Analysis of the essential oil of Dipsacus japonicus flowering aerial parts and its insecticidal activity against Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum.

Water-distilled essential oil from the aerial parts of Dipsacus japonicus Miq. (Dipsacaceae) at the flowering stage was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Forty-six compounds, accounting for 96.76% of the total oil, were identified and the main compounds of the essential oil were linalool (11.78%), trans-geraniol (8.58%), 1,8-cineole (7.91%), beta-caryophyllene (5.58%), alpha-terpineol (5.32%), beta-selinene (5.15%), and spathulenol (5.04%). The essential oil of D. japonicus possessed contact toxicity against two grain storage insects, Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum adults, with LD50 values of 18.32 microg/ adult and 13.45 microg/adult, respectively. The essential oil of D. japonicus also exhibited pronounced fumigant toxicity against S. zeamais (LC50 = 10.11 mg/l air) and T. castaneum adults (LC50 = 5.26 mg/l air). Of the three major compounds, 1,8-cineole exhibited stronger fumigant toxicity than the crude essential oil against S. zeamais and T. castaneum adults with LC50 values of 2.96 mg/l air and 4.86 mg/l air, respectively.

GC-MS analysis of insecticidal essential oil of flowering aerial parts of Saussurea nivea Turcz.

BACKGROUND: Several species from Saussurea have been used in the traditional medicine, such as S. lappa, S. involucrate, and S. obvallata. There is no report on medicinal use of S. nivea. The aim of this research was to determine chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of S. nivea Turcz (Asteraceae) aerial parts against maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) for the first time. RESULTS: Essential oil of S. nivea flowering aerial parts was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 43 components of the essential oil of S. nivea were identified. The principal compounds in the essential oil were (+)-limonene (15.46%), caryophyllene oxide (7.62%), linalool (7.20%), α-pinene (6.43%), ß-pinene (5.66%) and spathulenol (5.02%) followed by ß-eudesmoll (4.64%) and eudesma-4,11-dien-2-ol (3.76%). The essential oil of S. nivea exhibited strong contact toxicity against S. zeamais with an LD50 value of 10.56 µg/adult. The essential oil also possessed fumigant toxicity against S. zeamais with an LC50 value of 8.89 mg/L. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that the essential oil of S. nivea flowering aerial parts has a potential for development into a natural insecticide/fumigant for control of insects in stored grains.

Toxicity of Schizonpeta multifida essential oil and its constituent compounds towards two grain storage insects.

BACKGROUND: The essential oil derived from the flowering aerial parts of Schizonpeta multifida was investigated for insecticidal activity against two grain storage insects, maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) and red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). RESULTS: The main constituents of the essential oil were menthone (40.34%) and pulegone (26.87%), followed by D-limonene (5.81%) and isomenthone (5.14%). Bioactivity-directed chromatographic separation on repeated silica gel columns led to the isolation of menthone and pulegone. Pulegone showed pronounced contact toxicity against S. zeamais and T. castaneum adults (7 day LD(50)= 4.46 and 1.55 µg per adult respectively) and was more toxic than menthone (7 day LD(50)=33.47 and 2.67 µg per adult respectively), while the crude essential oil had 7 day LD(50) values of 30.17 and 2.75 µg per adult respectively. Pulegone also displayed strong fumigant toxicity against S. zeamais and T. castaneum adults (7 day LC(50)=3.47 and 11.56 mg cm(-3) respectively) and was again more toxic than menthone (7 day L(50) =10.32 and 31.25 mg cm(-3) respectively), while the crude essential oil had 7 day LC(50) values of 8.33 and 26.41 mg cm(-3) respectively. CONCLUSION: The essential oil of S. multifida and its two main components may have potential to be developed as new natural fumigants/insecticides for the control of stored product insects.

