The LysR family transcriptional regulator ORF-L16 regulates spinosad biosynthesis in Saccharopolyspora spinosa.

Spinosad, a potent broad-spectrum bioinsecticide produced by Saccharopolyspora spinosa, has significant market potential. Despite its effectiveness, the regulatory mechanisms of spinosad biosynthesis remain unclear. Our investigation identified the crucial role of the LysR family transcriptional regulator ORF-L16, located upstream of spinosad biosynthetic genes, in spinosad biosynthesis. Through reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-Race), we unveiled that the spinosad biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) contains six transcription units and seven promoters. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) demonstrated that ORF-L16 bound to seven promoters within the spinosad BGC, indicating its involvement in regulating spinosad biosynthesis. Notably, deletion of ORF-L16 led to a drastic reduction in spinosad production from 1818.73 mg/L to 1.69 mg/L, accompanied by decreased transcription levels of spinosad biosynthetic genes, confirming its positive regulatory function. Additionally, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and EMSA confirmed that spinosyn A, the main product of the spinosad BGC, served as an effector of ORF-L16. Specifically, it decreased the binding affinity between ORF-L16 and spinosad BGC promoters, thus exerting negative feedback regulation on spinosad biosynthesis. This research enhances our comprehension of spinosad biosynthesis regulation and lays the groundwork for future investigations on transcriptional regulators in S. spinosa.

Perceived Stress and Mental Health Literacy Among Chinese Preschool Teachers: A Moderated Mediation Model of Anxiety and Career Resilience.

Purpose: Chinese public mental health is currently characterized by a high prevalence of mental ill health and a low consultation rate, due primarily to the nation's low mental health literacy. Previous studies have shown that occupational stress may be a risk factor for mental health literacy. In China, preschool teachers are under high pressure; however, few studies have examined the mechanisms that mediate and moderate the relationship between preschool teachers' feelings of stress and their mental health literacy. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 2352 preschool teachers to explore the relationship between their stress perceptions and mental health literacy. Results: Preschool teachers' perceived stress was significantly and negatively associated with their mental health literacy, with anxiety playing a partially mediating role. Preschool teachers' career resilience moderated the relationship between perceived stress and anxiety. Perceived stress positively predicted anxiety for teachers with low levels of career resilience; for teachers with high levels of career resilience, perceived stress still positively predicted anxiety, and the higher the level of career resilience, the weaker the positive prediction of stress perception on anxiety. Conclusion: Perceived stress directly predicted mental health literacy among preschool teachers, and also indirectly predicted mental health literacy through the mediating role of anxiety. Career resilience moderated the relationship between stress perception and anxiety. These findings provide new perspectives on the treatment and prevention of preschool teachers' mental ill health.

Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Mortality in Patients with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome.

Objective: Although the prognosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is usually favourable and most patients wholly recover, the disorder can result in death in some patients. To date, the data on clinical features and risk factors for death are still lacking; therefore, we aim to investigate the clinical features and long-term prognostic risk factors of PRES in the present study. Methods: The patients with PRES were identified from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2011 to June 2020. Clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, magnetic resonance imaging examinations, and treatment of all patients were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were followed up by telephone. Finally, the patients were divided into the survival group and death group for prognosis analysis. Results: A total of 92 patients with PRES were included; 84.8% of whom were female, with an average age of 25.4 (5-66) years at the onset of PRES. Epilepsy was the main clinical manifestation (72.8%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.17%. The 3-year all-cause survival rate for PRES patients was 86%. In univariate analysis, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (P = 0.027) and blood transfusion history within 1 month before onset (P = 0.027), need for dialysis (P ≤ 0.001), nephritis (P = 0.010), stroke (P = 0.016), and heart failure (P = 0.016) were associated with death. In multivariate analysis, we found that heart failure (OR = 0.095, 95% CI 0.020 to 0.441) and stroke (OR = 0.033, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.467) were independent risk factors for death in PRES patients, while pregnancy was a protective factor for death in PRES patients (OR = 7.978, 95% CI 1.446 to 44.006). Conclusions: Our results indicate that PRES could be considered as a sign of a very high-risk patient. We also demonstrated that heart failure and stroke were independent risk factors for death in patients with PRES; moreover, pregnancy was a protective factor.

