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Objective To construct a human health literacy indicator system for prevention of parasitic diseases based on Delphi method. Methods Based on literature reviews and expert interviews, a questionnaire was designed and a two-round Delphi consultation was performed. A human health literacy indicator system for prevention of parasitic diseases was constructed according to the deletion criteria and experts’ advice. Results A total of 14 experts completed the two-round consultation. The second-round authority coefficients were 0.91 to 0.96 for the first-level indicators, 0.87 to 0.97 for the second-level indicators and 0.86 to 0.97 for the third-level indicators. A human health literacy indicator system for prevention of parasitic diseases was constructed with the main framework of basic knowledge and awareness, healthy behaviors, and healthy skills, which contained 3 first-level indicators, 12 second-level indicators and 48 third-level indicators. Among the three first-level indicators, basic knowledge and awareness had the highest weighting coefficient (0.336 5), followed by healthy behaviors (0.334 9), and healthy skills had the lowest weighting coefficient (0.328 6). The three secondary-level indicators with the highest combined weights included awareness of the epidemic status (0.088 2), awareness of the resource of infection (0.085 8) and basic awareness of parasitic diseases (0.085 5). Conclusion A human health literacy indicator system for prevention of parasitic diseases is preliminarily constructed, which provides insights into the development of health literacy evaluation tools for prevention of parasitic diseases in the new era.
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ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the role of suPAR in the pathogenesis of podocyte injury in FSGS. Methods① The sera of primary FSGS patients (17 cases) were collected. Healthy volunteers (10 cases) and patients with other types of primary nephrotic syndrome (10 cases) were set as normal and disease controls. SuPAR levels were detected by ELISA; ② Podocytes were stimulated by suPAR in vitro, and cells were collected to analyze apoptosis by flow cytometry and for RNAseq analysis; ③ Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened from RNAseq data. Both up-regulated and down-regulated genes were analyzed by KEGG and GO enrichment analysis. Heat map was used to show expression of genes related to podocyte focal adhesion, slit diaphragm and actin dynamics and endocytosis. Differentially expressed genes were verified by qPCR. Results① The level of suPAR in FSGS patients was significantly increased, and that in other nephrotic syndrome(NS) patients was also significantly increased; ② suPAR stimulation significantly altered the transcriptome pattern of human podocytes. A total of 272 up-regulated genes and 288 down-regulated genes were screened; ③ KEGG and GO enrichment analysis of up-regulated and down-regulated genes showed that Focal adhesion and DNA replication and DNA repair related pathways were significantly down-regulated; ④ suPAR did not increase podocyte apoptosis. ConclusionThe level of suPAR is significantly increased in patients with primary FSGS. SuPAR may promote podocyte injury by interfering with genomic homeostasis and disrupting focal adhesion, slit diaphragm, actin dynamics and endocytosis-related functional molecules of podocytes.
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Objective To establish a detection method for the determination of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in sustained-release microspheres. Methods The HPLC separation of tetrodotoxin was performed on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column (4.6mm×150mm,5 μm) with acetonitrile, 8mmol/L sodium heptane sulfonate containing 0.005% TFA (5:95) (pH 4.0) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. The UV detection wavelength was 200 nm and the column temperature was 30 °C. Results The method had good specificity and linearity of TTX in the concentration range of 1−20 μg/ml. The intra-day precision, inter-day precision, stability and repeatability of the method were good, and the average recoveries were found between 98.0% and 102.0%. Conclusion This study established an HPLC method which was suitable for the determination of tetrodotoxin sustained-release microspheres. The method is accurate and reliable within the applicable range, with strong specificity, which could lead to quantitative detection.
