Identification and expression analysis of TCP family members in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) / 生物工程学报

TCP family as plant specific transcription factor, plays an important role in different aspects of plant development. In order to screen TCP family members in tobacco, the homologous sequences of tobacco and Arabidopsis TCP family were identified by genome-wide homologous alignment. The physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships and cis-acting elements were analyzed by bioinformatics. The homologous genes of AtTCP3/AtTCP4 were screened, and RT-qPCR was used to detect the changes of gene expression upon 20% PEG6000 treatment. The results show that tobacco contains 63 TCP family members. Their amino acid sequence length ranged from 89 aa to 596 aa, and their protein hydropathicity grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) ranged from -1.147 to 0.125. The isoelectric point (pI) ranges from 4.42 to 9.94, the number of introns is 0 to 3, and the subcellular location is all located in the nucleus. The results of conserved domain and phylogenetic relationship analysis showed that the tobacco TCP family can be divided into PCF, CIN and CYC/TB1 subfamilies, and each subfamily has a stable sequence. The results of cis-acting elements in gene promoter region showed that TCP family genes contain low docile acting elements (LTR) and a variety of stress and metabolic regulation related elements (MYB, MYC). Analysis of gene expression patterns showed that AtTCP3/AtTCP4 homologous genes (NtTCP6, NtTCP28, NtTCP30, NtTCP33, NtTCP42, NtTCP57, NtTCP63) accounted for 20% PEG6000 treatment significantly up-regulated/down-regulated expression, and NtTCP30 and NtTCP57 genes were selected as candidate genes in response to drought. The results of this study analyzed the TCP family in the tobacco genome and provided candidate genes for the study of drought-resistance gene function and variety breeding in tobacco.

Analysis of Ethical Cognition and Training Needs of Medical Researchers in China / 中国医学伦理学

The cognition and attitude of scientific research ethics consciousness affect the willingness and degree of individual researchers to follow research ethics norms. This study investigated the awareness, access and training needs of Chinese medical researchers (n=11 164) on the knowledge of scientific research ethics. The survey found that more than 50.0% of people were aware of the "golden rice incident" and "skull transplantation"; 80.0% of people were knew of Operational Quideline for the Ethic Review of Biomedical Research Involving Human Subject; 90.0% said that "respecting people" and "not harming" were the basic ethical principles, but 42.8% and 75.1% chose "beneficial" and "fair" respectively; more than 60.0% of people have acquired scientific research ethics knowledge through "self-study", "special training organized by units" or "words and deeds taught by mentors or colleagues", but still 30.0% have not participated in scientific research ethics lectures in recent three years; In terms of training needs, more than 50.0% chose "ethical norms for research and application", followed by "frontier ethical issues" (41.0%) and "ethical review" (36.7%). Based on this, this paper puts forward some suggestions to improve the content and form of scientific research ethics education and training in China.

Hippocampus: Molecular, Cellular, and Circuit Features in Anxiety / 神经科学通报·英文版

Anxiety disorders are currently a major psychiatric and social problem, the mechanisms of which have been only partially elucidated. The hippocampus serves as a major target of stress mediators and is closely related to anxiety modulation. Yet so far, its complex anatomy has been a challenge for research on the mechanisms of anxiety regulation. Recent advances in imaging, virus tracking, and optogenetics/chemogenetics have permitted elucidation of the activity, connectivity, and function of specific cell types within the hippocampus and its connected brain regions, providing mechanistic insights into the elaborate organization of the hippocampal circuitry underlying anxiety. Studies of hippocampal neurotransmitter systems, including glutamatergic, GABAergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems, have contributed to the interpretation of the underlying neural mechanisms of anxiety. Neuropeptides and neuroinflammatory factors are also involved in anxiety modulation. This review comprehensively summarizes the hippocampal mechanisms associated with anxiety modulation, based on molecular, cellular, and circuit properties, to provide tailored targets for future anxiety treatment.

Quality analysis of Codonopsis pilosula with different commodity specification grades / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the quality of Codonopsis pilosula with different commodity specification grades， and to provide the data support for market transactions， scientific research and clinical use. METHODS According to the classification standard of commodity specification grades of C. pilosula， 17 batches of C. pilosula from different producing areas， origins and commodity specification grades were collected. The contents of tangshenoside Ⅰ， lobetyolin and atractylenolide Ⅲ were determined by HPLC. The contents of alcohol-soluble extracts were determined by hot dipping method stated in general rule 2201 of Chinese Pharmacopeia （part Ⅳ）. The contents of polysaccharide were determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method （calculated by D-glucose anhydrous）. RESULTS For cultivar of C. pilosula， four specifications and three commodity grades of C. pilosula all contained tangshenoside Ⅰ and lobetyolin； Radix C. pilosula from Shanxi of China and C. pilosula from Wenxian County of China， also contained atractylenolide Ⅲ. In terms of the contents of tangshenoside Ⅰ， lobetyolin and atractylenolide Ⅲ， the content of second class was equivalent to that of first class， even better than the first class， while the content of third class was lower than that of first class and second class； the content of tangshenoside Ⅰ was the highest among the two types of wild C. pilosula. The contents of alcohol-soluble extracts and polysaccharides in first class cultivated C. pilosula were higher than those of second class， and the second class was higher than the third class； wild C. pilosula had low content of alcohol-soluble extracts and polysaccharides. CONCLUSIONS The internal quality of C. pilosula is basically consistent with the classification standard of different commodity specification grades； the content of each indicator in first-class and second-class medicinal herb is high， making them high-quality medicinal herbs.

Analysis of 4 children with DYNC1H1 gene related spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominant 1 / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and gene variation characteristics of children with dynein cytoplasmic 1 heavy chain 1 (DYNC1H1) gene associated spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominant (SMALED) 1. Methods: The clinical data of 4 SMALED1 children admitted to Peking University First Hospital from December 2018 to May 2021, who were found to have pathogenic variation of DYNC1H1 gene through genetic testing, except for other genes known to be related to motor retardation, were retrospectively summarized to analyze the phenotype and genotype characteristics. Results: There were 3 males and 1 female. The age of onset was 1 year, 1 day, 1 day and 4 months, respectively. The age of diagnosis was 4 years and 10 months, 9 months, 5 years and 9 months, and 3 years and 1 month, respectively. The clinical manifestations were muscle weakness and muscular atrophy of lower limbs, 2 cases with foot deformity, 1 case with early non progressive joint contracture, 1 case with hip dislocation and 1 case with mental retardation. De novo heterozygous missense variations in DYNC1H1 gene were found in all 4 children. According to the rating of American College of medical genetics and genomics, they were all possible pathogenic and pathogenic variations, with p.R598C, p.P776L, p.Y1109D variations had been reported, and p.I1086R variation had not been reported. Conclusions: For those with unexplained lower limb muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, joint contracture and foot deformity, upper limb motor ability related retention, with or without mental retardation, as well as the motor ability progresses slowly, it is necessary to consider the possibility of SMALED1 and the detection of DYNC1H1 gene when necessary.

Distribution of non-bacterial pathogens in 1 788 children with community-acquired pneumonia / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the distribution characteristics of non-bacterial pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children.@*METHODS@#A total of 1 788 CAP children admitted to Shenyang Children's Hospital from December 2021 to November 2022 were selected. Multiple RT-PCR and capillary electrophoresis were used to detect 10 viral pathogens and 2 atypical pathogens, and serum antibodies of Chlamydial pneumoniae (Ch) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) were detected. The distribution characteristics of different pathogens were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 1 788 CAP children, 1 295 children were pathogen-positive, with a positive rate of 72.43% (1 295/1 788), including a viral pathogen positive rate of 59.68% (1 067/1 788) and an atypical pathogen positive rate of 22.04% (394/1 788). The positive rates from high to low were MP, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza B virus (IVB), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human rhinovirus (HRV), human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), influenza A virus (IVA), bocavirus (BoV), human adenovirus (HADV), Ch, and human coronavirus (HCOV). RSV and MP were the main pathogens in spring; MP had the highest positive rate in summer, followed by IVA; HMPV had the highest positive rate in autumn; IVB and RSV were the main pathogens in winter. The positive rate of MP in girls was higher than that in boys (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other pathogens between genders (P>0.05). The positivity rates of certain pathogens differed among age groups (P<0.05): the positivity rate of MP was highest in the >6 year-old group; the positivity rates of RSV and Ch were highest in the <1 year-old group; the positivity rates of HPIV and IVB were highest in the 1 to <3 year-old group. RSV, MP, HRV, and HMPV were the main pathogens in children with severe pneumonia, while MP was the primary pathogen in children with lobar pneumonia, and MP, IVB, HMPV, RSV, and HRV were the top 5 pathogens in acute bronchopneumonia.@*CONCLUSIONS@#MP, RSV, IVB, HMPV, and HRV are the main pathogens of CAP in children, and there are certain differences in the positive rates of respiratory pathogens among children of different ages, genders, and seasons.

