created and a musical pattern temporally-related to the breathing movement monitored by a sensor could be chosen to guide the breathing interactively.

Isolation and characterization of Methanoculleus receptaculi sp. nov. from Shengli oil field, China.

Three strictly anaerobic, thermophilic methanogens (ZC-2T, ZC-3 and ZC-6) were isolated from Shengli oil field, China. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the three strains were nearly identical, possessing > 99.8% sequence similarity. They also possessed high sequence similarity, 97.4%, to Methanoculleus palmolei strain INSLUZ(T) (97.4% and 97.5%, respectively), indicating that they represented a novel species within the genus Methanoculleus. Cells of strain ZC-2T were nonmotile cocci, 0.8-1.7 microm in diameter, and always occurred singly or in pairs. The three strains used H2/CO2 or sodium formate as substrates for methanogenesis but not sodium acetate, trimethylamine, monomethylamine, ethanol, dimethyl sulfide, isopropanol, isobutanol, butan-2-ol or H2/CO. Optimum growth of strain ZC-2T occurred in the presence of 0.2 M NaCl, pH 7.5-7.8 and temperature 50-55 degrees C with a specific growth rate of 0.084 h(-1). The mol% G+C content of the genomic DNA was 55.2 mol%. Based on these phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strains ZC-2T, ZC-3 and ZC-6 are proposed to represent a novel species in the genus Methanoculleus and named Methanoculleus receptaculi sp. nov. The type strain is ZC-2T (CGMCC 1.5087T=DSM 18860T).

[Microbial diversity in shengli petroleum reservoirs analyzed by T-RFLP].

Recent investigations on the microbial ecology of oil reservoirs in a variety of locales indicated that these habitats harbor various assemblages. In this study, a cultured-independent molecular technique, Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP), was used to analyze the microbial diversity of an injection well (S12-ZHU) and three related production wells (S12-4, S12-5 and S12-19) in the ShengLi oilfield (Shandong province, China). The 16S rRNA genes were amplified by PCR with the 5'carboxy-fluorescein (5-FAM)-labelled universal forward primers (27F for bacteria and 21F for archaea) and a universal reverse primer (1495R). Then the 16S rRNA genes were digested with restriction enzymes (Hae III and Hha I) and analyzed by using an automated DNA sequencer. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity index, based on the T-RFLP profiles, indicated that the bacterial and archaeal species richness in the injection well was higher than those of the production ones. The similarity coefficient showed the microbial community similarity among the four samples was 22.4%-30.8% (Bacteria) and 20.8%-34.5% (Archaea), respectively. According to the analysis by TAP T-RFLP program, species belonging to Pseudomonas, Marinobacter and Methanosarcina as well as some uncultured archaeon were supposed to be the dominant bacteria in all four samples. Thus, this study indicates that T-RFLP is useful for analysis of the microbial diversity in petroleum reservoirs.