Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial communities of biting midges and ticks collected from three sites in the Poyang Lake area,namely,Qunlu Practice Base,Peach Blossom Garden,and Huangtong Animal Husbandry,and whether vectors carry any bacterial pathogens that may cause diseases to humans,to provide scientific basis for prospective pathogen discovery and disease prevention and control. Methods Using a metataxonomics approach in concert with full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit(OPU)analysis,we characterized the species-level microbial community structure of two important vector species,biting midges and ticks,including 33 arthropod samples comprising 3,885 individuals,collected around Poyang Lake. Results A total of 662 OPUs were classified in biting midges,including 195 known species and 373 potentially new species,and 618 OPUs were classified in ticks,including 217 known species and 326 potentially new species.Surprisingly,OPUs with potentially pathogenicity were detected in both arthropod vectors,with 66 known species of biting midges reported to carry potential pathogens,including Asaia lannensis and Rickettsia bellii,compared to 50 in ticks,such as Acinetobacter lwoffii and Staphylococcus sciuri.We found that Proteobacteria was the most dominant group in both midges and ticks.Furthermore,the outcomes demonstrated that the microbiota of midges and ticks tend to be governed by a few highly abundant bacteria.Pantoea sp7 was predominant in biting midges,while Coxiella sp1 was enriched in ticks.Meanwhile,Coxiella spp.,which may be essential for the survival of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann,were detected in all tick samples.The identification of dominant species and pathogens of biting midges and ticks in this study serves to broaden our knowledge associated to microbes of arthropod vectors. Conclusion Biting midges and ticks carry large numbers of known and potentially novel bacteria,and carry a wide range of potentially pathogenic bacteria,which may pose a risk of infection to humans and animals.The microbial communities of midges and ticks tend to be dominated by a few highly abundant bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care could further reduce the recurrence of ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe bleeding. METHODS: A total of 23 Chinese medical centers participated in this trial. Adult patients with a history of ischemic stroke were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio using a block design to receive either Naoxintong Capsule (1.2 g orally, twice a day) or placebo in addition to standard care. The primary endpoint was recurrence of ischemic stroke within 2 years. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction, death due to recurrent ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. The safety of drugs was monitored. Results were analyzed using the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A total of 2,200 patients were enrolled from March 2015 to March 2016, of whom 143 and 158 in the Naoxintong and placebo groups were lost to follow-up, respectively. Compared with the placebo group, the recurrence rate of ischemic stroke within 2 years was significantly lower in the Naoxintong group [6.5% vs. 9.5%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.665, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.492-0.899, P=0.008]. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary outcomes and safety, including rates of severe hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care reduced the 2-year stroke recurrence rate in patients with ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe hemorrhage in high-risk patients. (Trial registration No. NCT02334969).
Adult ; Humans ; Secondary Prevention/methods* ; Ischemic Stroke ; Stroke/prevention & control* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications* ; Double-Blind Method ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors

ObjectiveTo investigate the drug-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province. MethodsFrom 2015 to 2016, blood samples were collected from imported P. falciparum malaria patients returning from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province, and genome DNA of the malaria parasite was extracted. The drug-resistant Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and K13 genes of P. falciparum were amplified using a PCR assay, followed by DNA sequencing, and the sequences were aligned. Results The target fragments of all 5 drug-resistant genes of P. falciparum were successfully amplified and sequenced. There were 72.8%, 18.6%, and 8.6% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfcrt gene, respectively, and all mutant haplotypes were CVIET (the underline indicates the mutation site). There were 20.0%, 61.4% and 18.6% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfmdr1 gene, respectively, and the mutant haplotypes mainly included YF and NF (the underlines indicate the mutation sites). There were 1.4%, 98.6%, and 0 of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfdhfr gene, respectively, and AIRNI was the predominant mutant haplotype (the underline indicates the mutation site). There were 1.4%, 94.3%, and 4.3% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfdhps gene, respectively, and SGKAA was the predominant mutant haplotype (the underline indicates the mutation site). The complete drug-resistant IRNGE genotype consisted of 8.6% of the Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes, and the K13 gene A578S mutation occurred in 1.4% of the parasite samples. Conclusions There are mutations in the Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and K13 genes of P. falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province, with a low frequency in the Pfcrt gene mutation and a high frequency in the Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, and Pfdhps gene mutations, and the K13 gene A578S mutation is detected in the parasite samples.

