Impact of lockdown policies during the COVID-19 outbreak on a trauma center of a tertiary hospital in China.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major and costly public health emergency. AIM: To investigate the impact of China's lockdown policies during the COVID-19 outbreak on the level I trauma center of a tertiary comprehensive hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. METHODS: All patients admitted to our trauma center during a lockdown in 2020 and the same period in 2019 were enrolled. We collected data on demographics, daily visits, injury type, injury mechanism, injury severity score, and patient management for comparative analysis. RESULTS: The total number of patients in the trauma center of our hospital decreased by 50.38% during the COVID-19 Lockdown in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The average number of trauma visits per day in 2019 was 47.94, compared to 23.79 in 2020. Comparing the patients' demographic data, loss of employment was the most predominate characteristic in 2020 compared to 2019, while there was no significant difference in gender, age, and marital status between both periods. During the lockdown period, the proportion of traffic accident-related injuries, injuries due to falls greater than 1.5 m, and mechanical injuries decreased significantly, whereas the proportion of injuries caused by falls less than 1.5 m, cuts, assault, bites, and suicidal tendencies and other injuries increased relatively. In addition, the proportion of patients with minor injuries increased and serious injuries decreased during the lockdown. The hospitalization rate increased significantly, and there was no significant difference in emergency surgery and death rates. CONCLUSION: The lockdown policies during the COVID-19 outbreak significantly altered the number and mechanism of traumatic events in our hospital, which can be monitored regularly. Our results suggest that mandatory public health prevention and control measures by the government can reduce the incidence of traumatic events and the severity of traumatic injuries. Emergency surgery and mortality rates remain high, increased because of factors such as family injury and penetrating injury, and hospitalization rates have increased significantly. Therefore, our trauma center still needs to be fully staffed. Finally, from the perspective of the injury mechanism, indoor trauma is a major risk during a lockdown, and it is particularly important to develop prevention strategies for such trauma to reduce the medical burden of the next catastrophic epidemic.

[Identification, biological characterization, and fungicide screening of pathogens causing leaf spot of Belamcanda chinensis].

The leaf spot of Belamcanda chinensis often appears in May to June and spreads rapidly during the flowering stage(July to September) in the cultivation fields, seriously affecting the yield and quality of B. chinensis. To identify and characterize the pathogens of the leaf spot, we isolated two species of Alternaria, identified them according to Koch's postulates, and tested their pathogenicity and biological characteristics. Furthermore, we determined the inhibitory effects of 6 chemical fungicides, 1 plant fungicide, and 3 microbial fungicides on the pathogens by using mycelial growth rate and plate confrontation method to select the appropriate control agents. The results showed that the two pathogens causing B. chinensis leaf spot were Alternaria tenuissima and A. alternata. The conidia of A. tenuissima often formed long chains with no or a few branches, while those of A. alternata often formed short branched chains. The optimum growth temperature of both A. tenuissima and A. alternata was 25 ℃. The two pathogens grew well in alkaline environment. The indoor fungicide screening experiments showed that 40% flusilazole had good inhibitory effects on the two pathogens, with the EC_(50) values of 12.42 mg·L~(-1) and 12.78 mg·L~(-1) for A. tenuissima and A. alternata, respectively. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent theoretical research and field control of B. chinensis leaf spot.

[Identification, biological characteristics, and control of pathogen causing southern blight of Pinellia ternata].

In summer in 2020, Pinellia ternata in many planting areas in Hubei suffered from serious southern blight, as manifested by the yellowing and wilted leaves and rotten tubers. This study aims to identify the pathogen, clarify the biological characteristics of the pathogen, and screen fungicides. To be specific, the pathogen was isolated, purified, and identified, and the pathogenicity was detected according to the Koch's postulates. Moreover, the biological characteristics of the pathogen were analyzed. Furthermore, PDA plates and seedlings were used to determine the most effective fungicides. The results showed that the mycelia of the pathogen were white and villous with silk luster, which produced a large number of white to black brown sclerotia. The pathogen was identified as Athelia rolfsii by morphological observation and molecular identification based on LSU and TEF gene sequences. The optimum growth conditions for A. rolfsii were 30 ℃ and pH 5-8, and the optimum conditions for the germination of sclerotia were 25 ℃ and pH 7-9. Bacillus subtilis, difenoconazole, and flusilazole were identified as effective fungicides with PDA, and their half maximal effective concentration(EC_(50)) was all less than 5 mg·L~(-1). The effective fungicides screened with the seedlings were hymexazol and difenoconazole. Based on the screening experiments, difenoconazole can be used as the main agent for the prevention and treatment of southern blight.

