[Exploration on origin of Simiao Yong'an Decoction]

Simiao Yong'an Decoction is composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Scrophulariae Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome, which was chosen as one of the 100 classic prescriptions in Catalogue of Ancient Classics Prescription(the first batch). Through tracing to the source, It was found that the Simiao Yong'an Decoction(but not named) originated from the Shi Shi Mi Lu, and was later cited by books such as Ancient and Modern Book Integration-Full Record of Medical Department and New Edition of Useful Prescriptions. Literature shows that this prescription was not named until first reported in the Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Arterial Embolism Gangrene in 1956 by a journalist LYU Min. This article recorded that SHIJIA Baoshan, a monk from Hebei Province, used self-named "Simiao Yong'an Decoction" to treat local arterial embolic gangrene. After comparison, there was two difference between ancient books and SHIJIA Baoshan's records. Firstly, according to ancient books, the composition and dosage of Simiao Yong'an Decoction is Lonicerae Japonicae Flos 90 g, Scrophulariae Radix 90 g, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 60 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome 30 g", and the ratio is 3∶3∶2∶1. By SHIJIA Baoshan's record, the composition and dosage are: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos 66 g, Scrophulariae Radix 132 g, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 99 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome 33 g, and the ratio changed to 2∶4∶3∶1. Secondly, ancient books show that patients can be healed after taking seven or ten days of the previous prescription, however, it would take 3 or 4 months, even 7 months in SHIJIA Baoshan's records. It can be considered that the previous prescription should be used at the beginning of gangrene, while the modified Simiao Yong'an Decoction by SHIJIA Baoshan is widely used in the middle and late stages of gangrene, even the critical condition, that is the reason for longer treatment and larger dosage. Nowadays, Simiao Yong'an Decoction is not limited to the treatment of gangrene and bulla in clinic. Relevant studies have confirmed that Simiao Yong'an Decoction has the effects such as anti-inflammatory, plaque stabilization, lipid-lowering, vascular protection, improvement of hemorheology, anticoagulation, inhibition of thrombosis and fibrinolysis, etc. In the follow-up, we should carry out the analysis of the compatibility of this four medicines, and redefine the scope of its clinical application under the theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

Serial anti-tuberculous immune responses during the follow-up of patients with tuberculous pleurisy

Little is known about the decay kinetics of interferon (IFN)-γ response and its influencing factors in tuberculous pleurisy. We enrolled thirty-two patients with tuberculous pleurisy prospectively and followed up at month 0, 6, and 9, at which time peripheral venous blood was drawn for interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) by means of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT). Demographic and clinical data were captured. To identify significant predictive factors influencing the IFN-γ response, multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Percentage of CD4+, CD8+, Vγ2Vδ2 T cells and Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry. The percentage of QFT-GIT-positive patients at baseline, month 6 and month 9 were 96.9% (30/32), 90.6% (29/32) and 84.4% (27/32), respectively. Quantitative IFN-γ response at baseline were significantly correlated with symptom duration (P = .003, R = 0.261) and age (P = .041, R = 0.132). Besides, the decreases of the IFN-γ response at month 6 and month 9 were positively correlated with the IFN-γ level at baseline. The dynamic tendency of the percentages of Treg cells was similar to the IFN-γ responses at each time-point. Quantitative IFN-γ response could be influenced by host immune status, instead of disease burden and anti-tuberculosis treatment. IGRA is probably not a useful biomarker of treatment efficacy in tuberculous pleurisy.

Treatment Responses of Cognitive Function and Plasma Asymmetric Dimethylarginine to Atypical Antipsychotic in Patients With Schizophrenia

Cognitive deficits represent a core feature of schizophrenia. Previous studies have demonstrated that plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was increased in patients with schizophrenia and correlated with cognitive impairments. Atypical antipsychotics can produce cognitive benefits in schizophrenia patients. In this study, we conducted a prospective observation trial to explore whether plasma ADMA may serve as an indicator for evaluating cognitive improvements induced by atypical antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia. A total of 41 schizophrenia patients with acute exacerbation were enrolled and 29 patients completed this study. These recruited patients were drug-naive or had no exposure to antipsychotics for at least 3 months. Thirty healthy individuals were recruited as a control group. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and a neuropsychological battery were used to evaluate schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive function, respectively. Plasma ADMA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We found that schizophrenia patients with acute exacerbation had significantly poorer cognitive performances and higher plasma ADMA levels than control individuals (p < 0.05). After 2 months of atypical antipsychotic treatment, patients showed significant improvements in processing speed, working memory, attention, and executive function (all p < 0.01). Plasma ADMA levels in patients after treatment were significantly decreased compared to baseline (2.42 ± 0.84 vs. 1.55 ± 0.34 μmol/L; t = 6.491, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis reveals that there is a significant correlation of the decrease in ADMA with improvements in working memory (r = -0.413, p = 0.026) and attention (r = -0.417, p = 0.025). Collectively, our results suggest that atypical antipsychotics improve cognitive function in schizophrenia patients with acute exacerbation, in parallel with decreased plasma ADMA levels. Plasma ADMA levels may be an indicator of cognitive recovery in schizophrenia.

