Qingfei mixture modulates the immune responses in lung cancer through modulating mTOR signaling and gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids

Lung cancer ranks among the primary contributors to cancer-related fatalities on a global scale. Multiple research investigations have demonstrated that there exists a dysbiosis within the intestinal bacteria and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is linked with immune responses in lung cancer. Qingfei mixture (QFM) has been widely used in treating lung cancer, yet the active ingredients and roles of the QFM on immune responses by targeting gut microbiota remain to be elucidated. The chemical constituents of QFM were qualitatively examined by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS. Additionally, we evaluated the therapeutic impact of the organic substance QFM on lung cancer, aiming to elucidate its mechanisms for improving the tumor-immune microenvironment. Herein, we constructed a Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)-bearing mice model with QFM treatment to observe tumor growth and immune cell changes. Then, the feces were collected and a combinatory study using metagenomes, non-targeted metabonomics, and targeted metabonomics of SCFAs was performed. In vitro experiments have been conducted to estimate the roles of acetate and sodium propionate in CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, we treated tumor-bearing mice with QFM, QFM + MHY1485 (an mTOR activator), and QFM + an antibiotic mixture (ABX) to explore the potential therapeutic benefit of regulation of the tumor microenvironment. A total of 96 compounds were obtained from QFM by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS. Besides, the findings demonstrated that QFM exhibited significant efficacy against lung cancer, manifesting in reduced tumor growth and improved immune responses. In investigating its mechanisms, we integrated gut microbiota sequencing and fecal metabolomics, revealing that QFM effectively restored disruptions in gut microbiota and SCFAs in mice with lung cancer. QFM, acetate, or sodium propionate contributed to the up-regulation of IFN-γ, Gzms-B, perforin, IL-17, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α expressions and decreased HDAC and IL-10 levels in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, MHY1485 and ABX weakened the effects of QFM on immunomodulation. Collectively, these results suggest that QFM may facilitate immune responses in the LLC-bearing mice via regulating the gut microbiota-derived SCFAs at least partially through targeting the mTOR signaling pathway.

[Mechanism of n-butanol fraction of Wenxia Formula combining with gefitinib in treating non-small cell lung cancer based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiment]

This study combined network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments to explore the potential mechanism of the active components of the n-butanol fraction of Wenxia Formula(NWXF) combined with gefitinib(GEF) in treating non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS) was employed to detect the main chemical components of NWXF. The active components of NWXF were retrieved from SwissADME, and the candidate targets of these active components were retrieved from SwissTargetPrediction. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) and GeneCards were searched for the targets of NSCLC. Cytoscape 3.9.0 and STRING were employed to build the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network with the common targets shared by NWXF and NSCLC. Gene Ontology(GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment were performed in DAVID to predict the potential mechanisms. Finally, molecular docking between the main active ingredients and key targets was conducted in SYBYL-X 2.0. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay was employed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of NWXF and/or GEF on the proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer cells(A549 and PC-9). Additionally, the impact of NWXF on human embryonic lung fibroblast cells(MRC-5) was assessed. The effectiveness of the drug combination was evaluated based on the Q value. The terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay was employed to examine the apoptosis of A549 and PC-9 cells treated with NWXF and/or GEF. Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR) was employed to measure the mRNA levels of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), and Bcl2-associated X protein(Bax) in the A549 and PC-9 cells treated with NWXF and/or GEF. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of EGFR, p-EGFR, JNK, p-JNK, and Bax in the A549 and PC-9 cells treated with NWXF and/or GEF. A total of 77 active components, 488 potential targets, and 49 key targets involved in the treatment of NSCLC with NWXF were predicted. The results of GO annotation showed that NWXF may treat NSCLC by regulating the biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and protein phosphorylation. KEGG enrichment revealed that the key targets of NWXF in treating NSCLC were enriched in the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT), hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1), and microRNA-related signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed that 91.9% of the docking scores were greater than 5, indicating the strong binding capability between main active components and key targets. The cell experiments demonstrated that NWXF combined with GEF synergistically inhibited the proliferation, promoted the apoptosis, decreased p-EGFR/EGFR and p-JNK/JNK values, down-regulated the mRNA levels of EGFR and JNK, and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Bax in A549 and PC-9 cells. In conclusion, NWXF combined with GEF can regulate the EGFR/JNK pathway to promote the apoptosis of NSCLC cells, thus treating NSCLC.

