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ObjectiveTo establish a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome model with yin deficiency and internal heat, discuss the rationality of model evaluation, and analyze differentially expressed genes in multiple dimensions to explore the molecular mechanism-signaling pathways as well as key targets of Baihe Dihuangtang (BHDH) in treating depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat. MethodForty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group,a model group,a fluoxetine group (positive drug),a BHDH group, and a Zhibai Dihuangtang group (positive drug for Yin deficiency and internal heat). The depression model with Yin deficiency and internal heat was induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)combined with Chinese herbal drugs with warm and heat nature. The model established was comprehensively evaluated by the detection of the basic condition, behavioral performance, and biochemical indicators of rats in each group. The differentially expressed genes were screened out by mRNA sequencing and underwent Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was plotted and key genes were analyzed to explore the underlying mechanism of BHDH in treating depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat. ResultThe comparison of basic conditions, behavioral assays, energy metabolism, endocrine hormones, cytokines, and neurotransmitters showed that the model was properly induced. BHDH could significantly improve depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat by regulating the pathways related to the nervous system, endocrine system, and inflammatory and immune system. The key genes of the PPI network were Fos, Epha8, Npy2r, Htr2c, and Nr4a1. ConclusionUnder the guidance of TCM theories of treatment based on syndrome differentiation and etiology and pathogenesis,this study established a depression model with yin deficiency and internal heat in animals and evaluation system in accordance with the symptoms and signs of emotional diseases, and further confirmed the scientificity of the modeling method and the underlying mechanism of BHDH in interfering with depression with Yin deficiency and internal heat based on the results of mRNA sequencing.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the immunomodulatory mechanism of Kangxian Yixin prescription (KYP) on autoimmune injury mice and its relationship with the T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) balance. MethodSixty healthy 8-week-old male BALBc mice were randomly divided into a normal group and an experimental group at a ratio of 1∶5. On the 0th, 7th, and 28th days, 0.2 mL of porcine cardiac myosin emulsion (containing 0.1 mg of porcine cardiac myosin) was subcutaneously injected into the groin, armpit, and back of the mice in the experimental group to induce an animal model of myocardial immune injury. Mice with myocardial immune injury were randomly divided into a model group (Model), a KYP group (20.4 g·kg-1·d-1, ig), and a valsartan group (12 mg·kg-1·d-1, ig). Mice in the control group and the model group received the same amount of normal saline by gavage. After four weeks of intervention, the heart tissues were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were used to detect pathological damage in heart tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of type B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), anti-cardiac antibody, interleukin-17 (IL-17), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the serum of mice, and the expression levels of Th17 cells and Tregs in the spleen were detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) in heart tissues was detected by Western blot, and the mRNA expression of retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) in the spleen was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the control group, the model group showed worsened pathological damage in heart tissues, elevated serum levels of BNP, anti-myocardial antibody, and IL-17, decreased serum expression of IL-10 (P<0.05), increased expression of Th17 cells and reduced expression of Tregs in spleen tissues (P<0.05), increased protein expression of Bax, diminished Bcl-2 protein expression, elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, up-regulated mRNA expression of RORγt, dwindled mRNA expression of FoxP3, and elevated ratio of RORγt/FoxP3 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the KYP group and the valsartan group displayed relieved pathological damage in heart tissues, decreased serum expression of BNP, anti-myocardial antibody, and IL-17, increased serum expression of IL-10 (P<0.05), reduced expression of Th17 cells and increased Tregs in spleen tissues (P<0.05), dwindled protein expression of Bax and elevated protein expression of Bcl-2 in heart tissues (P<0.05), diminished Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, reduced mRNA expression of RORγt, up-regulated FoxP3, and down-regulated ratio of RORγt/FoxP3 (P<0.05). ConclusionKYP may improve myocardial immune damage by regulating the Th17/Treg cell balance.
