Electrotaxis of alveolar epithelial cells in direct-current electric fields.

PURPOSE: This study aims to elucidate the electrotaxis response of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in direct-current electric fields (EFs), explore the impact of EFs on the cell fate of AECs, and lay the foundation for future exploitation of EFs for the treatment of acute lung injury. METHODS: AECs were extracted from rat lung tissues using magnetic-activated cell sorting. To elucidate the electrotaxis responses of AECs, different voltages of EFs (0, 50, 100, and 200 mV/mm) were applied to two types of AECs, respectively. Cell migrations were recorded and trajectories were pooled to better demonstrate cellular activities through graphs. Cell directionality was calculated as the cosine value of the angle formed by the EF vector and cell migration. To further demonstrate the impact of EFs on the pulmonary tissue, the human bronchial epithelial cells transformed with Ad12-SV40 2B (BEAS-2B cells) were obtained and experimented under the same conditions as AECs. To determine the influence on cell fate, cells underwent electric stimulation were collected to perform Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The successful separation and culturing of AECs were confirmed through immunofluorescence staining. Compared with the control, AECs in EFs demonstrated a significant directionality in a voltage-dependent way. In general, type Ⅰ alveolar epithelial cells migrated faster than type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells, and under EFs, these two types of cells exhibited different response threshold. For type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells, only EFs at 200 mV/mm resulted a significant difference to the velocity, whereas for, EFs at both 100 mV/mm and 200 mV/mm gave rise to a significant difference. Western blotting suggested that EFs led to an increased expression of a AKT and myeloid leukemia 1 and a decreased expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein and Bcl-2-like protein 11. CONCLUSION: EFs could guide and accelerate the directional migration of AECs and exert antiapoptotic effects, which indicated that EFs are important biophysical signals in the re-epithelialization of alveolar epithelium in lung injury.

Sepsis-induced immunosuppression: mechanisms, diagnosis and current treatment options.

Sepsis is a common complication of combat injuries and trauma, and is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. It is also one of the significant causes of death and increased health care costs in modern intensive care units. The use of antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and organ support therapy have limited prognostic impact in patients with sepsis. Although its pathophysiology remains elusive, immunosuppression is now recognized as one of the major causes of septic death. Sepsis-induced immunosuppression is resulted from disruption of immune homeostasis. It is characterized by the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, abnormal death of immune effector cells, hyperproliferation of immune suppressor cells, and expression of immune checkpoints. By targeting immunosuppression, especially with immune checkpoint inhibitors, preclinical studies have demonstrated the reversal of immunocyte dysfunctions and established host resistance. Here, we comprehensively discuss recent findings on the mechanisms, regulation and biomarkers of sepsis-induced immunosuppression and highlight their implications for developing effective strategies to treat patients with septic shock.

[Effect of modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder on SOCS3/TLR4 signaling pathway in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis].

This study aims to investigate the effect of modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder on the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) signaling pathway in gastric tissue of rats with chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG).Sixty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into the normal group, model group, Moluo Pills group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose groups of modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder.The rats in other groups except the normal group were treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine(MNNG) to establish the CAG model.After 12 weeks of modeling, the rats in each group were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks.After the last administration, the histopathological changes of rat gastric mucosa were observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining.The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The mRNA levels of SOCS3 and TLR4 were determined by real-time PCR.The protein levels of SOCS3, TLR4, JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, and p-STAT3 in rat gastric tissue were measured by Western blot.Immunohistochemical method was employed to determine the protein levels of NF-κB, MyD88, NLRP3, Bcl-2, Bax, and Bad in rat gastric tissue.The results showed that modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder alleviated gastric mucosal atrophy of rats, significantly lowered the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP in rat serum, up-regulated the mRNA level of SOCS3, and down-regulated the mRNA level of TLR4 in rat gastric tissue.Furthermore, modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder up-regulated the protein level of SOCS3, down-regulated the protein levels of TLR4, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, NF-κB, MyD88, NLRP3, Bax, and Bad, and promoted the expression of Bcl-2 protein.Therefore, modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder may mitigate the gastric mucosal atrophy of rats by regulating the SOCS3/TLR4 signaling pathway.

Continuous purification and culture of rat type 1 and type 2 alveolar epithelial cells by magnetic cell sorting.

