Understory planting of medicinal plants is a new planting mode that connects Chinese herbal medicine(CHM) with forest resources.The complex and variable understory environmental factors will inevitably affect the yield and quality of understory CHM.This research summarized the research progress on understory planting of medicinal plants based on forest types and environmental factors within the forest from the perspectives of understory light, air temperature and humidity, soil characteristics, and the interaction between crops within the forest.The results showed that the complex and variable light, temperature and humidity, and soil factors(such as fertility, acidity and alkalinity, and microorganisms) under the forest could affect the yield and quality of medicinal plants to varying degrees through physiological activities such as photosynthesis and respiration, resulting in a significant increase or decrease in yield and quality compared to open field cultivation.In addition, the competition or mutual benefit between different crops within the forest could lead to differences in the yield and quality of understory medicinal plants compared to open field cultivation.A reasonable combination of planting could achieve resource sharing and complementary advantages.Therefore, conducting systematic research on the effects of understory environmental factors on the yield and content of medicinal plants with different growth and development characteristics can provide theoretical guidance and technical references for formulating comprehensive strategies for understory planting of medicinal plants, such as selecting suitable medicinal plant varieties, optimizing planting density, and conducting reasonable forest management, thus contributing to the sustainable development and ecological protection of CHM.
Plants, Medicinal/growth & development* ; Forests ; Soil/chemistry* ; Environment ; Ecosystem ; Temperature

During coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, the treatment of severe trauma has been impacted. The Consensus on emergency surgery and infection prevention and control for severe trauma patients with 2019 novel corona virus pneumonia was published online on February 12, 2020, providing a strong guidance for the emergency treatment of severe trauma and the self-protection of medical staffs in the early stage of the epidemic. With the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council renaming "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection" and the infection being managed with measures against class B infectious diseases since January 8, 2023, the consensus published in 2020 is no longer applicable to the emergency treatment of severe trauma in the new stage of epidemic prevention and control. In this context, led by the Chinese Traumatology Association, Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association, Trauma Medicine Branch of Chinese International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, and Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Traumatology, the Chinese expert consensus on emergency surgery for severe trauma and infection prevention during coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic ( version 2023) is formulated to ensure the effectiveness and safety in the treatment of severe trauma in the new stage. Based on the policy of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council and by using evidence-based medical evidence as well as Delphi expert consultation and voting, 16 recommendations are put forward from the four aspects of the related definitions, infection prevention, preoperative assessment and preparation, emergency operation and postoperative management, hoping to provide a reference for severe trauma care in the new stage of the epidemic prevention and control.

Objective: To investigate the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and substance use behaviors among lesbians to provide a scientific basis for high-risk population identification and formulation of targeted intervention measures. Methods: Lesbians who participated in routine AIDS voluntary counseling, testing services, activities, and peer recommendations were recruited from July to December 2018, with the help of LesPark in Beijing. Convenient sampling method was used. Demographic characteristics, ACE, and substance use behaviors of subjects were investigated using an online platform powered by www.wjx.cn. Subsequently, the associations between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors were evaluated using the logistic regression model. The SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 294 lesbians were recruited in the study, 81.3% (239/294) of them were lesbians, and 18.7% (55/294) were bisexuals. Besides, 55.8% (164/294) of subjects reported they had had ACE, with proportions of lesbians experiencing abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction as 33.3% (98/294), 24.5% (72/294), and 32.7% (96/294), respectively. 55.1% (162/294) of the lesbians reported they had smoked in the past 30 days, 11.2% (33/294) reported having drug-use behavior in the past three months, and 22.8% (67/294) claimed drinking alcohol weekly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesbians with ACE were at high risks to smoke (OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.08), drink (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.18-3.84), and use drugs (OR=3.33, 95%CI: 1.29-8.61) in adulthood. Moreover, lesbians with childhood family dysfunction were at higher risk of smoking cigarettes (OR=2.60, 95%CI: 1.46-4.62) and drinking alcohol (OR=2.65, 95%CI: 1.44-4.87). At the same time, those with abuse experience were at higher risk of drug use (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.26-7.96). Conclusions: Substance use behaviors, including cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and drugs use, were common among lesbians. Positive associations were found between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors.
Adult ; Adverse Childhood Experiences ; Child ; Child Abuse/psychology* ; Female ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Sexual and Gender Minorities ; Substance-Related Disorders/psychology*

