Naringin (Nar) has been reported to exert potential hepatoprotective effects against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced injury. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in APAP-induced liver injury. However, the protective mechanism of Nar against mitochondrial damage has not been elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Nar against APAP and the possible mechanisms of actions. Primary rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells were utilized to establish an in vitro model of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The effect of APAP and Nar on cell viability was evaluated by a CCK8 assay and detection of the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. The cellular concentrations of biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression levels of APAP-related phase II enzymes were determined by real-time PCR. The protein levels of Nrf2, phospho (p)-AMPK/AMPK, and biomarkers of mitochondrial dynamics were determined by western blot analysis. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by high-content analysis and confocal microscopy. JC-1 staining was performed to evaluate mitochondrial depolarization. Nar pretreatment notably prevented the marked APAP-induced hepatocyte injury, increases in oxidative stress marker expression, reductions in the expression of phase II enzymes, significant loss of MMP, mitochondrial depolarization, and mitochondrial fission in vitro. In conclusion, Nar alleviated APAP-induced hepatocyte and mitochondrial injury by activating the AMPK/Nrf2 pathway to reduce oxidative stress in vitro. Applying Nar for the treatment of APAP-induced liver injury might be promising.

Abstract Evaluation of montmorillonite for paraquat by in vitro and in vivo test. In vitro test were evaluated by a batch test, taking the paraquat concentration, adsorbents, reaction environment and time as indices, the absorption rate was screened by orthogonal design. In vivo test was executed with rabbits. Group 1: 4 rabbits dosed with montmorillonite. Group 2: 8 rabbits dosed with 200 mg/kg paraquat. Group 3: 6 rabbits dosed with 200 mg/kg paraquat then gavage with montmorillonite 5 min later. Group 4: 6 rabbits dosed with 200 mg/kg paraquat then gavage with montmorillonite 30 min later. Blood paraquat concentration, serum cytokines, blood gas analysis and histopathology of lung were implemented. In vitro test found that all the four factors influence the absorption rate of paraquat (P < 0.05). In vitro test found that oral montmorillonite could change toxicokinetics parameters of paraquat (P < 0.05); decrease raised serum TGF-β1 and HMGB1 (P < 0.05) and alleviate the histopathology damage of lung. Montmorillonite might exert its protective effects on paraquat induced damage.

Abstract The lithology and thickness of the rock beam affect its mechanical properties and acoustic emission characteristics when it is fractured. In this study, three-point bending tests of rock beams were carried out. Then, we proposed to utilize the percentage of peak energy to characterize the intensity of energy release during fracture. Finally, the energy release mechanism of coal roof fracture was discussed. The evolution process of acoustic emission includes five stages. The acoustic emission amplitude distribution of rock beams has three typical patterns. Most of the cracks after fracture are tensile cracks, the proportion of tensile cracks is positively correlated with the elastic modulus. The percentage of peak energy is positively correlated with thickness and elastic modulus. More energy is released when thick and hard roof fractures. When necessary, measures such as reducing the thickness or the strength of the roof could be taken to improve the safety of mining.

Montelukast sodium is an effective and well-tolerated anti-asthmatic drug. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the treatment of asthma. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of montelukast sodium on children with cough-variant asthma (CVA) and the role of lncRNA prostate cancer gene expression marker 1 (PCGEM1) in drug efficacy. The efficacy of montelukast sodium was evaluated by assessing the release of inflammatory factors and pulmonary function in CVA children after a 3-month treatment. An ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mouse model was developed to simulate asthmatic conditions. PCGEM1 expression in clinical peripheral blood samples and lung tissues of asthmatic mice was determined. Asthmatic mice experienced nasal inhalation of PCGEM1 overexpression with simultaneous montelukast sodium to investigate the roles of PCGEM1 in asthma treatment. The NF-κB axis after PCGEM1 overexpression was detected to explore the underling mechanisms. Consequently, montelukast sodium contributed to reduced levels of pro-inflammatory factors and improved pulmonary function in CVA children. PCGEM1 was poorly expressed in OVA-sensitized asthmatic mice and highly expressed in CVA children with response to the treatment. PCGEM1 overexpression enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects and promoted effects on pulmonary function of montelukast sodium in CVA children and OVA-sensitized asthmatic mice. Furthermore, PCGEM1 inhibited the activation of the NF-κB axis. This study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and lung-protective effects of montelukast sodium on CVA, which was strengthened by overexpression of PCGEM1. Findings in this study highlighted a potential anti-asthmatic target of montelukast sodium.

