This study was aimed at understanding the antimicrobial resistance patterns,virulence characteristics,and phyloge-netic relationships of foodborne Listeria monocytogenes in Weifang.A total of 67 strains of Listeria monocytogenes were isolated from livestock,poultry meat,and clinical samples in Weifang between 2020 and 2023.The susceptibility of these isolates was determined through broth microdilution.Whole-genome sequencing and genetic characterization of these isolates were conducted.The 67 strains were divided into 12 STs,among which ST121,ST8,ST9,and ST87 predominated(76.12%).Eight groups of closely related strains were identified through cgMLST typing.Three Listeria pathogenicity islands and two genomic islands were identified in all strains:100%of the strains carried LIPI-1,5.97%carried LIPI-3,14.93%carried LIPI-4,2.99%carried LGI-2,and 4.48%of the strains carried LGI-3.No antibiotic resistance genes were found in any strains.All isolates were susceptible to ampicillin,penicillin,merope-nem,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,and vancomycin.Five isolates were resistant to tetracycline,and three strains of ST87,one strain of ST8,one strain of ST224,and two strains of ST87 were simultaneously resistant to erythromycin.The tet(M)tetracycline re-sistance genes and msr(D)and mef(A)erythromycin resistance genes from three strains of ST87 and one strain of ST8 were carried by a phage similar to phi1605 in Erysipelothrix,with>95%identity.The tet(M)gene from the ST224 isolates was carried by a transposon similar to Tn5801_B15 in Enterococcus faecalis,with>95%identity.Drug-resistant strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found in livestock and poultry meat on sale in Weifang,particularly strains of type ST87 and ST224 simultaneously carrying highly pathogenic virulence islands,thus posing a threat to food safety and public health.These findings therefore warrant attention from relevant depart-ments and strengthened monitoring efforts.

Aim To systematically investigate the ac-tive components,targets,and regulatory pathways of Po-lygonum capitatum in intervening atherosclerosis(AS)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods Active components of Polygonum capitatum and AS-related targets were screened and identified through database searches.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database,followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses via the David plat-form.Molecular docking validation was conducted with AutoDock.An AS model was established in Syrian golden hamsters fed a high-fat diet.Predicted pathways and targets were validated using qPCR,ELISA,and histopathological assessment of aortic and hepatic tis-sues via HE staining.Results Network pharmacology identified 27 potential active components of Polygonum capitatum(primarily flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin)and 110 drug-disease intersection targets,in-cluding core targets MMP-9,ALB,and AKT1.GO and KEGG analyses enriched 593 and 125 pathways,re-spectively,with the NF-κB inflammatory pathway,TNF signaling pathway and lipid metabolism/atherosclerosis pathways highlighted as key mechanisms.Animal ex-periments demonstrated that Polygonum capitatum im-proved serum lipid profiles(reduced TC,TG,LDL-C)in AS hamsters,suppressed the MMP-9/NF-κB signa-ling pathway(downregulated MMP-9,p65 phosphoryla-tion,TNF-α,and IL-6),and inhibited VSMC synthetic phenotypic transformation(upregulated α-SMA and myocardin)by downregulating MCPIP1.Additionally,Polygonum capitatum ameliorated aortic lesions and he-patic lipid deposition in AS hamsters.Conclusions Polygonum capitatum alleviates AS by synergistically regulating the MMP-9/NF-κB/MCPIP1 axis through flavonoid components,suppressing vascular inflammato-ry cascades and maintaining VSMC contractile pheno-types.This reflects Polygonum capitatum's multi-com-ponent,multi-pathway,and multi-target characteristics in combating AS.

