Abstract The dispersion performance of drilling fluids at high temperatures has always been a bottleneck in the research. To improve the dispersion of drilling fluid at high temperature and pressure, the natural Ca-based bentonite was modified with Na2CO3 and SDBS (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate: C12H25SO4Na) by microwave semi-dry method. The effects of the ratio of Na2CO3 to SDBS, radiation time, initial temperature and microwave power on the modification were investigated. In addition, the microstructure of the samples was obtained using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results showed that Na2CO3/SDBS was successfully inserted into the bentonite. In addition, the dispersion performance of the modified bentonite was evaluated in this paper, and the gelling value of the modified bentonite was 525 ml/15 g with an apparent viscosity of 22.5 mPa·s. The modified bentonite was compared with drilling-grade Na-based bentonite. The fluid loss (FLHTHP) of modified bentonite at high temperature and pressure is only 8 mL, the mud productivity is up to 25.71 m3/t, and the kinetic plastic ratio of modified bentonite is 1.5. The modified bentonite has better dispersion performance at high temperature and pressure.

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disease with a high disability rate. Modern molecular biology techniques have identified a number of key genes and diagnostic markers to MS, but the etiology and pathogenesis of MS remain unknown. Results: In this study, the integration of three peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) microarray datasets and one peripheral blood T cells microarray dataset allowed comprehensive network and pathway analyses of the biological functions of MS-related genes. Differential expression analysis identified 78 significantly aberrantly expressed genes in MS, and further functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were associated with innate immune response-activating signal transduction (p = 0.0017), neutrophil mediated immunity (p = 0.002), positive regulation of innate immune response (p = 0.004), IL-17 signaling pathway (p < 0.035) and other immune-related signaling pathways. In addition, a network of MS-specific protein–protein interactions (PPI) was constructed based on differential genes. Subsequent analysis of network topology properties identified the up-regulated CXCR4, ITGAM, ACTB, RHOA, RPS27A, UBA52, and RPL8 genes as the hub genes of the network, and they were also potential biomarkers of MS through Rap1 signaling pathway or leukocyte transendothelial migration. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that CXCR4 was obviously up-regulated, while ACTB, RHOA, and ITGAM were down-regulated in MS patient PBMC in comparison with normal samples. Finally, support vector machine was employed to establish a diagnostic model of MS with a high prediction performance in internal and external datasets (mean AUC = 0.97) and in different chip platform datasets (AUC = (0.93). Conclusion: This study provides new understanding for the etiology/pathogenesis of MS, facilitating an early identification and prediction of MS.

Abstract Background: Snakebites remain a major life-threatening event worldwide. It is still difficult to make a positive identification of snake species by clinicians in both Western medicine and Chinese medicine. The main reason for this is a shortage of diagnostic biomarkers and lack of knowledge about pathways of venom-induced toxicity. In traditional Chinese medicine, snakebites are considered to be treated with wind, fire, and wind-fire toxin, but additional studies are required. Methods: Cases of snakebite seen at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were grouped as follows: fire toxin - including four cases of bites by Agkistrodon acutus and three bites by Trimeresurus stejnegeri - and wind-fire toxin - four cases of bites by vipers and three bites by cobras. Serum protein quantification was performed using LC-MS/MS. Differential abundance proteins (DAPs) were identified from comparison of snakebites of each snake species and healthy controls. The protein interaction network was constructed using STITCH database. Results: Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering of 474 unique proteins exhibited protein expression profiles of wind-fire toxins that are distinct from that of fire toxins. Ninety-three DAPs were identified in each snakebite subgroup as compared with healthy control, of which 38 proteins were found to have significantly different expression levels and 55 proteins displayed no expression in one subgroup, by subgroup comparison. GO analysis revealed that the DAPs participated in bicarbonate/oxygen transport and hydrogen peroxide catabolic process, and affected carbon-oxygen lyase activity and heme binding. Thirty DAPs directly or indirectly acted on hydrogen peroxide in the interaction network of proteins and drug compounds. The network was clustered into four groups: lipid metabolism and transport; IGF-mediated growth; oxygen transport; and innate immunity. Conclusions: Our results show that the pathways of snake venom-induced toxicity may form a protein network of antioxidant defense by regulating oxidative stress through interaction with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract Purpose: To investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) in male Wistar rats. Ginsenoside Rb1 (20, 40 mg/kg) was injected (i.p.) once a day for 4 weeks. Then, using fundus photography, the diameter and vascular permeability of retinal vessels were investigated. Retinal histopathology was undertaken. Contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in retinas were assayed. Levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and glutathione cysteine ligase modulatory subunit (GCLM) were measured. Results: Treatment with ginsenoside Rb1 attenuated the diabetes-induced increase in the diameter of retinal blood vessels. Ginsenoside Rb1 reduced extravasation of Evans Blue dye from retinal blood vessels. Ginsenoside Rb1 partially inhibited the increase in MDA content and decrease in GSH level in rat retinas. Nrf2 levels in the nuclei of retinal cells and expression of GCLC and GCLM were increased significantly in rats treated with ginsenoside Rb1. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 can attenuate diabetic retinopathy by regulating the antioxidative function in rat retinas.