Abstract Two new monoterpene glycosides, perillanolides A and B, together with a known compound reported from the genus Perilla for the first time were isolated and characterized from the leaves of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, Lamiaceae, a garnish and colorant for foods as well as commonly used for traditional medicine. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic evidences derived from nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, mass spectrometry and by comparing their physical and spectroscopic data of literature. These compounds, together with the previously isolated secondary metabolites of this species, were investigated for their inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase in vitro. Of the compounds, luteolin showed the strongest inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 2.18 µM. Esculetin and scutellarein moderately inhibited the enzyme, while perillanolides A and B, and 4-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyloxymethyl)phenyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside exerted weak activities.

Abstract Background Rabies is very common in People’s Republic of China. Each year thousands of people die because of this disease, but rabies diagnosed in pregnancy is very rare. Case Presentation In this study, we report the case of a pregnant woman who was infected with the rabies virus after a dog bite. The symptoms of rabies appeared in labor and she died after pregnancy. Her baby and husband did not develop the disease. Conclusion The phenomenon that the newborn infant was healthy may be related to the protective role of placenta in resisting the invasion of the rabies virus or the absence of systemic viremia. The prompt administration of vaccines and anti-rabies immunoglobulin to the infant may have also contributed to his survival.

Background: we successfully reconstituted the gene from group 1 allergens of dust mites, and obtained a body of shuffled genes. In order to verify the prediction on the chimeric gene, we tentatively cloned R8 into the vector that was prokaryoticly expressed, purified and assessed for its bio-activities. Methods: the expressed product was detected by SDSPAGE and the target protein was purified. The purified protein R8 was detected by ELISA. 75 BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups, namely PBS, rDer f1, rDer p1, R8 and asthma group. The mice were treated with dust mite allergens at 0, 7, 14 day by intraperitoneal injection and inhaled challenge as aerosol on day 21 for 7 days. Specific allergen immunotherapy was performed using rDer f1, rDer p1 and R8 allergens respectively. The level of IFN and IL- 4 in BALF was detected by ELISA. Results: the chimeric gene R8 was expressed with a band of approximately Mr 35000. Compared with groups of rDer f 1 and rDer p 1 [(80.44±15.50) and (90.79±10.38) µg/ml respectively], IgE binding capacity of the protein R8 (37.03±12.46) µg/ml was statistically lower (P<0.001). The level of IFN in sera of R8 group [(343.43±38.79) pg/ml] was higher than that of the PBS and asthma groups [(393.93±50.68) and (208.44±46.11) pg/ml respectively] (P<0.01), but no statistical difference to that of the rDer f 1 and rDer p 1 groups (P>0.05). IL-4 level in R8 group was lower markedly than the others (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: chimeric protein R8 derived from the group 1 allergens of dust mites has been expressed with low allergenicity and high immunogenicity.

