Computed tomography-guided cutting needle biopsy for lung nodules: when the biopsy-based benign results are real benign.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT)-guided cutting needle biopsy (CNB) is an effective diagnostic method for lung nodules (LNs). The false-negative rate of CT-guided lung biopsy is reported to be up to 16%. This study aimed to determine the predictors of true-negative results in LNs with CNB-based benign results. METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2015, 96 patients with CNB-based nonspecific benign results were included in this study as the training group to detect predictors of true-negative results. From January 2016 to December 2018, an additional 57 patients were included as a validation group to test the reliability of the predictors. RESULTS: In the training group, a total of 96 patients underwent CT-guided CNB for 96 LNs. The CNB-based results were true negatives for 82 LNs and false negatives for 14 LNs. The negative predictive value of the CNB-based benign results was 85.4% (82/96). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that CNB-based granulomatous inflammation (P = 0.013, hazard ratio = 0.110, 95% confidential interval = 0.019-0.625) was the independent predictor of true-negative results. The area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.697 (P = 0.019). In the validation group, biopsy results for 47 patients were true negative, and 10 were false negative. When the predictor was used on the validation group, the area under the ROC curve was 0.759 (P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the CNB-based benign results were true negatives, and CNB-based granulomatous inflammation could be considered a predictor of true-negative results.

Effects of supplying silicon nutrient on utilization rate of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients by rice and its soil ecological mechanism in a hybrid rice double-cropping system.

This study was conducted to reveal the effects of silicon (Si) application on nutrient utilization efficiency by rice and on soil nutrient availability and soil microorganisms in a hybrid rice double-cropping planting system. A series of field experiments were conducted during 2017 and 2018. The results showed that Si nutrient supply improved grain yield and the utilization rates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to an appropriate level for both early and late plantings, reaching a maximum at 23.4 kg/ha Si. The same trends were found for the ratios of available N (AN) to total N (TN) and available P (AP) to total P (TP), the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP), and the ratios of MBN to TN and MBP to TP, at different levels of Si. Statistical analysis further revealed that Si application enhanced rice growth and increased the utilization rate of fertilizer due to an ecological mechanism, i.e., Si supply significantly increased the total amount of soil microorganisms in paddy soil compared to the control. This promoted the mineralization of soil nutrients and improved the availability and reserves of easily mineralized organic nutrients.

Jidong cognitive impairment cohort study: objectives, design, and baseline screening.

The risk of dementia increases in patients with cognitive impairment. However, it is not clear what factors contribute to the onset of dementia in those with cognitive impairment. In this prospective cohort study, we will investigate the every-five-year incidence of cognitive impairment and prognostic factors for cognitive impairment. The Jidong cognitive impairment cohort was established from April 2012 to August 2015, during which we recruited 5854 healthy participants (55.1% male) older than 45 years (mean, 57 years). Participants received a health examination in the Staff Hospital, Jidong Oilfield Branch, China National Petroleum Corporation. Baseline data and blood samples were collected. Cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination, and was defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination score of less than 24. Dementia was assessed using the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth edition), the International Working Group criteria, and the Mini-Mental State Examination score. The follow-up will continue until December 2024, during which a prognostic model will be constructed. The primary outcome is the presence/absence of dementia and the secondary outcome is quality of life. Baseline screening results showed the following: (1) Cognitive impairment was apparent in 320 participants (5.5%). These participants will be excluded from the Jidong cohort study, and the remaining participants will be followed up. (2) Of the 320 participants with cognitive impairment, there was a significantly higher prevalence of illiteracy than other education levels (35.9%, P < 0.05). Age, arterial hypertension, alcohol consumption, and passive smoking differed significantly between the cognitive impairment and healthy groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression models showed that age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.059, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.044-1.074) and arterial hypertension (OR = 1.665, 95% CI: 1.143-2.427) were risk factors for mild cognitive impairment. With the increase of educational level (illiteracy, primary school, junior high school, high school, university, and above), cognitive impairment gradually decreased (OR < 1, P < 0.05). (3) This cohort study has initially screened for several risk factors for cognitive impairment at baseline, and subsequent prospective data will further describe, validate, and evaluate the effects of these risk factors on cognitive impairment and dementia. These results can provide clinical evidence for the early prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kailuan General Hospital of Tangshan City and the Medical Ethics Committee, Staff Hospital, Jidong Oilfield Branch, China National Petroleum Corporation on July 12, 2013 (approval No. 2013 YILUNZI 1).

