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To study the effect of DNA methylation on the growth and synthesis of cephalotaxine in Cephalotaxus mannii suspension cells, demethylating reagent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) with different concentrations (15, 25 and 35 μmol/L) was added to the suspension cultures of C. mannii . The results obtained revealed that the effect of 5-Aza-CdR on cell growth depended on its concentration. When cells were treated with an optimum concentration of 5-Aza-CdR 15 μmol/L, the biomass of cells was 15.76 g/L (dry weight, DW), 13.75% higher than control group (13.85 g/L). Additionally, 5-Aza-CdR could improve the enzyme activity associated with the metabolic pathway of cell growth and product biosynthesis. When treated with 5-Aza-CdR, the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), pyruvate kinase (PK) and 3-deoxy- d -arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DS) synthase was increased by 21%, 172% and 26%, respectively. At the same time, the content of cephalotaxine reached 7.735 mg/L, was 30% higher than the control group (5.97 mg/L). In addition, it was found that 5-Aza-CdR reduced the expression of two genes related to methyltransferase in cells by 87.87% (caffeic acid ortho-methyltransferase gene) and 86.19% (one hypothetical protein gene), and the level of DNA methylation treated by 5-Aza-CdR was obviously lower than the control. Interestingly, the demethylation by 5-Aza-CdR was only found in the cell growth phase (days 0–15), but not found in the late culture period (days 15–30), indicating that the action sites of 5-Aza-CdR in cells were mainly focused on the primary metabolic process. Key message 5-Aza-CdR effected the prophase of cell growth and promoted the synthesis of cephalotaxine. The decrease of DNA methylation level by 5-Aza-CdR was only found in the cell growth phase (0–15 days). But there had no significant effect at the later stage (15–30 days) of culture.

Acute alcohol exposure induces unconscious condition such as coma whose main physical manifestation is the loss of righting reflex (LORR). Xingnaojing Injection (XNJI), which came from Chinese classic formula An Gong Niu Huang Pill, is widely used for consciousness disorders in China, such as coma. Although XNJI efficiently shortened the duration of LORR induced by acute ethanol, it remains unknown how XNJI acts on ethanol-induced coma (EIC). We performed experiments to examine the effects of XNJI on orexin and adenosine (AD) signaling in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) in EIC rats. Results showed that XNJI reduced the duration of LORR, which implied that XNJI promotes recovery form coma. Microdialysis data indicated that acute ethanol significantly increased AD release in the LHA but had no effect on orexin A levels. The qPCR results displayed a significant reduction in the Orexin-1 receptors (OX1R) expression with a concomitant increase in the A1 receptor (A1R) and equilibrative nucleoside transporter type 1 (ENT1) expression in EIC rats. In contrast, XNJI reduced the extracellular AD levels but orexin A levels remained unaffected. XNJI also counteracted the downregulation of the OX1R expression and upregulation of A1R and ENT1 expression caused by EIC. As for ADK expression, XNJI but not ethanol, displayed an upregulation in the LHA in EIC rats. Based on these results, we suggest that XNJI promotes arousal by inhibiting adenosine neurotransmission via reducing AD level and the expression of A1R and ENT1.

The microstructures, phase constitutions and mechanical properties of as-cast samples, extruded rods and plates of Mg-3.52Sn-3.32Al and Mg-6.54Sn-4.78Al alloys were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and mechanical testing. The results show that as-cast microstructure consists of α-Mg matrix, Mg2Sn and a few dispersed β-Mg17Al12 phases. The two as-cast alloys exhibit good tensile mechanical properties. After hot extrusion, dynamic recrystallization occurs. Average grain size reaches 6 μm ~ 8 μm for rods, and a lot of fine micro-scaled particles exist, resulting in significant enhancement of tensile mechanical properties. The extruded Mg-3.52Sn-3.32Al rod exhibits better comprehensive tensile mechanical property than AZ31B alloy, with tensile strength σb of 295 MPa, yield strength of 200 MPa and elongation of 21.5% at ambient temperature. The extruded Mg-6.54Sn-4.78Al rod exhibits equivalent comprehensive tensile mechanical properties with ZK60 alloy, achieving tensile strength of 355 MPa, yield strength of 275 MPa and elongation of 11% at ambient temperature. The extruded plates at ambient temperature performed a tensile strength of 270 MPa.