[Local injection of gentamycin for female urethral syndrome: a clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of local antibiotic injection into the female prostate on female urethral syndrome (FUS), and search for an effective treatment for this disease. METHODS: This study included 163 FUS patients treated in the out-patient department between July 2009 and December 2010. According to the visiting order, the patients were randomly assigned to Groups A (n = 58), B (n = 55) and C (n = 50). All underwent routine treatment. Inaddition Group A received local injection of 2 ml of 80 000 U gentamycin + 2 ml of lidocaine, and Group B 2 ml of normal saline + 2 ml of lidocaine, both injected into the distal segment of the urethral back wall where the female prostate is located, twice a week for 3 weeks. The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to the changes of the patients' independent symptom scores at 2 and 4 weeks after the treatment. Disappearance of the symptoms was considered as "curative" , > 1/2 reduction in the symptom score as "obviously effective", 1/2 - > 1/4 reduction in the symptom score as "effective", and < 1/4 reduction or increase in the symptom score as "ineffective". RESULTS: At 2 weeks after the treatment, the total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in Group A (77.5%) than in B (67.3%) and C (68.0%) (P < 0.05), but with no statistically significant difference between B and C (P > 0.05). At 4 weeks, the total effectiveness rate of Group A was slightly decreased, but still remarkably higher than that of group B or C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Local injection of gentamycin into the female prostate is effective for the treatment of female urethral syndrome.

Insecticidal activity and chemical composition of the essential oils of Artemisia lavandulaefolia and Artemisia sieversiana from China.

In our screening program for new agrochemicals from local wild plants, Artemisia lavandulaefolia and A. sieversiana were found to possess insecticidal activity against the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais. The essential oils of the aerial parts of the two plants were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main components of A. lavandulaefolia oil were caryophyllene (15.5%), beta-thujone (13.8%), eucalyptol (13.1%), and beta-farnesene (12.3%), and the principal compounds identified in A. sieversiana oil were eucalyptol (9.2%), geranyl butyrate (9.2%), borneol (7.9%), and camphor (7.9%). The essential oils of A. lavandulaefolia and A. sieversiana possessed fumigant toxicity against S. zeamais adults with LC(50) values of 11.2 and 15.0 mg/l air, respectively. Both essential oils also showed contact toxicity against S. zeamais adults with LD(50) values of 55.2 and 112.7 microg/adult, respectively.

[Effects of Prostate Water Pellets on the number of colonies, NO concentration and NOS activity in the prostate tissue of CBP rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Prostate Water Pellets (PWP) on the number of colonies, NO concentration and NOS activity in the prostate tissues of rats with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). METHODS: A total of 120 healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were equally randomized into 6 groups: blank control, model control, positive control, high-dose PWP, medium-dose PWP and low-dose PWP. The CBP rat models were established by injecting colibacilli (10(7)/ml) into the prostate. A month later, the high- , medium- and low-dose PWP groups were treated intragastrically with PWP at 4.4 g/kg, 2.2 g/kg and 1.1 g/kg per day respectively, the positive controls with levofloxacin at 0.018 g/kg per day, and the blank and model controls with normal saline, all for 35 days. Then the numbers of colonies in the prostate tissues were measured, and the changes in NO concentration and NOS activity detected by the nitrite reductase method. RESULTS: Compared with the model controls, the number of colonies, NO concentration and NOS activity were significantly reduced in the prostate tissues of the rats of the high- , medium- and low-dose PWP groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PWP was proved to be efficacious for CBP in rats, whose mechanism might be related with its inhibitory effect on bacterial growth and decreasing effect on NO concentration and NOS activity in the prostate tissues.

Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes Based on Carbon Cloth-Supported LaMnO3/MnO Nano-Arrays by One-Step Electrodeposition.

La-based perovskite-type oxide is a new type of supercapacitor electrode material with great potential. In the present study, LaMnO3/MnO (LMO/MnO) nano-arrays supported by carbon cloth are prepared via a simple one-step electrodeposition as flexible supercapacitor electrodes. The structure, deposit morphology of LMO/MnO, and the corresponding electrochemical properties have been investigated in detail. Carbon cloth-supported LMO/MnO electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 260 F·g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A·g-1 in 0.5 M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte solution. The cooperative effects of LMO and MnO, as well as the uniform nano-array morphology contribute to the good electrochemical performance. In addition, a symmetric supercapacitor with a wide voltage window of 2 V is fabricated, showing a high energy density of 28.15 Wh·kg-1 at a power density of 745 W·kg-1. The specific capacitance drops to 65% retention after the first 500 cycles due to the element leaching effect and partial flaking of LMO/MnO, yet remains stable until 5000 cycles. It is the first time that La-based perovskite has been exploited for flexible supercapacitor applications, and further optimization is expected.

Efficacy and safety investigation of Kuntai capsule for the add-back therapy of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist administration to endometriosis patients: a randomized, double-blind, blank- and tibolone-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: As a Chinese Traditional Medicine product, Kuntai capsule could improve the peri-menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. But it is still not clear whether Kuntai capsule has a good effect on alleviating peri-menopausal symptoms induced by gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Kuntai capsule, on peri-menopausal symptoms in endometriosis (EMS) patients, with postoperative GnRH-a treatment. METHODS: Ninety EMS ovarian cyst women with postoperative GnRH-a administration were enrolled in the study, and were randomly divided into Kuntai group, Tibolone group, or blank Control group. The therapeutic strategy in Kuntai group was 4 Kuntai capsules tid,po for 12 weeks after the first GnRH-a injection, while Tibolone 2.5 mg qd, po for 12 weeks in Tibolone group. There was no drug addition in Control group. Climacteric complaints were evaluated by Kupperman menopausal index (KMI) and hot flash/sweating score. Liver and renal functions, lipid profile, serum sex hormone levels and endometrial thickness were measured, and the frequency of adverse events in Kuntai and Tibolone groups was recorded. RESULTS: (1) Before GnRH-a therapy, the baseline parameter results were comparable in the three groups (P > 0.05). (2) After GnRH-a therapy, KMI and hot flash/sweating scores in all the three groups increased significantly (P < 0.05). At the 4 th week after GnRH-a therapy, KMI and hot flash/sweating score results were as follows: Control group > Kuntai group > Tibolone group (P < 0.05); at the 8 th and 12 th week after GnRH-a therapy, KMI and hot flash/sweating score in Control group were significantly higher than the other two groups (P < 0.05), and no significant difference was identified between Kuntai and Tibolone group (P > 0.05). (3) No statistical change took place in the liver and renal functions and lipid profile in all the three groups after the treatment (P > 0.05). (4) The posttherapeutic serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) level and endometrial thickness decreased significantly in all the three groups (P < 0.05). After therapy, serum E2 level in Tibolone group was obviously higher than the other two groups (P < 0.05), while FSH and LH levels were obviously lower (P < 0.05). (5) The incidence of vaginal bleeding, breast distending pain in Tibolne group was obviously higher than Kuntai group (P < 0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Kuntai capsule is effective on the peri-menopausal symptoms induced by postoperative GnRH-a administration to EMS patients, although its clinical effect might be a few weeks later than Tibolone. Kuntai capsule might be a little safer than Tibolone tablet.

[Development of a software for realtime display of physiological informations in human centrifuge training equipment].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a software for realtime display of physiological informations during human centrifuge training. METHOD: A software composed of CParaSetDlg, CRevMsg, CSndMsg, CWaveDsp and other classes was designed in Visual C + +6.0 environment, with object_oriented ideology. Some technical problems such as displaying the scrolled curves in realtime way, synchronous display of the waves with different sampling rates, acceleration and deceleration of the scroll were solved. RESULT: The software can display and store multiplex channels of wave signals and digital messages in realtime, synchronous way according to user's choices, with high reliability and friendly man-machine interface. CONCLUSION: This software fulfils the requirements for medical monitoring and data evaluation in human centrifuge training.

[Experimental study on human reaction of determination and performance in virtual environment].

OBJECTIVE: To study factuality of ergonomic experimental data from subjects performing virtual environment wearing head mounted display (HMD) and data gloves, so as to improve the reliability of the application of virtual reality in manned spaceflight (e.g. human-machine interface design scheme ergonomic evaluation, and virtual training). METHOD: Experiment in a virtual module is designed and implemented on the virtual reality ergonomic experimental system. First, pre-experiments are done to determine the different levels of objects to be operated and the height of a virtual table which is in the virtual module. On the basis of the pre-experiments, the formal experiments are completed. In addition, a virtual reality questionnaire (VRQ) is developed and employed in order to assess subjective impressions of the virtual environment. RESULT: Normal distribution of performing time is shown when a virtual sphere is put into a drawer of standard cabinet of virtual module on a front table by subjects wearing HMD, its mean value being 36.72 s and variance being 13.798 s. By VRQ analysis, about 70.2% of the subjects thought that HMD has a good stereo quality, they can be immersed in the virtual module. CONCLUSION: When virtual reality is applied in ergonomic evaluation or virtual training, the HMD and data glove of the system would satisfy the requirements of human-computer interaction, so that human performance can be analogized and corresponding truth of experimental result can be achieved.

[Effects of field viewing angles on object judgement [correction of jubgerent] in virtual environment].

OBJECT: To investigate the effect of viewing angle on human judgement reliability for objects in virtual environment. METHOD: Firstly, pre-tests were done with the PC virtual reality ergonomic system to determine difference among observed object and values of viewing angle. Then, one factor, 4-levels full random experiments were done with 45 health human subjects (male and female nearly 1:1). RESULT: It was shown that the reliability of human judgement was significantly influenced by the setting of the viewing angle of virtual environment, and the object judgement including size and angle judgement was the best when the viewing angle of virtual environment was 60 degrees. CONCLUSION: When virtual reality was used in ergonomic design, operation training and other related research, the effect of field viewing angle should be taken into consideration, and 60 degrees is recommended to be optimal for human judgment task.

[Human-centered ergonomical study and applications in manned spacecraft project of China].

High G and weightlessness are two important environment factors that are unavoidable during spaceflight. They will bring key effects on astronauts' posture and working efficiency. In this paper, on the basis of experience of China first manned spacecraft project in the past 10 years, the concept of space ergonomics and its role in the project were reviewed. Ergonomic research items and corresponding methods were systematically analyzed with astronauts' working state, and ergonomic evaluation types and approaches were discussed with some given cases being used in the project. Finally, some suggestions were proposed on space man-machine system development according to recent ergonomic trend in space ergonomics and the basis of experience of first manned spacecraft project.

Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Amethystea caerulea L.

The essential oil of the aerial parts of Amethystea caerulea L. was obtained from steam distillation and investigated by GC and GC-MS. The main components of the essential oil were morrilol (25.1%), 4-vinylguaiacol (14.3%) and acetoanisole (14.3%), followed by linalool (6.6%), eugenol (5.8%) and α-caryophyllene (5.2%). The essential oil showed pronounced contact toxicity against Drosophila melanogaster L. and maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.), with LD(50) values of 5.18 and 50.45 µg per adult, respectively. The essential oil also possessed strong fumigant toxicity against the maize weevils with an LC(50) value of 25.39 µg mL(-1).

Insecticidal activity of the root bark essential oil of Periploca sepium Bunge and its main component.

During our screening programme for agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs, the root bark essential oil of Periploca sepium was found to possess strong contact toxicity against the fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster with a LD(50) value of 1.22 µg/adult. The main component of the essential oil was identified to be 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzaldehyde (78.8%), followed by linalool (2.8%) and (-)-α-terpineol (2.7%). The 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzaldehyde was further isolated and identified by bioassay-directed fractionation. The compound showed strong contact toxicity against D. melanogaster and the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) with LD(50) values of 1.47 and 6.99 µg/adult, respectively.

Antifeedants from Chinese medicinal herb, Erythrina variegata var. orientalis, against maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais.

The screening for insecticidal principles from several Chinese medicinal herbs showed that the stem bark of Erythrina variegata var. orientalis possessed significant feeding deterrence against maize weevils, Sitophilus zeamais. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the stem bark extract of E. variegata var. orientalis resulted in the isolation of two alkaloids, identified as erysopine and erysovine from their spectroscopic data. Erysopine and erysovine possessed antifeedant activity against S. zeamais adults with EC50 values of 108.5 and 89.7 ppm, respectively.

Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Artemisia eriopoda against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais.

In our screening program for new agrochemicals from local wild plants, Artemisia eriopoda was found to possess insecticidal activities against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais. The essential oil of the aerial parts of A. eriopoda was obtained by hydrodistillation and investigated by GC and GC-MS. The main components of the essential oil are germacrene D (21.6%) and eucalyptol (14.2%). The essential oil possesses fumigant toxicity against S. zeamais adults with a LC50 value of 11.5 mg/L air and also shows contact toxicity against S. zeamais adults with a LD50 value of 24.8 microg/adult, respectively.

