[Preliminary analysis of lung function of population with biofuel smoke exposure].

Objective: To analyse the impaired lung functions of people with biofuel smoke exposure. Methods: Nonsmokers with biofuel smoke exposure were selected as research objects in a mountainous area of northern Guangdong where the families used biofuels as main energies and the nonsmokers without biofuel smoke exposure in the same area as control. Questionnaire interviews and spirometry tests were performed on all subjects. To analyse the differences of lung functions in both. Results: Seventy hundred and seventeen subjects were enro1led in this study.There were 530 nonsmokers with biofuel smoke exposure(observation group) including 442 women and 88 men, average age 54±10. There were 187 nonsmokers without biofuel smoke exposure(control group) including 141 women and 46 men, average age 54±10. There was no significant difference between two groups in age, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio(P>0.05). The pulmonary ventilation function index(FEV(1)%Pred, FEV(1)/FVC) in the observation group was significantly less than that in control group [(100±18) vs.(106±25); (80±10) vs.(83±6) respectively, P<0.05]. Small airway function index(PEF25, PEF50, PEF75, MMPEF and MMPEF%Pred) was significantly less than that in control group(P<0.01). According to the univariate regression analysis and multivariate regression analysis, regression coefficients between BIOFUEL-INDEX and FEV/FVC was -0.1, 95%CI(-0.1, -0.1, P<0.01). According to the threshold analysis, the vertice of BIOFUEL-INDEX was 46.0, where the predicted Y value was 81.76, 95%CI (80.2, 83.33). When BIOFUEL-INDEX<46.0, the regression coefficient was 0, 95%CI (-0.1, 0.0)(P>0.05); when BIOFUEL-INDEX> 46.0, the regression coefficient 2 was -0.1, 95%CI (-0.2, -0.1)(P<0.01). The difference between coefficient 2 and 1 was -0.1, 95%CI (-0.2, 0.0), which was statistically significant (P<0.05). The Log-Likelihood ratio between Model I and Model Ⅱ had statistical significance (P=0.019). Conclusions: The biofuel smokes exposure causes damages in lung function.

[Bibliometric analysis of scientific articles on epidemiological study of burns in China].

Objective: To analyze the current status of epidemiological study of burns in China, and to explore the related strategies. Methods: Retrospective or cross-sectional scientific articles in Chinese or English on epidemiological study of burns in China published from January 2005 to December 2015 were systemically retrieved from 4 databases. The databases include PubMed, Embase, China Biology Medicine disc, and Chinese Journals Full-text Database. From the results retrieved, data with regard to publication year, journal distribution, number of institutions participated in the study, affiliation of the first author and its location, and admission time span and age of patients in all the scientific articles were collected. Furthermore, the definition of age range and the grouping method of age of pediatric patients in English articles on epidemiological study of pediatric burns of China were recorded. Data were processed with descriptive statistical analysis. Results: A total of 256 scientific articles conforming to the study criteria were retrieved, among which 214 (83.59%) articles were in Chinese, and 42 (16.41%) articles were in English; 242 (94.53%) articles were retrospective studies, and 14 (5.47%) articles were cross-sectional studies. During the 11 years, the number of the relevant articles was fluctuant on the whole. The scientific articles were published in 130 journals, with 42 English articles in source journals for SCIENCE CITATION INDEX EXPANDED-JOURNAL LIST, accounting for 16.41%, and 116 Chinese articles in Source Journal for Chinese Scientific and Technical Papers, accounting for 45.31%. Totally 215 (83.98%) articles were single-center studies, and 29 (11.33%) articles were multicenter studies which were conducted by three or more centers. The number of affiliations of the first author of articles was 161 in total. The top 10 institutions regarding the article publishing number published 58 articles, accounting for 22.66%. Scientific articles on epidemiological study of burns were retrieved with location of affiliation of the first author in 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government in Mainland China, and also in Taiwan Province and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, among which Shanghai ranked first with 24 (9.38%) articles published. The admission time span of patients in the articles ranged from 3 months to 47 years, with 120 (46.87%) articles from 3 months to 5 years, 79 (30.86%) articles from 6 to 10 years, and 57 (22.27%) articles more than 10 years, respectively. Regarding the age of patients in the study, 123 articles were on epidemiological study of pediatric burns, and 16 articles on epidemiological study of elderly burns, accounting for 48.05% and 6.25%, respectively. Further analysis of articles on epidemiological study of pediatric burns in English showed that there was no standard definition of age range or unified grouping method of age for pediatric burn patients. Conclusions: The epidemiological study of burns in China has been carried out nationwide, but the number of institutions conducted relevant study is not that much, and multicenter epidemiological studies remain scanty. The quality of the articles needs to be further improved. The epidemiological study of elderly burns is relatively deficient and calls for more attention. The epidemiological study of burns in China lacks regularity or continuity in time scope. There is an urgent need for the guideline on classification method for items of epidemiological study of burns in China so as to standardize the related research.