Investigation report on an outbreak of cutaneous anthrax in Caoxian County, Heze City, Shandong Province in 2021 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To analyze the cause and epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of cutaneous anthrax in Caoxian County, Heze City, Shandong Province, and to provide scientific basis for anthrax prevention and control.Methods:Using on-site epidemiological investigation methods and the "Anthrax Epidemiological Case Investigation Form", case investigations were conducted based on the epidemiological contact history and close contacts of suspected anthrax cases reported by the national health care system ( n = 83). Scorched skin smears, diseased cattle tissues, soil samples from the slaughter site and smears from slaughter utensils were collected from cases for Real-time PCR testing and pathogenic bacteria isolation and culture, respectively. Anthrax determination criteria were carried out with reference to "Anthrax Diagnosis" (WS 283-2020). Results:A total of 13 cases of cutaneous anthrax were found in this outbreak, including 12 clinically diagnosed cases and one confirmed case (positive Real-time PCR test and isolation of a strain of Bacillus anthracis). The epidemiological investigation determined that the source of infection in this outbreak was diseased cattle, the transmission route was through slaughter of diseased cattle, contact with contaminated utensils and related cattle products, and the patients were mainly engaged in occupations related to cattle slaughter or cattle product collection and sale. A total of 84 samples were collected, including 13 skin scabs, 64 environmental samples and 7 beef samples. Thirty-six positive PCR tests were performed, with a positive rate of 42.86% (36/84). Among them, 100.00% (13/13) were positive for skin scab smear specimens, 29.69% (19/64) for environmental samples and 4/7 for beef samples. A total of 8 strains of Bacillus anthracis were isolated, including 6 environmental specimens, 1 suspected case and 1 beef strain, with an overall detection rate of 9.52% (8/84). Eighty-three close contacts were investigated. Thirteen households involved in the epidemic were disinfected by spraying (200 ml/m 2) with chlorine-containing disinfectant (5 000 mg/L), and a total of 40 households involved in the epidemic were disinfected, covering an area of about 10 765 m 2. Forty-five pieces of suspected contaminated clothing were burned and disposed of, and 152 pieces of kitchenware were soaked. Conclusions:Slaughter of infected cattle, contact with contaminated utensils and related cattle products are the main causes of this skin anthrax outbreak. Strengthening market supervision, deepening inter-animal epidemic prevention, carrying out publicity and education on anthrax prevention and control, and enhancing practitioners' awareness of disease prevention is the key to prevent anthrax from occurring.

Clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in 20 299 children / 国际儿科学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical features of Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)infection in children, and provide data support for the prevention and control of MP.Methods:In this study , a retrospective analysis was used to collect clinical data with respiratory tract infection from January 2018 to February 2022 in the Shenyang Children′s Hospital, and analyze the distribution characteristics of MP positive rate, season, age, sex.Results:In this study, the positive rate of MP was 17.12% (20 299/118 598), in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were 22.92% (7 732/33 738), 15.76% (5 736/36 388), 9.81% (1 313/13 379) and 16.60% (4 954/29 849) respectively.The highest positive rates of MP in 2018 and 2019 were 27.72% (1 809/6 527) and 23.45% (1 519/6 478) in summer, respectively, 2020 was spring (19.13%, 216/1 129) and 2021 was autumn (20.09%, 1 665/8 287).The MP positive rates of infancy, early childhood, preschool age and school age were 5.89% (605/10 265), 14.35% (4 639/32 333), 18.51% (10 961/59 203) and 24.37% (4 094/16 798), and MP positive rate increased with age, the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=1 790.971, P<0.05).The positive rate of boys was 14.70% (9 586/65 206), while that of girls was 20.06% (10 713/53 392), the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=594.937, P<0.05). Conclusion:MP can occur all years round, mainly in summer and autumn.Girls are susceptible, especially common in school-age and pre-school children.Prevention and control measures should be taken as soon as possible for susceptible individuals to reduce the infection rate of MP.

A Campylobacteriosis Outbreak Caused by One Asymptomatic Food Handler Carrier / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

In August 2021, three students with diarrhea from the same school visited a local hospital in the S district of Beijing. An epidemic investigation showed that there were more students with diarrhea in the same school and they had one meal together. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from both patients with diarrhea and asymptomatic food handlers; however, the latter also carried Campylobacter coli. Phylogenomic analysis showed that there was a campylobacteriosis outbreak among the students, and the asymptomatic food handler may have been the source of the infection. Routine inspection and surveillance for Campylobacter is needed for the food producing staff, particularly those cooking in the cafeteria in schools or other public food services.

Observation of the Curative Effect of the Dexamethasone Vitreous Cavity Implant for the Treatment of Irvine-Gass Syndrome / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy of dexamethasone vitreous cavity implants (Ozurdex) for the treatment of macular edema (Irvine-Gass Syndrome) after cataract surgery.@*METHOD@#Eight patients (eight eyes) with Irvine-Gass syndrome were enrolled for vitreous injections with Ozurdex. The patients included six men (six eyes) and two women (two eyes) with a mean age of 67.12 ± 11.92 years. Changes in the patients best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure were compared before and after treatment.@*RESULT@#The mean visual acuity BCVA of the patients was 0.81 ± 0.26 before implantation, which improved to 0.20 ± 0.12, 0.13 ± 0.09, and 0.15 ± 0.13 at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation, respectively ( P < 0.001). The patient's mean CMT before implantation was 703.00 ± 148.88 μm, and it reduced to 258.87 ± 37.40 μm, 236.25 ± 28.74 μm, and 278.00 ± 76.82 μm at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation, respectively ( P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#The dexamethasone vitreous cavity implant (Ozurdex) is a safe and effective treatment, which can effectively improve patient's visual acuity and reduce macular edema associated with cataract surgery.

Effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on intestinal flora in the rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome based on 16S rDNA technique / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on intestinal flora in the rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) based on 16S rDNA technique.@*METHODS@#Ten rats were randomized from 58 SPF-grade male SD rats to be the blank group. The remained 48 rats were prepared to be IBS-D models by the modified method of acetic acid enema combined with binding tail-clip stress. Forty successfully-modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, an acupuncture group, a moxibustion group and a western medication group, with 10 rats in each one. In the acupuncture group, the needle was inserted at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and remained for 15 min in each rat. In the moxibustion group, the suspending moxibustion was delivered at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 15 min. The rats in the western medication group were given pinaverium bromide suspension (10 mL/kg) by intragastric administration. The above interventions were performed once daily for consecutive 14 days. The body mass and the score of fecal trait were compared before and after modeling, as well as after intervention in each group. Fecal water content, diarrhea index and colon transit time (CTT) were measured after modeling and intervention in the rats of each group separately. After intervention, the colonic morphology of rats in each group was observed, and using 16S rDNA technique, the intestinal flora was detected.@*RESULTS@#After modeling, compared with the blank group, the body mass and CTT were reduced (P<0.01); fecal trait scores, fecal water contents and diarrhea index increased (P<0.01) in the other 4 groups. After intervention, the body mass and CTT of the rats decreased (P<0.01), and fecal trait score, fecal water content and diarrhea index increased (P<0.01) in the model group compared with those in the blank group. In the acupuncture group, the moxibustion group and the western medication group, when compared with the model group, the body mass and CTT were elevated (P<0.01), while fecal trait scores, fecal water contents and diarrhea index declined (P<0.01). Compared with the western medication group, fecal water content decreased in the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group (P<0.05), while CTT increased in the acupuncture group (P<0.01), the body mass increased and fecal trait score was dropped in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). The colonic mucosa structure was clear and complete, and there was no obvious inflammatory cell infiltration in the blank group. The mild interstitial edema of intestinal mucosa was presented with the infiltration of few inflammatory cells in the model group. There was the infiltration of few inflammatory cells in the mucosa of the acupuncture group, the moxibustion group and the western medication group. Compared with the blank group, the indexes of Richness, Chao1, ACE and Shannon decreased in the model group (P<0.05). Indexes of Richness, Chao1 and ACE increased in the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group (P<0.05), and the Richness index in the western medication group increased (P<0.05) when compared with those in the model group. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Prevotella increased (P<0.05), and that of Firmicutes and Muribaculaceae decreased (P<0.05) in the model group compared with those in the blank group. When compared with the model group, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Prevotella was reduced (P<0.05), while that of Firmicutes and Muribaculaceae increased (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group, the moxibustion group and the western medication group; and that of Actinobacteria and Bifidobacterium increased in the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the relative abundance of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis was elevated (P<0.05), and that of folate biosynthesis, lipoic acid metabolism, zeatin biosynthesis, ubiquinone and other terpenoid quinone biosynthesis decreased (P<0.05) in the model group. The relative abundance of LPS biosynthesis was dropped (P<0.05), and that of folate biosynthesis, lipoic acid metabolism, zeatin biosynthesis, ubiquinone and other terpenoid quinone biosynthesis increased (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group, the moxibustion group and the western medication group compared with those of the model group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Either acupuncture or moxibustion can relieve the symptoms of IBS-D and protect intestinal mucosa, which may be associated with regulating the structure of intestinal flora and promoting nutrient metabolism and biosynthesis.

