[Effects of nitrogen addition on the contents and stoichiometric ratio of nitrogen and potassium in a meadow steppe of Hulunbuir, China]. / æ°®ç´ æ·»åŠ å¯¹å‘¼ä¼¦è´å°”è‰ç”¸è‰åŽŸæ¤ç‰©æ°®é’¾å ƒç´ å«é‡å’Œè®¡é‡æ¯”çš„å½±å“.

Potassium (K) is the second most abundant nutrient in plant leaves after nitrogen (N) and the most abundant cation in plant cells. It plays an important role in plant growth regulation, homeostasis maintenance, and stress response. Previous studies on the effects of N input on plant nutrient status mainly focus on N and phosphorus (P), but less on K and its stoichiometry. We examined the effects of N input and mowing on K content and N:K at both plant functional group and community levels. We analyzed the relative contribution of changes in functional groups and community composition to changes of community level nutrition status. The results showed that N input increased N content of each plant functional group and increased K content of rhizomatous grasses and legumes. Mowing reduced N content of rhizomatous grasses and bunchgrass, but did not affect K content and N:K of all functional groups. Nitrogen input significantly increased plant N and K contents at the community level, while mowing significantly increased plant N content. Both N input and mowing did not affect plant N:K at functional group and community levels. The contribution of nutritional changes in plant functional groups to the variation at the community level was greater than that of changes in community composition. For all the three examined nutritional traits, the contribution of nutrients at functional group level and that of community composition showed negative covariation. Our results indicated that plant N:K had high homeostasis in meadow steppe and that plants could regulate N and K balance, which was of great significance for maintaining N:K stoichiometry under the background of increasing N deposition.

[Systematic review and sequential analysis of Xuebijing Injection in treatment of systemic inflammatory response syndrome].

To systematically review the efficacy of Xuebijing Injection combined with western medicine in the treatment of systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS). In this study, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and EMbase databases were retrieved for clinical randomized controlled trials on the effect of Xuebijing Injection combined with western medicine in the treatment of SIRS from the establishment of the database to July 31, 2020. After screening, Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.3 software, trial sequential analysis was conducted by TSA 0.9.5.10 beta software, and the evidence quality level was evaluated by GRADEprofiler 3.6.1 software. Meta-analysis showed that Xuebijing Injection combined with western medicine could reduce white blood cell count(MD=-2.32, 95%CI[-2.44,-2.21], P<0.000 01), C-reactive protein count(MD=-22.70, 95%CI[-29.61,-15.79], P<0.000 01), APACHE Ⅱ score(MD=-2.15, 95%CI[-2.43,-1.87], P<0.000 01), tumor necrosis factor alpha count(SMD=-1.23, 95%CI[-1.48,-0.99], P<0.000 01) and interleukin-6 count(SMD=-0.92, 95%CI[-1.15,-0.69], P<0.000 01), improve treatment efficiency(RR=1.39, 95%CI[1.23, 1.56], P<0.000 01), reduce incidence of multiple organ dysfunction(RR=0.47, 95%CI[0.35, 0.64], P<0.000 01) and mortality(RR=0.22, 95%CI[0.13, 0.37], P<0.000 01), which were better than western medicine treatment alone. Trial sequential analysis showed that in terms of reducing the incidence of multiple organ dysfunction and C-reactive protein count, the cumulative Z value passed through the traditional threshold, TSA threshold and expected information value, and reached the required number of cases. GRADE evaluation showed that the level of evidence was low or very low. According to the findings, Xuebijing Injection combined with western medicine is effective in treating SIRS. However, as the low quality of the included studies may affect the reliability of the conclusion, more high-quality studies shall be included for further verification in the future, so as to provide better suggestions for clinical medication.

[Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs on soil nematode community in a degraded grassland.] / æ°®ç£·è¾“å ¥å¯¹è¿‡åº¦æ”¾ç‰§é€€åŒ–è‰åŽŸåœŸå£¤çº¿è™«ç¾¤è½çš„å½±å“.

