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As one of the six major nutrients, lipids play important roles in various biological processes, including cell membrane construction, signal transduction, and energy metabolism. The diverse functions of lipids are intricately linked to the distinct structures. More than 48 000 molecular lipid structures have been curated in the database which can be further categorized into 8 categories and more than one hundred lipid classes and subclasses. The diverse structures of lipids pose challenges for their lipidomic analysis, especially the co-existence of isomers and isobar. Traditional tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) techniques based on collision-induced dissociation (CID) can provide the informations of molecular species and acyl chain composition of various types of lipids in a sensitive fashion. However, they typically fall short in providing detailed structural information, including C=C positions, sn-positions, functional group substitutions and their locations on the fatty acyl chains. In recent years, mass spectrometry methods capable of distinguishing lipid isomers at various structural levels have been developed, among which radical chemistry plays important role in both gas-phase ion activation and chemical derivatization. This article summarized the MS/MS techniques for lipid structural analysis at detailed structural levels via harnessing the power of both radical chemistry and tandem mass spectrometry in the past decade. Radical-induced dissociation (RID) refers to a group of gas-phase dissociation methods which can generate intrachain C-C cleavages in the fatty acyl chain and thus produce fragmentation patterns useful for identification of chain modification. Ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) and CID triggered radical-directed dissociation, and electron impact excitation of ions from organics (EIEIO) are the major RID methods. By coupling RID with separation methods, such as reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), identification and quantitation of lipid isomers consisting of methyl branching, hydroxy group, and cyclopropane modification and their locations have been achieved. The two major derivatization methods utilizing radical chemistry for C=C bond modification were discussed, including radical initiated epoxidation reactions and the Paternò-Büchi reaction. Furthermore, the future direction of combining radical chemistry and tandem mass spectrometry for deep lipidotyping was discussed, which included the coupling with advanced separation methods, integrated workflows for multi-level structure analysis, and development of automated annotation tools for data analysis.

