OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of Sour Jujube Seed Decoction combined with Huanglian Wendan Decoction on adult chronic insomnia and its effect on hypnotic withdrawal.METHODS 187 patients with chronic insomnia were included for anal-ysis,including 102 in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group and 85 in the western medicine group.The TCM group was trea-ted with Sour Jujube Seed Decoction combined with Huanglian Wendan Decoction,while the western medicine group was treated with benzodiazepine under the consideration of doctor.The intervention period was 1 month,with assessments using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)conducted before and after the intervention.Follow-up evaluations were performed at 3 months and 6 months re-spectively after the intervention.RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two groups at baseline.After the inter-vention,the PSQI scores of patients in both groups were significantly improved(P<0.01).Among them,the TCM group was better than the western medicine group in the improvement of sleep quality and sleeping pills,total PSQI score reduction(P<0.01).The re-sults of linear regression analysis showed that after controlling for confounding factors,the regression coefficients of the TCM group in two different models were1.821 and 1.922 respectively,and the former was statistically significant(P<0.05).By screening patients who took hypnotics at baseline in the TCM group and comparing them with those in the western medicine group,the influencing factors of hypnotic withdrawal were analyzed.During the 3-month follow-up,25 out of 39 patients in the TCM group and 17 out of 80 patients in the western medicine group had hypnotic withdrawal(χ2= 19.25,P<0.001);during the 6-month follow-up,23 of the 39 patients in the TCM group and 18 of the 79 patients in the western medicine group had hypnotic withdrawal(χ2= 13.53,P<0.001),the with-drawal rate of patients in the TCM group was significantly higher than that in the western medicine group.Further regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors,the results showed that the western medicine group had a significantly higher rate of not withdrawal than the TCM group at 3 months(OR=5.50,95%CI:2.30～13.72)and 6 months(OR=6.43,95%CI:2.54～17.77),and the results were statistically different(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Sour Jujube Seed Decoction combined with Huangli-an Wendan Decoction is effective in treating adult chronic insomnia and assisting in hypnotic withdrawal.

Dao-di herbs are the treasure of Chinese materia medica and one of the characteristic research objects of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Probing into the microevolution of Dao-di herbs can help to reveal their biological essence and quality formation mechanisms. The progress in molecular biology and omics provides the possibility to elucidate the phylogenetic and quality forming characteristics of Dao-di herbs at the molecular level. In particular, genomics serves as a powerful tool to decipher the genetic origins of Dao-di herbs, and molecular markers have been widely used in the research on the genetic diversity and population structure of Dao-di herbs. Focusing on the excellent traits and quality of Dao-di herbs, this paper reviews the studies about the microevolution process of quality formation mechanisms of Dao-di herbs with the application of molecular markers and omics, aiming to underpin the protection and utilization of TCM resources.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phenotype