Nematodes, occupying multiple trophic levels in the food web, play important roles in energy flow and nutrient cycling. Most of Chinese natural grasslands have been degraded due to long-term unreasonable utilization, such as over-grazing. External nutrient input is an important way to restore the ecological function of degraded grasslands. The main and intertative effects of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs on soil nematode abundance, trophic group composition and community structure were studied in the grasslands in Xilingol League of Inner Mongolia. Totally, 38 genera of nematodes were recorded. Tylencholaimus, Aphelenchoides, Thonus, and Scutylenchus were dominant genera in this degraded grassland. Nitrogen input decreased total abundances of soil nematodes, and that of omnivores-carnivorous nematodes and plant-feeding nematodes. Phosphorus input increased total abundances of soil nematodes, and that of fungal-feeding nematodes, omnivores-carnivorous nematodes, and plant-feeding nematodes. Nitrogen input inhibited the positive effects of phosphorus input on the abundances of total nematodes, omnivores-carnivorous nematodes and plant-feeding nematodes. Nutrient inputs had no effect on nematode diversity, which would be resulted from the stable plant community. Nitrogen input significantly increased nematode maturity index, decreased plant parasitic nematode maturity index (PPI), and greatly alleviated the negative effects of phosphorus input on PPI and Wasilewska index, indicating that nitrogen input could improve soil health condition and the stability of nematodes community. Our results would help improve our understanding of the effects of nutrient inputs on degraded grassland ecosystem from a soil biotic perspective.

A randomized study on the effect of sequential acupoint stimulation on pulmonary function of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax during VATS perioperative period.

This study aims to explore the effect of sequential acupoint stimulation on the postoperative pulmonary function of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).Using a random number table, the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: routine nursing group and sequential acupoint stimulation group. Patients in the routine nursing group received standard nursing care of thoracic surgery, while patients in the acupoint group received sequential acupoint stimulation on Shenshu (BL23), Gaohuang (BL43), Feishu (BL13), and Tiantu (CV22). Then, the maximal ventilatory volume (MVV), oxygen saturation (SpO2), postoperative drainage volume, postoperative drainage time, postoperative hospitalization days, and procalcitonin (PCT) were observed on the first, third, fifth and 30th day after VATS operation.On the fifth day after spontaneous pneumothorax was treated with VATS, MVV, and SpO2 of the sequential acupoint stimulation group were significantly higher than those of the routine nursing group (P < .05). On both the third day and fifth day after VATS, PCT of the sequential acupoint stimulation group was significantly lower than that of the routine nursing group (P < .01). Furthermore, the difference in postoperative drainage volume between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P > .05), while chest tube drainage time (P < .01) and postoperative hospitalization days (P < .05) of the sequential acupoint stimulation group were significantly lower than those of the routine nursing group.In spontaneous pneumothorax patients who underwent VATS, sequential acupoint stimulation nursing was significantly more effective than routine postoperative nursing in promoting postoperative recovery of lung function, alleviating inflammatory response and shortening hospitalization days.

[Textual research on origin and genuine of Lilii Bulbus].

Lilii Bulbus, which comes from many medicinal plants，is a frequently-used traditional Chinese medicine，the records in previous herbal literatures of it's origin and quality were inconstant. To trace back it's sources, we conducted a systematical study on it's origin and quality by textual research and investigation in this paper,The result showed that the origins of Lilii Bulbus are mainly source from white-flowers, red-yellow-flowers and red-flowers of Lilium， L. brownii var. viridulum, which were believed authentic or good quality in all previous herbal literatures,and L. pumilum and L. concolor which belong to white-flowers,and L. lancifolium which belong to red-yellow-flowers were believed low-quality and unfit for medicinal uses, or they were listed below and often have different effect with L. brownii var. viridulum. Among them, only L. concolor does not belong to Lilii Bulbus according to Chinese Pharmacopeia (2015 edition), The mainstream varieties of Lilii Bulbus became L. lancifolium now according to our practical investigation, which were very different from previous herbal literatures. Although chemical and pharmacological studies provided a reference for L. lancifolium，we should respect the actual records of the previous herbal literatures，the research of material foundation of efficacy should be more sufficient，and provide science evidence for clinical application of different species of Lilii Bulbus.

[Effect of different fertilization treatments on yield and secondary metabolites of Codonopsis pilosula].