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) histogram combined with Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) in the evaluation of glioma grading. Methods A total of 183 patients with diffuse glioma [including 63 cases of low-grade glioma (LGG) and 120 cases of high-grade glioma (HGG)] who underwent neurosurgical resection and were confirmed by pathology at General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command from December 2015 to December 2019 were enrolled. All patients underwent conventional MRI and DKI examination [including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), kurtosis fractional anisotropy (KFA), mean kurtosis (MK), mean kurtosis tensor (MKT)], and DKI histogram parameters (including mean, variance, median, 25% quantile, 75% quantile, skewness, kurtosis) were obtained. Immunohistochemical staining of EphA2 was performed. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to screen the predictive factors of glioma grading, and based on these factors, the DKI histogram and the DKI histogram combined with EphA2 grading diagnostic prediction model were constructed, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to evaluate its diagnostic efficiency. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between the DKI histogram parameters and the EphA2 grading. Results For HGG, the variance (t = - 2.050, P = 0.042) and 75% quantile (t = - 2.130, P = 0.035) of FA value, the variance (t = - 6.052, P = 0.000) and skewness (Z = - 3.326, P = 0.001) of MD value, the mean (t = - 3.094, P = 0.002), variance (t = - 2.228, P = 0.027), median (Z = - 3.444, P = 0.001), 25% quantile (t = - 3.022, P = 0.003) and 75% quantile (t = - 3.438, P = 0.001) of MK value, the mean (t = - 3.096, P = 0.002), variance (t = - 2.140, P = 0.028), median (t = - 3.701, P = 0.000), 25% quantile (t = - 3.033, P = 0.003) and 75% quantile (t = - 3.441, P = 0.000) of MKT value were higher than those of LGG. The FA value (Z = 4.489, P = 0.000), MK value (Z = 4.528, P = 0.000) and MKT value (Z = 4.528, P = 0.000) were significantly lower than those of LGG. Logistic regression analysis showed the skewness of FA value (OR = 0.484, 95%CI: 0.278-0.842; P = 0.010), variance of MD value (OR = 2.821, 95%CI: 1.231-6.466; P = 0.014) and 75% quantile of MKT value (OR = 2.581, 95%CI: 1.148-5.806; P = 0.022) were the predictive factors for glioma grading. The ROC curve showed the area under the curve (AUC) of DKI histogram parameters combined with EphA2 grading was 0.90 ± 0.02 (95%CI: 0.676-0.922, P = 0.000), which was better than DKI histogram (0.86 ± 0.02; 95%CI: 0.809-0.916, P = 0.000; Z = 1.114, P = 0.041). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed only MD kurtosis was negatively correlated with EphA2 grading (rs = - 0.267, P = 0.002). Conclusions The prediction model of DKI histogram combined with EphA2 grading can effectively improve the efficiency of grading diagnosis of glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To summarize clinical and imaging features of posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods A total of 53 patients clinically diagnosed with PRES from January 2013 to December 2017 were selected. The patients were divided into SLE group (31 patients) and NS group (22 patients) according to their primary diseases. Differences between the 2 groups in imaging features, affected sites and severity of lesions were compared. Results Incidence rates of epileptiform seizure (χ² = 9.255, P = 0.002) and visual impairment (χ² = 7.005, P = 0.008) of the NS group were higher than those in the SLE group. In the SLE group, bilateral periventricular areas (adjusted χ² = 5.377, P = 0.020), basal ganglia (adjusted χ² = 4.825, P = 0.028) and centrum semiovale (χ² = 8.113, P = 0.004) were mainly involved. The differences of imaging type between the 2 groups were statistically significant (Fisher's exact probability: P = 0.029). The proportion of parietal occipital lobe distribution in NS group was significantly higher than that in SLE group (Fisher's exact probability: P = 0.016). After treatment, PRES recovery in the SLE group was better and faster than that in NS group (t = 2.612, P = 0.013). Conclusions Common pathogens of PRES namely SLE and NS are different in certain degree of imaging features, and this will be significant to understand pathophysiological mechanism and clinical diagnosis of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the spatial pattern of cerebral perfusion decrease resulting from symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis and to assess the relationship between degrees of stenosis and cerebral blood flow (CBF). Methods CT angiography (CTA) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI cerebral perfusion were performed in 22 patients with symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis. Diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis and measurement of stenosis degrees was performed by using CTA; cerebral perfusion was determined by ASL. Voxel-based analysis (VBA) were applied to observe perfusion changes in patients with mild stenosis and moderate to severe stenosis, and spatial pattern of cerebral perfusion changes caused by carotid artery stenosis. Analysis based on region of interest (ROI) was used to explore the relationship between degrees of stenosis and CBF. Results Twenty - two patients with symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis (13 in the left side and 9 in the right) included 13 cases with mild stenosis and 9 cases with moderate to severe stenosis. Compared to those with mild stenosis, patients with moderate to severe stenosis showed reduced CBF in bilateral (especially in the affected side) parietal lobes (t = - 2.382, P = 0.014), frontal lobes (t = - 2.354, P = 0.015) and centrum semiovale (t = - 2.283, P = 0.017), and was basically located in bilateral cerebral watershed area. Furthermore, perfusion in these areas was negatively correlated with the degree of stenosis (r = - 0.479, P = 0.024). Conclusions Symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis may result in cerebral perfusion decreases in bilateral (particularly in the affected side) watershed area and cerebral blood flow is negatively correlated with the degree of stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the traditional block cipher modes cannot be applied effectively on GPU. We study the traditional encryption models and put forward a packet encryption model cipher, called block random link encryption mode(RCBC),which is efficient, safe and meets parallel computing requirements. This model has a high efficiency, and increases the difficulty of decryption at the same time. Experimental results show that the proposed encryption algorithm has efficient processing ability on CPU_GPU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the chemical structure and composition characteristics of tectonic coal, the authors collected primary structure coal and tectonic coals (cataclastic coal, granulated coal, mylonitic coal) from underground Sihe Mine in Qinshui Basin. After organic solvent extraction of four coal samples, microcrystalline structure parameters of coal samples were analyzed with modern technology (NMR, XRD, FTIR). The results showed that micro-chemical composition features, macromolecular structure arrangement and the main functional groups composition were different with primary structure coal. The paper revealed mylonitic coal had the highest ordering degree, its evolution degree was ahead of primary structure coal. And in this process, the hydrogen bond fell off, the content of methane gas increased, aliphatic hydrocarbons content decreased, the aryl group polycondensation degree increased. Meanwhile, the paper revealed from microscopic view that mylonitic coal developed area was proned to coal and gas outburst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the arid-hot valley of Jinsha River, Southwest China as the object, a comparative study was made on the plant leaf N, P, and K concentrations and ratios as well as their relationships with species dominance in the restoration area and disturbed area, aimed to understand the effects of ecosystem restoration on the plant leaf stoichoimetric characteristics. Ecosystem restoration decreased the plant leaf N and P concentrations and P/ K ratio significantly, but had lesser effects on the plant leaf K concentration. In restoration area, the plant leaf N, P, and K concentrations were averagely 10. 405, 0. 604, and 9. 619 g · kg-1, being 16. 9%, 34. 9%, and 4. 7% lower than those in disturbed area, respectively. In restoration area, species dominance was significantly negatively correlated with plant leaf P concentration; while the species dominance in disturbed area had a significant negative correlation with plant leaf K concentration. Ecosystem restoration altered the slope and intercept of the scaling relationships among the plant leaf N, P, and K. No significant differences were observed in the leaf N, P, and K concentrations of the same plant species between restoration area and disturbed area, suggesting that the changes of plant leaf stoichiometric characteristics were mainly driven by the shift of species composition in the plant community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For evaluating elastogram objectively, image processing and pattern recogniton techniques are proposed. First the real elasticity information encoded in color was extracted by transform the image from RGB color space to HSV space. Then the statistical features and texture features were extracted from region of interest on the elastogram. The important and reliable features were selected by using Minimum-Redundancy-Maximum-Relevance (mRMR) algorithm. Finally the selected features were input to the SVM classifier to classify the thyroid nodules into benign and malignant. The experiment results confirmed the method had higher accuracy (92%). It is helpful to improve the clinical accuracy by using CAD techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acquisition of XML Schema mapping is very important for the integration of heterogeneous system. This paper gave a new solution: an algorithm based on formal concept analysis. Constructing the concept lattice with traditional classification technology and the related definition of formal concept analysis; in this concept lattice, using the newly defined calculating rules--specialization reduction and heuristic rules to get the much complex mappings. This paper also gave the algorithm based theorems implied in the cross table built from the two schemas and the corresponding proofs of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to solve the problems of time consuming and high cost in the natural aging process. Methods: Black rice wine was treated with different microwave power, time and temperature. The contents of main phenols, organic acids, and esters in black rice wine treated by microwave technology were analyzed. Results: Microwave treatment could increase the contents of total esters, protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, acetic acid, ethyl valerate and ethyl acetate, reduce the contents of total phenols, total acids, caffeic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and ethyl lactate, and have little effect on the contents of oxalic acid and malic acid. Conclusion: Three kinds of black rice wine with similar substance change trend to the natural aging can be produced in a short time, by using microwave treatment at 100 W, 40 ℃, for 3 min or 6 min.