Identification of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen from different origins based on near infrared hyperspectral imaging technology / 中国中药杂志

In order to establish a rapid and non-destructive evaluation method for the identification of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen from different origins, the spectral information of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen in the range of 898-1 751 nm was collected based on hyperspectral imaging technology. Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen from different origins were collected as research objects, and a total of 720 Armeniacae Semen Amarum samples and 600 Persicae Semen samples were used for authenticity discrimination. The region of interest(ROI) and the average reflection spectrum in the ROI were obtained, followed by comparing five pre-processing methods. Then, partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), support vector machine(SVM), and random forest(RF) method were established for classification models, which were evaluated by the confusion matrix of prediction results and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC). The results showed that in the three sample sets, the se-cond derivative pre-processing method and PLS-DA were the best model combinations. The classification accuracy of the test set under the 5-fold cross-va-lidation was 93.27%, 96.19%, and 100.0%, respectively. It was consistent with the confusion matrix of the predicted results. The area under the ROC curve obtained the highest values of 0.992 3, 0.999 6, and 1.000, respectively. The study revealed that the near-infrared hyperspectral imaging technology could accurately identify the medicinal materials of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Persicae Semen from different origins and distinguish the authentication of these two varieties.

Fusion of spectrum and image features to identify Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from different origins based on hyperspectral imaging technology / 中国中药杂志

To identify Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from different geographical origins, spectrum and image features were extracted from visible and near-infrared(VNIR, 435-1 042 nm) and short-wave infrared(SWIR, 898-1 751 nm) ranges based on hyperspectral imaging technology. The spectral features of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma samples were extracted from hyperspectral data and denoised by a variety of pre-processing methods. The classification models were established by using Partial Least Squares Discriminate Analysis(PLS-DA), Support Vector Classification(SVC) and Random Forest(RF). Meanwhile, Gray-Level Co-occurrence matrix(GLCM) was employed to extract textural variables. The spectrum and image data were implemented from three dimensions, including VNIR and SWIR fusion, spectrum and image fusion, and comprehensive data fusion. The results indicated that the spectrum in SWIR range performed better classification accuracy than VNIR range. Compared with other four pre-processing methods, the second derivative method based on Savitzky-Golay(SG) smoothing exhibited the best performance, and the classification accuracy of PLS-DA and SVC models were 93.40% and 94.11%, separately. In addition, the PLS-DA model was superior to SVC and RF models in terms of classification accuracy and model generalization capability, which were evaluated by confusion matrix and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC). Comprehensive data fusion on SPA bands achieved a classification accuracy of 94.82% with only 28 bands. As a result, this approach not only greatly improved the classification efficiency but also maintained its accuracy. The hyperspectral imaging system, a non-invasively, intuitively and quickly identify technology, could effectively distinguish Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma samples from different origins.

Effect of Packaging and Storage Conditions on Quality of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix Pieces / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To study the effect of different packaging methods and storage conditions on the quality of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces, in order to determine the optimal packaging method and suitable storage conditions for Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces. Method::Different packaged Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces were stored in different environments in a one-year long-term stability experiment. The appearance, water content, extract content and volatile oil content of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces were regularly observed. Result::During the 1-year storage period, the Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces under different packaging and storage conditions showed different degrees of quality changes. Among them, the samples packed in polyethylene plastic bags and polyethylene aluminum foil composite bags were better preserved. The fluctuations in water content of the sample packed in polyethylene plastic bags were relatively low, and the RSD value of water content during the month was less than 11.5%. The extracts and volatile oil contents of each sample were reduced to different degree, but the samples packed in plastic sealed bags and protected from light had the smallest annual loss of extracts (1.27%), with the lowest monthly loss rate of volatile oil (0.08%). Conclusion::The quality of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces can be well preserved in plastic sealed bags and storage in dark and cool conditions, which is suitable for the storage of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix pieces.

Ipsi- and Contralateral Moxibustion Generate Similar Analgesic Effect on Inflammatory Pain.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether contralateral moxibustion would generate a similar analgesic effect with ipsilateral moxibustion. Contra- and ipsilateral moxibustion were separately applied to Zusanli (ST36) acupoints of inflammatory pain mice. The analgesic effect was evaluated, respectively, by licking/biting time (LBT) of formalin-induced inflammatory pain and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) of complete Freund's adjuvant- (CFA-) induced inflammatory pain. For formalin-induced pain, compared with formalin group, the total LBT of ipsi- and contralateral moxibustion reduced in both phase I and phase II, but there was no significant difference between ipsi- and contralateral moxibustion. For CFA-induced inflammatory pain, compared with CFA group, TWL of ipsi- and contra-Moxi groups increased immediately after moxibustion intervention; however there was no obvious difference between ipsi- and contralateral moxibustion at any timepoint. It indicated that contralateral moxibustion had a similar analgesic effect with ipsilateral moxibustion in both formalin- and CFA-induced pain. These results suggest that both ipsi- and contralateral moxibustion could be applied for pain relief.