[Screening and identification of GABA-producing microbes in fermentation process of Sojae Semen Praeparatum].

A high-content GABA was found in Sojae Semen Praeparatum(SSP), which is a famous traditional Chinese medicine and officially listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. To screen out and identify GABA-producing microbes from samples at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP, traditional microbiological methods combined with molecular biological methods were used to study the predominant GABA-producing microorganisms existing in the fermenting process of SSP. This study would lay a foundation for further studying the processing mechanism of SSP. The fermenting process of SSP was based on Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2010 edition), and samples were taken at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP. The bacteria and fungi from samples at different time points in the fermenting process of SSP were cultured, isolated and purified by selective medium, and dominant strains were selected. The dominant bacteria were cultured in the designated liquid medium to prepare the fermentation broths, and GABA in the fermentation broth was qualitatively screened out by thin-layer chromatography. The microbial fermentation broth with GABA spots in the primary screening was quantitatively detected by online pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography established in our laboratory. GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out from predominant strains, and their GABA contents in fermentation broth were determined. The DNA sequences of GABA-producing bacteria and fungi were amplified using 16S rDNA and 18S rDNA sequences by PCR respectively. The amplified products were sequenced, and the sequencing results were identified through NCBI homology comparison. Molecular biological identification was made by phylogenetic tree constructed by MEGA 7.0 software. Through the homology comparison of NCBI and the construction of phylogenetic tree by MEGA 7.0 software, nine GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out and identified in this study. They were Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, E. avium, Aspergillus tamarii, A. flavus, A. niger, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Penicillium citrinum and Phanerochaete sordida respectively. For the first time, nine GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out and identified in the samples at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP in this study. The results indicated that multiple predominant GABA-producing microorganisms exist in the fermenting process of SSP and may play an important role in the formation of GABA.

[Potential to Ensure Safe Production from Rice Fields Polluted with Heavy Cadmium by Combining a Rice Variety with Low Cadmium Accumulation, Humic Acid, and Sepiolite].

The study investigated the potential of ensuring safe production of rice from paddy fields affected by heavy cadmium contamination. A paddy soil polluted with heavy cadmium (total Cd content of 2.52 mg·kg-1) surrounding a lead-zinc mining area in Guiyang County of Chenzhou City, Hunan province was selected for analysis. We investigated production using a low cadmium accumulation rice variety (Oryza sativa L. Jia-33) and passivation additives for heavy metal activity (including humic acid and sepiolite). Results showed that:Oryza sativa L. Jia-33 showed good low cadmium accumulation characteristics in rice fields with heavy cadmium pollution. When humic acid and sepiolite were applied (alone or combined), the accumulation of Cd in different organs of the rice declined, and the transport coefficient of Cd for stem to root and polished rice to stem also declined. The rate of decline increased with increased application dosage. The cadmium content in polished rice was lower than the limit established in the National Food Safety Standard (GB 2715-2012), when applying 5.250 t·hm-2 humic acid, 6.750 t·hm-2 sepiolite, or a combination of 1.125 t·hm-2 humic acid and 3.37 5 t·hm-2 sepiolite; Cd content in polished rice was (0.171±0.01), (0.184±0.01), and (0.181±0.01) mg·kg-1, respectively. Single or combined application of humic acid and sepiolite promoted the transformation of soil Cd to residual and Fe Mn oxide bound forms, significantly reducing the content of available Cd and the bioavailability of Cd in soil, and further reducing Cd content in all rice organs. The reduction was more effective with single application of sepiolite or combined application of humic acid and sepiolite. The effects of combined application of humic acid and sepiolite were also more beneficial for soil nutrients, while soil available phosphorus, available potassium, phosphorus, and organic matter content increased with increased application of amendments. Soil nitrogen content did not change. In conclusion, results indicate that joint application of humic acid, sepiolite, and a low Cd accumulation rice variety are best for safe production on heavy cadmium-contaminated soil.

