Antifungal activity and mechanism of oxanthromicin against Verticillium dahliae.

Oxanthromicin is an anthranone-type natural product isolated from Streptomyces sp. TRM 15522, which exhibits antifungal activity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study, therefore, aimed at investigating the mode of action of oxanthromicin against the phytopathogen Verticillium dahliae. We found that oxanthromicin substantially suppressed spore germination and mycelial growth in V. dahliae. Further, electron microscopy and staining with propidium iodide and Rhodamine 123 indicated that oxanthromicin causes cell membrane damage and induces changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. These findings suggest that oxanthromicin exhibits its antifungal activity by damaging fungal cell membranes. This discovery could potentially facilitate the development of oxanthromicin as a biological pesticide.

Three novel Actinoplanes species isolated by using polyaspartic acid as a water-retaining agent for the enrichment in situ.

Three novel actinomycete strains, designated TRM66264-DLMT, TRM88002T and TRM88003T, were isolated by using polyaspartic acid as a water-retaining agent for the enrichment in situ. The 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses of three strains indicated that they belonged to the genus Actinoplanes. The phylogenetically closest strains of TRM66264-DLMT, TRM88002T and TRM88003T were Actinoplanes bogorensis LIPI11-2-Ac043T (98.4 %), Actinoplanes abujensis A4029T (98.0 %) and Actinoplanes ferrugineus IFO15555T (98.1 %), respectively. The major polar lipids of strains TRM66264-DLMT and TRM88002T were phosphatidylethanolamine and disphosphatidylglycerol, while strain TRM88003T only had phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant menaquinones of strain TRM66264-DLMT were identified as MK-9(H4) and MK-9 (H6). Strains TRM88002T and TRM88003T had MK-9(H4). The cell-wall peptidoglycan of three strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRM66264-DLMT were identified as arabinose, glucose, galactose and xylose. Strains TRM88002T and TRM88003T mainly had arabinose and glucose. The DNA G+C content of strains TRM66264-DLMT, TRM88002T and TRM88003T were 70.48, 70.46 and 70.64 mol%, respectively. Genotypic and phenotypic analysis confirmed that all three strains sre new members of the genus Acinoplanes. Therefore, it is proposed that strains TRM66264-DLMT, TRM88002T and TRM88003T represent three novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the names Actinoplanes polyasparticus sp. nov. (type strain TRM66264-DLMT=CCTCC AA 2021015T=LMG 32389T), Actinoplanes hotanensis sp. nov. (type strain TRM88002T=CCTCC AA 2021036T=LMG 32621T) and Actinoplanes aksuensis sp. nov. (type strain TRM88003T=CCTCC AA 2021037 T=LMG 32622T) are proposed.

Application of Sophora alopecuroides organic fertilizer changes the rhizosphere microbial community structure of melon plants and increases the fruit sugar content.

