The residue of tetracycline antibiotics in soil and Brassica juncea var. gemmifera, and the diversity of soil bacterial community under different livestock manure treatments

Tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) are a broad-spectrum antibiotic, widely used in livestock and poultry breeding. Residue of tetracycline antibiotics in animal manure may cause changes in vegetable TCs content and soil microbial community. On the basis of the investigation and analysis of TCs pollution in the soil of main vegetable bases and the livestock manure of major large-scale farms in Chongqing, China, field experiment was conducted to study the residues of tetracycline antibiotics in Brassica juncea var. gemmifera and soil under different kinds and different dosages of livestock manures. Effects of tetracycline antibiotics on the structure and diversity of soil microbial community were also investigated by high-throughput sequencing. TCs content in soil was increased by applying livestock manure. The contents of tetracycline, oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) in the soil under pig manure treatment were 171.07-660.20 μg kg^-1, 25.38-345.78 μg kg^-1 and 170.77-707.47 μg kg^-1, respectively. The contents of TC, OTC and CTC in the soil under the treatment of chicken manure were 166.62-353.61 μg kg^-1, 122.25-251.23 μg kg^-1 and 15.12-80.91 μg kg^-1, respectively. TCs in edible parts of Brassica juncea var. gemmifera was increased after livestock manure treatment Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chioroflexi and Bacteroidetes under livestock manure treatment were the dominant phyla, accounting for 85.2-92.4% of the total abundance of soil bacteria. The soil OTUs under the treatment of pig manure was higher than that under the treatment of chicken manure. Biogas residue (Livestock manure after fermentation treatment) can effectively reduce the environmental and ecological risks caused by antibiotic residues.

[Willis covered stent for paraclinoid aneurysms:efficacy and mid-long-term follow-up results]

The clinical data and follow-up results of 27 paraspinoid aneurysms treated by Willis covered stent (WCS) in Department of Neurosurgery, Army Medical University from May 2014 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 17 cases (63.0%) were treated with WCS alone, and 10 cases (37.0%) were assisted with coiling embolization. During the follow-up, postoperative internal leakage occurred in 2 patients(7%), of which 1(type Ⅰ) wasself-healing and the other 1 (type Ⅲ) was cured by WCS implantation again. The remaining patients had no aneurysm recurrence, unobstructed parent artery, stent displacement and internal stenosis. 92.6% (25/27) of the improved mRS scores were good. WCS is a safe and effective method for the treatment of parabedinal aneurysms.

BARX2 expression is downregulated by CpG island hypermethylation and is associated with suppressed cell proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells

BarH-like homeobox 2 (BARX2), a homeobox gene, is associated with several types of cancers. The present study aimed to determine whether DNA methylation downregulates BARX2 expression and whether BARX2 is associated with suppression of gastric carcinogenesis. BARX2 protein expression in normal and cancerous gastric tissues and various gastric cancer (GC) cell lines was detected using immunohistochemical and western blot assays. BARX2 mRNA levels were detected using both reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Promoter hypermethylation in GC cells was detected using methylation-specific PCR or bisulfite DNA sequencing PCR. Effects of BARX2 expression on GC cell proliferation, clonal formation, and migration were evaluated after lentivirus-BARX2 transfection. The effect of stable BARX2 transfection on tumor formation was assessed in a nude xenograft mouse model. BARX2 was strongly expressed in the normal gastric mucosa, but weakly or not expressed in GC tissues and most GC cell lines. BARX2 expression was negatively correlated with DNMT (a marker for DNA methylation) expression in the gastric tissues. The BARX2 promoter fragment was hypermethylated in the GC cell lines. Overexpression of BARX2 significantly inhibited GC cell proliferation, clonal formation, and migration. Stable BARX2 transfection inhibited tumor formation in xenograft mice, which was correlated with decreased expression of E-cadherin, proliferation markers, and matrix metalloproteinases. In conclusion, BARX2 expression is aberrantly reduced in GC, which is associated with increased DNA methylation of its promoter. BARX2 inhibits GC cell proliferation, migration, and tumor formation, suggesting that BARX2 acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric carcinogenesis.