doi：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2021.08.015

Objective To summarize clinical and imaging features of posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods A total of 53 patients clinically diagnosed with PRES from January 2013 to December 2017 were selected. The patients were divided into SLE group (31 patients) and NS group (22 patients) according to their primary diseases. Differences between the 2 groups in imaging features, affected sites and severity of lesions were compared. Results Incidence rates of epileptiform seizure (χ2 = 9.255, P = 0.002) and visual impairment (χ2 = 7.005, P = 0.008) of the NS group were higher than those in the SLE group. In the SLE group, bilateral periventricular areas (adjusted χ2 = 5.377, P = 0.020), basal ganglia(adjusted χ2 = 4.825, P = 0.028) and centrum semiovale (χ2 = 8.113, P = 0.004) were mainly involved. The differences of imaging type between the 2 groups were statistically significant (Fisher's exact probability: P =0.029). The proportion of parietal occipital lobe distribution in NS group was significantly higher than that in SLE group (Fisher's exact probability: P = 0.016). After treatment, PRES recovery in the SLE group was better and faster than that in NS group (t = 2.612, P = 0.013). Conclusions Common pathogens of PRES namely SLE and NS are different in certain degree of imaging features, and this will be significant to understand pathophysiological mechanism and clinical diagnosis of this disease. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2019.09.015

Objective To investigate the spatial pattern of cerebral perfusion decrease resulting from symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis and to assess the relationship between degrees of stenosis and cerebral blood flow (CBF). Methods CT angiography (CTA) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI cerebral perfusion were performed in 22 patients with symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis. Diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis and measurement of stenosis degrees was performed by using CTA; cerebral perfusion was determined by ASL. Voxel-based analysis (VBA) were applied to observe perfusion changes in patients with mild stenosis and moderate to severe stenosis, and spatial pattern of cerebral perfusion changes caused by carotid artery stenosis. Analysis based on region of interest (ROI) was used to explore the relationship between degrees of stenosis and CBF. Results Twenty-two patients with symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis (13 in the left side and 9 in the right) included 13 cases with mild stenosis and 9 cases with moderate to severe stenosis. Compared to those with mild stenosis, patients with moderate to severe stenosis showed reduced CBF in bilateral (especially in the affected side) parietal lobes (t = - 2.382, P = 0.014), frontal lobes (t = - 2.354, P = 0.015) and centrum semiovale (t = - 2.283, P = 0.017), and was basically located in bilateral cerebral watershed area. Furthermore, perfusion in these areas was negatively correlated with the degree of stenosis (r = - 0.479, P = 0.024). Conclusions Symptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis may result in cerebral perfusion decreases in bilateral (particularly in the affected side) watershed area and cerebral blood flow is negatively correlated with the degree of stenosis. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2015.02.006

Cardiovascular homeostasis is regulated by both physical and chemical factors. Vascular stiffness, a physical property of vessel, is crucial in maintaining the physiological function of vasculature. Vascular stiffness has been indicated to be correlated with hypertension, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. It has been the most widely accepted clinical index for assessment of vascular function and dysfunction. This paper reviews the commonly used experimental and clinical techniques for evaluating vascular stiffness including direct detection of the Young's modulus and indirect detection method that is based on ultrasound technique and others. Principles of these methodologies, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, are also presented here. Researchers and clinical staff are encouraged to choose the most suitable methods for detecting vascular stiffness according to their purposes and objects, so as to effectively evaluate vascular function.

The level of intracellular keratin 8(KRT-8) is associated with liver diseases, whose expression is increased in hepatitis C virus(HCV)-infected patients with hepatocarcinoma and in cultural cells infected with HCV. However, it is not clear whether KRT-8 will impact HCV replication. In this paper, the HCV replication was analyzed in response to high expression and silence of KRT-8. The inhibitory activities against wild-type and mutant HCV were also analyzed by silence of KRT-8 or combined with known anti-HCV drug telaprevir. Results showed that the protein level of KRT-8 was increased in proportion with the HCV replication. The high expression was found to facilitate HCV replication, while the silence of KRT-8 was able to inhibit HCV replication and enhanced the anti-HCV activity of telaprevir. It also inhibited A156 T and D168 V mutant HCV, which are resistant to protease inhibitors. These results suggest that KRT-8 is a co-factor for HCV replication. Down-regulation of KRT-8 can inhibit wild type and mutant HCV replication to enhance the anti-HCV activity of known anti-HCV drugs. Therefore, KRT-8 may be a new target in the development of anti-HCV agents.

Armand clematis stem (Clematidis Armandii Caulis, Chuanmutong) is a widely used Chinese herb to disinhibit urine and relieve stranguria. It is difficult to be identified owing to its various macroscopic feature and unknown characteristic compounds. Thus, total of 24 Chuanmutong samples and 7 related herbs including four manshurian aristolochia stem (Aristolochiae Manshuriensis Caulis, Guanmutong) and three akebia stem (Akebiae Caulis, Mutong) samples were collected and analyzed in the range of 4 000 - 400 cm⁻¹ by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy (2D-FTIR) techniques. The FTIR spectra of 24 Chuanmutong samples are consistent in the spectrum profiles, position and intensity of characteristic peaks. 20 of the 24 Chuanmutong samples were randomly selected as calibration samples to calculate and simulate mean spectrum. This mean spectrum is named as FTIR fingerprint of Chuanmutong with characteristic peaks at 3 412, 2 932, 1 739, 1 639, 1 509, 1 456, 1 426, 1 376, 1 332, 1 261, 1 159, 1 035, 897 ,609 cm⁻¹. Meanwhile, the limited level (Mean-3σ=0.992 6) to identify true or false Chuanmutong by correlation coefficient of FTIR spectra was calculated based on the 20 Chuanmutong calibration samples. Then, the rest 4 Chuanmutong, 4 Guanmutong and 3 Mutong samples were used as validation samples to evaluate the identification efficacy. The result shows that the FTIR spectra of 4 Chuanmutong validation samples were similar to the fingerprint. Their correlation coefficients of FTIR spectra were over the limited level and accepted as Chuanmutong. However, the spectra of Guanmutong and Mutong were significantly different from Chuanmutong fingerprint. The correlation coefficients of Guanmutong (0.902 1-0.940 4, n=4) and Mutong (0.954 9-0.978 9, n=3) FTIR spectra were less than the limited level and rejected from Chuanmutong. Furthermore, the number, position and intensity of auto-peaks on the 2D-FTIR were drastically different among the three herbs. It is concluded that the developed FTIR fingerprinting can be rapidly and accurately identify Chuanmutong and differentiate from related herbs., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