Objective:To explore the evaluation value of shear wave elastography(SWE)parameters combined with gamma-Glutamyltransferase(GGT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)/alanine aminotransferase(ALT)for the severity of cirrhosis patients.Methods:96 cirrhosis patients who were admitted to Dafang County People's Hospital from January 2022 to October 2024 were selected,they were divided into control group(n=65,Child-Push A and B-grade)and an observation group(n=31,Child-Push c-grade)according to Child-Push grade.All cirrhosis patients underwent SWE examination,serum GGT levels,AST/ALT in cirrhosis patients were detected.SWE parameters(shear wave velocity,elastic modulus)and serum GGT levels,AST/ALT were compared between two groups,Pearson correlation analysis was applied to investigate the correlation between SWE parameters,serum GGT,AST/ALT,and the severity of cirrhosis.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the value of SWE parameters,serum GGT,AST/ALT individual and combined assessment for evaluating Child-Push c-grade cirrhosis.Delong test was used to compare the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of SWE parameter combination,serum GGT and AST/ALT combination,and SWE parameter and serum GGT,AST/ALT combination in evaluating Child-Push c-grade cirrhosis.Results:Compared with the control group,the observation group had faster shear wave velocity and higher elastic modulus(P＜0.05).The AUC values of shear wave velocity and elastic modulus individual and combined assessment were 0.712,0.739,and 0.845,respectively.Compared with the control group,the observation group had higher serum GGT,AST,ALT levels,and AST/ALT(P＜0.05).The AUC values of serum GGT,AST/ALT individual and combined assessment were 0.664,0.714,and 0.790,respectively.SWE parameters,serum GGT levels,AST/ALT were positively correlated with the severity of cirrhosis(P＜0.05).The AUC of SWE parameter combined with serum GGT and AST/ALT assessment was 0.923,significantly higher than SWE parameter combined and serum GGT and AST/ALT combined(z=2.731,2.924,both P＜0.05).Conclusion:Patients with more severe cirrhosis has a faster shear wave velocity,higher elastic modulus,and higher serum GGT levels and AST/ALT.The combined detection above indicators has good application value in evaluating the degree of cirrhosis.

Objective:To investigate the differential expression of Nuclear Factor Kappa B(NF-κB)and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha(TNF-α)in endometrial polyp tissues,polyp-adjacent endometrium,and normal endometrium,and to analyze their correlation with local inflammatory responses,thereby elucidating the pathogenesis of endometrial polyps.Methods:Thirty-six patients with hysteroscopically confirmed endometrial polyps at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital(September 2023-December 2024)were enrolled.Polyp tissues and adjacent endometrial tissues(0.5 cm-1 cm from polyps)were collected during surgery.Twenty-six patients undergoing hysterectomy for uterine fibroids,with pathologically confirmed normal endometrium,served as controls.The expression of NF-κB and TNF-α proteins was assessed using immunohistochemistry(IHC).Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)was employed to detect the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB and TNF-α,and Western blot analysis was used to measure their protein expression.Differences among the three groups were compared.Results:Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated:NF-κB p65 was predominantly localized to the cytoplasm and/or nucleus;TNF-α-positive expression was principally observed in the cytoplasmic compartment and/or cell membrane,manifesting as brown-yellow to brownish granules.The positive expression rate of NF-κB protein was significantly elevated in endometrial polyp tissues compared to both adjacent endometrial tissues and normal endometrial tissues(P＜0.05),whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between adjacent and normal endometrial tissues(P＞0.05).TNF-α protein expression exhibited a gradient pattern:Endometrial polyp tissues＞Adjacent endometrial tissues＞Normal endometrial tissues(with all inter-group comparisons demonstrating statistically significant differences,P＜0.05).Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed a significant gradient trend in the mRNA expression of NF-κB and TNF-α in endometrial polyp tissues:NF-κB mRNA:Polyp group(7.15±3.15)＞parapolyp group(4.38±2.01)＞normal group(1.03±0.30),with significant intergroup differences(all P＜0.05).TNF-α mRNA:Polyp tissue(17.66±9.25)＞parapolyp tissue(9.35±5.75)＞normal endometrium(1.16±0.58),with statistically significant differences among all groups(all P＜0.05).Western blot quantification further confirmed this trend:NF-κB protein:Expression in the polyp group(0.87±0.11)was 2.23-fold higher than in the normal group(0.39±0.02)(P=0.0007),while the parapolyp group(0.59±0.07)showed a 51％increase compared to the normal group(P=0.0435).TNF-α protein:Expression in the polyp group(1.13±0.21)was elevated by 94.8％versus the parapolyp group(0.58±0.03,P=0.0036)and by 494.7％versus the normal group(0.19±0.03,P=0.0002).One-way ANOVA indicated significant intergroup differences(F=43.56,P＜0.05).Conclusion:The TNF-α-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway is abnormally activated in endometrial polyps,exhibiting its highest expression at the polyp site.This suggests that the localized chronic inflammatory microenvironment may promote polyp formation through persistent stimulation of the NF-κB pathway.Targeted regulation of this pathway offers a novel strategy for preventing polyp recurrence.