Insecticidal compounds from the essential oil of Chinese medicinal herb Atractylodes chinensis.

BACKGROUND: In a screening programme for new agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs, the essential oil of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz was found to possess strong insecticidal activity against the common vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster L. The essential oil was extracted via hydrodistillation, and its constituents were determined by GC-MS analysis. RESULTS: The main components of A. chinensis essential oil were ß-eudesmol (21.05%), ß-selinene (11.75%), γ-elemene (7.16%) and isopetasam (5.36%). Bioactivity-directed chromatographic separation on repeated silica gel columns led to the isolation of five compounds, namely atractylon, α-elemol, ß-eudesmol, hinesol and ß-selinene. ß-Selinene, α-elemol and hinesol showed pronounced contact toxicity against D. melanogaster adults, with LD(50) values of 0.55, 0.65 and 0.71 µg adult(-1) respectively. Atractylon and ß-eudesmol were also toxic to the fruit flies (LD(50) = 1.63 and 2.65 µg adult(-1) respectively), while the crude oil had an LD(50) value of 2.44 µg adult(-1) . CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that the essential oil of Atractylodes chinensis and its active constituents may be explored as natural potential insecticides.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on expression of Abeta positive cells of the hippocampus and SOD activity in rats with streptozocin-Alzheimer's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible mechanism of the electroacupuncture for improvement of learning and memory in rats of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a normal saline group, a model group, a western medication group and an electroacupuncture group, 12 rats in each group. The AD rat model was established by injecting Streptozocin (STZ) into lateral cerebral ventricle, except the rats in the normal saline group injecting Normal Saline with the same dose and in normal group with no injection. The western medication group was treated with intragastric administration of Memantine, and in the electroacupuncture group, the electroacupuncture was given at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (CV 14), "Taixi" (KI 3), "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Zusanli" (ST 36), once each day, 7 days for a course, and lasted for 4 courses. The other three groups were fed in routine way and without any treatment. The learning and memory ability was assessed by Morris water maze and the expression of Abeta positive cells of the hippocampus and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined by immunohistochemistry and visible spectrophotometer colorimetry. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group and the normal saline group, the Abeta protein expression was significantly increased in the model group (both P < 0.01), and the SOD activity was obviously decreased (both P < 0.01). After treatment, as compared with the model group, the Abeta protein expression was significantly decreased (both P < 0.01), and the SOD activity was obviously increased (both P < 0.01) in the electroacupuncture group and western medication group. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture treatment can reduce the Abeta protein expression and increase the SOD activity of the hippocampus so as to improve learning and memory ability in the AD rats.

Feeding deterrents from Zanthoxylum schinifolium against two stored-product insects.

Screening for insecticidal principles from several Chinese medicinal herbs showed that the fruit pericarp of Zanthoxylum schinifolium possessed significant feeding deterrence against two stored-product insects (Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus zeamais). From the methanol extract, two feeding deterrents were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The compounds were identified as schinifoline and skimmianine from their spectroscopic data. Schinifoline has feeding deterrent activity against T. castaneum and S. zeamais adults with EC(50) values of 47.8 and 85.6 ppm respectively. Skimmianine possess feeding deterrent activity against T. castaneum and S. zeamais adults with EC(50) values of 75.7 and 129.7 ppm respectively.

[Study on needling depth of Fengfu (GV 16) with CT].

OBJECTIVE: To study on needling safe depth of Fengfu (GV 16) with CT, so as to provide reference for safe needling depth of Fengfu (GV 16) in clinical acupuncture treatment. METHODS: Forty-one adult volunteers were divided into 3 groups, a thin person group, a moderate person group and a fat person group according to Luo's indexes, and computer-aided tomography (CT) was used to measure the needling depth of Fengfu (GV 16). RESULTS: The safe depths of perpendicular needling of Fengfu (GV 16) were different for persons of different somatotypes. The safe needling depth was (27.73 +/- 3.45) mm for the thin person group, (30.78 +/- 2.90) mm for the moderate person group, and (33.39 +/- 4.27) mm for the fat person group. CONCLUSION: The safe needling depth < or = the dangerous depth x 75% can be used for reference for the safe needling depth of Fengfu (GV 16) for different somatotypes persons.