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ObjectiveTo explore the effects of different treatment methods of "soothing liver, invigorating spleen, soothing liver and invigorating spleen, soothing liver first and then soothing liver and invigorating spleen, as well as invigorating spleen first and then soothing liver and invigorating spleen" on liver depression combined with liver injury in rats and their action mechanisms. MethodA six-week rat model of liver depression combined with liver injury was established by restraint stress and subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 5.89 g·kg-1, once every three days). At the same time, the drugs were given by gavage. Forty-eight male SD rats of clean grade were randomly divided into eight groups, namely the normal group, model group, bicyclol (0.2 g·kg-1) group, Sinisan (4.32 g·kg-1) group, Liu Junzitang (9.26 g·kg-1) group, Chaishao Liu Junzitang A (Chai A, soothing liver and invigorating spleen,13.57 g·kg-1) group, Chaishao Liu Junzitang B (Chai B, soothing liver first and then soothing liver and invigorating spleen, 13.57 g·kg-1) group, and Chaishao Liu Junzitang C (Chai C, invigorating spleen first and then soothing liver and invigorating spleen, 13.57 g·kg-1) group, with six rats in each group. The pathological changes in liver and colon tissues of each group were observed under light microscope and electron microscope. The serum biochemical indexes of the liver were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The relative mRNA expression levels of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) and intestinal mucosal zona occluden-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1 in the liver and colon were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The positive expression rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the colon was detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultCompared with normal group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin (DBIL) (P<0.01), lowered TGR5 mRNA expression in liver tissue, up-regulated TGR5 mRNA expression in the colon tissue (P<0.05,P<0.01), and down-regulated ZO-1, Occludin, and tight junction protein-1 (Claudin-1) mRNA expression and PCNA in the colon tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, bicyclol and Chai C remarkably decreased the levels of serum ALP, ALT, AST, TBIL, and DBIL (P<0.05,P<0.01), while Liu Junzitang, Chai A, Chai B, and Chai C significantly up-regulated the TGR5 mRNA expression in the liver and down-regulated its expression in the colon (P<0.01). Bicyclol, Chai A, Chai B, and Chai C enhanced the ZO-1 and Claudin-1 mRNA expression in the colon (P<0.05,P<0.01). Bicyclol, Sinisan, and Chai C increased PCNA expression (P<0.01). The comparison with the Chai C group showed that the TGR5 mRNA expression in the liver and ZO-1 mRNA expression in the colon of the bicyclol and Sinisan groups were lower, whereas the TGR5 mRNA expression in the colon was higher (P<0.01). However, the PCNA expression in the colon of the Liu Junzitang and Chai B groups declined significantly (P<0.05). ConclusionIn the presence of liver injury, invigorating spleen first helps to relieve the liver injury, and the efficacy of "spleen-invigorating" therapy in increasing the intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins and improving the gastrointestinal function is related to its activation of TGR5 to improve the intestinal mucosal barrier function, promote the renewal of intestinal stem cells, and drive the regeneration after injury.
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Objective:To investigate the feasibility of ventral-combined-dorsal exposure of middle hepatic vein via caudal approach in laparoscopic anatomic hemihepatectomy of liver cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 44 patients undergoing laparoscopic antecedent hemihepatectomy with the ventral-combined-dorsal exposure of middle hepatic vein via caudal approach in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University (Hunan Provincial People's Hospital) from January 2021 to September 2021. Among the 44 patients, there were 24 male and 20 female patients, aged 56-66 (61±5) years. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, occlusion time of the first hilum hepatis, postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay were analyzed.Results:All 44 patients underwent the surgery successfully. The average operation time was (259.3±33.4) min. Intraoperative blood loss was (113.8±31.0) ml, and no intraoperative blood transfusion was performed. The mean intraoperative occlusion time of the first hilum was (56.1±7.1) min. No postoperative hemorrhage and biliary fistula and other complications occurred. The mean postoperative hospital stay is (9.3±1.4) days. Pathological examination confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma in 36 cases and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in 8 cases.Conclusion:The ventral-combined-dorsal exposure of middle hepatic vein via caudal approach benefits exposure of middle hepatic vein in laparoscopic anatomic hemihepatectomy, reducing intraoperative accidental bleeding and ensuring surgical safety.
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@#Due to their good safety, wide application scope and quick onset time, lipid emulsions are full of promise to reverse drug poisoning. In this review, a number of clinical case reports were summarized to analyze the detoxification effect of lipid emulsions on local anesthetic, antiarrhythmic, psychotropic and organophosphate poisoning, as well as the possible adverse reactions of lipid emulsions therapy.Meanwhile, the mechanisms underlying lipid emulsions therapy, such as lipid sink theory, enhanced body basal metabolism and positively affected cardiovascular function, were fully interpreted.Besides, a few potential solutions to the problems still existing in lipid emulsions therapy were proposed, in order to consolidate the understanding of lipid emulsions therapy and promote its rational application in reversing drug poisoning.