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ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS). MethodsHospitalization data of consecutive patients with TTS from February 2009 to January 2022 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into survival group and death group according to outcomes. The basic clinical information, triggering factors, laboratory examinations, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, complications and treatments of the two groups were compared. Univariable logistic regression analysis was used to screen the possible risk factors for in-hospital mortality in TTS patients, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in TTS patients. ResultsA total of 62 TTS patients were included in our study, including 21 males (33.9%), 41 females (66.1%) and 26 postmenopausal women (41.9%), with the mean age of (55.6±16.2) years, and physical triggers were found in 50 patients (80.6%). 17 patients (27.4%) died while 45 patients (72.6%) survived during hospitalization. The death group had lower systolic blood pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), higher incidence rate of syncope, higher level of N-terminal pro-B natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and hypersensitive troponin T (hs TnT) when compared with survival group (all P value <0.05). As for the triggering factors, the proportion of TTS induced by neurologic disorders in the death group was higher than that in the survival group (P<0.05). The death group had higher rates of cardiogenic shock, malignant ventricular arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, and respiratory failure (all P value <0.05). Compared with the survival group, therapeutic dopamine, therapeutic norepinephrine, hemodialysis and mechanical ventilation were higher in the death group (all P value <0.05). Univariable logistic regression analysis suggested that syncope, NT-proBNP, LVEF, neurologic disorders, cardiogenic shock, malignant ventricular arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, respiratory failure, therapeutic dopamine, therapeutic norepinephrine, hemodialysis and mechanical ventilation were potential risk factors for in-hospital mortality in TTS patients (all P value <0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that neurologic disorders [OR(95%CI)=5.651(1.195,26.715),P=0.029], atrial fibrillation [OR(95%CI)=6.217(1.276,30.298), P=0.024)] and therapeutic norepinephrin [OR(95%CI)=8.847(1.912,40.949), P=0.005] were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in TTS patients. ConclusionsNeurologic disorders, atrial fibrillation and therapeutic norepinephrin are independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with Takotsubo Syndrome. Clinically, attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of neurologic disorders and atrial fibrillation; norepinephrine should be carefully used in patients with diagnosed TTS complicated with hemodynamic instability.
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Objective:To investigate the application effects of flipped classroom combined with mini-clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX) evaluation on the cultivation of clinical ability of professional postgraduates majoring in clinical medicine.Methods:A total of 32 trainees, the professional postgraduates majoring in clinical medicine integrated with standardized residency training who rotated in the Department of Neurology, The Southwest Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2019 to January 2020 were selected and divided into control group and the experimental group, with 16 ones in each group. The control group were taught with the traditional standardized residency training program, while the experimental group were assessed by Mini-CEX evaluation once every two weeks combined with flipped classroom in stages on the basis of the control group. At the end of the training, the application effects of these two teaching methods were evaluated by theoretical knowledge and clinical comprehensive ability (including 7 aspects of medical history collection, physical examination, clinical diagnosis, treatment plan, medical ethics, doctor-patient communication and overall evaluation). SPSS 22.0 was used for t test. Results:At the end of the training, the scores of theoretical knowledge in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group [(89.83±3.93) points vs. (85.75±5.34) points], with statistical differences ( P<0.05). For the clinical comprehensive ability, the scores of history collection, physical examination, clinical diagnosis, treatment plan, doctor-patient communication and overall evaluation were higher in the experimental group than in the control group ( P<0.05), except for the medical ethics. Conclusion:The application of flipped classroom combined with Mini-CEX evaluation improves the teaching quality and strengthens the clinical comprehensive ability of students, which is worth promoting in clinical practice.
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Objective:To compare the effectiveness of modified Sugita and modified Shiraki in the treatment of severely concealed penis in children.Methods:A retrospective study was carried out on 72 children with congenital severely concealed penis, who were treated in the Department of Urology, Xuzhou Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from September 2016 to June 2021.Among them, 32 cases were treated with modified Sugita (modified Sugita group) and 40 cases were treated with modified Shiraki (modified Shiraki group). There was no significant difference in the age, body mass and body mass index between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The operation time, increased length of the exposed part of the penis after operation, score of parental satisfaction half a year after operation (obtained by using the Likert scale) and postoperative complications (classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification) were compared between the 2 groups.Measurement data comparison between groups were performed by t test, counting data were analyzed by Chi- square test. Results:The operative time of the modified Sugita group and the modified Shiraki group were (50.00±8.03) min and (40.30±9.27) min, respectively.The operative time was significantly different between 2 groups ( t=4.107, P<0.05). The increased length of the exposed part of the penis after operation was (1.80±0.30) cm in the modified Sugita group and (1.90±0.33) cm in the modified Shiraki group, and no significant difference was found between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Six months after operation, the parental satisfaction score was (4.60±0.56) points in the modified Sugita group and (4.60±0.59) points in the modified Shiraki group.There was no significant difference in the parental satisfaction score between 2 groups ( P>0.05). In 72 cases, only 5 cases had grade Ⅰ complications.Postoperative complications were also not significantly different between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:After treating severely concealed penis in children with modified Sugita and modified Shiraki, the penis has a good appearance.These two surgeries have high parental satisfaction and low complications.They are easy to implement in clinical practice.The operation time of modified Shiraki is shorter than that of modified Sugita.
