[Comparative analysis and research on composition of mulberry-sourced medicinal materials by fingerprint division total statistical moment method and information entropy].

The present work is to analyze the HPLC fingerprints of mulberry-sourced materials(Mori Ramulus, Mori Folium, Muri Cortex, Mori Fructus) using the fingerprint division total statistical moment method and information entropy, and to study the diffe-rences of the chemical components and the overall characteristics of the imprinting template in different parts of mulberry-sourced medicinal materials, so as to provide the basis for finding the effective substances in response to "homologous and different effect" of mulberry(Morus alba). The fingerprints of 24 batches of mulberry-related materials, such as Mori Ramulus, Mori Folium, Muri Cortex, Mori Fructus, were established, and the similarities and differences of the fingerprints were analyzed by calculating the division total statistical moment parameters and information entropy. The AUC_T, MCRT_T, VCRT_T and H values of 24 batches of mulberry-sourced materials were less than 0.05, with significant difference. Among them, all samples showed absorption peaks within 3-11, and 20-24 min, indicating that the four types had the identical or similar chemical composition in the same time period. After 34 min, none of the four types showed absorption peaks. Greater VCRT_T value of the fingerprints of the four kinds was observed at the retention time ranges of 3-4, 16-18, 25-27, and 31-32 min, indicating that the components of the four kinds were significantly different in these time periods; and VCRT_T value of the mulberry was significantly higher than that of the other three kinds of medicinal materials at the retention time windows of 3-4 and 15-17 min; the VCRT_T value of the mulberry white skin was significantly higher at the time windows of 8-10 and 28-30 min; the VCRT_T value of all four kinds was significantly higher within 21-23 min, indicating that the four herbs contain the same or similar components in the chromatogram during this period, but there may be significant differences between the content and the proportion. In addition, the information entropy of mulberry branches is the largest at 7-12, 23-27 min, and that of mulberry fruits is the largest at 2-8 min, which indicates that the components of mulberry branches and mulberry fruits respond greatly in the corresponding period of time, which is also the main peak period of their chemical components. For the chemical components and corresponding efficacy here. The results showed that there are significant differences in the components and contents of mulberry-sourced medicinal materials. The division total statistical moment and information entropy of the total amount of segments can be used to analyze the differences in the components of "homology and different effects", which could provide a more comprehensive analysis method for the determination of quality markers.

Flying high: limits to flight performance by sparrows on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Limits to flight performance at high altitude potentially reflect variable constraints deriving from the simultaneous challenges of hypobaric, hypodense and cold air. Differences in flight-related morphology and maximum lifting capacity have been well characterized for different hummingbird species across elevational gradients, but relevant within-species variation has not yet been identified in any bird species. Here we evaluate load-lifting capacity for Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) populations at three different elevations in China, and correlate maximum lifted loads with relevant anatomical features including wing shape, wing size, and heart and lung masses. Sparrows were heavier and possessed more rounded and longer wings at higher elevations; relative heart and lung masses were also greater with altitude, although relative flight muscle mass remained constant. By contrast, maximum lifting capacity relative to body weight declined over the same elevational range, while the effective wing loading in flight (i.e. the ratio of body weight and maximum lifted weight to total wing area) remained constant, suggesting aerodynamic constraints on performance in parallel with enhanced heart and lung masses to offset hypoxic challenge. Mechanical limits to take-off performance may thus be exacerbated at higher elevations, which may in turn result in behavioral differences in escape responses among populations.

Identification and expression analysis of hepcidin-like cDNAs from pigeon (Columba livia).

Hepcidin is a cysteine-rich, dual-function peptide with antimicrobial activity that plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis. Here, we have identified two hepcidin-like cDNA sequences from pigeon, Columba livia. The two cDNAs consist of 295 and 380 nucleotides, respectively, and were named HP1 and HP2. Sequence alignment showed that the homology between pigeon and mammals or amphibians is higher than that of pigeon and fishes. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis suggested that HP1 transcripts are highly abundant in liver, abundant in spleen, less abundant in kidney and muscle, and undetectable in brain and intestine. However, HP2 are strongly expressed in the liver, spleen, kidney and muscle, weakly in the intestine, and not in the brain. After pigeon were submitted either to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infection or iron-dextran stimulation, the hepcidin transcript levels were analyzed by a comparative RT-PCR. The results revealed that the expression of hepatic HP1 dramatically increased at 6 h post-infection of LPS injection, then gradually declined to normal levels. HP1 mRNA in the liver was 4.5-5-fold increase compared with the control animals after one week in iron-dextran injection pigeons. Interestingly, liver HP2 expression was only significant increase in the LPS infection pigeons, and not statistical change in iron-dextran stimulation ones. All these results indicate that the two hepcidins-like may have different functions in pigeon.

[Effect of weight loss induced by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding on immunity of morbid obesity].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the immunity of morbid obesity (MO) before and after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). METHODS: 15 cases, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35.8 kg/m(2), were treated by LAGB from Jun. 2003 to Oct. 2003 in our department. Patients' immune parameters were determined preoperatively and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. 15 cases with a normal BMI (23.6 kg/m(2)) were set as controls. RESULTS: Before surgery, the MO had a significant lower level of CD(4)(+), CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) and a higher level of serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) than the controls (P < 0.01). There was a significant reduction of weight and BMI 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). At the same time, CD(4)(+) increased and serum IL-2 decreased significantly. But CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+)and serum IL-2, IL-6 were still abnormal compare to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: MO may combined with an abnormal immunity. But after enough weight loss induced by LAGB, it can be partly reversed.