BACKGROUND: Sophora alopecuroides L. is a leguminous plant commonly found in northwest China. In Xinjiang, the fresh herb of S. alopecuroides is often applied as a green fertilizer to the rhizosphere of melon (Cucumis melo) plants at the end of their flowering period, to improve the taste of the fruits. However, the effects of S. alopecuroides-based fertilizers on the microbial community structure of soil and crop-root systems are unclear. In order to study the sweetening mechanism of the S. alopecuroides organic fertilizer, three different varieties of melon were selected. The untreated plants were used as the control (CK) group, and the plants treated with S. alopecuroides-based organic fertilizer were selected as the treatment (T) group. The physical and chemical properties, enzyme activities and microbial community structure of the rhizosphere samples were also determined, and a correlation analysis with the fruit sweetness index was conducted. RESULTS: Sugar content of group T was at least 40% higher than that of group CK. The increase in fruit sugar content positively correlated with the increase in the abundance of beneficial microorganisms, including Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Mycobacterium, Burkholderia, Streptomyces, Acinetobacter, Proteobacteria, Lysobacter, Actinomycetes, Penicillium and Aspergillus. CONCLUSION: Sophora alopecuroides organic fertilizer could alter the composition and function of bacterial and fungal communities and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the melon plant rhizosphere. Further, it could increase the content of soluble solids and sugar in the fruits to achieve a sweetening effect. This fertilizer can be applied as a fruit sweetener in melon cultivation, improving the sugar content of the fruit and consequently the sweetness. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Disease spectrum analysis of 1 520 cases with lysosomal storage disorders / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To analyze the disease spectrum of lysosomal storage disorders(LSDs) and explore the prevalent distributions of different LSD types in one center in Shanghai.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made.A total of 5 476 suspected LSD patients, including 3 415 males and 2 061 females, with a median age of 4 years(1 day to 72 years), were collected from Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from August 2008 to May 2022.The activity of different lysosomal enzymes was detected by fluorescent and biochemical methods.Results:A total of 1 520 patients were diagnosed with LSDs, including 972 males and 548 females, with a median age of 4 years(1 day to 59 years), involving 19 different subtypes.Mucopolysaccharidosis(MPS) was the most common type among LSDs, with a frequency of 45.46%(691/1 520), followed by sphingolipidoses [33.88%(515/1 520)] and glycogen storage disease type Ⅱ [16.05%(244/1 520)] successively.MPS Ⅱ was the most common type in MPS, with a frequency of 45.73%(316/691), followed by MPS ⅣA [22.87%(158/691)]. Niemann-Pick A/B, Gaucher, and Krabbe diseases were common in Sphingolipidoses patients, with frequencies of 37.09%(191/515), 34.37%(177/515), and 10.29%(53/515), respectively.Conclusions:LSDs are common genetic metabolic diseases, especially MPS and sphingolipidoses.Newborn screening for LSDs should be carried out timely so that the patients can be treated early and their prognosis can be improved.

Streptomyces griseicoloratus sp. nov., isolated from soil in cotton fields in Xinjiang, China.

A novel bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, designated TRM S81-3T, was isolated from soil in cotton fields of Xinjiang, China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM S81-3T is most closely related to Streptomyces viridiviolaceus NBRC 13359T (98.9% sequence similarity); however, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) between strains TRM S81-3T and S. viridiviolaceus NBRC 13359T is relatively low (91.6%). Strain TRM S81-3T possesses LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6), and MK-9(H10) as the major menaquinones, and polar lipids including diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylmethyl ethanolamine (PME), phosphotidylinositolone (PI), phospholipid of unknown structure containing glucosamine (NPG), and two unidentified phospholipids (PLs).The major fatty acids are iso-C16:0, anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:1 ω9c, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C15:0, and C14:0. The genomic DNA G + C content is 72.1%. Based on the evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM S81-3T represents a novel species of Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces grisecoloratus is proposed. The type strain is TRM S81-3T (= CCTCC AA 2020002T = LMG 31942T).

Microbacterium karelineae sp. nov. isolated from a halophyte plant in the Taklamakan desert.

A bacterial strain, designated TRM 80801T, was isolated from the Karelinea in Taklamakan desert, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, north-west China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short rods. Strain TRM 80801T grew at 4-50 °C, with optimum growth at 28 °C, and grew at pH 6.0-11.0 and 1-15 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain TRM 80801T within the genus Microbacterium with the highest similarities to Microbacterium suaedae YZYP 306T (98.97 %) and Microbacterium indicum BBH6T (98.17 %), respectively. The DNA G+C content of TRM 80801T is 69.38 mol%. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained the amino acids ornithine, glutamic acid, glycine and alanine, the diagnostic diamino acid was ornithine. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was glycolyl. Whole-cell sugars were ribose, mannose, glucose, rhamnose and galactose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10, MK-11 and MK-12. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol. The whole-genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between strain TRM 80801T and Microbacterium suaedae YZYP 306T is 70.2 %. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain TRM 80801T is representative of a novel species in the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium karelineae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 80801T (=CCTCC AB 2019248T=KCTC 49357T).