[Long-term outcomes after cataract surgery in infants with congenital cataract].

Objective: To observe the long-term outcomes after congenital cataract surgery performed prior to 36 months of age. Methods: A retrospective case study was conducted. Thirty-two cases (57 eyes) of congenital cataract were included from January 2004 to January 2012. All patients received intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexies and anterior vitrectomy after cataract extraction and were followed up. At the last visit, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was determined and postoperative complications were evaluated during follow-up with a longest time of 13 years. Non-normal distribution showed in median M (minimum and maximum). Data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis single factor variance analysis and multiple comparison. The independent Mann-Witney U test was used to analyze non-normal distribution data. Results: There were thirty-two cases (57 eyes) of congenital cataract including 7 unilateral cases and 25 bilateral cases. The median age at cataract extraction was 6.0months; the median IOL implantation age was 28.0 months and the median duration of follow-up after cataract extraction was 67.0 months. The median postoperative BCVA was (LogMAR) 0.52. Unilateral and bilateral cataract postoperative BCVA difference had no statistical significance (U=107, P>0.05). Patients received cataract surgery in 2 to 4 months, the postoperative BCVA was better than in 5 to 8 months. The difference was statistical significance (H=-15.33, P<0.05). BCVA after IOL implantation before 24 months were significantly better than after 30 months. The difference had statistical significance(H=-20.61,-20.78, P<0.05). Postoperative complications were posterior capsular opacity (5 eyes; 8.77%), glaucoma (2 eyes; 3.51%), strabismus (17 eyes; 29.82%) and nystagmus (30 eyes; 52.63%). Conclusions: Most infantile cataract surgeries performed prior to 36 mouths of life together with the implantation of IOL can achieve good visual acuity. No serious complications occurred. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 266-273).

[An epidemiological investigation of pediatric patients under 14 with large area burns: a multicenter study].

Objective: To investigate and evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of patients under 14 with large area burns in China. Methods: Data of pediatric patients aged 0-14yr with ≥30% total body surface area (TBSA) burned admitted into 106 burn centers in the mainland of China in 2014 were retrieved. The children were divided into three age groups: 0-3, 4-6 and 7-14 years according to the age. Information of age, gender, time of burn injury, causes of burns, admission time, prehospital emergency care of burn wound, burn area, inhalation injuries, the case fatality rate and length of hospital stay were collected for analysis. Results: Of the 486 cases included, 285 (58.6%) were boys and 201 (41.4%) were girls. The mean age of the children was (3.4±2.8) years. Children under 3 years old accounted for 67.5% of all the cases. 271 of the burn injuries (55.8%) occurred from April through August. Scalds and flames were the main causes of burns, which were the causes of 394 cases (81.1%) and 71 cases (14.6%), respectively. The burn injuries resulted from scalds and flames accounted for 89.6% and 7.3%, 70.8% and 21.9%, 51.6% and 41.9% in the age group of 0-3, 4-6 and 7-14 years respectively. The distribution of burn etiology in different age groups differed significantly (χ(2)=21.239, 59.442, 7.333, all P<0.01). Most of the patients (57.8%) were admitted within 2 hours after injury. However, when it came to the pre-hospital emergency management of burn wound, 164 patients (33.7%) did not use any drug or wound dressing, whereas the wound area of 236 patients (48.6%) were treated improperly with toothpaste, soy sauce, eggs or other non-standard disposal. The mean TBSA area of the patients was (42.1±14.5)%, while 288 (59.3%) of the patients suffered full thickness burns with mean TBSA of (24.5±17.9)%. The case fatality rate (CFR) was 4.1%, and the CFR of patients complicated with inhalation injury was significantly higher than those without (P<0.01). The average length of stay for pediatric burn patients was (52.3±40.2) days. Conclusions: Children under 3 years old are important target population of severe burns. Scald is the most common type of burns, while the proportion of flames increases as age goes up. Most patients are likely to get clinical treatment in time, however, the pre-hospital emergency burn care is not satisfying at present.

[Establishment and application effect appraisement of community chronic obstructive pulmonary disease integrated management system].

Objective: To establish the COPD community integrated management system suitable for our national situation and assess its effects in the prevention and treatment for COPD. Methods: The COPD community integrated management system based on the electronic management system was established, including the functional modules of preliminary screening for COPD, electronic health record, grading management and dual referral system, ect. Two townships were randomly selected from the rural areas in north Guangdong as Observational Community and Control Community, respectively. Resident families were randomly selected from the two communities. One resident aged 40 or higher who was selected randomly from each family was enrolled in the trial and followed up for 2 years.Of a total of 460 participants from the Observational Community, 340 participants accomplished the two-years the follow-up, among whom there were 45 COPD patients, 117 high risk population, 178 common population. Of a total of 380 participants from the Control Community, 212 participants accomplished the follow-up, among whom there were 39 COPD patients, 68 high risk population, 105 common population.According to the COPD community integrated management system, the health cares including preliminary screening for COPD, grading management and dual referral, ect. were implemented in the Observational Community. Essential diagnosis and treatment services were performed in the Control Community. The effects of the system were appraised by comparisons of the pulmonary function change, acute exacerbation, quality of life and change of risk factors, ect. between the two communities. Results: After the intervention, the follow-up rate, smoking-quitting rate, the proportions of decline in current smoking, passive smoking and switching to clean energy for cooking in the Observational Community were significantly greater than those in the Control Community(73.9% vs. 55.8%, 70.8% vs. 9.1%, 24.2% vs. 7.1%, 32.6% vs. 3.5%, 67.8% vs. 3.2%, respectively, P<0.05). COPD knowledge rates of residents in the Observational Community, including "knowing about COPD" , "knowing about the symptoms of COPD" , "Whether COPD can be prevented and treated" and "lung function test" were significantly greater than before (84.7% vs.30.0%, 76.4% vs.7.6%, 71.5% vs.6.8%, 72.1% vs.27.4%, respectively, P<0.05) and greater than those in the Control Community(84.7% vs.73.6%, 76.4% vs.9.4%, 71.5% vs.7.1%, 72.1% vs.32.5%, P<0.05). In the Observational Community, FEV(1) and FEV(1) %Pred were significantly greater than before (1.88±0.71 vs. 1.74±0.64, 75.6±25.0 vs. 69.4±20.5, respectively, P<0.05). The values of the difference before and after the experiment in the patients of GOLD 1 grade COPD in the Observational Community were greater than those in the Control Community(P<0.05). In the Control Community, FEV(1)、FEV(1) %Pred had no significant difference before and after experiment(P>0.05). In the Observational Community, 6MWD, standard treatment rate and exercises>3 days per week were significantly greater than before(550.5±76.0 vs. 474.7±75.9, 64.4% vs. 8.9%, 100% vs. 22.2%, respectively, P<0.05) and greater than those in the Control Community(550.5±76.0 vs. 404.5±56.7, 64.4% vs. 10.3%, 100% vs. 30.8%, respectively, P<0.05), acute exacerbation was significantly less than before (4.4% vs. 17.8%, P<0.05). In the Control Unit, 6MWD was significantly less than before (404.5±56.7 vs. 469.8±58.5, P<0.05). Conclusions: The COPD community integrated management system can play a great role in community integrated prevention for COPD.

Surgical treatment of Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficiency by paraspinal approach.

We aimed to describe the surgical technique and clinical outcomes of paraspinal-approach reduction and fixation (PARF) in a group of patients with Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF) with neurological deficiencies. A total of 62 patients with Denis B TLBF with neurological deficiencies were included in this study between January 2009 and December 2011. Clinical evaluations including the Frankel scale, pain visual analog scale (VAS) and radiological assessment (CT scans for fragment reduction and X-ray for the Cobb angle, adjacent superior and inferior intervertebral disc height, and vertebral canal diameter) were performed preoperatively and at 3 days, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years postoperatively. All patients underwent successful PARF, and were followed-up for at least 2 years. Average surgical time, blood loss and incision length were recorded. The sagittal vertebral canal diameter was significantly enlarged. The canal stenosis index was also improved. Kyphosis was corrected and remained at 8.6±1.4o (P>0.05) 1 year postoperatively. Adjacent disc heights remained constant. Average Frankel grades were significantly improved at the end of follow-up. All 62 patients were neurologically assessed. Pain scores decreased at 6 months postoperatively, compared to before surgery (P<0.05). PARF provided excellent reduction for traumatic segmental kyphosis, and resulted in significant spinal canal clearance, which restored and maintained the vertebral body height of patients with Denis B TLBF with neurological deficits.

[Influences of exendin-4 on the secretion function of islet beta cells from rats in the early stage of severe scald].

Objective: To observe the secretion function changes of islet beta cells isolated from rats in the early stage of severe scald, and to explore the influence of them. Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into sham injury (SI) group, sham injury+ exendin-4 (SIE) group, scald (S) group, and scald+ exendin-4 (SE) group according to the random number table, with 9 rats in each group. Rats in groups S and SE were inflicted with 50% total body surface area full-thickness scald by a 12-s immersion of back and a 6-s immersion of abdomen in 94 ℃ hot water. Rats in groups SI and SIE were sham injured through immersion of back and abdomen in 37 ℃ warm water. Rats in groups S and SE were subcutaneously injected with exendin-4 (4 µg/kg) twice a day post injury, while rats in groups SI and SIE were subcutaneously injected with sterile water in the same volume. At post injury hour (PIH) 72, the following detections were performed. Eight rats of each group were respectively selected to measure level of fasting blood glucose with cutting-tail method, and to detect plasma level of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and serum level of insulin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The insulin resistant index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Six rats of each group were respectively selected for islet isolation. The isolated rat islets were stimulated with RPMI 1640 medium containing 2.8 or 16.7 mmol/L glucose, respectively. Insulin content in supernatant was detected by ELISA, and insulin secretion index was calculated with 6 samples in each group. The isolated islets from 3 rats of each group were selected for the observation of the super-structure of islet beta cells under transmission electron microscope. The number of docked granules in per 10 µm membrane of islet beta cells and the ratio of insulin vesicles to the total insulin granules were calculated with 3 samples in each group. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD test. Results: (1) Compared with that in group S, levels of fasting blood glucose of rats in group SI, SIE, and SE were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (2) Compared with those in group SI, plasma level of GLP-1 of rats in group SIE was significantly increased (P<0.05), while serum level of insulin and HOMA-IR of rats did not change obviously (with P values above 0.05). Plasma levels of GLP-1 of rats in groups S and SE were significantly decreased (with P values below 0.01), while serum levels of insulin and HOMA-IR were obviously increased (with P values below 0.01). Compared with those in group SIE, plasma levels of GLP-1 of rats in groups S and SE were significantly decreased (with P values below 0.01), while serum levels of insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly increased (with P values below 0.01). Compared with those in group S, plasma level of GLP-1 and serum level of insulin of rats in group SE were significantly increased (with P values below 0.01), while HOMA-IR was significantly decreased (P<0.05). (3) There was no statistically significant difference in the insulin secretion content of rats in the 4 groups when stimulated with 2.8 mmol/L glucose (P>0.05). Under stimulation of 16.7 mmol/L glucose, compared with that in group SI, the insulin secretion content of rats in groups SIE and SE were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while in group S it was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with that in group SE, the insulin secretion content of rats in group S was significantly decreased (P<0.01) . Compared with that in group S, the insulin secretion content of rats in group SE was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with that in group SI (2.25±0.20), the insulin secretion index of rats in group SE (2.68±0.24) was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with that in group SIE (2.47±0.18), the insulin secretion index of rats in group S (2.11±0.28) was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with that in group S, the insulin secretion index of rats in group SE was significantly increased (P<0.01). (4) Compared with those in group SI, the number of docked granules per 10 µm membrane of islet beta cells in group SE was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the ratio of insulin vesicles of rat islet beta cells in group S was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with those in group SE, the number of docked granules per 10 µm membrane of islet beta cells in group S was significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the ratio of insulin vesicles of rat islet beta cells was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with those in group S, the number of docked granules per 10 µm membrane of islet beta cells in group SE was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the ratio of insulin vesicles of rat islet beta cells was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions: In the early stage of severe scald in rats, level of GLP-1 is decreased and the insulin secretion function of islet beta cells is injured. Long-lasting GLP-1 analogous exendin-4 can improve the secretion function of isolated islet beta cells from severely scalded rats.

