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Objective To verify and reveal the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of Gouqi Juhua Fang (GJ Fang) on asthenopia, this experiment studied the nourishing effect of GJ Fang by establishing the yin deficiency of the liver and kidney pattern model. Methods According to body weight, 50 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups (each n = 10): normal group, model group, Qiju Dihuang Pill (QD Pill) group (3.0 g/kg), low-dose GJ Fang group (65.7 mg/kg), and high-dose GJ Fang group (131.4 mg/kg). Each morning, the intervention groups were administered corresponding medicine by gavage, and the normal group and model group were administered the same amount of distilled water by gavage, for 14 days. Each afternoon, the model group and each intervention group were given levothyroxine sodium solution (150 μg/kg) by gavage, and then the tail was clipped about 3 cm from the tip for 5 minutes, for 14 days. The general state of the mice was observed every day, and all mice were weighed on the 1st, 7th, and 14th day. On the 14th day, the temperature tropism was detected. On the 15th day, all mice were sacrificed, and the samples were collected. The thymus index was calculated; the cyclic nucleotides, thyroid hormones, sex hormones, liver function, and immune factors in serum were detected; the energy metabolism enzyme activities and oxidation levels in the liver tissue were also determined. Results Compared with the normal group, the model group showed symptoms of deficiency and heat such as weight loss, dry and hard stools, yellow urine, increased voluntary activities, irritability, active reactions, and the desire to be close to the cold environment. The symptoms both improved to a certain extent in the QD Pill group and GJ Fang group. Compared with the model group, the low- and high-dose GJ Fang group showed the following: The bodyweight of the mice was increased (P<0.05); the contents of cAMP, cGMP, cAMP/cGMP, E2/T, T4, and ALT were decreased (P < 0.05); the thymus index was increased (P<0.05); and the levels of T3 and IL-2 increased (P<0.05). In addition, the contents of MDA and the activities of Na+-++-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase decreased (P<0.05) in the liver. Conclusion GJ Fang and QD Pill both can improve internal heat and endocrine hormone disorders in yin deficiency, reduce the rate of energy metabolism, enhance the immunity and antioxidant factors level, and comprehensively relieve the state of yin deficiency in the liver and kidney, thus relieving asthenopia. Because of the safe formula and clear active ingredients, GJ Fang has the potential to be developed into a safe, stable, controllable, and pattern-differentiated product for asthenopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a 2102QB diesel engine was retrofitted to run on DME. The effects of EGR on the DME engine power output, DME fuel consumption, and emission characteristics were investigated. Experimental results show that, DME engine power and fuel economy are both improved. The stoichiometric air/fuel ratio of DME is 9/1. DME engine can run properly if the air/fuel ratio is leaner than that due to the introduction of EGR. Only under fuel rich conditions, DME engine power output, fuel economy, HC and CO emissions become worse. NOx emissions can be reduced easily by the use of EGR. Based on the experimental data, the specific NOx emissoin was calculated and then it was used to set the rate of EGR under the ESC 13 operating conditions. By the designed EGR strategies, the DME engine NOx emissions under ESC operating conditions meets the requirement of Euro IV and V. At the mean time, HC and CO emissions of the DME engine were evaluated. The increase of CO and HC emissions require oxidation after treatment to meet their own standards. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2014 34: 881-889, 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical studies have indicated that photodynamic therapy (PDT) significantly prolonged the median survival of patients with gliomas. Experimental studies demonstrate that increasing optical energy and photosensitizer dose leads to increased volume of tumor necrosis. However, increasing the light dose delivered to the tumor may increase the risks of inducing permanent neurological deficits. In the current study, we sought to test the behavioral deficits induced in normal rats by brain PDT and the neurorestorative effects of atorvastatin on PDT-induced behavioral deficits. Considering its potential as a combination treatment of brain tumors, we investigated both in vitro and in vivo whether atorvastatin treatment promotes brain tumor growth. Non-tumored Fischer rats received PDT (n=18). Nine of the PDT-treated animals were treated with atorvastatin. Control animals underwent the same surgical procedure, but did not receive Photofrin and laser light. PDT-treated animals had significant behavioral deficits on days 2, 5, 7, 9 and 14 after PDT, compared with surgery controls. PDT-treated animals receiving atorvastatin displayed significantly ameliorated behavioral deficits on days 7, 9 and 14 after PDT, compared to PDT-treated rats. In vitro tumor cell viability and growth were evaluated. Atorvastatin did not affect the growth of glioma cells. Fischer rats with intracranial 7-day-old 9L glioma tumor cell implantation were randomly subjected to no treatment, PDT alone, atorvastatin alone, or combined treatment with atorvastatin and PDT (6 rats/group). Our data indicate that atorvastatin did not promote tumor growth in either PDT treated and non-treated rats. However, atorvastatin significantly reduced the cell damage caused by PDT. To further test the mechanisms underlying the atorvastatin-mediated reduction of functional deficits, we investigated the effects of atorvastatin on angiogenesis and synaptogenesis. Our data demonstrate that atorvastatin significantly induced angiogenesis and synaptogenesis in the PDT-damaged brain tissue. Our data indicate that PDT induces functional deficits. Atorvastatin treatment promotes functional restoration after PDT, but does not promote glioma growth in vitro and in vivo. Atorvastatin reduces astrocyte and endothelial cell damage caused by PDT and induces angiogenesis and synaptogenesis after PDT. Thus consideration and further testing of the combination of atorvastatin and PDT for the treatment of glioma is warranted.