The research studies the effect of different fertilization treatments on yield and accumulation of secondary metabolites of Codonopsis pilosula by using single factor randomized block design, in order to ensure reasonable harvesting time and fertilization ratio, and provide the basis for standardized cultivation of C. pilosula. According to the clustering results, the nitrogen fertilizer benefitted for the improvement of root diameter and biomass of C. pilosula. The phosphate fertilizer could promote the content of C. pilosula polysaccharide. The organic fertilizers could increase the content of lobetyolin. With the time going on, C. pilosula's yield, polysaccharide and ehanol-soluble extracts increased while the content of lobetyolin decreased. According to various factors, October is a more reasonable harvest period. Organic fertilizers are more helpful to the yield and accumulation of secondary metabolites of C. pilosula.

Anaesthesia modalities during laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity: a retrospective, longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Laser photocoagulation surgery is a routine treatment for threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). However, little is known about which anaesthesia protocols provide efficient pain control while minimising exposure risk to vulnerable infants. In this study, therefore, we assessed the efficacy and tolerability of multiple anaesthesia techniques used on premature infants during laser therapy. DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anaesthesia modalities consisted of topical eye drops anaesthesia, general anaesthesia and intravenous fentanyl sedation with mechanical ventilation. Laser treatment efficacy and detailed operative information were retrospectively and consecutively analysed. Cardiorespiratory stability was assessed and compared. The Neonatal Pain Agitation and Sedation Scale (N-PASS) was used to evaluate tolerability in infants that underwent intravenous fentanyl sedation. RESULTS: 97 cases of prematurity were included in this study. In 94/97 (96.9%) cases, vascular proliferation regressed. In the topical anaesthesia groups, the ophthalmologist needed 12-16 min more to complete the treatment. During the 3 postoperative days, topical anaesthesia demonstrated the greatest instability; 4/31 (12.90%) infants in this group suffered from life threatening events requiring resuscitation. The only instability observed in general anaesthesia and fentanyl sedation was attributed to difficulty in extubating within 24 hours after surgery. During laser therapy, the N-PASS score increased to 1.8 in the fentanyl sedation group. CONCLUSIONS: Topical anaesthesia was associated with more cardiorespiratory instability during ROP laser treatment. While general anaesthesia and fentanyl sedation had similar postoperative cardiorespiratory results, the latter demonstrated acceptable pain stress control. However, the difficulty of weaning off mechanical ventilation in some cases after surgery needs to be addressed in future studies.

[Resources and usage status of Tibetan medicinal plant "Bangga"].

The study is aimed to clarify the actual original plant, find out the usage status and the resource distribution of the Tibetan medicinal plant "Bangga". By using the way of the literatures survey, interview and investigation, it found out that the actual original plant of the Tibetan medicinal plant "Bangga" were the whole dried plant or the aerial part of Aconitum tanguticum or A. naviculare of Ranunculaceae, among which A. tanguticummainly distributed in Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet (Qamdo), and A. naviculare mainly distributed in Tibet. Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai and other Tibetan areas mainly used the resources of A. tanguticum, Tibet (except the Qamdo area) mainly uses the A. naviculare, which resource was imminent in danger. Other species described in the literature were not used. It showed that the use of herbs related to their resources, it is recommended to strengthen the protection and guide the market.

[Analysis on difference of richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Chongqing based on grid technology].

After the end of the national and local medicine resources census work, a large number of Chinese medicine resources and distribution of data will be summarized. The species richness between the regions is a valid indicator for objective reflection of inter-regional resources of Chinese medicine. Due to the large difference in the size of the county area, the assessment of the intercropping of the resources of the traditional Chinese medicine by the county as a statistical unit will lead to the deviation of the regional abundance statistics. Based on the rule grid or grid statistical methods, the size of the statistical unit due to different can be reduced, the differences in the richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources are caused. Taking Chongqing as an example, based on the existing survey data, the difference of richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources under different grid scale were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the 30 km grid could be selected and the richness of Chinese medicine resources in Chongqing could reflect the objective situation of intercropping resources richness in traditional Chinese medicine better.

[A survey on ecological environment of wild Adiantum reniforme var. sinense in Three Gorges Reservoir region].