Objective:To study the changes in total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant enzyme activity of Polygala tenuifolia callus in MS medium with different concentrations of H₂O₂,in order to explore the physiological mechanism of Polygala tenuifolia callus in adapting to H₂O₂ environmental stress at the cellular level. Method:Five gradients of 0,5,10,15,20 mmol·L^-1 were set for H₂O₂ concentration and added to MS medium, with P. tenuifolia callus as the experimental material. Total phenols,total flavonoids and antioxidant enzyme activities of callus were determined after 5,10,15,20,25 d of culture,respectively. Result:The contents of total phenols and flavonoids were the highest when the concentration of H₂O₂ was 5 mmol·L^-1 for 15 d. The SOD activity was the highest when the callus was cultured for 5 d and the exogenous H₂O₂ concentration was 5 mmol·L^-1. POD activity was the highest at 25 d and 5 mmol·L^-1 concentration of exogenous H₂O₂.CAT activity was the highest at 25 d and 15 mmol·L^-1 concentration of exogenous H₂O₂. Conclusion:P. tenuifolia callus has the ability to adapt to the environmental stress of H₂O₂ at a certain concentration. When it is subjected to the environmental stress of H₂O₂,P. tenuifolia callus can alleviate the damage by regulating its secondary metabolites and protecting enzyme system. It can significantly promote the content of total phenols and flavonoids in secondary metabolites at 5-10 mmol·L^-1. SOD activity was significantly increased at 5 d and the concentration of exogenous H₂O₂ of 5 mmol·L^-1. POD activity was significantly increased at 25 d and the concentration of exogenous H₂O₂ of 5 mmol·L^-1. CAT activity was significantly increased at 25 d and concentration of exogenous H₂O₂ of 15 mmol·L^-1.

Objective:To study the effect of different hormone ratios on the callus induction of roots,stems and leaves of Polygala tenuifolia,and determine and analyze the amount of flavonoids in roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia. Method:With MS as the basic medium and roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia sterile seedings as explants,the effects of 2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA on callus induction and flavonoid accumulation in different parts of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia were determined by orthogonal test. Result:2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA had significant effects on the callus induction rate of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia. The optimal callus induction combination of leaves was MS+3.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA,the optimal callus induction combination of stems was MS+1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+3.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA,the optimal callus induction combination for roots was MS+1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.0 mg·L^-1 6-BA. And 2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA had significant effects on flavonoid accumulation in the stem callus of P. tenuifolia,and MS+3.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+0.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA was the best flavonoid accumulation combination.NAA,6-BA had significant effects on flavonoid accumulation in the leave callus of P. tenuifolia,while 2,4-D had no significant effect,and MS+3.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+2.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.0 mg·L^-1 6-BA was the optimal flavonoid accumulation combination,the three hormones had no significant effect on the accumulation of flavonoids in the root callus of P. tenuifolia,and MS+2.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA was the best flavonoid accumulation combination. Conclusion:Under the conditions,the callus induction rate of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia is 100%, especially, the callus of P. tenuifolia leaves was the optimal,which is followed by P. tenuifolia stems and P. tenuifolia roots. Under the conditions,the amount of flavonoids in roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia reach 21.31,24.56,23.61 mg·g^-1,respectively.

AIM To investigate the effects of Wuzi Yanzong Prescription (Lycii Fructus,Cuscutae Semen,Rubi Fructus,Plantaginis Semen and Schisandrae chinensis Fructus) on DNA damage of testis cells in adult male mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX).METHODS Forty out of fifty adult male Balb/C mice were injected intraperitoneally with CTX and then were randomly and equally divided into model control group (normal saline),Wuzi Yanzong Prescription low-,medium-and high-dose groups (100,200 and 400 mg/kg),and the other ten mice served as normal control group (normal saline).All mice were anesthetized by inhalation of ether,and then were sacrificed by cervical dislocation.The sperm count,sperm motility and malformation rate of sperm were tested.The content of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in serum was measured using ELISA;the DNA damage degree of cells in testis was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis;the protein expressions of p-P53 and γ-H2AX in testis were examined by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model control group,Wuzi Yanzong Prescription groups showed significant increase in the sperm count,sperm motility and significantly decreased malformation rate of sperm,the level of 8-OHdG in serum,and the protein expressions of p-P53 and γ-H2AX in testis were also significantly decreased.CONCLUSION Wuzi Yanzong Prescription can significantly alleviate the DNA damage of testis cells in mice induced by CTX through down-regulating protein expressions of p-P53 and γ-H2AX.