Antecedentes: se reconstituyó con éxito el gen del grupo 1 alérgenos de los ácaros del polvo, y obtuvo un conjunto de genes barajadas. Con el fin de verificar la predicción en el gen quimérico, hemos clonado tentativamente R8 en el vector que se expresó prokaryoticly, purificó y se evaluó por sus actividades-bio. Métodos: el producto expresado se detectó por SDS-PAGE y la proteína diana se purificó. La proteína purificada R8 se detectó por ELISA. Setenta y cinco ratones BALB/ c se dividieron en 5 grupos, a saber: PBS, rDer f1, rDer p1, R8 y el grupo de asma. Los ratones fueron tratados con alérgenos de ácaros del polvo a los 0, 7, 14 días mediante inyección intraperitoneal y inhaladas desafío como aerosol en día 21 durante 7 días. La inmunoterapia específica para el alérgeno se realizó utilizando rDer f1, rDer p1 y alérgenos R8, respectivamente. El nivel de IFN e IL-4 en BALF se detectó por ELISA. Resultados: el gen quimérico R8 se expresó con una banda de aproximadamente Mr 35000. En comparación con los grupos de rDer f 1 y rDer p 1 [(80,44 ± 15,50) y (90,79 ± 10,38) µg/ml, respectivamente], la capacidad de unión a IgE de la proteína R8 (37,03 ± 12,46) µg/ml fue estadísticamente inferior (P<0,001). El nivel de IFN en el suero del grupo R8 [(343,43 ± 38,79) pg /ml] fue mayor que el de la PBS y los grupos de asma [(393,93 ± 50,68) y (208,44 ± 46,11) pg/ml, respectivamente] (P <0,01 ), pero no hubo diferencia estadística a la de los grupos rDer f 1 y rDer p 1 (P> 0,05). La IL-4 en el grupo R8 fue menor significativamente que las otras (P <0,05 o P <0,01). Conclusiones: la proteína quimérica R8 derivados de los grupos 1 alérgenos de los ácaros del polvo se ha expresado con baja alergenicidad y alta inmunogenicidad.

OBJECTIVE: Procalcitonin is a reliable biomarker of infection and sepsis. We aimed to determine whether tracheotomy influences the procalcitonin concentrations in patients without sepsis and assess whether operative duration and procedure affect the peak procalcitonin level. METHODS: A total of 38 non-septic patients who required a tracheotomy underwent either a percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (n=19) or a surgical tracheotomy (n=19). Procalcitonin levels were measured at the beginning of the tracheotomy and at 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after the procedure. RESULTS: The baseline procalcitonin concentration before the tracheotomy was 0.24±0.13 ng/mL. The postoperative levels increased rapidly, with a 4-fold elevation after 2 h, reaching a peak 4 h later with a 5-fold increase over baseline. Thereafter, the levels gradually returned to 2-fold greater than the baseline level within 72 h. The peak levels of procalcitonin showed a significant positive correlation with operative durations (r=0.710, p<0.001) and procedures (rho=0.670, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients without sepsis, tracheotomy induces a rapid release of serum procalcitonin, and the operative duration and procedure have significant impacts on the peak procalcitonin levels. Thus, the nonspecific increase in procalcitonin levels following tracheotomy needs to be considered when this measure is used to evaluate infection.

Literature searches of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, LILACS, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data databases were performed from 1966 to September 2014. Only randomized and quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials comparing operative and nonoperative treatments for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures were included. Data collection and extraction, quality assessment, and data analyses were performed according to the Cochrane standards. Thirteen studies were considered in the meta-analysis. Constant scores and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores were improved in the operative fixation group at a follow up of one year or more. The nonunion and symptomatic malunion rates were significantly lower in the operative group. Additionally, the nonoperative group had a higher likelihood of neurological symptoms compared with the operative group. A significantly higher risk of complications was found in patients treated conservatively than in those who underwent operative fixation. However, when patients with nonunion and symptomatic malunion were excluded from the analysis, no significant differences in the complication rate were found. We concluded that based on the current clinical reports, operative treatment is superior to nonoperative treatment in the management of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. However, we do not support the routine use of primary operative fixation for all displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adults.

