Lumbar laminotomy and replantation for the treatment of adult spinal epidermoid cyst: A case report.

RATIONALE: Adult spinal epidermoid cyst (SEC) is a rare tumor. Lumbar laminectomy and tumor removal was a routine surgical procedure for adult spinal epidermoid cyst according to the literature, but postoperative lumbar instability and intractable low back pain may occur. In this study, we presented a brief report of an adult lumbar epidermoid cyst and introduced another surgical approach. PATIENT CONCERNS: This 28-year-old woman has been complaining of the severe right buttock pain and right thigh radiating pain for half a year. She had been diagnosed as sacroiliitis, spinal arthritis, and lumbar disc herniation at 3 different hospitals before coming to our hospital. And she received a variety of conservative treatments, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, acetaminophen, glucocorticoids, acupuncture, physical therapy, and so on. However, her pain did not diminish at all. Finally, we find a space-occupying lesion in her lumbar magnetic resonance images (MRI). The lesion was slightly low, equal, and uneven equal-low signals on T1WI. T2WI showed slightly higher, equal, and uneven equal-high signals. And a thin-rim enhancement was observed on Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI. DIAGNOSES: Adult spinal epidermoid cyst. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent a surgery of lumbar laminectomy, tumor excision, and spinous process-vertebral plate in situ replantation. OUTCOMES: Postoperative pathology prompted that the tumor was cystoid. The patient's symptoms were completely removed 1 week after surgery. Three-month postoperative MRI confirmed that the spinal epidermoid cyst had been completely removed and three-dimensional CT prompted lumbar lamina in situ. Bony fusion occurred at 6 months after the surgery. LESSONS: Lumbar laminotomy and replantation provides an ideal option to treat adult spinal epidermoid cyst because it can completely remove the cyst and simultaneously reduce the risk of iatrogenic lumbar instability.

Effects of ginsenoside Rg1-loaded alginate-chitosan microspheres on human bone marrow stromal cells.

The ginsenoside Rg1 is the most abundant compound in ginseng. Recent studies showed that Rg1 had neuroprotective effects on neuronal cells. The present study was to prepare Rg1-loaded alginate-chitosan microspheres and research the effects of microspheres on human bone marrow (BM) stromal cells (hBMSC). The alginate-chitosan microspheres were prepared by mechanical emulsification technique in combination with ion (Ca2+) and chitosan solidification. Subsequently, the microspheres were employed to load Rg1 ginseng extracts. The microspheres had a smooth surface and were spherical in shape. The average diameter of the microspheres was 3.95 µm. The loading efficiency was approximately 2.12%. The purity of isolated hBMSC was over 98.8%. Rg1-loaded microspheres could promote hBMSC proliferation and differentiation. Meanwhile, Rg1-loaded microspheres could also suppress hBMSC apoptosis induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation. In conclusion, these loaded microspheres may be used in the research of neuroprotective effects of Rg1.

[Effects of Pb Stress on Photosynthetic Pigment Biosynthesis and Growth of Rabdosia rubescens].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impacts of lead (Pb) stress on the leaf photosynthetic pigment and the growth of Rabdosia rubescens,in order to provide a basis for planting area selection and growth regulation. METHODS: Taking chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, growth rate, biomass and Pb content as the indexes, the Ramets hydroponic experiments at Pb concentration levels (135,270 and 540 mg/L) in the time(20, 35 and 50 d) were carried out. Photosynthetic pigment content was determined by spectrophotometer, and Pb mass fraction was detected with plasma emission spectrometer. RESULTS: There was uncertain effect on chlorophyll and carotenoid synthesis in different Pb concentrations in-early period (20 and 35 d). At the time of 50 d, the chlorophyll content was higher in the low-mid Pb concentrations, significantly lower in the high Pb concentration compared with the control group, and there were no significant differences on carotenoid contents in different Pb concentrations. CONCLUSION: Low-mid Pb concentrations can promote chlorophyll synthesis, and the bioaccumulation of high Pb concentration can inhibit the chlorophyll synthesis, and then restrict the growth of Rabdosia rubescens.

[Effects of Pb2+ stress on seed germination & seedling growth of Rabdosia rubescens].