Streptomyces gossypiisoli sp. nov., isolated from cotton soil in Xinjiang, PR China.

A novel actinobacterium, designated TRM 44567T, was isolated from cotton soil in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest PR China. Growth occurred at 16-45 °C, pH 5.0-9.0, and 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 37 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 1 % (w/v) NaCl, respectively. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM 44567T was phylogenetically most closely related to Streptomyces chromofuscus NBRC 12851T (98.48 % sequence similarity); however, the average nucleotide identity between strain TRM 44567T and S. chromofuscus NBRC 12851T was only 83.77 %. Strain TRM 44567T possessed ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H10), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H4). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.8 mol%. Strain TRM 44567T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces gossypiisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 44567T (=KCTC 39957 T=CCTCC AA 2017011T).

Effect of Zhenzhu Tiaozhi Capsule on HbA1c in Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus： A Real-world Study / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the long-term effect of Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsule（FTZ） on hemoglobin A1c（HbA1c）in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） based on real-world data. Method:T2DM patients who were provided with FTZ （FTZ group） and those receiving conventional hypoglycemic drugs （control group） were extracted from the hospital information system （HIS） of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University， followed by propensity score matching （PSM） for balancing the confounding factors between groups. With HbA1c as the efficacy evaluation index， the difference in efficacy between the two groups was compared using <italic>t</italic>-test and <italic>χ</italic>² test. For repeated measurement data of the same patient， the difference in efficacy and the stability of FTZ against HbA1c were analyzed by generalized estimating equation （GEE）. The factors that might affect the efficacy of FTZ against HbA1c were subjected to multivariate linear regression analysis （MLRA）， and the subgroup analyses were then conducted after the stratification of relevant factors. Result:There were 46 patients included in the FTZ group and 1 208 patients in the control group. PSM yielded 42 pairs of samples with balanced covariates between groups. As revealed by one-year observation， ① HbA1c in the FTZ group after treatment was 6.51%±1.09%. No significant difference was observed either in pre- and post-treatment comparison in the FTZ group or in its comparison with the control group. At the same time， the HbA1c compliance rate in the FTZ group was 73.8% after treatment. No significant difference was observed either in pre- and post-treatment comparison in the FTZ group or in its comparison with the control group. ② The GEE results showed that the post-treatment HbA1c levels in the two groups were not significantly different from each other. Moreover， the HbA1c level remained stable over treatment time. ③ MLRA and subgroup analyses results demonstrated that FTZ was more effective in patients with high baseline HbA1c ［<italic>β</italic>=-0.530，95% confidence interval（CI） -0.850～-0.209，<italic>P</italic><0.01］ or those who were complicated with hypertension （<italic>β</italic>=-0.918，95%CI -1.614～-0.222，<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:In the real world， FTZ is able to control the blood sugar， and its effect is similar to those of conventional hypoglycemic drugs. Besides， it is capable of stabilizing the blood sugar for a long time.

Detection of urine metabolites in patients with inherited metabolic diseases by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was used to detect the species and content of metabolites in urine of patients with inherited metabolic diseases, and to explore the application value of NMR technology in the diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases.Methods:Urine samples were collected from 20 patients with inherited metabolic diseases diagnosed in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from March to June 2019, including 9 cases of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA). NMR pulse length-based concentration determination and Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) semi-quantitative method were used to detect the composition of metabolites in urine samples of patients with inherited metabolic diseases, and the levels of abnormal metabolites in the two methods were analyzed.Results:NMR technology can detect the levels of characteristic metabolites significantly increased in the urine of patients with MMA, isovalerinemia, glutaric acidemia, propionic acidemia, 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency, ornithine carbamyltransferase deficiency, Citrin deficiency, Canavan disease, tyrosinemia and lysinuria protein intolerance. The average is 8 times of the upper limit of the reference value, and the highest is 545 times. Compared to GC/MS, NMR technology can detect the levels of various metabolites such as organic acids, amino acids and sugars. In 9 cases of untreated MMA,the median levels of methylmalonic acid and 3-hydroxypropionic acid in NMR [1 800 (180-12 000) and 50 (0-270) mmol/mol Cr] were higher than the reference values (0-31, 0-35). The median levels of methylmalonic acid and methylmalonic acid in GC/MS [136.56 (43.79-518.67) and 4.87 (1.52-7.52)] were higher than the reference values (0-4 and 0-0.7).Conclusions:NMR and GC/MS technologies are specific for the diagnosis of organic acidemia. The primary component detected by GC/MS is organic acid. NMR technology can break through this limitation and measure the level of various metabolites in urine, which provides a more theoretical basis for the diagnosis and research of inherited metabolic disease.