Studies on the methodology for quality control in Chinese medicine manufacturing process based on knowledge graph / 中国中药杂志

According to the requirements for developing the quality control technology in Chinese medicine( CM) manufacturing process and the practical scenarios in applying a new generation of artificial intelligence to CM industry,we present a method of constructing the knowledge graph( KG) for CM manufacture to solve key problems about quality control in CM manufacturing process.Based on the above,a " pharmaceutical industry brain" model for CM manufacture has been established. Further,we propose founding the KG-based methodology for quality control in CM manufacturing process,and briefly describe the design method,system architecture and main functions of the KG system. In this work,the KG for manufacturing Shuxuening Injection( SXNI) was developed as a demonstration study. The KG version 1. 0 platform for intelligent manufacturing SXNI has been built,which could realize technology leap of the quality control system in CM manufacturing process from perceptual intelligence to cognitive intelligence.

Effects of catalpol on ATPase and amino acids in gerbils with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of catalpol on ATPase and amino acids in gerbils following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury. Gerbil model of CI/R was prepared by bilateral common carotid occlusion for 10 min followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Catalpol (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg per day) was injected intraperitoneally for 3 days before the carotid occlusion. Stroke index was measured during the reperfusion. ATPase activity, glutamate (Glu) and aspartate contents in brain tissue homogenate were examined. The results showed that catalpol significantly improved the stroke index compared with sham group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Catalpol markedly increased the activities of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and significantly decreased the content of Glu in brain tissue (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These data suggest that the efficacy of catalpol pretreatment on CI/R injury is associated with the enhancement of ATPase activity and the inhibition of excitatory amino acid toxicity.

Epidemiological features of Kawasaki disease in Taiwan, 1976-2007: results of five nationwide questionnaire hospital surveys.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) affects mainly children younger than 5 years of age, leading to coronary artery lesions, and even to life-threatening myocardial infarction. In Taiwan, KD was encountered for the first time in 1976; then, it continued to occur in increasing numbers. METHODS: For the survey of epidemiological features of KD in Taiwan, we conducted five nationwide questionnaire hospital surveys in 1987, 1992, 1994, 2001, and 2008, respectively. In each survey, a special questionnaire form, together with a request letter and diagnostic guidelines for KD, was sent to the chairman of the Department of Pediatrics of all hospitals with 100 or more beds in Taiwan. RESULTS: KD patients increased to a total of 14,399 patients by 2007, with the highest number of 1018 in 2001, and the highest incidence of 66.24 per 100,000 children < 5 years of age in 2006. Of the 14,399 patients, the male-to-female ratio ranged from 1.5 to 1.7. Of these patients, 57.6-65.2% were < 2 years of age, 23.3-26.6% were 2-4 years of age, and 11.4-15.8% were ≥ 5 years of age. Coronary artery lesions were noted in 20.2-31.5% of patients. Fourteen cases expired, documenting that the fatality rate decreased from 0.4% to 0.03% during the 31 years from 1976 to 2007. CONCLUSION: In Taiwan, KD was encountered for the first time in 1976, and it continued to occur, reaching the highest annual incidence of 66.24 per 100,000 children < 5 years of age in 2006. In Taiwan, the first emergence of KD came in 1976; the annual increment of the incidence rate was lower (2.41 in Taiwan vs. 4.17 Japan), and no significant KD outbreak was observed in Taiwan.