[Treatment of postprandial discomfort syndrome in the elderly: a multi-centered prospective randomized controlled clinical study]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets (Combizym(®)) in the treatment of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) in the elderly, compared with gastrointestinal motility drugs. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was designed and registered in the China Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-16008185). The elderly patients with PDS were randomly divided into three groups, including Mosapride group with Mosapride citrate tablets 5 mg 3 times per day for 2 weeks; Combizym(®) group with Combizym tablets 244 mg 3 times per day for 2 weeks; combined treatment group with both drugs and same doses for 2 weeks. The modified Nepean dyspepsia index (NDSI) score, discomfort intensity score and PDS score were calculated on patients before treatment, at the end of first and second week of treatment, as well as 4 weeks after treatment finished, respectively. Adverse effects were evaluated. Results: A total of 323 patients from 16 tertiary hospitals in China were enrolled in this study. Among them, 105 patients were in Mosapride group, 109 in Combizym(®) group and 109 in combined treatment group. There were 148 males (45.8%) and 175 females (54.2%) with median age 71.4±9.0 years (60-100 years). Baseline characteristics of three groups were comparable. After treatment, the NDSI scores in three groups all decreased significantly (P<0.001), while they were similar between groups (P>0.05). The discomfort intensity score and PDS score in three groups showed a significant reduction after treatment (P<0.001), especially in the combined treatment group. Compared with Mosapride group, the scores in Combizym(®) group decreased significantly after one or two weeks [discomfort intensity score: after one week, 4.0(2.5, 8.0) vs. 6.0(3.0, 10.0); after two weeks, 3.0(0.0, 5.0) vs. 4.0(2.0, 6.0); all P<0.05. PDS score: after one week, 6.0(3.0, 9.0) vs. 7.0(3.5, 10.5); after two weeks, 3.0(0.0, 5.0) vs. 4.0(2.0, 7.0); all P<0.05]. The efficacy rate in all patients after first week of treatment was over 15.0%. The efficacy rates after two weeks were 55.2%, 68.8% and 73.4% in Mosapride group, Combizym(®) group and combined treatment group, respectively. After two week treatment, the efficacy rates in Combizym(®) group (P=0.041) and combined group (P=0.006) were higher than that of Mosapride group. The recurrence rate of Mosapride group was 9.5%, which was significantly higher than that of Combizym(®) group (1.8%, P<0.05) and combined treatment group (1.8%, P<0.05). There were no serious adverse effects in the three groups. Conclusions: The efficacy of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets is comparable with that of Mosapride in elderly PDS patients, with fewer adverse effects and low recurrence rate. Combination regimen indicates better efficacy than that of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets or Mosapride alone.

[Correlation between chest CT features and clinical characteristics of patients with bronchiectasis]

Objective: To analyze the features of chest CT imaging in adult patients with bronchiectasis and explore its correlation with clinical characteristics. Methods: From January 2010 to December 2017, patients with bronchiectasis diagnosed by chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) and aged at or above 18 years old in 5 general hospitals of Shandong province were included in the study. The correlations between the HRCT imaging features and etiology, clinical manifestations, lung function, sputum culture, prognosis and other characteristics were analyzed. Results: There were 410 bronchiectasis patients included in the study. The chest HRCT imaging of bronchiectasis were divided into three types, including columnar 46.8%, cystic 45.9% and varicose 7.3%, respectively. The HRCT imaging score was [6.0 (4.0, 7.0)]. In addition, the most common etiology of bronchiectasis was idiopathic (262, 69.3%). The proportion of idiopathic bronchiectasis in cystic bronchiectasis patients was significantly higher than that in columnar and varicose bronchiectasis (71.8% vs 58.3%, 50.0%; both P<0.017). Compared with columnar bronchiectasis, patients with cystic bronchiectasis were more likely to suffer from clinical manifestations such as cough, dyspnea, fever and wet rales (P<0.017). Compared with patients with HRCT scores of 1 to 4, patients with scores ≥8 were more likely to suffer from cough, dyspnea, fever, wet rales and clubbing (P<0.017). The proportions of pulmonary ventilatory dysfunction were significantly greater in patients with cystic bronchiectasis and varicose bronchiectasis than columnar bronchiectasis (86.7%, 86.7% vs 51.0%; both P<0.017). The HRCT scores were significantly negatively correlated with pulmonary function (P<0.001). The number of acute exacerbations, hospitalizations, and bronchiectasis severe index scores in patients with cystic bronchiectasis were significantly higher than those with columnar bronchiectasis (P<0.017). There was a significantly positive correlation between HRCT scores and the number of acute exacerbations, hospitalizations and the bronchiectasis severity index scores (P<0.001). The mortality of patients with cystic and varicose bronchiectasis was significantly higher than that of patients with columnar bronchiectasis (9.0%, 10.0% vs 2.1%; both P<0.017). Compared with patients with HRCT scores of 1 to 4, patients with scores ≥8 had a higher mortality rate (15.9% vs 0.9%; P<0.017). Conclusions: There is a correlation between HRCT findings and clinical manifestations in patients with bronchiectasis. The clinical manifestations, lung function and prognosis of patients with cystic bronchiectasis are worse than those of the columnar bronchiectasis; the higher the HRCT scores are, the worse the clinical manifestations, lung function and prognosis of the patients are.

[Study on analgesic effect and mechanism of cinobufagin on rats with bone cancer pain]