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Ascosphaera apis spores containing a dark-colored pigment infect honeybee larvae, resulting in a large-scale collapse of the bee colony due to chalkbrood disease. However, little is known about the pigment or whether it plays a role in bee infection caused by A. apis. In this study, the pigment was isolated by alkali extraction, acid hydrolysis, and repeated precipitation. Ultraviolet (UV) analysis revealed that the pigment had a color value of 273, a maximum absorption peak at 195 nm, and a high alkaline solubility (7.67%) and acid precipitability. Further chemical structure analysis of the pigment, including elemental composition, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), proved that it was a eumelanin with a typical indole structure. The molecular formula of melanin is C10H6O4N2, and its molecular weight is 409 Da. Melanin has hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, and phenolic groups that can potentially chelate to metal ions. Antioxidant function analyses showed that A. apis melanin had a high scavenging activity against superoxide, hydroxyl, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, and a high reducing ability to Fe3+. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that A. apis melanin was located on the spore wall. The spore wall localization, antioxidant activity, and metal ion chelating properties of fungal melanin have been suggested to contribute to spore pathogenicity. However, further infection experiments showed that melanin-deficient spores did not reduce the mortality of bee larvae, indicating that melanin does not increase the virulence of A. apis spores. This study is the first report on melanin produced by A. apis, providing an important background reference for further study on its role in A. apis.
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Animals , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Larva , Melanins , Molecular Structure , OnygenalesABSTRACT
Microfluidics is the science and technology to manipulate small amounts of fluids in micro/nano-scale space. Multiple modules could be integrated into microfluidic device, and due to its advantages of microminiaturization and controllability, microfluidics has drawn extensive attention since its birth. In this paper, the literature data related to microfluidics research from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2021 were obtained from Web of Science Core Collection database. CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software was used for bibliometrics analysis, so as to explore the research progress and development trends of microfluidics research at home and abroad. Based on the analysis of 50 129 articles, it could be seen that microfluidics was a hot topic of global concern, and the United States had a certain degree of authority in this field. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University not only had a high number of publications, but also had strong influence and extensive cooperation network. Combined with ultrasonic, surface modification and sensor technology, researchers constructed paper-based microfluidic, droplet microfluidic and digital microfluidic platforms, which were applied in the field of immediate diagnosis, nucleic acid and circulating tumor cell analysis of in vitro diagnosis and organ-on-a-chip. China was one of the countries with a high level of research in the field of microfluidics, while the industrialization of high-end products needed to be improved. As people's demand for disease risk prediction and health management increased, promoting microfluidic technological innovation and achievement transformation is of great significance to safeguard people's life and health.
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China , Humans , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques , Microfluidics , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence AnalysisABSTRACT
italic>Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk. is one of the plant sources of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (QinJiao). Gentiana tibetica King ex Hook. f. and Gentiana robusta King ex Hook. f. are relative species of G. crassicaulis. Due to the large intraspecific morphological variation, G. crassicaulis showed high morphological similarity with G. tibetica and G. robusta. And the distribution area of the three species overlaps to some extent, which makes it difficult to identify them. On the basis of morphological identification, the method of molecular identification of the three species was constructed in this study based on chloroplast genomes. The chloroplast genome of Gentiana tibetica is 148 765bp long, with LSC, SSC and IR 81 163 bp, 17 070 bp and 25 266 bp, respectively. The structure of the three is consistent. The chloroplast genome sequences of G. tibetica and G. crassicaulis are highly similar, and the number of variable sites is 9 (149 267 bp in total). Diagnostic SNP that could effectively identify the three species was screened and verified, and a dual-peak SNP detection method was established for the effective identification of each species and mixed samples. Our study provides basic data for the molecular identification of G. crassicaulis and its related species, and the arrangement of related Tibetan medicine.