[Effects of combination of dihydroartemisinin and Huobahua on expression of p-p38 MAPK and ICAM-1 in mice with delayed-type hypersensitivity].

The aim of this paper was to investigate the immunosuppressive effects of dihydroartemisinin and Huobahua compatibility in mice with delayed hypersensitivity and explore its possible mechanism. The delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH) model in mice was established to observe the immunosuppressive effects of dihydroartemisinin and Huobahua compatibility in DTH mice. ELISA assay was used to detect the contents of interferon(IFN-γ); histopathological changes and degree of mononuclear infiltration of right ear tissues were examined by HE staining; the expression level of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in the right ear of mice was detected by immunohistochemistry; the protein expression levels of p38 phospho mitogen activated protein kinase(p-p38 MAPK) was detected by Western blot analysis. As compared with the control group, the degree of ear swelling, thymus/spleen index, serum IFN-γ as well as the number and degree of infiltration of monocytes were significantly increased in the model group. As compared with the model group, the degree of ear swelling and thymus/spleen index of the mice in the combination group were significantly reduced; the number and degree of infiltration of monocytes were significantly relieved; the serum levels of IFN-γ and the expression levels of p-p38 MAPK and ICAM-1 proteins in the right ear were also significantly reduced. The combination of dihydroartemisinin and Huobahua can significantly inhibit the DTH response, and it may regulate the production and secretion of related inflammatory factor IFN-γ by inhibiting the phosphorylation activity of p38 MAPK, thereby further reducing the expression of ICAM-1 and thus exerting the immunosuppressive effect.

Streptomyces apocyni sp. nov., an endogenous actinomycete isolated from Apocynum venetum.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain TRM 66233T, was isolated from Apocynum venetum L. collected from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated strain TRM 66233T with the genus Streptomyces. Strain TRM 66233T showed a high similarity value to Streptomyces bikiniensis NRRL B-1049T (98.07 %) based on the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic tree. The whole-cell sugar pattern of TRM 66233T consisted of glucose, galactose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H2), MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H10). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and four unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 70.35 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity values as well as evolutionary distances based on multilocus (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and trpB) sequences between strain TRM 66233T and closely related type strains were significantly lower than the recommended threshold values. The whole-genome average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain TRM 66233T and S. bikiniensis NRRL B-1049T were 78.86 and 23.2 %, respectively. On the basis of evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM 66233T should represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces apocyni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 66233T (=CCTCC AA 2019056T=LMG 31559T).

Actinokineospora pegani sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the surface-sterilized root of Peganum harmala L.

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic and motile endophytic actinomycete, designated TRM 65233T, was isolated from the root of Peganum harmala L. collected from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The isolate had white aerial mycelium and brown substrate mycelium on Gause's synthetic agar. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C, pH 6-9 with NaCl concentration of 0-6 % (w/v). Strain TRM 65233T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell hydrolysates included glucose and galactose as the major whole-cell sugars. The menaquinones were MK-9 (H4) and MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipids, phosphatidylinositol and one unidentified lipid. Strain TRM 65233T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Actinokineospora cianjurensis BTCC B-558T (98.13 %), Actinokineospora auranticolor IFO 16518T (98.06 %), Actinokineospora spheciospongiae EG49T (97.99 %), Actinokineospora baliensis ID03-0561T (97.97 %), Actinokineospora mzabensis PAL84T (97.95 %) and Actinokineospora bangkokensis 44EHWT (97.06 %). The isolate was distinguished from these phylogenetically related strains by digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity analyses and by a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.6 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic data, strain TRM 65233T represents a novel species of the genus Actinokineospora, for which the name Actinokineospora pegani sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 65233T (KCTC 49342=CCTCC AA 2019050).