Qingyihuaji Formula promotes apoptosis and autophagy through inhibition of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway on pancreatic cancer in vivo and in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Qingyihuaji Formula (QYHJ), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat patients with cancer in China. However, the effect and mechanism of QYHJ on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the roles and evaluate the possible underlying molecular mechanisms of QYHJ and its core component in PDAC using label-free quantitative proteomics in conjunction with network pharmacology-based analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By screening differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in proteomics and QYHJ-predicted gene sets, we identified QYHJ-related PDAC targets annotated with bioinformatic analysis. A subcutaneous tumor model was established to assess the role of QYHJ in vivo. The effects of quercetin (Que), a core component of QYHJ, on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and autophagy in SW1990 and PANC-1 cells were investigated in vitro. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus, and kinase analysis were used to determine the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis revealed that 41 QYHJ-related PDAC targets were closely related to the cellular response to nitrogen compounds, positive regulation of cell death, regulation of epithelial cell apoptotic processes, and chemokine signaling pathways. CASP3, SRC, STAT1, PTPN11, PKM, and PAK1 with high expression were identified as hub DEPs in the PPI network, and these DEPs were associated with poor overall survival and STAT 1, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways in PDAC patients. QYHJ significantly promoted tumor death in nude mice. Moreover, quercetin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PDAC cells. Additionally, Que induced apoptosis and autophagy in PDAC cells. Mechanistically, QYHJ and Que significantly activated STAT 1 and remarkably inhibited the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Importantly, ERK1/2 inactivation contributes to que-induced apoptosis in SW1990 and PANC-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that QYHJ and Que are promising anti-PDAC avenues that benefit from their multiform mechanisms.

(+)-Borneol enantiomer ameliorates epileptic seizure via decreasing the excitability of glutamatergic transmission

Epilepsy is one common brain disorder, which is not well controlled by current pharmacotherapy. In this study we characterized the therapeutic potential of borneol, a plant-derived bicyclic monoterpene compound, in the treatment of epilepsy and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. The anti-seizure potency and properties of borneol were assessed in both acute and chronic mouse epilepsy models. Administration of (+)-borneol (10, 30, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently attenuated acute epileptic seizure in maximal-electroshock seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure models without obvious side-effect on motor function. Meanwhile, (+)-borneol administration retarded kindling-induced epileptogenesis and relieved fully kindled seizures. Importantly, (+)-borneol administration also showed therapeutic potential in kainic acid-induced chronic spontaneous seizure model, which was considered as a drug-resistant model. We compared the anti-seizure efficacy of 3 borneol enantiomers in the acute seizure models, and found (+)-borneol being the most satisfying one with long-term anti-seizure effect. In electrophysiological study conducted in mouse brain slices containing the subiculum region, we revealed that borneol enantiomers displayed different anti-seizure mechanisms, (+)-borneol (10 μM) markedly suppressed the high frequency burst firing of subicular neurons and decreased glutamatergic synaptic transmission. In vivo calcium fiber photometry analysis further verified that administration of (+)-borneol (100 mg/kg) inhibited the enhanced glutamatergic synaptic transmission in epilepsy mice. We conclude that (+)-borneol displays broad-spectrum anti-seizure potential in different experimental models via decreasing the glutamatergic synaptic transmission without obvious side-effect, suggesting (+)-borneol as a promising anti-seizure compound for pharmacotherapy in epilepsy.

N-Butanol Fraction of Wenxia Formula Extract Inhibits the Growth and Invasion of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Down-Regulating Sp1-Mediated MMP2 Expression

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death. It is necessary to develop effective anti-lung cancer therapeutics. Wenxia Formula (WXF), an empirical traditional Chinese herbal formula, has been reported to have significant antitumor activity. In this study, to further clarify the material basis of the anti-tumor effect of WXF, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of the N-butanol fraction of Wenxia Formula extract (NWXF) against two lung cancer and one normal human cell lines. The chemical profile of NWXF was characterized by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis and a total of 201 compounds with mzCloud Best Match of greater than 70 were identified by using the online database mzCloud. To address the functional role of NWXF, we assessed cell proliferation, migration and invasion capabilities. Subcutaneous xenografts were constructed to determine the effect of NWXF in vivo. The results showed that NWXF effectively inhibited the proliferation and migration of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with little toxic effects on human bronchial epithelial cells. Meanwhile, orally administered NWXF exhibited prominent dose-dependent anti-tumor efficacy in vivo. Mechanistically, NWXF significantly downregulated MMP9 and Sp1-mediated MMP2 expression. In conclusion, NWXF might be a promising candidate for treatment of human lung cancer.

Effect of Wenxia Changfu Formula Combined With Cisplatin Reversing Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Adhesion-Mediated Drug Resistance

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the major form of primary lung cancer, is a common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR), a form of chemotherapy resistance, has been reported to confer resistance to various chemotherapeutic agents. Integrin β1 signaling plays an important role in CAM-DR and has been proposed as a potential target for NSCLC. Wenxia Changfu Formula (WCF) is a Traditional Chinese Compound Prescription for the intervention treatment of NSCLC combined with cisplatin (DDP). This study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of WCF combined with DDP in reversing CAM-DR. Firstly, the chemical profile of WCF was characterized by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis. A total of 237 compounds with mzCloud Best Match of greater than 70 were identified by using the online database mzCloud. Secondly, we established A549 three-dimensional(3D) cells cultured in vitro and nude mice xenografts models of the A549 cell line with Integrin β1 overexpression. In vitro, the cell viability, migration and adhesion were measured though MTT Assay, Wound Healing Assay and Cell Adhesion Assay, the Integrin β1 expression of the A549 cells was assessed through immunocytochemistry; in vitro, the transplanted tumor morphology and the colocalization of Integrin β1 and its ligands were tested by HE staining and immunofluorescence. As a result, we found that the combination effectively reduced cell viability, suppressed migration and adhesion, and downregulated the protein level of Integrin β1 in three-dimensional cultured A549 cells. And the combination of WCF with DDP significantly inhibited tumor growth, increased organelle vacuolations and decreased colocalization of Integrin β1 and its ligands including fibulin-2 and laminin. Taken together, our results confirm that the combination of WCF with DDP could reverse the lung cancer CAM-DR through the Integrin β1 signaling pathway.

Chinese herbal medicine Baoyuan Jiedu decoction inhibits the accumulation of myeloid derived suppressor cells in pre-metastatic niche of lung via TGF-β/CCL9 pathway

Baoyuan Jiedu (BYJD for short) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is composed of Astragalus, Ginseng, Aconite root, Honeysuckle, Angelica, Licorice, which has the functions of nourishing qi and blood, enhancing immune function, improving quality of life and prolonging survival time of tumor patients. The present study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of BYJD decoction on reversing the pre-metastatic niche. We showed that BYJD decoction could prolong the survival time of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, we found that the BYJD decoction inhibited the formation of lung pre-metastatic niche and inhibited recruitment of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the lung. Mechanistically, we showed that the proteins and genes expression of TGF-β, Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2/3, Smad4, CCL9 in the TGF-β/CCL9 signaling pathway were suppressed by BYJD decoction. In line with the above findings, our results confirm that BYJD decoction inhibits the accumulation of MDSC in pre-metastatic niche of lung via TGF-β/CCL9 pathway.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Wenxia Changfu Formula Reverses Cell Adhesion-Mediated Drug Resistance via the Integrin β1-PI3K-AKT Pathway in Lung Cancer

In the treatment of lung cancer, the multidrug resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is one of the reasons of low rates for cure and treatment failure, the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs and traditional Chinese medicine can increase the sensitivity of chemotherapy and reduce its adverse effects. Our previous study has proved that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) Wenxia Changfu Formula (WCF for short) effectively enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy in lung cancer treatment and reverses multidrug resistance in lung cancer cells in vitro. The present study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of WCF in reversing cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance of lung cancer by using A549 three-dimensional cell culture and nude mouse model of the A549 cell line with Integrin β1 overexpression. We show that the combination of WCF with DDP can decrease proliferation of lung cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, we find that the combination of WCF with DDP suppresses the expression of certain molecules which regulate cell cycle and apoptosis. Mechanistically, we show that the Integrin β1, FAK, PI3K, and AKT protein expressions are suppressed by DDP and even more responses are observed when DDP and WCF are combined, showing WCF treatment enhances the effect of commonly used anticancer drugs. In line with the above findings, our results confirm that WCF reverses cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance of lung cancer via inactivating Integrin β1/PI3K/AKT and apoptosis induction.