Eplerenone protects contralateral kidney tissue from obstruction in pregnant rats with chronic kidney disease / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the protective effect of eplerenone on the contralateral kidney in pregnant rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its mechanism. Methods Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, sham-operation pregnancy group, model group and eplerenone group. The rats in the model group and eplenone group had ligation unilateral ureter, and the rats in the eplenone group were treated with 100 mg • kg

Species identification of Ligustrum lucidum / 中国中药杂志

Ligustrum lucidum is a woody perennial plant of genus Ligustrum in family Oleaceae. Its dried fruit has high medicinal value. In this study, the authors evaluated the variability and species identification efficiency of three specific DAN barcodes(rbcL-accD, ycf1a, ycf1b) and four general DAN barcodes(matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2) for a rapid and accurate molecular identification of Ligustrum species. The results revealed that matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2 and ycf1a were inefficient for identifying the Ligustrum species, and a large number of insertions and deletions were observed in rbcL-accD sequence, which was thus unsuitable for development as specific barcode. The ycf1b-2 barcode had DNA barcoding gap and high success rate of PCR amplification and DNA sequencing, which was the most suitable DNA barcode for L. lucidum identification and achieved an accurate result. In addition, to optimize the DNA extraction experiment, the authors extracted and analyzed the DNA of the exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp and seed of L. lucidum fruit. It was found that seed was the most effective part for DNA extraction, where DNAs of high concentration and quality were obtained, meeting the needs of species identification. In this study, the experimental method for DNA extraction of L. lucidum was optimized, and the seed was determined as the optimal part for DNA extraction and ycf1b-2 was the specific DNA barcode for L. lucidum identification. This study laid a foundation for the market regulation of L. lucidum.

Research Progressin the Relationship between Interleukin-6 and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / 中国医学科学院学报

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of the main diseases causing low back pain,which seriously affects the quality of life of patients.Recent studies have discovered that interleukin-6 (IL-6) is highly expressed in the tissues and cells of degenerative intervertebral disc and is closely related to the occurrence and development of IDD.However,the signaling pathway and role of IL-6 in IDD remain to be understood.Therefore,this article reviews the recent studies about the signaling pathway and role of IL-6 in IDD,aiming to facilitate the clinical work and subsequent research progress.

Mare's milk attenuates sodium dextran sulfate induced inflammation in mouse ulcerative colitis / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the immunomodulatory effect of mare's milk on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mice. Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank group(0.8 mL/day saline by gavage) and a DSS modeling group. After modeling, the DSS modeling group was further divided into a control group (0.8 mL/day saline), a salazosulfapyridine (SASP) treated group(430 mg/(kg.d)) and a mare's milk group(0.8 mL/day), with 16 mice in each group. After 10 days of gavage administration, HE staining was performed to observe colonic inflammation, and the disease activity index (DAI) and colonic mucosal damage index (CMDI) were scored. ELISA was used to determine the levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-10 in mouse colonic tissues, and flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Results Compared to the blank group, all indexes in mice of the control group indicated that DSS successfully induced UC. Compared to the control group, colon shortening in UC mice was attenuated in the mare's milk group; inflammation and ulcer formation in colonic tissues were inhibited; DAI and CMDI scores were lowere; IL-1β and IL-6 levels in mouse colonic tissues were significantly reduced; IL-10 levels were increased and the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio was reduced. Conclusion Mare's milk can inhibit the inflammation of DSS-induced UC mice through immune regulation.

Clinicopathological characteristics of renal amyloid leukocyte chemotactic factor 2 amyloidosis / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of renal leukocyte chemotactic factor 2 amyloidosis (ALECT2).Methods:The patients with renal ALECT2 diagnosed by renal biopsy in Peking University First Hospital, Shanxi Medical University Second Hospital and Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2001 to October 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. According to whether the patients had concurrent glomerular diseases, they were classified into two groups: isolated ALECT2 group and ALECT2 with concurrent renal diseases group. Clinicopathological data of the two groups were compared. Light microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy were applied to investigate pathological characteristics of renal tissues. Mass spectrometry was used to analyze the composition of renal amyloid deposits. Gene sequencing was employed to detect the leukocyte chemotactic factor 2 ( LECT2) gene sequence in peripheral blood of the patients. Results:Sixteen patients with ALECT2 were enrolled in this study and nine of them had concurrent renal diseases. The age of 16 patients was (65.00±8.45) years old. The sex ratio of males to females was 7 to 9. Most of patients were Han ethnicity (15/16). Eight patients came from Shanxi province. Fifteen patients presented with varying degree of proteinuria [2.16(1.07, 4.72) g/24 h]; 5 patients had nephrotic syndrome; 11 patients had renal insufficiency; 12 patients had microscopic hematuria. Part of patients also had hypertension (12/16) and diabetics (6/16). Compared with isolated ALECT2, the ALECT2 group with concurrent renal diseases had a higher proportion of nephrotic syndrome (5/9 vs 0/7, P=0.034). Renal biopsy results showed that all patients (16/16) had amyloid deposits in the interstitium of renal cortex with varying degree of inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis, and glomeruli (12/16) and arterioles (14/16) were involved by amyloid deposits. The amyloid deposits were strongly congophilic and immunohistochemistry for LECT2 was positive. By semi-quantitative analysis, the proportions of glomerular and overall amyloid loads in ALECT2 with concurrent renal diseases group were lower than those in isolated ALECT2 group (both P<0.05). Electron microscopy revealed randomly oriented and non-branching fibrils with a diameter of 8-12 nm. The LECT2 peptides were detected by mass spectrometry in renal amyloid deposits of 8 patients, and homozygous G allele of LECT2 was found in 7 patients by gene sequencing. Complete follow-up data of 13 patients showed that 2 patients died, 1 patient developed end-stage renal disease at the time of renal biopsy, and most of the rest patients had stable renal function (8/10). Conclusions:Patients with renal ALECT2 mainly present with proteinuria, along with a high incidence of renal insufficiency, microscopic hematuria, and concurrent renal diseases. The pathologic feature is the preferential deposition of amyloid in renal cortical interstitium.