The seeds of Rabdosia rubescens were as the materials to research the impacts of different lead (Pb2+) concentrations(0, 135, 270, 540, 1 080 mg x L(-1)) on seed germination and seedling growth. The results show that: Low concentration of lead had no obvious effect on early germination of the seed, the germination vigor and germination speed were lightly higher but not significantly differed at the level of Pb concentration 135 mg x L(-1) with control group; Mid-high concentration of Pb solution (270-1 080 mg x L(-1)) significantly inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth, which reduced the seed germination rate, germination vigor, germination index, embryo root length and shoot length, growth index with increasing of Pb concentrations. There was a inhibitory effect on embryo shoot length and root length at mid-high lead concentrations stress, and stronger inhibitory effect on root , which was more sensitive than shoot to Pb stress(P < 0.05). Pb bioaccumulation coefficient (BC) was 0.76-2.59, increased with concentration of Pb; Pb enrichment in seedling mainly caused the growth inhibition. The fitting model predictive analyses show, the critical concentration of Pb, which causes the germination rate and biomass fresh weight reducing 10%, is 195.18, 101.65 mg x L(-1).

[Dynamic analysis of mineral elements during growth and development stage of the Kirilowii plant].

ICP-AES technology was used to determine the major mineral elements content and analyze the dynamic and cumulative amount of the main absorption during the growth and development stage of the Kinlowii organs plant. The result showed as follows: (1)The mineral elements were changing in the different stage. The highest mineral element accumulation of K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Mo occured in October, their values are 3,695.90, 445.88, 9,649.32, 2,652.10 mg per plant, 324,398.29, 40,188.65, 22,383.13, 36,054.58 and 61.95 microg per plant separately. But the highest value of B occured in September and the value was 8 690.97 microg per plant. (2) the distribution of mineral element in the kirilowii plant was not even, the contents of K and P were highest in kirilowii peel, they can reach 27.65 and 2.63 mg.g-1. The contents of Ca and Mg were highest in kirilowii leaves, they can reach 33.28 and 5.73 mg .g-1. The contents of Fe, Mn, B were highest in kirilowii roots, they can reach: 4,069.74, 127.73, 24.75 microg.g-1. The contents of Zn and Mo were highest in kirilowii seeds, they can reach 68. 61 and 1.07 microg.g-1. (3) the cumulation dynamic of mineral elements in kirilowii plant during the whole stages was S-type, and the plant showed rapid growth from the mid-July to mid-Spetember. The information of this study will supply a scientific data for the quality assessment and rational fertilization of kirilowii plant and harvestment.

[Determination of mineral elements in cistanche and its extractives by ICP-AES].

Determination of Fe, Zn, Cu, K, P, Ca, Mg, Na, B and Al in cistanche and its extractives was carried out by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results showed that (1) the contents of Mn, K, Ca, Mg and Na in cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma were 17.70, 16,278. 03, 1,947.25, 1,662.76, and 106.79 respectively (microg.g-1), much higher than in Cistanche tubulosa (Schrenk) Wight; (2) the contents of Fe, Cu and P in 50% methanol extract of Cistanche deserticola were 1.5, 2.4, and 1.1 times that of aqueous extract respectively, the contents of Mn, Zn, K, P, Mg and Na were 3.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.3, 2.2, and 1.1 times that of methanol extract respectively; (3) the contents of Cu and P in 50% methanol extract of Cistanche tubulosa were 1.6 and 1.2 times that of aqueous extract, the contents of Mn, Zn, K, P, Mg, Na and Al were 2.0, 1.6, 1.6, 1.4, 1.8, 1.2, and 1.2 times that of methanol extract respectively; (4) the leaching rate of 11 mineral elements in Cistanche deserticola and Cistanche tubulosa were 60.79%-83. 10% and 44. 58%-83.84% in 50% methanol respectively, and the leaching rate of Mn, Zn, K, P, Ca, Na and Al were much higher than in water and 100% methanol extracted. The research provided the basic data of mineral element in comparative study on Cistanche deserticola and Cistanche tubulosa, and provide scientific basis for efficient utilization of mineral element in cistanche.

[Effects of COR and Me-JA on mineral elements in L. japonica].