Akirin2 expression in response to vaccine-induced immunity in chicken.

Akirin2 is a nuclear factor that plays an important role in the development and regulation of innate immune response. In this study, akirin2 gene expression in several primary immune organs (liver, thymus, and bursa) of Hi-Line Brown chicken administered with the LoSota vaccine was analyzed during the various stages of increase in Newcastle disease virus antibody titer. The results revealed that akirin2 expression was significantly higher in the liver (P < 0.01) and bursa (P < 0.05) of vaccinated chicken 7 and 14 days post-immunization, respectively. These results could serve as a foundation for further studies on the functions of akirin2 in immune response.

Molecular characterization of a cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase from the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis.

A cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase gene (Es-cMnSOD) was cloned from the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The open reading frame of Es-cMnSOD is 867 bp in length and encodes a 288-amino acid protein without a signal peptide. The calculated molecular mass of the translated protein of Es-cMnSOD is 31.43 kDa, with an estimated isoelectric point of 6.30. The deduced amino acid sequence of Es-cMnSOD has similarities of 90, 89, 84, 87, and 81% to those of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei MnSOD, black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon MnSOD, giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii MnSOD, blue crab Callinectes sapidus MnSOD, and red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii MnSOD, respectively. Es-cMnSOD contains a manganese superoxide dismutase domain (DVWEHAYY) and 4 conserved amino acids responsible for binding manganese. Es-cMnSOD was expressed in the hemocytes, eyestalk, muscle, intestine, gill, and hepatopancreas. Es-cMnSOD transcripts in hemocytes of E. sinensis increased at 1.5 and 48 h after injection of Aeromonas hydrophila, indicating that the induction of the SOD system response occurred within a short period of time. This study suggests that MnSOD may play a critical role in crab immunity, allowing efficient activation of an early innate immune response in the crab.

The synthesis and optical properties of ZnO nanocombs.

The ZnO nanocombs were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition method, which the uniform and dense nanotips were along one side of the comb ribbon. The growth mechanism was described as free catalyst self-assembled and vapor-solid model. The optical properties related with the surface states were investigated by Raman and PL spectra. The large redshift of 1LO phonon peak was attributed to the surface and interface states. The normalized PL spectra showed that the deep-level emission decreased for the sample to be annealed in O2 ambient at 500 degrees C. On the contrary, the deep-level emission increased while for the annealed sample in O2 ambient at 600 degrees C. The deep-level emission was attributed to the transition from the shallow donor to the deep acceptor. The XPS analysis showed the existence of oxygen rich and Zn deficient in the ZnO nanocombs annealed at 600 degrees C. The abnormal temperature dependence of integrated PL intensity was attributed to the abundant surface states.

Optical properties of ZnMgO nanowalls grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy.

ZnMgO nanowalls were prepared by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy without a catalyst on c-Al2O3 substrate. The obtained nanowalls have preferred orientation along c axis. The nanowalls are about 10 to 20 nm in thickness and about 50 nm in height. Only Zn, Mg, O and Al signals are detected in the nanowalls from the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The Mg content is about 3% in ZnMgO nanowalls. The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra shows the emission peak of the ZnMgO nanowalls at 3.346 eV. The origin of the ultraviolet emission is discussed with the help of temperature-dependent PL spectra. The ultraviolet emission band is free exiton recombination observed in the low temperature PL spectra (at 81 K). We also observe the free-to-acceptor (FA) emission of the ZnMgO nanowalls. The acceptor binding energy obtained from photoluminescence studies is about 123 meV. The results show that Mg doping leads to an increase of the acceptor binding energy. The possible growth mechanism of the ZnMgO nanowall networks was discussed.