Tea consumption and cerebral hemorrhage risk: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tea contains many polyphenols with biological properties such as antithrombosis and antioxidation. Recent observational studies on tea consumption concerning cerebral hemorrhage risk have reported inconsistent results. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the accumulated evidence on the association between tea consumption and cerebral hemorrhage risk. METHODS: Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched to identify relevant studies through December 2021. Relative risks (RRs) or odds ratios (ORs) from observational studies were synthesized. RESULTS: Ten studies involving over 721,827 participants were included. Higher tea consumption was correlated with a 23% (RR = 0.77; 95% CI 0.66-0.89) lower risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Subgroup meta-analyses indicated higher tea consumption was beneficial in preventing cerebral hemorrhage risk for green tea, alcohol-adjusted, fruit/vegetables-adjusted, and physical activity-adjusted subgroups, respectively (P < 0.01). Dose-response analysis indicated each one-cup (120 ml/cup) increment in tea or green tea intake/day was correlated with an average of 2% (RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.976-0.990), or 6% (RR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.92-0.97) lower cerebral hemorrhage risk. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that daily tea consumption is related to a lower risk of cerebral hemorrhage among adults. Green tea consumption appears to be more beneficial in preventing cerebral hemorrhage. Physical activity, fruit/vegetables, and alcohol may affect the relationship between tea consumption and hemorrhagic stroke. Future studies should investigate the interplay of tea with these factors.

Metal oxide-based macroporous ordered double affinity molecularly imprinted polymer for specific separation and enrichment of glycoprotein from food samples: a co-modification of DMSA and boronate affinity.

Metal oxide-based macroporous ordered double affinity molecularly imprinted polymers (D-MIPs) were developed as solid phase extraction (SPE) adsorbents for the specific identification of ovalbumin (OVA) under physiological pH conditions prior to ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometric detection. Herein, macroporous alumina (MA) was used as a matrix; dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and 3-aminophenylboric acid (APBA) were employed as dual-functional monomers; APBA is a self-polymerizing monomer. The effects of synthesis conditions, SPE conditions as well as selectivity, reproducibility, and reusability were studied. The co-modification of DMSA and boronate affinity renders the adsorbent exhibiting a high adsorption capacity (114.4 mg g-1) and short equilibrium time (30 min). The surface imprinting technology causes the adsorbent to have high selectivity towards OVA. The OVA recovery range is 91.1-99.6%. This study provides a promising method for the enrichment of OVA and other cis-diol-containing analytes in complex biological samples. A novel metal oxide-based macroporous ordered nanoparticle with a combination of DMSA and boronate affinity was successfully prepared for specific separation and enrichment of glycoprotein from complex biological samples.

Exercise for Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Expert Consensus.

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP), a severe and disruptive symptom following many diseases, normally restricts patients' physical functions and leads to anxiety and depression. As an economical and effective therapy, exercise may be helpful in NP management. However, few guidelines and reviews focused on exercise therapy for NP associated with specific diseases. The study aimed to summarize the effectiveness and efficacy of exercise for various diseases with NP supported by evidence, describe expert recommendations for NP from different causes, and inform policymakers of the guidelines. Design: A systematic review and expert consensus. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed. We included systematic review and meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which assessed patients with NP. Studies involved exercise intervention and outcome included pain intensity at least. Physiotherapy Evidence Database and the Assessment of Multiple Systematic reviews tool were used to grade the quality assessment of the included RCTs and systematic reviews, respectively. The final grades of recommendation were based on strength of evidence and a consensus discussion of results of Delphi rounds by the Delphi consensus panel including 21 experts from the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine. Results: Eight systematic reviews and 21 RCTs fulfilled all of the inclusion criteria and were included, which were used to create the 10 evidence-based consensus statements. The 10 expert recommendations regarding exercise for NP symptoms were relevant to the following 10 different diseases: spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cervical radiculopathy, sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, HIV/AIDS, and surgery, respectively. The exercise recommended in the expert consensus involved but was not limited to muscle stretching, strengthening/resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, motor control/stabilization training and mind-body exercise (Tai Chi and yoga). Conclusions: Based on the available evidence, exercise is helpful to alleviate NP intensity. Therefore, these expert consensuses recommend that proper exercise programs can be considered as an effective alternative treatment or complementary therapy for most patients with NP. The expert consensus provided medical staff and policymakers with applicable recommendations for the formulation of exercise prescription for NP. This consensus statement will require regular updates after five-ten years.