Analysis of Q-markers of Arisaema Cum Bile Acting on Stroke Based on UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and TCMIP v2.0 / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo predict the possible quality markers （Q-markers） of Arisaema Cum Bile in the prevention and treatment of stroke based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spetrometry （UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS） and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCMIP） v2.0. MethodUPLC-QTOF-MS/MS was employed with the mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution （A）-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile solution （B） for gradient elution （0-3 min， 0.2%-5%B； 3-5 min， 5%-8%B； 5-8 min， 8%-10%B； 8-14 min， 10%-25%B； 14-18 min， 25%-50%B； 18-20 min， 50%-70%B； 20-21 min， 70%-98%B； 21-23 min， 98%B； 23-24 min， 98%-0.2%B； 24-26 min， 0.2%B）， the flow rate of 0.5 mL·min-1 and electrospray ionization （ESI）. High quality MS/MS data were scanned in positive and negative ion modes with scanning range of m/z 50-1 500. A local database of the chemical constituents in Arisaema Cum Bile was established by UNIFI 1.8. Then the chemical constituents in Arisaema Cum Bile were characterized by matching with the local database and comparing with the reference substances and literature information. TCMIP v2.0 was used to obtain the targets corresponding to the identified components of Arisaema Cum Bile and stroke， and the "disease-formula" correlation analysis was carried out to screen the core targets by topological eigenvalues. DAVID 6.8 was used for enrichment analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway of core targets. According to the "five principles" of Q-markers and combined with literature reports， the Q-markers of Arisaema Cum Bile in the prevention and treatment of stroke were predicted， and the core components acting on these target genes were obtained. Cytoscape 3.8.0 was employed to draw the network diagram of "medicinal materials-active ingredients-target genes-pathways". Finally， AutoDock Vina 1.2.2 was used to calculate and verify the molecular docking between the candidate components and the key targets. ResultA total of 76 chemical components was identified in positive and negative ion modes， 85 core targets were collected for Arisaema Cum Bile in the prevention and treatment of stroke. A total of 31 stroke-related pathways， 23 target genes and 9 main active components of Arisaema Cum Bile acting on these genes were screened， and then we determined 4 possible Q-markers for Arisaema Cum Bile in the prevention and treatment of stroke according to the "five principles". ConclusionThe possible Q-markers of Arisaema Cum Bile for stroke are gallic acid， apigenin-6，8-di-C-glucoside， apigenin and cholic acid， and the target of these four components may be estrogen receptor alpha （ESR1）.

Complete chloroplast genome of Ligustrum lucidum and highly variable marker identification for Ligustrum / 中国中药杂志

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, the sun-dried mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum, is cool, plain, sweet, and bitter, which can be used as both food and medicine, with the effects of improving vision, blacking hair, and tonifying liver and kidney. It takes effect slowly. However, little is known about the genetic information of the medicinal plant and it is still a challenge to distinguish Ligustrum species. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of L. lucidum was obtained by genome skimming and then compared with that of five other Ligustrum species, which had been reported. This study aims to evaluate the interspecific variation of chloroplast genome within the genus and develop molecular markers for species identification of the genus. The result showed that the chloroplast genome of L. lucidum was 162 162 bp with a circular quadripartite structure of two single-copy regions separated by a pair of inverted repeats. The Ligustrum chloroplast genomes were conserved with small interspecific difference. Comparative analysis of six Ligustrum chloroplast genomes revealed three variable regions(rbcL-accD, ycf1a, and ycf1b), and ycf1a and ycf1b can be used as the species-specific DNA barcode for Ligustrum. Phylogeny analysis provided the best resolution of Ligustrum and supported that L. lucidum was sister to L. gracile. This study clarified the genetic diversity of L. lucidum from provenance, which can serve as a reference for further analysis of pharmacological differences and breeding of excellent varieties with stable drug effects.

A Neural Circuit Mechanism Controlling Breathing by Leptin in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii / 神经科学通报·英文版

Leptin, an adipocyte-derived peptide hormone, has been shown to facilitate breathing. However, the central sites and circuit mechanisms underlying the respiratory effects of leptin remain incompletely understood. The present study aimed to address whether neurons expressing leptin receptor b (LepRb) in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) contribute to respiratory control. Both chemogenetic and optogenetic stimulation of LepRb-expressing NTS (NTSLepRb) neurons notably activated breathing. Moreover, stimulation of NTSLepRb neurons projecting to the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) not only remarkably increased basal ventilation to a level similar to that of the stimulation of all NTSLepRb neurons, but also activated LPBN neurons projecting to the preBötzinger complex (preBötC). By contrast, ablation of NTSLepRb neurons projecting to the LPBN notably eliminated the enhanced respiratory effect induced by NTSLepRb neuron stimulation. In brainstem slices, bath application of leptin rapidly depolarized the membrane potential, increased the spontaneous firing rate, and accelerated the Ca2+ transients in most NTSLepRb neurons. Therefore, leptin potentiates breathing in the NTS most likely via an NTS-LPBN-preBötC circuit.