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In this study, it was found that when co-cultured with Bacillus cereus, the growth of Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited. The antimicrobial peptide DB16 (RKLLQFAKKLGIVFTK) was predicted and selected from the ATP-dependent RNA helicase of B. cereus by bioinformatics. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the antimicrobial peptide DB16 against S. aureus was 31.25 μg/mL, which could completely inhibit the growth of S. aureus within 0.5 h. DB16 presented a random coiled structure in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and turned into an α-helix structure in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Fluorescence probe, flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DNA gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy were used to explore the antibacterial mechanism of DB16 against S. aureus. The results showed that the antibacterial peptide DB16 could change the permeability of the bacterial cell membrane, thereby causing the leakage of cellular contents, while entering the cells to combine with the genomic DNA of S. aureus, affecting normal DNA replication, and finally inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria. In addition, DB16 at 8 × MIC showed no hemolysis on mammalian red blood cells. In conclusion, the antimicrobial peptide DB16 from B. cereus has great potential for the prevention and control of S. aureus.

The crystalline glaze structure with photocatalytic activity has important application value for the surface functionalization of ceramic panels, but the structure control of functionalized surface crystalline glaze and the influence of its growth mode on photocatalytic activity are still unclear. This study used tungsten trioxide, ferrous sulfate, aluminum phosphate, kaolin, and other raw materials to successfully produce crystalline glazes with exposed high nucleophilic crystal faces by regulating FeWO4 with different growth orientation structures at 1 080 °C. The results indicate that crystalline glaze layers with different orientations exhibit different crystal surface exposures. Crystalline glazes grown with different orientations can provide higher catalytic activity and promote the exposure of highly nucleophilic (100) crystal surfaces, thereby improving the photocatalytic performance of ceramic plate surface. This study can provide theoretical and practical references for the design and regulation of surface functionalization of photo functionalized crystalline glaze materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the clinical practice, Professor Jiang Liangduo, a national senior Chinese medicine doctor, has created the theory of "sanjiao meridian stasis" from the theory of meridian dialectics and from the overall state. In this paper, the traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine clinical characteristics of sanjiao meridian stasis theory which is often used by Professor Jiang Liangduo in the treatment of out-patient syndrome differentiation, were first studied and summarized to investigate its inherent regularity. First, the source of data and research methods were introduced, and then the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System was used with the method of data mining to retrospectively analyze the disease characteristics of Chinese and Western medicine in 279 patients with sanjiao meridian stasis diagnosed by Professor Jiang in 2014. Then the following main conclusions were made after research: sanjiao meridian stasis was more common in women as well as young and middle-aged population. Often manifested by prolonged treatment course, red tongue with yellowishfur, with good correlation between modern Western medicine diagnosis and TCM differentiation syndrome. The symptoms of sanjiao meridian stasis syndrome are mostly of heat syndromes, and middle-aged patients are the most common patients with stasis and stasis of sanjiao. Related information of Western medicine diagnosis can help to diagnose the "sanjiao meridian stasis"., 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.)

Objective: To observe the impact of tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines contained in Yiqi Qingwen Jiedu mixture on mRNA expression of lung inflammatory cytokines and pulmonary pathological injury of mice infected by influenza virus, in order to discuss the mechanism of tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines against pulmonary immune inflammatory injury of infected mice., Method: In different time phases after mice were infected with influenza virus FM1, the RT-PCR method was adopted to observe the impact of tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines contained in Yiqi Qingwen Jiedu mixture on five inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ, and the changes in pulmonary pathological injury of mice with viral pneumonia after intervention with tonifying qi traditional Chinese medicines., Result: (1) Tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines significantly reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-α at 1-5 d and IL-1 mRNA expression at 7 d, may increase IL-1 mRNA expression in mouse lung at 3 d, significantly reduced IL-6 mRNA expression in mouse lung and increased IL-10 mRNA expression at 3-7 d, and significantly increased IFN-γ mRNA expression at 1 d. (2) Tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines could significantly inhibited and repaired pulmonary immune inflammatory injury of mice infected by FM1, which was most remarkable at 3-7 d after the infection with influenza virus FM1., Conclusion: Tonifying Qi traditional Chinese medicines contained in Yiqi Qingwen Jiedu mixture could resist pulmonary immune inflammatory injury and repair inflammatory injury by regulating the mRNA expression of imbalance inflammatory cytokines of organisms infected with influenza virus.

Objective: To study the effect of triangle drugs as ginseng, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, and rhubarb on the levels of blood lipids as [total cholesterol (TC), triglyeride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and pro-inflammatory cytokines as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) during the process of treating atherosclerosis., Methods: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups after one-week adaptive feeding, i.e., the normal control group (n=6), the model group (n=6), and the triangle drugs group (n=8). High fat diet was fed to rabbits in the triangle drugs group and the model group at the daily dose of 100 g for six weeks. Iliac artery was injured in the model group and the triangle drugs group at the seventh week using balloon injury. High fat diet was successively fed to those after surgery for six weeks. At the same time of modeling, preventive medication (at the daily dose of dry ginseng 0.64 g/kg, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim 2.14 g/kg, and prepared Radix et Rhizoma Rhei with wine 0.43 g/kg, with the volume of 2 mL/kg) was administered by gastrogavage to rabbits in the triangle drugs group. Changes of blood lipids levels and related pro-inflammatory cytokines were dynamically observed., Results: On the 7th week (before surgery), the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the model group, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the triangle drugs group significantly increased, showing significant difference when compared with those of the normal control group (P < 0.05). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the model group and the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P < 0.05). Levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C were lower in the triangle drugs group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). After the 8th week the levels of blood lipids and ICAM-1 in the model group, and levels of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and ICAM-1 in the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). After the 12th week levels of blood lipids in the model group, LDL-C and HDL-C in the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The LDL-C level was lower in the triangle drugs group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and hs-CRP in the model group were obviously higher than those in the triangle drugs group and the normal control group, showing statistical significance (P < 0.05). The hs-CRP level was higher in the triangle drugs group than in the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The triangle drugs may postpone the process of atherosclerosis by lowering blood lipids levels, especially by lowering the elevating levels of TC and LDL-C. Its roles in decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines might be associated with lipids lowering and anti-inflammation. Its roles may also be associated with improvement of the endothelial function and inhibition of the smooth muscle proliferation.

Objective: To observe the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on the proliferation and type I collagen synthesis of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFBs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), and to explore the mechanism of TMP in treating myocardial fibrosis., Methods: CFBs were isolated from neonatal rats, and the fourth-passage CFBs were used in the entire test and were stimulated by 0.1 micromol/L Ang II in vivo. The CFB proliferation was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Type I collagen in the cell culture supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of mRNA of type I collagen was semi-quantitatively measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)., Results: (1) In MTT assay, the optical density of CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II was higher than that of the blank control cultured with 2% fetal bovine serum-Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (FBS-DMEM). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Both optical densities of CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 800 microg/mL TMP and 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 600 microg/mL TMP were lower than that of CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II, but only the difference between 0.1 micromol/L AngII plus 800 microg/mL TMP group and 0.1 micromol/L Ang II group was significant (P < 0.05). (2) The content of type I collagen secreted by CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II was higher than that with 2% FBS-DMEM (P < 0.01). The content of type I collagen secreted by CFBs cultured with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 800 microg/mL TMP was lower than that with 0.1 micromol/L Ang II (P < 0.05). (3) The level of type I collagen mRNA in 0.1 micromol/L Ang II group was higher than that in blank control group, and lower than that in 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 800 microg/mL TMP group. Both the differences between 0.1 micromol/L Ang II group and the blank control group and between 0.1 micromol/L Ang II group and 0.1 micromol/L Ang II plus 800 microg/mL TMP group were statistically significant (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: TMP can not only inhibit the proliferation of CFBs, but also decrease the secretion and the mRNA expression level of collagen I in cultured CFBs of rat which are increased by Ang II.

Objective: To observe the effects of Feixian Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating pulmonary fibrosis, on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats, and its influence on serum transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)., Methods: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were infused with bleomycin (1 mg/kg) through tracheal intubation to induce pulmonary fibrosis, and they were randomly divided into untreated group (n=24), prednisone-treated group (n=24) and Feixian Formula-treated group (n=24). Fifteen male Wistar rats of the sham-operated group were infused with equivalent normal saline. Twenty-four hours after operation, prednisone (5 mg/kg) and Feixian Formula (1.25 g/kg) were given to the prednisone-treated group and Feixian Formula-treated group respectively by intragastric administration once a day. Equivalent saline was administered to rats of the untreated group and sham-operated group. On the 14th, 28th and 45th day, 5 rats in the sham-operated group and 8 rats in each of the other three groups were dissected to observe pathologic changes of the lung tissues, and the levels of serum TGF-beta1 and PDGF were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: At the 45th day, the degree of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis was lesser in rats of the Feixian Formula-treated group as compared with those of the untreated group and prednisone-treated group. The levels of serum TGF-beta1 and PDGF were increased, and were significantly higher than those of the sham-operated group, especially on the 45th day (P<0.05). Changes of TGF-beta1 level in the prednisone-treated group and the Feixian Formula-treated group were similar to untreated group (P>0.05), and there was no significant difference between the prednisone-treated group and the Feixian Formula-treated group (P>0.05). PDGF in the Feixian Formula-treated group reached the highest level on the 14th day, significantly higher than those of the other three groups (P<0.01). Then it decreased, and was close to that of the sham-operated group on the 45th day (P=0.792). The levels of PDGF in untreated group and prednisone-treated group were increased depending on time, and were obviously higher than that of the sham-operated group on the 45th day (P<0.01)., Conclusion: Feixian Formula can relieve bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats, and the mechanism of its action may be related to down-regulating serum PDGF.

Objective: To study the approach for developing a rat model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM)., Method: Different doses (7, 6, 5, 3.4, 2, 1 mg/kg) of bleomycin A5-saline were infused into the rats' lung in bleomycin-treated group through tracheal intubation, and rats in sham-operated group were infused with same volume of saline. The living state and lung pathology of the rats were observed. The author deeply studied the condition of the rats in 1 mg/kg bleomycin-treated group, and the changes of body weight and lung pathology were observed. Lung quotient, the content of transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-beta1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in serum were measured on the 14th, 28th and 45th day of the experiment., Results: The study demonstrated that infusing large doses of bleomycin A5 quickly through tracheal intubation had a high mortality, and infusing 1 mg/kg quickly could successfully develop an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis. Compared with the sham-operated group, fibrosis was appeared obviously in the rats' lung in 1 mg/kg bleomycin A5-treated group after 14 days of experiment, diffuse fibrosis was appeared after 28 days of experiment, and the fibrosis became more severe after 45 days of experiment. The body weight of the rats in bleomycin-treated group was declined after 3, 7 and 14 days of experiment as compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.01). Twenty-one days after the experiment, the body weight was declined too, but there was no significant difference between the bleomycin-treated group and the sham-operated group (P>0.05). Lung quotient was increased 14, 28 and 45 days after the experiment (P<0.01), the level of serum TGF-beta1 began to increase since 28 days after the experiment (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the level of serum PDGF also increased gradually 45 days after the experiment (P<0.05). And the mortality rate of 1 mg/kg bleomycin A5-treated group was lower than those of the other doses of bleomycin A5-treated groups., Conclusion: A rat model of pulmonary fibrosis can be duplicated successfully by infusing 1 mg/kg bleomycin A5 quickly through tracheal intubation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of dongchong xiacao capsule on the airway inflammation of asthmatic patients and to explore the relevant mechanism of therapeutic effect of Dongchongxiacao capsule., Method: Sixty patients with moderate persistent asthma were randomized into the treatment group (n=30) and the control group (n=30). Inhaled corticosteroid and as-needed beta-agonist were used in the treatment group while this therapy plus dongchong xiacao capsule were used in the control group for two months. Serum IL-4, IFN-gamma, sICAM-1, MMP-9, IgG, IgE level were assessed at randomization and 2 months after randomization., Result: The serum level of IgE, sICAM-1, IL-4 and MMP-9 of the treatment group was lowered to a greater degree than that of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 )., Conclusion: Dongchong xiacao capsule can reduce the serum markers of airway inflammation, which suggests this therapy bares the anti-inflammation effects probably through regulating the balance of TH1/TH2, inhibiting the activity of adherence molecule and reducing IgE production. It may also have the effect of reversing airway remodeling, which needs further research to determine.

Objective: To probe into the correlativity of TCM syndromes to auricular points., Methods: Sixty-three cases of typical liver-qi stagnation syndrome and 52 healthy persons were divided into an observation group and a control group, respectively. The auricular points on both side were respectively detected by auricular point pressure pain method with spring pressure bar and a pressure of 50 g, and then the number of auricular points with positive response on both sides were respectively calculated and the positive rates between the two groups were compared., Results: Can (liver), Shidao (esophagus), Sanjiao (triple energy), Pi (spleen), Yidan (pancreas and gall bladder), Tingzhong (center of superior concha), Wei (stomach), Shenmen had high tenderness positive rates, with significant differences between the liver-qi stagnation syndrome group and the healthy person group. The correlativity were Gan>Shidao>Sanjiao>Pi>Yidan>Tingzhong>Wei>Shenmen., Conclusion: TCM syndromes and auricular points have correlativity.

Objective: To study the effect of safflower injection (SI) in protecting heart, and on energy charge and anti-apoptosis gen bcl-2 in cardiac tissue., Methods: Rats' Langendorff isolated heart infused model was used in the experiment to study the effect of SI by measuring the cardiac function, energy charge and bcl-2 expression of the cultured heart in the modified Euro-Collins (mEC) heart preserving liquid with or without addition of SI., Results: As compared with the control, SI showed the effects of improving functions of cardiac contraction and dilation, increasing coronary blood flow, and strengthening the bcl-2 protein expression., Conclusion: SI has excellent effect in protecting heart.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of road injury., Methods: Case-control study was used. From November 2001 to August 2002, 406 drivers who had 438 drivers who had not experienced a motor vehicle crash in Huanggu district, Shenyang city were recruited by randomly selection on time of day, day of week and site in the same period at same district. Face to face interviews with drivers were conducted according to a highly structured questionnaire covering the circumstances of the current trip, usual behavior and background characteristics of the drivers and the condition of motor vehicles. Stanford sleepiness scale and Epworth sleepiness scale were used to quantify acute and chronic sleepiness respectively., Results: Increased risk was associated with drivers who identified themselves as having chronic doziness (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.26 - 3.12). Increase in risk was associated with measures of acute tiredness, but without statistical significance (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 0.89 - 6.31). Comparing to permanent daytime work pattern, rotating shifts or permanent night-work pattern increased the risk of crash (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.48 - 2.94). The risk of motor vehicle crash among the drivers who drank alcohol in the previous 6 hours was 3.59 times (95% CI: 1.13 - 11.39) of those drivers who did not drink. Driving violations also contributed to the increased risk of crash (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.22 - 2.46)., Conclusion: Factors as chronic doziness, rotating shifts or permanent night-work pattern, driving under alcohol impairment, violation of motor vehicle regulation all significantly increased the risk of road injury. Acute sleepiness might serve as a potential risk factor for road injury.