Effects of exogenous sulfur on alleviating cadmium stress in tartary buckwheat.

Supplying exogenous sulfur-rich compounds increases the content of glutathione(GSH) and phytochelatins(PCs) in plant tissues, enabling plants to enhance their cellular defense capacity and/or compartmentalize Cadmium(Cd) into vacuoles. However, the mechanism by which surplus S modulates tolerance to Cd stress in different tissues need further investigation. In the present study, we found that supplementing the tartary buckwheat(Fagopyrum tararicum) exposed to Cd with surplus S reversed Cd induced adverse effects, and increased Cd concentrations in roots, but decreased in leaves. Further analysis revealed that exogenous S significantly mitigated Cd-induced oxidative stress with the aids of antioxidant enzymes and agents both in leaves and roots, including peroxidase(POD), ascorbate peroxidase(APX), glutathione peroxidase(GPX), glutathione S-transferase(GST), ascorbic acid(AsA), and GSH, but not superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT). The increased Cd uptake in root vacuoles and decreased translocation in leaves of exogenous S treated plants could be ascribed to the increasing Cd binding on cell walls, chelation and vacuolar sequestration with helps of non-protein thiols(NPT), PCs and heavy metal ATPase 3(FtHMA3) in roots, and inhibiting expression of FtHMA2, a transporter that helps Cd translocation from roots to shoots. Results provide the fundamental information for the application of exogenous S in reversal of heavy metal stress.

Application of Flipped Classroom Teaching Model in Teaching Reform of Science of Tuina Technique Based on MOOC / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To discuss the application of flipped classroom teaching model in the teaching reform of Science of Tuina Technique based on MOOC; To provide references for promoting teaching quality of Science of Tuina Technique. Methods Flipped classroom teaching model based on MOOC and traditional teaching model were conducted in 2 classes of 2013 in Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, one experimental groups and one control group. After the end of the course, theoretical knowledge and techniques skill scores of the two classes were compared. Questionnaire was given to students in the experimental class to understand their satisfaction towards flipped classroom based on MOOC. Results The scores of theoretical knowledge, performance demonstration test results, mannequin test and practices mechanics test of experimental group were high than the control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). The results of questionnaire showed that the satisfaction of students in the experimental group towards flipped classroom based on MOOC was 95. Conclusion Flipped classroom teaching model based on MOOC applied to the teaching of Science of Tuina Technique can improve the students' learning interest and initiative, and then improve academic performance.

Therapeutic effects of zinc supplement as adjunctive therapy in infants and young children with rotavirus enteritis / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effects of oral zinc supplement in infants and young children with rotavirus enteritis, and its preventive effects against diarrhea recurrence within 3 months after treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 103 infants and young children with rotavirus enteritis were randomly divided into zinc supplement group (n=51) and conventional treatment group (n=52). Both groups were equally treated with a comprehensive therapy, besides which the zinc supplement group received zinc gluconate granules for 10 days. The treatment outcomes were examined at 72 hours after treatment, and the time required for the disappearance of positive symptoms and the recovery of injured extra-intestinal organs were determined. In addition, these patients were followed up for 3 months to determine the incidence of diarrhea recurrence after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall response rate in the zinc supplement group was significantly higher than that in the conventional treatment group (90% vs 75%; P<0.05). The durations of diarrhea, high fever, and vomiting in the zinc supplement group were significantly shorter than that in the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). In addition, the recurrence rate of diarrhea and the incidence of severe diarrhea within 3 months after treatment in the zinc supplement group were significantly lower than in the conventional treatment group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Oral zinc supplement as adjunctive therapy is effective in treating infants and young children with rotavirus enteritis, and reducing the incidence and severity of diarrhea recurrence in the subsequent 3 months.</p>

Isolation and biological analysis of tumor stem cells from pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

AIM: To explore the method of isolation and biological analysis of tumor stem cells from pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line PANC-1. METHODS: The PANC-1 cells were cultured in Dulbecco modified eagle medium F12 (1:1 volume) (DMEM-F12) supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Subpopulation cells with properties of tumor stem cells were isolated from pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line PANC-1 according to the cell surface markers CD44 and CD24 by flow cytometry. The proliferative capability of these cells in vitro were estimated by 3-[4,5-dimehyl-2-thiazolyl]-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. And the tumor growth of different subpopulation cells which were injected into the hypodermisof right and left armpit of nude mice was studied, and expression of CD44 and CD24 of the CD44(+)CD24(+) cell-formed nodules and PANC-1 cells were detected by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The 5.1%-17.5% of sorted PANC-1 cells expressed the cell surface marker CD44, 57.8% -70.1% expressed CD24, only 2.1%-3.5% of cells were CD44(+) CD24(+). Compared with CD44(-)CD24(-) cells, CD44(+)CD24(+) cells had a lower growth rate in vitro. Implantation of 10(4) CD44(-)CD24(-) cells in nude mice showed no evident tumor growth at wk 12. In contrast, large tumors were found in nude mice implanted with 10(3) CD44(+)CD24(+) cells at wk 4 (2/8), a 20-fold increase in tumorigenic potential (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There was no obvious histological difference between the cells of the CD44(+)CD24(+) cell-formed nodules and PANC-1 cells. CONCLUSION: CD44 and CD24 may be used as the cell surface markers for isolation of pancreatic cancer stem cells from pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line PANC-1. Subpopulation cells CD44(+)CD24(+) have properties of tumor stem cells. Because cancer stem cells are thought to be responsible for tumor initiation and its recurrence after an initial response to chemotherapy, it may be a very promising target for new drug development.