Cloning of transcription factor PcFBA-1 in Pogostemon cabin and its interaction with FPPS promoter / 中国中药杂志

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase(FPPS) is a key enzyme at the branch point of the sesquiterpene biosynthetic pathway, but there are no reports on the transcriptional regulation of FPPS promoter in Pogostemon cabin. In the early stage of this study, we obtained the binding protein PcFBA-1 of FPPS gene promoter in P. cabin. In order to explore the possible mechanism of PcFBA-1 involved in the regulation of patchouli alcohol biosynthesis, this study performed PCR-based cloning and sequencing analysis of PcFBA-1, analyzed the expression patterns of PcFBA-1 in different tissues by fluorescence quantitative PCR and its subcellular localization using the protoplast transformation system, detected the binding of PcFBA-1 protein to the FPPS promoter in vitro with the yeast one-hybrid system, and verified its transcriptional regulatory function by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The findings demonstrated that the cloned PcFBA-1 had an open reading frame(ORF) of 1 131 bp, encoding a protein of 376 amino acids, containing two conserved domains named F-box-like superfamily and FBA-1 superfamily, and belonging to the F-box family. Moreover, neither signal peptide nor transmembrane domain was contained, implying that it was an unstable hydrophilic protein. In addition, as revealed by fluorescence quantitative PCR results, PcFBA-1 had the highest expression in leaves, and there was no significant difference in expression in roots or stems. PcFBA-1 protein was proved mainly located in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid screening and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that PcFBA-1 was able to bind to FPPS promoter both in vitro and in vivo to enhance the activity of FPPS promoter. In summary, this study identifies a new transcription factor PcFBA-1 in P. cabin, which directly binds to the FPPS gene promoter to enhance the promoter activity. This had laid a foundation for the biosynthesis of patchouli alcohol and other active ingre-dients and provided a basis for metabolic engineering and genetic improvement of P. cabin.

Cerebral blood flow measurements in patients with comorbid hypertension and depression using 3D arterial spin labeling / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with comorbid hypertension in depression using 3D pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (3D pcASL) and to compare the differences of CBF values in depression, hypertension, and comorbid hypertension between depression and healthy control groups. To investigate the correlation between CBF values and degrees of depression.@*METHODS@#Sixteen patients with depression (depression group, 3 males and 13 females, age range of 42-72 years old), sixteen patients with hypertension (hypertension group, 3 males and 13 females, age range of 41-68 years old), sixteen patients with comorbid hypertension in depression (comorbidity group, 3 males and 13 females, age range of 45-74 years old), and sixteen healthy controls (control group, 3 males and 13 females, age range of 43-68 years old) were recruited. 3D pcASL sequence was performed by GE 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner and CBF map was generated automatically. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM8) was performed to preprocess the CBF map, which was spatially normalized and smoothed. Comparison of the CBF values among the four groups was conducted by ANOVA. Correlation between the average CBF values in areas of decreased CBF and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) was investigated.@*RESULTS@#The patients with comorbid hypertension in depression demonstrated lower CBF in bilateral superior frontal gyri, middle frontal gyri, inferior frontal gyri, right superior parietal gyrus, right inferior parietal gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, left caudate nucleus and left insula lobe in comparison with the controls. Compared with control group, CBF values decreased in bilateral frontal lobes, but did not reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences of CBF values between the patients with hypertension and control subjects. Compared with depression, the patients with comorbid hypertension in depression showed lower CBF values in bilateral frontal lobes and right supramarginal gyrus. Compared with hypertension, lower CBF values in left middle frontal gyrus in the patients with comorbid hypertension in depression were shown. Correlation analysis indicated that no correlation between CBF values and scores of HAMD-17 was shown.@*CONCLUSION@#Although there were no significant decreases of CBF values in patients with depression and hypertension, regional hypoperfusions were observed in patients with comorbid hypertension in depression. Hypertension might play a synergistic action on cerebral hypoperfusion in patients with comorbid hypertension in depression.

Determination of rutin in Hibiscus mutabilis leaves from seventeen growing areas / 中成药

AIM To determine the rutin contents in Hibiscus mutabilis Linn leaves from seventeen growing areas.METHODS Seventeen germplasms of Hibiscus mutabilis were collected from the main distribution areas and their growth characteristics including length of stipe and leaves,width of leaves,ratio of length and width of leaves were studied.The contents of rutin were determined by HPLC,and their correlations with altitude,longitude,latitude,growth characteristics and germplasms were analyzed,then cluster analysis was made.RESULTS There were significant differences of growth characteristics and rutin contents among different germplasms of H.mutabilis (P ＜ 0.01),with 1.389 6 mg/g as their mean value,those collected from Zhejiang,Yunnan,Hubei and Guangxi were relatively higher than others.Moreover,the rutin content had a positive correlation with altitude,a negative correlation with longitude,length of stipe and shape index of leaves,and no significant correlations with latitude.Meanwhile,seventeen germplasms could be divided into four groups.Those from group Ⅰ and Ⅱ had higher rutin contents.CONCLUSION This accurate,stable and reproducible method can be used for the quality control of H.mutabilis.

