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Objective As traditional techniques for microscopic identification of Chinese medicines currently lack objective and high-quality reference images, here we developed a systemic procedure to be used in microscopic identification of Chinese medicines, which would lead to more objective, effective and accurate identification process. Methods Spatholobi Caulis (Jixueteng in Chinese) was used as the specimen in the development of such procedure. Jixueteng samples were microscopically examined in bright- and dark-field microscopy. Microscopic images were obtained by regular, EDF, and image stitching techniques. Results The microscopic images of the characteristics in pulverized Jixueteng were captured, thanks to EDF imaging and image stitching techniques which allowed the detailed and full sighting of each characteristic to be obtained simultaneously. Different layers in anatomical transverse section, including cork, phelloderm, cortex, phloem, cambium, xylem and pith, were distinctively observed. Moreover, by comparing images of bright- and dark-field microscopy, birefringent and non- birefringent components could readily be distinguished. Conclusion With application of the developed procedure, high-definition, panoramic and microscopic images were acquired, which could be used as the reference images for microscopic identification of Chinese medicines.

Cognitive dysfunction is common in hypothyroid patients, even after undergoing sufficient levothyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy for euthyroid. Our previous studies indicated that cholinergic neurons might contribute to the decline of cognition in adult-onset hypothyroidism. Nevertheless, the role of the cellular and neural control of basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons in hypothyroidism-induced cognitive impairments is unknown. Using transgenic mice that specifically expressed chemogenetic activators in their BF cholinergic neurons, we systematically investigated the role of BF cholinergic neurons in hypothyroidism-induced cognitive dysfunction by the combined approaches of patch clamp electrophysiology, behavioral testing, and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that LT4 treatment in the adult-onset hypothyroid mice reversed only 78 % of the BF cholinergic neurons to their normal values of electrophysiological properties. LT4 monotherapy did not rehabilitate cognitive function in the hypothyroid mice. Chemogenetic selective activation of the BF cholinergic neurons combined with LT4 treatment significantly improved learning and memory functions in the hypothyroid mice. In addition, chemogenetic activation of the cholinergic neurons induced the robust expression of c-Fos protein in the BF, prefrontal cortex (PFC), and hippocampus. This indicated that the BF cholinergic neurons improved learning and memory functions in the hypothyroid mice via the BF-PFC and BF-hippocampus pathways. In the hypothyroid C57BL/6 J mice, combined treatment via LT4 and donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, significantly increased cognitive functions. The results suggested that the BF cholinergic neurons are critical for regulating learning and memory and reveal a novel pathophysiological mechanism for hypothyroidism-induced cognitive impairments.

A rapid start of the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process based on granular sludge and efficient nitrogen removal under mixotrophic conditions are important steps in a continuous flow reactor for CANON engineering applications. In this study, an aged CANON granular sludge was mechanically crushed to 0.3 mm as inoculum in an airlift internal-loop reactor (AIR) to achieve simultaneous COD removal and mixotrophic denitrification of the single-stage granular sludge. The system achieved stable partial nitrification by controlling DO after 26 days of startup. Granulation and anaerobic ammonia oxidation were then promoted by shortening the HRT to increase the ammonia nitrogen load to 5.65 kg ·(m

Objective: Cynanchum stauntonii and Cynanchum glaucescens are botanical species of Baiqian (Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma et Radix) in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, in which, however, there are no microscopic identification. Therefore, we provided the morphological and microscopic identification of the crude drug for updating Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Methods: Twelve batches of C. stauntonii and three batches of C. glaucescens and their crude drugs were taxonomically, morphologically, and microscopically examined. Results: Taxonomically, C. stauntonii had narrowly lanceolate leaves with acuminate apex and 5mm long petiole; Whereas C. glaucescens was oblong-lanceolate or oblong with rounded or acute apex in leaves, and had very short or no petiole. Morphologically, rhizomes of C. stauntonii and C. glaucescens both had hollow pith, but the hollow pith occupied about a half of the rhizome's diameter in C. stauntonii, whereas only a very small proportion of the overall diameter in C. glaucescens. Moreover, microscopic observation showed the difference in the proportion of xylem and in rhizome transverse-sections of the two species along with the difference in the size of the pith. Finally, laticifers and rhizome epidermal secretory cells were present in the powders of C. stauntonii, but absent from C. glaucescens. Conclusion: Based on observation of morphological and microscopic characteristics, the two species can be distinguished by the size of the pith, proportion of xylem of rhizomes, and crude drug powder characters such as laticifers and secretory cells.