Rapid identification of growth years and profiling of bioactive ingredients in Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Huangqi) roots from Hunyuan, Shanxi.

BACKGROUND: The content of medicinal bioactive constituents in huangqi is affected by plant age. In this study, we devised a quick and convenient method for determining the age of huangqi, which was cultivated in Hunyuan County (Shanxi Province). METHODS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 growth years huangqi had 38 samples, all samples were collected separately. The growth rings in these samples were observed after making paraffin section and freehand-section. The relationship between growth rings and its growth years was analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software. Histochemical localization of total flavones and saponins in huangqi was determined by color reactions. The concentration of four flavonoids and two saponins in the roots of huangqi of different ages and different organizational structure (normal roots and rotten heart roots) were determined by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ELSD. The results were analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software. RESULTS: All huangqi samples had clear growth rings, and the statistical result about growth rings (X) and growth years (Y) showed significant correlation (r = 1, P = 0.000). The calibration curves of these six ingredients showed good linearity respectively, with significant correlation. All relative standard deviations (RSDs) of precision, recovery, repeatability, and stability experiments were less than 2%. Roots of 5-year-old plants contained the highest concentrations of total flavonoids and saponins. Saponin concentrations increased toward the center of the roots, whereas the four flavonoids showed an opposite trend in tissue distribution. CONCLUSION: The growth year of huangqi (Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province) could be determined soon and conveniently by naked eyes after staining phloroglucinol-HCl solution on freehand section. The content of saponins and flavonoids in rotten heart root and the surrounding normal tissues were affected by the formation and the extent of rotten heart.

[Identification of dominant microbes from traditional Chinese medicine Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata].

To investigate the microbial species, amount changes as well as the isolation and identification of domain strains at different fermentation time points of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata, and provide basis for exploring the mechanism of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata processing. Five samples were chosen at the time points (0, 18, 36, 54, 72 h) of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata processing. Bacteria, mold and yeast from the samples were cultured; their colonies were counted, and the dominant strains were isolated and purified. The dominant bacteria and dominant fungi were identified by 16S rDNA and 26S rDNA sequencing respectively. The results showed that the bacteria count was low with slow and smooth changes in the fermentation process;while mold and yeast grew dramatically after 54 h culturing and reached 1×107 CFU•mL⁻¹ at the end of fermentation. Through the NCBI homology alignment and phylogenetic tree construction, the dominant bacteria were identified as Streptomyces sp., Bacillus pumilus, B. subtilis, B. aryabhattai and other Bacillus sp.; the dominant yeast was identified as Meyerozyma guilliermondii; the dominant mold were identified as Paecilomyces variotii, Byssochlamys spectabilis, and Aspergillus niger in the processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata. The results indicated that multiple microbe species, especially yeast and mold, played a role in the fermentation processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata. M. guilliermondii, P. variotii, P. variotii and A. niger and Bacillus sp. can be the crucial factors in the processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata.

[Preliminary Investigation of the Amount, the Molecular Weight and the Activity of Polysaccharides from Chaenomeles Speciosa Fruits in Ethanol Fractional Precipitation].

Chaenomeles speciosa fruits were extracted using water. The extracts were precipitated with 20%~95% (φ) ethanol, respectively. The amount of total polysaccharide was measured with phenol-sulfuric acid method. A method using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) equipped with multiangle laser-light-scattering photometry (MALLS) and differential refractometry (RI) was presented for determining the molecular weight and molecular weigh distribution. RAW264.7 macrophage were cultured and stimulated with the polysaccharides in vitro and the production of nitric oxide in the cells was determined by the Griess assay. The aim of the study is to determine the amount and the molecular weight of the polysaccharides from Chaenomeles speciosa fruits, and preliminary investigate the immunomodulatory activity, The study provided the basis datas for the further research of Chaenomeles speciosa fruits. , and provided a simple and system method for the research of natural polysaccharide. The ethanol fractional precipitation showed that the order of total polysaccharide content was 95%>80%>40% ≥60%>20%. The results indicated that most polysaccharide from Chaenomeles speciosa fruits might be precipitated when ethanol concentration was up to 95% (T) and the crude polysaccharide purity had risen from 35. 1% to 45. 0% when the concentration of ethanol increased from 20% to 95%. HPSEC-MALLS-RI system showed that all the polysaccharide samples had the similar compositions. They appeared three chromatographic peaks and the retention time were not apparently different. The Mw were 6. 570 X 10(4) g . mol-1 and 1. 393 X 10(4) g . mol-1 respectively, and one less than 10 000 which was failure to obtain accurate values. The molecular weight of the first two polysaccharide distribution index(Mw/Mn)were 1. 336 and 1. 639 respectively. The polysaccharide samples had not exhibited immunomodulatory activity assessed on the basis of nitric oxide production by RAW264. 7 macrophage cells in the experiment.

[Dynamic change of four triterpenic acids contents in different organs of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) and phenology].

The loquat is widely cultivated in China, its succulent fruits, leaves and flower are used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases. The study is aimed to analyse the content of the four triterpene compounds ( ursolic acid, corosolic acid, maslinic acid, oleanolic acid) in different organs, and investigate the dynamic changes in different phenological period. The triterpenic acids content in the samples was measured by HPLC based on the plant phenological observations. The results showed that order of four triterpenic acids content in different organs from high to low was defoliation (23.2 mg x g(-1)) > mature leaves (21.7 mg x g(-1)) > young leaves (17.5 mg x g(-1)) > fruits (7.36 mg x g(-1)) > flowers (6.40 mg x g(-1)). The triterpenic acids were not detected in the seeds. The total amount of the four triterpenic acids in the loquat leaves collected in the different phenological stages of sprout, flower bud, blossom and fruit varied between 17.8 and 26.2 mg x g(-1) (defoliation), 16.5 and 23.5 mg x g(-1) (mature leaves), 14.7 and 21.5 mg x g(-1) (young leaves), respectively. The content increased progressively with the leaf development, maturation and aging. There was a higher level of the dry material and triterpenic acids accumulation in the mature leaves during fruit enlargement. This paper attempts to present the case for medicinal plants of a broad geographical distribution to study on the secondary metabolites and harvesting time.

[Adsorption-desorption Characteristics of Fermented Rice Husk for Ferrous and Sulfur Ions].

To understand the potential of rice husk to fix Fe2+ and S2- ions, the sorption of Fe2+ and S2- by fermented rice husk was studied by using batch incubation experiments in the present study. The effects of adsorption time, Fe2+ and S2- concentration, pH, the temperature and ionic strength in adsorption reaction solution on the sorption were investigated. Therefore, the stability of Fe2+ and S2- adsorbed by fermented rice husk was further validated by desorption experiments performed under similar conditions as adsorption. The results showed that, the adsorption kinetics of Fe2+ (r = 0.912 1) and S2- (r = 0.901 1) by fermented rice husk fits the Elovich kinetics equation, and Freundlich isotherm model could simulate the isotherm adsorption processes of Fe2+ (R2 = 0.965 1) and S2- (R2 = 0.936 6) on fermented rice husk was better than other models. The adsorption processes on fermented rice husk were non- preferential adsorption for Fe2+ and S2, while the adsorption process of Fe2+ on fermented rice husk was spontaneous reaction and the adsorption process of S2- was non-spontaneous reaction. The adsorption processes of Fe2+ and S2- on fermented rice husk were endothermic process since high temperature could benefit to the adsorption. The adsorption mechanism of Fe2+ on fermented rice husk was mainly controlled by coordination adsorption, the adsorption mechanism of S2- on fermented rice husk was mainly controlled by ligand exchange adsorption. The adsorption processes of Fe2+ and S2- on fermented rice husk showed greater pH adaptability which ranged from 1.50 to 11.50. With the increasing of ionic strength, the amount of adsorbed Fe2+ on fermented rice husk wasincreased in some extent, the amount of adsorbed S2- on fermented rice husk was slightly decreased, which further proved the adsorption of Fe2+ was major in inner sphere complexation and the adsorption of S2- was major in outer complexation. The desorption rates of Fe2+ and S2- which was adsorbed by fermented rice husk were lower in different pH or ionic strength conditions, the desorption rates were all below 10 percentage which proved that the adsorption stabilities of Fe2+ and S2- on fermented rice husk were superior. The above results indicated that, the adsorption abilities to Fe2+ and S2- on fermented rice husk were better and had greater environmental adaptability. The Fe2+ and S2- adsorbed by fermented rice husk showed higher stability, and were not easy to release again.

