[Study on identification of Sarcandra glabra and Chloranthus spicatus's leaves by PCR amplification of specific alleles].

The paper is aimed to identify SNP in Sarcandra glabra and Chloranthus spicatus, and authenticate S. glabra from Ch. spicatus and the mixture by using PCR amplification of specific alleles. SNPs in the ITS sequences of S. glabra and Ch. spicatus were found by ClustulX 2. 1 program and Bioedit software. Primers for authentic S. glabra and Ch. spicatus was designed according to the SNP site, and ITS sequence universal primers plus to the authentic primer to construct a multi-PCR reaction system, and then optimized the PCR reaction system. Five hundred and eighty band special for S. glabra and 470 bp band special for Ch. spicatus were found by using multi-PCR reaction. The multi-PCR reaction system could be applied to identify S. glabra and Ch. spicatus's leaves.

Triptolide synergistically enhances temozolomide-induced apoptosis and potentiates inhibition of NF-κB signaling in glioma initiating cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal solid cancer in adults. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a first-line chemotherapeutic agent but the efficacy is limited by intrinsic and acquired resistance in GBM. Triptolide (TPL), a derivative from traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrated anti-tumor activity. In this study, we explored the interaction of TPL and TMZ in glioma-initiating cells (GICs) and the potential mechanism. A GIC line (GIC-1) was successfully established. Cell viability of GIC-1 after treatment was measured using a CCK-8 assay. The interaction between TPL and TMZ was calculated from Chou-Talalay equations and isobologram. Self-renewal was evaluated with tumor sphere formation assay. Apoptosis was assessed with flow cytometry and western blot. Luciferase assay was employed to measure NF-κB transcriptional activity. The expression of NF-κB downstream genes, NF-κB nuclear translocalization and phoshorylation of IκBα and p65 were evaluated using western blot. We found that GIC-1 cells were resistant to TMZ, with the expected IC50 of 705.7 µmol/L. Co-treatment with TPL yielded a more than three-fold dose reduction of TMZ. TPL significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and suppressed the tumor sphere formation when combined with TMZ. Phosphorylation of IκBα and p65 coupled with NF-κB nuclear translocalization were notably inhibited after a combined treatment. Co-incubation synergistically repressed NF-κB transcriptional activity and downstream gene expression. TPL sensitizes GICs to TMZ by synergistically enhancing apoptosis, which is likely resulting from the augmented repression of NF-κB signaling. TPL is therefore a potential chemosensitizer in the treatment of GBM.

[Genetic relationship and parent selection of some Sarcandra glabra resources based on ISSR].

The study is aimed to assess the genetic diversity and genetic relationship of 18 Sarcandra glabra resources from different populations,and guide parent selection of cross breeding between these resources. The molecular marker technique ISSR was used to investigate the genetic diversity of the 18 resources. Data was analyzed by POPGEN 32, and a cluster diagram was presented by UPGMA. One hundred and ninety-eight amplified fragments were obtained using 23 ISSR primers. One hundred and eighty-four polymorphic loci were identified. Nei's genetic diversity index (h) was 0.32, Shannon diversity index (I) was 0.485 4. The genetic similarity coefficient among the resources ranged from 0.383 8 to 0.878 8 in an average of 0.661 2. The genetic distance between sample S2 and sample S18 was the farthest, so as between sample S3 and sample S18 both Nei's genetic distance was 0.957 5, The genetic distance between sample S4 and sample S5 was the closest, the Nei's genetic distance was 0.129 2,and the sample S1, S2, S3, S7, S10 were significantly different from the others based on the clustering analysis, the three groups S2 vs S3, S2 vs S6, S2 vs S18 were the best parent group selection. There was a middle level of genetic differentiation in the resources. The genetic distance between resources gives useful information to guide parent selection of cross breeding.

Effect of acetazolamide and gingko biloba on the human pulmonary vascular response to an acute altitude ascent.

Acetazolamide and gingko biloba are the two most investigated drugs for the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Evidence suggests that they may also reduce pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). To investigate whether these two drugs for AMS prevention also reduce PASP with rapid airlift ascent to high altitude, a randomized controlled trial was conducted on 28 healthy young men with acetazolamide (125 mg bid), gingko biloba (120 mg bid), or placebo for 3 days prior to airlift ascent (397 m) and for the first 3 days at high altitude (3658 m). PASP, AMS, arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were assessed both at 397 m and 3658 m. HR, PEF, and PASP increased with altitude exposure (p<0.05), and SaO2 decreased (p<0.05). PASP with acetazolamide (mean at 3658 m, 26.2 mm Hg; incremental change, 4.7 mm Hg, 95% CI., 2.6-6.9 mm Hg) was lower than that with ginkgo biloba (mean at 3658 m, 33.7 mm Hg, p=0.001; incremental change, 13.1 mm Hg, 95%CI., 9.6-16.5 mm Hg, p=0.002), and with placebo (mean at 3658 m, 34.7 mm Hg, p<0.001; 14.4 mm Hg, 95% CI., 8.8-20.0 mm Hg, p=0.001). The data show that a low prophylactic dosage of acetazolamide, but not gingko biloba, mitigates the early increase of PASP in a quick ascent profile.

[Mapping metal elements of Shuangbai dinosaur fossil by synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microprobe].

The metal elements mapping of Shuangbai dinosaur fossil, was obtained by synchrotron x-ray fluorescence (SXRF). Eight elements, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Y and Sr were determined. Elements As and Y were detected for the first time in the dinosaur fossil. The data indicated that metal elements are asymmetrical on fossil section. This is different from common minerals. Mapping metals showed that metal element As is few. The dinosaur most likely belongs to natural death. This is different from Zigong dinosaurs which were found dead from poisoning. This method has been used to find that metals Fe and Mn are accrete, and the same is ture for Sr and Y. This study indicated that colloid granule Fe and Mn, as well as Sr and Y had opposite electric charges in lithification process of fossils. By this analysis, compound forms can be ascertained. Synchrotron light source x-ray fluorescence is a complementary method that shows mapping of metal elements at the dinosaur fossil, and is rapid, exact and intuitionist. This study shows that dinosaur fossil mineral imaging has a potential in reconstructing the paleoenvironment and ancient geology.

[FTIR research on tomato pollens with flight mutagenesis].

Four tomato pollen line(two tomato pollen lines with space flight mutagenesis, and two common tomato pollen lines) were studied by FTIR. The method combines two steps: FTIR spectra, and second derivative spectroscopy. The results indicate that the IR spectrum of tomato pollen is mainly composed of absorption of protein, amino acid, and carbohydrates, etc, and IR spectrum shows a small change. The same change occurs fot the two space tomato: the absorbance appears at 1 100-830 cm(-1) region and 1 390 cm(-1) peak is stretching. However, absorbance at 1 645 cm(-1) was stretching for the big space tomato, while the absorbance at 1 535 cm(-1) was stretching for the small space tomato.

[A rapid and nondestructive study of Yi herbs Dahongpao and Jigen with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy].

Two Yi herbs were studied by ATR Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the present paper. The main characteristic peaks of Jigen are: 1 726 and 1 641 cm(-1) (broad peak), 1 505 cm(-1) (small peak), four finger small peaks near 1 379 cm(-1) 1 244 cm(-1) (small sharp peak), 1 512 cm(-1) (small peak), 1 438 cm(-1) (small sharp peak), and 1 044 cm(-1) (strong, single peak). The results show that Jigen and Dahongpao have different characteristic infrared spectra. FTIR has proved to be a rapid, simple and nondestructive method to discriminate Yi herbs. Besides, test indicates that the two Yi herbs have a characteristic in common: absorbance at 1 034 cm-' is the strongest, which is attributed to stretching of C-O--C, indicating that the spectra of the Yi herbs root is mainly composed of the adsorption of carbohydrates, lignin, cellulose etc.

[The design of an electromyogram-guided treatment instrument].

The text introduces an electromyogram-guided treatment instrument with simple operation and lower cost, and it is easy to find the lesion muscle. Its clinical tests have shown a satisfying result.

[Characterization of dinosaur fossils and their surrounding rocks by atomic emission spectrometry and X-ray powder diffractometry].

More dinosaur fossils have been found in the Laochangqing valley, Lufeng county than anywhere else in the world, and the dinosaur fossils found here cover the longest time span (including the early and middle Jurassic ages). This excavation offers an ideal experimental base for prehistoric biology studies. This paper presents an elementary analysis of the components and structure of the dinosaur fossils in three different geologic-layers and their surrounding rocks in the above mentioned area. Atomic emission spectrum shows that the fossils are rich in the contents of calcium (>5%) and phosphor, but low in the content of silicon (3%-8%), while the surrounding rocks are high in the content of silicon (>10%). Furthermore, XRD results show that the major compound of the fossils is CaCO3 (66%), followed by SiO2 (17%); while that of the surrounding rocks is SiO2 (>80%), followed by CaCO3 (<12%). The most important difference between the fossils and the surrounding rocks is, according to the experiment, that phosphate has been identified in the former but not in the latter. This is a characteristic that can be used to distinguish the dinosaur fossils from other rocks. This paper provides valuable data for further zoological studies on the living conditions and evolution of the dinosaurs in the Laochangqing valley, Lufeng county.

[Archaeological application of the Raman microprobe to the non-destructive identification of dinosaur fossil from Yunnan Wuding].

Selected ancient Dinosaur fossils (about a hundred million ago) from Wuding, Yunnan, pilot were studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy, atomic emissive spectrum and polarization microscopic analysis. Raman experimental results found out the primary compounds of fossil surface and section are calcite (CaCO3), and are not others. Analysis of atomic emissive spectrum indicated that main elements of fossils are calcium (> 10%), silicon (5.0%), phosphor (4.0%) and iron (1.0%), rare elements example of iridium (Ir) and thorium (Th) are not found in testing. Complementary studies by atomic emissive spectrum and polarization microscope found that besides calcite (CaCO3), SiO2.nH2O, which is not crystal, is contained in the examples of the fossils. Main composition data taken from both the atomic emissive spectrum, microscopic photograph and Raman spectroscopy are in agreement.