It is well known that the type III secretion system (T3SS) and type III (T3) effectors are essential for the pathogenicity of most bacterial phytopathogens and that the expression of T3SS and T3 effectors is suppressed in rich media but induced in minimal media and plants. To facilitate in-depth studies on T3SS and T3 effectors, it is crucial to establish a medium for T3 effector expression and secretion. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a model bacterium for studying plant-pathogen interactions. To date no medium for Xcc T3 effector secretion has been defined. Here, we compared four minimal media (MME, MMX, XVM2, and XOM2) which are reported for T3 expression induction in Xanthomonas spp. and found that MME is most efficient for expression and secretion of Xcc T3 effectors. By optimization of carbon and nitrogen sources and pH value based on MME, we established XCM1 medium, which is about 3 times stronger than MME for Xcc T3 effectors secretion. We further optimized the concentration of phosphate, calcium, and magnesium in XCM1 and found that XCM1 with a lower concentration of magnesium (renamed as XCM2) is about 10 times as efficient as XCM1 (meanwhile, about 30 times stronger than MME). Thus, we established an inducing medium XCM2 which is preferred for T3 effector secretion in Xcc.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os sistemas auditivo e vestibular estão localizados no mesmo receptor periférico, porém adentram ao SNC e percorrem caminhos distintos, estabelecendo uma série de conexões e abrangendo uma vasta região do encéfalo. Mesmo percorrendo caminhos diferentes, algumas alterações podem comprometer ambos os sistemas. Testes como os Potenciais Evocados Auditivos podem auxiliar no diagnóstico com alterações vestibulares. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os resultados dos Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de indivíduos com queixa de tontura ou vertigem com Síndromes Vestibulares Periféricas e com indivíduos normais, com a mesma queixa. MÉTODO: Foram realizados os Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de curta, média e longa latência, sendo um estudo prospectivo transversal. CONCLUSÃO: Indivíduos com queixa de tontura ou vertigem podem apresentar alterações no PEATE, PEAML e P300.

INTRODUCTION: The auditory and vestibular systems are located in the same peripheral receptor, however they enter the CNS and go through different ways, thus creating a number of connections and reaching a wide area of the encephalon. Despite going through different ways, some changes can impair both systems. Such tests as Auditory Evoked Potentials can help find a diagnosis when vestibular alterations are seen. OBJECTIVE: describe the Auditory Evoked Potential results in individuals complaining about dizziness or vertigo with Peripheral Vestibular Disorders and in normal individuals having the same complaint. METHODS: Short, middle and long latency Auditory Evoked Potentials were performed as a transversal prospective study. CONCLUSION: individuals complaining about dizziness or vertigo can show some changes in BAEP (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential), MLAEP (Medium Latency Auditory Evoked Potential) and P300.