Objective: To explore the preoperative whole perforator evaluation and intraoperative eccentric design of anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) based on superficial fascial perforators by modified computed tomography angiography (CTA), and the clinical effects were observed. Methods: A prospective observational study was adopted. Twelve patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors and 10 patients with open injury of the upper limb with large soft tissue defects were hospitalized in the Department of Hand & Microsurgery and Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University from January 2021 to July 2022, with 12 males and 10 females, aged from 33 to 75 years, an average age of 56.6 years. The wounds of the patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors were reconstructed by ALTF after the extensive tumor resection and radical cervical lymph node dissection in the same stage; the wounds of the patients with skin and soft tissue defect on the upper limb were covered by ALTF in stage Ⅱ after debridement in stage Ⅰ. After debridement, the area of wound was 3.5 cm×3.5 cm-25.0 cm×10.0 cm and the area of the required flap area was 4.0 cm×4.0 cm-23.0 cm×13.0 cm. Modified CTA scan was performed on the donor site of ALTF before the operation, with the parameters of modified CTA being set to mainly reduce the tube voltage and tube current, and increase the contrast dose and the dual phase scan. The acquired image data were sent to GE AW 4.7 workstation and adopted the volume reconstruction function for visual reconstruction and evaluation of the whole perforator. The information of perforator and source artery was marked on the body surface before operation according to the above evaluation. During the operation, an eccentric flap centered on the visible superficial fascia whole perforator was designed and cut according to the desired flap area and shape. The donor sites of the flap were repaired by direct sutures or full-thickness skin grafts. The total radiation dose was compared between the modified CTA scan and the traditional CTA scan. The distribution of outlet point of perforator of double thighs, the length and direction of superficial fascia perforators based modified CTA were recorded. The type, number, and origin of the target perforator, distribution of of outlet point of perforator, and the diameter, course, and branch of the source artery observed before the operation were compared with those observed during the operation. The healing of donor site wound and the survival of flaps in recipient site were observed after operation. The texture and appearance of flap, oral and upper limb functions, and the functions of femoral donor sites were followed up. Results: The total radiation dose of modified CTA scan was lower than that of the traditional CTA scan. A total of 48 perforators of double thighs were observed, among which, 31 (64.6%) perforators went outward and downward, 9 (18.8%) perforators went inward and downward, 6 (12.5%) perforators went outward and upward, and 2 (4.2%) perforators went inward and upward, and the average length of superficial fascia perforators was 19.94 mm. The preoperative observed type, number, and source of the perforator, the distribution of the outlet point of the perforator, diameter, course, and branches of the source artery were basically consistent with the intraoperative exploration. The types of 15 septocutaneous (including musculoseptocutaneous) perforators and 10 musculocutaneous perforators observed before the operation was consistent with intraoperative exploration. The distance between the mark of the surface perforator point and the actual exit point of the perforator during operation was (0.38±0.11) mm. All flaps survived without vascular crisis. The donor site wounds of 5 cases of skin grafting and 17 cases of direct suturing wounds healed well. The postoperative follow-up was 2 months to 1 year, with an average of 8.2 months, the flaps were soft and slightly bloated; the function of diet and mouth closing was accessible in patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors, the speech function was mildly impaired in patients with tongue cancer, but they could complete basic oral communication; the wrist and elbow joints and forearm rotation function were not significantly limited in patients with upper limb soft tissue injuries; there was no obvious tightness in the donor sites, and the function of the hip and knee joints was not limited. Conclusions: The whole perforator and even the subcutaneous perforator of the donor site of ALTF can be evaluated by modified CTA, and the flap can be used in oral or maxillofacial reconstruction and repair of skin and soft tissue defects of upper limbs to achieve good results. By clarifying the type, number, and source of the perforator, the distribution of the outlet point of the perforator, diameter, course, and branches of the source artery before the operation, the eccentric design of the ALTF based on the superficial fascia perforator was realized. This study has strong guiding value.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Thigh ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Prospective Studies ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Illumina Xten was employed for shallow sequencing of Panax ginseng(ginseng) samples, MISA for screening of SSR loci, and Primer 3 for primer design. Polymorphic primers were screened from 180 primers. From the successfully amplified polymorphic primers, 15 primers which featured clear peak shape, good polymorphism, and ease of statistics were selected and used to evaluate the genetic diversity and germplasm resources of 36 ginseng accessions with different fruit colors from Jilin province. The results showed that red-fruit ginseng population had high genetic diversity with the average number of alleles(N_a) of 1.031 and haploid genetic diversity(h) of 0.172. The neighbor-joining cluster analysis demonstrated that the germplasms of red-fruit and yellow-fruit ginseng populations were obviously intermixed, and pick-fruit ginseng germplasms clustered into a single clade. The results of STRUCTURE analysis showed high proportion of single genotype in pick-fruit ginseng germplasm and abundant genotypes in red-fruit and yellow-fruit ginseng germplasms with obvious germplasm mixing. AMOVA revealed that genetic variation occurred mainly within populations(62.00%, P<0.001), and rarely among populations(39%, P<0.001), but homogenization was obvious among different populations. In summary, pink-fruit ginseng population may contain rare genotypes, which is the basis for breeding of high-quality high-yield, and multi-resistance varieties, genetic improvement of varieties, and sustainable development and utilization of ginseng germplasm resources.
Fruit/genetics* ; Genetic Variation ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Panax/genetics* ; Plant Breeding

OBJECTIVE: Improvement in the quality of life is reflected in the narrowing of the gap between health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) and life expectancy (LE). The effect of megacity expansion on narrowing the gap is rarely reported. This study aimed to disclose this potential relationship. METHODS: Annual life tables were constructed from identified death records and population counts from multiple administrative sources in Guangzhou, China, from 2010 to 2020. Joinpoint regression was used to evaluate the temporal trend. Generalized principal component analysis and multilevel models were applied to examine the county-level association between the gap and social determinants. RESULTS: Although LE and HALE in megacities are increasing steadily, their gap is widening. Socio-economic and health services are guaranteed to narrow this gap. Increasing personal wealth, a growing number of newborns and healthy immigrants, high urbanization, and healthy aging have helped in narrowing this gap. CONCLUSION In megacities, parallel LE and HALE growth should be highly considered to narrow their gap. Multiple social determinants need to be integrated as a whole to formulate public health plans.
Cities ; Health Status ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Life Expectancy ; Quality of Life ; Social Determinants of Health

Objective: To investigate hypertriglyceridemia and hepatomegaly caused by Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (FSS) and Schisandra chinensis Fructus (FSC) oils in mice. Methods: Mice were orally administered a single dose of Schisandrae Fructus oils. Serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG), triglyceride transfer protein (TTP), apolipoprotein B48 (Apo B48), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), alanine aminotransfease (ALT) and liver index were measured at 6-120 h post-dosing. Results: FSS and FSC oil caused time and dose-dependent increases in serum and hepatic TG levels, with maximum increases in the liver (by 297% and 340%) at 12 h post-dosing and serum (244% and 439%) at 24-h post-dosing, respectively. Schisandrae Fructus oil treatments also elevated the levels of serum TTP by 51% and 63%, Apo B48 by 152% and 425%, and VLDL by 67% and 38% in mice, respectively. FSS and FSC oil treatments also increased liver mass by 53% and 55% and HGF by 106% and 174%, but lowered serum ALT activity by 38% and 22%, respectively. Fenofibrate pre/ co-treatment attenuated the FSS and FSC oil-induced elevation in serum TG levels by 41% and 49% at 48 h post-dosing, respectively, but increased hepatic TG contents (by 38% and 33%, respectively) at 12 h post-dosing. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence to support the establishment of a novel mouse model of hypertriglyceridemia by oral administration of FSS oil (mainly increasing endogenous TG) and FSC oil (mainly elevating exogenous TG).

This study aimed to investigate the effect of methyl eugenol(ME) on hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-induced injury of human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells and its mechanism. The viability of HK-2 cells cultured with different concentrations of ME and exposed to H/R was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. The effect of ME on the morphology of HK-2 cells was observed under an inverted microscope. The content of intracellular reactive oxygen species in different groups was detected after 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA) fluorescence staining. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored by JC-1 dye. The concentrations of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase oxidase 4(Nox4) were measured by Western blot, followed by the assay of Nrf2 concentration changes in cytoplasm and nucleus by confocal fluorescence staining. The results showed that when the concentration of ME was 0-40 μmol·L~(-1), the activity of HK-2 cells was not affected. Compared with the model group, ME enhanced the activity of HK-2 cells and the cell morphology was normal. As revealed by further experiments, ME inhibited the release of reactive oxygen species and the decline in mitochondrial membrane potential of HK-2 cells after H/R injury, promoted Nrf2/HO-1 expression and Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus, and down-regulated the expression of Nox4, thereby significantly reducing apoptosis. This protective effect of ME could be reversed by the specific Nrf2 inhibitor ML385. These findings have preliminarily proved that ME effectively protected HK-2 cells against H/R injury, which might be related to its promotion of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and inhibition of Nox4. Such exploration on the possible mechanism of ME in the treatment of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI) and protection of organ function from the perspective of antioxidant stress has provided reference for related research on the treatment of acute kidney injury with traditional Chinese medicine.
Apoptosis ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Eugenol/pharmacology* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare and analyze the consistency and difference between metageno-mic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and conventional bacterial culture in the detection of pathogenic microorganisms in maxillofacial space infection, as well as to provide a new detection method for the early clinical identification of pathogenic bacteria in maxillofacial space infection. METHODS: The clinical data of 16 patients with oral and maxillofacial space infections in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2020 to June 2020 were collected. mNGS and conventional bacterial culture methods were used to detect pus. We then analyzed and compared the test results of the two methods, including the test cycle, positive detection rate, anaerobic bacteria, facultative anaerobes and aerobic bacteria detection rates, distribution of pathogenic bacteria, relative species abundance, and resistance genes. RESULTS: The average inspection period of mNGS was (18.81±3.73) h, and the average inspection period of bacterial culture was (83.25±11.64) h, the former was shorter than the latter ( CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional bacterial culture, mNGS has the characteristics of short test time, high sensitivity, and high accuracy. Thus, it is a new detection method for the early identification of pathogenic bacteria in maxillofacial space infection and is beneficial to the early clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Bacteria/genetics* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Metagenomics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Technology