The study aims at investigating the ecological environment Adiantum reniforme var. sinense of in Three Gorges Reservoir region, and providing a reference basis for the protection of resources and artificial cultivation of A. reniforme var. sinense. By using the method of investigation, field survey and experimental analysis, the vegetation, natural geographical environment, climate, soil nutrients of A. reniforme var. sinense were studied and analyzed. The survey found that A. reniforme var. sinense distribution area reduced fast in Three Gorges region, a lot of distribution has diminished and vanished due to excessive digging, currently only in 3 towns of Wanzhou there exist 4 wild distribution areas. The growth of A. reniforme var. sinense needs an environment with low altitude, steep slope and thin soil, northeast slope, canopy height and warm and humid climate characteristics, and the soil in distribution has the characteristics of high organic matter, available nitrogen, available potassium, and low available phosphorus content.

[Dynamics of seed rain of Tripterygium hypoglaucum and soil seed bank].

Tripterygium hypoglaucum is an endangered species in arid areas of Xiannvshan Chongqing, China. The dynamic characteristics of seed rain and soil seed bank of T. hypoglaucum were studied in this paper．Results showed that T. hypoglaucum years of mature seeds distribution number up to October; the seed rain occurred from the last ten-day of September to in the first ten-day of November and the peak of scattered seed rain concentrated in the October．The numbers of soil seed bank at 2-5 cm soil layer,mainly concentrated in the 1.5-3.5 m range. T. hypoglaucum seeds to the wind as a force for transmission, the transmission ability is strong, but in the process of natural reproduction, full mature seed rate is low, the soil seed bank seeds seed short-lived factors these were unfavorable for the natural reproduction of T. hypoglaucum population.

[Investigation of original materials under traditonal Chinese medicine names of "Jinchai" and "Jinchai Shihu"].

To clear from botanical view the original materials under the traditional Chinese medicine names of "Jinchai", "Jinchai Shihu" within the genus Dendrobium of the family Orchidaceae. Combined of different methods including study of historical records from the local chronicles and historical accounts of past event in Hubei, Sichuan, Chongqing, Henan and Shaanxi provinces, interviewing face to face with the old traditional Chinese workers and folk doctors in 20 downtowns and countrysides, such as, Laohekou, Lichuan, Fangxian, Xixia, Neixiang, and Ankang, and collecting a few plants of "Jinchai" for taxonomic identification. The traditional Chinese medicine names of "Jinchai", "Jinchai Shihu" were widely used by the local people from the eastern Chongqing, western Hubei, northeasten Sichuan, southeastern Shaanxi, western Henan. Those two names were frequently found in the local Chronicles and historical accounts of past event, even in the local daily life such as folk songs and stories. The botanical identification results showed that a endemic species of D. flexicaule is the original materials of the traditional Chinese medicine names "Jinchai" and "Jinchai Shihu", and this species are also called "Longtoujin", "Renzijin", "Huanzijin" and "Longtoufengweijin" by the local people. The dried artifactitious specimens of D. flexicaule are traditionally named as "Jinerhuan". The botanic resource plants of the traditional Chinese medicine names of "Jinchai", "Jinchai Shihu" are the endemic species of D. flexicaule that is distributed mainly in central areas of China including eastern Chongqing, western Hubei, northeasten Sichuan, southeastern Shaanxi, and western Henan, rather than D. nobile as referring in both Chinese and English version of Flora of China, and in official recorded serious versions of The Chinese Pharmacopoeia since 1977. In order to avoid confusion in the traditional Chinese medicine dendrobiums industry, the Chinese name of D. nobile is suggested as "Biancao Shihu", which characterized one stem feature of this species, and the traditional Chinese medicine names "Jinchai" or "JinchaiShihu" is suggested to refer to the species D. flexicaule.

[Analysis of varieties and standards of Primulaceae medicinal plants used in Tibetan medicine].

In this paper, the varieties and origin of Primulaceae plants that used in Tibetan medicine were analyzed. The results showed that there were 3 genera and 44 species (including the varieties) of Primulaceae plants were recorded in the relevant literatures. Among them, 17 varieties were recorded in Tibetan names, 24 varieties were recorded in Chinese names and 1 variety was used in both of them. In current quality criteria of standards at all levels in China country, 6 varieties were recorded in Tibetan names and 6 original plants were involved, which were 35% and 14% of them respectively. Seventeen varieties were recorded in Chinese name and 7 original plants were involved, which were 30% and 16% of them respectively. In Tibetan medicine standards and literatures, there were big differences between Tibetan names and Chinese names which were translated from Tibetan names and its original plants. There were only regulations of morphological identification and microscopic authentication, so the standards were very inadequate. Therefore, through literatures research, resources and current situation investigations, combining the research and specification of the name and original of Tibetan medicine, the level of normalization and standardization could be enhanced, the stable and controllable safety and utility in clinical medication could be ensured to promote advancement of industry technology Tibetan medicine.

[Studies on main interspecific association of rare and endangered medicinal plant Sinopodophyllum hexandrum community in Kangding Zheduo mountain of Sichuan province].

Based on the 2 x 2 contingency table, by using multi-species relevance (variance ratio, VR), chi2-test, Ochiai index, Dice index, Jaccard index, t-test of v/x and F-test of Morisita, s index, the interspecific relationships and the spatial distribution pattern between 20 dominants in Kangding Zheduo Mountain of Sichuan province were studied. The results indicated that the interspecific association between dominants of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum community in this area did not show significant association, which suggested that the S. hexandrum community was in mature stage, and showed stronger independency, among total 190 pairs in 20 dominant species, 2 species pairs exhibited extremely significantly positive association, 12 species pairs showed significantly positive association, 6 species pairs exhibited significantly negative association and there were no pairs showed extremely significantly negative association. S. hexandrum in community did not show significant association, which indicates they are independent in community, the spatial distribution pattern of S. hexandrum is characterized by random distribution.

Selective estrogen receptor modulator effects of epimedium extracts on breast cancer and uterine growth in nude mice.

Epimedium is popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat sexual dysfunction, menstrual irregularity, and osteoporosis. The estrogenic effects of the prenylated flavonoids of Epimedium make it an attractive alternative for hormone replacement therapy. Here, we examined the therapeutic potential of the estrogenic herb extract of Epimedium brevicornum as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy in a breast cancer mouse model. To that end, athymic and ovariectomized female nude mice were subcutaneously injected into the mammary fat pads with MCF-7 breast cancer cells, randomly grouped and fed with soy-free feeds, alone or in combination with ethinyl estradiol or different doses of the estrogenic herb extract of E. brevicornum. Our findings demonstrate that unlike ethinyl estradiol, it did not promote the growth of breast cancer xenograft volume and weight, with the highest dose showing a significant reduction in growth and ERα protein content. Moreover, the extract increased uterine weight at the lowest dose, while higher doses had no effects. Put together, our data shows for the first time that despite the estrogenic activity of E. brevicornum, its action is largely tissue specific and dose-dependent. Our data on E. brevicornum presents in vivo evidence for its selective estrogen receptor modulator effect and warrants exploration of its use as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women.

In vitro evaluation of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine ester analogues, a series of anti-HBV structures with improved plasma stability and liver release.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but few drugs are available for its treatment. Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) have remarkable antivirus activities but are not easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and accumulate in the kidneys, resulting in nephrotoxicity. Therefore, there is a need to find effective liver site-specific prodrugs. The dipivaloyloxymethyl ester of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA)-adefovir dipivoxil (ADV)-is a first-line therapy drug for chronic hepatitis B with a low therapeutic index because of renal toxicity and low hepatic uptake. In this study, a series of PMEA derivatives were synthesized to enhance plasma stability and liver release. The metabolic stability of ADV (Chemical I) and its two analogues (Chemicals II and III) was evaluated in rat plasma and liver homogenate in vitro. An ion-pair reverse-phase HPLC-UV method and a hybrid ion trap and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF-MS) were used to evaluate the degradation rate of the analogues and to identify their intermediate metabolites, respectively. Chemicals I and II were hydrolyzed by cleavage of the C-O bond to give monoesters. Sufficient enzymatic activation in the liver homogenate through a relatively simple metabolic pathway, in addition to a favorable stability profile in rat plasma, made Chemical II an optimal candidate. Next, six analogues based on the structure of Chemical II were synthesized and evaluated in plasma and liver homogenate. Compared to Chemical II, these compounds generated less active PMEA levels in rat liver homogenate. Therefore, chemical modification of Chemical II may lead to new promising PMEA derivatives with enhanced plasma stability and liver activation.

[Efficacies of sorafenib plus interferon in advanced renal cell carcinoma: a report of 57 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacies and adverse events of sorafenib in the treatment of advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 57 patients with advanced kidney cancer were recruited from our hospital from April 2007 to October 2011. They were divided into sorafenib group (A, n = 24) and sorafenib + IFN group (B, n = 33). The primary endpoints included objective response rate and progression-free survival (PFS). And the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: The mean medication time of group A was 15 (7-56) months. The outcomes were partial response (PR, n = 1), stable disease (SD, n = 8), progressive disease (PD, n = 1) and death (n = 14). The rates of objective response and disease control were 4.2% (1/24) and 37.5% (9/24) respectively. For group B, the mean medication time was 15 (4-30) months. The outcomes were PR (n = 2), and include 2 patients of PR, 21 examples of SD, 1 patient of PD and death. The rates of objective response and disease control were 6.1% (2/33) and 69.7% (23/33) respectively. Two groups had no significant difference in incidence or severity of adverse events (both P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a safe and effective agent for advanced kidney cancer, sorafenib is well-tolerated in patients. The combined use of interferon may improve the therapeutic efficacies without an occurrence of adverse events.

[Genetic diversity and genetic structure of endangered wild Sinopodophyllum emodi by start codon targeted polymorphism].

OBJECTIVE: Revealed the genetic diversity level and genetic structure characteristics in Sinopodophyllum emodi, a rare and endangered species in China. METHOD: We detected the genetic polymorphism within and among six wild populations (45 individuals) by the approach of Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) Polymorphism. The associated genetic parameters were calculated by POP-GENE1.31 and the relationship was constructed based on UPGMA method. RESULT: A total of 350 bands were scored by 27 primers and 284 bands of them were polymorphic. The average polymorphic bands of each primer were 10.52. At species level, there was a high level of genetic diversity among six populations (PPB = 79.27%, N(e) = 1.332 7, H = 0.210 9 and H(sp) = 0.328 6). At population level, the genetic diversity level was low (PPB = 10.48% (4.00% -23.71%), N(e) = 1.048 7 (1.020 7-1.103 7), H = 0.029 7 (0.012 9-0.063 1), H(pop) = 0.046 2 (0.019 9-0.098 6). The Nei's coefficient of genetic differentiation was 0.841 1, which was consistent with the Shannon's coefficient of genetic differentiation (0.849 4). Two calculated methods all showed that most of the genetic variation existed among populations. The gene flow (N(m) = 0.094 4) was less among populations, indicating that the degree of genetic differentiation was higher. Genetic similarity coefficient were changed from 0.570 8 to 0.978 7. By clustering analysis, the tested populations were divided into two classes and had a tendency that the same geographical origin or material of similar habitats clustered into one group. CONCLUSION: The genetic diversity of samples of S. emodi is high,which laid a certain foundation for effective protection and improvement of germplasm resources.

[Microscopic identification of tibetan medicinal herb "Songdi" (Saxifraga umbellulata var pectinata)].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method of microscopic identification of Tibetan medicinal herb " Songdi" (Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata). METHOD: The different characteristics and microscopic identification of 4 species of Songdi were compared, including the main variety (Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata ) and approximate varieties (S. unguiculata, S. przewalskii and S. tanguTi,) were studied and compared. RESULT: The botanical anatomy characteristics of Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata (including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, stalks and fruits) have been measured. The methods for powder identifications and transverse section of stems root and leaves of four species of Songdi were established. CONCLUSION: Four species of Songdi can be identified by the growth pattern of basal leaves, type of hair, type of inflorescence, number of flowers, proportion of tissue structures in stem, form of pollen grains.

Antifeedant activity of spin-labeled derivatives of deoxypodophyllotoxin against Brontispa longissima larvae.

To continue our search for natural product-based compounds for the control of Brontispa longissima larvae, eight spin-labeled podophyllotoxin derivatives (4a-h) and the intermediates 2 and 3 were tested for their insect antifeedant activity against third-instar larvae of B. longissima. Among all the tested compounds, 4a, 4c, 2 and 3 showed pronounced antifeedant activities with AFC50 values of 0.16, 0.31, 0.15 and 0.28 mg/mL, respectively. The different antifeedant activity ranges of these compounds indicated that variation of the structures of L-amino acids in these compounds markedly affected the activity profiles of this compound class, and some important SAR information has been revealed from it.