PURPOSE: The incidence of acute lung injury (ALI) in severe trauma patients is 48% and the mortality rate following acute respiratory distress syndrome evolved from ALI is up to 68.5%. Alveolar epithelial type 1 cells (AEC1s) and type 2 cells (AEC2s) are the key cells in the repair of injured lungs as well as fetal lung development. Therefore, the purification and culture of AEC1s and AEC2s play an important role in the research of repair and regeneration of lung tissue. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats (3-4 weeks, 120-150 g) were purchased for experiment. Dispase and DNase I were jointly used to digest lung tissue to obtain a single-cell suspension of whole lung cells, and then magnetic bead cell sorting was performed to isolate T1α positive cells as AEC1s from the single-cell suspension by using polyclonal rabbit anti-T1a (a specific AEC1s membrane protein) antibodies combined with anti-rabbit IgG microbeads. Afterwards, alveolar epithelial cell membrane marker protein EpCAM was designed as a key label to sort AEC2s from the remaining T1α-neg cells by another positive immunomagnetic selection using monoclonal mouse anti-EpCAM antibodies and anti-mouse IgG microbeads. Cell purity was identified by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The purity of AEC1s and AEC2s was 88.3% ± 3.8% and 92.6% ± 2.7%, respectively. The cell growth was observed as follows: AEC1s stretched within the 12-16 h, but the cells proliferated slowly; while AEC2s began to stretch after 24 h and proliferated rapidly from the 2nd day and began to differentiate after 3 days. CONCLUSION: AEC1s and AEC2s sorted by this method have high purity and good viability. Therefore, our method provides a new approach for the isolation and culture of AEC1s and AEC2s as well as a new strategy for the research of lung repair and regeneration.

Optimal H2O2 preconditioning to improve bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells' engraftment in wound healing.

BACKGROUND: The transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for wound healing. However, the poor migration capacity and low survival rate of transplanted BMSCs in wounds weaken their potential application. OBJECTIVE: To identify the optimal protocol for BMSCs preconditioned with H2O2 and improve the therapeutic efficacy using H2O2-preconditioned BMSCs in wound healing. METHODS: Mouse BMSCs were exposed to various concentrations of H2O2, and the key cellular functional properties were assessed to determine the optimal precondition with H2O2. The H2O2-preconditioned BMSCs were transplanted into mice with full-thickness excisional wounds to evaluate their healing capacity and tissue engraftment. RESULTS: Treatment BMSCs with 50 µM H2O2 for 12 h could significantly enhance their proliferation, migration, and survival by maximizing the upregulation of cyclin D1, SDF-1, and its receptors CXCR4/7 expressions, and activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, but inhibiting the expression of p16 and GSK-3ß. Meanwhile, oxidative stress-induced BMSC apoptosis was also significantly attenuated by the same protocol pretreatment with a decreased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-9/3 expression. Moreover, after the identification of the optimal protocol of H2O2 precondition in vitro, the migration and tissue engraftment of transfused BMSCs with H2O2 preconditioning were dramatically increased into the wound site as compared to the un-preconditioned BMSCs. The increased microvessel density and the speedy closure of the wounds were observed after the transfusion of H2O2-preconditioned BMSCs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that 50 µM H2O2 pretreated for 12 h is the optimal precondition for the transplantation of BMSCs, which gives a considerable insight that this protocol may be served as a promising candidate for improving the therapeutic potential of BMSCs for wound healing.

Value of lung ultrasound score for evaluation of blast lung injury in goats.