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effects of cinobufagin (CBG) on cancer-induced bone pain in rat and study the role of the muscarinic receptor M4 subtype (M4 mAChR) in its involvement. Methods: A total of 100 Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=20): Sham group (group S), Cancer group (group A), Normal saline + CBG vehicle solution group (group ANS), Normal saline + 1 mg/kg CBG group (group ANC) and Tropicamide + 1 mg/kg CBG group (group ATC). Rats in group S were injected 10 μl Hank's solution into the left tibia medullar cavity, while rats in group A, ANS, ANC, and ATC were injected Walker 256 mammary cancer cells (10 μl, 2×10(7) cells/ml) into the same place. On day 9 post-inoculation rats in group ANS, ANC, and ATC were respectively received Saline (0.9%, 15 μl, i.t.), Saline (0.9%, 15 μl, i.t.)and 10 nmol of M4 mAChR blocker Tropicamide. After 10 min, ANS group, ANC group and ATC group were intraperitoneally injected with CBG vehicle solution, 1 mg/kg CBG and 1 mg/kg CBG. Model rats in each group were tested three times average as its basis pain threshold before injection cancer cells (T(0)). Mechanical withdrawal thresholds were measured on left hind paws, before 20 min (T(1)) and after 10 min (T(2)), 30 min (T(3)), 60 min (T(4)), 90 min (T(5)) and 120 min (T(6)) intrathecal injection. Left L4-L6 spinal dorsal horn and DRG were removed for determination of the expression of CaM-dependent kinaseⅡa (CaMKⅡa) and pCaMKⅡa by Western Blot after 60 min drug delivery. Results: At each time point from T(1) to T(6), the mechanical pain thresholds of group S were (8.69±0.45), (8.63±0.44), (8.65±0.39), (8.84±0.23), (8.80±0.14), (8.75±0.14) g, respectively, and the mechanical pain thresholds of group A were (6.37±0.30), (6.42±0.13), (6.29±0.17), (6.25±0.22), (6.34±0.33), (6.36±0.34) g, the difference was statistically significant (t=-16.41, -23.47, -30.25, -17.35, -19.52, -22.56, all P<0.01). At each time point from T(3) to T(5), the mechanical pain thresholds of the ANS group were (6.42±0.32), (6.39±0.34), (6.26±0.32) g, respectively, and the mechanical pain thresholds of the ANC group were (7.29±0.34), (7.81±0.15), (7.54±0.19) g, the difference was statistically significant (t=13.52, 14.22, 17.33, all P<0.01). At each time point from T(3) to T(5), compared with the ANC group, the mechanical pain threshold of the ATC group decreased (6.55±0.23), (6.84±0.46), (6.80±0.43) g, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-12.69, -11.26, -10.33, all P<0.01). At the time of T(4), the expressions of pCaMKⅡa in the spinal dorsal horn of each group were (0.67±0.05), (1.64±0.12), (1.57±0.14), (0.78±0.09), (1.39±0.11), respectively, and the expressions of pCaMKⅡa in DRG of each group were (1.65±0.39), (3.59±0.17), (3.43±0.32), (2.17±0.34), (2.95±0.23). The differences were statistically significant (F=179.89, 198.76, both P<0.01). Compared with the S group, the expression of pCaMⅡa was up-regulated in group A. Compared with ANS group, the expression of pCaMKⅡ a was down-regulated in ANC group. Compared with ANC group, the expression of pCaMK Ⅱ a was up-regulated in ATC group. The expression of CaMKⅡa in spinal dorsal horn and DRG was not statistically significant (F=1.25, 2.79, both P>0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrated that M4mAChR participated in mediating the alleviation of hyperalgesia by cinobufagin in rats with bone cancer pain, and its mechanism may be related to pCaMKⅡa/CaMKⅡa signaling pathway.

[Effect of skin soft tissue expansion on repair of large area of scars on extremities]

Objective: To investigate the effect of skin soft tissue expansion on repair of large area of scars on extremities. Methods: Twenty-five patients with large area of scars on extremities were admitted to our department from June 2007 to October 2014. There were 14 males and 11 females, aged 4 to 36 years. Operations were performed under local infiltration anesthesia or general anesthesia. In the first stage, 1 to 5 cylindrical expanders with capacities of 250 to 600 mL were placed at left or right sides or at upper or lower parts of the scars. In the second stage, scars of 21 patients were repaired with expanded transverse propulsive and lateral flaps, and scars of 4 patients were repaired with expanded perforator flaps whose pedicles were perforators of brachial artery, superior ulnar collateral artery, or posterior interosseous artery according to areas and shapes of the scars. The secondary wound areas ranged from 13 cm×7 cm to 34 cm×18 cm after dissolution or excision of scars. The areas of flaps ranged from 13 cm×7 cm to 20 cm×12 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly. The flaps after operation and follow-up of patients were observed and recorded. Results: All expanded flaps survived after operation. And the superficial distal part of flap whose pedicle was perforator of posterior interosseous artery in one patient was with necrosis, and other flaps survived well. During follow-up of 3 to 15 months after operation of the second stage, color and texture of flaps were similar to surrounding skin, while extremities of donor sites were thinner and auxiliary incisional scars formed after expansion. Conclusions: Expanded flap is a good way to repair large area of scar on extremities. Bilateral skin of scar is the first choice of donor site of expanded flap. If there isn't enough skin for expanding on bilateral sides, expanded perforator flap designed at upper or lower part of the scar is another choice to repair the scar.

[Expression and distribution of programmed death receptor 1 and T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 in breast cancer microenvironment and its relationship with clinicopathological features]

Objective: To explore the expression and distribution of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (TIM-3) in breast cancer microenvironment and analyze the their correlation with the clinicopathological features. Methods: The specimens of tumor tissue and adjacent tissues from 30 patients with infiltrative breast cancer who were diagnosed as breast cancer from June 2016 to May 2017 in The First Hospital of Jiaxing were collected, and the specimen were divided into two parts along the center. After embedding and cryosectioning, the expression and distribution of PD-1 and TIM-3 protein in tumor tissues were observed by immunofluorescence staining. Another part of the specimen was cut and digested, and non-continuous density gradient centrifugation was used to extract tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in TILs. Meanwhile, the protein expression was determined by Western blotting. The relationship between the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 and pathological parameters of breast cancer was analyzed with correlation analysis. Results: Immunofluorescence results showed that more PD-1 and TIM-3 positive cells were observed in the tumor tissues compared with the tumor-adjacent tissues. The qRT-PCR showed that the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 mRNA in TILs were both significantly higher than those in paracancerous tissues (3.09±0.38 vs 1.26±0.23, 3.42±0.31 vs 1.57±0.29, t=4.16, 4.37, both P<0.05). At the protein level, the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in tumor tissue lymphocytes(0.66±0.08, 0.80±0.11) was significantly higher than those in cancerous tissues(0.10±0.01, 0.26±0.02) (t=6.79, 4.57, both P<0.05). There were significant differences in the expression of PD-1, TIM-3 mRNA in the TILs between the different tumor histological grades, tumor sizes, lymph node metastasis (t=2.22-2.99, all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in tumor tissues (r=0.616, P<0.01). Conclusions: In the breast cancer microenvironment, PD-1, TIM-3-mediated signaling pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer, it provides a new basis for the combination therapy of breast cancer.

