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Lineage 3 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses, which belong to North America type 2, has a long epidemic history in China. The novel lineage 3 viruses constantly emerging in recent years are characterized by a high detection rate and significant pathogenicity. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of lineage 3 in southern China and selected two isolated strains for genome and virulence analyses. A cross‐sectional epidemiology investigation indicated that the prevalence of lineage 3 antigens was 35.68% (95% CI: 27.6–44.3%) among 227 samples collected from over 100 infected farms from January 2016 to July 2017 in southern China. Two novel isolates of lineage 3 were selected. After 20 passages, Marc‐145 cells were not susceptible to those viruses. Full‐length genome analysis indicated that the two strains share 95.2% homology with each other and 95.7%–96.2% with highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses (HP‐PRRSVs; JXA1‐like strain, lineage 8.7). Phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary results showed that for the two isolates, HP‐PRRSV provides most of the ORF1 gene. Animal experiment revealed discrepancies in virulence between the strains. Although challenge resulted in 100% morbidity, the isolate carrying most of the HP‐PRRSV ORF1 caused severe clinical symptoms and 40% mortality, whereas the other isolate containing part of the ORF1 gene caused no mortality. Overall, these findings suggest that lineage 3 viruses might be commonly circulating in most of southern China. Frequent recombination events within HP‐PRRSVs of this lineage with changing virulence could represent potential threats to the pig industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a huge threat to the modern pig industry, and current vaccine prevention strategies could not provide full protection against it. Therefore, exploring new anti-PRRSV strategies is urgently needed. Ginsenoside Rg1, derived from ginseng and notoginseng, is shown to exert anti-inflammatory, neuronal apoptosis-suppressing and anti-oxidant effects. Here we demonstrate Rg1-inhibited PRRSV infection both in Marc-145 cells and porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) in a dose-dependent manner. Rg1 treatment affected multiple steps of the PRRSV lifecycle, including virus attachment, replication and release at concentrations of 10 or 50 µM. Meanwhile, Rg1 exhibited broad inhibitory activities against Type 2 PRRSV, including highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV) XH-GD and JXA1, NADC-30-like strain HNLY and classical strain VR2332. Mechanistically, Rg1 reduced mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-α, and decreased NF-κB signaling activation triggered by PRRSV infection. Furthermore, 4-week old piglets intramuscularly treated with Rg1 after being challenged with the HP-PRRSV JXA1 strain display moderate lung injury, decreased viral load in serum and tissues, and an improved survival rate. Collectively, our study provides research basis and supportive clinical data for using Ginsenoside Rg1 in PRRSV therapies in swine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the effects of wogonin on the apoptosis,invasion,migration and Wnt / β-catenin signaling pathway of gastric cancer cells SGC7901., Methods: Three common gastric cancer cell lines( SGC7901,BGC-823 and MKN-45) were conventionally cultured to logarithmic growth. The cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay after treatment with different concentrations of wogonin( 0,20,50,100 and 200 μmol / L) for 24,48,72 and 96 h. The apoptosis rate, migration and invasion ability of SGC7901 cells were detected by Annexin V-FITC / PI annexin double staining flow cytometry, scratch test and transwell cell invasion assay, respectively. After treament with different concentrations of wogonin for 48 h,the protein levels of β-catenin, C-myc and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting., Results: Wogonin within the range of 20 ~ 200 mol / L could inhibit the proliferation of SGC7901,BGC-823 and MKN-45 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Compared with 0 μmol / L wogonin group,After treament with different concentrations of wogonin for 24 h and 48 h,SGC7901 cells had elevated apoptosis rate and decreased migration distance and number of penetrating membrane cell in the rest concentrations( P < 0. 05). The protein levels of β-catenin,C-myc and Cyclin D1 were lower in 20 ~ 200μmol /L wogonin groups than 0 μmol /L wogonin group except for the concentration of 20 μmol /L wogonin groups( P < 0. 05),and the effects in a dose-dependent manner., Conclusion: Wogonin has the ability to inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells,and can induce apoptosis and inhibit cell migration and invasion,which may be related to the inhibition of Wnt / β-catenin signaling pathway activation.

Chemical constituents of the essential oil in above-ground and root of Bupleurum malconense and root of B. chinense were investigated by GC-MS compiled with automated mass spectral deconvolution and identification system (AMDIS) and retention index. The results showd that the components of essential oil in B. malconense have some similarities with the one in B. chinense, and both of them have the higher content of caryophyllene oxide which is an active component of anti-inflammatory and analgesic. These results suggested that as a local substitute, B. malconense has a certain scientific basis of the treatment for cold fever.

Objective: To establish the HPLC fingerprints of Dipsacus asperoides for reflecting the internal information, evaluating its internal quality., Methods: 20 batches of D. asperoides were collected from different place with the HPLC fingerprints method. Chromatographic column: Welchrom-C18 (250 mm x 4. 6 mm, 5 microm), mobile phase: acetonitrile and water (gradient elution), flow rate: 1.0 mL/min, detection wavelength: 212 nm, column temperature: 35 degrees C., Results: The common mode of HPLC fingerprint was established and similar degrees to D. asperoides from different areas were compared., Conclusion: The method is stable, reliable, and with full information which can be used for quality evaluation, quality control item and crude drug identification of D. asperoides.

Objective: To provide new evidences for the identification of Herpetospermum pedunculosum seeds and other substitutes., Method: Microscopic examination of the cross sections and powers of the seeds of H. pedunculosum, Momordica charantia, Thladiantha setispina and M. cohinchinensis were made to characterize the drug materials., Result and Conclusion: The external and internal structure of T. setispina and M. charantia were studied for the first time. Two types of different branched starry sclereids was found in M. cohinchinensis. Comparative studies on external and internal structure were carried out on seeds of the 4 species. As a result, they could be distinguished by external characteristics such as shape, size and color of their seeds, and by internal structure such as size and type of sclereid, epidermis and sub-epidermis cell of seed coat.

Based on literature data, related specimens, commercial samples and field investigation, botanical origin of "bolingguazi" was clarified. Boling guazi was found to be used as a Tibetan medicine in China from 8th century, it was derived from Herpetospermum pedunculosum of cucurbitaceae, and main species of bolingguazi used in most areas of China were H. pednculosura, while seeds of Momordica charantia, Thladiantha setispina and M. cohinchinensis were also available in some areas of China.

Objective: To further investigate and discuss the cause of species endangerment, the status and present problem of conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine in China., Method: Previous relevant investigations and literatures were summed up in the field. The present situation of conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine was analyzed., Result: The status of endangered resources, cause of species endangerment, the conserving status and conserving measures etc were elaborated. The classification was made and suggestion of species conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine were put forward., Conclusion: The endangered species conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine was carried out by building protective area of endangered species resources and plant garden, setting up germplasm bank, developing the domestication and cultivation of Tibetan medicinal herbs most in use, strengthening the investigation and study of endangered species, launching exchange and cooperation of conservation techniques on endangered species, enhancing the protective awareness of endangered species traditional Tibetan medicine etc. By so doing we can facilitate the sustainable development of traditional Tibetan medicine in China.