[Active fractions of Camellia nitidissima inhibit non-small cell lung cancer via suppressing epidermal growth factor receptor].

The present study explored the effects and its underlying mechanisms of four active fractions of Camellia nitidissima(leaf polyphenols, leaf saponins, flower polyphenols, and flower saponins in C. nitidissima) in inhibiting the proliferation and migration of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) by suppressing the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR). MTT assay was used to detect the effect of four active fractions on the proliferation of NCI-H1975 and HCC827 cells. Wound healing assay and Transwell assay were adopted to evaluate the effect of four active fractions on the migration of NSCLC. The effect of four active fractions on the enzyme activity of EGFR was detected. Molecular docking was carried out to explore the direct action capacity and action sites between representative components of the four active fractions and EGPR. Western blot assay was employed to investigate the effect of four active fractions on the protein expression in EGFR downstream signaling pathways. The results of the MTT assay indicated that the cell viability of NCI-H1975 and HCC827 cells was significantly inhibited by four active fractions at 50, 100, 150, and 200 µg·mL~(-1) in a dose-dependent manner. Wound healing assay and Transwell assay revealed that the migration of NCI-H1975 and HCC827 cells was significantly suppressed by four active fractions. In addition, the results of the protein activity assay showed that the enzyme activity of EGFR was significantly inhibited by four active fractions. The molecular docking results confirmed that various components in four active fractions possessed strong binding activity to EGFR enzymes. Western blot assay revealed that four active fractions down-regulated the protein expression of EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways. It is concluded that the four active fractions of C. nitidissima can inhibit NSCLC. The mechanism may be related to EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways. This study provides a new scientific basis for the clinical treatment of NSCLC with active fractions of C. nitidissima, which is of reference significance for further research on the anti-tumor mechanism of C. nitidissima.

Screen of anti-migraine active compounds from Duijinsan by spectrum-effect relationship analysis and molecular docking.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Duijinsan (DJS) is a famous Chinese medicine prescription composed of Radix scutellariae (RS) and Rhei Radix (RRR), which has been mainly used for treating migraine. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to uncover the anti-migraine active compounds from DJS and preliminary predicted the pharmacological mechanism by evaluating the spectrum-effect relationship between high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints and anti-migraine effects of Duijinsan (DJS) extract combined with molecular docking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HPLC and LC-MS were applied for chemical analyses of DJS extracts in different proportions. Inhibition of DJS extracts on trigeminal nerve cell releasing calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) experiment was performed. The active compounds were screened by spectrum-effect relationship analysis and confirmed by molecular docking and the activities of major predicted compounds were validated in vitro. RESULTS: Twenty-six common peaks were assigned and identified from the fingerprints of different proportions DJS extracts. In vitro experimental results showed that DJS extracts inhibited inflammation and release of CGRP from trigeminal nerve cells. Five predicted active compounds, Chrysin 6-C-arabinoside 8-C-glucoside, Chrysin 6-C-glucoside 8-C-arabinoside, baicalin, Chrysin-7-O-Beta-D-glucoronide and Oroxylin A 7-O-glucuronide were sorted out according to spectrum-effect relationship analysis and molecular docking comprehensively. In vitro validation experiments showed that all the predicted compounds inhibited the CGRP releasing and the activation of TRPV1 channel. Baicalin, chrysin-7-O-ß-D-glucuronide and Oroxylin A-7-glucoronide significantly inhibited the activation of TRPV1 channel. CONCLUSION: Chrysin 6-C-arabinoside 8-C-glucoside, Chrysin 6-C-glucoside 8-C-arabinoside, baicalin, Chrysin-7-O-Beta-D-glucoronide and Oroxylin A 7-O-glucuronide which can inhibit the CGRP releasing and the activation of TRPV1 channel were screened as the anti-migraine active compounds by spectrum-effect relationship analysis and molecular docking.

[Content characteristics of mineral elements and its correlation with soil nutrients and effective components in Chrysanthemum morifolium from different producing areas in Macheng].

In this study, 24 copies of samples of Chrysanthemum morifolium and soil from two main production towns in Macheng city were collected, and the contents of 13 mineral elements, 5 effective components and 14 soil nutrient factors in Ch. morifolium were determined. The enrichment characteristics of available soil nutrients by mineral elements were analyzed and the dominant factors affecting the effective components of Ch. morifolium were screened. The results showed that the content of mineral elements and soil nutrients and effective components are very different, and variation of soil fertility was much greater than that of inorganic elements in chrysanthemum plants. In general, the level of element content in Ch. morifolium from different producing areas is K>N>P>Mg>Ca>Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd. The content of K, N and Mg is higher than that of common crops, and the content of Cu, Cd and Pb in Ch. morifolium from various producing areas does not exceed the relevant standards. The N, P and K enrichment capacity in soil was stronger than that of other elements, and the Ca enrichment ability was the worst. The content of AvCu in the soil was positively correlated with the contents of N, Mg, K, Fe and Cu elements in Ch. morifolium. The contents of chlorogenic acid, luteolin, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid reached the pharmacopoeia standard. The percentage of chlorogenic acid and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid in Ch. morifolium that from Huangtugang town in the active components were generally higher than that from Futianhe town, and the diffe-rences of luteolin contents in the two producing areas were relatively small. The correlation and regression analysis showed that the contents of Cu, Zn and Cr in Ch. morifolium were positively correlated with the active components, while the contents of Fe, Mn and Ni were negatively correlated with the contents of AvP, AvK, TK, AvMn and AvCu in soil. In general, Zn and Ca fertilizer should be added to the ecological planting of Ch. morifolium, K fertilizer should be added, and N and P fertilizer should be applied appropriately.

[Identification and biological characteristics of southern blight causing root rot on three medicine plants of Iridaceae in Dabie Mountains].

In order to identify the species and biological characteristics of the pathogen of southern blight from three kinds of Chinese medicine of Iridaceae(Belamcanda chinensis, Iris tectorum and I. japonica) in Dabie Mountains, the isolation, identification, pathogenicity and biological characteristics of the pathogens were studied according to Koch's postulates. In addition, 9 chemical fungicides, 3 botanical fungicides and 5 microbial fungicides were used to evaluate their inhibition to the isolates in vitro. The results showed that all the strains(SG-Q, YW-Q, and HDH-Q) isolated and purified from the diseased plants of B. chinensis, I. tectorum and I. japonica, respectively, were identified as Sclerotium rolfsii through morphological observation and sequence aligement of 18 S rDNA, rDNA-ITS and TEF. Field observations showed that the intensity of the disease incidence of three Iridaceae plants was B. chinensis>I. japonica> I. tectorum, and the pathogenicity of the strains was SG-Q>YW-Q>HDH-Q. For biological characteristics, SG-Q strain was suitable for growth under the 12 h light/12 h dark cycle, with the optimal growth temperature of 30 ℃ and pH of 5. Among the 9 tested chemical fungicides, 29% lime sulphure and 10% flusilazole had stronger inhibitory effect on mycelia growth of SG-Q. For 3 botanical fungicides, 1% osthol, 20% eugenol and 0.5% berberine could effectively inhibt the mycelial growth of SG-Q and cause the morphological variation of the pathogen. For 5 microbial fungicides, Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis had better inhibition on the mycelium growth of SG-Q.

[Effect of different drying methods on drying characteristics, appearance and active components of Belamcandae Rhizoma].

In order to explore the effect of different drying methods(drying-in-the-shade, sun-drying, and hot air drying) on appearance characteristics, internal structure and composition of Belamcandae Rhizoma, so as to provide a theoretical basis for screening out suitable drying methods for primary processing. In this study, the Belamcandae Rhizoma's dynamic changes of the moisture content ratio and drying rate with different drying time under different drying methods, as well as the effects of different drying methods on the appearance, drying rate, density, ash, extractives and the contents of six flavonoids(mangiferin, tectoridin, iridin, tectorigenin, irigenin, irisflorentin) were compared. The results showed that fresh Belamcandae Rhizoma consumed the longest time to reach the water balance point by traditional dry drying in the shade, whiche was about 311 h; that by sun drying was 19.3%, which was shorter than drying in the shade; both drying curves were smoother. The section color of the sun drying samples was the closest to that of fresh samples, but the interior is full of holes, with a low density and loose structure. Hot air drying(40, 60, 80 ℃) could save about 27% to 88% of the drying time, which was greatly shorter, with less pores, a larger density and compact structure. Compared with the traditional drying method, the drying rate of hot air drying was reduced by 13.7%. Ash was affected by temperature, the drying conditions under 40 ℃ and below were not significantly different from those of conventional drying. The ash content decreased by 7.73% to 18.5% compared with conventional drying at 60,80 ℃. After conventional drying and 40 ℃ hot air drying, the contents of tectoridin and iridin(glycosides) in the samples were significantly higher than those in 60,80 ℃ hot air drying, while the contents of tectorigenin, irigenin and irisflorentin(aglycones) dried at 60 ℃ were the best. Therefore, considering comprehensive appearance characteristics and content of medicinal ingredients, traditional Chinese medicinal materials after 60 ℃ hot air drying show a solid texture, tight internal structure, good appearance, appropriate reduction of toxic parasides and higher aglycone content.

Effect of different drying methods on drying characteristics, appearance and active components of Belamcandae Rhizoma / 中国中药杂志

In order to explore the effect of different drying methods(drying-in-the-shade, sun-drying, and hot air drying) on appearance characteristics, internal structure and composition of Belamcandae Rhizoma, so as to provide a theoretical basis for screening out suitable drying methods for primary processing. In this study, the Belamcandae Rhizoma's dynamic changes of the moisture content ratio and drying rate with different drying time under different drying methods, as well as the effects of different drying methods on the appearance, drying rate, density, ash, extractives and the contents of six flavonoids(mangiferin, tectoridin, iridin, tectorigenin, irigenin, irisflorentin) were compared. The results showed that fresh Belamcandae Rhizoma consumed the longest time to reach the water balance point by traditional dry drying in the shade, whiche was about 311 h; that by sun drying was 19.3%, which was shorter than drying in the shade; both drying curves were smoother. The section color of the sun drying samples was the closest to that of fresh samples, but the interior is full of holes, with a low density and loose structure. Hot air drying(40, 60, 80 ℃) could save about 27% to 88% of the drying time, which was greatly shorter, with less pores, a larger density and compact structure. Compared with the traditional drying method, the drying rate of hot air drying was reduced by 13.7%. Ash was affected by temperature, the drying conditions under 40 ℃ and below were not significantly different from those of conventional drying. The ash content decreased by 7.73% to 18.5% compared with conventional drying at 60,80 ℃. After conventional drying and 40 ℃ hot air drying, the contents of tectoridin and iridin(glycosides) in the samples were significantly higher than those in 60,80 ℃ hot air drying, while the contents of tectorigenin, irigenin and irisflorentin(aglycones) dried at 60 ℃ were the best. Therefore, considering comprehensive appearance characteristics and content of medicinal ingredients, traditional Chinese medicinal materials after 60 ℃ hot air drying show a solid texture, tight internal structure, good appearance, appropriate reduction of toxic parasides and higher aglycone content.

Active Ingredients and Mechanism of Action of Rhizoma Coptidis against Type 2 Diabetes Based on Network-Pharmacology and Bioinformatics.

A pharmacological network of "component/target/pathway" for Rhizoma coptidis against type 2 diabetes (T2D) was established by network-pharmacology, and the active components of Rhizoma coptidis and its mechanism were explored. A literature-based and database study of the components of Rhizoma coptidis was carried out and screened by ADME parameters. The targets of Rhizoma coptidis were predicted by the ligand similarity method. Related pathways were analyzed with databases, and software was used to construct a "component/target/path" network. The mechanism was further confirmed by GEO database with R software. A total of 12 active components were screened from Rhizoma coptidis, involving 57 targets including MAPK1, STAT3, INSR, and 38 signaling pathways were associated with T2D. Related signaling pathways included essential pathways for T2D such as insulin resistance, and pathways that had indirect effect on T2D. It was suggested that Rhizoma coptidis may exert its effects against T2D through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway forms.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: an effective treatment for 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP).

The novel coronavirus pneumonia broke out in 2019 and spread rapidly. In 30 different countries, there are over seventy thousand patients have been diagnosed in total. Therefore, it is urgent to develop the effective program to prevent and treat for the novel coronavirus pneumonia. In view of Traditional Chinese Medicine has accumulated a solid theoretical foundation of plague in ancient and recent decades. Meanwhile, Traditional Chinese Medicine can provide the more effective and personalized treatment via adjusting the specific medicine for each patient based on the different syndromes. In addition, TCM often has different effect on the distinct stages of diseases, contributing to the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Nowadays, TCM has exhibited decent effect in the in the fight against NCP. Therefore, it is convinced that Traditional Chinese Medicine is an effective treatment for 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia.

Asperpyrone F, a new dimeric naphtho-γ-pyrone from the edible fungus Pleurotus ostreatus.

A new dimeric naphtho-γ-pyrone, asperpyrone F (1), along with six known ones, asperpyrones B (2) and C (3), fonsecinones A (4) and B (5), aurasperones A (6) and E (7), have been isolated from the solid culture of the edible fungus Pleurotus ostreatus. The structures of 1-7 were determined mainly by NMR and MS experiments. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was assigned via the circular dichroism (CD) data analysis. Compounds 1-7 showed modest antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. All compounds were isolated from the fungus P. ostreatus for the first time.

Intranasal vaccination with ebola virus GP amino acids 258-601 protects mice against lethal challenge.

Ebola virus (EBOV) disease (EVD) leads to lethal hemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate as high as 90%, thus posing a serious global public health concern. However, while several vaccines based on the EBOV glycoprotein have been confirmed to be effective in animal experiments, no licensed vaccines or effective treatments have been approved since the first outbreak was reported in 1976. In this study, we prepared the extracellular domain of the EBOV GP protein (designated as N20) by prokaryotic expression and purification via chromatography. Using CTA1-DD (designated as H45) as a mucosal adjuvant, we evaluated the immunogenicity of N20 by intranasal administration and the associated protective efficacy against mouse-adapted EBOV challenge in mice. We found that intranasal vaccination with H45-adjuvanted N20 could stimulate humoral immunity, as supported by GP-specific IgG titers; Th1 cellular immunity, based on IgG subclasses and IFN-γ/IL-4 secreting cells; and mucosal immunity, based on the presence of anti-EBOV IgA in vaginal lavages. We also confirmed that the vaccine could completely protect mice against a lethal mouse-adapted EBOV (MA-EBOV) challenge with few side effects (based on weight loss). In comparison, mice that received N20 or H45 alone succumbed to lethal MA-EBOV challenge. Therefore, mucosal vaccination with H45-adjuvanted N20 represents a potential vaccine candidate for the prevention of EBOV in an effective, safe, and convenient manner.

Effects of physical exercise on food intake and body weight: Role of dorsomedial hypothalamic signaling.

Physical activity or exercise contributes to energy balance via affecting energy expenditure and food intake, but how exercise affects food intake and the neural mechanism of the feeding effect of exercise remain to be determined. Growing evidence indicates that physical exercise exerts a distinct action in the control of food intake and body weight. Studies of exercise in rodent models with voluntary access to running wheels reveal an inhibitory effect of voluntary exercise on food intake and body weight. Voluntary running activity decreases food intake and body weight, prevents obesity, and slows down body weight regain. Running activity modulates corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and transthyretin (TTR) signals in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). Altering these peptide signals affects food intake and body weight. The present review outlines these observations and highlights the potential roles for DMH peptide signaling in mediating the feeding and body weight effects of exercise.

Effects of ganoderic acid A on lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokine release from primary mouse microglia cultures.

For several thousand years, Ganoderma lucidum (Ling-Zhi in Chinese and Reishi in Japanese) has been widely used as a traditional medication for the prevention and treatment of various diseases in Asia. Its major biologically active components, ganoderic acids (GAs), exhibit significant medicinal value due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Dysregulation of microglial function may cause seizures or promote epileptogenesis through release of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. At present, only little information is available on the effects of GAs on microglia-mediated inflammation in vitro and/or in vivo. The present study aimed to investigate the role of GA-A on microglia-mediated inflammation in vitro. In addition, the effect of GA-A on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-evoked alterations in mitochondrial metabolic activity of microglia was evaluated. The results of the present study demonstrated that GA-A significantly decreased LPS-induced IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α release from mouse-derived primary cortical microglial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. GA-A treatment reduced LPS-induced expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65) and its inhibitor, demonstrating that non-toxic suppression of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α production by GA-A is, at least in part, due to suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, the LPS-induced stimulation of mitochondrial activity of microglial cells was abolished by co-treatment with GA-A. Thus, GA-A treatment may be a potential therapeutic strategy for epilepsy prevention by suppressing microglia-derived proinflammatory mediators.

[Study on formation and changes of Dao-di herbs production origin of Gastrodia elata].

Gastrodia elata has been used in China for more than 2 000 years and it is a kind of valuable traditional Chinese medicine. The originrecords of G. elata were Mount Tai of Shandong and and Mount Song of Henan, which began in Wupu Bencao of Wei Jin Dynasties, and Tai'an and its surrounding areas had been the Do-di herbs production areas. But from the beginning of the Republic of China, G. elata origin has undergone major changes, Do-di herbs production areas moved westward to the southwest.In this paper,through literature research and field visits, we studied the formation and changes of Do-di herbs production areas of G. elata. The cultivation history and current main producing area of G. elata was also introduced. On this basis, we profoundly summarized the reasons of Do-di herbs production areas formation and changes from the nature, society, transportation, humanities and germplasm resources.Combining the ancient herbal medicine and the characteristics of modern producing areas, the planting strength of G. elata could be strengthened in the hope of providing reference for the quality evaluation and cultivation of G. elata.

Effects of early postnatal environment on hypothalamic gene expression in OLETF rats.

Previous reports have shown that the early postnatal environment has the ability to modify the obesity phenotype of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. To determine whether this early postnatal environment affects hypothalamic signaling systems involved in energy balance, OLETF pups and lean Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) pups were cross-fostered to same or opposite strain Dams (designated as LdLp: LETO pups with LETO dams; LdOp: OLETF pups with LETO dams; OdLp: LETO pups with OLETF dams; and OdOp: OLETF pups with OLETF dams). Hypothalamic gene expression was examined at postnatal day 23 (PND 23) and PND 90 as OdOp rats started to gain more body weight at PND 23 and developed obesity at PND 90 relative to lean control LdLp rats. On PND 23, neuropeptide Y (Npy) gene expression was significantly increased in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) in both LdOp and OdOp pups compared to LdLp pups. Maternal environment did not affect DMH Npy expression in LETO weanlings. On PND 90, maternal environment during the cross-fostering period had a major effect on DMH Npy expression. Levels were significantly increased in both OdOp and OdLp rats relative to those in LdOp rats and LdLp controls. Reduced expression of Npy in the DMH of LdOp rats was consistent with their reduction of body weight compared to OdOp rats. In contrast to DMH Npy, gene expression for Npy and proopiomelanocortin in the arcuate nucleus appeared to appropriately respond to alterations in body weight and plasma leptin levels. Levels of oxytocin gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus were lower in offspring raised by LETO dams apparently responding to the higher DMH NPY levels. Together, our results demonstrate effects of both genotype and early postnatal environment on obesity of OLETF rats and further suggest an important role of DMH NPY in the development of obesity of OLETF rats.