Potential involvement of heat shock proteins in pancreatic-duodenal homeobox-1-mediated effects on the genesis of gastric cancer: A 2D gel-based proteomic study

AIM

To identify functional proteins involved in pancreatic-duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX1)-mediated effects on gastric carcinogenesis.

METHODS

A PDX1-overexpressed model was established by transfecting gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 with pcDNA3.1(+)-PDX1 vector (SGC-PDX1). Transfection with empty pcDNA3.1 vector (SGC-pcDNA) served as control. Comparative protein profiles of the two groups were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis based-proteomics (2DE gel-based proteomics). The differential proteins identified by 2DE were further validated by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation was used to determine any direct interactions between PDX1 and the differential proteins.

RESULTS

2DE gel proteomics identified seven differential proteins in SGC-PDX1 when compared with those in SGC-pcDNA. These included four heat shock proteins (HSPs; HSP70p1B, HSP70p8, HSP60, HSP27) and three other proteins (ER60, laminin receptor 1, similar to epsilon isoform of 14-3-3 protein). Immunoblotting validated the expression of the HSPs (HSP70, HSP60, HSP27). Furthermore, their expressions were lowered to 80%, 20% and 24%, respectively, in SGC-PDX1, while PDX1 exhibited a 9-fold increase, compared to SGC-pcDNA. However, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that mRNA levels of the HSPs were increased in SGC-PDX1, suggesting that the expression of the HSPs was post-translationally regulated by the PDX1 protein. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation failed to identify any direct interaction between PDX1 and HSP70 proteins.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the potential involvement of HSPs in PDX1-mediated effects on the genesis of gastric cancer.

[Relationship between C-C chemokine receptor type 2 and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in the spinal cord of rats with bone cancer pain]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between C-C chemokine receptor type 2(CCR2) and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38MAPK) signaling pathway in the spinal cord of rats and further clarify the mechanism of bone cancer pain (BCP). Methods: A total of 92 healthy female SD rats, of which 60 were subjected to behavioral tests using a ciliary mechanical stimulation needle. SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham operation group (group S), bone cancer pain group (group B), sham operation + DMSO solvent group (group SD), bone cancer pain + DMSO solvent group (group BD), sham operation + RS102895 CCR2 inhibitor group (group SR), bone cancer pain + RS102895 CCR2 inhibitor group (group BR), and Von Frey was used in the behavioral test. Another 32 SD rats were randomly divided into the following 8 groups (n=4): sham operation group (group S), bone cancer pain 5 d group (group B5), bone cancer pain 9 d group (group B9), bone cancer pain 14 d group (group B14), bone cancer pain + DMSO solvent group (group BD), bone cancer pain + RS102895 CCR2 inhibitor 0.5 h group (group BR0.5 h), bone cancer pain + RS102895 CCR2 inhibitor 4 h group (group BR4 h), bone cancer pain + RS102895 CCR2 inhibitor 12 h group (group BR12 h). Western blot was used to detect the expression of P38, p-P38 and CCR2 in spinal cord of rats. Results: At day 5, 7, 9, 14, 21 post-injection, mechanical withdrawal thresholds of group S were(30.9±1.5), (31.9±1.2), (32.0±1.1), (31.6±1.5), (32.2±1.4)g respectively, the mechanical withdrawal thresholds of group B were( 26.4±0.7), (24.4±0.8), (21.4±0.8), (13.5±0.4), (9.9±0.2)g respectively, the mechanical withdrawal thresholds in group B decreased obviously versus group S, and the differences were statistically significant(t=-13.177, -16.660, -23.778, -35.574, -48.401, all P<0.01). At day 9 post-injection, the mechanical withdrawal thresholds in SD, BD, SR and BR groups were (32.4±1.7), (19.4±1.1), (32.1±1.3), (26.3±1.0) g respectively, the difference was statistically significant (F=224.681, P<0.01), and the mechanical withdrawal thresholds in group BD decreased obviously versus group SD, while the mechanical withdrawal thresholds in group BR increased obviously versus group BD. The expression levels of p-P38 in spinal cord of group S, group B5, group B9 and group B14 were(0.08±0.03), (0.20±0.05), (0.40±0.17), (0.65±0.14)respectively, the expression levels of CCR2 were(0.08±0.04), (0.18±0.05), (0.30±0.09), (0.58±0.07)respectively, the difference was statistically significant(F=19.123, 40.746, all P<0.01), and the expression of p-P38 and CCR2 in group B9 were showed a significant up-regulation versus group S. The expression levels of p-P38 in spinal cord of group BD, group BR0.5 h, group BR4 h and group BR12 h were (0.57±0.06), (0.17±0.11), (0.03±0.01), (0.25±0.11)respectively, and the difference was statistically significant(F=29.582, P<0.01). The expression of p-P38 in group BR0.5 h, BR4 h, BR12 h showed a significant down-regulation versus group BD. Conclusion: CCR2 in the spinal cord may be involved in the development of bone cancer pain by activating P38MAPK signaling pathway in rats.