Post-harvest induced production of salvianolic acids and significant promotion of antioxidant properties in roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen).

Danshen, the dried roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, is an extremely valued Traditional Chinese Medicine. Previously, we have demonstrated that salvianolic acid B (SaB), the important bioactive ingredient in this herb, was a post-harvest product. Here, we further reported that all salvianolic acids (SAs) in the roots were post-harvest products of the drying process. In addition, the results of various radical scavenging activity assays, including lipid peroxidation (1), DPPH (2), hydroxyl (3) and superoxide (4), were significantly increased along with the accumulation of total salvianolic acids in the process. The contents of chemical targets and antioxidant activities both reached the highest value under thermal treatment at 130 °C for 80 min. In this dehydration period, contents of SaB, and sum of nine SAs increased from 0.01% to 5.51%, and 0.20% to 6.61%; and IC50 of antioxidant activity decreased from 4.85 to 2.69 (1); 7.75 to 0.43 (2); 2.57 to 1.13 (3) and 17.25 to 1.10 mg/mL. These results further supported the hypothesis that the newly harvested plant roots were still physiologically active and the secondary metabolites might be produced due to dehydration stress after harvest. Our findings supplied an important and useful theoretical basis for promoting the quality of Danshen and other medicinal plant materials.

[Rapid identification for fruit drugs of rosaceae based on electrochemical oscillation reaction].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid identification method for fruit drugs of Rosaceae, according to the influence of Chinese traditional medicine on the electrochemical oscillation reaction. METHODS: The experiments were carried out in H2SO4-Ce (SO4)2-CH2 (COOH)2-KBrO3 electrochemical oscillation system. The graphs and characteristic parameters which were formed by the disturbance of Rosaceous fruit drugs to the electrochemical oscillation reaction were studied. RESULTS: There were obvious distinction on the electrochemical fingerprints of five kinds of medicinal materials, and the characteristic parameters of oscillation life were significant different. CONCLUSION: The electrochemical fingerprints of five kinds of Rosaceous fruit drugs can be used to identify those medicinal materials. The method is simple, rapid, economic and reliable.

[Characteristics of DNA adsorption on different sizes red soil colloidal particles].

By using balance reaction method, this paper studied the adsorption characteristics and thermodynamic properties of DNA on four kinds of red soil colloids (organic matter-contained coarse clay, organic matter-removed coarse clay, organic matter-contained fine clay, and organic matter-removed fine clay). The DNA adsorption on the four red soil colloids was a process of fast reaction, and the adsorption isotherms were conformed to the Langmuir equation, with the corresponding correlation coefficient (r2) being 0.974, 0. 991, 0. 958, and 0. 975, respectively. The maximum adsorption amount of DNA on the colloidal particles followed the order of organic matter-contained fine clay > organic matter-removed fine clay > organic matter-contained coarse clay > organic matter-removed coarse clay, implying that the size and organic matter content of colloidal particles played an important role in DNA adsorption. Electrolyte concentration and type and adsorption system pH were the main factors affecting the DNA adsorption on the four soil colloids. Within a definite electrolyte concentration range (NaCl < 60 mmol . L-1 and CaCl2 <10 mmol L-1) , the adsorption amount of DNA on the red soil colloids increased significantly with the increase of electrolyte concentration. As compared with sodium ion, calcium ion had a greater promotion effect on the DNA adsorption, but the effect decreased significantly with the increase of adsorption system pH. The DNA adsorption on the organic matter-contained red soil colloids was an endothermic reaction, while the DNA adsorption on the organic matter-removed red soil colloids was an exothermic reaction. The DNA adsorption on the red soil colloids was a process of entropy increase.

[Determination of triterpenoic acids in fruits of Ziziphus jujuba using HPLC-MS with polymeric ODS column].

A simple and sensitive method has been developed to simultaneously determine betunilic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in the fruits of Ziziphus jujuba from different regions by HPLC-MS. This HPLC assay was performed on PAH polymeric C18 bonded stationary phase column with mobile phase contained acetonitrile-water (90: 10) and with negative ESI detection mode. The developed approach was characterized by short time consumption for chromatographic separation, high sensitivity and good reliability so as to meet the requirements for rapid analysis of large-batch fruits of Z. jujuba from different habitats.

Association between C-reactive protein and risk of cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Associations between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and cancer risk have been reported for many years, but the results from prospective cohort studies remains controversial. A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was therefore conducted to address this issue. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed and EMBASE up to October 2012. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) was calculated by using random effects model. RESULTS: Eleven prospective cohort studies involving a total of 194,796 participants and 11,459 cancer cases were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR per natural log unit change in CRP was 1.105 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.033-1.178) for all-cancer, 1.308 (95% CI: 1.097-1.519) for lung cancer, 1.040 (95% CI: 0.910-1.170) for breast cancer, 1.063 (95% CI: 0.965-1.161) for prostate cancer, and 1.055 (95% CI: 0.925-1.184) for colorectal cancer. Dose-response analysis showed that the exponentiated linear trend for a change of one natural log unit in CRP was 1.012 (95% CI: 1.006-1.018) for all-cancer. No evidence of publication bias was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis showed that the elevated levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk of all-cancer, lung cancer, and possibly breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. The result supports a role of chronic inflammation in carcinogenesis. Further research effort should be performed to identify whether CRP, as a marker of inflammation, has a direct role in carcinogenesis.

Influence of root-exudates concentration on pyrene degradation and soil microbial characteristics in pyrene contaminated soil.

The effect of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) root-exudates concentration on pyrene degradation and the microbial ecological characteristics in the pyrene contaminated soil was investigated by simulating a gradually reducing concentration of root exudates with the distance away from root surface in the rhizosphere. Results showed that, after the root-exudates were added 15 d, the pyrene residue in contaminated soil responded nonlinearly in the soils with the same pyrene contaminated level as the added root-exudates concentration increased, which decreased first and increased latter with the increase of the added root-exudates concentration. The lowest pyrene concentration appeared when the root exudates concentration of 32.75 mg kg(-1) total organic carbon (TOC) was added. At the same time, changes of microbial biomass carbon (MBC, C(mic)) and microbial quotient (C(mic)/C(org)) were opposite to the trend of pyrene degradation as the added root-exudates concentration increased. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis revealed that bacteria was the dominating microbial community in pyrene contaminated soil, and the changing trends of pyrene degradation and bacteria number were the same. The changing trend of endoenzyme-dehydrogenase activity was in accordance with that of soil microbe, indicating which could reflect the quantitative characteristic of detoxification to pyrene by soil microbe. The changes in the soils microbial community and corresponding microbial biochemistry characteristics were the ecological mechanism influencing pyrene degradation with increasing concentration of the added root-exudates in the pyrene contaminated soil.

Production of salvianolic acid B in roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) during the post-harvest drying process.

Drying is the most common and fundamental procedure in the post-harvest processing which contributes to the quality and valuation of medicinal plants. However, attention to and research work on this aspect is relatively poor. In this paper, we reveal dynamic variations of concentrations of five major bioactive components, namely salvianolic acid B (SaB), dihydrotanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA, in roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dashen) during the drying process at different oven temperatures. A minor amount of SaB was found in fresh materials while an noticeable increase in SaB was detected in drying at 50~160 °C. The maximal value occurred after 40 min of drying at 130 °C and its variation showed a reverse V-shaped curve. Production of SaB exhibited a significant positive correlation with drying temperatures and a significant negative correlation with sample moistures. The amounts of tanshinones were nearly doubled in the early stage of drying and their variations showed similar changing trends with drying temperatures and sample moistures. The results supported our speculation that postharvest fresh plant materials, especially roots, were still physiologically active organs and would exhibit a series of anti-dehydration mechanisms including production of related secondary metabolites at the early stage of dehydration. Hence, the proper design of drying processes could contribute to promoting rather than reducing the quality of Danshen and other similar medicinal plants.