The techniques of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were applied to analyze the different parts and tissues of Panax Notoginseng (Sanqi, SQ), i.e. rhizome, main root, rootlet, fibrous root, xylem, cambium, phloem and epidermis. Both the FTIR spectra and second derivative spectra of these various parts and tissues of SQ samples were found to be similar. Their dominant component is starch resulting from the characteristic peaks of starch observed at 3 400, 2 930, 1 645, 1 155, 1,080 and 1,020 cm(-1) on the spectra of all these SQ samples. However, the varieties of peaks were found on the spectra among these specific samples. The rhizome contains more saponins than others on the basis of the largest ratio of the peak intensity at 1,077 cm(-1) to that at 1,152 cm(-1). The peaks located at 1 317 and 780 cm(-1) on the FTIR spectra of the rhizome and its epidermis indicate that the two parts of SQ samples contain large amount of calcium oxalate, and its content in the latter is relative larger than that in former. The fibrous root contains much amount of nitrate owing to the obvious characteristic peaks at 1 384 and 831 cm(-1). For the difference among the various tissues of SQ samples, the peaks at 2,926, 2,854 and 1,740 cm(-1) on the FTIR spectra of epidermis is the strongest among the various tissues of main root indicating the largest amount of esters in epidermis. Protein was also found in the cambium of the main root based on the relative strong peaks of amide I and II band at 1,641 and 1,541 cm(-1), respectively. The results indicate that FTIR spectra with its second derivative spectra can show the characteristic of the various parts and tissues of SQ samples in both the holistic chemical constituents and specific chemical components, including organic macromolecule compounds and small inorganic molecule compounds. FTIR spectroscopy is a useful analytical method for the genuine and rapid identification and quality assessment of SQ samples.

Objective: To establish a method for determining glyphosate in the air of workplaces by ion chromatography., Methods: Ultra-fine glass fiber filter paper was used to collect glyphosate from the workplace air. After being ultrasonically eluted with deionized water, samples were determined by ion chromatography using a conductivity detector., Results: Within the range of 0.05-1.00 mg/L, a linear relationship was found with a limit of detection of 0.003 mg/m(3). The minimum detectable concentration was 0.000 41 mg/m(3) (calculated by sampling 75 L of air). For three different concentrations of glyphosate, the intra-batch relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 1.8%, 1.6%, and 0.8%, respectively, and the inter-batch RSDs were 1.9%, 2.1%, and 2.2%, respectively. The recovery rate ranged from 94.8% to 97.4%. The elution efficiency ranged from 94.5% to 96.7%. The sampling efficiency was 100%. Samples could be stored at room temperature for at least 7 days., Conclusion: This presented method meets the requirements of Guide for establishing occupational health standards-Part 4: Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace and is feasible for determination of glyphosate in the air of workplaces.

Taking the arid-hot valley of Jinsha River, Southwest China as the object, a comparative study was made on the plant leaf N, P, and K concentrations and ratios as well as their relationships with species dominance in the restoration area and disturbed area, aimed to understand the effects of ecosystem restoration on the plant leaf stoichoimetric characteristics. Ecosystem restoration decreased the plant leaf N and P concentrations and P/K ratio significantly, but had lesser effects on the plant leaf K concentration. In restoration area, the plant leaf N, P, and K concentrations were averagely 10. 405, 0. 604, and 9. 619 g kg-1, being 16. 9% , 34. 9% , and 4. 7% lower than those in disturbed area, respectively. In restoration area, species dominance was significantly negatively correlated with plant leaf P concentration; while the species dominance in disturbed area had a significant negative correlation with plant leaf K concentration. Ecosystem restoration altered the slope and intercept of the scaling relationships among the plant leaf N, P, and K. No significant differences were observed in the leaf N, P, and K concentrations of the same plant species between restoration area and disturbed area, suggesting that the changes of plant leaf stoichiometric characteristics were mainly driven by the shift of species composition in the plant community.