Streptomyces taklimakanensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from the Taklimakan desert.

A novel Streptomyces strain, designated TRM43335T, was isolated from the Taklimakan desert in Alar City, Xinjiang, north-west China. The strain was found to exhibit an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis. A polyphasic approach was used to determine its taxonomic status. The strain was observed to form abundant aerial mycelium, occasionally twisted and which differentiated into spiral spore chains. Spores of TRM43335T were observed to be oval-shaped, with a smooth surface. Strain TRM43335T was found to grow optimally at 37 °C, pH 8 and in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl. The major sugars were identified as ribose, xylose, glucose, mannose and galactose, and the principal phospholipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and phosphatidylinositol. The diagnostic cell wall amino acid was identified as LL-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-9(H6). The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C16:1 H, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C17:0, anteiso-C17:1 w9c and iso-C15:0. Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence showed that strain TRM43335T exhibits high sequence similarity to Streptomyces desertarenae SYSU D8023T 98.69%. A multilocus sequence analysis of five house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) also illustrated that strain TRM43335T should be assigned to the genus Streptomyces. The DNA G + C content of the strain was determined to be 72.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity relatedness between strain TRM43335T and the phylogenetically related strain S. desertarenae SYSU D8023T was found to be 89.23%, and the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization value to be 36.70%. Therefore, it is concluded that strain TRM43335T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces taklimakanensis sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is TRM43335T (CCTCC AA 2018052 T = KCTC 49254 T).

Streptomyces roseicoloratus sp. nov., isolated from cotton soil.

A novel bacterium, designated TRM 44457T, belonging to the genus Streptomyces, was isolated from soil sampled in cotton fields in Xinjiang, PR China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM 44457T was phylogenetically most closely related to Streptomyces laurentii LMG 19959T (99.38 % sequence similarity); however, strain TRM 44457T had a relatively low DNA-DNA relatedness value with S. laurentii LMG 19959T as determined by calculating the average nucleotide identity value (84.42 %). Strain TRM 44457T possessed ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, MK-9 (H6) and MK-9 (H10) as the major menaquinone. The polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphotidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C15:0, C16:0, iso-C17:0, cyclo-C17:0 and anteiso-C17:1ω9c. The genomic DNA G+C content was 72.6 mol%. Based on the evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM 44457T represents a novel species of the Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces roseicoloratus is proposed. The type strain is TRM 44457T (=KCTC 39904T=CCTCC AA 2016040T).

Effects of combination of dihydroartemisinin and Huobahua on expression of p-p38 MAPK and ICAM-1 in mice with delayed-type hypersensitivity / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the immunosuppressive effects of dihydroartemisinin and Huobahua compatibility in mice with delayed hypersensitivity and explore its possible mechanism. The delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH) model in mice was established to observe the immunosuppressive effects of dihydroartemisinin and Huobahua compatibility in DTH mice. ELISA assay was used to detect the contents of interferon(IFN-γ); histopathological changes and degree of mononuclear infiltration of right ear tissues were examined by HE staining; the expression level of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in the right ear of mice was detected by immunohistochemistry; the protein expression levels of p38 phospho mitogen activated protein kinase(p-p38 MAPK) was detected by Western blot analysis. As compared with the control group, the degree of ear swelling, thymus/spleen index, serum IFN-γ as well as the number and degree of infiltration of monocytes were significantly increased in the model group. As compared with the model group, the degree of ear swelling and thymus/spleen index of the mice in the combination group were significantly reduced; the number and degree of infiltration of monocytes were significantly relieved; the serum levels of IFN-γ and the expression levels of p-p38 MAPK and ICAM-1 proteins in the right ear were also significantly reduced. The combination of dihydroartemisinin and Huobahua can significantly inhibit the DTH response, and it may regulate the production and secretion of related inflammatory factor IFN-γ by inhibiting the phosphorylation activity of p38 MAPK, thereby further reducing the expression of ICAM-1 and thus exerting the immunosuppressive effect.

Lateral versus central tendon-splitting approach to insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare operative outcomes between the lateral approach (LA) and the central approach (CA) to insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent surgical treatment for IAT using the LA or CA. Patients' demographic data, postoperative complications and satisfaction rate were reviewed. Clinical outcomes were prospectively assessed preoperatively, at three months postoperatively and at the last visit, including patients' visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale scores and 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores. RESULTS: There were 39 patients in the LA group and 32 in the CA group. In each group, average VAS and AOFAS Scale scores improved significantly. SF-36 scores improved in most parameters. No significant difference in baseline score; average AOFAS Scale score at each visit; and mean VAS score preoperatively and at last visit; satisfaction rate; and overall complication rate were observed between the groups. The mean VAS score in the LA group at postoperative three months was significantly lower than that in the CA group (2.7 ± 2.5 vs. 4.4 ± 3.0; p = 0.016). There were significantly more cases of delayed wound healing in the LA group than in the CA group (2.6% vs. 15.6%; p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Both approaches had comparable outcomes for IAT in terms of functional improvement, pain relief, overall enhancement of patients' health condition and overall postoperative complication rate. The LA provided better short-term pain relief and reduced delayed wound healing compared with the CA.

Retrospective analysis on clinical data and genetic variations of patients with beta-ketothiolase deficiency / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To summarize the clinical, biochemical and molecular characteristics of 8 patients with beta-ketothiolase deficiency (BKD).@*METHODS@#Clinical characteristics, biochemical markers detected by tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and variations of ACAT1 gene of the 8 patients were reviewed.@*RESULTS@#Three patients were diagnosed by newborn screening and were asymptomatic. Five patients showed dyspnea and metabolic acidosis through high risk screening. Blood methylcrotonyl carnitine (C5:1) were 0.43 (0.20-0.89) μmol/L and 3-hydroxyisovaleryl carnitine(C5-OH) were 1.37 (0.98-3.40) μmol/L. Both were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (PG (p.N375S) variant, which accounted for 28.6% of all 14 mutant alleles. Four novel variants, namely c.229delG (p.E77KfsTer10), c.373G>T (p.V125F), c.419T>G (p.L140R) and c.72+1G>A, were discovered. Pathogenicity assessment of two highly conservative missense variants (p.V125F) and (p.L140R) were 0.994 and 1.0 (Scores obtained from PolyPhen2), and PROVEAN scores were -4.652 and -5.399, respectively. c.72+1g>a was suspected (by Human Splicing Finder) to alter the wild type donor motif and most probably affect the splicing.@*CONCLUSION@#Clinicians should consider MS/MS and GC/MS testing for those with unexplained neurological symptoms and metabolic acidosis in order to attain early diagnosis of BKD. Genetic testing should be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection and its risk factors in Tengchong City, Yunnan Provine: a hospital-based study / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the infection status and risk factors of Entamoeba histolytica in inpatients in Tengchong City, Yunnan Province. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the inpatients in Tengchong People’s Hospital, Yunnan Province. After obtaining the informed consent from the subjects, the stool samples were collected from 2016-07-01 to 2017-03-31, and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect E. histolytica in the stool samples. Meanwhile, a structured questionnaire was used to record the demographic information and clinical symptoms for the patients. Results Totally 507 cases were recruited, and the detection rate of E. histolytica was 1.97% (10/507, 95% CI: 1.07%-3.59%) in all subjects. There were no significant differences between the inpatients with and without E. histolytica infection in the height (Z = -0.40, P = 0.69), weight (Z = -0.34, P = 0.73), body mass index (Z = -0.40, P = 0.69) and age (Z = -1.48, P = 0.14). Chronic diarrhea (OR = 21.43, 95% CI: 5.04-91.23) and daily drinking water (OR = 11.28, 95% CI: 2.79-45.56) were relevant to E. histolytica infection. No significant association was observed between E. histolytica infection and the clinical symptoms, such as abdominal distension (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.09-5.56), inappetence (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.06-4.02), itchy skin (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.10-6.38), perianal pruritus (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 0.21-14.07), and constipation (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.13-7.33). Conclusion E. histolytica infection is high in inpatients in Tengchong City, Yunnan Province, and chronic diarrhea and drinking unboiled water were highly correlated with E. histolytica infection.