PURPOSE: To establish a severe blast lung injury model of goats and investigate the feasibility of lung ultrasonic score in the evaluation of blast lung injury. METHODS: Twenty female healthy goats were randomly divided into three groups by different driving pressures: 4.0 MPa group (n = 4), 4.5 MPa group (n = 12) and 5.0 MPa group (n = 4). The severe blast lung injury model of goats was established using a BST-I bio-shock tube. Vital signs (respiration, heart rate and blood pressure), lung ultrasound score (LUS), PO2/FiO2 and extravascular lung water (EVLW) were measured before injury (0 h) and at 0.5 h, 3 h, 6 h, 9 h, 12 h after injury. Computed tomography scan was performed before injury (0 h) and at 12 h after injury for dynamic monitoring of blast lung injury and measurement of lung volume. The correlation of LUS with PaO2/FiO2, EVLW, and lung injury ratio (lesion volume/total lung volume*100%) was analyzed. All animals were sacrificed at 12 h after injury for gross observation of lung injury and histopathological examination. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS 22.0 software. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The means of two samples were compared using independent-sample t-test. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted. RESULTS: (1) At 12 h after injury, the mortality of goats was 0, 41.67% and 100% in the 4.0 Mpa, 4.5 MPa and 5.0 MPa groups, respectively; the area of pulmonary hemorrhage was 20.00% ± 13.14% in the 4.0 Mpa group and 42.14% ± 15.33% in the 4.5 MPa group. A severe lung shock injury model was established under the driving pressure of 4.5 MPa. (2) The respiratory rate, heart rate, LUS and EVLW were significantly increased, while PaO2/FiO2 was significantly reduced immediately after injury, and then they gradually recovered and became stabilized at 3 h after injury. (3) LUS was positively correlated with EVLW (3 h: r = 0.597, 6 h: r = 0.698, 9 h: r = 0.729; p < 0.05) and lung injury ratio (12 h: r = 0.884, p < 0.05), negatively correlated with PaO2/FiO2 (3 h: r = -0.871, 6 h: r = -0.637, 9 h: r = -0.658; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We established a severe blast lung injury model of goats using the BST-I bio-shock tube under the driving pressure of 4.5 MPa and confirmed that ultrasound can be used for quick evaluation and dynamic monitoring of blast lung injury.

Secondary Metabolites and PI3K Inhibitory Activity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, a Fungal Endophyte of Uncaria rhynchophylla.

In the present study, nine compounds (1-9) were isolated from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (an endophytic fungus from Uncaria rhynchophylla) which was cultured in wheat bran medium. Their structures were elucidated as 4-Epi-14-hydroxy-10, 23-dihydro-24, 25-dehydroaflavinine (1), 10, 23-Dihydro-24,25 -dehydro-21-oxoaflavinine (2), Ergosterol (3), Ergosterol peroxide (4), Mellein (5), 4, 5-dihydroblumenol A (6), Colletotrichine A (7), Cyclo(L-leucyl-L-leucyl) (8), and Brevianamide F (9) based on NMR spectral data, as well as comparing with previous literature data. This is the first report about the isolation of compounds 1-2, 6, and 8-9 from Colletotrichum genus. All compounds were tested for their phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3Kα) inhibitory activity. Compounds 8 and 9 showed potent PI3K α inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 38.1 and 4.8 µM, respectively, while the other compounds showed very weak activity at a concentration of 20 µg/mL.

[Effect of fresh Gastrodia elata on gut microbiota in mice].

Gastrodia elata B1.,a traditional Chinese medicine,was frequently applied as a cure for headache or migraine. Its effects include suppressing hyperactive liver,calming endogenous wind,dredging collateralsand relieving spasm. There has been a proportion that G. elata should be added to The List of Substances That Are Traditionally Both Food and Chinese Medicinal Materials. The dry G. elata was commonly used in clinic,which have some fundamental study on efficacy and mechanism. However,fresh G. elata,which was added to herbal cuisine very often,lacks corresponding research. The interaction of diet,microbiota and human is a hot issue and lots of scholars are focusing on it. This research sequenced the 16 S rRNA of mouse cecal contents on Mi Seq platform to understand the effect of taking fresh G. elata. As the results showing,multiple probiotics grew after taking fresh G. elata extract,including Ruminiclostridium,Butyricicoccus,and Parvibacter. To contrast,some pathogens or potential pathogens,such as Escherichia/Shigella,Parasutterella,decreased. This manifests that fresh G. elata performs a positive regulation on mouse gut microbiota,especially the low-dose fresh G. elata extraction could restructure the microbiota apparently. Our result reveals that microbiota might be a new target for G. elata extract and provides an important basis for further research on the interaction between gut microbiota and pharmacological activity of G. elata.

Development and validation of a novel predictive score for sepsis risk among trauma patients.

Background: Patients suffering from major trauma often experience complications such as sepsis. The early recognition of patients at high risk of sepsis after trauma is critical for precision therapy. We aimed to derive and validate a novel predictive score for sepsis risk using electronic medical record (EMR) data following trauma. Materials and methods: Clinical and laboratory variables of 684 trauma patients within 24 h after admission were collected, including 411 patients in the training cohort and 273 in the validation cohort. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) technique was adopted to identify variables contributing to the early prediction of traumatic sepsis. Then, we constructed a traumatic sepsis score (TSS) using a logistic regression model based on the variables selected in the LASSO analysis. Moreover, we evaluated the discrimination and calibration of the TSS using the area under the curve (AUC) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test. Results: Based on the LASSO, seven variables (injury severity score, Glasgow Coma Scale, temperature, heart rate, albumin, international normalized ratio, and C-reaction protein) were selected for construction of the TSS. Our results indicated that the incidence of sepsis after trauma increased with an increasing TSS (Ptrend = 7.44 × 10-21 for the training cohort and Ptrend = 1.16 × 10-13 for the validation cohort). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of TSS were 0.799 (0.757-0.837) and 0.790 (0.736-0.836) for the training and validation datasets, respectively. The discriminatory power of our model was superior to that of a single variable and the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (P < 0.001). Moreover, the TSS was well calibrated (P > 0.05). Conclusions: We developed and validated a novel TSS with good discriminatory power and calibration for the prediction of sepsis risk in trauma patients based on the EMR data.

Colletotrichine B, a new sesquiterpenoid from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides GT-7, a fungal endophyte of Uncaria rhynchophylla.

One new compound, colletotrichine B (1), was produced by the fungal Colletotrichum gloeosporioides GT-7. The structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Monoamine oxidase (MAO), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3Kα) inhibitory activity of 1 was also evaluated. Compound 1 showed only AChE inhibiting activity with IC50 value of 38.0 ± 2.67 µg/mL.

LBP rs2232618 polymorphism contributes to risk of sepsis after trauma.

Background: Previous study revealed that rs2232618 polymorphism (Phe436Leu) within LBP gene is a functional variant and associated with susceptibility of sepsis in traumatic patients. Our aim was to confirm the reported association by enlarging the population sample size and perform a meta-analysis to find additional evidence. Methods: Traumatic patients from Southwest (n = 1296) and Southeast (n = 445) of China were enrolled in our study. After genotyping, the relationship between rs2232618 and the risk of sepsis was analyzed. Furthermore, we proceeded with a comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis to determine whether the rs2232618 polymorphism conferred susceptibility to sepsis. Results: Significance correlation was observed between rs2232618 and risk of sepsis in Southwest patients (P = 0.002 for the dominant model, P = 0.006 for the recessive model). The association was confirmed in Southeast cohort (P = 0.005 for the dominant model) and overall combined cohorts (P = 4.5 × 10-4, P = 0.041 for the dominant and recessive model). Multiple logistical regression analyses suggested that rs2232618 polymorphism was related to higher risk of sepsis (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.26-2.48, P = 0.001 in Southwest patients; OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.24-3.58, P = 0.006 in Southeast cohort; OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.34-2.08, P = 0.006 in overall cohort). Furthermore, meta-analysis of four studies (including the present study) confirmed that rs2232618 within LBP increased the risk of sepsis (OR = 1.75, P < 0.001 for the dominant model; OR = 6.08, P = 0.003 for the recessive model; OR = 2.72, P < 0.001 for the allelic model). Conclusions: The results from our replication study and meta-analysis provided firm evidence that rs2232618T allele significantly increased the risk of sepsis.

Correlation between pre-procedural plaque morphology and patterns of in-stent neointimal hyperplasia at 1-year follow-up in patients treated with new-generation drug-eluting stents: An optical coherence tomography based analysis.

INSTRUCTION: Several factors affect the in-stent intimal healing process after drug-eluting stents (DESs) implantation. We hope to investigate the influence of plaque characteristics on subsequent heterogeneous neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: The study population consisted 217 patients with single-vessel de novo lesions who underwent both pre-procedural OCT scan and 12-month follow-up OCT examination. NIH is defined as at least five consecutive cross-sectional images with no less than 100µm neointimal thickness. According to OCT follow-up, patients were divided into three groups: neointima-covered group, homogeneous, and heterogeneous NIH group. RESULTS: 102 patients were categorized in neointima-covered group, 91 and 24 patients in homogeneous and heterogeneous group, respectively. Time interval between OCT scans was similar (P = 0.55). No significant differences in the patients' age, gender, comorbidities, laboratory findings, procedural, and lesion-related findings were found among these three groups. Heterogeneous group tended to have more subjects presented as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (P = 0.04) and mean macrophage grade was higher in this group (P = 0.01). While no statistically significant difference concerning mean intimal thickness (P = 0.21) or neointimal burden (P = 0.73) was found between homogeneous and heterogeneous group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that mean macrophage grade (OR: 2.26, 95%CI: 1.12 to 4.53, P = 0.02) and initial clinical presentation of ACS (OR: 2.81, 95%CI: 1.03 to 7.72, P = 0.04) were significant independent risk factors for heterogeneous NIH. CONCLUSION: Mean macrophage grade measured by OCT as a semi-quantitative morphological risk factor, as well as clinical presentation of ACS, was associated with in-stent neointimal heterogeneity after DES implantation.