Wenxia Changfu Formula () induces apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma in a transplanted tumor model of drug-resistance nude mice

OBJECTIVE

To explore the apoptosis mechanism of Wenxia Changfu Formula (, WCF) in reversing drug resistance of lung cancer in vivo.

METHODS

Thirty model mice were randomly assigned to three groups: control group, cisplatin (CDDP) group, and WCF group. A transplanted tumor model of lung adenocarcinoma was established in all groups. Mice in the WCF group received intragastric administration of WCF (0.2 mL/10 g body weight) everyday in addition to CDDP intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg body weight) twice a week. The mice in the CDDP group received CDDP intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg body weight) twice a week, while the control group received normal saline intraperitoneally (0.2 mL/10 g body weight) everyday. The weight of the nude mice and respective tumors, tumor volume and tumor-inhibiting rate were measured. Electron microscopy was used to observe the existence of apoptosis body. Apoptosis index (AI) was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining. The expression of Fas and FasL mRNA was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, while immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the protein expression of Fas and FasL, caspase-3 and caspase-activated DNase (CAD), respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with CDDP group and control group, WCF could significantly reduce the tumor volume from the 19th day and alleviate the tumor weight (P <0.05), and the apoptosis body was found in tumor cells in the WCF group. WCF could also enhance the level of AI, up-regulate the expression of caspase apoptosis pathway related protein caspase-3 and CAD, as well as the expression of Fas, FasL mRNA and protein (P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

WCF could improve the sensitivity of tumor cells to CDDP and reverse the drug resistance by inducing the apoptosis.

Effects of different anesthetic approaches on postoperative complications in HIV-infected patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three different methods of anesthesia on patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which could lead to an improvement in postoperative outcomes in these patients. A total of 90 patients undergoing an operation while being treated for an HIV infection were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups (N = 30/group) based on the type of anesthesia administered: general anesthesia, local anesthesia, and combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA). The effects of local infiltration of anesthesia and peripheral nerve block local anesthesia were examined in the local anesthesia group. The CSEA group examined the effects of spinal anesthesia in HIV-infected patients. We compared the vital signs of the three groups during the preoperative period, at incision, and during the postoperative recovery period. The CSEA group had a significantly higher mean preoperative CD4(+) T lymphocyte count compared with the general anesthesia and local anesthesia groups (P < 0.05). We found that the three kinds of anesthesia methods administered to HIV-infected patients could be used with considerable safety and can be selected according to the clinical need and type of surgical procedure.

[Analysis on prescription rules of treating senile dementia based on traditional Chinese medicine inheritance auxiliary systems]

This is designed to analyze and summarize medication rules for treating senile dementia with Chinese medicine in CNKI according to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) inheritance auxiliary system. Collect documents in CNKI that account treating senile dementia with Chinese formula; filter and establish a formula database, and then to search for medication rules on the TCM inheritance auxiliary system. It is filtered that 104 formulas are used for treating senile dementia screening treat senile dementia, involving 147 kinds of Chinese medicine. Tonic medicine are most frequently used, followed by the medicine of activating blood circulation and resuscitating; medicine pair most used is Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort-Acorus tatarinowii, accounting for 27.9% of all formula. And then 8 core pairs and 4 new formulas are evolved. Analysis on formulas for treating senile dementia filtered form CNKI by TCM inheritance auxiliary system shows prescription is mainly tonifying, activating blood circulation and resuscitating, that reveals prescription rules, to provide a reference for clinical treatment.