This study was conducted to reveal genetic diversity among 100 Osmanthus fragrans cultivars using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Eight AFLP primer combinations produced a total of 443 polymorphic fragments with an average of 64 per primer combination. The percentage of polymorphic bands (86.81%), the resolving power (Rp) (32.71) and the PIC values (0.331) showed the efficiency of used primer combinations. The revealed AFLP makers were effective in distinguishing all the cultivars considered. Cluster analysis were performed to assess patterns of diversity among cultivars and showed the abundant genetic diversity. The overall distribution pattern of molecular variation suggested that 93.33% of the total genetic variance was within the identified groups and 6.67% of the genetic variation was among the identified groups. Our results showed that AFLP markers are useful for Osmanthus fragrans germplasm discrimination as well as for investigation of genetic diversity and variation. The information will facilitate germplasm identification, conservation and new cultivar development.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the burden of enteric fever through trends in morbidity and mortality, bacterial species and antimicrobial resistance in Guangxi, a southern, subtropical, coastal province of China with a disproportionally large burden of enteric fever. METHODS: Data on morbidity and mortality caused by enteric fever between 1994 and 2004 were extracted from the Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Laboratory-based surveillance and outbreak investigations were integrated with reports of notifiable infectious diseases to estimate the bacterial species-specific incidence of enteric fever. To adjust for underreporting, survey data were collected from three prefectures that represent the hyper-, moderate- and low-endemic regions of Guangxi province. FINDINGS: In Guangxi province, enteric fever incidence rate varied over the study period, with a peak of 13.5 cases per 100000 population in 1995 and a low of 6.5 in 2003. The disease occurred most frequently during the summer and autumn months and in the group aged 10-49 years. The incidence of enteric fever varied by region within Guangxi province. During the 11-year period covered by the study, 61 outbreaks of enteric fever were reported, and Salmonella paratyphi A (SPA) became the predominant causative agent in the province. CONCLUSION: Prospective studies may provide a better understanding of the reason for the shifting epidemiology of enteric fever in Guangxi province. Given the emergence of resistance to first- and second-line antimicrobials for the treatment of enteric fever, a bivalent vaccine against both SPA and S. typhi would facilitate for disease control.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar la carga de fiebre tifoidea mediante las tendencias de morbilidad y mortalidad, las especies bacterianas y la resistencia a los antibióticos en Guangxi, una provincia costera y subtropical del Sur de China, con una carga de fiebre tifoidea desproporcionalmente elevada. MÉTODOS: Los datos sobre morbilidad y mortalidad causadas por la fiebre tifoidea entre 1994 y 2004 se recogieron en el Centro de control y prevención de enfermedades de Guangxi. Con el fin de estimar la incidencia específica de la fiebre tifoidea para cada una de las especies bacterianas se incorporaron informes de enfermedades infecciosas de declaración obligatoria a la vigilancia basada en pruebas analíticas y las investigaciones de los brotes epidémicos. Para el ajuste de los subregistros se recopilaron los datos del estudio procedentes de tres prefecturas representantes de las regiones hiperendémicas, mesoendémicas e hipoendémicas de la provincia de Guangxi. RESULTADOS: La tasa de incidencia de la fiebre tifoidea en la provincia de Guangxi varió a lo largo del estudio, registrando un pico máximo de 13,5 casos por cada 100 000 habitantes en 1995 y un mínimo de 6,5 en 2003. La enfermedad tuvo una mayor incidencia durante los meses de verano y otoño, así como en el grupo de edad comprendido entre 10 y 49 años. La incidencia de la fiebre tifoidea varió según las regiones dentro de la misma provincia de Guangxi. Durante los 11 años que duró el estudio se declararon 61 brotes epidémicos de fiebre tifoidea, siendo la Salmonella paratyphi A (SPA) el agente causal predominante en la provincia. CONCLUSIÓN: Los estudios prospectivos pueden ayudar a comprender mejor la causa de los datos epidemiológicos cambiantes de la fiebre tifoidea en la provincia de Guangxi. Una vacuna bivalente contra SPA y S. typhi facilitaría el control de la enfermedad, teniendo en cuenta la aparición de resistencias a los antibióticos de primera y segunda línea para el tratamiento de la fiebre tifoidea.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer le fardeau que représente la fièvre typhoïde au travers des tendances de morbidité et de mortalité, des espèces bactériennes et de la résistance antimicrobienne dans le Guangxi, une province subtropicale côtière du sud de la Chine présentant un fardeau anormalement important de fièvre typhoïde. MÉTHODES: Les données de morbidité et de mortalité causées par la fièvre typhoïde entre 1994 et 2004 ont été obtenues auprès du Centre de contrôle et de prévention des maladies du Guangxi. La surveillance en laboratoire et les enquêtes sur les résurgences ont été intégrées aux rapports des maladies infectieuses à déclaration obligatoire pour permettre d'estimer l'incidence spécifique d'espèces bactériennes de la fièvre typhoïde. Afin de compenser les sous-déclarations, les données du sondage ont été recueillies auprès de trois préfectures caractéristiques des régions hyper, modérément et faiblement endémiques de la province du Guangxi. RÉSULTATS: Dans la province du Guangxi, le taux d'incidence de la fièvre typhoïde a varié au cours de la période d'étude, avec un pic de 13,5 cas par 100 000 habitants en 1995 et un minimum de 6,5 en 2003. La maladie est fréquemment survenue pendant les mois d'été et d'automne, et dans la tranche d'âge 10-49 ans. L'incidence de la fièvre typhoïde a varié de région en région dans la province du Guangxi. Pendant la période de 11 ans couverte par l'étude, 61 résurgences de fièvre typhoïde ont été rapportées, et l'agent causatif prédominant dans la province était Salmonella paratyphi A (SPA). CONCLUSION: De futures études devraient fournir une meilleure compréhension de la raison de la variabilité épidémiologique de la fièvre typhoïde dans la province du Guangxi. Étant donné l'apparition de résistance aux première et deuxième lignes de traitements antimicrobiens de la fièvre typhoïde, un vaccin bivalent contre SPA et S. typhi faciliterait le contrôle de la maladie.

O novo ecdisteróide 7,8beta-di-hidroponasterona A e a ponasterona A, foram isolados a partir do extrato metanólico das agulhas do teixo japonês Taxus cuspidata. As estruturas foram elucidadas por meios espectroscópicos, nomeadamente, RMN 13C e ¹H, COSY ¹H-¹H, NOESY, HMQC e HMBC, e confirmadas por HR-FABMS.

A new plant ecdysteroid 7,8beta-dihydroponasterone A, together with ponasterone A, were isolated from the methanol extract of the needles of the Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including ¹H NMR, 13C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC and confirmed by high-resolution FABMS data.