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OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effects of resin base and different retention depth on the fracture resistance of mandibular molars restored with nano-ceramic endocrowns.@*METHODS@#Forty mandibular molars selected and randomly divided into 5 groups: ① The control group which was consisted of intact teeth, ② the non-resin base group, ③ the 2 mm retention depth group, ④ the 3 mm retention depth group, ⑤ the 4 mm retention depth group, respectively. After tooth preparation, in vitro root canal therapy was conducted, which was followed by endocrown design, production and adhesive of groups ②-⑤. All the samples were under load (N) of the universal mechanical testing machine after embedding. The fracture pattern of each sample was observed under stereomicroscope. Then the microstructure of the fracture surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy.@*RESULTS@#The fracture loads of each group were respectively: the control group fracture load was (3 069.34±939.50) N; experimental groups: fracture load of (2 438.04±774.40) N for the group without resin base; fracture load of (3 537.18±763.65) N for the group with 2 mm retention depth. The fracture load of the retention depth 3 mm group was (2 331.55±766.39) N; the fracture load of the retention depth 4 mm group was (2 786.98±709.24) N. There was statistical significance in the effect of resin base and different retention depth on the fracture loads of molars restored with nano-ceramic endocrown (P < 0.05). Repairable fractures in each group were as follows: control group 2/8, non-resin base group 1/8, retention depth of 2 mm group 1/8, retention depth of 3 mm group 2/8, and retention depth of 4 mm group 0/8. The effects of the retention depth and the presence of resin base on the fracture resistance of the resin nano-ceramic endocrowns were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy showed more arrest lines and small twist hackles on the fracture surface of the restorations with resin base (retention depths of 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm), with cracks extending towards the root. In addition to the characteristics above, more transverse cracks parallel to the occlusal surface, pointing outwards from the center of the pulp cavity retention, were also observed on the fracture surface of the non-resin base restorations.@*CONCLUSION@#When molar teeth with nano-ceramic endocrowns are restored, resin base and the retention depth of 2 mm help the teeth to obtain optimal fracture strength.
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Ceramics , Composite Resins , Dental Porcelain , Dental Restoration Failure , Dental Stress Analysis , Materials Testing , MolarABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the time distribution of the first positive nucleic acid detection in imported cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 reported nationwide in China and provide references for further improvement of the prevention and control of COVID-19 in international travelers. Methods: The data of imported cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 reported by provinces from 24 July 2020 and 23 July 2021 were collected for the analysis on the time distribution of the first positive nucleic acid detection after entering China. Results: A total of 7 199 imported cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 were reported in 28 provinces during 24 July 2020 to 23 July 2021. The median interval (Q1, Q3) from the entry to the first positive nucleic acid detection of SARS-CoV-2 was 1 (0, 5) day. The imported cases who had the first positive nucleic acid detections within 14 days and 14 days later after the entry accounted for 95.15% (6 850/7 199) and 4.85% (349/7 199) respectively. Among these cases, 3.65% (263/7 199), 0.88% (63/7 199) and 0.32% (23/7 199) had the first positive nucleic acid detections within 15-21 days, 22-28 days and 28 days later after the entry respectively. The proportion of asymptomatic infections were 47.24% (3 236/6 850) and 63.61% (222/349) among the cases who had the first positive nucleic acid detections within 14 days and 14 days later after the entry respectively. A total of 39.54% (138/349) of cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 with the first positive nucleic acid detections 14 days later after the entry had inter-provincial travel after the discharge of entry point isolation. Conclusions: About 5% of the imported cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 were first positive 14 days later after the entry. In order to effectively reduce the risk of domestic COVID-19 secondary outbreaks caused by imported cases, it is suggested to add a nucleic acid test on 8th -13th day after the entry.
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Asymptomatic Infections , COVID-19 , China/epidemiology , Humans , Nucleic Acids , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the etiological characteristics of infection after percutaneous biliary drainage or stent implantation in patients with malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Methods Clinical data were collected from MBO patients who underwent interventional therapy in Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from January 2016 to December 2020 and had or were suspected of biliary tract infection, with samples submitted for bile culture and/or simultaneous blood culture. Analysis was performed for the aspects of positive rate of culture, flora distribution, consistency between blood culture and bile culture, and drug resistance rate of major pathogenic bacteria. Results A total of 219 patients were enrolled, among whom 105(47.95%) were positive for bile culture, and the composition ratios of Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi were 64.89%, 28.24%, and 6.87%, respectively. A total of 69 patients had samples submitted for blood culture during the same period of time, among whom 33(47.82%) had positive results. Positive results of both bile culture and blood culture were observed in 25 patients, and consistency analysis showed that the patients with complete consistency, partial consistency, and complete inconsistency accounted for 36%(9/25), 20%(5/25), and 44%(11/25), respectively. Common Gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Enterobacter cloacae , with a relatively low level of drug resistance to antibiotics including cefoperazone/sulbactam, amikacin, and imipenem. Common Gram-positive bacteria were Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis , with a relatively low level(< 15%) of drug resistance to antibiotics including vancomycin, linezolid, and teicoplanin. Conclusion Common pathogens of infection after percutaneous biliary drainage or stent implantation in MBO patients include Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Enterococcus, and Enterobacter cloacae . There is a relatively low level of consistency between blood culture and bile culture, and thus samples should be submitted for both tests.
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Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory disease of the liver mediated by autoimmune response, and in the diagnosis and treatment of AIH, it is of great importance to accurately assess the progression of liver inflammation, screen out the patients requiring corticosteroid therapy, and evaluate the therapeutic outcome. This article introduces a variety of new noninvasive techniques which have been discovered by clinical and experimental studies in recent years and have the potential to evaluate the progression of AIH, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. It is concluded that the new noninvasive techniques have more advantages in guiding the corticosteroid therapy for AIH, but further clinical studies are still needed for verification.
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The key factors for producing the best quality Chinese herbal medicines are high-quality germplasm, suitable cultivation area and the proper processing methods for herbal raw materials. Gentiana crassicaulis in Gentiana (Sect. Cruciata), Gentianaceae is one of the original plants of the Chinese herb Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), and its type specimen was collected in Lijiang, Yunnan. There is a long planting history of the herb in this area. In this study a sampling plot was designated in these traditional planting areas. G. crassicaulis was planted and herbal raw materials were harvested from the plot. The raw materials were prepared locally and at a pharmaceutical factory in Shanghai using processing methods such as "sweating" or "no sweating", "slicing" or "no slicing" (whole root), and "stoving" or "no stoving" (air drying). The quality of all processed samples was evaluated. In addition, molecular markers were determined for identifying cultivated and wild samples from Lijiang, Yunnan. The results are as follows: ① Samples from the sampling plot and the field are taxonomically identified as Gentiana crassicaulis. ② A total of 270 sequences of trnC-GCA-petN, atpB-rbcL, psbN, ndhB-rps7 and ycf1 were obtained, and three genotypes were determined from the cultivated samples; the type III was shared by both cultivated and wild plants. Based on the molecular markers, a DNA barcoding method to identify cultivated and wild samples of G. crassicaulis from Lijiang, Yunnan was established. ③ Total content of loganic acid and gentiopicroside in all samples was ≥ 2.5%, and above the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020) limit. ④ In HPLC fingerprinting, 9 common peaks were assigned and similarity between all samples was > 0.999; and ⑤ In a PCA score plot all slice samples were clustered, while whole root samples were scattered. Therefore, our studies could provide basic data for optimizing the processing method, producing best quality Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, and evaluating the quality of different ecotype varieties and the multiple origin of herbal medicines.
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Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and identify the risk factors of Giardia lamblia infections among patients with colorectal cancer in Henan Province. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed for questionnaire surveys among colorectal cancer patients in Henan Cancer Hospital during the period from March to July, 2021. Patients’ stool samples were collected, and the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene of G. lamblia was amplified in stool samples using nested PCR assay to characterize the parasite genotype. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the risk factors of G. lamblia infections among colorectal cancer patients. Results A total of 307 colorectal cancer patients were investigated, including 176 males (57.3%) and 131 females (42.7%). PCR assay detected 8.1% [95% confidential interval (CI): (0.056, 0.117)] prevalence of G. lamblia infections among the study subjects, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence between men [9.1%, 95% CI: (0.057, 0.143)] and women [6.9%, 95% CI: (0.037, 0.125)] (χ2 = 0.495, P = 0.482). In addition, there was no age-specific prevalence of G. lamblia infections among the participants (χ2 = 1.534, P = 0.675). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified use of septic tanks [odds ratio (OR) = 3.336, 95% CI: (1.201, 9.267)], daily use of well water [OR = 3.042, 95% CI: (1.093, 8.465)] and raising livestock [OR = 3.740, 95% CI: (1.154, 12.121)] as risk factors of G. lamblia infections among colorectal cancer patients, and the prevalence of abdominal pain was significantly greater in colorectal cancer patients with G. lamblia infections than in those without infections (P = 0.017). Among the 25 patients with G. lamblia infections, assemblage A was characterized in 24 (96.0%) cases and assemblage B in one case (4.0%). Conclusions The prevalence of G. lamblia is high among colorectal cancer patients in Henan Province, and assemblage A is the dominant genotype of G. lamblia. Use of septic tanks, daily use of well water and raising livestock are risk factors of G. lamblia infections among patients with colorectal cancer.
