[Intraoperative management of potentially fatal arrhythmias after anesthesia induced by severe hypokalemia: A case report].

Severe hypokalemia is defined as the concentration of serum potassium lower than 2.5 mmol/L, which may lead to serious arrhythmias and cause mortality. We report an unusual case of potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias induced by severe hypokalemia in a patient undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in Peking University Third Hospital due to irregular use of indapamide before operation. Indapamide is a sulfonamide diuretic with vasodilative and calcium antagonistic effects, which enhances sodium delivery to the renal distal tubules resulting in a dose-related increase in urinary potassium excretion and decreases serum potassium concentrations. The electrolyte disorder caused by the diuretic is more likely to occur in the elderly patients, especially those with malnutrition or long-term fasting. Hence, the serum potassium concentration of the patients under indapamide therapy, especially elderly patients, should be monitored carefully. Meanwhile, the potassium concentration measured by arterial blood gas analysis is different from that measured by venous blood or laboratory test. According to the previous research, the concentration of potassium in venous blood was slightly higher than that in arterial blood, and the difference value was 0.1-0.5 mmol/L. This error should be taken into account when rapid intravenous potassium supplementation or reduction of blood potassium level was carried out clinically. In the correction of severe hypokalemia, the standard approach often did not work well for treating severe hypokalemia. The tailored rapid potassium supplementation strategy shortened the time of hypokalemia and was a safe and better treatment option to remedy life-threatening arrhythmias caused by severe hypokalemia with a high success rate. Through the anesthesia management of this case, we conclude that for the elderly patients who take indapamide or other potassium excretion diuretics, the electrolyte concentration and the general volume state of the patients should be comprehensively measured and fully evaluated before operation. It may be necessary for us to reexamine the serum electrolyte concentration before anesthesia induction on the morning of surgery in patients with the history of hypokalemia. For severe hypokalemia detected after anesthesia, central venous cannulation access for individualized rapid potassium supplementation is an effective approach to reverse the life-threatening arrhythmias caused by severe hypokalemia and ensure the safety of the patients.

Understanding the Complex Interactions between Coffee, Tea Intake and Neurologically Relevant Tissues Proteins in the Development of Anxiety and Depression.

OBJECTIVES: Coffee and tea intake might be associated with psychiatry diseases. However, it is unclear whether the effect of coffee/tea on anxiety and depression depending on the different types of proteins. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. SETTING: Our datasets were downloaded from online. PARTICIPANTS: Phenotypic and genotypic data for coffee intake(N=376,196) and tea intake (N=376,078) were derived from UK Biobank. GWAS data of proteins (N=1,537) from neurologically relevant tissues (brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma) were obtained from a recently published study. MEASUREMENTS: Multivariate linear analysis was then used to evaluate the potential interaction effect between coffee/tea intake and proteins polygenetic risk score (PRS) on the risks of anxiety and depression controlling for age, sex, Townsend deprivation index (TDI), smoke, drinking and education level. RESULTS: 34 coffee intake-proteins interactions and 15 tea intake-proteins interactions were observed in anxiety individuals, such as coffee intake-c-Jun interaction (ß=0.0169, P=4.131×10-3), coffee intake-Fas interaction (ß=-0.0190, P=8.132×10-4), tea intake-sL-Selectin interaction (ß=0.0112, P=5.412×10-3) and tea intake-IL-1F6 (ß=0.0083, P=4.471×10-2). 25 coffee intake-proteins and 14 tea intake-proteins interactions were observed in depression individuals, including coffee intake- IL-1 sRI (ß=0.0171, P=4.888×10-3) and coffee intake-NXPH1 interaction (ß=0.0156, P=9.819×10-3), tea intake-COLEC12 interaction (ß=0.0127, P=3.280×10-3), and tea intake-Layilin interaction (ß=0.0117, P=7.926×10-3). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested the important role of multiple proteins in neurologically relevant tissues in the associations between coffee/tea intake and psychiatry diseases, providing entry points to explore the mechanisms underlying anxiety and depression.