Objective: To discuss the surgical techniques for lung cancer larger than 10 cm., Methods: Via a modified anterolateral thoracotomy entered through the 4th or 5th intercostal space, intrapericardial access to pulmonary vessels was obtained for pneumonectomy or extended pneumonectomy in all patients, after excluding the feasibility of lobectomy., Results: From March 2009 to October 2011, 13 consecutive patients with lung cancer larger than 10 cm, were admitted to surgical resection via this approach for intrapericardial pneumonectomy/extending pneumonectomy. The whole processes were smooth and without any major morbidity., Conclusions: The main approach for lung cancer larger than 10 cm is pneumonectomy. The key to surgical success is intrapericardial controlling of the hilum vascular. The modified anterolateral thoracotomy may facilitate this procedure.

Objective: To evaluate the chemical changes in Chuanxiong raw material (CX), the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., during CX storage and further assess its quality variety., Methods: Four CX samples were sealed and stored at ambient temperature in room for two years. These samples were quantified on the amounts of characteristic chemical compounds by HPLC-DAD-(APCI) MS techniques., Results: Eight characteristic peaks in HPLC fingerprint were found to be good separation and assigned as vanillin (1), ferulic acid (2), senkyunolide I (3), senkyunolide H (4), coniferyl ferulate (5), senkyunolide A (6), Z-ligustilide (7) and levistolide A(8), respectively based on their on-line APCI-MS data and UV spectra. After CX being stored, compounds 1 - 4, and 8 were decreased by 44.4%, 52.1%, 37.6%, 52.8% and 47.5% (n = 4), respectively, whilst compounds 5 - 7 were increased by 59.1%, 40.1% and 47.5% (n = 4), respectively., Conclusion: Multiple chemical compounds are found to be changed during CX storage, which results in the variety of quality and therapeutic effect because most of the tested compounds have been demonstrated to be bioactive by pharmacological study and clinical trials. It is suggested that CX should be stored under dark, cool and dry condition.

Objective: To explore the effects of Notch signaling pathway and the vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF(165)] gene on the functions of endothelial cells derived from rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)., Methods: Isolated and cultivated rat bone marrow MSCs in vitro, then the cells were treated by VEGF165 and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for 2 weeks to induce them to differentiate into endothelial cells. The gene of VEGF165 was transfected into differentiated endothelial cells to promote the functions of the cells. The receptor Notch1 and the ligand Jagged1 of the Notch signaling were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) before and after the transfection. γ-secretase inhibitor L-685458 was used to block Notch pathway. Migration ability of cells was detected by scarification test. Cells were inoculated on semisolid gel to study their ability of forming capillary-like structure., Results: After transfection, VEGF165 mRNA could be detected on the differentiated endothelial cells. The expression of Jagged1 mRNA was up regulated(1.08 ± 0.01 vs. 1.01 ± 0.02,P < 0.01) and there was no change in Notch1 mRNA(0.60 ± 0.02 vs. 0.59 ± 0.01,P > 0.05). The ability of migration was enhanced (number of cells on the scratched area:46.45 ± 4.46 vs. 41.61 ± 1.42,P < 0.05), and the ability of forming capillary-like structure on semisolid gel showed no change (cells classification: 3.00 ± 0.89 vs. 2.00 ± 0.89,P > 0.05). After the transfection, using the γ-secretase inhibitor L-685458 to block the Notch signaling transduction, the ability of migration of the differentiated endothelial cells (number of cells on the scratched area: 51.72 ± 3.47 vs. 46.45 ± 4.46,P < 0.05), and that of forming capillary--like structure (cells classification: 4.17 ± 0.75 vs. 3.00 ± 0.89, P < 0.05), was also further enhanced., Conclusion: Transfection of the gene of VEGF165 into the differentiated endothelial cells can reinforce the function of these cells, and when Notch signaling was blocked, this effect can be further amplified.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Bcl-2 overexpression on Fas and TNFR1-mediated apoptosis and its possible mechanism in rat hippocampus following global ischemia/reperfusion (IR)., Methods: Ninety healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operated group, IR group and Bcl-2 overexpression group (BT group). Rat model of global IR was established by the 4-V0 method. The expressions of Bcl-2, Fas and TNFR1 and the cell apoptosis in the CA1 and CA3 regions were examined by HE staining, immunohistochemistry and TUNEL method., Results: In IR group, the neurons in the CA1 region showed an obvious reduction in number with disordered arrangement and interstitial edema 48 h after global IR. Such changes were not obvious in BT group. Immunohistochemistry showed that Fas expression in the CA1 region reached the peak level at 6 h in IR group with a greater expression intensity than that in BT group (P<0.05). TNFR1 was expressed at a higher level in IR group than in BT group (P<0.05), reaching the peak level at 24 h. In the sham group, the expression of Fas and TNFR1 was not detected the in CA1 and CA3 regions. Global IR caused increased cell apoptosis in the CA1 and CA3 regions, starting at 6 h and reached peak at 24 to 48 h. The cell apoptosis was less obvious in BT group (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Fas and TNFR1 are expressed in the CA1 and CA3 regions after global IR in rats, suggesting the involvement of death receptor in cerebral IR injury. Bcl-2 overexpression decreases the expression of Fas and TNFR1 and cell apoptosis after global IR, thus offering protective effect against cerebral IR injury.