【Objective】 To compare the diagnostic efficacy of full-field digital mammography(FFDM), digital breast mammography(DBT) and dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI) for breast tumors in different gland types. 【Methods】 Retrospective analyses of 56 breast lesions in 49 patients who underwent FFDM, DBT and MRI in the Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from October 2018 to December 2019 were performed. The breasts were divided into the non-dense or dense pattern, according to FFDM images. The breast lesions were diagnosed as benign(BI-RADS grade 4a and below) or malignant(BI-RADS grade 4b and above), based on the images of FFDM, DBT and MRI, respectively. All patients underwent surgery or biopsy to get a pathological diagnosis. The kappa consistency tests and receiver operating characteristics(ROC) analyses were used to compare the efficacy of FFDM, DBT and MRI in the diagnosis of breast tumor in different gland patterns. 【Results】 In all breasts, MRI (kappa = 0.66) was moderately consistent with pathological diagnosis, which was higher than DBT(kappa = 0.44), while there was no significant difference between FFDM(kappa = 0.14) and pathological diagnosis. In non-dense breasts, MRI (kappa = 0.88) was moderately consistent with pathological diagnosis, which was higher than DBT(kappa = 0.51), while there was no significant difference between FFDM(kappa = 0.18) and pathological diagnosis. In dense breasts, MRI(kappa = 0.54) was moderately consistent with pathological diagnosis, which was higher than DBT(kappa = 0.37), while there was no significant difference between FFDM(kappa = 0.10) and pathological diagnosis. In all breasts, the diagnostic efficacy of MRI, DBT and FFDM for breast tumor decreased gradually(AUC = 0.83; 0.73; 0.58). Specifically, the specificity of MRI, DBT and FFDM increased sequentially(77%, 82%, 86%), but the sensitivity decreased(88%, 65%, 29%). In non-dense breasts, the diagnostic efficacy of MRI, DBT and FFDM for breast tumor decreased gradually(AUC = 0.97; 0.84; 0.66). Specifically, the sensitivity of MRI(94%) was higher than that of DBT(69%) and FFDM(31%). In dense breasts, the diagnostic efficacy of MRI, DBT and FFDM for breast tumor decreased gradually(AUC = 0.77; 0.69; 0.55). Specifically, the specificity of MRI, DBT and FFDM increased sequentially(71%, 76%, 82%), but the sensitivity decreased(83%, 61%, 28%) . 【Conclusions】 In both dense and non-dense breasts, FFDM has the lowest diagnostic ability. In non-dense breasts, the diagnostic efficacy of MRI is higher than DBT. DBT shows its advantage over MRI in dense breasts, as it has a higher diagnostic specificity.

Objective To observe the change pattern of pericyte number at different time periods after mice skeletal muscle contusion and discuss its role in wound age estimation. Methods A mice gastrocnemius muscle contusion model was established. The form and number changes of pericytes at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 14, and 28 d post-injury were detected by multiple immunofluorescence staining. Results Compared with the slender shape of pericytes in normal skeletal muscles, pericytes in the contusion area had increased volume, rounder form and a round nuclei. Part of pericytes were found to express satellite cell markers paired-box transcription factor （Pax7） or myoblast determination 1 （MyoD1）. The changes of pericyte number in skeletal muscles after contusion were time-dependant, and showed unimodal distribution with the extension of wound age. In the central contusion area, the number of pericytes peaked at 5 d post-injury while in the peripheral contusion area, the number of pericytes peaked at 5 d and 7 d post-injury. Conclusion The number of pericytes in contusion area varies time-dependently after skeletal muscle contusion in mice and might be a reference index for muscle wound age estimation, and is involved in the repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle injury.
Animals ; Contusions ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Pericytes ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley