ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Jiawei Wendantang in preventing and treating diabetic atherosclerosis by observing the effect of this prescription on the nuclear factor-κB / NOD-like receptor protein 3（NF-κB/NLRP3） pathway and related inflammatory cytokines in rat model of diabetic atherosclerosis. MethodFifty-four SPF-grade rats were randomized into blank， model， atorvastatin （0.9 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-， medium-， low-dose （18.2， 9.1， 4.55 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） Jiawei Wendantang groups. The rats in other groups except the blank group were modeled for diabetic atherosclerosis by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and feeding with a high-sugar high-fat diet， and those in the blank group were injected with an equal dose of citric acid buffer and fed with a regular diet. The drug administration lasted for 4 weeks， and the blood glucose level in the tail vein was measured every 6 days. After the last administration， the rats were anesthetized for sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of interleukin-18 （IL-18）， C-reactive protein （CRP）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1）. Western blot was employed to determine the relative protein levels of NF-κB p65， NLRP3， and ICAM-1 in the abdominal aorta. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the abdominal aorta. The pathological changes in the thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed elevated levels of IL-18， CRP， TNF-α， and ICAM-1 in the serum and blood glucose （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of NF-κB p65， NLRP3， and ICAM-1 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated mRNA levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β （P<0.05）. Compared with model group， Jiawei Wendantang lowered the levels of IL-18， CRP， TNF-α， ICAM-1 and blood glucose （P<0.05， P<0.01）， down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB p65， NLRP3， and ICAM-1 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， Jiawei Wendantang alleviated the pathological injuries in the thoracic aorta. ConclusionJiawei Wendantang may modulate the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway to reduce the release and adhesion of inflammatory cytokines and regulate the blood glucose level to treat diabetic atherosclerosis.

Objective To establish the method of thin layer chromatography (TLC) for identification and quantitative determination of Shipi Xiaoshui gel plaster. Methods TLC was adopted to qualitatively identify astragalus radix, plantaginis semen, curcumae rhizome, cinnamomi ramulus, polyporus umbellatus and akebia quinata. UPLC-MS was used to determine the content of astragaloside Ⅳ. Results TLC spots were clear and well-separated; RSDs of precision, reproducibility and stability tests were all lower than 3%, the linear range of astragaloside Ⅳ was 2.75-33 μg/ml (r=0.999 9, n=6), and the average recovery was 100.49% (RSD=1.98%, n=6). Conclusion The established method in this study is accurate, reliable and specific, which could be used for the quality control of Shipi Xiaoshui gel plaster.

Antibiotics are a category of chemical compounds used to treat bacterial infections and are widely applied in cultivation,animal husbandry,aquaculture,and pharmacy.Currently,residual antibiotics and their metabolites pose a potential risk of allergic reactions,bacterial resistance,and increased cancer incidence.Residual antibiotics and the resulting bacterial antibiotic resistance have been recognized as a global challenge that has attracted increasing attention.Therefore,monitoring antibiotics is a critical way to limit the ecological risks from antibiotic pollution.Accordingly,it is desirable to devise new analytical platforms to achieve efficient antibiotic detection with excellent sensitivity and specificity.Quantum dots(QDs)are regarded as an ideal material for use in the development of antibiotic detection biosensors.In this review,we characterize different types of QDs,such as silicon,chalcogenide,carbon,and other doped QDs,and summarize the trends in QD-based antibiotic detection.QD-based sensing applications are classified according to their recognition strategies,including molecularly imprinted polymers(MIPs),aptamers,and immunosensors.We discuss the advantages of QD-derived antibiotic sensors,including low cost,good sensitivity,excellent stability,and fast response,and illustrate the current challenges in this field.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is one of the common surgical modalities for the treatment of upper urinary calculi. In recent years, with the continuous development and improvement of endoscopic technology, laser technology and negative pressure suction technology, stone free rate of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy is improved and the operation time is shortened, making the patient trauma smaller, comfort increased and hospitalization time shortened. This positive surgical effect and reliable safety have enabled minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy to develop rapidly and become widely used in the clinic. In this paper, the application and progress of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the clinic are reviewed, with a view to providing a reference basis and clinical guidance for future clinical treatment.