Estimation of the incidence of Kawasaki disease in Taiwan. A comparison of two data sources: nationwide hospital survey and national health insurance claims.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD), first described by Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967, was found for the first time in Taiwan in 1976. It continued to occur in increased numbers. For the study of incidence rates and epidemiological features of KD, we conducted five nationwide hospital surveys (NHS) in 1987, 1992, 1994, 2001 and 2008, respectively. We estimated also the annual incidence rates of KD during 1996-2007, based on the National Health Insurance (NHI) database, which had been implemented since 1995, covering 98% of the population in Taiwan. METHODS: The annual incidence rates of KD during the twelve years, from1996 to 2007, estimated by the NHS and the NHI claims were compared, analyzed and discussed. RESULTS: During 1996-2007, a total of 9,938 cases of KD were reported by the Departments of Pediatrics of all hospitals surveyed, and a total of 11,849 cases of KD were claimed in the NHI database. The annual number of cases and incidence rates of KD based on NHI claims constantly surpassed those by the NHS. The ratio of the two incidence rates varied from 1.10 to 1.33. They were well correlated (r = 0.902, p < 0.001) with a linear equation, NHI = 16.07 + 0.93*NHS. The changes in annual incidence rate by the NHI were mean 1.149, p = 0.07, 95% CI -0.082 - 2.382, and those by the NHS were mean 1.562, p <0.001, CI 0.656 - 2.468. CONCLUSION: The annual incidence rates of KD can be estimated by the NHI claims and by the classic NHS. The values estimated by the NHI claims constantly outnumbered those by the NHS. Some pitfalls involved in the NHI claims are discussed.

Left ventricular geometry, global function, and dyssynchrony in infants and children with pompe cardiomyopathy undergoing enzyme replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for infantile-onset Pompe disease effectively reduces the left ventricular (LV) mass. This study sought to explore detailed process of LV reverse remodeling after ERT with the use of tissue Doppler and stain rate imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine infants and children with Pompe cardiomyopathy undergoing ERT for ≥1 year, as well as 36 healthy control subjects, were studied. Global systolic and diastolic function was evaluated by peak systolic and early-diastolic velocity at mitral annulus. Temporal systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony was evaluated by the coefficient of variation of the time from the QRS complex to peak systolic and early-diastolic strain rate among 12 LV segments. All pre-ERT patients had impaired global systolic and diastolic function as well as increased regional dyssynchrony (P < .001 for each of all). During the regression of LV hypertrophy, all of these functional indices improved (P for trend <.001), with temporal diastolic dyssynchrony being a significant factor linking to LV mass index in multivariate analysis (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: ERT improved global LV function and dyssynchrony in Pompe patients. The relationship between LV mass and temporal diastolic dyssynchrony during reverse remodeling suggested a pathophysiologic role of dyssynchrony in Pompe cardiomyopathy.

Reversal of cardiac dysfunction after enzyme replacement in patients with infantile-onset Pompe disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) on cardiac performance in symptomatic and symptom-free infants with Pompe disease. STUDY DESIGN: Patients diagnosed between 1983 and 2008 were identified. Before the initiation of ERT, systolic dysfunction appeared only in patients > or = 5 months; thus we used this cut-point in age to divide clinically symptomatic patients into early and late treatment groups (Clin-E and Clin-L). Newborn screening (NBS) identified symptom-free patients. RESULTS: Among a total of 40 patients, 14 received ERT: 5 in the Clin-L, 4 in the Clin-E, and 5 in the NBS groups. All patients showed cardiomegaly, hypertrophic myocardium, and elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (measured in the Clin-E and NBS groups). ERT improved the survival and outcomes. Regressed myocardial hypertrophy and lowered B-type natriuretic peptide level occurred after 1 to 6 months of ERT. Nonetheless, there were 2 deaths and 2 survivors requiring ventilator support in the Clin-L group. Despite the regressed QRS voltage and shortened QT dispersion, life-threatening arrhythmias were still observed in 3, but none in the NBS group. CONCLUSION: ERT may restore the cardiac function in both symptomatic and symptom-free patients, but the beneficial effect may be unpredictable if given after the age of 5 months.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome with PHOX2B gene mutation in a Taiwanese infant.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disease that is characterized by failure in the autonomic control of breathing. Recent reports have identified mutation of the paired mesoderm homeobox protein 2b (PHOX2B) gene as playing a major role in CCHS. Increasing polyalanine repeat number is associated with a more severe clinical phenotype. We report a newborn male infant with the clinical manifestations of apnea and cyanosis requiring immediate endotracheal intubation at the age of 1 day. Recurrent hypoventilation with hypercapnia and hypoxemia occurred during sleep after weaning from the ventilator. No primary cardiopulmonary disease was identified. These clinical manifestations are compatible with CCHS. PHOX2B gene mutation analysis performed at the age of 4 months revealed expanded alleles containing polyalanine 26 repeats, further supporting the diagnosis of CCHS. Continuous ventilator support was necessary and tracheostomy was ultimately performed at the age of 5 months due to ventilator dependence. He was discharged with home ventilator support at the age of 6 months.