ICP-AES technique was used to determine the content, accumulation and proportion of mineral elements in L. japonica and analyze the differences after treatment by COR and Me-JA. The results show that: (1) The content of K, Mg, Na, Zn, B and Si in L. japonica were increased by 5.82%, 2.55%, 155.17%, 5.34%, 16.11% and 142.15% respectively after treatment by COR, while the content of P, Ca, Fe and Mn was reduced by 3.99%, 19.20%, 38.89% and 35.96% (2) After treatment by Me-JA, the content of K, Na, Zn, B, and Si were increased by 4.46%, 137.93%, 6.09%, 10.09% and 89.24%, however the content of P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn were decreased by 9.82%, 20.29%, 8.49%, 42.00% and 36.80% respectively. (3) When treated by COR and Me-JA, K:P and Na:Zn were increased, while Ca:Mg and Fe:Mn and B:Si were decreased. The results of this study define the influence of COR and Me-JA on the mineral elements of L. japonica, and provide a scientific basis for the rational use of plant growth regulators as well.

[Determination of mineral elements in Bupleurum based on ICP-AES].

UNLABELLED: ICP-AES technique was used to determine the mineral elements in Bupleurum at different habitat. The results show that: (1) In Bupleurum, the content and accumulation of K was the highest among 5 macroelements, the content and accumulation of Fe was the highest among 5 microelements. (2) In Bupleurum, the content of Ca, Mg, P, Na and Cu was high in habitat of Beijing, the content can respectively reach to 6.40, 3.84, 3.45, 4.97 mg x g(-1), and 25.20 microg x g(-1); while the content of K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, Mn and Cu was low in habitat of Wanrong,and the content was only 12.43, 4.57, 1.92, 1.79 mg x g(-1) and 50.04, 32.21, 15.43 microg x g respectively. (3) In Bupleurum, the content of P : K, Zn : Fe, Cu and Mn was significantly different at different habitat, while Mg and Ca showed little difference. CONCLUSION: In Bupleurum, the content, accumulation and proportion of mineral elements were difference at different habitat.

[Determination of the content of mineral elements in Cistanche tubulosa from different areas].

The contents of mineral elements in Cistanche tubulosa from different areas and in the soil in which they grew were determined by ICP-AES The results showed that: (1) the contents of K, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn and B were rich among different samples collected in five locations. (2) the concentrations of 5 macroelements were high values, in which the content of K was the highest in different aeras. the content of Fe was higher than other microelements and specilally, the Fe content from Xinjiang sample reached to 433.56 microg x g(-1). (3) the mineral elements absorption rate of Cistanche tubulosa is different in different areas and the absorption ability of K, Na and P was higher than other elements in Cistanche tubulosa. (4) the concentrations and utilization rate of mineral elements in Cistanche tubulosa from Xinjiang was higher than other areas. The results maybe provided scientific data and suggestion for the quality control of Cistanche tubulosa.

[Analysis of mineral elements in different organs of Chrysanthemum indicum L. based on ICP-AES].

ICP-AES technique was used to analyse the mineral elements in different organs of Chrysanthemum indicum L. The results show that: (1) The content of K in root, stem, leaves and flower was the highest among macroelements, and can respectively reach to 15.84, 17.74, 31.52 and 37.55 mg x g(-1), while the content of Fe was the highest in microelements in root, stem, leaves and flower, and can respectively reach to 3 219.90, 433.36, 1 519.46, and 1 426.63 microg x g(-1). (2) The accumulation of K, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn and Mo was highest in stem of Chrysanthemum indicum L, and can respectively reach to 240.61, 19.67, 74.87, 18.31 mg x plant(-1) and 893.00, 1 039.08, 2.85 microg x plant(-1), while the accumulation of Na, Fe and Cu was highest in root, and can respectively reach to 11.51 mg x plant(-1), 11 725.27 microg x plant(-1), and 235.24 microg x plant(-1). (3) The proportion of K:P, Ca:Mg, Fe:Mn, Zn:Cu was varied in different organs. The results of the study pinpoint the mineral elements in different organs of Chrysanthemum indicum L. and will be a scientific basis for fertilization.

[Analysis of the mineral elements of Sophora alopecuroides L. at different growth stages].

Mineral elements content,absoption proportion and requirement of Sophora alopecuroides L. at different stages were studied by ICP-AES technology. The results showed that (1) During mature period, the average proportion for N:K:Ca: Mg:P:Na was 11.91:8.27:7.54:1.02:1.00, and the average proportion for Fe:Zn:B:Cu:Mn was 28.91:2.12:1.40:1.18:1.00; (2) Mineral elements content of every part differs in each period, and stems at vegetative growth stage and seeds at mature period have the highest mineral elements content proportions of the whole plant which were about 45.6% and 36.7% respectively; (3) Sophora alopecuroides L. plants at vegetative growth stage have the largest fertilizer requirement, followed by the flowering period, and the smallest during pod period.

