To clarify the species, pathogenicity, and distribution of the pathogens causing the root rot of Atractylodes lancea in Hubei province, the tissue separation method was used to isolate the pathogens from root rot samples in the main planting areas of A. lancea in Hubei. Based on the preliminary identification of the Fusarium genus by the internal transcribed spacer(ITS) sequence, three housekeeping genes, EF1/EF2, Btu-F-FO1/Btu-F-RO1, and FF1/FR1, were amplified and sequenced. Subsequently, a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on these TEF gene sequences to classify the pathogens. The pathogenicity of these strains was determined using the root irrigation method. A total of 194 pathogen strains were isolated using the tissue separation method. Molecular identification using the three housekeeping genes identified the pathogens as F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. commune, F. equiseti, F. tricinctum, F. redolens, F. fujikuroi, F. avenaceum, F. acuminatum, and F. incarnatum. Among them, F. solani and F. oxysporum were the dominant strains, widely distributed in multiple regions, with F. solani accounting for approximately 54% of the total isolated strains and F. oxysporum accounting for approximately 34%. Other strains accounted for a relatively small proportion, totaling approximately 12%. The results of pathogenicity determination showed that there were certain differences in pathogenicity among strains. The analysis of the pathogenicity differentiation of the widely distributed F. solani and F. oxysporum strains revealed that these dominant strains in Hubei were mainly highly pathogenic. This study determined the species, pathogenicity, and distribution of the pathogens causing the root rot of A. lancea in Hubei province. The results provide a scientific basis for further understanding the root rot of A. lancea and its epidemic occurrence and scientifically preventing and controlling this disease.
Plant Diseases/microbiology* ; Atractylodes/microbiology* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots/microbiology* ; Fusarium/classification* ; China ; Virulence ; Fungal Proteins/genetics*

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and mechanism of saffron floral bio-residues（SFB） in the treatment of hyperuricemia（HUA） combined with gouty arthritis（GA） in a compound compatibility setting. MethodScreening candidate control Chinese medicines for compound and SFB based on network target distance calculation and data analysis. After adaptive feeding of 80 SD rats for 7 days， 10 rats were randomly selected as the blank group， while the remaining 70 rats were intraperitoneally injected with 3% potassium oxonate and orally administered with 1% adenine for 14 consecutive days. On the 13^th day， rats were injected with 2.5% sodium urate solution into the right ankle joint cavity to induce swelling of the joint capsule on the opposite side， inducing a HUA combined with GA model. At the same time， the modeling rats were randomly divided into 7 groups， including the model group， benzbromarone group（positive drug， 0.02 g·kg^-1）， Tongfengshu tablets group（9 g·kg^-1）， Tongfengshu granules group（9 g·kg^-1）， SFB granules group（3.6 g·kg^-1）， Plantaginis Semen granules group（3.6 g·kg^-1）， and new formula group（SFB replacing Plantaginis Semen in Tongfengshu granules， 9 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Each treatment group was orally administered with the corresponding drugs according to body weight， while the control and model groups were given equal volume of distilled water by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. After 14 days of synchronous administration and modeling， changes in gait， ankle joint swelling and mechanical pain threshold in rats were observed， and serum uric acid， creatinine， urea nitrogen and xanthine oxidase（XOD） were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELSIA） was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α， interleukin（IL）-1β and IL-6 in rat serum， hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the liver， kidney and ankle joints of rats， Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of uric acid transporter 1（URAT1）， glucose transporter 9 （GLUT9）， organic anion transporter 1（OAT1）， adenosine triphosphate（ATP） binding cassette transporter G2（ABCG2）， and liver XOD proteins. ResultThrough network pharmacology analysis， Plantaginis Semen was selected as a candidate control herb， and Tongfengshu tablets was used as a compound compatibility environment to explore the efficacy of SFB in reducing blood uric acid levels and treating GA. Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the gait score and joint swelling degree of the model group were significantly increased， and the mechanical pain threshold was significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the gait score， joint swelling degree and mechanical pain threshold of rats in each medication group were improved to varying degrees. Biochemical indicators showed that compared with the blank group， the serum uric acid， creatinine， urea nitrogen and XOD levels of the model group were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the serum uric acid and XOD levels of rats in each treatment group were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. ELISA results showed that compared with the blank group， the levels of serum TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6 in the model group were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the levels of TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6 in the benzbromarone group， Tongfengshu tablets group， Tongfengshu granules group and new formula group were significantly reduced（P<0.05，P<0.01）. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group， the expression levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins in renal tissue and OXD protein in liver tissue of the model group were significantly increased， while the expression levels of renal OAT1 and ABCG2 were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression levels of renal URAT1 and GLUT9 in the SFB granules group， Tongfengshu granules group and new formula group were significantly decreased， while the expression levels of renal OAT1 and ABCG2 were significantly increased， and the expression of XOD protein in liver tissue was significantly decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological analysis showed that focal infiltration of neutrophils， cell necrosis and nuclear fragmentation were observed in the liver tissue of the model group， sodium urate deposition crystals and tubular dilation appeared in renal tissue， synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration appeared in ankle joint. Compared with the model group， the abnormal degrees of liver， kidney and ankle joint tissue of rats in each treatment group were alleviated. ConclusionThe new formula of SFB replacing Plantaginis Semen has the same effect in the treatment of HUA combined with GA. This study proposes a new strategy to investigate the efficacy of new resources of Chinese medicine in a compound compatibility environment， which can provide a new demonstration for the research and development of new resources of Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveAt present, the matching reagents of commercially available rapid DNA instruments based on microfluidics chip technology are autosome short tandem repeat (STR) individual identification reagents. The non-recombining part of the human Y chromosome is widely used in forensic DNA analysis, particularly in cases where standard autosomal DNA profile is uninformative. Y-STR loci are useful markers to identify males and male lineages in forensic practice. In order to achieve rapid and fully integrated detection ofY-STR loci, this study constructed the RTyper Y27 microfluidic chip rapid detection system and validated the performance of this system. MethodsThe system was verified and evaluated by sensitivity, success rate, typing accuracy, peak height balance, sizing precision and accuracy, mock case sample tests, mixture detection ability, and inhibition tolerance. ResultsComplete Y-STR profiles can be obtained when the template amount of DNA standard 9948 was ≥8 ng, the number of blood cards was ≥3 pieces, and the number of oral swab scrapings was≥7 times. The success rate of fully integrated detection was 91.52%, and the concordance rates was 99.74% for 165 testing samples. The success rate of 115 blood spots in these samples was 90.43%, with a typing accuracy of 99.65%, the success rate of 50 buccal swabs was 94%, with a typing accuracy of 99.92%. There was no significant difference in typing accuracy between blood spots and buccal swab samples. The peak height ratio between different fluorescence channels was 89.81%. The standard deviation of allelic ladder for 10 runs was within 0.5 bp. The size differences between allele and corresponding allele in allelic ladder was within 0.5 bp. The maximum precision CV values within and between batches were 0.48% and 0.68%, respectively, which were lower than 15%. These data indicate that the system has good accuracy and precision. The system was capable of accurately typing oral swabs, blood cards, saliva cards, cigarette butts, blood swabs and seminal stains. Complete Y-STR profiles can be obtained and distinguish at the 1∶3 ratio of minor and major contributors in artificial male DNA mixtures. Complete Y-STR genotyping can be obtained under the interference of inhibitors, such as different concentrations of humic acid (50-400 mg/L), indigotin (20-100 nmol/L) and hemoglobin (100-500 μmol/L). ConclusionIn this study, the RTyper Y27 microfluidic chip rapid amplification system is combined with the Quick TargSeq 1.0 integrated system, and the Y-STR profile can be obtained in approximately 2 h. Through a series of verification experiments, the results show that the system has good repeatability, accuracy and stability, can meet the on-site Y-STR detection requirements, and can be used in forensic practice.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Gongju(Chrysanthemum morifolium) is one of the five major medicinal Chrysanthemum varieties included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In recent years, its cultivation areas have changed significantly, resulting in mixed quality of the medicinal herbs. In this study, Gongju cultivated in Anhui, Yunnan, Chongqing, and other places were selected as research objects. Hyperspectral data were collected in the visible-near-infrared(VNIR) and short-wave infrared(SWIR) bands using different modes, such as corolla facing up(A) and flower base facing up(B). After pre-processing the hyperspectral data using five methods, including multiplicative scatter correction(MSC), Savitzky-Golay smoothing(SG), first derivative(D1), second derivative(D2), and standard normal variate(SNV), partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLSDA), random forest(RF), and support vector machine(SVM) were used to establish origin identification models of Gongju at the two geographical scales of the province and the city-county in Anhui province. The accuracy of the prediction results was used as an evaluation index to select the optimal models, and the classification performance of the models was evaluated by confusion matrix. The results showed that the flower base facing up(B) collection model combined with second derivative pretreatment and RF method was the best model for both geographical scale identification models. The modeling effect of the full-band(VNIR + SWIR) was slightly better than that of the single band, with the accuracy of the prediction set in the province and city-county regions reaching 99.69% and 99.40%, respectively. The competitive adaptive reweighted sampling algorithm(CARS), successive projections algorithm(SPA), and variable iterative space shrinkage approach(VISSA) were further used to screen the feature wavelength modeling. The number of feature wavelengths screened by CARS was fewer, and the prediction set accuracy of the two geographical scales models after optimization could reach 99.56% and 98.65%, which was basically comparable to the full-band model. However, the removal of redundant variables could greatly reduce the complexity of the model. The hyperspectral technology combined with the chemometrics model established in this study can achieve the origin identification of Gongju at different geographical scales, providing a theoretical basis and technical reference for the construction of a rapid detection system for Gongju origin and the development of exclusive miniaturized instrumentation and equipment systems.
Chrysanthemum/growth & development* ; China ; Support Vector Machine ; Geography ; Discriminant Analysis ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods* ; Spectrum Analysis/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Least-Squares Analysis

A rich diversity of wild medicinal plant resources is distributed in China, but the breeding of new plant varieties of Chinese medicinal plants started late and the breeding level is relatively weak. Chinese medicinal plant resources are the foundation for new varieties breeding, and the plant variety rights(PVP) are of great significance for the protection and development of germplasm resources. However, most Chinese medicinal plants do not have a distinctness, uniformity, and stability(DUS) testing guideline. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has put 191 plant species(genera) on protection lists, of which only 30 are medicinal species(genera). At the same time, only 29 of 293 species(genera) plants in the Protection List of New Plant Varieties of the People's Republic of China(Forest and Grass) belong to Chinese medicinal plants. The number of PVP applications and authorization of Chinese medicinal plants is rare, and the composition of variety is unreasonable. Up to now, 29 species(genera) of DUS test guidelines for Chinese medicinal plants have been developed. Some basic problems in the breeding of new varieties of Chinese medicinal plants have appeared, such as the small number of new varieties and insufficient utilization of Chinese medicinal plant resources. This paper reviewed the current situation of breeding of new varieties of Chinese medicinal plants and the research progress of DUS test guidelines in China and discussed the application of biotechnology in the field of Chinese medicinal plant breeding and the existing problems in DUS testing. This paper guides the further application of DUS to protect and utilize the germplasm resources of Chinese medicinal plants.
Agriculture ; Biotechnology ; Plant Breeding ; Plants, Medicinal/genetics*

BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been explored as a potential biomarker for various inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular events. This study aimed to assess the predictive role of GDF-15 levels in cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, considering traditional risk factors and other biomarkers. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted and 3699 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled into the research. Baseline GDF-15 levels were measured. Median follow-up was 3.1 years during the study. We analyzed clinical variables and several biomarkers. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate prognostic performance of GDF-15 levels in predicting myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, stroke, cardiovascular death, and non-cardiovascular death. RESULTS: Baseline GDF-15 levels for 3699 patients were grouped by quartile (≤ 1153, 1153-1888, 1888-3043, > 3043 ng/L). Higher GDF-15 levels were associated with older age, male gender, history of hypertension, and elevated levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2), and creatine (each with P < 0.001). Adjusting for established risk factors and biomarkers in Cox proportional hazards models, a 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in GDF-15 was associated with elevated risk of clinical events [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.52-3.11)], including: MI [HR = 2.83 95% CI: (1.03-7.74)], heart failure [HR = 2.71 95% CI: (1.18-6.23)], cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death [HR = 2.48, 95% CI (1.49-4.11)] during the median follow up of 3.1 years. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of GDF-15 consistently provides prognostic information for cardiovascular events and all cause death, independent of clinical risk factors and other biomarkers. GDF-15 could be considered as a valuable addition to future risk prediction model in secondary prevention for predicting clinical events in patient with stable CAD.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment response, and outcomes in patients with classical hairy cell leukemia (cHCL) and HCL variant (HCL-V). Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. Between January 2011 and December 2021, clinical data of 30 patients newly with diagnosed HCL at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed. The main outcome measures include clinical characteristics, treatment efficacy and survival. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: Twenty-one cases of cHCL and 9 cases of HCL-v were included. The median age at diagnosis was 55.5 (range, 30-86) years, with the ratio of male to female 2.75∶1. The main clinical manifestations included fatigue in 11 cases (36.7%), abdominal distension in 7 cases (23.3%), and infection in 4 cases, while 8 cases were asymptomatic. Splenomegaly was reported in 24 cases (80.0%), including 7 (23.3%) with megalosplenia. The white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and the proportion of peripheral hairy cells in HCL-v group were significantly higher than those in cHCL group, whereas the development of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and monocytopenia in cHCL group was more remarkable than that in HCL-v group (all P<0.05). The BRAF-V600E gene mutation was detected only in cHCL patients (11/14 vs. 0/9, P<0.001). In terms of immunophenotype, the expression of CD25, CD103, CD123 and CD200 in cHCL group (20/20, 20/20, 4/7, 7/17) were all stronger than those in HCL-v group (3/9, 7/9, 0/4, 2/8). Twenty-two patients were treated, of which 13 cases (12 cases of cHCL and 1 case of HCL-v) with cladribine, and 9 cases (4 cHCL and 5 HCL-v) with interferon. Complete remission rate and overall response rate were comparable between cladribine and interferon treatment groups (both P<0.05). The median follow-up time was 31 (range, 1-125) months, and the median overall survival (OS) of the entire group was 125 months. The 5-year OS rate in HCL-v patients represented a trend of inferior (50.0% vs. 95.0%, P=0.207). Conclusions: The clinical features of HCL are unspecific, which includes fatigue, splenomegaly and recurrent infection. The clinical features, immunophenotype, treatment response and prognosis of HCL-v are different from those of cHCL. BRAF-V600E gene mutation is suggested as a key marker for differential diagnosis. Cladribine is recommended as front-line regimen of cHCL patients with satisfactory efficacy and prognosis. Conversely, response and clinical outcome in HCL-v patients still need to be improved.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Leukemia, Hairy Cell/drug therapy* ; Cladribine/therapeutic use* ; Splenomegaly/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/therapeutic use* ; Prognosis ; Interferons/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*

Extracellular deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau are the predominant pathological changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increasing evidence demonstrates a critical role of a variety of small GTPases, namely Ras-related proteins (Rabs), in the pathogenesis of AD. As crucial regulators of intracellular membrane trafficking, alteration in Rab protein expression and function represents one of the primary factors contributing to the abnormal membrane trafficking in AD. Additionally, the Rab GTPases are also involved in the development of Aβ, tau and other pathological changes associated with AD. In this article, we conduct a comprehensive review on the primary functions of multiple Rab proteins and their involvement in the pathogenesis of AD.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease ; rab GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; tau Proteins/metabolism*

Moringa oleifera leaves are known for their "Virechana"(purgative) effect in Ayurvedic medicine in India. This study compared the purgative effects and mechanisms of M. oleifera leaves with the reference Rhei Radix et Rhizoma to establish a foundation for the further application of M. oleifera leaves in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods, this study identified the material basis, common targets, and signaling pathways through which Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and M. oleifera leaves exerted their purgative pharmacological effects. A low-fiber diet-induced constipation mouse model was established to measure fecal parameters and small intestinal propulsion rate, and histological changes in the colon were observed using HE staining. Relative expression levels of relevant genes and target proteins were assessed using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The results showed that mapping the targets of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and M. oleifera leaves onto the biological process network of constipation revealed close proximity, indicating that they may exert their therapeutic effects on constipation through similar biological processes. Molecular docking results indicated that compounds such as sennoside C and isoquercitrin could target serine/threonine protein kinases(AKT1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3(MAPK3), thereby affecting MAPK and calcium signaling pathways to promote defecation. Animal experiments demonstrated that both M. oleifera leaves and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma increased the number of fecal pellets and water content in constipated mice, improved small intestine motility, colon mucosal thickness, and muscle layer thickness, upregulated the gene expression levels of AKT1 and MAPK3 in the colon, and downregulated the expression of AQP3 protein. These findings suggest that M. oleifera leaves and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma share similarities in their therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms for treating constipation. Using Rhei Radix et Rhizoma as a reference can provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the "Virechana"(purgative) effect of M. oleifera leaves in TCM.
Mice ; Animals ; Cathartics ; Moringa oleifera ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Constipation