[Characteristics of auditory brain stem response in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia induced by different causes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of auditory brainstem response (ABR) in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia induced by different causes. METHODS: A total of 88 neonates (176 ears) with hyperbilirubinemia were divided into several groups according to the causes and followed up after 42 d, and 15 normal neonatus (30 ears) were measured ABR and analyzed the results. RESULTS: The thresholds of ABR in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were the highest in all the groups and had the longest incidence rate. The wave III, V latencies and III-V, I-V interwave intervals of the ABR were significantly difference and prolonged during test in comparison to the latencies in the control group (P < 0.05). The neonatal infections group had the longest wave and interwave intervals, followed by ABO incompatibility hemolytic diseases and the unknown cause groups, while the breastfeeding jaundice were the shortest in the groups of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The thresholds of ABR in the hyperbilirubinemia caused by several etiologies were significant abnormality when compared with the single etiology. However, they were similar in the wave latencies and interwave intervals of ABR. During the follow up, the ABR wave latencies and interwave intervals except for interwave latency I-III were significantly shorter. CONCLUSIONS: The toxicity of hyperbilirubinemia to the auditory nervous system are related to the species and number of etiologies. The neonate hyperbilirubinemia caused by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, infections, ABO incompatibility hemolytic diseases and many etiologies are much more dangerous to the auditory system than the breastfeeding jaundice. The damages of hyperbilirubinemia to the auditory nervous system are reversible probably.

[Effects of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) root exudates dose on pyrene degradation and soil microbes in pyrene-contaminated soil].

By simulating a gradually decreasing concentration of root exudates with the distance away from root surface in rhizosphere, this paper studied the effects of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) root exudates dose on the pyrene degradation and microbial ecological characteristics in a pyrene-contaminated soil. It was observed that with the increasing dose of ryegrass root exudates, the residual amount of soil pyrene changed nonlinearly, i. e. , increased after an initial decrease. When the root exudates dose was 32.75 mg kg(-1) of total organic carbon, the residual pyrene was the minimum, indicating that the root exudates at this dose stimulated pyrene degradation significantly. In the meantime, soil microbial biomass carbon and microbial quotient had an opposite trend, suggesting the close relationship between pyrene degradation and soil microbes. In the test soil, microbial community was dominated by bacteria, and the bacteria had the same variation trend as the pyrene degradation, which indicated that the pyrene was degraded mainly by bacteria, and the effects of root exudates on pyrene degradation were mainly carried out through the effects on bacterial population. There was a similar variation trend between the activity of soil dehydrogenase, a microbial endoenzyme catalyzing the dehydrogenation of organic matter, and the soil microbes, which further demonstrated that the variations of soil microbes and their biochemical characteristics were the ecological mechanisms affecting the pyrene degradation in the pyrene-contaminated soil when the ryegrass root exudates dose increased.

Effects of Glimepiride on metabolic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of Glimepiride on blood glucose in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in connection with plasma lipoproteins and plasminogen activity. METHODS: A total of 565 T2DM patients were received Glimepiride (n=333) or Glibenclamide (n=232) for 12 weeks. We observed the level of blood glucose (BG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), the insulin resistance (IR) state, plasma lipoproteins, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-1) before and after a 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks with Glimepiride treatment, significant reductions were observed in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2-h postprandial BG(PBG), HbA1C (from 8.60+/-3.10 to 7.10+/-1.60%) and HOMA-IR (from 4.11+/-0.85 to 2.42+/-0.91%). The level of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased, whereas that of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was increased markedly with statistical significance. In addition, there was an obvious improvement in t-PA activity (from 0.225+/-0.11 to 0.457+/-0.177IU/ml); whereas the PAI-1 activity was decreased significantly (from 0.898+/-0.168 to 0.533+/-0.215AU/ml). No significant changes were observed in plasma lipoprotein profiles and plasminogen activity in Glibenclamide receiving group. CONCLUSIONS: Glimepiride can rapidly and stably improve glycemic control and lipoprotein metabolism, significantly alleviate insulin resistance and enhance fibrinolytic activity.