[Systematic review on orofacial myofunctional therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome]

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The widespread collapse of the airway, which can't maintain its normal position and structure, is an important cause of OSAHS. Noninvasive ventilator-assisted ventilation is the preferred treatment for OSAHS, but there are shortcomings of poor compliance. Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a noninvasive, simple, low-cost, low-risk therapy that is expected to replace noninvasive ventilator-assisted ventilation to a certain extent. So far, there is little Chinese literature on OMT, especially no training methods in Chinese version. Therefore, this paper systematically reviewed anatomical abnormalities and pathology of OSAHS, possible treatment mechanism of OMT and related research progress. And we translated two kinds of training method of OMT (Guimarase's and Hemmat Baz's) into Chinese for researchers and clinicians' reference, which is widely cited in foreign literature.

Invertase Suc2-mediated inulin catabolism is regulated at the transcript level in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Background

Invertase Suc2 was recently identified as a key hydrolase for inulin catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas the Suc2 activity degrading inulin varies greatly in different S. cerevisiae strains. The molecular mechanism causing such variation remained obscure. The aim of this study is to investigate how Suc2 activity is regulated in S. cerevisiae.

Results

The effect of SUC2 expression level on inulin hydrolysis was investigated by introducing different SUC2 genes or their corresponding promoters in S. cerevisiae strain BY4741 that can only weakly catabolize inulin. Both inulinase and invertase activities were increased with the rising SUC2 expression level. Variation in the promoter sequence has an obvious effect on the transcript level of the SUC2 gene. It was also found that the high expression level of SUC2 was beneficial to inulin degradation and ethanol yield.

Conclusions

Suc2-mediated inulin catabolism is regulated at transcript level in S. cerevisiae. Our work should be valuable for engineering advanced yeast strains in application of inulin for ethanol production.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-015-0243-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Geostatistical modelling of arsenic in drinking water wells and related toenail arsenic concentrations across Nova Scotia, Canada

Arsenic is a naturally occurring class 1 human carcinogen that is widespread in private drinking water wells throughout the province of Nova Scotia in Canada. In this paper we explore the spatial variation in toenail arsenic concentrations (arsenic body burden) in Nova Scotia. We describe the regional distribution of arsenic concentrations in private well water supplies in the province, and evaluate the geological and environmental features associated with higher levels of arsenic in well water. We develop geostatistical process models to predict high toenail arsenic concentrations and high well water arsenic concentrations, which have utility for studies where no direct measurements of arsenic body burden or arsenic exposure are available. 892 men and women who participated in the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health Project provided both drinking water and toenail clipping samples. Information on socio-demographic, lifestyle and health factors was obtained with a set of standardized questionnaires. Anthropometric indices and arsenic concentrations in drinking water and toenails were measured. In addition, data on arsenic concentrations in 10,498 private wells were provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment. We utilised stepwise multivariable logistic regression modelling to develop separate statistical models to: a) predict high toenail arsenic concentrations (defined as toenail arsenic levels ≥0.12 μg g(-1)) and b) predict high well water arsenic concentrations (defined as well water arsenic levels ≥5.0 μg L(-1)). We found that the geological and environmental information that predicted well water arsenic concentrations can also be used to accurately predict toenail arsenic concentrations. We conclude that geological and environmental factors contributing to arsenic contamination in well water are the major contributing influences on arsenic body burden among Nova Scotia residents. Further studies are warranted to assess appropriate intervention strategies for reducing arsenic body burden among human populations.