Molecular mapping of genes Yr64 and Yr65 for stripe rust resistance in hexaploid derivatives of durum wheat accessions PI 331260 and PI 480016

This manuscript reports two new genes ( Yr64 and Yr65 ) for effective resistance to stripe rust and usefulness of their flanking SSR markers for marker-assisted selection. Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most important diseases of wheat worldwide and resistance is the best control strategy. Durum wheat accessions PI 331260 and PI 480016 were resistant to all tested Pst races. To transfer the resistance genes to common wheat and map them to wheat chromosomes, both accessions were crossed with the stripe rust-susceptible spring wheat 'Avocet S'. Resistant F3 plants with 42 chromosomes were selected cytologically and by rust phenotype. A single dominant gene for resistance was identified in segregating F4 lines from each cross. F6 populations for each cross were developed from single F5 plants and used for genetic mapping. Different genes from PI 331260 and PI 480016 were mapped to different loci in chromosome 1BS using simple sequence repeat markers. The gene from PI 331260 was flanked by Xgwm413 and Xgdm33 in bin 1BS9-0.84-1.06 at genetic distances of 3.5 and 2.0 cM; and the gene from PI 480016 was flanked by Xgwm18 and Xgwm11 in chromosome bin C-1BS10-0.50 at 1.2 and 2.1 cM, respectively. Chromosomal locations and race and allelism tests indicated that the two genes are different from previously reported stripe rust resistance genes, and therefore are named as Yr64 from PI 331260 and Yr65 from PI 480016. These genes and their flanking markers, and selected common wheat lines with the genes should be valuable for diversifying resistance genes used in breeding wheat cultivars with stripe rust resistance.

Effect of biological feedback therapy on clinical symptoms and pelvic floor muscle surface electromyography in elderly patients with chronic functional constipation

AIM: To observe the effect of biological feedback therapy on clinical symptoms and pelvic floor muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) parameters in elderly patients with chronic functional constipation, and to investigate the correlation between sEMG parameters and clinical symptom scores.

METHODS: Fifty-three patients (>60 years old) with chronic functional constipation received biological feedback therapy once daily for 20 d. Clinical symptom scores and parameters in the Glazer protocol of sEMG were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTS: Compared with pre-treatment value, clinical symptom score was improved significantly after treatment (10.90 ± 2.99 vs 5.65 ± 2.60, t = 10.46, P = 0.000). The contractile amplitudes of phasic (24.87 ± 12.71 vs 32.82 ± 20.31, P = 0.009), tonic (14.26 ± 8.63 vs 21.78 ± 10.44, P = 0.000) and endurance contractions (9.52 ± 6.88 vs 13.62 ± 8.48, P = 0.005) in the Glazer protocol of sEMG increased significantly, and the variability of tonic contraction (0.47 ± 0.14 vs 0.33 ± 0.18, P = 0.015) decreased significantly 20 d after biological feedback therapy. There were close correlations among the amplitudes of phasic and tonic contractions, variability of tonic contraction in the Glazer protocol of sEMG and clinical symptom scores before and after the treatment (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Biological feedback therapy can effectively improve both clinical symptoms and sEMG parameters in elderly patients with chronic functional constipation.

Molecular mapping of Yr53, a new gene for stripe rust resistance in durum wheat accession PI 480148 and its transfer to common wheat

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most damaging diseases of wheat worldwide. It is essential to identify new genes for effective resistance against the disease. Durum wheat PI 480148, originally from Ethiopia, was resistant in all seedling tests with several predominant Pst races in the US under controlled greenhouse conditions and at multiple locations subject to natural infection for several years. To map the resistance gene(s) and to transfer it to common wheat, a cross was made between PI 480148 and susceptible common wheat genotype Avocet S (AvS). Resistant F(3) plants with 42 chromosomes were selected cytologically and by testing with Pst race PST-100. A total of 157 F(4) plants from a single F(3) plant with 2n = 42 tested with PST-100 segregated in a 3 resistant: 1 susceptible ratio, indicating that a single dominant gene from PI 480148 conferred resistance. Using the F(3:4) population and the resistance gene-analog polymorphism (RGAP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, the gene was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 2B. SSR marker Xwmc441 and RGAP marker XLRRrev/NLRRrev ( 350 ) flanked the resistance gene by 5.6 and 2.7 cM, respectively. The effective resistance of the gene to an Australian Pst isolate virulent to Yr5, which is also located on 2BL and confers resistance to all US Pst races, together with an allelism test of the two genes, indicated that the gene from PI 480148 is different from Yr5 and should be a new and useful gene for resistance to stripe rust. Resistant common wheat lines with plant types similar to AvS were selected for use in breeding programs.