Objective: To research the role of Notch signaling during the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into endothelial cells and its effect on the functions of the differentiated cells., Methods: Rat bone marrow MSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, then the cells were treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for 2 weeks to induce it to differentiate into endothelial cells. The differentiated cells were identified by fluorescence immunoassay. The receptors and ligands of the Notch signaling were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) before and after the differentiation. γ-secretase inhibitor was used to block Notch pathway. Migration ability of cells were assessed by scarification test. Cells were inoculated on semisolid gel to study their ability of forming the capillary-like structure., Results: After inducing MSCs to differentiate into endothelial cells by VEGF165 and bFGF, MSCs gained the characteristics of the endothelial cells with expression of CD31 and Flk1. There were Notch1 mRNA and Jagged1 mRNA expressions in rat bone marrow MSCs. The expression changes in the receptor Notch1 were not statistically significant on the differentiated cells (0.59±0.01 vs. 0.59±0.01, P>0.05), but there was a trend towards an increase of Jagged1 mRNA (1.01±0.02 vs. 0.99±0.03, P>0.05). When Notch pathway was blocked, the differentiated cells' migration ability was increased (number of cells on the scratched area: 44.61±4.34 vs. 40.06±2.43, P<0.05), and the ability of forming capillary-like structure was also increased (cells classification: 3.67±0.82 vs. 2.00±0.89, P<0.01)., Conclusion: Notch signaling may have an important role during the differentiation of MSCs into endothelial cells. The function of differentiated cells were strengthened when Notch pathway was blocked.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between apoptosis of myocardial cell in the rats with sepsis and the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA, and the protective effect of glutamine (Gln) against apoptosis of myocardial cell., Methods: Rat model of sepsis was reproduced by peritoneal injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the animals were divided into control group, LPS group and Gln group. Rats in each group were further divided into four subgroups, 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours ( n =6). Apoptosis of myocardial cells was surveyed, and TLR4, TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA expressions were assessed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The pathological changes in myocardial cells were observed., Results: Myocardial apoptosis rate in LPS group was higher. Compared with the control group, expressions of TLR4 mRNA, TNF-alpha mRNA and IL-6 mRNA were significantly higher at all time points after LPS administration in the LPS group and the Gln group (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the rate of myocardial apoptosis in Gln group was lower, and expression of TLR4 mRNA in the Gln group was significantly lower at 12 hours and 24 hours; the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was obviously lower at 6 hours and 24 hours; the expression of IL-6 mRNA in the Gln group was significantly lower at 12 hours (all P<0.05)., Conclusion: TLR4, TNF-alpha and IL-6 gene expressions play extremely important role in apoptosis of myocardial cell in the rat with sepsis. Gln can affect apoptosis-related gene expressions, thus alleviating the apoptosis of myocardial cell.