[Emission Inventory of Greenhouse Gas from Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants and Its Temporal and Spatial Distribution in China].

Urban wastewater treatment plants are considered important greenhouse gas resources with massive emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) during operation. Based on the emission factor approach of pollutant reduction, the 2014 emission inventory of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, and N2O) from urban wastewater treatment plants in China was established. In addition, the temporal and spatial distribution and influencing factors of greenhouse gas emissions were analyzed in this study. The results showed that total emissions of greenhouse gas from urban wastewater treatment plants in China was 7348.60 Gg (CO2-eq) in 2014, which included CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions of 6054.57 Gg, 27.47 Gg (769.08 Gg, CO2-eq), and 1.98 Gg (524.95 Gg, CO2-eq), respectively. The difference in greenhouse gas emissions among provinces was significant:high emissions appeared in the eastern areas of China, low emissions were observed in the northwest, and hardly any emissions were found in Xizang. From 2005 to 2014, annual greenhouse gas emissions from urban sewage treatment plants in China increased by 229.4%, and the rates of CO2, CH4, and N2O increased by 217.9%, 217.9%, and 520.3%, respectively. The regional economic development level and number of wastewater treatment plants were correlated the most with the emissions of greenhouse gasses, and the per-capita protein supply was closely related with the N2O emission.

[Pharmacodynamic evaluation and molecular mechanism research of Huanshao capsule on irregular menstruation].

Huanshao capsule is widely used in irregular menstruation and has achieved a good effect. Huanshao capsule can promote gonad development in mice, significantly improve the ovarian index in mice, increase estrogen level and reduce FSH level in rats, inhibit the pain response induced by oxytocin and estrogen, inhibit writhing reaction induced by acetic acid pain in mice. Due to the complexity of traditional Chinese medical formula, the pharmacological mechanism of the treatment on the irregular menstruation of the Huanshao capsule is unclear. In this study, the internet-based computation platform (www.tcmip.cn）was used to explore the molecular mechanism of Huanshao capsule on the menstrual. The aim of this study was to find the molecular mechanism of Huanshao capsule in treating menstrual. In the study of the molecular mechanism of Huanshao capsule in the treatment of menstrual by using the internet-based computation platform, Huanshao capsule maybe treat the menstrual by the pathway of endocrine system, GnRH signal transduction pathway, estrogen signal transduction pathway, oxytocin signaling pathway, thyroid hormone signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, FCεRI signaling pathway and purine metabolism and nucleotide metabolism. The early pharmacological study confirmed Huanshao capsule could increase the serum estradiol level and decrease follicle stimulating hormone level and the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacology coincide with the prediction result of internet-based computation platform which roles as the pathway of GnRH signaling pathway and estrogen signal transduction pathway. Other pathway needs further experimental verification.

The pollution characteristics of PM2.5 and correlation analysis with meteorological parameters in Xinxiang during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Prime Ministers' Meeting.

The pollution characteristics of PM2.5 and correlation analysis with meteorological parameters in Xinxiang during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Prime Ministers' Meeting were investigated. During the whole meeting, nine PM2.5 samples were collected at a suburban site of Xinxiang, and the average concentration of PM2.5 was 122.28 µg m-3. NO3-, NH4+, SO42- accounted for 56.8% of the total water-soluble ions. In addition, with an exception of Cl-, all of water-soluble ions decreased during the meeting. Total concentrations of crustal elements ranged from 6.53 to 185.86 µg m-3, with an average concentration of 52.51 µg m-3, which accounted for 82.5% of total elements. The concentrations of organic carbon and elemental carbon were 7.71 and 1.52 µg m-3, respectively, lower than those before and after the meeting. It is indicated that during the meeting, limiting motor vehicles is to reduce exhaust emissions, delay heating is to reduce the fossil fuel combustion, and other measures are to reduce the concentration of PM2.5. The directly dispersing by mixing layer height increase and the indirectly reducing the formation of secondary aerosol by low relative humidity, and these are the only two key removing mechanisms of PM2.5 in Xinxiang during the meeting.

