Streptomyces sp.X-435 isolated from a soil sample collected in the suburbs of Beijing was proved to be a produce Virginiamycin.To improve the productivity of the Virginiamycin of Streptomyces sp.X-435,the spores of strain X-435 were treated with UV.The three types of colony,strawhat,wrinkled,blad,were isolated on Gaose's medium plates after mutation.Among them,the colonies of strawhat type exhibited positive mutation and were picked up as objects of screening.After five generation of mutation,the mutant F5-25-u-28 was selected which potency of Virginiamycin was about 20times higher than that of the beginning strain by flask fermentation and was also genetic stable.

Objective:To explain the present status of licensed pharmacists in China, and put forward suggestions for perfecting the system by a problem-focused method. Methods: The data from Certification Center for Licensed Pharmacists of CFDA and 2535 pieces of questionnaire from nationwide were reviewed, and the practice registration, distribution, educational background, qualifica-tions and the other status were analyzed. Results:Generally, the development of licensed pharmacists in China was promising. Howev-er, there were still some problems existing in China such as the lower registration rate compared with some countries abroad, the une-ven distribution inside, and the unclear duty understanding. Conclusion:It is proposed to formulate relevant policies to strengthen re-gional guidance, improve registration rate, distinguish the content of continuing education and so on in order to promote the quality of licensed pharmacists in China.

Objective: To determine the impact of low T3 syndrome on adverse cardiovascular events in adult patients with acute viral myocarditis. Methods: The study population consisted of 134 consecutive patients admitted between January 2002 and March 2018 with diagnoses of acute viral myocarditis (onset of symptoms<1 month,patients were divided into low serum free triiodothyronine (FT3, n=20) group and normal FT3 (n=114) group. General information, clinical presentation,electrocardiography at admission,laboratory tests,echocardiography features were analyzed. Low T3 syndrome was defined as a state with decreased FT3 and total triiodothyronine (TT3), normal or decreased free thyroxine (FT4) and total thyroxine (TT4) as well as normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Composite adverse cardiovascular events included death, persistent ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) and cardiac arrest. Risk factors related with composite adverse cardiovascular events in adult patients with acute viral myocarditis were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results: Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower (P<0.01),while heart rate (P=0.004) and the prevalence of VT/VF were significantly higher (P=0.017) in low T3 group than in the normal T3 group. Level of white blood cell,C response protein,fasting glucose (all P<0.01) as well as creatinine (P=0.035) were significantly higher, while level of FT3 and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were significantly lower (both P<0.01) in low T3 group than in normal T3 group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that LVEF at admission less than 40% (OR=6.615,95%CI 1.186-36.907, P=0.031) and FT3 level less than 1.79 ng/L (OR=9.131, 95%CI 1.577-52.857, P=0.014) were independent risk factors of increased composite adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute viral myocarditis. Conclusion Low FT3 increases the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in adult patients with acute viral myocarditis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among schoolchildren in Guangdong Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

METHODSUsing a cluster sampling method, an epidemiological survey of RHD was conducted in 16 682 primary and high school students by auscultation in Guangdong Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2005 to 2006. Review of the clinical records, RHD survey in adults, and examination of the positivity rate of group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) by throat swab cultures in the students aged between 9 and 12 years in the sampled schools were also carried out.

RESULTSNo RHD patient was found in the sampled population. In Xinjiang, the prevalence of RHD was 12.9/1000 among adults, higher than that (2.2/1000) in Guangdong Province. The GAS-positive rate in the schoolchildren in Xinjiang ranged from 9.8% to 12.6%, higher than that in Guangdong (2.3%-3.9%).

CONCLUSIONThe GAS-positive rate among children and incidence of RHD in adults are higher in Xinjiang than in Guangdong. The prevalence of RHD among the schoolchildren shows a reduction compared with that in 1994.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cluster Analysis ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; prevention & control ; Streptococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; Streptococcus agalactiae

OBJECTIVETo compare the feasibility of bone and calcified plaque subtracted dual-energy CT angiography (CTA) with time of flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA) in evaluation of internal carotid artery atherosclerosis.

METHODSTotally 32 patients received a dual-energy CTA scan, along with a cerebral TOF MRA scan before or after CTA examination from one day to one month. Dual-energy software was used for bone and calcified plaque subtraction. Five anatomical segments were described for each internal carotid artery according to Fischer (1938). Ratings were based on a 1-4 scale for the dual-energy CTA maximum intensity projection (MIP) image: 1 not diagnostic, 2 partially diagnostic, 3 diagnostic, and 4 excellent. Lesions were categorized as mild (0-29%), moderate (30%-69%), severe (70%-99%), or occluded (no flow detected). Stenosis of internal carotid artery was evaluated based on post-subtracted CTA images and TOF MRA images.

RESULTSIn 320 arterial segments, 99% of arterial segments were > or = 3 score. Grading of stenosis on dual-energy CTA agreed with grading of stenoses on MRA images in 98% of arteries. In the mild and occlusion group, the agreement was 100% respectively. In the moderate and severe group, dual-energy CTA showed more severe stenosis than MRA in 7 vessels and there was significant difference between the results from the two different modalities (Z = -3.071, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONDual-energy CTA can be used to assess the stenosis of internal arteries around skull base, but may exaggerate the severe stenosis of cerebral arteries compared with TOF MRA.

Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; methods ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; pathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnosis ; Cerebral Angiography ; methods ; Cerebral Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

BACKGROUNDPlantar pressure serves as a key factor for predicting ulceration in the feet of diabetes patients. We designed this study to analyze plantar pressure changes and correlating risk factors in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODSWe recruited 65 patients with type 2 diabetes. They were invited to participate in the second wave 2 years later. The patients completed identical examinations at the baseline point and 2 years later. We obtained maximum force, maximum pressure, impulse, pressure-time integral, and loading rate values from 10 foot regions. We collected data on six history-based variables, six anthropometric variables, and four metabolic variables of the patients.

RESULTSOver the course of the study, significant plantar pressure increases in some forefoot portions were identified (P < 0.05), especially in the second to forth metatarsal heads. Decreases in heel impulse and pressure-time integral levels were also found (P < 0.05). Plantar pressure parameters increased with body mass index (BMI) levels. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) changes were positively correlated with maximum force (β = 0.364, P = 0.001) and maximum pressure (β = 0.366, P = 0.002) changes in the first metatarsal head. Cholesterol changes were positively correlated with impulse changes in the lateral portion of the heel (β = 0.179, P = 0.072) and pressure-time integral changes in the second metatarsal head (β = 0.236, P = 0.020). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) changes were positively correlated with maximum force changes in the first metatarsal head (β = 0.137, P = 0.048). Neuropathy symptom score (NSS) and common peroneal nerve sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) changes were positively correlated with some plantar pressure changes. In addition, plantar pressure changes had a correlation with the appearance of infections, blisters (β = 0.244, P = 0.014), and calluses over the course of the study.

CONCLUSIONSWe should pay attention to the BMI, HbA1c, cholesterol, ABI, SCV, and NSS changes in the process of preventing high plantar pressure and ulceration. Some associated precautions may be taken with the appearance of infections, blisters, and calluses.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Foot ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Foot ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pressure ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of prebiotics supplementation for 9 days on gut microbiota structure and function and establish a machine learning model based on the initial gut microbiota data for predicting the variation of Bifidobacterium after prebiotic intake.

METHODSWith a randomized double-blind self-controlled design, 35 healthy volunteers were asked to consume fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) or galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) for 9 days (16 g per day). 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing was performed to investigate the changes of gut microbiota after prebiotics intake. PICRUSt was used to infer the differences between the functional modules of the bacterial communities. Random forest model based on the initial gut microbiota data was used to identify the changes in Bifidobacterium after 5 days of prebiotic intake and then to build a continuous index to predict the changes of Bifidobacterium. The data of fecal samples collected after 9 days of GOS intervention were used to validate the model.

RESULTSFecal samples analysis with QIIME revealed that FOS intervention for 5 days reduced the intestinal flora alpha diversity, which rebounded on day 9; in GOS group, gut microbiota alpha diversity decreased progressively during the intervention. Neither FOS nor GOS supplement caused significant changes in β diversity of gut microbiota. The area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 89.6%. The continuous index could successfully predict the changes in Bifidobacterium (R=0.45, P=0.01), and the prediction accuracy was verified by the validation model (R=0.62, P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONShort-term prebiotics intervention can significantly decrease α-diversity of the intestinal flora. The machine learning model based on initial gut microbiota data can accurately predict the changes in Bifidobacterium, which sheds light on personalized nutrition intervention and precise modulation of the intestinal flora.

BACKGROUNDIncomplete right bundle branch block (ICRBBB) is commonly associated with atrial septal defect (ASD), but lacks sufficient diagnostic test characteristics. An abnormal T wave is also often observed in ASD, with horizontal or inverted displacement of the proximal T wave limb in the right precordial leads, termed "defective T wave" (DTW).

METHODSWe examined the diagnostic test characteristics of combining ICRBBB with DTW as a new index to diagnose ASD. A total of 132 consecutive patients with ASD and 132 cases of age/gender-matched controls without ASD were enrolled.

RESULTSSensitivities of DTW, ICRBBB, and both were 87.1% - 87.9%. Specificities were 97.0%, 96.2%, and 100%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 1.3%, 1.1%, and 100.0% respectively, while negative predictive values were 99.9% for each.

CONCLUSIONCombining ICRBBB with DTW in electrocardiogram (ECG) as a new index significantly increased the specificity and positive predictive values while maintaining a high sensitivity in diagnosing ASD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bundle-Branch Block ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To establish a rapid screening method for 34 emerging contaminants in surface water by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS).Methods The pretreatment conditions of solid phase extraction(SPE)were op-timized by orthogonal experimental design and the surface water samples were concentrated and ex-tracted by Oasis? HLB and Oasis? MCX SPE columns in series.The extracts were separated by Kine-tex? EVO C18 column,with gradient elution of 0.1%formic acid aqueous solution and 0.1%formic acid methanol solution.Q-TOF-MS'fullscan'and'targeted MS/MS'modes were used to detect 34 emerging contaminants and to establish a database with 34 emerging contaminants precursor ion,prod-uct ion and retention times.Results The 34 emerging contaminants exhibited good linearity in the con-centration range respectively and the correlation coefficients(r)were higher than 0.97.The limit of de-tection was 0.2-10 ng/L and the recoveries were 81.2%-119.2%.The intra-day precision was 0.78%-18.70%.The method was applied to analyze multiple surface water samples and 6 emerging contaminants were detected,with a concentration range of 1.93-157.71 ng/L.Conclusion The method is simple and rapid for screening various emerging contaminants at the trace level in surface water.

AIM: To explore the mechanism of fructus lycii in treating dry eye based on network pharmacology and experimental verification.METHODS: Taking “fructus lycii” as key words, the active ingredients and target of fructus lycii were searched by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). Gene targets related to dry eye(DE)were searched by GeneCards and OMIM databases. The target genes of fructus lycii and DE were imported into Venn software to obtain the intersection target map of them. After that, the data were imported into the String database to obtain the PPI protein-protein interaction network diagram. Using Cytoscape3.7.2 software, the PPI protein-protein interaction network diagram was constructed for active ingredients, target sites and related diseases of fructus lycii. The Bioconductor platform and R language were used for gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis. And the key targets in the pathogenesis of DE were verified by experiments.RESULTS: Through TCMSP, 45 types of effective chemical components of fructus lycii, 174 target genes corresponding to active components and 131 common target genes with DE were screenedout. In accordance with the network topology of “drug-composition-disease-target”, 27 main effective components of fructus lycii were found in the treatment of DE. The PPI network was analyzed according to the high degree value, which is the key targets of fructus lycii for DE treatment, mainly including AKT1, VEGFA, CASP3, IL1B, JUN, PTGS2, CXCL8, etc. According to GO enrichment analysis, 166 biological functions and processes of fructus lycii for DE treatment were obtained. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that 31 signaling pathways were involved. Additionally, experimental verification displayed that the protein expressions of AKT1, interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)and IL-17 in conjunctiva tissue of the DE model group were significantly increased.CONCLUSIONS: Through network pharmacology, this study confirmed that the treatment of DE by fructus lycii is a complex process involving multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways, and that the treatment of DE by fructus lycii is mainly regulated by anti-inflammatory and apoptosis-related molecules.