Effects of dielectric values of human body on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) following 800 MHz radio frequency exposure to ingestible wireless device

In order to assess the compliance of Ingested Wireless Device (IWD) within safety guidelines, the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and near fields of IWD in two realistic human body models whose dielectric values are increased from the original by +/-10 and +/-20% are studied using the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method. The radiation characteristics of the IWD in the human body models with original and changed dielectric values are compared. Simulations are carried out at 13 scenarios where the IWD is placed at center positions of abdomens in the two models at the operation frequency of 800 MHz. Results show that variation of radiation intensity near the surface of abdomen is around 1.6 dB within 20% variation of dielectric values at the frequency of 800 MHz. Electric fields in the anterior of the human body models are higher than those in the posterior for all scenarios. SAR values increase as the conductivities of human body tissues increase and usually decrease as the increase of relative permittivities of human body tissues increase. The effect of the dielectric values of human body on SAR is orientation, human body and frequency dependent. An increment up to 20% in conductivities and relative permittivities alone or simultaneously always causes a SAR variation less than 20%. As far as the compliance of safety was concerned, the IWD was safe to be used at the input power less than 9.3 mW according to IEEE safety standards.

Pulse image recognition using fuzzy neural network

The automatic recognition of pulse images is the key in the research of computerized pulse diagnosis. In order to automatically differentiate the pulse patterns by using small samples, a fuzzy neural network to classify pulse images based on the knowledge of experts in traditional Chinese pulse diagnosis was designed. The designed classifier can make hard decision and soft decision for identifying 18 patterns of pulse images at the accuracy of 91%, which is better than the results that achieved by back-propagation neural network.

Pulse waveforms classification based on wavelet network

This paper proposes a new algorithm to classify pulse waveforms based on discrete wavelet network. This paper selects 4-order discrete Daubechies wavelet as the wavelet node of this wavelet network to classify six pulse patterns distinctive in shape. 600 pulse records are used to train this wavelet network and 300 pulse records are used to test the classifier's performance. The test results show that this approach has 83% agreement rate with the experienced experts. Compared with traditional classification methods, it needs not the experience in feature extraction.

Lempel-ziv decomposition based arrhythmic pulses recognition

The computerization of traditional Chinese pulse diagnosis (TCPD) is relatively new in the field of automatic physiological signal analysis and diagnosis. The classification of pulse patterns according to their positions and shapes have been intensively investigated, but until now no research in identifying pulses by their rhythms has been found. This paper introduces a method to distinguish rhythmic and arrhythmic pulse patterns and further, applies the Lempel-Ziv decomposition to classify arrhythmic pulses. In the experiment on 140 clinic pulses, our approach was able to classify pulses by their rhythms with an accuracy of 90.7%.

Studies on the molecular markers of rhizomes of some Alpinia species

The rhizomes of Alpinia jianganfeng are used as a traditional Chinese medicine, Jian Gan Feng, to cure rheumatism in Guangdong, China. The rhizomes of some other species of the genus Alpinia such as A. japonica, A. suishaensis and A. nanchuanensis are also used as Jian Gan Feng in Southwest China. However, the identification of the original plants of the crude drugs is difficult. The internal transcribed spacers and the 5.8S coding region of nuclear ribosomal DNA of the four species were sequenced and analyzed. The DNA markers have been determined and they can be used for the molecular identification of these medicinal plants.

[rDNA its sequencing of Herba Dendrobii (Huangcao)]

AIM

To study the genetic diversity of ITS sequences of Herba Dendrobii (Huangcao) and analyze the utility of ITS sequences in molecular authentication of Herba Dendrobii (Huangcao) and phylogenetic of Dendrobium.

METHODS

The ITS gene fragment was amplified using a pair of primers. The PCR products were purified and sequenced by the methods of Sanger Dideoxy.

RESULTS

The DNA sequence of 228-233 bp ITS 1, 242-247 bp ITS 2 gene fragments and 5.8S rDNA were obtained from 14 samples of Dendrobium. The interspecific substitution varies from 11.79% to 31.58% at ITS 1 and 10.29% to 25.30% at ITS 2. The intraspecific substitution of D. nobile is 0.87% at ITS 1 and without difference at ITS 2. The substitution between Dendrobium and outgroup varies from 23.56% to 36.89% at ITS 1 and 26.52% to 33.31% at ITS 2. The phylogenetic tree based on ITS 1 and ITS 2 data was set up.

CONCLUSION

The ITS 1 and ITS 2 gene fragments were highly conservative at intraspecific level in Dendrebium, while they were less conservative at interspecific level in D. nobile. They were least conservative between Dendrobium and outgroup. Hence, the sequence of this fragment is a good molecular marker for authentication of the Huangcao. But, further study is necessary for the phylogenetic of Dendrobium.

Characters of nrDNA ITS region sequences of fruits of Alpinia galanga and their adulterants

The fruits of Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw. are used as a traditional Chinese medicine; but the dry fruits of A. conchigera, A. suishaensis, A. maclurei and A. polyantha are also used as the medicine in local areas. Because dry fruits of these related plants are similar to those of Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw. in odor, morphological characters and chemical components, and even anatomical characters, it is difficult to identify the medicine. Nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the five taxa were directly sequenced using an automated sequencer. Sequence analysis showed that the ITS 1 ranges from 177 to 178 base pairs (bp), and the ITS 2 from 225 to 234 bp. The size of the 5.8S coding region is 164 bp for all species. Also, the pairwise sequence divergence is higher and some molecular markers were determined. According to these molecular markers, Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw. and the related species can easily be distinguished from each other. Therefore, evidence from nrDNA ITS sequence variation can identify the medicine at the DNA level.

[Authentication of traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHM) by fingerprints of characteristic general constituents]

OBJECTIVE

To describe the theory, scientific significance, distinguishing features and authentication feasibility of TCHMs by spectral fingerprints of characteristic general constituents.