[Detection of inorganic elements in parasitic plants and their hosts].

Parasitic plants are destructive agricultural pests. Today, parasitic plants have been recognized as serious pests causing considerable economic damage on crop and woods in China. Parasites are among the most destructive weeds known, and more and more people begin to pay more attention to the relationship between parasitic plant and host. Two cistanches and their hosts were analyzed and characterized by ICP-AES. The contents of K, P, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, B, Cu, Zn, Al and Mn in Tamarix chinensis, Haloxylon ammodendron, Cistanche deserticola and Cistanche tubulosa were determined. The results showed that the spectra of main elements of the two cistanches and their hosts are similar, but the content of each element is different. The content of K, P, N and Ca is higher than other element, The content of K and P in Cistanche deserticola and Cistanche tubulosa is higher than the content of theirs hosts. The present study provides a new scientific foundation for further study and general application of parasitic plant.

[Analysis of the content of mineral elements in Scutellaria baicalensis, skullcap tea and its solution].

The content of nine mineral elements in the root, stem and leaf of 1-3 years old Scutellaria baicalensis, skullcap tea, and its solution was determined by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results show that the main mineral elements in the root, stem and leaf are similar. The main mineral elements include K, Ca, Mg, P, Al and Fe. The content ratio of Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Al, P, Mg, Ca and K in the leaf of Scutellaria haicalensis is 1 : 3 : 6 : 15 : 18 19 : 41 : 333 : 423. The contents of Fe, Mn, P, Mg and Ca in the stems and leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis increase with the increase of cultivation period. There were K, Ca, Mg and other mineral elements in the skullcap tea, and Fe, Zn and Mg were easy to be dissolved, the dissolution rates were 61.8%, 55.4% and 61.4% respectively. This study can provide scientific basis for rational utilization of the above ground resources of Scutellaria baicalensis.

[Mineral elements content of C. deserticola at different growth stages].

ICP - AES technology was used to determine the mineral elements content of Cistanche deserticola Ma (C. deserticola). The results showed that: (1) At succulent stem stages, the content of K was the highest in 5 macroelements, it can reach to 9.45 mg x g(-1), and the proportion for K : Na : P : Ca : Mg was 12 : 3.4 : 1.6 : 1.4 : 1. Among 5 microelements, the content of Fe was the highest and can reach to 97.31 microg x g(-1), and the proportion for Fe : Cu : Mn: Zn : Cu : B was 25 : 3.7 : 3.5 : 1.2 : 1. (2) At reproductive growth stages, the contents of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and B at unearthed stage were significantly higher than that at the underearth stage, especially for the content of Fe and Mn, they can respectively reach to 697. 55 and 38.75 microg x g(-1) at capsule formative stage. The contents of Fe and Mn at capsule formative stage were almost 7.2 and 8.3 times than that at succulent stem stage. (3) At reproductive growth stages, the aerial part will exclude Na and accumulate P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B. This result of the study will be a scientific basis for evaluating the quality of C. deserticola.

[Determination of trace elements in holoparasitism Cistanche tubulosa].

The trace elements in Chinese herbal medicines are important nutritional elements for human health. Application of ICP-AES was applied to detect Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Mg of the different parts and size grading on growth of Cistanche tubulosa. The results showed that there were comparatively rich trace elements in Cistanche tubulosa, and the trace elements of the different parts and size grading on growth were significantly different. Traditionally, the succulent stem and 200-500 grams of Cistanche tubulosa are common in the use of medicinal herbs, and the authors found that the iron, manganese, copper, zinc and magnesium were 242.18, 17.85, 7.96, 6.64 and 1 357.50 microg x g(-1) in the succulent stem of Cistanche tubulosa. There were 174.21, 4.48, 8.11, 4.31 and 1 126.93 microg x g(-1) in 200-500 grams of Cistanche tubulosa. It provided useful data for discussing the relationship between the content of the trace elements and the efficacy of Cistanche tubulosa.

[Study on conditions of seed germination of Cistanche].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of fluridone concentration, stimulating period, temperature and salt on the seed germination of three species of Cistanche. METHOD: The seeds were cultured in Petri dish, and the germination percentage was counted. RESULT: The highest germination percentage was observed in Cistanche tubulosa, C. deserticola, C. sala seeds pre-treated by 0.1 mg x L(-1) fluridone for 24-29 h. The optimal temperature for the seeds germination of three species of Cistanche was at 20-30 degrees C, and the seeds did not germinate at sub-or supraoptimal temperatures (5 and 35 degrees C). The salt tolerance of C. sala seeds was strong, and the critical value of NaCl concentration was 0.04 mol x L(-1). By contrast, C. tubulosa and C. deserticola seeds were more sensitive to the salt stress, the critical value of NaCl concentration was 0.02 mol x L(-1). CONCLUSION: The optimal germination condition and the method of testing germination percentage of three species of Cistanche seeds are as follow: the seeds are pre-treated by 0.1 mg x L(-1) fluridone for 24 h and then cultured at 20-30 degrees C in salt solution which concentration is lower than 0.02 mol x L(-1).

[Studies on accumulation of active ingredients, N, P and K in Anemarrhena asphodeloides].

OBJECTIVE: To study the accumulation of active ingredients, the absorption and transformation of N, P and K in Anemarrhena asphodeloides and provide basis for determination of the harvest time and fertilizing. METHOD: Samples were collected in different phrases and the weight of dry matter, the content of N, P and K of different organs and the content of sarsasapogenin were determined. RESULT: Absorption of N, P and K started by the root and rhizoma after July. At the end of August, the N and K of the aerial part transfered largely into rhizome. The content of sarsasapogenin in rhizome was the highest in early spring. CONCLUSION: Additional fertilizer is helpful to increase the yield in July of the second year after the transplantation. The quality is the best when harvest in early spring.

Nano-TiO2 induced secondary structural transition of silk fibroin studied by two-dimensional Fourier-transform infrared correlation spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

By sol-gel processing, regenerated nano-TiO2/SF (silk fibroin) composite films were synthesized. The experimental results revealed that the nano-TiO2 particles were well dispersed in the regenerated silk fibroin. Using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, the secondary structures of these composite films with concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 wt% were characterized. Concentration-perturbed two-dimensional (2D) correlation spectra were calculated for the spectra in the 1800-1600 cm(-1) region. To investigate nano-TiO2 particles induced changes in the secondary structure and hydration, the slice spectra were calculated from the synchronous and asynchronous spectra, respectively. The transmittance IR and Raman spectra measurement indicated that the secondary structure of the pure silk film was mostly random coil and alpha-helix, while the composite films were beta-sheet. With increasing nano-TiO2 content, the secondary structure of composite films was changed from typical Silk I to typical Silk II. However, it was found that the transition of the SF's secondary structures would be restrained by excessive nano-TiO2 (over 0.8%) introduced into the composite SF films. Through the FT-IR absorbance and 2D correlation spectra, it was demonstrated that the formation of nano-TiO2 particles could induce the partial transformation of SF conformation from Silk I to Silk II.

Preparation and characterization of novel nanocomposite films formed from silk fibroin and nano-TiO2.

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of new regenerated silk fibroin (SF)/nano-TiO(2) composite films. The preparation method, based on the sol-gel technique using butyl titanate as oxide precursor, could avoid reagglomeration of the prepared nanoparticles. Samples were characterized mainly by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultra-violet (UV) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The UV and AFM results indicated that TiO(2) nanoparticles could be well dispersed inside the SF film, and the size of TiO(2) was about 80nm. The XRD and FT-IR analysis implied that the formation of nano-TiO(2) particles may induce the conformational transition of silk fibroin to a typical Silk II structure partly with the increasing of crystallinity in the composite films. Compared to the pure SF films, the mechanical and thermal properties of composite films were improved, and the solubility in water was decreased due to the conformational transition of silk fibroin to Silk II structure.

[Studied of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of Cistanche tubulosa in Huabei plain].

OBJECTIVE: To give some theory support of Cistanche tubulosa cultivation by searching dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of C. tubulosa. METHOD: Dry matter accumulation content of C. tubulosa culturing in Huabei plain was analysed in different growth season of C. tubulosa. Echinacoside content was determined by HPLC. RESULT: Dry matter accumulation of C. tubulosa showed "S" variation. Dry matter accumulation increased fastest in September among growing seasons. Dry matter amount was 138.58 g after C. tubulosa grew a year. Dry matter amount decreased significantly along with inoculation time retarded. Echinacoside content was 30.59% when C. tubulosa grew in 5 months, decreased guadully after that, and 9.76% in annual. CONCLUSION: Variation rule of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content was found in C. tubulosa that grew one year in Huabei plain.