Determination of flavonoid compounds from Saussurea involucrata by liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry.

Saussurea involucrata produces several bioactive flavonoids that are derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. To determine these flavonoids, a sensitive high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry method (LC-ESI-MS) was developed. Chromatographic separation was then performed. The gradient elution was optimised to give high recoveries and satisfactory chromatographic resolution. Flavonoid detection was carried out using an ion trap as mass analyser. Parameters of the mass analyser were optimised. We used the validated LC-ESI-MS method to verify the identities of bioactive compounds, namely apigenin, luteolin, hispidulin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and rutin. Calibration curves for these five flavonoids were linear in ranges between 5.0 and 500 microg mL(-1). The limit of detection ranged from 1.5 x 10(-4) (for hispidulin) to 6.1 x 10(-3) mg mL(-1) (for rutin). Precision was well within the acceptable range (RSD < 3.0%) and the recovery rate was between 75.3 and 89.8% for each flavonoid. A method validation study showed that the LC/MS technique was a powerful analytical tool for detecting trace amounts of the flavonoid compounds in extracts of S. involucrata.

Photoluminescence of ZnO nanocrystals embedded in BaF2 matrices by magnetron sputtering.

This paper describes ZnO nanocrystals embedded in BaF2 matrices by the magnetron sputtering method in an attempt to use fluoride as a shell layer to embed ZnO nanocrystals core. BaF2 is a wide-band gap material, and can confine carriers in the ZnO films. As a result, the exciton emission intensity should be enhanced. The sample was annealed at 773 K, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that ZnO nanocrystals with wurtzite structure were embedded in BaF2 matrices. Raman-scattering spectra also confirmed the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. Abnormal longitudinal-optical (LO) phonon-dominant multiphonon Raman scattering was observed in the sample. Room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed an ultraviolet emission peak at 374 nm. The origin of the ultraviolet emission is discussed here with the help of temperature-dependent PL spectra. The ultraviolet emission band was a mixture of free exciton and bound exciton recombination observed in the low temperature PL spectra (at 77 K). Abnormal temperature dependence of ultraviolet near-band-edge emission-integrated intensity of the sample was observed. The band tail state was observed in the absorption spectra, illustrating that the impurity-related defects were caused by the shell of the BaF2 grain layer. For comparison, ZnO films on BaF2 substrates were also fabricated by the magnetron sputtering method, and the same measurement methods were used.

Photo-induced lipid peroxidation of erythrocyte membranes by a bis-methanophosphonate fullerene.

Using human erythrocyte membranes (EMs) as a model system, we have examined photo-induced lipid peroxidation by a bis-methanophosphonate fullerene (BMPF) and four other fullerene derivatives including a mono-methanophosphonic acid fullerene (MMPF), a dimalonic acid C(60) (DMA C(60)), a trimalonic acid C(60) (TMA C(60)) and a polyhydroxylated fullerene (fullerol). Lipid peroxidation was assessed as the malondialdehyde (MDA) level measured by the thiobarbituric acid assay. It was observed that BMPF increased the MDA level of EMs after irradiation in both time- and dose-dependent manners. The photo-induced activity became very significant (p<0.01) under the conditions of either the concentration of 10 microM and irradiation time of 30 min or the concentration of 5 microM and irradiation time of 60 min. Involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the activity was also examined by specific inhibitors of singlet oxygen, superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, respectively. While all three kinds were found responsible for the activity, the former two might play more important roles than the last one. Furthermore, the activity of BMPF was the strongest among all tested fullerene derivatives. These results indicated BMPF was a potential photosensitizer that would find application in photodynamic therapy.

[Studies on the cell suspension culture of Saussarea medusa in a stirred tank bioreactor].