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Objective:To compare the effectiveness of modified Sugita and modified Shiraki in the treatment of severely concealed penis in children.Methods:A retrospective study was carried out on 72 children with congenital severely concealed penis, who were treated in the Department of Urology, Xuzhou Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from September 2016 to June 2021.Among them, 32 cases were treated with modified Sugita (modified Sugita group) and 40 cases were treated with modified Shiraki (modified Shiraki group). There was no significant difference in the age, body mass and body mass index between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The operation time, increased length of the exposed part of the penis after operation, score of parental satisfaction half a year after operation (obtained by using the Likert scale) and postoperative complications (classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification) were compared between the 2 groups.Measurement data comparison between groups were performed by t test, counting data were analyzed by Chi- square test. Results:The operative time of the modified Sugita group and the modified Shiraki group were (50.00±8.03) min and (40.30±9.27) min, respectively.The operative time was significantly different between 2 groups ( t=4.107, P<0.05). The increased length of the exposed part of the penis after operation was (1.80±0.30) cm in the modified Sugita group and (1.90±0.33) cm in the modified Shiraki group, and no significant difference was found between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Six months after operation, the parental satisfaction score was (4.60±0.56) points in the modified Sugita group and (4.60±0.59) points in the modified Shiraki group.There was no significant difference in the parental satisfaction score between 2 groups ( P>0.05). In 72 cases, only 5 cases had grade Ⅰ complications.Postoperative complications were also not significantly different between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:After treating severely concealed penis in children with modified Sugita and modified Shiraki, the penis has a good appearance.These two surgeries have high parental satisfaction and low complications.They are easy to implement in clinical practice.The operation time of modified Shiraki is shorter than that of modified Sugita.
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Objective:To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of miR-30c targeting Wnt/β-catenin signal on the proliferation and apoptosis of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) induced by high glucose.Methods:Human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) were cultured and given normal concentration (control group) and high concentration glucose (high glucose group) respectively. According to the experimental design, miR-30c mimic, negative control (miR-NC), Wnt1 overexpression vector (pcDNA3.1-Wnt1) and empty vector (pcDNA3.1) were transfected respectively. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of miR-30c in each group. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of Wnt1, β-catenin and GSK-3β protein in each group. The dual luciferase experiment verified the targeting relationship of miR-30c to Wnt1. Thiazole blue method was used to detect the proliferation activity of each group. Flow cytometry was employed to detect the level of apoptosis of each group of cells.Results:Compared with the control group, the expression of miR-30c in the high glucose group was significantly reduced [ (0.94±0.11) vs (0.32±0.06), P<0.001]; compared with the control group, the cell proliferation activity of the high glucose group was significantly reduced, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased [ (0.75±0.08) vs (0.13±0.04), (3.53±0.29) % vs (14.89±0.94) %, P<0.001]; compared with the high glucose+miR-NC group, the cell proliferation activity of the high glucose+miR-30c group was significantly increased, and the apoptosis rate was reduced [ (0.14±0.04) vs (0.64±0.06), (14.14±0.86) % vs (6.28±0.45) %, P<0.001]; compared with the miR-NC group, the luciferase activity of the miR-30c group co-transfected with WT-Wnt1 was significantly reduced [ (0.97±0.09) vs (0.26±0.03), P<0.001]; compared with the control group, the protein expression of Wnt1, β-catenin and GSK-3β in the high glucose group were significantly increased [ (0.43±0.05) vs (1.02±0.09), (0.25±0.04) vs (0.82±0.10), (0.39±0.04) vs (0.76±0.11), P<0.001]; compared with the high glucose+miR-NC group, the protein expression of Wnt1, β-catenin and GSK-3β in the high glucose+miR-30c group were significantly reduced [ (1.04±0.10) vs (0.68±0.06), (0.79±0.09) vs (0.34±0.05), (0.74±0.12) vs (0.48±0.06), P<0.001]; compared with the high glucose+miR-30c group, the cell proliferation activity was significantly reduced in the high glucose+miR-30c+pcDNA3.1-Wnt1 group, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased [ (0.66±0.07) vs (0.31±0.05), (4.26±0.57) % vs (9.75±0.85) %, P<0.001]. Conclusion:miR-30c may negatively regulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, promote cell proliferation, and inhibit cell apoptosis induced by high glucose.