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ObjectiveTo analyze the production of Poria in 5 major producing areas and the problems through field investigation and literature review and thus to lay a foundation for healthy development of Poria industry. MethodEach production process of Poria in Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Yunnan, and Sichuan was probed and related research was retrieved for the analysis. ResultSichuan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and other areas have been the emerging producers of Poria. However, a few Poria cocos lines were used and the variety breeding lagged behind. Different cultivation techniques were adopted in different production areas. For example, the "induction" method failed to be widely used. Moreover, the harvest time was mainly dependent on the market demand not matter it was suitable or not. Furthermore, steaming has replaced the traditional diaphoretic processing in the processing of this medicinal material in production areas. In addition, fumigation with sulphur was still used in the processing of Poria. ConclusionAn excellent variety is the key to the quality of Poria. Efforts should be made to strengthen the evaluation of the germplasm resources of P. cocos and variety breeding and standardize the processing in production areas, thereby ensuring the safety and effectiveness of Poria and the decoction pieces. In addition, the contradiction between artificial cultivation and woodland ecology should be fully coordinated to ensure the sustainable development of Poria industry in China.
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Objective@#To investigate the willingness to receive measles-containing vaccine (MCV) and its influencing factors among healthcare workers in the Yangtze River Delta region, so as to provide the evidence for improving the measles-containing vaccination rate@*Methods@#Healthcare workers were sampled from 19 medical institutions in each of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province for questionnaire surveys using a multi-stage stratified convenience sampling methods from July 2020 to March 2021. Participants' gender, age, educational level, professional title, measles-containing vaccination, awareness of MCV and willingness to receive MCV were collected, and the factors affecting the willingness to receive MCV were identified among healthcare workers using a multivariable logistic regression model. @*Results@#Totally 1 403 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 394 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 99.36%. The respondents included 327 men and 1 067 women, with a male to female ratio of 1∶3.26, and 64.35% (897) were at ages of 31 to 50 years. There were 1 005 respondents with a bachelor degree (72.09%), 765 with middle and senior professional titles (54.88%), 676 with a history of measles-containing vaccination (48.49%), 1 176 with willingness to receive MCV (84.36%) and 218 without willingness to receive MCV due to convenience of vaccination (30.73%) and cost (19.27%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that region (Zhejiang, OR=1.613, 95%CI: 1.054-2.470; Anhui, OR=2.058, 95%CI: 1.259-3.363), and no history of measles (OR=2.219, 95%CI: 1.302-3.781) were factors improving the willingness to receive MCV among healthcare workers, and hospital level (secondary, OR=0.483, 95%CI: 0.306-0.763; tertiary, OR=0.251, 95%CI: 0.160-0.394), history of measles-containing vaccination (no, OR=0.262, 95%CI: 0.172-0.399; unknown, OR=0.386, 95%CI: 0.266-0.559), and unawareness of MCV knowledge (OR=0.208, 95%CI: 0.081-0.536) were factors inhibiting the willingness to receive MCV among healthcare workers.@*Conclusions@#The willingness to receive MCV correlates with region, history of measles, hospital level, history of measles-containing vaccination and awareness of MCV knowledge among healthcare workers in the Yangtze River Delta region.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of MRI dynamic enhancement in defining the upper edge of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction.Methods:The clinical data of 73 patients with adenocarcinoma on the esophagogastric junction operated from Jul 2018 to Aug 2019 in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent MRI examination within one week before surgery. First, the T 2WI, diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic enhanced images of each patient were carefully observed to define the tumor location, size, shape, signal and enhancement mode, then the distances between the upper edge of the tumor and the cardiac incisure on MRI dynamic enhancement were measured independently, and compared with the measured distance in surgical fresh specimens. Results:The mean location of tumor upper edge measured in MRI of 73 patients was (1.75±1.98)cm, while measured in the surgical specimen was (1.72±1.97)cm. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( t=0.572, P=0.569). The intraclass correlation efficient between the two groups was excellent (ICC=0.974, 95% CI: 0.959-0.984, P<0.01). Conclusion:The measurement result of tumor upper edge in MRI is basically consistent with that of surgical specimens. MRI can be used to locate the tumor upper edge for adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction before operation.