By employing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the CRITIC method(a weight determination method based on indicator correlations), and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, the weight coefficients of evaluation indicators were determined, followed by a comprehensive score comparison. The grey correlation analysis was then performed to analyze the results calculated using the hybrid weighting method. Subsequently, a backpropagation-artificial neural network(BP-ANN) model was constructed to predict the extraction process parameters and optimize the extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules(SHJG). In the extraction process, an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize three factors at three levels, including extraction frequency, water addition amount, and extraction time. The evaluation indicators included geniposide, berberine, ginsenoside Rg_1 + Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, ferulic acid, and extract yield. Finally, the optimal extraction results obtained by the orthogonal experiment, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN method were compared, and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimal extraction process involved two rounds of aqueous extraction, each lasting one hour; the first extraction used ten times the amount of added water, while the second extraction used eight times the amount. In the validation experiments, the average content of each indicator component was higher than the average content obtained in the orthogonal experiment, with a higher comprehensive score. The optimized extraction process parameters were reliable and stable, making them suitable for subsequent preparation process research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Neural Networks, Computer

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the pillar for the development of motherland medicine, and animal medicine has a long history of application in China, characterized by wide resources, strong activity, definite efficacy, and great benefits. It has significant potential and important status in the consumption market of raw materials of TCM. In the context of global climate change, farming system alterations, and low renewability, the depletion of wild medicinal animal resources has accelerated. Accordingly, the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild resources of animal medicinal materials has become a problem that garners increasing attention and urgently needs to be solved. This paper summarizes the current situation of domestic and foreign medicinal animal breeding and research progress in industrial application in recent years and points out the issues related to standardized breeding, germplasm selection and breeding, and quality evaluation standards for medicinal animals. Furthermore, this paper discusses standardized breeding, quality standards, resource protection and utilization, and the search for alternative resources for rare and endangered medicinal animals. It proposes that researchers should systematically carry out in-depth basic research on animal medicine, improve the breeding scale and level of medicinal animals, employ modern technology to enhance the quality standards of medicinal materials, and strengthen the research and development of alternative resources. This approach aims to effectively address the relationship between protection and utilization and make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of medicinal animal resources and the animal-based Chinese medicinal material industry.
Animals ; Breeding ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Conservation of Natural Resources

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.