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Wenshen Yangxue prescription (WSYX) on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in poor ovarian responders and the safety. MethodA total of 116 eligible patients who were admitted to Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in June 2016-June 2019 were randomized into the experimental group and the control group with random number table method (58 in either group). Conventional controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) was directly implemented in the control group, while the experimental group was intervened with WSYX for 3 menstrual cycles before the COH. The pregnant patients were observed till childbirth and the non-pregnant patients for 12 months. Gonadotropins (Gn) dosage and the days of use were recorded. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), basal FSH (bFSH), basal luteinizing hormone (bLH), and basal estrogen (bE2), endometrial thickness, and antral follicle count (AFC) before and after treatment were measured. The serum levels of estrogen (E2), progesterone (P), and luteinizing hormone (LH) on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection, and levels of FSH, LH, E2, testosterone (T), and P in follicular fluid 36 h after HCG injection were determined. Number of fertilization, rate of fertilization, number of high-quality embryos, cycle cancellation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate were evaluated. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores before and after treatment were recorded. Liver and kidney functions were detected before and after treatment, and adverse reactions during treatment were recorded. ResultCompared with the control group, the experimental group showed the decrease in the days of Gn use and dosage of Gn (P<0.05), endometrium thickening (P<0.05), and increase in oocytes obtained, levels of E2 and LH on the day of HCG injection, and ovarian reserve function. Moreover, in follicular fluid 36 h after HCG injection, the reduction in level of FSH (P<0.05), rise of levels of LH and E2 (P<0.05), and insignificant changes in levels of T and P in the experimental group were observed as compared with those in the control group. In addition, larger number of fertilization, more available embryos, and higher rate of high-quality embryos were observed in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). The experimental group demonstrated improvement in quality of oocytes, decrease in cycle cancellation rate , and increase in clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate compared with the control group. The TCM syndrome score in experimental group was decreased after treatment compared with that before treatment (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred in two groups during treatment and the safety indexes before and after treatment were all within the normal ranges. ConclusionWSYX can reduce the use duration and dosage of Gn in infertile patients receiving IVF-ET, improve the quality of oocytes, increase the rate of high-quality embryos, and improve the pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET patients.
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Pathogenic bacterial infection is one of the main clinical symptoms. Antibiotics are widely used in clinical practice to inhibit or kill the bacteria, fungi and other pathogenic microorganisms. However, with the massive use of antibiotics, drug-resistant strains continue to appear that make the antibacterial situation is becoming increasingly severe. Due to the advantages of multiple targets, multiple pathways and multiple components, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have gradually attracted more attention and were used in antibacterial treatment. However, some antimicrobial TCM have problems such as low solubility, poor stability, and low bioavailability. Improving and enhancing the antibacterial activity of TCM through preparation technology is one of the effective solutions. Based on this, two aspects of unilateral antibacterial TCM preparation technology and combination antibacterial preparation technology are introduced, including inclusion technology, nanotechnology, electrospinning, 3D printing and others. Distinctive features and specific application effects of these preparation technologies are explained firstly, and then their advantages and disadvantages are compared and analyzed. The review can be a useful reference for improving the antibacterial activity of TCM.