Ginkgo biloba and Panax notoginseng are both herb medicines for cerebrovascular disease, and play an active role in treating ischemic cerebrovascular disease(ICVD). Their mechanisms of action include antioxidant stress, nerve protection, vascular protection. According to the comparative study of literatures, G. biloba has a certain protective effect from the early stage of free radical formation throughout the whole process of causing cell inflammation and apoptosis in antioxidant stress; while P. notoginseng has mainly anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis effects. In the nerve protection and repair of nerve damage caused by glutamate, both could promote neurogenesis, repair damaged axons and protect nerve cells. In addition, G. biloba could also relieve neurotoxicity caused by glutamate damage, while P. notoginseng have a unique effect in repairing blood-brain barrier(BBB) and blood vessel regeneration. In clinic, they are used as auxiliary drugs in combination with thrombolytic therapy, and play curative effects in alleviating inflammation, eliminating edema, improving the cure rate and the prognosis. For cerebral diseases caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, G. biloba could reduce inflammation and improve cognition. In addition, G. biloba could protect neurocyte by adjusting the secretion of dopamine in vivo, and has a certain effect on antidepressant diseases, which however needs further studies.
Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Panax notoginseng ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plants, Medicinal

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the enhancement patterns of liver metastases and their influencing factors using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). METHODS: A total of 240 patients (139 male and 101 female; 58.5±11.2 years of age) diagnosed with liver metastases in our hospital were enrolled in this study to evaluate tumor characteristics using CEUS. A comparison of enhancement patterns with tumor size and primary tumor type was performed using the chi-square test. The differences between quantitative variables were evaluated with the independent-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The enhancement patterns of liver metastases on CEUS were categorized as diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement (133/240, 55.4%), rim-like hyperenhancement (80/240, 33.3%), heterogeneous hyperenhancement (10/240, 4.2%), and isoenhancement (17/240, 7.1%). There were significant differences in the enhancement patterns during the arterial phase based on the nodule size (p=0.001). A total of 231 of the nodules showed complete washout during the portal phase, and 237 nodules were hypoenhanced during the delayed phase. The washout time was correlated with tumor vascularity, with a longer washout time observed in hypervascular metastases compared to hypovascular metastases (p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement followed by rapid washout was the most common enhancement pattern of liver metastases on CEUS and was affected by the nodule size and tumor vascularity. Small metastases were prone to show diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement. Hyper-vascular metastases showed a significantly longer washout time compared to hypovascular metastases.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Contrast Media/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Liver/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/blood supply/*diagnostic imaging/secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography/*methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct and identify lentiviral vector containing human ILK-shRNA and mda7 gene.

METHODSBased on the human ILK gene sequences, RNAi target sequences were designed and cloned into the lentiviral vector pSicoR-eGFP by restriction endonuclease HpaI and XhoI double digestion and T4 DNA ligase ligation. Based on the human mda7 gene sequences, PCR primers were designed to clone the full-length mda7, and were cloned into the lentiviral vector pLVX-Puro. After the candidate clones were identified by DNA sequencing, the recombinant plasmid and the three packaging plasmids were co-transfected into the human embryonic kidney 293T cells by lipofectamine 2000 to produce the lentiviral particles. Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were infected with the constructed lentiviral vector. The ILK and mda7 expression levels in PC-3 cells were quantified by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The effect of ILK and mda7 on proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells were assessed by MTT method and Transwell assay, respectively.

RESULTSILK-pSicoR-eGFP and mda7-pLVX-Puro lentiviral vectors were successfully constructed. Strong green fluorescence was observed in the 293T cells under the fluorescent microscope after co-transfection of 293T cells with 4 plasmids of lentiviral vector. The transfection efficiency of the collected virus exceeded 90% in the 293T cells and the PC-3 cells were infected with the lentiviral particles with high efficiency. The A and B lentiviral vector inhibited the expression of ILK at both the mRNA and protein levels in PC-3 cells significantly. The mda7-pLVX-Puro lentiviral vector increased the expression of mda7 in PC-3 cells, and the ability was maintained for one month. Within 96 h, ILK and mad7 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells (Ps<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lentiviral vectors of ILK knockdown and mda7 over-expression have been successfully constructed and identified. The recombinant lentivirus can efficiently infect human prostate cancer PC-3 cells, in which ILK expression is inhibited and mda7 is over-expressed.

Cell Line ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective: To construct and identify lentiviral vector containing human ILK-shRNA and mda7 gene.Methods:Based on the human ILK gene sequences , RNAi target sequences were designed and cloned into the lentiviral vector pSicoR -eGFP by restriction endonuclease HpaⅠand XhoⅠdouble digestion and T 4 DNA ligase ligation . Based on the human mda7 gene sequences , PCR primers were designed to clone the full-length mda7, and were cloned into the lentiviral vector pLVX-Puro.After the candidate clones were identified by DNA sequencing , the recombinant plasmid and the three packaging plasmids were co-transfected into the human embryonic kidney 293T cells by lipofectamine 2000 to produce the lentiviral particles .Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were infected with the constructed lentiviral vector .The ILK and mda7 expression levels in PC-3 cells were quantified by qPCR and Western blot , respectively .The effect of ILK and mda7 on proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells were assessed by MTT method and Transwell assay, respectively.Results: ILK-pSicoR-eGFP and mda7-pLVX-Puro lentiviral vectors were successfully constructed .Strong green fluorescence was observed in the 293T cells under the fluorescent microscope after co-transfection of 293T cells with 4 plasmids of lentiviral vector .The transfection efficiency of the collected virus exceeded 90%in the 293T cells and the PC-3 cells were infected with the lentiviral particles with high efficiency .The A and B lentiviral vector inhibited the expression of ILK at both the mRNA and protein levels in PC-3 cells significantly .The mda7-pLVX-Puro lentiviral vector increased the expression of mda 7 in PC-3 cells, and the ability was maintained for one month.Within 96 h, ILK and mad7 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells ( Ps <0.05 ) . Conclusion: The lentiviral vectors of ILK knockdown and mda 7 over-expression have been successfully constructed and identified . The recombinant lentivirus can efficiently infect human prostate cancer PC -3 cells, in which ILK expression is inhibited and mda 7 is over-expressed .

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of water fluoride exposure on reproductive hormones in female.

METHODSCross-sectional study was conducted in seven villages of a county in Henan province by using simple random sampling including high fluoride area, defluoridation project area and control area on April, 2011 based on the preliminary study results of fluoride concentration in drinking water. Women who were born and growth or lived in the village at least 5 years and aged 18-48 years old were recruited using cluster sampling. They were divided into high fluoride group (HFG, 116 subjects), defluoridation project group (DFPG, 132 subjects) and control group (CG, 227 subjects) in accordance with the above areas. All subjects accepted questionnaire and physical checkup. Fasting blood and morning urine samples were collected. The concentration of fluoride in urine was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode method. The serum level of GnRH was detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) were determined by chemiluminesence immunoassay (CLIA).

RESULTSThe average age was (39.44 ± 7.34), (38.84 ± 8.03), (37.45 ± 7.70) years old in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively, there were no significant differences among the three groups (F = 3.02, P = 0.05). The urine fluoride levels were (1.34 ± 1.07), (2.59 ± 1.57), (0.92 ± 0.46) mg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively, there was a significant difference among three groups (F = 105.38, P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed of serum GnRH, LH, T, FSH and E2 among three groups in follicular phase (P > 0.05). The serum levels of E2 in Ovulatory period were 67.73, 58.09, 84.96 pg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in CG (H = 4.00, P < 0.05). The serum levels of T in Ovulatory period were 0.55, 0.45, 0.55 ng/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 6.47, P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between HFG and CG (H = 2.41, P > 0.05). The serum levels of GnRH in Luteal phase were 24.09, 20.16, 23.50 ng/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 14.14, P < 0.05) and CG (H = 12.53, P < 0.05). The serum level of E2 in luteal phase were 81.47, 64.60, 74.55 pg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 5.69, P < 0.05). As for LH, FSH and T, no significant differences were observed among the three groups (P > 0.05 respectively). The abnormal rates of E2 level were 22.73 (30/102), 37.93 (44/72), 20.26 (46/181) in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. The E2 abnormal rate in female from HFG was higher that from DFPG (χ(2) = 6.82, P < 0.05) and CG (χ(2) = 12.38, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFluoride exposure may influence reproductive hormones in female, especially in ovulatory and luteal phase of menstrual cycle.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; urine ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Menstrual Cycle ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Progesterone ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood

Animals ; Barbiturates ; Coloring Agents ; Fallopian Tubes ; cytology ; embryology ; physiology ; Female ; Isoxazoles ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains

OBJECTIVETo review the preliminary clinical experience with high-field-strength intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) in the endoscopic chordoma operation with transsphenoidal or transoral approach.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to December 2010, 23 patients [range, 29 - 64 years, mean age (42 ± 3) years] of chordoma were operated with endoscopic transsphenoidal or transoral approach and examined intraoperatively with a movable 1.5 T iMRI magnet. Tumor size range was 2.0 - 5.7 cm, mean (3.5 ± 0.8) cm. A navigation system based on iMRI was used in 20 cases.

RESULTSiMRI scan were performed in each operation from 1 time to 5 times. Neuronavigation system were used in 20 operations and the data renewed in 12 cases by the information from iMRI. In 15 of 23 patients, iMRI had revealed residual lesions and resulted in 12 cases further treatment, eventually, 9 tumors were totally removed and 3 tumors were further removed. The ratio of total removal tumor was enhanced to 73.9% (17/23) from 34.8% (8/23). Among 15 cases of partial chordoma removal detected by scanning in operation, 9 were huge chordoma. The residual of huge chordoma detected by scanning in operation was 9/11, and other chordoma contributed to 6/12. There were no iMRI related safety issue or accident recorded in this study.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-field-strength iMRI provide high-quality images of tumor resection that allows intraoperative modification of the surgical strategy. Combined with the navigation system, iMRI is helpful to maximize the resection of the chordoma and benefit for the safety of endoscopic operation.

Adult ; Chordoma ; surgery ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuronavigation ; methods ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Sphenoid Sinus ; surgery