Establishment of near-infrared on-line monitoring model and determination of endpoint in frying process of Hordei Fructus Germinatus / 中国中药杂志

Hordei Fructus Germinatus has been always used by "stir-frying" as a traditional medicine and the endpoint judgment of "fragrant" and "yellow" has been the focus and difficulty in frying process research. In this study, a quantitative calibration model between index components and NIRS was established in order to rapidly detect the contents of reducing sugar, total amino acids, total flavonoids, A420 and moisture; besides, an endpoint judgment method of frying process was put forward based on the "component change rate". Near-infrared spectra of samples with different frying time were collected, and a quantitative analysis model based on near-infrared spectroscopy was established to optimize the parameters such as spectral pretreatment and modeling band. HCA and PLS-DA were used to study the relationship between component and "stir-frying", and the endpoint of frying process was determined. The established calibration model had a good performance that the correlation coefficients between the predicted results and the actual measured values were both more than 0.9, with predicted relative deviations less than 10%. Hordei Fructus Germinatus with different frying time was divided into 4 categories by HCA analysis. PLS-DA analysis showed that total reducing sugar had a significant contribution to distinguishing the Hordei Fructus Germinatus of different frying time. When the change rate of total reducing sugar was 80%, it could judge that the endpoint of frying had been obtained. Results showed that NIRS could not only quickly and accurately determine the contents of reducing sugar, total amino acid, total flavonoid, A420 and moisture in Hordei Fructus Germinatus samples of different frying time, but also judge the endpoint of frying in the process. This study provided a new method for the evaluation and endpoint judgment of "stir-frying" process in research of traditional Chinese medicine.

A study on cognitive impairment during depression remission stage / 预防医学

Objective To investigate the impairment and change of cognitive function in patients with depression in remission.Methods The cognitive function was evaluated with group neurocognitive test tool from multi -dimensional evaluation of attention,memory and execution function among 14 depressive patients during diseased episode and in remission after one year.The control group was set and the results of the two groups were compared.Results The result of the attention test showed that the error counts of the second and third situation of Continuous Performance Test (CPT)in depression group in diseased episode and in remission were more than those in the control group (P <0.05),and the time used in Stroop -C and the time used in A of Trail making test(TMT)were longer than those in the control group (P <0.05),and the right numbers in Stroop -CW were less than those in the control group (P <0.05 ).The numbers completed in Stroop -CW in diseased episode of depression group were less than those in control group(P <0.05),and the numbers completed in Stroop -CW in remission of depression group were more than those in diseased episode(P <0.01).The result of the memory test showed that the score of a in Logical memory test (LMT)in diseased episode of depression group was less than that in control group(P <0.05),and the score of b and aggregate score in LMT and the score of b in Visal reproduction test (VRT)in diseased episode and in remission of depression group were less than that in control group (P <0.05).In VRT,the score of a and aggregate score in diseased episode were less than that in remission of depression group and in control group(P <0.05),and the score of c in diseased episode and the aggregate score in remission were less than that in control group(P <0.05).The result of the execution function test showed that the numbers of sustained error of mWCST in diseased episode of depression group were more and the numbers of categories were less than those in control group (P <0.05),and the correct numbers in Verbal fluency test (VFT)of the depressive group in diseased episode and in remission were less than those in control group(P <0.01 ).Conclusion When the depressive disorder is remitted,the degree of cognitive impairment in different dimension is different,and the cognitive impairment is still exist for a long time.

Observation on therapeutic effect of shu-needling therapy as main on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a better method for treatment of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and two cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 51 cases in each group. The observation group were treated with Shu-needling, i. e. the needles were deeply inserted into the cervical vertebrae of corresponding Jiaji (EX-B 2), and the control group were treated with routine needling method. Electroacupuncture was used in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate and the total effective rate were 68.6% and 98.0% in the observation group and 47.1% and 84.3% in the control group, with significant differences between the two groups (both P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Shu-needling therapy as main has a better therapeutic effect on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of long-time needle retention at Baihui (GV 20) on vertebroarterial cervical spondylopathy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare therapeutic effects of long-time needle retention at Baihui (GV 20) and routine needle retention on vertebroarterial cervical spondylopathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty cases of vertebroarterial cervical spondylopathy were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with needle retention at Baihui (GV 20) for 8 h and electroacupuncture at local points, and the control group with needle retention at Baihui (GV 20) for 30 min and electroacupuncture at local points.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate and the total effective rate were 70.0% and 98.3% in the treatment group and 45.0% and 86.7 in the control group with very significant difference or significant difference in the cured rate and the total effective rate between the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-time needle retention at Baihui (GV 20) has a better therapeutic effect on vertebroarterial cervical spondylopathy.</p>