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Achyranthes bidentata Blume is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine with the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys and strengthening muscles and bones. In this work, a rapid and simple strategy was developed for characterizing phytoecdysteroids by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with liner ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in the negative mode. As a result, 47 phytoecdysteroids were unambiguously or tentatively characterized. Among them, seven known compounds were identified according to the reference standards along with molecular formula, retention time and fragmentation patterns, while others were mostly potential new compounds. Through targeted isolation, the structures of three new compounds were determined by NMR spectra, which were consistent with LC-MS characterization. The present study provides an efficient method to deeply characterize phytoecdysteroids.
Subject(s)
Achyranthes/chemistry , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Mass Spectrometry , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/methodsABSTRACT
Four new diphenyl ethers, named epicoccethers K-N (1-4), were purified from the fermentation medium of a fungus Epicoccum sorghinum derived from Myoporum bontioides, and identified through HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectral analysis. Except that compound 1 showed moderate antifungal activity against Penicillium italicum and Fusarium graminearum, the other three compounds showed stronger activity against them than triadimefon. All of them showed moderate or weak antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with O6 and O78 serotypes except that 3 was inactive to E. coli O6.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/chemistry , Ascomycota , Escherichia coli , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Molecular Structure , Phenyl Ethers/chemistryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression is associated with the balance of T-regulatory (Treg) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, while the role of microRNAs (miRs) in regulating Treg/Th17 cell balance has not been clarified. This study aimed to assess whether moxibustion could regulate Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) axis in the RA mouse model.@*METHODS@#A mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was established in male DBA/1J mice. Twenty-two days after CIA induction, the mice received daily treatment with moxibustion for 12 times. Pathological scores were assessed according to the levels of synovial hyperplasia. The expression levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-17 and IL-10 were analyzed in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) splenocytes was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The expression levels of RA-related miRs and target genes were subsequently detected, and the target of miR-221 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay.@*RESULTS@#It was revealed that moxibustion treatment decreased the pathological scores and downregulated the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17, while upregulated the expression level of IL-10. The Treg/Th17 cell balance was regulated by moxibustion treatment. The expression level of miR-221 was suppressed by moxibustion treatment. Furthermore, SOCS3 was found as the direct target of miR-221, which mediated the function of moxibustion by regulating the Treg/Th17 cell balance.@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion therapy regulated the Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/SOCS3 axis in the RA mouse model.
Subject(s)
Animals , Arthritis, Experimental/therapy , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/therapy , Cytokines , Disease Models, Animal , Interleukin-10 , Interleukin-17 , Interleukin-6 , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred DBA , MicroRNAs/genetics , Moxibustion , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Th17 Cells/pathology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaABSTRACT
The chemical constituents of classical prescription Danggui Buxue Decoction were analyzed by reversed-phase(RP) chromatography and hydrophilic interaction chromatography(HILIC) coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RP separation of Danggui Buxue Decoction was performed on ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm), while HILIC separation was on Waters BEH Amide(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm). Mass spectrometry(MS) data were acquired in both negative and positive ion modes. Chemical constituents of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix were searched from Reaxys and thus the in-house library was established. MS data were further analyzed by MassLynx 4.1 combined with in-house library, HMDB, Reaxys, and comparison with reference substances. In conclusion, a total of 154 compounds were identified and characterized: 16 saponins, 44 flavonoids, 10 phthalides, 7 phenylpropanoids, 15 bases and the corresponding nucleosides, 30 oligosaccharides, and 32 other compounds. Among them, 65 compounds were detected by HILIC-MS/MS. This study provides experimental evidences for the material basis research, quality control, and preparation development of Danggui Buxue Decoction and a reference method for comprehensive characterization of Chinese medicine decoctions typified by classical prescriptions.