A nano-opto-mechanical pressure sensor via ring resonator

This paper reports a nano-opto-mechanical pressure sensor based on nano-scaled ring resonator. The pressure is measured through the output spectrum shift which is induced via mechanical deformation of the ring resonator. The sensitivity as high as 1.47 pm/kPa has been experimentally achieved which agrees with numerical prediction. Due to the strong variation of sensitivity with different ring radius and thickness of the diaphragm, the pressure sensor can be used to form an array structure to detect the pressure distribution in highly accurate measurement with low-cost advantages. The nano-opto-mechanical pressure sensor has potential applications such as shear stress displacement detection, pressure wave detector and pressure mapping etc.

Numerical and experimental investigation of kerf depth effect on high-frequency phased array transducer

BACKGROUND

High-frequency ultrasonic transducer arrays are essential for high resolution imaging in clinical analysis and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). However, the structure design and fabrication of the kerfed ultrasonic array is quite challenging when very high frequency (≥100MHz) is required.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD

Here we investigate the effect of kerf depth on the performances of array transducers. A finite element tool, COMSOL, is employed to simulate the properties of acoustic field and to calculate the electrical properties of the arrays, including crosstalk effect and electrical impedance. Furthermore, Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) deep etching process is used to etch 36°/Y-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO(3)) crystals and the limitation of etching aspect ratio is studied. Several arrays with different profiles are realized under optimized processes. At last, arrays with a pitch of 25μm and 40μm are fabricated and characterized by a network analyzer.

RESULTS

Kerf depth plays an important role in the performance of the transducer array. The crosstalk is proportional to kerf depth. When kerf depth is more than 13μm, the array with crosstalk less than -20dB, which is acceptable for the real application, could provide a desired resolution. Compared to beam focusing, kerf depth exhibits more effect on the beam steering/focusing. The lateral pressure distribution is quantitatively summarized for four types of arrays with different kerf depth. The results of half-cut array are similar to those of the full-cut one in both cases of focusing and steering/focusing. The Full-Width-at-Half-Maximum (FWHM) is 55μm for the half-cut array, and is 42μm for the full-cut one. The 5-μm-cut array, suffering from severe undesired lobes, demonstrates similar behaviors with the no-cut one. ICP process is used to etch the 36°/Y-cut LiNbO(3) film. The aspect ratio of etching profile increases with the kerf width decreasing till it stops by forming a V-shaped groove, and the positive tapered profile angle ranges between 62° and 80°. If the mask selectivity does not limit the process in terms of achievable depth, the aspect ratio is limited to values around 1.3. The measurement shows the electrical impedance and crosstalk are consistent with the numerical calculation.

CONCLUSION

The numerical results indicate that half-cut array is a promising alternative for the fabrication of high-frequency ultrasonic linear arrays. In fact, the minimum pitch that could be obtained is around 25μm, equivalent to a pitch of 1.6λ, with a kerf depth of 16μm under the optimized ICP parameters.

Effects of Radix aconiti lateralis preparata and Rhizoma zingiberis on energy metabolism and expression of the genes related to metabolism in rats

OBJECTIVE

To study the influence of Radix aconiti lateralis preparata and Rhizoma zingiberis, two species of Chinese medicinal herbs with hot property, on energy metabolism and gene expression spectrum, and to analyze the possible mechanism of their effects.

METHODS

Forty-eight specific pathogen free Wistar rats were randomly divided into a Radix aconiti lateralis preparata group, a Rhizoma zingiberis group, and a control group. They were intragastrically treated with concentrated decoction of Radix aconiti lateralis preparata, Rhizoma zingiberis and normal saline respectively for 20 days. Toe temperature (TT), energy intake (EI), digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME) were measured. The content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) in hepatic tissue were measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The activity of ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in the liver were detected with chemical colorimetry. The gene expression in the liver was detected with Illumina's rat Ref-12 gene array. The differential expression genes were selected, annotated and classified based on Gene Ontology (GO). Real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (Q-RT-PCR) was used to test the accuracy of results.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the TT on the 10(th) day after the beginning of administration and ATP in the Radix aconiti lateralis preparata and Rhizoma zingiberis groups increased significantly (P<0.05). EI/body mass (BM), DE/BM, ME/BM, the hepatic EC and the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase and SDH of liver increased significantly only in the Radix aconiti lateralis preparata group (P<0.05). There were 592 differential expression genes in the Radix aconiti lateralis preparata group and 1 159 in the Rhizoma zingiberis group compared with the control group. Among the differential expression genes, genes related to metabolic processes were the most significant based on GO analysis. There were 337 strips of gene differential expression in common in both Radix aconiti lateralis preparata and Rhizoma zingiberis groups compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Herbs with hot property such as Radix aconiti lateralis preparata and Rhizoma zingiberis could improve the energy metabolism in rats, through influencing the metabolic process of sugar, lipid, and amino acid. It could also promote the production, storage, and utilization of energy by regulating the gene expression related to metabolism, which may be the main molecular mechanism of warming yang and dispelling cold for the treatment of the cold syndrome according to Chinese medicine theory.

Modelling and simulation of high-frequency (100 MHz) ultrasonic linear arrays based on single crystal LiNbO3

BACKGROUND

High-frequency ultrasonic transducer arrays are essential for high resolution imaging in clinical analysis and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). However, the fabrication of conventional backing-layer structure, which requires a pitch (distance between the centers of two adjacent elements) of half wavelength in medium, is really a great challenge.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD

Here we present an alternative buffer-layer structure with a silicon lens for volumetric imaging. The requirement for the size of the pitch is less critical for this structure, making it possible to fabricate high-frequency (100MHz) ultrasonic linear array transducers. Using silicon substrate also makes it possible to integrate the arrays with IC (Integrated Circuit). To compare with the conventional backing-layer structure, a finite element tool, COMSOL, is employed to investigate the performances of acoustic beam focusing, the influence of pitch size for the buffer-layer configuration, and to calculate the electrical properties of the arrays, including crosstalk effect and electrical impedance.

RESULTS

For a 100MHz 10-element array of buffer-layer structure, the ultrasound beam in azimuth plane in water could be electronically focused to obtain a spatial resolution (a half-amplitude width) of 86μm at the focal depth. When decreasing from half wavelength in silicon (42μm) to half wavelength in water (7.5μm), the pitch sizes weakly affect the focal resolution. The lateral spatial resolution is increased by 4.65% when the pitch size decreases from 42μm to 7.5μm. The crosstalk between adjacent elements at the central frequency is, respectively, -95dB, -39.4dB, and -60.5dB for the 10-element buffer, 49-element buffer and 49-element backing arrays. Additionally, the electrical impedance magnitudes for each structure are, respectively, 4kΩ, 26.4kΩ, and 24.2kΩ, which is consistent with calculation results using Krimholtz, Leedom, and Matthaei (KLM) model.

CONCLUSION

These results show that the buffer-layer configuration is a promising alternative for the fabrication of high-frequency ultrasonic linear arrays dedicated to volumetric imaging.

Tissue-specific expression and drought responsiveness of cell-wall invertase genes of rice at flowering

Drought stress near heading reduces grain yield in rice cultivars by inhibiting processes such as anther dehiscence and panicle exsertion. Because cell-wall invertases play an important role in carbon allocation to developing organs, we examined the tissue-specific expression and drought sensitivity of the corresponding genes (OsCIN1-9) at heading in the widely grown cultivar IR64. OsCIN1-5,8 were expressed to varying degrees in flag leaf, panicle, anthers and peduncle at 1 day before heading (1 DBH). When water was withheld for 2 days starting 3 DBH, anthesis and peduncle elongation were halted. At the same time, transcript levels for OsCIN1-5,8 genes were all markedly down-regulated in anthers and/or peduncles but were not affected in flag leaves. Re-watering allowed anthesis and peduncle elongation to proceed and restored expression of OsCIN1-5,8. We conclude that cell-wall invertase genes, as a class, respond rapidly to water deficit in anthers and peduncles and through a reduction in sink strength help to coordinate a delay in anthesis and heading. By contrast, vacuolar invertase OsVIN2 was up-regulated by drought stress in flag leaves, panicles, anthers and peduncles. Although OsCIN1-3,5,8 were active in the peduncle, only OsCIN2 was expressed strongly and preferentially at the base, where cell division and cell elongation occur. OsCIN2 was expressed principally in the primary and secondary vascular systems, consistent with a role in diverting sucrose from the phloem to the dividing and expanding cells of the peduncle, whereas the less abundant OsCIN1,3,5,8 transcripts were found principally in parenchyma cells. The OsCIN2 transcript levels in the base were highest at 1 DBH, when rapid peduncle elongation began. Drought stress halted peduncle elongation and reduced OsCIN2 transcript level to 8% of the control level. On re-watering, peduncle elongation was restored and OsCIN2 transcript level recovered to 24% of the control. The abscisic acid (ABA) level of peduncles increased 7-fold on drought stress and returned to the control level on re-watering. Detached peduncles floated on water elongated little and lost all OsCIN2 transcripts, but on 50-100 microM GA3 they elongated rapidly and maintained high OsCIN2 transcript levels. ABA antagonized both peduncle elongation and maintenance of OsCIN2 transcript levels. We conclude that this antagonism is a potential intervention point for breeding strategies directed at enhancing panicle exsertion during or after drought stress at heading.