METHOD

Previous relevant investigations and literatures were summed up in the field, and the present situation on the authentication of TCHMs at home and abroad was analysed.

RESULT

The characteristic general constituents of TCHMs can be obtained by an appropriate procedure. Their compositions and structures can be determined by spectral fingerprints, especially the 1HNMR fingerprint. The species of TCHMs can be identified accurately by these fingerprints. Besides, the quality of TCHMs can be evaluated by the contents of their GCEs.

CONCLUSION

Fingerprint authentication of characteristic general constituents of TCHMs has profound significance for the species identification and quality evaluation of TCHMs.

Coumarins from the fruits of Cnidium monnieri

Two novel biscoumarins, cnidimonal (1) and cnidimarin (2), and two new coumarin derivatives, 5-formylxanthotoxol (3) and 2'-deoxymeranzin hydrate (4), were isolated from a traditional Chinese crude drug, the fruits of Cnidium monnieri, together with 15 known compounds. Among the known compounds, five of the minor compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant. The structures of 1-4 were determined with the use of spectroscopic methods.

Role of phosphate and kinetic characteristics of complete iron release from native pig spleen ferritin-Fe

The kinetics for complete iron release showing biphasic behavior from pig spleen ferritin-Fe (PSFF) was measured by spectrophotometry. The native core within the PSFF shell consisted of 1682 hydroxide Fe3+ and 13 phosphate molecules. Inhibition kinetics for complete iron release was measure by differential spectrophotometry in the presence of phosphate; the process was clearly divided into two phases involving a first-order reaction at an increasing rate of 46.5 Fe3+/PSFF/min on the surface of the iron core and a zero-order reaction at a decreasing rate of 6.67 Fe3+/PSFF/min inside the core. The kinetic equation [C(PSFF-Fe3+)max - C(PSFF-Fe3+)t](1/2) = Tmax - Tt gives the transition time between the two rates and represents the complex kinetic characteristics. The rate was directly accelerated twofold by a mixed reducer of dithionite and ascorbic acid. These results suggest that the channel of the PSFF shell may carry out multiple functions for iron metabolism and storage and that the phosphate strongly affects the rate of iron release.

A sesquiterpene lactone glucoside from Ixeris denticulata f. pinnatipartita

An extract from the entire Ixeris denticulata f. pinnatipartita plant afforded the guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone glucoside, 8 beta,15-dihydroxy-1(10),3,11(13)-guaiatrien-12,6-olide-15-O- glucopyranoside, along with the known flavonoids luteolin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucuronide-6'-methyl ester; their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Ixerin Y inhibited the growth of human breast cancer MCF7 and MDA468 cell lines.

H2-uptake activity, spectra, reduction potentials, and kinetics of iron release on the surface of iron core from Azotobacter vinelandii bacterial ferritin

Bacterial ferritin from Azotobacter vinelandii (AvBFo) has a function in H2 uptake. The Fe3+ reduction on the surface of the iron core from AvBFo is accompanied simultaneously by H2 uptake, with a maximum activity of H2 uptake of 450 H2/AvBFo. A reduction potential of -402 mV for iron reduction on the surface of the core is found. A shift to the red the protein absorbance peaks ranging from 280 to 290 nm is observed between pH 5 and 9 under 100% H2 reduction. The reduction potential for iron release becomes negative at a rate of 0.025 mV/Fe2+ released. The kinetics of iron release on the surface of the core is a first-order reaction.

[Isolation and amplification of DNA from tortoise and turtle shells]

DNA was extracted from tortoise and turtle shells, two Chiense crude drugs which have been preserved for at least nine years. The cytochrome b sequence was amplified from the extracts using the polymerase chain reaction. Treatments with detergent and ultraviolet light were employed to destroy possible extraneous contamination. A control extract was set in parallel with the extracts of the specimens in order to detect contamination in solutions and reagents. The results show that significant amounts of genetic information can survive in the shells and may have important implications for their identification.

[A survey of commercial Chinese crude drug shasheng (radix Adenophorae and Glehniae)]

The commercial crude drug of Radix Adenophorae bought from 15 provinces and autonomous regions, and Radix Glehniae bought from 17 provinces and autonomous regions were surveyed. The original plants of 60 samples of Radix Adenophorae were identified as 9 species and 4 subspecies of genus Adenophora. The main species are Adenophora stricta, A. stricta subsp. sessilifolia, A. potaninii and A. hunanensis. Sixty two samples of Radix Glehniae were all identified as the roots of Glehnia littoralis.

[Herbalogical study of Chinese drug guijiu and xiaoyelian]

Through a critical study of ancient Chinese herbals, it is concluded that the botanical origin of Guijiu should be Dysosma versipellis or D. pleiantha instead of Sinopodophyllum emodi, and that Xiaoyelian was originated from the latter. In Chinese Pharmacopoeia and many other books, the botanical origin of Xiaoyelian was erroneously referred to as Podophyllum emodi.

