Miniaturized time-correlated single-photon counting module for time-of-flight non-line-of-sight imaging applications.

Single-photon time-of-flight (TOF) non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging enables the high-resolution reconstruction of objects outside the field of view. The compactness of TOF NLOS imaging systems, entailing the miniaturization of key components within such systems, is crucial for practical applications. Here, we present a miniaturized four-channel time-correlated single-photon counting module dedicated to TOF NLOS imaging applications. The module achieves excellent performance with a 10 ps bin size and 27.4 ps minimum root-mean-square time resolution. We present the results of the TOF NLOS imaging experiment using an InGaAs/InP single-photon detector and the time-correlated single-photon counting module and show that a 6.3 cm lateral resolution and 2.3 cm depth resolution can be achieved under the conditions of 5 m imaging distance and 1 ms pixel dwell time.

[Influence of Steam Killenzyme Torrefaction on Quality of Camellia nitidissima Based on Multi-index Evaluation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of steam killenzyme torrefaction on the quality of Camellia nitidissima. METHODS: Based on the quality evaluation index, Camellia nitidissima was processed by steam killenzyme torrefaction and sun-dried. The contents of functional ingredients such as flavonoids, saponins, tea polyphenols, polysaccharides, amino acids, tea extracts, catechin and epicatechin were determined by HPLC and UV. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activity was determined by ABTS method, DPPH x assay, pyrogallol method and phenanthroline. RESULTS: Compared with the sun-dried sample, the total flavonoids, saponins and epicatechin content were decreased in varying degrees, catechin was not detected. CONCLUSION: The water soluble components content of Camellia nitidissima is increased, and antioxidant capacity is enhanced by processed using steam killenzyme torrefaction. By contrast, the alcohol soluble components and antioxidant capacity are decreased.

[HPLC characteristic chromatographic profile of Sarcandra glabra].

OBJECTIVE: To develop the characteristic chromatographic profile of Sarcandra glabra by HPLC for its quality control. METHOD: The HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 column (4. 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with column temperature at 40 degree C. The mobile phase was consisted of water containing 0. 5% formic acid and acetonitrile to methanol (1:9) in gradient mode, and the detection wavelength was set at 344 nm. RESULT: A common mode of the HPLC characteristic chromatographic profile has been establised. There were 20 common peaks , seven of which were identified, and 46 samples from different habitats were classified into five groups based on principal component cluster analysis. CONCLUSION: The method was time-saving and can represent the chemical information and provide a scientific basis for quality control of S. glabra.

Infectious complications in patients with crush syndrome following the Wenchuan earthquake.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of clinical and bacteriological examinations in patients with crush syndrome who suffered infectious complications after an earthquake in Sichuan, China. METHODS: A total of 313 bacteriological samples among 147 patients with crush syndrome were collected. Infectious complications, results of microbiological examinations, potential risk factors of infection and mortality were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: In the obtained database, 112 out of the 147 (75.7%) patients had infectious complications, in which, wound infection, pulmonary infection, and sepsis were most common. The time under the rubble and the time from injury to treatment were related to the occurrence of wound infection (P equal to 0.013, odds ratio 2.25; P equal to 0.017, odds ratio 2.31). Sepsis and wound infection were more common in patients who underwent fasciotomy or amputation than in those who did not (P equal to 0.001). CONCLUSION: Quick rescue and injury treatment can decrease the infection risk in crush syndrome patients. It is better to obtain microorganic proofs before applying antibiotics, and bacteriological and drug sensitivity data should be taken into account, especially considering that most of these infections are hospital-acquired and drug resistance. Emphasizing the accuracy and efficiency of wound management in emergency situations, cautiously assessing the indications for fasciotomy to avoid open wounds from unnecessary osteofascial compartment decompression incisions may decrease the incidence of infection and ameliorate the prognosis.

Combined effect of dark and wounding on regeneration potential of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. leaves.

Houttuynia cordata is one of the most potential medicinal and edible wild herb whose resources have decreased sharply due to excessive exploitation. Besides its slow agamic propagation, problems of browning and non-dedifferentiation have prevented the application of micropropagation in H. cordata. Through 4 week pre-culture in darkness and wounding after 1 week pre-culture, the browning rate of leaf explants decreased significantly and resulted in efficient regeneration (20.64 +/- 5.94 adventitious buds per explant) on the induction medium. The protocol shall facilitate conservation and commercial cultivation of the endangered species.

Optimization of potassium for proper growth and physiological response of Houttuynia cordata Thunb.

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. is an edible herb with a variety of pharmacological activities, but only limited information is available about its response towards potassium supplementation. Sterile plantlets were cultured in media with different potassium levels, and parameters related to growth, foliar potassium, water and chlorophyll contents, photosynthesis, transpiration, H2O2 contents and antioxidative enzyme activities were determined after a month. Results showed that 1.28 mM potassium was the optimum for H. cordata as highest values of dry weight, shoot height, root length and number were obtained at this concentration. The optimum potassium concentration resulted in the maximum net photosynthetic rate which could be associated with the highest chlorophyll content rather than limited stomatal conductance. The supply of surplus potassium resulted in higher content of foliar potassium, but negatively correlated with the biomass. Both potassium starvation (0 mM) and high potassium (>1.28 mM) could lead to water loss through high transpiration rate and low water absorption, respectively, and resulted in H2O2 accumulation and increased activities of catalase and peroxidase, which suggested induction of oxidative stress. Moreover, H. cordata showed the minimum of H2O2 content and the maximum of superoxide dismutase activity on 1.28 mM potassium, implying its role in inducing tolerance against oxidative stress.

Effects of volatile components and ethanolic extract from Eclipta prostrata on proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts.

Eclipta prostrata, an aromatic plant, is known in Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of various kidney diseases. In the present study, the volatile components were isolated from the aerial parts of this plant by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-MS. A total of 55 compounds, which were the major part (91.7%) of the volatiles, were identified by matching mass spectra with a mass spectrum library (NIST 05.L). The main components were as follows: heptadecane (14.78%), 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone (12.80%), n-hexadecanoic acid (8.98%), pentadecane (8.68%), eudesma-4(14),11-diene (5.86%), phytol (3.77%), octadec-9-enoic acid (3.35%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester (2.74%), (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (2.36%), (Z)-7,11-dimethyl-3-methylene-1,6,10-dodecatriene (2.08%) and (Z,Z,Z)-1,5,9,9-tetramethyl-1,4,7-cycloundecatriene (2.07%). The effects of volatile components and ethanolic extract from the aerial parts of this plant on the proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts were evaluated by the MTT method and measuring the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP activity). Both volatile components and ethanolic extract (1 microg/mL to 100 microg/mL) significantly (p < 0.01) stimulated the proliferation and increased the ALP activity of primary osteoblasts. These results propose that E. prostrata can play an important role in osteoblastic bone formation, and may possibly lead to the development of bone-forming drugs.

[Studies on involatile constituents of Mentha haplocalyx].

OBJECTIVE: To promote its comprehensive utilization, the involatile constituents of Mentha haplocalyx were studied systematically. METHOD: The chemical components were isolated and purified by silca gel column chromatography and recrystallization. The chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral data. RESULT: Eight compounds were isolated and identified as: acacetin (I), tilianine (II), linarin (III), n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside (IV), ursolic acid (V), oleanolic acid (VI), beta-sitosterol (VII), daucosterol (VIII). CONCLUSION: Compounds I approximately V were obtained from this plant for the first time.