Cerebrospinal fluid tau, Aβ1–42 and inflammatory cytokines in patients with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia

In this study we aimed to evaluate the possibility of using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau, Abeta(1-42) and inflammatory cytokines for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). We measured levels of total tau (T-tau), phospho-tau (P-tau), Abeta(1-42), IL-6, and TNFalpha in CSF in groups of AD, VD, and controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T-tau level was found significantly higher in groups of AD (t = 3.015, P < 0.01) and VD (t = 2.872, P < 0.01) than in controls. IL-6 level as also higher in AD (t = 2.883, P < 0.01) and VD (t = 3.032, P < 0.01) than in controls. Both T-tau and IL-6 were not significantly different between AD and VD (P > 0.05). The group of AD had remarkably higher P-tau (t = 4.261 and 3.883, respectively, P < 0.01) and lower Abeta(1-42) (t = 3.883 and 4.129, respectively, P < 0.01), as compared with those in VD and controls. TNFalpha level in AD was significantly higher than that in controls (t = 2.745, P < 0.01), but lower than in VD (t = 3.032, P < 0.01). Our data suggested that increment of T-tau and IL-6 levels in CSF was useful for screening AD and VD in certain population, while descending Abeta(1-42) and ascending TNFalpha in CSF are preferable to diagnose AD. In addition, a higher level of CSF P-tau might support AD diagnosis.

[Quantitative analysis of sparfloxacin injection by high performance liquid chromatography]

Analytical method of the quantitative determination of sparfloxacin injection by HPLC is described. The analytical conditions were as follows. A Waters Symmetry C18(5 microns, 150 mm x 3.9 mm i.d.) column was used as the analytical column. The detection wavelength was UV-298.8 nm. The column temperature was 30 degrees C. The mobile phase was 0.2% KH2PO4 buffer (pH 3.2)-CH3CN-CH3OH (80:15:5, volume ratio) and the flow-rate was 1.0 mL/min. The injection volume was 10 microL. The linear range (the peak area vs. the mass concentration of sparfloxacin) was from 39.94 mg/L to 199.68 mg/L, and the correlation coefficient was 0.9999. The average recovery of sparfloxacin was 100.1% (n = 5), and its RSD was 0.72%. The RSDs of continuous injections, within day injections per 2 hours and between day injections in three days were 0.19%, 0.14% and 0.13% respectively. The above analytical results show that this method has good precision and stability. It is a rapid, sensitive and accurate method for the analysis of sparfloxacin.

[Ossification of a protruded lumbar vertebral disc. A report of 17 cases]

From 1973 to 86, 308 patients were operated upon for protruded lumbar vertebral disc. 17 of them had 22 discs protruded and 19 of the 22 discs had been ossified. Operative findings and pathological characteristics of the specimens suggested that the ossified mass could be the result of ossification of the superficial tissue of the protruded disc, a sequence of turnover of fibrocartilage into osseous matter. We are of the confidence that operation is the choice of treatment of such lesion; and it should be performed early following diagnosis, as the ossified mass could never be absorbed, but progress on. The symptoms, lumbago and sciatica, of the 17 patients went immediately off after operation. Follow-up of 16 of them for 1.5 to 7.5 years (averaging 2.5 yrs.) showed excellent and good results in 87.8%.