Aim: To investigate the promoter activity of BCMA gene 5'-flanking regionfor the study the regulation mechanism of BCMA expression., Methods: Luciferase reporter plasmids containing 5'-flanking region of BCMA gene and serial deletions of the fragment were constructed. The luciferase expression was observed after these reporters were transfected into J558L, 293T and Hela cells., Results: The highest transcriptional activation was expressed in pGL3-B157 reporter, followed by pGL3-B607, pGL3-B359, pGL3-B93, and pGL3-B820 in sequence. The highest transcriptional activation was in J558L cell., Conclusion: The 5'-flanking sequence from -820 to +145 bp of BCMA is of promoter activity. Serial deletion analysis of the promoter region of BCMA gene suggests the sequence from -93 to +145 could be a core promoter region.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in the root of Salvia yunnansis., Method: Compounds were isolated and purified by Diaion HP20, Sephadex LH - 20, ODS chromatography. Their structures were determined by spectral analysis and chemical evidence., Result: Twelve compounds were isolated and identified from the root of S. yunnansis protocatechaldehyde (1), caffeic acid (2), ferulic acid (3), rosmarinic acid (4), salvianolic acid A (5), salvianolic acid C (6), lithospermicacid (7), lithospermicacid B (8), 9'-methyl lithospermate B (9), 9"'-methyl lithospermate B (10), 9',9'''-dimethyl lithospermate B (11), 9'-ethyl lithospermate B (12)., Conclusion: The compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 were first isolated from S. yunnanensis.

Aim: To study the role of adaptor protein Bam32 in B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling cascades., Methods: Using full length Bam32 as bait, yeast two-hybrid technique was used to screen the protein that could interact with Bam32. The interaction was further confirmed by co-transfection of 293T cells and coimmunoprecipitation., Results: Protein tyrosine kinase Lyn was one of the strong positive clones identified by the yeast two-hybrid screening. This interaction was further confirmed in 293T cells by co-transfection and coimmunoprecipitation. By using specific anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, it was found that Bam32 could be phosphorylated by Lyn., Conclusion: The interaction of Bam32 with Lyn leads to Bam32 phosphorylation, which might play an important role in activating downstream signaling molecules.

Objective: To examine whether urotensinII (UII) induces hypertrophy of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes cultured in vitro., Methods: The primary cardiac myocytes cultured for 40 h followed by further culture in serum-free media for another 24 h were subjected to exposure to UII of varied concentrations for 24 h, after which the changes in the size of the cells were analyzed by flow cytometry with (3)H-leucine incorporation also measured., Results: At the concentration of 1x10(-7) mol/L, UIIcould increase the size of the cultured cardiac myocardial cells (P=0.021) and 3H-Leucine incorporation (P=0.015)., Conclusion: UII may induce hypertrophy of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes cultured in vitro.

Objective: To observe the effect of urotensin II on cultured cardiac fibroblast collagen type I mRNA expression and proliferation, thereby to explore the role of urotensin II in myocardial remodeling in the event of cardiac failure., Methods: Cardiac fibroblasts of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats isolated by trypsin digestion method were stimulated by urotensin II at varied concentrations when the cells reached growth arrest. MTT assay was employed to measure the proliferation and determine the number of the cells, and reverse transcriptional (RT)-PCR used to detect the collagen mRNA expression., Results: With the increase of urotensin II concentration, the optical density at 570 nm of the fibroblasts as shown by MTT assay first increased but then decreased, and remained at a significantly higher level in the cells treated with 1x10(-8) or 1x10(-9) mol/L urotensin II as compared with the control (P<0.05). The collagen type I mRNA levels of the cells treated with 1x10(-7), 1x10(-8) or 1x10(-9) mol/L urotensin II were significantly higher than that of the control cells (P<0.01)., Conclusion: Urotensin II can directly induce cardiac fibroblast proliferation and significantly increase collagen type I mRNA expression, suggesting the crucial role of urotensin II in myocardial remodeling.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and types of GJB2 mutations and to investigate the genetic mechanism in Chinese autosomal recessive deafness., Methods: The subjects were four Chinese pedigrees (39 individuals) and 50 normal adults. GJB2 was amplified by PCR. The products were digested with restriction enzyme Apa I, then sequenced., Results: Homozygous deletion C at position 232-235 of GJB2 (235delC),which resulted in frameshift mutation, was found in four affected individuals of two pedigrees; the compound heterozygous deletions (235delC/232G to A) were found in two affected individuals in one pedigree. One carrier with 235delC was found in normal controls (1% allele). Two kinds of polymorphisms 79G to A(V27I) and 3 41A to G(E114G) were found in both affected and normal controls. The frequencies of allele for 79G to A and 341A to G in normal controls were 30%, 21%, respectively., Conclusion: 235delC mutation of GJB2 was related with Chinese autosomal recessive deafness, and the 232G to A(Ala78Thr) missense mutation was found to be a novel mutation.