Objective:To investigate the combined value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting pathological microvascular invasion (pMVI) preoperatively, and to determine the relationship between prediction results and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.Methods:A total of 181 newly diagnosed HCC patients were enrolled in this study. Imaging characteristics and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of DWI were analyzed. The differences of imaging characteristics and ADC values between different pMVI groups were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to analyze the value for pMVI prediction by using significant parameters. The patients were grouped based on MRI predicted MVI (mrMVI), and the relationship between mrMVI and recurrence free survival time (RFS) was analyzed.Results:Fifty-one patients were pMVI positive and 130 patients were pMVI negative. The ADC value in pMVI positive group were (1.10±0.17)×10 -3 mm 2/s, significantly lower than (1.27±0.22)×10 -3 mm 2/s of pEMVI negative group ( P<0.001). The incidence rates of incomplete enhancing "capsule" , non-smooth tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, mosaic architecture and peritumoral hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in pMVI positive group were significantly higher than those of negative group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, peritumoral hypointensity on HBP and ADC value were independently associated with pMVI. ROC analysis showed that the area under curve, sensitivity and specificity of pMVI predicted by combined parameters were 0.830, 76.5% and 81.5%, respectively. The median RFS of mrMVI positive group was 23.6 months, significantly lower than 38.2 months of mrEMVI negative group ( P=0.004). Conclusion:Tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, peritumoral hypointensity on HBP and ADC value are independent predictors of pMVI in HCC, and mrMVI is related with RFS.

Objective:To investigate the combined value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting pathological microvascular invasion (pMVI) preoperatively, and to determine the relationship between prediction results and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.Methods:A total of 181 newly diagnosed HCC patients were enrolled in this study. Imaging characteristics and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of DWI were analyzed. The differences of imaging characteristics and ADC values between different pMVI groups were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to analyze the value for pMVI prediction by using significant parameters. The patients were grouped based on MRI predicted MVI (mrMVI), and the relationship between mrMVI and recurrence free survival time (RFS) was analyzed.Results:Fifty-one patients were pMVI positive and 130 patients were pMVI negative. The ADC value in pMVI positive group were (1.10±0.17)×10 -3 mm 2/s, significantly lower than (1.27±0.22)×10 -3 mm 2/s of pEMVI negative group ( P<0.001). The incidence rates of incomplete enhancing "capsule" , non-smooth tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, mosaic architecture and peritumoral hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in pMVI positive group were significantly higher than those of negative group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, peritumoral hypointensity on HBP and ADC value were independently associated with pMVI. ROC analysis showed that the area under curve, sensitivity and specificity of pMVI predicted by combined parameters were 0.830, 76.5% and 81.5%, respectively. The median RFS of mrMVI positive group was 23.6 months, significantly lower than 38.2 months of mrEMVI negative group ( P=0.004). Conclusion:Tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, peritumoral hypointensity on HBP and ADC value are independent predictors of pMVI in HCC, and mrMVI is related with RFS.

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence rate and related risk factors of anxiety， depression and insomnia symptoms in close contacts of COVID-19 patients undergoing centralized quarantine and observation， so as to provide references for follow-up targeted psychological crisis intervention. MethodsFrom February 6 to 8， 2020， a total of 136 close contacts at designated quarantine sites in four districts and counties of Ya'an city were enrolled， and assessed using the general information questionnaire， Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale （HAD） and Insomnia Severity Index （ISI）. ResultsA total of 26 quarantined individuals （19.12%） had various degrees of anxiety， depression or insomnia， including 16 cases （11.76%） with anxiety， 9 cases （6.62%） with depression and 16 cases （11.76%） with insomnia. Correlation analysis showed that HAD （A） score was positively correlated with HAD （D） score （r=0.642， P<0.01）. HAD （A） score was positively correlated with ISI score （r=0.590， P<0.01）. HAD （D） score was positively correlated with ISI score （r=0.329， P<0.01）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factor of anxiety was the first week of isolation （OR=3.290， P<0.05）， meantime， the risk factors of insomnia included the old age （OR=7.990， P<0.05） and the first week of isolation （OR=4.659， P<0.05）. ConclusionThe close contacts of COVID-19 infections undergoing centralized quarantine and observation in Ya’an have high prevalence rate of anxiety and insomnia， and the symptoms are most severe during the first week of quarantine.