Colletotrichine A, a new sesquiterpenoid from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides GT-7, a fungal endophyte of Uncaria rhynchophylla.

One new compound, Colletotrichine A (1), was produced by the fungal Colletotrichum gloeosporioides GT-7. The structure was established by 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of 1 was also evaluated. Compound 1 showed AChE-inhibiting activity with IC50 value of 28 µg/mL.

[Comparative pharmacodynamics study on Paris forrestii and pharmacopoeial Paridis Rhizoma].

Paris is a raw material of a variety of Chinese medicines, which has become deficient in resource due to market demand substantial growth and wild Paris resources reducing increasingly and the artificial cultivation slow growth. This study compared pharmacological activity in analgesia and anti-inflammatory and hemostasis effects of P. forrestii with pharmacopoeial Paridis Rhizoma to expand its range of Paris medicinal resources and protect wild resources of Paris and meet market demand. The experimental study showed that P. forrestii and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and P. polyphylla var. chinensis had analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects. They can significantly reduce the number of writhing and inhibit rat foot swelling induced by carrageenan and mice capillary permeability induced by acetic acid and short the bleeding time and clotting time. Their function is equivalent.

[Pharmacodynamics study on Paris vietnamensis].

Paris is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and its resource is in shortage, a variety of related plants are acquired as Paris. This study compared pharmacological activity in anti-inflammatory and hemostatic and blood rheology of P. vietnamensis with pharmacopoeial Paridis Rhizoma to expand its range of Paris medicinal resources and protect wild resources of Paris and meet market demand. The experimental study showed that P. vietnamensis and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and P. polyphylla var. chinensis had anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect and improved blood rheolog. They can significantly inhibit rat foot swelling induced by carrageenan and short the bleeding time and clotting time and reduce the blood viscosity in rats with acute blood stasis model, P. vietnamensis and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis can inhibit mice capillary permeability induced by acetic acid.

The cellular kinetics of lung alveolar epithelial cells and its relationship with lung tissue repair after acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Organ regeneration in mammals is hypothesized to require a functional pool of stem or progenitor cells, but the role of these cells in lung regeneration is unknown. METHODS: Based on the fact that postnatal regeneration of alveolar tissue has been attributed to alveolar epithelial cells, we established a hemorrhagic shock and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) lung injury model. Using this model, we analyzed the cellular kinetics of lung alveolar epithelial cells. RESULTS: The results showed that alveolar epithelium type 2 cells (AEC2s) are damage resistant during acute lung injury, they might be the main cells involved in lung injury and repair. Then we observed the relationship between the expression of HGF, c-Met following ALI in rat lung and proliferation of AEC2s. The proliferation of AEC2s was inhibited when isolated primary AEC2s were co-cultured with c-Met inhibitor SU11274. Furthermore, the numbers of AEC2s was significantly decreased when ALI rats were administrated with SU11274 in vivo. It provided further evidence that the HGF/c-Met signaling plays a vital role in ALI-induced AEC2s proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: AEC2s are damage resistant during acute lung injury and the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway is of vital importance in the proliferation of AEC2s after ALI.

[Particle Size Distribution, Seasonal Variation Characteristics and Human Exposure Assessment of Heavy Metals in Typical Settled Dust from Beijing].

Four types of dust from dormitories, offices, hotels and roads in Beijing were collected and fractionated into 9 fractions, respectively. Totally 36 samples were obtained and analyzed for heavy metals including Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd and Ni. Particle size distributions of those heavy metals in these four types of dust were investigated and the influencing mechanisms were discussed. Distribution patterns of the same heavy metal in different types of dust showed various characteristics. Also different metals in the same type of dust represented different distribution patterns. Heavy metals in road dust tended to concentrate in finer particles. Two offices from the same building, located in Beijing, China, were selected to study the seasonality of heavy metals in dust. Dust sampling from Office A was conducted at weekly intervals between March 2012 and August 2012, while dust from Office B was sampled fortnightly from March 2012 to December 2012. Generally, levels of all heavy metals remained stable among different seasons, however, Cr and Pb represented more significant fluctuations than other four heavy metals. Based on the geo-accumulation index method, the pollution of Zn, Cu and Pb was more serious in the investigated samples, and dust from offices and hotels were moderately polluted by Zn. According to the risk assessment results, the carcinogenic health risks of the six heavy metals in the four types of dust were negligible.