Interaction between atorvastatin and voriconazole in rat plasma: a HPLC-MS/MS-based study / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To develop a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of atorvastatin and voriconazole in rat plasma and investigate the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin and the changes in voriconazole concentration in rats after administration.@*METHODS@#Plasma samples were collected from rats after intragastric administration of atorvastatin alone or in combination with voriconazole. The samples were treated with sodium acetate acidification, and atorvastatin and voriconazole in the plasma were extracted using a liquidliquid extraction method with methyl tert-butyl ether as the extractant. The extracts were then separated on a Thermo Hypersil Gold C18 (2.1×100 mm, 1.9 μm) column within 6 min with gradient elution using acetonitrile and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phase; mass spectrometry detection was achieved in selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode under the positive ion scanning mode of heated electrospray ion source (H-ESI) and using transition mass of m/z 559.2→440.2 for atorvastatin and m/z 350→280 for voriconazole, with m/z370.2→252 for lansoprazole (the internal standard) as the quantitative ion.@*RESULTS@#The calibration curves were linear within the concentration range of 0.01-100 ng/mL (=0.9957) for atorvastatin and 0.025-100 ng/mL (=0.9966) for voriconazole. The intra-day and inter-day precisions were all less than 13%, and the recovery was between 66.50% and 82.67%; the stability of the plasma samples met the requirements of testing. The AUC of atorvastatin in rat plasma after single and combined administration was 438.78±139.61 and 927.43±204.12 h·μg·L, CLz/F was 23.89±8.14 and 10.43±2.58 L·h·kg, C was 149.62±131.10 and 159.37±36.83 μg/L, t was 5.08±1.63 and (5.58±2.11 h, and T was 0.37±0.14 and 3.60±1.52 h, respectively; AUC, CLZ/F and T of atorvastatin in rat plasma differed significantly between single and combined administration. The HPLC-MS/MS system also allowed simultaneous determination of voriconazole concentration in rat plasma after combined administration.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The HPLC-MS/MS system we established in this study is simple, rapid and sensitive and allows simultaneous determination of atorvastatin and voriconazole in rat plasma. Some pharmacokinetic parameters of atorvastatin are changed in the presence of voriconazole, and their clinical significance needs further investigation.

Glycomyces xiaoerkulensis sp. nov., isolated from Xiaoerkule lake in Xinjiang, China.

A novel actinomycete, strain TRM 41368T, was isolated from a silt sample from Xiaoerkule lake in Xinjiang province, China, and was examined using a polyphasic approach. Strain TRM 41368T was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, with an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 5 % (w/v), and an optimum temperature for growth of 35-37 °C. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain TRM 41368T was most closely related to Glycomycesfuscus TRM 49117T (98.46 % similarity). However, it had a relatively low DNA-DNA relatedness value with G. fuscus TRM 49117T (ANI=70.59 %). The organism had chemical and morphological features typical of the genus Glycomyces. The cell wall of TRM 41368T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid; xylose, ribose and glucose were the major whole-cell sugars. The diagnostic polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositolmannosides. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H6). The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 69.9 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, strain TRM 41368T should be designated as a novel species of the genus Glycomyces, for which the name Glycomyces xiaoerkulensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 41368T (=CCTCC AA 2017005T=KCTC 39932T).