Objective:To investigate regional distribution and clinicopathological features of Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC).Methods:Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER)was detected in 4 081 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences by using in situ hybridization. EBVaGCs were identified and their proportions in different provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities were compared. The correlation between EBVaGC and clinicopathological features was also analyzed.Results:A total of 3.0% (123/4 081) patients with gastric adenocarcinoma are EBVaGCs. Among the areas with cases more than 90, the highest proportion of EBVaGC was found in Jilin province, accounting for 7.6%, and then followed by 5.4% in Liaoning province, 4.1% in Anhui province, 3.9% in Beijing, 3.7% in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 3.4% in Shanxi province, 3.0% in Heilongjiang province, 2.1% in Shandong province, 1.6% in Hebei province, and no EBVaGC was found in Henan province. EBVaGC proportions are significantly different in these provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis of logistic regression revealed that gender ( OR=2.231, 95% CI: 1.290~3.858), WHO classification ( OR=2.338, 95% CI: 2.051~2.664) and N stage ( OR=0.420, 95% CI: 0.284~0.621) were independent impact factors for EBVaGC. The proportion of EBVaGC was higher in males, gastric carcinomas accompanied with lymphoid stroma and patients without lymph node metastasis. Conclusions:The proportion of EBVaGC in gastric adenocarcinoma displays area distribution disparity in China. The gender, WHO classification and N stage are closely associated with EBVaGC.

Objective:To investigate regional distribution and clinicopathological features of Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC).Methods:Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER)was detected in 4 081 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences by using in situ hybridization. EBVaGCs were identified and their proportions in different provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities were compared. The correlation between EBVaGC and clinicopathological features was also analyzed.Results:A total of 3.0% (123/4 081) patients with gastric adenocarcinoma are EBVaGCs. Among the areas with cases more than 90, the highest proportion of EBVaGC was found in Jilin province, accounting for 7.6%, and then followed by 5.4% in Liaoning province, 4.1% in Anhui province, 3.9% in Beijing, 3.7% in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 3.4% in Shanxi province, 3.0% in Heilongjiang province, 2.1% in Shandong province, 1.6% in Hebei province, and no EBVaGC was found in Henan province. EBVaGC proportions are significantly different in these provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis of logistic regression revealed that gender ( OR=2.231, 95% CI: 1.290~3.858), WHO classification ( OR=2.338, 95% CI: 2.051~2.664) and N stage ( OR=0.420, 95% CI: 0.284~0.621) were independent impact factors for EBVaGC. The proportion of EBVaGC was higher in males, gastric carcinomas accompanied with lymphoid stroma and patients without lymph node metastasis. Conclusions:The proportion of EBVaGC in gastric adenocarcinoma displays area distribution disparity in China. The gender, WHO classification and N stage are closely associated with EBVaGC.

DNA assembly is the core technology of synthetic biology. With the development of synthetic biology, researchers have developed different DNA assembly technologies that rely on DNA polymerase or DNA ligase, and also have developed some non-enzyme-dependent DNA assembly techniques to facilitate the automation of DNA assembly. The assembly of large fragments of DNA from a few hundred kb to Mb is mostly dependent on microbial recombination. In this paper, the three types of DNA assembly technologies, including enzyme-dependent, non-enzymatic and in vivo homologous recombination, are reviewed.
DNA ; Synthetic Biology