Objective To analyze the comparation of national early warning score (NEWS), rapid emergency medicine score (REMS) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) score in predicting prognosis of critically ill patients in emergency department (ED). Methods A retrospective study was conducted. Critically ill patients, aged > 16 years, hospitalized > 24 hours, and admitted to the ED of Nanhua Hospital Affiliated to South China University from January 2016 to June 2017 were enrolled. NEWS, REMS and APACHE Ⅱ score were calculated based on the worst value of each index within 24 hours after emergency admission. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality. The relationship between the three scoring systems and the prognosis of patients was analyzed. The predictive value of three scoring systems for the prognosis of critically ill patients in ED was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results A total of 119 emergency severe patients were enrolled in the study, and the 28-day mortality was 21.0%. The scores of NEWS, REMS and APACHE Ⅱ in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group (NEWS score: 9.40±3.19 vs. 5.72±2.35, REMS score: 12.64±4.46 vs. 7.97±3.28, APACHE Ⅱscore: 26.64±6.92 vs. 16.19±5.48, all P < 0.01). With the increase of NEWS, REMS and APACHE Ⅱ score, the 28-day mortality of patients gradually increased [28-day mortality of NEWS < 5, 5-6, ≥ 7 was 3.03% (1/34), 13.33% (4/34), 64.25% (20/51); 28-day mortality of REMS < 12, 12-16, ≥ 17 was 10.99% (10/91), 50.00% (11/22), 66.67% (4/6); 28-day mortality of APACHE Ⅱ < 15, 15-24, ≥ 25 was 2.33% (1/43), 15.09% (8/59), 69.57% (16/23), respectively, all P < 0.01]. The ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the ROC curve (AUC)of NEWS, REMS and APACHE Ⅱ score for predicting the prognosis of emergency critically ill patients were 0.830 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.737-0.923], 0.782 (95%CI = 0.671-0.892) and 0.878 (95%CI = 0.800-0.956), respectively (all P = 0.000), and the accuracy of prediction was 57.4%, 48.6%, 65.4%, respectively. Conclusions The scores of NEWS, REMS and APACHE Ⅱ were useful in predicting prognosis of critically ill patients, with the highest accuracy of APACHE Ⅱ forecast, followed by NEWS, and the lowest of REMS. After comprehensive consideration of cost-effectiveness, NEWS is more reliable in ED.

In order to evaluate the heavy metal potential pollution of soil and medicinal materials in main producing area of Phellodendron amurense, we collected 32 soil samples and 32 herb samples from northeast and north of China covering four provinces. In this study, the detection of heavy metal contents was conducted by ICP emission spectroscopy and atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that the soil from all areas of Ph amurense generally reached the national standard. As, Hg, Cr, Cd, Pb and Cu content of herb samples met the requirtment of the national standard except Hg content exceeding standard slight in a few samples. The reason of excessive Hg was the ability of Hg accumulation in Ph. amurense and atmospheric environment was polluted. So, national standard and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) must be carried out severely in Ph. amurense resources production.

In the present research, 674 wild medicinal material samples of Phellodendri amurensis Cortex were collected from 31 sampling sites in the whole distribution of its original plant Phellodendron amurense. The samples were collected under the premise that the stem diameter of sampling plant, sampling position and time were controlled. And the sampling sites were set at the interval of a latitude. The content of 6 kinds of active ingredients, palmatine chloride, berberine hydrochloride, phellodendrine chloride, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, magnoflorine, chlorogenic acid, etc in the medicinal material samples were determined, and the results showed that the content of most active ingredients in the medicinal materials showed significant differences due to the difference of sampling sites. Among them, the medicinal materials from Liaoning region had the highest content of active ingredients, followed by Beijing and Jilin regions, and that from Heilongjiang region had the lowest content. The study has important directive significance to the exploration of environmental factors for the formation of active constituent and artificial planting regionalization of high quality Phellodendri amurensis Cortex.

BACKGROUNDNontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (NONFH) is a debilitating disease that represents a significant financial burden for both individuals and healthcare systems. Despite its significance, however, its prevalence in the Chinese general population remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NONFH and its associated risk factors in the Chinese population.

METHODSA nationally representative survey of 30,030 respondents was undertaken from June 2012 to August 2013. All participants underwent a questionnaire investigation, physical examination of hip, and bilateral hip joint X-ray and/or magnetic resonance imaging examination. Blood samples were taken after overnight fasting to test serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. We then used multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the associations between various metabolic, demographic, and lifestyle-related variables and NONFH.

RESULTSNONFH was diagnosed in 218 subjects (0.725%) and the estimated NONFH cases were 8.12 million among Chinese people aged 15 years and over. The prevalence of NONFH was significantly higher in males than in females (1.02% vs. 0.51%, χ2 = 24.997, P < 0.001). Among NONFH patients, North residents were subjected to higher prevalence of NONFH than that of South residents (0.85% vs. 0.61%, χ 2 = 5.847, P = 0.016). Our multivariate regression analysis showed that high blood levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol, male, urban residence, family history of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, heavy smoking, alcohol abuse and glucocorticoid intake, overweight, and obesity were all significantly associated with an increased risk of NONFH.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings highlight that NONFH is a significant public health challenge in China and underscore the need for policy measures on the national level. Furthermore, NONFH shares a number of risk factors with atherosclerosis.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult