Mouse auditory cortex sub-fields receive neuronal projections from MGB subdivisions independently.

Mouse auditory cortex is composed of six sub-fields: primary auditory field (AI), secondary auditory field (AII), anterior auditory field (AAF), insular auditory field (IAF), ultrasonic field (UF) and dorsoposterior field (DP). Previous studies have examined thalamo-cortical connections in the mice auditory system and learned that AI, AAF, and IAF receive inputs from the ventral division of the medial geniculate body (MGB). However, the functional and thalamo-cortical connections between nonprimary auditory cortex (AII, UF, and DP) is unclear. In this study, we examined the locations of neurons projecting to these three cortical sub-fields in the MGB, and addressed the question whether these cortical sub-fields receive inputs from different subsets of MGB neurons or common. To examine the distributions of projecting neurons in the MGB, retrograde tracers were injected into the AII, UF, DP, after identifying these areas by the method of Optical Imaging. Our results indicated that neuron cells which in ventral part of dorsal MGB (MGd) and that of ventral MGB (MGv) projecting to UF and AII with less overlap. And DP only received neuron projecting from MGd. Interestingly, these three cortical areas received input from distinct part of MGd and MGv in an independent manner. Based on our foundings these three auditory cortical sub-fields in mice may independently process auditory information.

[Bile-resistant Gram-negative bacteria effect of different kinds of root decoction pieces].

To investigate the microbial contamination in Chinese herbal decoction pieces with different functional types by studying the total aerobic microbial count (TAMC), and total yeast and mould count (TYMC) in 40 samples of 8 types of root decoction pieces; further evaluate the contamination load of bile-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, and identify the Gram-negative bacteria by using biochemical identification system for Gram-negative bacteria. Our results showed that the TAMC value was more than 1 000 CFU•g⁻¹ in 85% (34/40) samples, and was more than 100 CFU•g⁻¹ in 30% (12/40) samples; the contamination of bile-resistant Gram-negative bacteria was detected in 45% (18/40) of the samples. The bile-resistant Gram-negative bacteria load of seven batches of samples was N>1 000 MPN•g⁻¹. Sixteen bacterium strains including Serratia plymouthensis, Cedecea neteri, Escherichia vulneris, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter amnigenus, E. cloacae, E. sakazakii, Proteus penneri and E. gergoviae were obtained and identified. E. cloacae was the predominant bacterium that was isolated from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, while E. amnigenus, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was the typical bacterium of Ophiopogonis Radix and Codonopsis Radix, respectively. All these suggested that the contamination of bile-resistant Gram-negative bacteria was severe for the root decoction pieces in Wuhan city. Microbial species have certain selection specificity for medicinal ingredients, so the type and limit of control bacteria for detection should be formulated according to the pollution type and quantity of bile-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

[Taxonomy and Distribution of Chinese Medicinal Centipedes].

Objective: To study the taxonomy and distribution of Chinese medicinal centipedes. Methods: The species of Chinese medicinal centipedes were investigated in the light of their morphology. According to the feature of life, the distribution of centipedes were explored. Results: There were 12 centipede species in China, and seven of them were used for medical, the species could be effectively distinguished by the identification key. It was suggested that their characteristics were related to the climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, altitude and air pressure. Conclusion: The distribution of medicinal centipede is characteristics of "three river system distribution belts" and "three geographical distribution areas". The results provide the basis for the development and application of medicinal centipedes in China.