The cell suspension culture of Saussarea medusa in a 2L aerated and agitated bioreactor with a four-pitch-blade impeller was investigated. The effects of agitation speed, aeration and inoculum size on cell growth and flavonoids production were studied and it was found that cells had optimum growth and flavonoids production when cultivated at 75 r/min, 700-1000 L/min and an inoculum of 4.0-5.0 g/L. A high cell biomass of 13.8 g/L and flavonoids production of 416 mg/L were achieved after 12 days of cultivation. Time course study revealed that flavonoids biosynthesis was growth-associated. The studies on aggregates size distribution in the bioreactor showed that the aggregates break-up caused by hydrodynamic stress might adversely affect cell growth and lead to significant reduction of cell biomass and flavonoids production.

Effects of extracts from sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum on HeLa cells.

The effects of extracts from Ganoderma lucidum spores on the growth of human cervix uteri tumor HeLa cells as well as on the cell cycle and intracellular calcium level were investigated. Alcohol extracts were prepared from sporoderm-broken and sporoderm-nonbroken spores (termed extract I and extract II) of G. lucidum. Extract I was then subjected to silica gel chromatography to obtain extract III. Cytotoxicity was examined by means of trypan blue exclusion and MTT tests. It was found that extract I and extract III, but not extract II strongly inhibited the growth of HeLa cells, and that extract III was more effective than extract I. Moreover, extract III was shown to be capable of blocking the cell cycle at the transition from G1 to S phase and inducing a marked decrease of intracellular calcium level, determined by flow cytometry and the specific fluorescent calcium probe Fura-2, respectively. These results imply that (1) the breaking of G. lucidum spores improves the release of cytotoxic activity and (2) the effective extract might influence the cell cycle and cellular signal transduction by altering the calcium transport system.

[Effects of media on the production of flavonoids by suspension cultures of Saussurea medusa].

Flavonoids were produced from cell suspension cultures of Saussurea medusa. The results of studies on eight types of culture media showed that the MS medium was the best for cell growth and flavonoids formation, We investigated the effects of all the components of MS medium on the cell growth and flavonoids production, and found that carbon, nitrogen and phytohormone had especially marked effects. With MG medium a modified MS medium, the yield of cell growth was 24.8 g(dwt)/L, with MP medium another modified MS mediums, the yield of flavonoids production was 1. 75 g/L. The yield of cell growth and flavonoids production in MG and MP medium were 32% and 70% higher than that in MS medium respectively.

[Extraction and separation of antitumor components from Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the variation of alcohol extraction rates of Ganoderma lucidum spores with different rates of wall-wrack, and analyze the antitumor components of alcohol extract by chromatography. METHOD: The G. lucidum spores were soaked and extracted with absolute alcohol. The alcohol extract was chromatographed on a silica gel column and HPLC in proper order, and the antitumor activity of every eluted fraction was represented by its cytotoxicity towards Hela cells. RESULT: Extraction rates 5%, 25% and 33% corresponded to wall-wrack rates 0%, 60%-80% and 99% respectively. The alcohol extract from spores with the highest wall-wrack rate was chromatographed on a silica gel column, eluting successfully with CHCl3, EtOAc and CH3OH in order. The CHCl3 fraction had not any antitumor activity, while this activity of CH3OH fraction was 34 times greater than that of EtOAc fraction. HPLC analysis found out that two mixtures(II1 and II3) possess significant antitumor activity in vitro. CONCLUSION: The weight of alcohol extract from spores with wall-wrack was far greater than that of spores without. The antitumor components of G. lucidum spores could be analyzed with methanol-water on a reverse HPLC.

Formation of cyclosporins by Tolypocladium inflatum.

Submerged cultures of the low-production strain of Tolypocladium inflatum DSM 63544 formed a mixture of cyclosporins (CS) consisting of CS-A, CS-B, "CS-3" and "CS-4". Glucose, sucrose and maltose were highly favored for biomass production but provided a different physiological state necessary for CS biosynthesis. Not only the magnitude of CS production but also the proportion of individual components of the CS mixture were affected by the C source. Intensive CS synthesis was in correlation with the formation of CS-3. Lower yields of CS were accompanied by an increased proportion of CS-A in the CS complex. The best specific production of CS was achieved on the glucose medium, the highest yield of CS-A on the maltose medium. There was no remarkable relationship between the biomass formation and the intensity of CS synthesis.