Subject(s)
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry , Prescriptions , Tandem Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
Mycena, a symbiont of Gastrodia elata, promotes seed germination of G. elata and plays a crucial role in the sexual reproduction of G. elata. However, the lack of genetic transformation system of Mycena blocks the research on the interaction mechanism of the two. In order to establish the protoplast transformation system of Mycena, this study analyzed the protoplast enzymatic hydrolysis system, screened the resistance markers and regeneration medium, and explored the transient transformation. After hydrolysis of Mycena hyphae with complexes enzymes for 8 h and centrifugation at 4 000 r·min~(-1), high-concentration and quality protoplast was obtained. The optimum regeneration medium for Mycena was RMV, and the optimum resistance marker was 50 mg·mL~(-1) hygromycin. The pLH-HygB-HuSHXG-GFP-HdSHXG was transformed into the protoplast of Mycena which then expressed GFP. The established protoplast transformation system of Mycena laid a foundation for analyzing the functional genes of Mycena and the molecular mechanism of the symbiosis of Mycena and G. elata.
Subject(s)
Agaricales , Gastrodia/genetics , Protoplasts , Symbiosis/genetics , Transformation, GeneticABSTRACT
The continuous cropping obstacle of Gastrodia elata is outstanding, but its mechanism is still unclear. In this study, microbial changes in soils after G. elata planting were investigated to explore the mechanism correlated with continuous cropping obstacle. The changes of species and abundance of fungi and bacteria in soils planted with G. elata after 1, 2, and 3 years were compared. The pathogenic fungi that might cause continuous cropping diseases of G. elata were isolated. Finally, the prevention and control measures of soil-borne fungal diseases of G. elata were investigated with the rotation planting pattern of "G. elata-Phallus impudicus". The results showed that G. elata planting resulted in the decrease in bacterial and fungal community stability and the increase in harmful fungus species and abundance in soils. This change was most obvious in the second year after G. elata planting, and the soil microbial community structure could not return to the normal level even if it was left idle for another two years. After G. elata planting in soils, the most significant change was observed in Ilyonectria cyclaminicola. The richness of the Ilyonectria fungus in soils was significantly positively correlated with the incidence of G. elata diseases. When I. cyclaminicola was inoculated in the sterile soil, the rot rate of G. elata was also significantly increased. After planting one crop of G. elata and one to three crops of P. impudicus, the fungus community structure in soils gradually recovered, and the abundance of I. cyclaminicola decreased year by year. Furthermore, the disease rate of G. elata decreased. The results showed that the cultivation of G. elata made the Ilyonectria fungi the dominant flora in soils, and I. cyclaminicola served as the main pathogen of continuous cropping diseases of G. elata, which could be reduced by rotation planting with P. impudicus.
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Bacteria , Fungi , Gastrodia/microbiology , Mycobiome , Soil , Soil MicrobiologyABSTRACT
Under the guidance of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory of "Zangfu-organs of spleen and stomach" and the modern theory of "microbiota-gut-brain axis", this study explored the effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on the gut microbiota of rats with Parkinson's disease(PD). The 40 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, PD model group, levodopa group, and Nardostachys jatamansi ethanol extract group. The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in the neck and back area. After 14 days of intragastric administration, the PD rats' behaviors were analyzed through open field test, inclined plane test, and pole test. After the behavioral tests, the striatum, colon, and colon contents of rats in each group were collected. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and α-synuclein(α-syn) in striatum and that of α-syn in colon. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in striatum and colon. High-throughput sequencing of 16 S rRNA gene was conducted to detect the differences in microbial diversity, abundance, differential phyla, and dominant bacteria of rats between groups. The results indicated that Nar. ethanol extract could relieve dyskinesia, reverse the increased levels of α-syn, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB in striatum, and improve the protein expression of TH in striatum of PD rats. The α diversity analysis indicated a significant decrease in diversity and abundance of gut microbiota in the PD model. The results of linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEfSe) of dominant bacteria indicated that Nardostachys jatamansi ethanol extract increased the relative abundance of Clotridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Anaerostipes, and reversed the increased relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia-Shigella in PD model group to exhibit the neuroprotective effect. In summary, the results indicated that Nar. ethanol extract exert the therapeutic effect on PD rats. Specifically, the extract may regulate gut microbiota, decrease the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and reduce the protein aggregation of α-syn in the colon and striatum to alleviate intestinal inflammation and neuroinflammation. This study provides a basis for combining the theory of "Zangfu-organs of spleen and stomach" with the theory of "microbiota-gut-brain axis" to treat PD.