Specific targeting of prostate cancer cells in vitro by the suicide gene/prodrug system, uracil phosphoribosyltransferase/5-fluorouracil, under the control of prostate-specific membrane antigen promoter/enhancer

This study was designed to investigate the prostate cancer-specific tumoricidal effect of the suicide gene, Escherichia coli uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT), driven by the human prostate-specific membrane antigen promoter/enhancer (PSMA(E/P)) in vitro. When transfected with PSMA(E/P)-EGFP (enhanced green fluorescence protein) (a plasmid construct with the green fluorescence protein gene driven by the PSMA(E/P)), only the androgen-responsive and PSMA-positive prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP, expressed GFP, indicating the specificity of the PSMA(E/P) activity in androgen-sensitive and PSMA-positive prostate cancer cells. Taking advantage of this prostate cancer-specific property of PSMA(E/P), we successfully introduced bacterial UPRT into LNCaP cells where the tumoricidal effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was significantly increased when compared with the cells without the exogenous UPRT. We conclude that the efficacy of 5-FU-based chemotherapy in prostate cancers can be significantly improved by targeted expression of the suicide gene UPRT under the control of PSMA(E/P).

Sesquiterpene lactones from Saussurea alata

Two new guaianolides, namely, 3beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-13-methoxyl-4(14),10(15)-dien-(1alphaH,5alphaH,6beta H,11betaH)-12,6-olide (1) and 3beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-13-methoxyl-4(14),10(15)-dien-(1alphaH,5alphaH,6beta H,11alphaH)-12,6-olide (2), together with six known guaianolides, 8-hydroxyzaluzanin C, austricin, chlorojanerin, cynaropicrin, chlorohyssopifolin E and chlorohyssopifolin A were isolated from the aerial parts of Saussurea alata. The structures were established mainly based on spectral analysis, especially 2D NMR techniques.

Microbial modulation in the biomass and toxin production of a red-tide causing alga

The effect of S10, a strain of marine bacteria isolated from sediment in the Western Xiamen Sea, on the growth and paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) production in the alga Alexandrium tamarense (A. tamarense) was studied under controlled experimental conditions. The results of these experiments have shown that the growth of A. tamarense is obviously inhibited by S10 at high concentrations, however no evident effect on its growth was observed at low concentrations. Its PSP production was also inhibited by S10 at different concentrations, especially at low concentrations. The toxicity of this strain of A. tamarense is about (0.95-12.14) x 10(-6) MU/cell, a peak toxicity value of 12.14 x 10(-6) MU/cell appeared on the 14th day, after which levels decreased gradually. The alga grew well in conditions of pH 6-8 and salinities of 20-34 per thousand. The toxicity of the alga varied markedly at different pH and salinity levels. Toxicity decreased as pH increased, while it increased with salinity and reached a peak value at a salinity of 30 per thousand, after which it declined gradually. S10 at a concentration of 1.02 x 10(9) cells/ml inhibited growth and the PSP production of A. tamarense at different pH and salinity levels. S10 had the strongest inhibitory function on the growth of A. tamarense under conditions of pH 7 and a salinity of 34 per thousand. The best inhibitory effect on PSP production by A. tamarense was at pH 7, this inhibitory effect on PSP production did not relate to salinity. Interactions between marine bacteria and A. tamarense were also investigated using the flow cytometer technique (FCM) as well as direct microscope counting. S10 was identified as being a member of the genus Bacillus, the difference in 16S rDNA between S10 and Bacillus halmapalus was only 2%. The mechanism involved in the inhibition of growth and PSP production of A. tamarense by this strain of marine bacteria, and the prospect of using it and other marine bacteria in the bio-control of red-tides was discussed.

Effects of histamine on electrophysiological properties and triggered activity in guinea pig papillary muscles

The effects of histamine on action potentials (APs) and on early afterdepolarizations (EADs) were studied with standard microelectrode and computer in guinea pig papillary muscles. Experiments offer evidence that histamine (6.0 mumol/l) results in a significant diminution in action potential duration at 50% repolarization (APD50) and 90% repolarization (APD90) (data taken from no abnormal automaticity and oscillatory potential cells, 10 out of 19 preparations). Particularly, histamine can induce EADs (about 58%), oscillatory potentials and triggered activity. EADs frequently occur at low stimulation rates of 0.2-1.0 Hz and with prolongation of the action potential duration. EAD-induced triggered activity may exhibit fast spontaneous APs. Cimetidine (10 mumol/l, n = 6), an H2-receptor antagonist, antagonizes the effects of histamine. In the presence of cimetidine no EADs are observed by perfusing histamine. An H1-receptor antagonist, chlorpheniramine (10 mumol/l, n = 9), has no effect on the alterations of APs induced by histamine in ventricular myocardium. The results suggest that the mechanisms of histamine-induced shortness of AP duration, EADs and triggered activity may be related to the H2 receptor-mediated enhancement of the slow inward calcium current.