Objective: Sancassania berlesei (S. berlesei) is the leading threatening mite in breeding industry of Eupolyphaga sinensis and public health. Methods: Living specimens of S. berlesei were obtained from the surface of Eupolyphaga sinensis and purified with double-distilled water. The egg, larva, nymph, hypopus, adult male and female of S. berlesei were screened and picked out under microscope. Results: Morphological variations of S. berlesei, including its legs, setae, external genitalia and accessories, are clearly identified under SEM. The larva has three pairs of legs, with no leaf-like setae, yet its coxal rod is well- developed. By nymph stage, four pairs of legs and the fourth dorsal seta arise, whereas the genital area looks still under-developed. At hypopus, the claws and tarsules appear well-built, and leaf-like setae, setae of tibia and setae of genu are seen. The sucker plate totally contains nine suckers and four shell-like dimplings in which there are symmetric distributions with 1 pair of central suckers, 2 pairs of side suckers and 1 pair of anterior suckers, respectively. One pear-like posterior sucker is located at the back of sucker plate. All suckers are smooth except for anterior sucker with radial stripe. The genital sense organ of adults exhibits itself with cordiform external aspect and typical ossification texture; whereas the male is dissimilar with the female regarding seta number on the genital sense organ. Conclusion: Description of the morphological structure in great detail for S. berlesei tends to supply the important information for the taxonomy and further study.

Objetivo: Sancassania berlesei (S. berlesei) es el lider en la industria de cría amenaza mite Eupolyphaga sinensis y la salud pública. Métodos: los especimenes vivos de S. berlesei fueron obtenidos a partir de la superficie de Eupolyphaga sinensis y purificado con agua bidestilada.El huevo, larva, ninfa, hypopus, macho adulto y la hembra de S. berlesei fueron evaluados y elegidos bajo microscopio. Resultados: las variaciones morfológicas de S. berlesei, incluidas sus piernas, setas, genitales externos y accesorios, están claramente identificadas en la SEM.La larva tiene tres pares de patas, sin hojas como setas, pero su coxal Rod es desarrollada.Por la etapa de ninfa, cuatro pares de patas y el cuarto dorsal seta surgen, mientras que la zona genital se ve aún en desarrollo.En hypopus, las garras y tarsules aparecen bien construido, y la hoja como setas, setas de tibia y setas de Genu son vistos.La ventosa plato totalmente contiene nueve retoños y cuatro Shell como dimplings en que hay distribuciones simétricas con 1 par de mamones, 2 pares de lado anterior de ventosas y 1 par de tontos, respectivamente.Una pera como posterior ventosa está ubicado en la espalda de Sucker plato.Todos los tontos son suaves excepto anterior Sucker con franja radial.El órgano de sentido genital adultos exhibe con cordiforme aspecto externo y osificación típica textura; mientras que el macho es diferente con la hembra respecto a seta numero en el sentido de órganos genitales. Conclusión: descripción de la estructura morfologica en gran detalle para S. berlesei tiende a suministrar la información importante para la taxonomía y más estudio.

Background Rabies is very common in People’s Republic of China. Henan province, in the central portion of China, is one of the most densely populated provinces in the entire country. With the new rabies epidemic trend noted in northern and western China, it is necessary to investigate the characteristics of human rabies in this area and control the disease.Methods We chose patients in hospital isolation in 18 municipalities in Henan province as the investigation subjects. Data were collected through systematic reporting from these hospitals, whereas a questionnaire was applied to the relatives of patients.Results A total of 1022 rabies cases were reported. The incidence of human rabies in Henan has increased rapidly since 2005, having peaked in 2007, and maintained a high level in the remaining years. The cases were found mainly in rural areas in the south and east of the province. Rabies was often noted in summer and with the highest number in August. Most cases were noted in males and often in farmers. The patients aged between 40 and 60 years accounted for 36.8 % of all the cases. The wound treatment rate (12.2 %) and vaccination rate (2.6 %) of rabies cases after exposure were relatively low, while the rabies immunoglobulin utilization rate was only 2.8 %.Conclusions Rabies epidemic cases at the county level overall were increasing in Henan province during the period of 2005–2013; the epidemic has spread quickly. The data in this study imply that the disease could be better managed by more integrated surveillance across human health and veterinary sectors, improved education and better government policies.