Subject(s)
Animals , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Nardostachys/metabolism , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Rats , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatments, and prognostic factors among patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) exhibiting brain metastases who underwent craniotomy. @*Methods@#Thirty-five patients with GTN who had brain metastases and subsequently underwent craniotomies between January 1990 and December 2018 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were identified using the GTN database. Their clinical manifestations, treatments, outcomes, and prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed. @*Results@#All 35 patients underwent decompressive craniotomy, hematoma removal, and metastatic tumor resection combined with multiagent chemotherapy. Eighty percent (28/35) achieved complete remission, 11.4% (4/35) achieved partial remission, and 8.6% (3/35) had progressive disease. Not counting 2 patients who were lost to follow-up, 81.8% of the patients (27/33) were alive after a median follow-up of 72 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 80.4%. Univariate analysis revealed that a history of chemotherapy failure (p=0.020) and a >1-week interval between craniotomy and chemotherapy commencement (p=0.027) were adverse risk factors for survival. Multivariate analysis showed that previous chemotherapy failure remained an independent risk factor for poor survival (odds ratio=11.50; 95% confidence interval=1.55–85.15; p=0.017). @*Conclusion@#Decompressive craniotomy is a life-saving option if metastatic hemorrhage and intracranial hypertension produce a risk of cerebral hernia in patients with GTN who have brain metastases. Higher survival rates and improved prognoses can be achieved through perioperative multidisciplinary cooperation and timely standard postoperative chemotherapy.
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@#<b>Objective</b> To investigate the awareness of ionizing radiation safety and protection knowledge among clinical healthcare professionals. <b>Methods</b> A cross-sectional study was performed among 270 nurses using a self-designed questionnaire. The questionnaire included participants’ socio-demographic features, and knowledge of radiation physics and biology, principle of radiation use, radiation protection, and guideline for safe use of ionizing radiation. The questionnaire results were analyzed using the descriptive epidemiological method. <b>Results</b> A total of 270 questionnaires were assigned, and 252 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective response rate of 93.33%. Among the 252 respondents, 99.21% were female, 80.16% at the age of 25 to < 55, 31.35% with work seniority of 20 years and longer, 66.67% with an education level of bachelor degree, and 75.00% with a history of receiving medical radiation knowledge training and education. The awareness rates of the following problems were all more than 90%: “knowing the protocols concerning radiation workers who are pregnant”, “trying best to promote agreed safety protocols concerning radiation dose and radiation usage in my daily work and actions”, “being aware of the radiation safety arrangements at my work”, “understanding the meaning of radiation safety culture”, “understanding the warning signs concerning radiation while working in the control area”, “knowing the meaning of warning signs regarding radiation safety”, “knowing how to report abnormal events in radiation use”, “knowing how to properly use personal radiation protection equipment”, “understanding the principle of dose limitation in radiation protection”, “knowing how ionizing radiation is produced”, “know how the harmful effects of medical radiation are caused”, and “knowing how to document all the essential information concerning the use of radiation”; however, the awareness rates of “knowing how to account for differences between adult and child/adolescent patients in radiological examinations” and “understanding the meaning of the inverse square law in radiation protection” were very low. <b>Conclusion</b> The overall awareness of ionizing radiation safety and protection knowledge remains unsatisfactory among clinical healthcare professionals. The training on ionizing radiation safety and protection knowledge requires to be improved, and the radiation protection skills are recommended to be increased.
ABSTRACT
@#Positron emission tomography (PET) has been used for the diagnosis of gynecological malignancies and is superior to conventional imaging tools in detecting metastatic lesions, diagnosing local recurrence, and evaluating treatment outcome. Compared with the in vitro assessment of tumor biopsy materials, PET imaging has advantages in measuring <i>in vivo</i> tumor behaviors, characterizing overall tumor burden, and capturing the phenotypic heterogeneity of tumors. PET imaging provides precision data on tumor staging and recurrence through integrating the anatomic and functional data of metabolic features, thereby achieving the high-quality assessment of gynecological malignancies. This article reviews the advances in the application of PET imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial carcinoma.