Atractylodes lancea is a perennial herbaceous plant of Asteraceae, with rhizomes for medical use. However, A. lancea plants from different habitats have great variability, and the germplasm resources of A. lancea are unclear and mixed during production. Therefore, it is urgent to protect new varieties of A. lancea. The distinctness, uniformity, and stability(DUS) testing of new plant varieties is the foundation of plant variety protection, and the DUS testing guidelines are the technical basis for variety approval agencies to conduct DUS testing. In this study, the phenotypic traits of 94 germplasm accessions of A. lancea were investigated considering the breeding and variety characteristics of A. lancea in China. The traits were classified and described, and 24 traits were preliminarily determined, including 20 basic traits that must be tested and four traits selected to be tested. The 20 basic traits included 3 quality traits, 5 false quality traits, and 12 quantitative traits, corresponding to 1 plant traits, 2 stem traits, 8 leaf traits, 6 flower traits, and 3 seed traits. The measurement ranges and coefficients of variation of eight quantitative traits were determined, on the basis of which the grading criteria and codes of the traits were determined and assigned. The guidelines has guiding significance for the trait evaluation, utilization, and breeding of new varieties of A. lancea.
Atractylodes/growth & development* ; China ; Phenotype ; Guidelines as Topic ; Plant Breeding

To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and potential mechanism of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II gamma (CaMKIIγ) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 90 AML patients, and mononuclear cells were isolated. The expression of CaMKIIγ was measured using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. The diagnostic value of CaMKIIγ for AML was assessed, and its correlation with clinical characteristics was analyzed using the clinical data of patients. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms of CaMKIIγ were preliminarily explored. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression of CaMKIIγ was significantly upregulated in AML patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that CaMKIIγ could serve as a promising biomarker for distinguishing AML patients from healthy individuals. Furthermore, CaMKIIγ was significantly correlated with white blood cell (WBC) count and FLT3-ITD mutation. CaMKIIγ was highly expressed in both newly diagnosed and relapsed AML patients, while decreased during remission. In AML cell lines, the expression levels of CaMKIIγ were all elevated. Inhibition of phosphorylated CaMKIIγ by berbamine led to a decrease in pAKT and pSTAT5 expression. CONCLUSION CaMKIIγ is significantly upregulated in AML patients, and is associated with poor clinicopathological features and unfavorable prognosis. It may serve as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in AML. Its expression may be related to the activation of pAKT and pSTAT5, suggesting that CaMKIIγ may contribute to the development and progression of AML through the activation of the AKT/STAT5 signaling pathway.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism* ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/metabolism* ; STAT5 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Male ; Female ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Mutation ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Clinical Relevance

Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.

Objective To explore the relevant protective/risk factors during the development of coronary heart disease blood stasis evidence in the process of pre-existing evidence based on the macro-,meso-,and micro-health state characterization parameter system of Chinese medicine state science.Methods 253 cases of coronary heart disease to be investigated were collected from the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Department of Cardiology in the hospitals affiliated to Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and questionnaires were formulated according to the three dimensions of macro,meso,and micro,and the collected parameters were categorized with Python software,and the patients were diagnosed as pre-coronary heart disease blood stasis evidence(150 cases)and coronary heart disease blood stasis evidence(100 cases),and statistical analyses were performed with frequency analysis,χ2 test,and Logistic regression and other methods for statistical analysis.Results ①The results of univariate analysis showed that:age,BMI,history of smoking,history of alcohol consumption,history of hypertension,history of diabetes mellitus,average monthly high temperature,air quality,season,type of occupation,social environment,coronary artery angiographic stenosis,diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure,creatinine,uric acid and total cholesterol differed between patients diagnosed as pre-Coronary artery disease blood stasis evidence and those diagnosed as Coronary artery disease blood stasis evidence,and all the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).② Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age,BMI,history of alcohol consumption,type of occupation,coronary angiographic stenosis,diastolic blood pressure,creatinine,and dark red tongue were independent risk factors.A prediction model was established:P=1/[1+exp(16.522-1.427×age-0.975×BMI-3.55×drinking history+1.982×monthly average high temperature+0.709×season-1.827×occupational type-1.1×coronary angiographic stenosis-0.072×diastolic blood pressure-0.076×creatinine+2.398×dizziness-4.108×dark red tongue+4.169×pulse asthenia)],the model prediction rate was 90.5%.Conclusion The logistic regression model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis evidence is good with clinical diagnosis,which lays the foundation for the exploration of the state between the already diseased and undiseased of coronary heart disease,and provides important basic data for the theory of subhealth.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of Shengsan Jiedu Huayu decoction in alleviating inflammatory liver injury in rats with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and its effect on the activation intensity for the NLRP3 signaling pathway.Methods:63 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Shengsan Jiedu Huayu decoction (7.29 g/kg/d, 14.58 g/kg/d, and 29.16 g/kg/d). The ACLF rat model was replicated using carbon tetrachloride combined with d-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide. Different dose gradients of the Shengsan Jiedu Huayu decoction were used for a five-day intervention treatment, and then rat serum and tissue samples were collected. A biochemical analyzer was used to detect the serum levels of ALT, AST, and TBIL in rats. ELISA was used to detect serum IL-18 and IL-1β content. HE staining was used to observe histomorphological changes in liver tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect GSDMD expression in liver tissue. Western blot and PCR were used to detect NLRP3, Caspase1, ASC, TLR4, IL-1β, IL-18 protein, and mRNA expression levels.The groups were compared using analysis of variance and the rank-sum test.Results:Compared with the blank group, the model group’s rat liver tissue was severely injured. Serum levels of ALT, AST, and TBIL, inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18, and the GSDMD protein expression level, NLRP3 expression level, TLR4, caspase 1, ASC, IL-1β, IL-18 protein, and mRNA ( P<0.01) were all significantly increased in the model than the blank group ( P<0.01). Additionally, compared with the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of Shengsan Jiedu Huayu decoction had improved liver tissue injury in ACLF rats, while the serum levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, IL-1β, IL-18, liver tissue GSDMD protein, NLRP3, TLR4, caspase 1, and ASC expressions were all lower in the different dose gradients of the Shengsan Jiedu Huayu decoction than the model group, with the most evident reduction in the high-dose group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Shengsan Jiedu Huayu decoction can weaken the activation intensity of the NLRP3 signaling pathway, alleviate liver tissue pathological injury, reduce inflammatory factor release, and alleviate inflammatory liver injury in ACLF rats.

Objective:To explore the effects of RNF113A on the proliferation,migration,in-vasion,apoptosis,and autophagy of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Methods:Hep3B cells were divided into control group and RNF113A overexpression group(RNF113A-OE),HepG2 was divided into control group and RNF113A knockdown group(si-RNF113A),CCK-8 assay was used to detect changes in cell viability,clone formation assay was used to detect changes in cell proliferation abili-ty,Transwell assay was used to detect changes in cell invasion ability,wound healing assay was used to detect changes in cell migration ability,and flow cytometry was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis ability,Western blot experiments were used to detect changes in protein expression of autophagy related genes and AMPK signaling pathway related genes.Results:Compared with the control group,the proliferation,cloning,invasion,and migration abilities of Hep3B cells in the RNF113A-OE group were improved,while apoptosis and autophagy abilities were decreased,and the AMPK signaling pathway was inhibited;In the si-RNF113A group,the proliferation,cloning,in-vasion,and migration abilities of HepG2 cells were significantly reduced,while apoptosis and au-tophagy abilities were increased,and the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway was promoted.Conclusion:RNF113A promotes the proliferation,cloning,invasion,and migration of hepatocel-lular carcinoma cells,and inhibited apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting the AMPK signaling path-way.

Aim To explore the mechanism and mate-rial basis of Shenkang injection(SKI)in the treatment of renal fibrosis(RF)by bioinformatics and in vitro experiments.Methods The differentially expressed genes of RF were screened by GEO database.With the help of CMAP database,based on the similarity princi-ple of gene expression profile,the drugs that regulated RF were repositioned,and then the components of SKI potential treatment RF were screened by molecular fin-gerprint similarity analysis.At the same time,the core targets and pathways of SKI regulating RF were predic-ted based on network pharmacology.Finally,it was verified by molecular docking and cell experiments.Results Based on the GEO database,two RF-related data sets were screened,and CMAP was relocated to three common RF therapeutic drugs(saracatinib,da-satinib,pp-2).Molecular fingerprint similarity analysis showed that RF therapeutic drugs had high structural similarity with five SKI components such as salvianolic acid B and hydroxysafflor yellow A.Molecular docking results showed that salvianolic acid B,hydroxysafflor yellow A and other components had good binding abili-ty with MMP1 and MMP13,which were the core targets of SKI-regulated potential treatment of RF.Network pharmacology analysis suggested that the core targets of SKI were mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as Relaxin and AGE-RAGE.Cell experiments showed that SKI could significantly reduce the mRNA expres-sion levels of AGER,NFKB1,COL1A1,SERPINE1,VEGFC in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and MMP1 and MMP13 in Relaxin signaling pathway in RF model cells,and significantly increase the mRNA expression level of RXFP1.Conclusions SKI can play a role in the treatment of RF by regulating Relaxin and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways,and its material basis may be salvianolic acid B,hydroxysafflor yellow A and other components.

Objective: To analyze the clinical and molecular diagnostic status of Fanconi anemia (FA) in China. Methods: The General situation, clinical manifestations and chromosome breakage test and genetic test results of 107 pediatric FA cases registered in the Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group (CBMTRG) and the Chinese Children Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group (CCBMTRG) from August 2009 to January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Children with FANCA gene variants were divided into mild and severe groups based on the type of variant, and Wilcoxon-test was used to compare the phenotypic differences between groups. Results: Of the 176 registered FA patients, 69 (39.2%) cases were excluded due to lack of definitive genetic diagnosis results, and the remaining 107 children from 15 hospitals were included in the study, including 70 males and 37 females. The age at transplantation treatment were 6 (4, 9) years. The enrolled children were involved in 10 pathogenic genes, including 89 cases of FANCA gene, 7 cases of FANCG gene, 3 cases of FANCB gene, 2 cases of FANCE gene and 1 case each of FANCC, FANCD1, FANCD2, FANCF, FANCJ, and FANCN gene. Compound heterozygous or homozygous of loss-of-function variants account for 69.2% (72/104). Loss-of-function variants account for 79.2% (141/178) in FANCA gene variants, and 20.8% (37/178) were large exon deletions. Fifty-five children (51.4%) had chromosome breakage test records, with a positive rate of 81.8% (45/55). There were 172 congenital malformations in 80 children.Café-au-Lait spots (16.3%, 28/172), thumb deformities (16.3%,28/172), polydactyly (13.9%, 24/172), and short stature (12.2%, 21/172) were the most common congenital malformations in Chinese children with FA. No significant difference was found in the number of congenital malformations between children with severe (50 cases) and mild FANCA variants (26 cases) (Z=-1.33, P=0.185). Conclusions: FANCA gene is the main pathogenic gene in children with FA, where the detection of its exon deletion should be strengthened clinically. There were no phenotypic differences among children with different types of FANCA variants. Chromosome break test is helpful to determine the pathogenicity of variants, but its accuracy needs to be improved.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Fanconi Anemia/genetics* ; Chromosome Breakage ; Retrospective Studies ; Exons ; China/epidemiology*

COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.