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Chaetocin is a natural metabolite product with various biological activities and pharmacological functions isolated from Chaetomium species fungi belonging to the thiodiketopyrazines. Numerous studies have demonstrated a wide range of antitumor activities of chaetocin in vitro and in vivo. Several studies have demonstrated that chaetocin sup?presses the growth and proliferation of various tumour cells by regulating multiple signalling pathways related to tumour initiation and progression, inducing cancer cell apoptosis (intrinsic and extrinsic), enhancing autophagy, inducing cell cycle arrest, as well as inhibiting tumour angiogenesis, invasion and migration. The antitumor effects and molecular mechanisms of chaetocin are reviewed and analysed in this paper, and the prospective applications of chaetocin in cancer prevention and therapy are also discussed. Our review provides the theoretical basis for exploiting the clinical applica?tion of chaetocin in cancer treatment.
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Aiming at the limitations of clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), in order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, an intelligent-aided diagnosis method based on few-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) and time-frequency deep network is proposed for PD with RBD. Firstly, in order to improve the speed of the operation and robustness of the algorithm, the 6-channel scalp EEG of each subject were segmented with the same time-window. Secondly, the model of time-frequency deep network was constructed and trained with time-window EEG data to obtain the segmentation-based classification result. Finally, the output of time-frequency deep network was postprocessed to obtain the subject-based diagnosis result. Polysomnography (PSG) of 60 patients, including 30 idiopathic PD and 30 PD with RBD, were collected by Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and the doctor's detection results of PSG were taken as the gold standard in our study. The accuracy of the segmentation-based classification was 0.902 4 in the validation set. The accuracy of the subject-based classification was 0.933 3 in the test set. Compared with the RBD screening questionnaire (RBDSQ), the novel approach has clinical application value.
Subject(s)
Electroencephalography , Humans , Intelligence , Parkinson Disease/diagnosis , Polysomnography , REM Sleep Behavior Disorder/diagnosisABSTRACT
The present study explored the potential mechanism of Jingfang Granules in relieving alcohol and protecting liver by network pharmacology and molecular docking and verified the effects and related pathways by animal experiments. The active components of Jingfang Granules were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). Targets of drugs and diseases were obtained from PubChem, Swiss Target Prediction and CTD. The common targets were uploaded to STRING to plot the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. The core targets were screened out and the target organs were identified by Bio GPS and Metascape, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis of common targets. The acute drunk mouse model was established and the effects of Jingfang Granules on serum ethanol level and the expression of proteins related to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3 K)/protein kinase B(Akt) signaling pathway in the liver tissue of mice were observed. A total of 187 active components of Jingfang Granules were obtained, including 47 common targets with alcoholic liver injury. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis showed that Jingfang Granules might play the role of relieving alcohol and protecting liver through the PI3 K-Akt signaling pathway. The drug-component-target and component-target-pathway networks revealed that the important active components of Jingfang Granules in relieving alcohol and protecting liver included quercetin, 5-O-methylvisamminol, glyasperin M, glyasperin B and hederagenin. Molecular docking showed that the active components had a good affinity with AKT1, EGFR, ESR1 and PTGS2. Experimental results showed that Jingfang Granules(15 and 10. 5 g·kg-1) could significantly reduce the content of serum ethanol in mice and up-regulate the protein expression ratios of p-PI3 K/PI3 K and p-Akt/Akt in the liver tissue. Jingfang Granules could relieve alcohol and protect liver through multi-component and multitarget, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of the PI3 K-Akt signaling pathway.