Introduction: Neonates are at high risk of nosocomial infections, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of drug-resistant bacteria (DRB) screening in combination with patient barrier precautions in controlling nosocomial infections in neonatal wards. Methodology: The clinical data of neonates admitted to the Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China in 2010 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. In 2010, DRB screening was conducted using nasal and anal swabs. In 2012, in addition to the DRB screening, patient barrier precautions were implemented. The barrier precautions were lifted if the patients were negative for the DRB screening. Patients with DRB colonization were further isolated to reduce the risk of nosocomial infection. The rate of nosocomial infections in the two years was compared. Results: A total of 1280 neonates in 2010 and 1504 neonates in 2012 were included in the analysis. No significant difference was noticed between the two years in gestational weeks, age, gender, and birth weight. The rate of nosocomial infections was reduced significantly from 2.34% in 2010 to 1.13% in 2012. Conclusions: DRB screening in combination with the patient barrier precautions may reduce the risk of nosocomial infection in neonates.

Background and Objective Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound with pharmacological effects such as vasodilation and hypolipidemia. Paeoniflorin (PF) is one of the active ingredients of TSD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of PF in herbal extracts and their purified forms in rats. Method A sensitive and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS-MS) method for the determination of PF in rat plasma was developed. Rats were divided into three groups, and given PF solution, water extract of white peony root (WPR), or TSD by gavage. At different predetermined timepoints after gavage, blood was collected from the orbital vein. The pharmacokinetic parameters of PF in the plasma of rats in the three groups was determined. Results The pharmacokinetic studies showed that the time to reach maximum concentration ( T max ) of PF in the purified forms group was relatively high, while the half-lives ( T ½ ) of PF in the TSD and WPR groups were longer. Among the three groups, PF in the purified forms group had the maximum area under the concentration–time curve ( AUC 0- t  = 732.997 µg/L·h) and the largest maximum concentration ( C max  = 313.460 µg/L), which showed a significant difference compared with the TSD group ( P  < 0.05). Compared with the purified group, the clearance ( CL z /F = 86.004 L/h/kg) and the apparent volume of distribution ( V z /F = 254.787 L/kg) of PF in the TSD group increased significantly ( P  < 0.05). Conclusions A highly specific, sensitive, and rapid HPLC–MS-MS method was developed and applied for the determination of PF in rat plasma. It was found that TSD and WPR can prolong the action time of paeoniflorin in the body.

A new process so-called air-cooled stirring rod (ACSR) was developed to prepare semisolid slurries of Al-8Si alloy. A simplified rheological high pressure die-casting (Rheo-HPDC) process was developed by combining the ACSR device with a HPDC machine to form wireless base station shells. Microstructures of slurries at different rotation speeds and air flows prepared by ACSR device were studied. Microstructures, mechanical properties and thermal conductivities of the shells formed by Rheo-HPDC were studied and compared with those produced by HPDC. The results indicate the ACSR device can prepare slurries in which primary particles are fine, spherical and uniformly distributed in the matrix. As rotation speed or air flow increases, the size of primary particles (α1-Al) decreases and shape factor increases. Rheo-HPDC parts show improved properties to those formed by HPDC, and increasing rates of ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, hardness and thermal conductivity are 15.4%, 8.2%, 62.1%, 6.67% and 2.1%, respectively.