Effects of nickel ions on polymerase activity and fidelity during DNA replication in vitro

Nickel is a genotoxic carcinogen. However, the mechanisms of nickel-induced genotoxicity are not well understood. We have investigated the effects of Ni2+ ions on DNA polymerase activity and the fidelity of DNA replication in vitro. The effect of Ni2+ on different DNA polymerases is quite variable. The amount of enzyme inhibition and degree of alteration in replication fidelity induced by Ni2+ are dependent both on the polymerase and its associated 3'-5' exonuclease activity. Some polymerases, such as E. coli DNA polymerase I, AMV reverse transcriptase and human DNA polymerase alpha, can utilize Ni2+ as a weak substitute for Mg2+ during DNA replication. Other polymerases are very sensitive to inhibition by Ni2+ and the IC50 can vary by an order of magnitude. T4 polymerase is relatively insensitive to inhibition by Ni2+, although the sensitivity is enhanced in the absence of added Mg2+, and Ni preferentially inhibits the 3'-5' exonuclease function of T7 DNA polymerase. The fidelity and processivity of DNA polymerases may be either increased or decreased by Ni ions in a polymerase dependent manner. The inhibition DNA polymerase activity and altered replication fidelity may contribute significantly to Ni-induced mutagenesis and genotoxicity in vivo.

Chromium(III) bound to DNA templates promotes increased polymerase processivity and decreased fidelity during replication in vitro

Carcinogenic chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds are reduced intracellularly to DNA- and protein-reactive chromium(III) species. However, the role of Cr(III) ions in chromium-induced genotoxicity remains unclear. We have investigated the effects of chromium(III) binding on DNA replication and polymerase processivity in vitro. Chromium ions bind slowly and in a dose-dependent manner to DNA. Micromolar concentrations of free chromium inhibit DNA replication, but if the unbound chromium is removed by gel filtration, the rate of DNA replication by polymerase I (Klenow fragment) on the chromium-bound template is increased greater than 6-fold relative to the control. This increase is paralleled by as much as a 4-fold increase in processivity and a 2-fold decrease in replication fidelity. These effects are optimum when very low concentrations of chromium ions are bound to the DNA [3-4 Cr(III) ions per 1000 nucleotide phosphates]. Increased concentrations of chromium lead to the production of DNA-DNA cross-links and inhibition of polymerase activity. These results suggest that low levels of DNA-bound chromium(III) ions may contribute to chromium mutagenesis and carcinogenesis by altering the kinetics and fidelity of DNA replication.

A blotting method for monitoring the formation of chemically induced DNA-protein complexes

The formation and identification of DNA-protein crosslinks are usually detected by filter binding assays such as alkaline elution. We describe a modified blotting method to selectively identify DNA-protein complexes (DPCs) formed in vitro by either Cr3+ ion or formaldehyde. This protocol allows DPC formation in vitro to be assayed with various chemical agents, requires minimal usage of radioactivity, and is performed in a shorter time frame than that commonly used to resolve DPCs from free proteins and unbound DNA.

Effects of chromium(III) on DNA replication in vitro

A number of metal compounds are important environmental carcinogens; however, the molecular mechanisms of metal-induced genotoxicity are not yet understood. Chromium, for example, is substantially mutagenic in vivo and has been shown to decrease the DNA replication fidelity in vitro. But the mechanism of chromium-induced mutagenesis is unknown and the role of replication fidelity in chromium-induced carcinogenesis is unclear. We have used in vitro DNA replication assays to investigate the effects of chromium ions on DNA polymerase activity preliminary to studying their role in chromium-induced mutagenesis. Biologically active M13mp2 DNA was replicated with purified DNA polymerases in the presence of micromolar amounts of chromium with or without the normal divalent cation, magnesium. Nucleotide incorporation kinetics were determined and sequence specific pausing was analyzed by primer-extension. Our results have demonstrated an unexpected polymerase activation by low (0.5-5.0 microns) concentrations of chromium (III), although higher concentrations of chromium are increasingly inhibitory. The increased incorporation seem at low chromium(III) concentrations is the result of increased enzyme processivity and is not polymerase specific. The possible relationship between processivity and metal-ion mutagenesis is discussed.

Effect of magnesium on nickel-induced genotoxicity and cell transformation

Raising the extracellular level of magnesium ions inhibited nickel-induced DNA strand breaks, DNA-protein crosslinks, sister chromatid exchanges, chromosomal aberrations and cell transformation. Carcinogenic nickel ions preferentially damaged centromeres and other heterochromatic regions of Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosomes. Elevation of extracellular magnesium levels prevented the effects of nickel on heterochromatin and inhibited cell transformation, but did not substantially reduce the DNA damage induced by nickel in euchromatic regions. This study suggests that heterochromatic DNA damage may be important to the nickel-induced neoplastic transformation process.

Some properties of the nickel-containing hydrogenase of chemolithotrophically grown Rhizobium japonicum

The uptake hydrogenase of chemolithotrophically grown Rhizobium japonicum was purified to apparent homogeneity with a final specific activity of 69 mumol of H2 oxidized per min per mg of protein. The procedure included Triton extraction of broken membranes and DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-200 chromatographies. The purified protein contained two polypeptides separable only by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They comigrated on native polyacrylamide gels and sucrose density gradients. The molecular weights were ca. 60,000 and 30,000. Densitometric scans of the sodium dodecyl sulfate gels indicated a molar ratio of 1.03 +/- 0.03. Antiserum was developed against the 60-kilodalton polypeptide for use in hydrogenase detection by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antiserum did not cross-react with the 30-kilodalton polypeptide. Native gel electrophoresis of Triton-extracted cells grown in the presence of 63Ni showed comigration of the hydrogenase and radioactive Ni.