[Yi Wan She--Huzhou medical association in the late Ming Dynasty].

Yi Wan She, as a medical association in the Huzhou area, was organised by Lu Mingquan, Lu Shilong, Jin Desheng and other doctors in the late Ming Dynasty, developing daily medical theoretical discussions. It built up a hospital named Tian, paid deference to ancient medical doctors, and participated in activities to fight epidemics, organised by Hui Min Pharmacy, such as drug delivery, as an association of local affairs. This was recorded in Yi Wan She Cao and Lu Shi San Shi Yi Yan.

LINC00205, a YY1-modulated lncRNA, serves as a sponge for miR-26a-5p facilitating the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by elevating CDK6.

OBJECTIVE: LINC00205, a bidirectional lncRNA, located at human chromosome 21q22.3, was recently characterized as an oncogenic molecule contributing to cell proliferation in several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we aim to probe the new molecular mechanism for LINC00205 controlling the proliferation of HCC cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression status of LINC00205, miR-26a-5p, as well as CDK6 in HCC tissues/cell lines was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The cell proliferative activity was measured by using the Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assay. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction. The interaction among LINC00205, miR-26a-5p and CDK6, as well as transcription efficiency of LINC00205 promoter were examined by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. Western blot was conducted to evaluate the protein levels of CDK6 in SNU-449 cells. The direct interplay between YY1 and LINC00205 promoter was detected by ChIP-qPCR. RESULTS: LINC00205 was strongly expressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. Elevated LINC00205 expression was positively associated with worse prognosis as well as pathological grade in HCC. Suppression of LINC00205 could impede the proliferation of HCC cells by triggering the G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro. Mechanistically, we illustrated that LINC00205 could accelerate the proliferation of HCC cells by boosting CDK6 expression via sponging miR-26a-5p. Moreover, we unveiled that LINC00205 could be activated by transcription factor Yin Yang-1 (YY1) as its direct downstream target. CONCLUSIONS: LINC00205, a novel YY1-modulated lncRNA, can facilitate the proliferation of HCC cells through YY1/miR-26a-5p/CDK6 pathway, and may serve as a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.

[Influence of Xuebijing injection and its component paeoniflorin on immune function and survival rate of septic rats].

Objective: To explore the influence of Xuebijing injection (hereinafter referred to as Xuebijing) and its component paeoniflorin on immune function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) of spleen and survival rate of septic rats. Methods: (1) CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs and CD4(+) T cells were isolated and purified from spleens of three 9 to 12 weeks old Sprague-Dawley male rats (the same age, breed, and gender below) by immunomagnetic beads. According to the random number table (the same grouping method below), CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs were divided into blank control group, simple CD3/CD28 group, simple endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, LPS+ Xuebijing group, and LPS+ paeoniflorin group, with 6 wells in each group. The cells in simple CD3/CD28 group, simple LPS group, LPS+ Xuebijing group, and LPS+ paeoniflorin group were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing fetal bovine serum in volume fraction of 10%, 1.25 µg CD3, and 2.5 µg CD28 for 24 hours. Then 1 µg/mL LPS in the volume of 1 µL was added to the cells in simple LPS group, LPS+ Xuebijing group, and LPS+ paeoniflorin group. Moreover, 5 mg/mL Xuebijing in the volume of 1 µL and 80 µmol/L paeoniflorin in the volume of 1 µL were added to the cells in LPS+ Xuebijing group and LPS+ paeoniflorin group, respectively, which were cultured for another 72 hours. Cells in blank control group were routinely cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing fetal bovine serum in volume fraction of 10% for 96 hours. The expressions of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and forkhead wing-link transcription factor 3 (Foxp3) and apoptosis of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs were measured by flow cytometry. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) level from culture supernatant of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CD4(+) T cells were divided into blank control' group, simple CD3/CD28' group, simple LPS' group, LPS+ Xuebijing' group, and LPS+ paeoniflorin' group, with 6 wells in each group. After being cocultured with the corresponding CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs treated as before for 72 hours, the proliferative activity of CD4(+) T cells was measured by flow cytometry, and IL-4 level from culture supernatant of CD4(+) T cells was determined by ELISA. (2) One hundred and twenty rats were divided into sham surgery group, simple sepsis group, sepsis+ Xuebijing group, and sepsis+ paeoniflorin group, with 30 rats in each group. The septic rat model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture surgery in simple sepsis group, sepsis+ Xuebijing group, and sepsis+ paeoniflorin group. In sham surgery group, the rats were only performed with laparotomy to simulate surgery. In sepsis+ Xuebijing group, the rats were given post-surgical injection of 4 mL/kg Xuebijing through tail vein, twice a day. In sepsis+ paeoniflorin group, the rats received 978 µg paeoniflorin via tail vein, twice a day. The survival rates of rats in the four groups on post surgery day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were observed and recorded. The surviving cure of Kaplan-Meier was drawn. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference t test. The surviving curve was analyzed by Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Results: (1) Compared with those in blank control group, the expressions of CTLA-4 and Foxp3 of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs (t=27.19, 17.00, P<0.01) and IL-10 level from culture supernatant (t=40.76, P<0.01) were significantly increased in rats in simple LPS group. Compared with those in simple LPS group, the expressions of CTLA-4 and Foxp3 of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs (t(LPS+ Xuebijing group)=31.03, 11.27, t(LPS+ paeoniflorin group)=5.79, 5.64, P<0.01) and IL-10 level from culture supernatant (t=15.49, 4.20, P<0.01) was significantly decreased in LPS+ Xuebijing group and LPS+ paeoniflorin group. Compared with that in blank control group, the apoptosis rate of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs in simple LPS group was significantly declined (t=6.02, P<0.01). Compared with the rate in simple LPS group, the apoptosis rates of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs in LPS+ Xuebijing group and LPS+ paeoniflorin group were significantly increased (t=20.32, 8.60, P<0.01). (2) Compared with those in simple CD3/CD28' group, the proliferative rate of CD4(+) T cells was significantly decreased in simple LPS' group (t=22.47, P<0.01), while IL-4 level from culture supernatant was significantly elevated (t=3.51, P<0.01). Compared with those in simple LPS' group, the proliferative rates of CD4(+) T cells in LPS+ Xuebijing' group and LPS+ paeoniflorin' group were significantly increased (t=16.31, 11.48, P<0.01), while IL-4 level from culture supernatant showed no obvious change. (3) The post-operative 7-day survival rates of rats in sham surgery group, simple sepsis group, sepsis+ Xuebijing group, sepsis+ paeoniflorin group were 100% (30/30), 30% (9/30), 57% (17/30), and 47% (14/30), respectively. Compared with that in simple sepsis group, the survival rate within post-operative 7-day of rats in sepsis+ Xuebijing group was significantly higher (χ(2)=4.34, P<0.05), while the survival rate within post-operative 7-day of rats in sepsis+ paeoniflorin group showed no obvious change. Conclusions: Both Xuebijing and its component paeoniflorin are capable of reversing sepsis-induced inhibitory immune function and apoptotic resistant of Tregs in rats, and further improving the proliferative activity of T cells. In addition, the effect of paeoniflorin on improvement of survival rate of rats with sepsis is weaker than Xuebijing.

Sex, Residence and Fish Intake Predict Vitamin D Status in Chinese Centenarians.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Chinese centenarians and to identify the factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study. SETTING: Hainan province in the south of China. PARTICIPANTS: 943 subjects aged 100 years old and older. METHODS: Details on sociodemographics and lifestyle characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometrics and blood samples were obtained. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration < 20ng/mL (50nmol/L). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among these 943 centenarians was 39.9% (376 subjects) and the mean serum vitamin D concentrations were 22.7±9.5 (ng/mL). Female centenarians had higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency than male (44.0% vs. 21.7%, P <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that being female, urban residency, lower body mass index, higher serum parathyroid hormone levels, no fish consumption, and less sun exposure time were all significant and independent determinants of vitamin D deficiency. No significant associations of vitamin D deficiency with ethnic, education, geographic location, tea drinking, alcohol use, or smoking were found in this study. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was common in Chinese centenarians, especially in women. Given that vitamin D deficiency is linked to numerous adverse health outcomes, dietary, outdoor activities and other intervention measures are needed to correct vitamin D deficiency in this population.

[The publication of the Medicine News and its influence on the spread of modern-western medicines in China and its role in western medicine communication].

Medicine News, first published in 1880, was the earliest western medicine journal founded in China, playing an important role in the history of Chinese modern journals and the history of western medicine communication. Today, no original copies of this journal survive in China. Quotations, citations and comments of some newspapers and periodicals on it at the time, reveal that the publication aim of this journal was to disseminate knowledge of western medicine to the Chinese people, that its editorial policy was "showing western medicine is superior to traditional Chinese medicine" , and that its communication of western medicine knowledge was also based on this policy. Medicine News reported on an international medical academic conference held in London for the first time, and it is worth mentioning that thousands of people attended the meeting. Medicine News is known to have promoted western medicine communication in China to an advanced and more up-to-date level. At the same time, its editorial policy and strategy had a great influence on the editing and publication of western medicine journals in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China.

[A preliminary study of Dao gao yao huang shi shu (Oath of Praying for the King of Medicine), a Chinese version of Hippocratic Oath].

Dao gao yao huang shi shu (Oath of Praying for the King of Medicine), also called Wang jia zan qi shi (Wang Jiazan's Seven Oaths), published in the Fifty-seventh Year of Qianlong Reign (1792) of the Qing Dynasty in the Wu yi hui jiang (Collected Discourses of Doctors from Wu Region), the earliest medical periodicals in China, was the earliest Doctor's Oath ever seen since doctors inherited the traditional medical ethics, that is, a Chinese version of Hippocratic Oath. Sun Simiao's Da yi jing cheng (Proficiency and Sincerity of Great Doctors) was a superb essay of medical ethics without using the style of oath, while Dao gao yao huang shi shu was a complete model of "Oath Statement" from its title to the contents. It inherited the contents from Da yi jing cheng and enriched its connotation of "forbearance to humiliation and enduring poverty" . What's more, its systematization and stylization of oath mark that China's medical ethics as a norm, a creed and a normative expression starts to sprout and germinate, and becomes one of the signs of the gradual maturity of profession of traditional Chinese medicine.

[The localization diagnosis of patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent Cushing's syndrome in adolescence].

Objective: To elucidate the clinical characteristics and localization diagnosis of patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS) in adolescence. Methods: The clinical data, laboratory examination and localization diagnosis from 35 patients aged less than 18 years old with adolescent CS who were treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1990 and March 2012 were analyzed. Results: There were 29 cases of Cushing's disease (CD) and 6 cases of ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS). Compared to patients with EAS, those with CD were older at diagnosis[(15.2±2.7) vs (12.8±4.4) years], and had longer disease course[(1.9±1.5) vs (0.7±0.3) years]and higher serum potassium[(3.8±0.6) vs (2.5±0.7) mmol/L], however the plasma ACTH level[(15.4±14.9) vs (42.5±22.7) pmol/L]was lower (all P<0.05). If the cut-off of the ratio of 24-hour urine free cortisol (24 h UFC) after low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) to before LDDST was 0.65, the sensibility to diagnose CD was 70.8%, and the specificity was 100%. If the cut-off of the 24 h UFC ratio after high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) to before HDDST was 0.54, the sensibility to diagnose CD was 91.7%, and the specificity was 100%. If the cut-off of the plasma ACTH ratio of inferior petrosal vein[bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS)]to peripheral vein was 2, only 6 CD patients (6/8) met it. Conclusion: The study suggested that HDDST was more meaningful in the localization diagnosis of patients with ACTH-dependent CS in adolescence.

Shear-sensitive nanocapsule drug release for site-specific inhibition of occlusive thrombus formation.

Essentials Vessel stenosis due to large thrombus formation increases local shear 1-2 orders of magnitude. High shear at stenotic sites was exploited to trigger eptifibatide release from nanocapsules. Local delivery of eptifibatide prevented vessel occlusion without increased tail bleeding times. Local nanocapsule delivery of eptifibatide may be safer than systemic antiplatelet therapies. SUMMARY: Background Myocardial infarction and stroke remain the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. The major limitation of current antiplatelet therapy is that the effective concentrations are limited because of bleeding complications. Targeted delivery of antiplatelet drug to sites of thrombosis would overcome these limitations. Objectives Here, we have exploited a key biomechanical feature specific to thrombosis, i.e. significantly increased blood shear stress resulting from a reduction in the lumen of the vessel, to achieve site-directed delivery of the clinically used antiplatelet agent eptifibatide by using shear-sensitive phosphatidylcholine (PC)-based nanocapsules. Methods PC-based nanocapsules (2.8 × 1012 ) with high-dose encapsulated eptifibatide were introduced into microfluidic blood perfusion assays and into in vivo models of thrombosis and tail bleeding. Results Shear-triggered nanocapsule delivery of eptifibatide inhibited in vitro thrombus formation selectively under stenotic and high shear flow conditions above a shear rate of 1000 s-1 while leaving thrombus formation under physiologic shear rates unaffected. Thrombosis was effectively prevented in in vivo models of vessel wall damage. Importantly, mice infused with shear-sensitive antiplatelet nanocapsules did not show prolonged bleeding times. Conclusions Targeted delivery of eptifibatide by shear-sensitive nanocapsules offers site-specific antiplatelet potential, and may form a basis for developing more potent and safer antiplatelet drugs.

Population genetic differentiation of the black locust gall midge Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): a North American pest invading Asia.

Obolodiplosis robiniae is native to North America and is an important introduced insect pest that forms leaf margin roll galls on species of genus Robinia (Fabaceae) in China. It was first detected in China in 2004, but subsequently spread and provoked local outbreaks. An analysis of a 676-bp sequence of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I was conducted in 560 individuals from 28 populations, in order to (1) assess population genetic structuring and (2) explore possible explanations for the rapid spread and invasion success of O. robiniae. Yet, only four haplotypes were identified and the nucleotide diversity was low (π = 0.00005) and among the 560 specimens studied, only ten showed haplotypic variation involving no more than three substitutions. The result showed a low degree of genetic diversity among populations of the successful invasive gall midge, which suggested that the pest experienced a severe genetic bottleneck and a loss of genetic diversity after its introduction. The successful establishment and spread of O. robiniae in China is attributed to the wide distribution of its host plant, thus allowing ample opportunities for gene flow in the pest species, and to the advantageous life history characteristics of O. robiniae.

An animal model of Kashin-Beck disease induced by a low-nutrition diet and exposure to T-2 toxin.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the combined roles of a low-nutrition diet (low levels of protein, iodine, and selenium) and T-2 toxin in bone development and to establish an experimental animal model of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) that reliably mimics the disease's pathological changes for further study of the pathogenesis and prevention of the disease. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided among four groups: group A, normal diet; group B, normal diet plus T-2 toxin; group C, low-nutrition diet; and group D, low-nutrition diet plus T-2 toxin exposure. The radiographic and histopathological changes in the tibial growth zone, plate cartilage and metaphysis were examined. RESULTS: In group D, all epiphyseal plates were blurred, thin, and irregular. Tibias were significantly shorter in group D than in groups A and B. After 4 weeks, epiphyseal plates showed chondrocyte necrosis, with the more obvious necrosis appearing in groups C and D. The positive rate of lamellar necrosis was significantly higher in group D than in groups B and A (P < 0.01). In group D, metaphyseal trabecular bone was sparse, disordered, and disrupted, and massive transverse trabecular bone appeared in the metaphysis at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: A rat model of KBD induced by a low-nutrition diet and T-2 toxin exposure demonstrated radiographic and histopathological abnormalities of the proximal epiphyseal plate and the tibial metaphysis that are very similar to the bone changes found in patients with KBD. This animal model will be helpful for further study of the pathogenesis and prevention of KBD.

Preventive effects of supplemental selenium and selenium plus iodine on bone and cartilage development in rats fed with diet from Kashin-Beck disease endemic area.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of supplemental selenium and selenium plus iodine on bone and growth plate cartilage histology and serum biochemistic parameters in rats. Ninety-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: group A, the rats fed with normal diet; group B, fed with diet from Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) endemic area; group C, fed with diet from KBD endemic area supplemented with selenium; and group D, fed with diet from KBD endemic area supplemented with selenium and iodine. After 4, 8, and 12 weeks, bone and cartilage samples were collected from the rats and were examined for morphological changes in the tibial growth zone and for changes in the plate cartilage and metaphysic. Compared to the rats fed with diet from the KBD endemic area, the rats fed with the supplemental selenium or selenium plus iodine exhibited diminished necrosis of the chondrocytes in the growth plate. In the groups of rats receiving supplemental selenium and selenium plus iodine, the bone volume/tissue volume ratio (BV/TV), the trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and the trabecular number were increased, while the trabecular separation was decreased. In the 12th week of the experiment, BV/TV and Tb.Th were significantly increased in the selenium plus iodine group compared to the selenium group. It is concluded that feeding the diet from the KBD endemic area caused necrosis of chondrocytes and dysfunctions of bone development similar to the pathological changes that are seen in KBD. Selenium and iodine protected chondrocytes in growth plate and promoted the formation of trabecular bone. The effects of selenium plus iodine on bone formation were more obvious than those of selenium alone.

Quercetin improves cognitive deficits in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia and inhibits voltage-dependent sodium channels in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Quercetin is a flavonoid compound found in a number of medicinal plants that are often prescribed in Chinese clinics for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The present study investigated the effects of quercetin on chronic cerebral ischemia in rats produced through bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. Treatment of quercetin (5 mg/kg i.p. for 14 days) was found to improve the performance of learning and memory of ischemic rats in the Morris water maze. Additionally, in electrophysiological experiments, quercetin attenuated the inhibition of long-term potentiation (LTP) in ischemic rats. Also, in acutely isolated rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, quercetin (0.3, 3 and 30 microm) decreased the amplitude of voltage-dependent sodium currents in a dose- and voltage-dependent manner. Taken together, these data lend further support for the neuroprotective effects of quercetin and suggest that a therapeutic effect on cerebral ischemia and vascular dementia of quercetin could be due to its inhibition of sodium channels.

Phytophthora infestans isolates from Northern China show high virulence diversity but low genotypic diversity.

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of 48 Phytophthora infestans isolates, collected in five provinces in Northern China between 1997 and 2003, were determined and compared with reference isolates. Characterisation included mating type, virulence, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype and DNA fingerprinting patterns based on simple sequence repeats (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). All isolates had the A1 mating type, mtDNA haplotype IIa and an identical SSR genotype (designated as SG-01-01) that differed from SSR genotypes found in the reference isolates, including those representing the 'old' US-1 lineage that dominated the P. infestans population worldwide prior to 1980. In contrast, the virulence spectra were highly variable and virulence to all resistance genes present in the standard differential set (R1 to R11) was found. AFLP analysis revealed some diversity; eight different AFLP genotypes were found that could be grouped into two major clusters. This study shows that there is very little genotypic diversity in the P. infestans population in Northern China. The occurrence of many different races within this rather uniform population is discussed in the framework of recent insights into the molecular determinants of avirulence in potato-P. infestans'gene-for-gene' interactions.

Static magnetotherapy for the treatment of insomnia.

Magnets have been used for centuries to treat a number of physical disorders. The vast majority of research, however, on static magnet therapy for insomnia has been confined to the auricular type of therapy, with publications limited to Chinese journals. Most of these studies have depended on the subjective self-assessment of participants rather than objective scientific measurements. In this study, the authors report the positive preliminary results of insomnia treatment using pillows with embedded magnets, magnetic insoles and TriPhase bracelets. The analysis is based on objective actigraphic and polysomnographic data. A theory of accelerated transition from wakefulness to sleep is proposed to explain the process of insomnia relief through low-strength static magnetic fields. Analysis by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is used to further investigate the theory.

Neuroprotective role of Z-ligustilide against forebrain ischemic injury in ICR mice.

Radix Angelica sinensis, known as Danggui in Chinese, has been used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a long time. Modern phytochemical studies showed that Z-ligustilide (LIG) is the main lipophilic component of Danggui. In this study, we examined whether LIG could protect ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury by minimizing oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis. Transient forebrain cerebral ischemia (FCI) was induced by the bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion for 30 min. LIG was intraperitoneally injected to ICR mice at the beginning of reperfusion. As determined via 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24 h following ischemia, the infarction volume in the FCI mice treated without LIG (22.1 +/- 2.6%) was significantly higher than that in the FCI mice treated with 5 mg/kg (11.8 +/- 5.2%) and 20 mg/kg (2.60 +/- 1.5%) LIG (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). LIG treatment significantly decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the activities of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the ischemic brain tissues (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 vs. FCI group). In addition, LIG provided a great increase in Bcl-2 expression as well as a significant decrease in Bax and caspase-3 immunoreactivities in the ischemic cortex. The findings demonstrated that LIG could significantly protect the brain from damage induced by transient forebrain cerebral ischemia. The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties of LIG may contribute to the neuroprotective potential of LIG in cerebral ischemic damage.

Central and/or peripheral immunoreactivity of orexin-A in pregnant rats and women.

Orexins (A and B) have been implicated in feeding behavior, energy balance and state of vigilance. During pregnancy, their involvement in feeding regulation and reproduction are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated orexin-A immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus and serum in pregnant rats and women by immunofluorescence staining, image analysis and radioimmunoassay, examined the correlation of serum orexin-A and leptin with gestational age in pregnant women by regression analysis, and explored the effect of leptin injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) on orexin-A immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of normal rats by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that pregnant rats had significantly greater daily food intake on days 15 and 20 of pregnancy than virgin ones (+27.3%, P< 0.01 and +38.6%, P< 0.001 respectively), with significantly fewer number and lower mean staining intensity of orexin-A-immunoreactive (ir) neurons on days 16 (both P< 0.05) and 21 (both P< 0.01) of pregnancy. Moreover, serum levels of orexin-A exhibited 2.0-fold and 2.2-fold increases (both P< 0.001) in rats on days 16 and 21 of pregnancy compared with those in virgin rats, and 1.9-fold and 2.0-fold increases (both P< 0.001) in mid (13-26 weeks) and late pregnant women (27-40 weeks) compared with those in non-pregnant women. Simultaneously, serum levels of leptin showed a 2.3-fold and 2.2-fold increase (both P< 0.001) in rats on days 16 and 21 of pregnancy, and a 3.3-fold and 4.3-fold increase (both P< 0.001) in mid and late pregnant women. Serum levels of both orexin-A and leptin correlated positively with gestational age in pregnant women. Leptin injected i.c.v. significantly decreased the number (P< 0.01) and mean staining intensity (P< 0.01) of orexin-A-ir neurons in the hypothalamus, food intake (P< 0.01) and body weight gain (P< 0.001) compared with vehicle injection in normal rats. These results suggested that central and serum orexin-A might be involved in the regulation of feeding and energy metabolism during pregnancy. The change in central orexin-A immunoreactivity might be related to the increased serum leptin concentrations.