The microstructure and mechanical properties of the high-purity magnesium (99.99wt.% Mg) extruded by single direct extrusion experiment were investigated. For the extrusion speed of 0.2mm/s, the microstructure of extruded Mg rods was composed of equiaxed fine dynamical recrystallized (DRXed) grains and some elongated coarse un-DRXed grains. The yield strength (YS) and the elongation of the extruded bars were 105.3MPa and 46.7% respectively. In the case of extrusion speed of 4.0mm/s, the DRXed grains were remarkably coarsened and the elongated coarse un-DRXed grains vanished, meanwhile lots of twins occurred and the intensity of basal-plane texture increased a little. With the extrusion speed being raised from 0.2mm/s to 4.0mm/s, the YS and the elongation decreased to 60.5MPa and 22.1% respectively, but the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was improved from 154.7MPa to 178.8MPa.

Background We estimated the incidence and mortality of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in China in 2010 according to the data of 145 domestic population‐based cancer registries in 2014, and no such reports since then. Hence, to further and better understand its epidemiology in China and to provide more precise scientific information for its control and prevention in China, we analyzed the NPC incidence and mortality of 255 domestic population‐based cancer registries, and estimated the national rates in 2013 again. Methods NPC incidence and mortality data of 255 domestic cancer registries in 2013, accepted by the 2016 National Cancer Registry Annual Report, were collected and collated, and the indices of NPC such as the numbers of new cases and deaths, crude rates, age‐standardized rates, and truncated rates of incidence and mortality were calculated and analyzed. The incidence and mortality in China and its constituent areas were estimated according to the national population in 2013. Results An estimated 42,100 new cases and 21,320 deaths were attributed to NPC in China in 2013, accounting for 1.14% of all new cancer cases and 0.96% of all cancer‐related deaths that year in China. Crude incidence and mortality of NPC were 3.09/100,000 and 1.57/100,000, respectively. World age‐standardized incidence and mortality were 2.17/100,000 and 1.08/100,000, respectively. The incidence and mortality of males were obviously higher than those of females and slightly higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Among seven Chinese administrative regions, NPC incidence and mortality were obviously higher in South China than in other regions and lowest in North China. Top 3 incidence and mortality provinces and registering areas all located in South China. The age‐specific incidence and mortality rose quickly from age 25–29 and 35 to 39 years, respectively, peaked at different ages and varied by location. Conclusions These results demonstrated that NPC incidence and mortality in China in 2013 were also at high levels worldwide, which suggested that its control and prevention should be enhanced.

A new near-infrared (NIR) dye, 1,1'-disulfobutyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine (DTCY) has been developed for the quantitation of proteins in solution. The method is based on the binding of DTCY to proteins under acidic conditions. The binding of DTCY to proteins causes a new band at 814 nm. The maximum binding number of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with DTCY was measured as 100. The linear range is 0.3-40 microg mL(-1) for BSA and human serum albumin (HSA), respectively. Except for Fe(2+), Cu(2+), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, all of the examined coexisting substances show no interference in the assay. The method has been applied to the quantitation of proteins in serum and urine with recoveries between 96 and 105%.

The application of near-infrared (NIR) dyes (lambda (em) > 750 nm) to the analysis of biological samples shows much promise, because the long emission wavelengths of such dyes allow interferences from biomolecule matrices to be minimized. In this paper, a novel NIR dye, 5,5'-dicarboxy-1,1'-disulfobutyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine (DCDSTCY) has been developed for the spectrophotometric determination of total protein in serum. Under acidic conditions, the binding of DCDSTCY to proteins caused a new peak at 878 nm, the height of which was proportional to the concentration of protein. The linear range of the method was found to be 0.04-0.5 microg mL(-1) for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA), and detection limits of 5 ng mL(-1) were obtained for these substances. The maximum binding number of BSA with DCDSTCY was measured to be 133. The method proposed here has been applied to the quantitation of total protein in serum, and recoveries of 96.6-104% were achieved. Figure Near-infrared probe for protein determination.