[Role of the central alpha-receptors in the modulation of carotid sinus reflex of rats]

To investigate the effects of the central alpha-receptors on the carotid sinus reflex, phenoxybenzamine (PBZ, 2 micrograms/20 microliters) or yohimbine (Y, 2 micrograms/20 microliters) was injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle (LCV) and intracarotid sinus pressure (ISP)-mean arterial pressure (MAP) relationship curve was constructed and fitted by a Logistic function. The results were as follows: (1) After injection of PBZ into LCV, the ISP-MAP relationship curve shifted upward at a higher ISP level with decreased peak slope and MAP range while the ISP-slope curve shifted downward. (2) After injection of Y into LCV, the ISP-MAP relationship curve shifted upward at a higher ISP level with decreased peak slope and MAP range and increased threshold. The ISP-slope curve shifted downward significantly at 10.64, 15.96 kPa. The peak slope and MAP range of Y group decreased significantly as compared with that of the PBZ group. These results indicated that after blockage of central alpha-receptors the sensitivity of the sinus reflex decreased significantly, and the blockage action of alpha 2-receptor is greater than that of alpha 1-receptor.

[Effect of the central noradrenergic system on carotid sinus reflex in rats]

In order to study the effect of central noradrenergic system on the regulation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) by intracarotid sinus pressure (ISP), ISP-MAP relationship curves were constructed using isolated carotid sinus under the condition of injection of 6-OHDA (200 micrograms) into lateral ventricle or cauterization of locus coeruleus (LC) and compared with that obtained under the condition of control. All ISP-MAP curves can be fitted by a logistic functional plot whose characteristics can be defined by two parameters, i.e. coordinates of the inversion point of the slope of the curve and the MAP range related to the rate of change of slope factor with which carotid sinus pressure exerts its control. The results were as follows: After injection of 6-OHDA, the rate of change of the slope of the ISP-MAP curve is considerably slower than that of the normal control, thus showing a much compressed range of MAP by ISP, while the abscissa (i.e. position of ISP) of the slope inversion point of the curve shows practically no change. In comparison with the control, cauterization of LC causes a similar but less striking change of ISP-MAP curve than that of 6-OHDA injection experiment. All such differences were illustrated in Fig. 3. The above results indicated that the central noradrenergic system facilitates carotid sinus reflex and LC plays a dominant role.

[Keshan disease and the selenium content of grains in Yunnan province]

The selenium content of 518 specimens of rice, wheat, maize, soybean and highland barley growing both in Keshan disease area and other places in Yunnan Province, was determined and it was found that the average selenium content of the grains in the Keshan disease area was lower than that in the other places. The selenium content of rice especially was much lower than that of wheat and soybean. The relationship of Keshan disease to the low selenium content of grains, especially rice, the most eaten grain by people in the disease area, seemed clearly established in Yunnan province as well.

[Dynamic changes in depolarization of action potentials by high frequency stimulation in guinea pig papillary muscles]

The effect of high frequency stimulation on rate-dependent depression of depolarization of action potentials was studied with computer and standard microelectrode techniques in guinea pig papillary muscles. After increasing driving frequency from 0.5 to 6 Hz, decreases in Vmax, APA and OS were found. Changes of upstroke velocity during phase 0 between driving frequency 6 and 0.5 Hz could be described as a parabola. The rate-dependent depression of depolarization was exaggerated by tetrodotoxin (TTX), particularly during the accelerating period of phase 0. A progressive decline in Vmax, which could be fitted by a power function curve, was observed after changing driving frequency from 1 to 5 Hz. TTX significantly influenced the decline in Vmax and the regression coefficients in fitted equations.

Intramural hematoma of the esophagus: unusual complication of esophageal variceal sclerotherapy

The authors report a case of esophageal hematoma in a 35-year-old man after esophageal variceal sclerotherapy with intravariceal injection of 5% ethanolamine oleate. A huge submucosal hematoma of the esophageal wall was demonstrated endoscopically and radiologically. Resolution occurred spontaneously after conservative treatment.