The balance between growth and defense in response to nearby or canopy shading in heliotropic plants has been deeply understood. However, the adaptive traits developed by shade-tolerant plants through long-term evolution remain unclear. In this study, the typical shade-tolerant medicinal plant Anoectochilus roxburghii was used as the experimental material.(1) Different planting densities were set, including 8 cm(row spacing) × 8 cm(plant spacing), 6 cm × 6 cm, 4 cm × 4 cm, and 2 cm × 2 cm, to monitor the individual plant responses to nearby shading.(2) Different light environments, including blue light∶red light=3∶2(B3R2), blue light∶red light∶far-red light=3∶2∶1(B3R2FR1), blue light∶red light∶far-red light=3∶2∶2(B3R2FR2), and blue light∶red light∶far-red light=3∶2∶4(B3R2FR4), were set to monitor the morphological and physiological changes in plants in response to actual shading conditions. The results showed that:(1) Moderate increases in planting density helped optimize morphological traits such as stem diameter and leaf area. This not only slightly increased biomass but also significantly improved SOD activity in both leaves and stems, as well as lignin content in stems, thereby enhancing the plant's defense capabilities.(2) Increasing the far-red light in the light environment negatively regulated the plant height of A. roxburghii, which was contrary to the typical shade-avoidance response observed in heliotropic plants. However, it significantly enhanced SOD and POD activity in both stems and leaves, as well as lignin content in stems. Furthermore, it reduced the incidence and disease index of stalk rot, effectively defending against biotic stress. Therefore, the shade-tolerant plant A. roxburghii has specific adaptive strategies for shading conditions. Reasonable dense planting or light environment modulation can synergistically improve yield, medicinal quality, and resistance of A. roxburghii. This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for optimizing the regional deployment and cultivation strategies of ecological planting for Chinese medicinal materials.
Orchidaceae/genetics* ; Light ; Plant Leaves/physiology* ; Sunlight ; Adaptation, Physiological/radiation effects* ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

This study aims to explore the pharmacodynamic material basis of Jinbei Oral Liquid(JBOL) against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) based on serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technology was employed to analyze and identify the components absorbed into rat blood after oral administration of JBOL. Combined with network pharmacology, the study explored the pharmacodynamic material basis and potential mechanism of JBOL against IPF through protein-protein interaction(PPI) network construction, "component-target-pathway" analysis, Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. First, a total of 114 compounds were rapidly identified in JBOL extract according to the exact relative molecular mass, fragment ions, and other information of the compounds with the use of reference substances and a self-built compound database. Second, on this basis, 70 prototype components in blood were recognized by comparing blank serum with drug-containing serum samples, including 28 flavonoids, 25 organic acids, 4 saponins, 4 alkaloids, and 9 others. Finally, using these components absorbed into blood as candidates, the study obtained 212 potential targets of JBOL against IPF. The anti-IPF mechanism might involve the action of active ingredients such as glycyrrhetinic acid, cryptotanshinone, salvianolic acid B, and forsythoside A on core targets like AKT1, TNF, and ALB and thereby the regulation of multiple signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT, HIF-1, and TNF. In conclusion, JBOL exerts the anti-IPF effect through multiple components, targets, and pathways. The results would provide a reference for further study on pharmacodynamic material basis and pharmacological mechanism of JBOL.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics* ; Animals ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Network Pharmacology ; Rats ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism* ; Humans ; Administration, Oral ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DCAG (decitabine, cytarabine, anthracyclines, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) regimen in the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: The clinical data of 64 R/R AML patients received treatment at Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Primary endpoints included efficacy measured by overall response rate (ORR) and safety. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and duration of response (DOR). The patients were followed from enrollment until death, or the end of last follow-up (June 1st, 2023), whichever occurred first. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients who failed prior therapy were enrolled and completed 1 cycle, and 26 and 5 patients completed 2 and 3 cycles, respectively. Objective response rate was 67.2% ［39: complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi), 4: partial remission (PR)］. With a median follow-up of 62.0 months (1.0-120.9), the median overall survival (OS) was 23.3 and event-free survival was 10.6 months. The median OS was 51.7 months (3.4-100.0) in responders (CR/CRi/PR) while it was 8.4 months (6.1-10.7) in nonresponders ( P <0.001). Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities were observed in all patients. Four patients died from rapid disease progression within 8 weeks after chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The DCAG regimen represents a feasible and effective treatment for R/R AML.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Cytarabine/administration & dosage* ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/administration & dosage* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Decitabine ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Anthracyclines/administration & dosage* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects of gentiopicroside (GPS) against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in endothelial cells, aiming to reduce atherosclerosis. METHODS: Eight-week-old male ApoE-deficient mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10 per group): the vehicle group and the GPS treatment group. Both groups were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. GPS (40 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage to the GPS group, while the vehicle group received an equivalent volume of the vehicle solution. At the end of the treatment, blood and aortic tissues were collected for assessments of atherosclerosis, lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and molecular expressions related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ROS production, and apoptosis. Additionally, in vitro experiments on human aortic endothelial cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were conducted to evaluate the effects of GPS on NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and ROS production, specifically examining the role of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. SIRT1 and Nrf2 inhibitors were used to confirm the pathway's role. RESULTS: GPS treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the en face aorta (P<0.01), as well as in the thoracic and abdominal aortic regions, and markedly decreased sinus lesions within the aortic root (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, GPS reduced oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 β and IL-18, in lesion areas (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro, GPS inhibited ox-LDL-induced NLRP3 activation, as evidenced by reduced NLRP3 (P<0.01), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, cleaved-caspase-1, and cleaved-gasdermin D expressions (all P<0.01). GPS also decreased ROS production, apoptosis, and pyroptosis, with the beneficial effects being significantly reversed by SIRT1 or Nrf2 inhibitors. CONCLUSION GPS exerts an antiatherogenic effect by inhibiting ROS-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Iridoid Glucosides/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/drug effects* ; Male ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Endothelial Cells/pathology* ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To investigate the environmental contamination related to first patient with carbapenem-re-sistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)infection and the infection status of relevant patients in a newly established intensive care unit(ICU)of a hospital in Tibetan area,and analyze the transmission risk.Methods From the ad-mission in ICU of a patients who was first detected CRAB on November 15,2021 to the 60th day of hospitalization,all patients who stayed in ICU for＞48 hours were performed active screening on CRAB.On the 30th day and 60th day of the admission to the ICU of the first CRAB-infected patient,environment specimens were taken respectively 2 hours after high-frequency diagnostic and therapeutic activities but before disinfection,and after disinfection but before medical activities.CRAB was cultured with chromogenic culture medium.Results Among the 13 patients who were actively screened,1 case was CRAB positive,he was transferred from the ICU of a tertiary hospital to the ICU of this hospital on November 19th.On the 40th day of admission to the ICU,he had fever,increased frequency for sputum suction,and CRAB was detected.The drug sensitivity spectrum was similar to that of the first case,and he also stayed in the adjacent bed of the first case.64 environmental specimens were taken,and 9 were positive for CRAB,with a positive rate of 14.06％,8 sampling points such as the washbasin,door handle and bed rail were positive for CRAB after high-frequency diagnostic and therapeutic activities.After routine disinfection,CRAB was detected from the sink of the washbasin.Conclusion For the prevention and control of CRAB in the basic-level ICU in ethnic areas,it is feasible to conduct risk assessment on admitted patients and adopt bundled prevention and con-trol measures for high-risk patients upon admission.Attention should be paid to the contaminated areas(such as washbasin,door handle,and bed rail)as well as the effectiveness of disinfection of sink of washbasin.

Tamoxifen(TAM)has been widely used for the treatment of ER+breast cancer.However,the inevitable emergence of resistance to tamoxifen obstructs the successful treatment of this cancer.The tumor suppressor gene N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2(NDRG2)plays a significant role in the de-velopment of ER+breast cancer.However,it is unclear whether NDRG2 participates in mediating TAM resistance in ER+breast cancer.Here,we investigate the expression of NDRG2 mRNA and protein in TAM-sensitive and TAM-resistant ER+breast cancer cells.The results of immunoblotting experiments re-vealed a negative correlation between NDRG2 expression and TAM resistance ability in ER+breast cancer cells(P＜0.001).CCK-8 cell viability assays and soft agar colony formation assays showed that NDRG2 overexpression in TAM resistant cells significantly reduced the TAM IC50 value and the soft agar colony formation rate(P＜0.001).For the mechanism,the ERAD reporter protein assays showed that NDRG2 overexpression upregulated the expression of the ERAD reporter protein CD3ε-YFP and increased the lev-els of spliced XBP1s mRNA,leading to severe endoplasmic reticulum stress in TAM resistant cells(P＜0.001).Immunoblot analysis confirmed that overexpression of NDRG2 significantly increased the level of phosphorylation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor IRE 1α and the expression levels of its down-stream protein factors,including ERdj4,P58IPK,EDEM and PDIA5(P＜0.001).The in vivo xenograft tumor experiments in mice further verified that NDRG2 overexpression significantly inhibited the growth of resistant tumors,which enhanced the therapeutic effect of TAM(P＜0.001).These findings indicate that increasing NDRG2 expression and triggering severe endoplasmic reticulum stress upon TAM treatment can reverse the resistance of ER+breast cancer cells to TAM and inhibits the growth of ER+breast canc-er tumors.Our results provide valuable new insights and potential targets for improving the clinical man-agement of TAM-resistance and prognosis in ER+breast cancer.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of low-dose recombinant interleukin-2(rIL-2)therapy on immunocyte subsets and its side effects in children with solid tumor.Methods:A total of 22 children(11 males and 11 females)with solid tumor in our department from December 2012 to November 2017 were selected,with a median age of 9(3-16)years old when starting IL-2 therapy.ALL surgeries and chemotherapy of children had been completed before low-dose rIL-2 therapy,and 17 cases achieved complete remission(CR)and 5 cases achieved partial remission(PR).A low-dose rIL-2 therapy was given 1 month after chemotherapy for 1 year:4 × 105 IU/(m2·d),s.c.for every other day,3 times per week.The immunocyte subsets were detected every 3 months until the end of treatment,meanwhile,disease condition and therapy-related side effects were followed up.Results:After low-dose rIL-2 therapy in 22 children,the absolute values of CD3+T cells,CD3-CD56+natural killer cells,CD3+CD4+helper T cells(Th)and CD3+CD8+cytotoxic T cells were up-regulated remarkably,as well as Th/suppressor T cells(all P＜0.05).While,there were no significant differences in absolute value and proportion of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg cells during therapy.Among the 17 children who achieved CR before rIL-2 therapy,14 cases continued to maintain CR after therapy,while 3 cases relapsed,and with 2 died after treatment abandonment.The 5 children who achieved PR before low-dose rIL-2 therapy were evaluated CR by PET/CT scan after treatment.In the early stage of low-dose rIL-2 therapy,1 child developed skin rashes at the injection sites,and 2 children ran a slight to mild transient fever.Their symptoms disappeared without any organ damage after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion:Low-dose rIL-2 therapy has good drug tolerance,and changes the distribution of anti-tumor immune-cell subgroup in peripheral blood of children with solid tumor remarkably without up-regulation of absolute value and ratio of Treg cells.

AIM To investigate the effects of total Astragalus saponins on the improvement of sarcopenia in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS The rats were divided into the normal group for a normal feeding and the model group for the feeding of high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of STZ to establish a T2DM model.The successful model rats were randomly divided into the model group,the metformin group(0.2 g/kg)and the total Astragalus saponins group(80 mg/kg),and given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.After 12 weeks administration,the rats had their FBG,postprandial blood glucose(PG2h)and wet weight of skeletal muscle measured;their serum levels of INS,C-peptide(C-P),IGF-1,TNF-α and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their morphological changes of skeletal muscle observed by HE staining;their protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,mTOR,S6K1,FoxO1 and Murf1 in skeletal muscle detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of Pi3k,Akt and mtor in skeletal muscle detected by RT-qPCR method.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the total Astragalus saponins group displayed decreased levels of FBG,PG2h,OGTT-AUC,HOMA-IR,TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.01);increased levels of INS,C-P,IGF-1 and wet weight of skeletal muscle(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);improved skeletal muscle atrophy and increased protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,mTOR and S6K1 in skeletal muscle(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased protein expressions of FoxO1 and Murf1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and increased mRNA expressions of Pi3k,Akt and mtor(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION The improvement effects of total Astragalus saponins on sarcopenia in T2DM rats may be associated with the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathways.

Objective To explore the clinical manifestations,endoscopic findings,histopathological changes,treatment,and prognosis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease(EGID)in children,with the aim of enhancing awareness among pediatricians about this condition.Methods Data of 267 children with EGID were prospectively collected from January 2019 to July 2022 at Jiangxi Children's Hospital,Hunan Children's Hospital,and Henan Children's Hospital.The age of onset,symptoms,physical signs,laboratory examination results,endoscopic findings,histopathological changes,and treatment outcomes were observed.Results Among the 267 children with EGID,the majority had mild(164 cases,61.4% )or moderate(96 cases,35.6% )clinical severity.The disease occurred at any age,with a higher prevalence observed in school-age children(178 cases).The main symptoms in infants were vomiting and hematemesis,while in toddlers,vomiting and bloody stools were prominent.Abdominal pain and vomiting were the primary symptoms in preschool and school-age children.Nearly half(49.4% )of the affected children showed elevated platelet counts on hematological examination,but there was no significant difference in platelet counts among children with mild,moderate,and severe EGID(P>0.05).Endoscopic findings in EGID children did not reveal significant specificity,and histopathological examination showed no specific structural damage.Among them,85.0% (227 cases)received acid suppression therapy,34.5% (92 cases)practiced dietary avoidance,20.9% (56 cases)received anti-allergic medication,and a small proportion(24 cases,9.0% )were treated with prednisone.Clinical symptoms were relieved in all patients after treatment,but three cases with peptic ulcers experienced recurrence after drug discontinuation.Conclusions Mild and moderate EGID are more common in children,with no specific endoscopic findings.Dietary avoidance,acid suppression therapy,and anti-allergic medication are the main treatment methods.The prognosis of EGID is generally favorable in children.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):139-144]

Objective To investigate the changing distribution and antibiotic resistance profiles of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus in hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted for the clinical isolates of Staphylococcus according to the unified protocol of CHINET(China Antimicrobial Surveillance Network)using disk diffusion method and commercial automated systems.The CHINET antimicrobial resistance surveillance data from 2015 to 2021 were interpreted according to the 2021 CLSI breakpoints and analyzed using WHONET 5.6.Results During the period from 2015 to 2021,a total of 204,771 nonduplicate strains of Staphylococcus were isolated,including 136,731(66.8％)strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 68,040(33.2％)strains of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(CNS).The proportions of S.aureus isolates and CNS isolates did not show significant change.S.aureus strains were mainly isolated from respiratory specimens(38.9±5.1)％,wound,pus and secretions(33.6±4.2)％,and blood(11.9±1.5)％.The CNS strains were predominantly isolated from blood(73.6±4.2)％,cerebrospinal fluid(12.1±2.5)％,and pleural effusion and ascites(8.4±2.1)％.S.aureus strains were mainly isolated from the patients in ICU(17.0±7.3)％,outpatient and emergency(11.6±1.7)％,and department of surgery(11.2±0.9)％,whereas CNS strains were primarily isolated from the patients in ICU(32.2±9.7)％,outpatient and emergency(12.8±4.7)％,and department of internal medicine(11.2±1.9)％.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains was 32.9％in S.aureus(MRSA)and 74.1％in CNS(MRCNS).Over the 7-year period,the prevalence of MRSA decreased from 42.1％to 29.2％,and the prevalence of MRCNS decreased from 82.1％to 68.2％.MRSA showed higher resistance rates to all the antimicrobial agents tested except trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole than methicillin-susceptible S.aureus(MSSA).Over the 7-year period,MRSA strains showed decreasing resistance rates to gentamicin,rifampicin,and levofloxacin,MRCNS showed decreasing resistance rates to gentamicin,erythromycin,rifampicin,and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,but increasing resistance rate to levofloxacin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were detected.The prevalence of linezolid-resistant MRCNS increased from 0.2％to 2.3％over the 7-year period.Conclusions Staphylococcus remains the major pathogen among gram-positive bacteria.MRSA and MRCNS were still the principal antibiotic-resistant gram-positive bacteria.No S.aureus isolates were found resistant to vancomycin or linezolid,but linezolid-resistant strains have been detected in MRCNS isolates,which is an issue of concern.