Objective:To investigate the differential expression of Nuclear Factor Kappa B(NF-κB)and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha(TNF-α)in endometrial polyp tissues,polyp-adjacent endometrium,and normal endometrium,and to analyze their correlation with local inflammatory responses,thereby elucidating the pathogenesis of endometrial polyps.Methods:Thirty-six patients with hysteroscopically confirmed endometrial polyps at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital(September 2023-December 2024)were enrolled.Polyp tissues and adjacent endometrial tissues(0.5 cm-1 cm from polyps)were collected during surgery.Twenty-six patients undergoing hysterectomy for uterine fibroids,with pathologically confirmed normal endometrium,served as controls.The expression of NF-κB and TNF-α proteins was assessed using immunohistochemistry(IHC).Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)was employed to detect the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB and TNF-α,and Western blot analysis was used to measure their protein expression.Differences among the three groups were compared.Results:Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated:NF-κB p65 was predominantly localized to the cytoplasm and/or nucleus;TNF-α-positive expression was principally observed in the cytoplasmic compartment and/or cell membrane,manifesting as brown-yellow to brownish granules.The positive expression rate of NF-κB protein was significantly elevated in endometrial polyp tissues compared to both adjacent endometrial tissues and normal endometrial tissues(P＜0.05),whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between adjacent and normal endometrial tissues(P＞0.05).TNF-α protein expression exhibited a gradient pattern:Endometrial polyp tissues＞Adjacent endometrial tissues＞Normal endometrial tissues(with all inter-group comparisons demonstrating statistically significant differences,P＜0.05).Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed a significant gradient trend in the mRNA expression of NF-κB and TNF-α in endometrial polyp tissues:NF-κB mRNA:Polyp group(7.15±3.15)＞parapolyp group(4.38±2.01)＞normal group(1.03±0.30),with significant intergroup differences(all P＜0.05).TNF-α mRNA:Polyp tissue(17.66±9.25)＞parapolyp tissue(9.35±5.75)＞normal endometrium(1.16±0.58),with statistically significant differences among all groups(all P＜0.05).Western blot quantification further confirmed this trend:NF-κB protein:Expression in the polyp group(0.87±0.11)was 2.23-fold higher than in the normal group(0.39±0.02)(P=0.0007),while the parapolyp group(0.59±0.07)showed a 51％increase compared to the normal group(P=0.0435).TNF-α protein:Expression in the polyp group(1.13±0.21)was elevated by 94.8％versus the parapolyp group(0.58±0.03,P=0.0036)and by 494.7％versus the normal group(0.19±0.03,P=0.0002).One-way ANOVA indicated significant intergroup differences(F=43.56,P＜0.05).Conclusion:The TNF-α-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway is abnormally activated in endometrial polyps,exhibiting its highest expression at the polyp site.This suggests that the localized chronic inflammatory microenvironment may promote polyp formation through persistent stimulation of the NF-κB pathway.Targeted regulation of this pathway offers a novel strategy for preventing polyp recurrence.

This study was aimed at understanding the antimicrobial resistance patterns,virulence characteristics,and phyloge-netic relationships of foodborne Listeria monocytogenes in Weifang.A total of 67 strains of Listeria monocytogenes were isolated from livestock,poultry meat,and clinical samples in Weifang between 2020 and 2023.The susceptibility of these isolates was determined through broth microdilution.Whole-genome sequencing and genetic characterization of these isolates were conducted.The 67 strains were divided into 12 STs,among which ST121,ST8,ST9,and ST87 predominated(76.12%).Eight groups of closely related strains were identified through cgMLST typing.Three Listeria pathogenicity islands and two genomic islands were identified in all strains:100%of the strains carried LIPI-1,5.97%carried LIPI-3,14.93%carried LIPI-4,2.99%carried LGI-2,and 4.48%of the strains carried LGI-3.No antibiotic resistance genes were found in any strains.All isolates were susceptible to ampicillin,penicillin,merope-nem,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,and vancomycin.Five isolates were resistant to tetracycline,and three strains of ST87,one strain of ST8,one strain of ST224,and two strains of ST87 were simultaneously resistant to erythromycin.The tet(M)tetracycline re-sistance genes and msr(D)and mef(A)erythromycin resistance genes from three strains of ST87 and one strain of ST8 were carried by a phage similar to phi1605 in Erysipelothrix,with>95%identity.The tet(M)gene from the ST224 isolates was carried by a transposon similar to Tn5801_B15 in Enterococcus faecalis,with>95%identity.Drug-resistant strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found in livestock and poultry meat on sale in Weifang,particularly strains of type ST87 and ST224 simultaneously carrying highly pathogenic virulence islands,thus posing a threat to food safety and public health.These findings therefore warrant attention from relevant depart-ments and strengthened monitoring efforts.

Aim To systematically investigate the ac-tive components,targets,and regulatory pathways of Po-lygonum capitatum in intervening atherosclerosis(AS)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods Active components of Polygonum capitatum and AS-related targets were screened and identified through database searches.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database,followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses via the David plat-form.Molecular docking validation was conducted with AutoDock.An AS model was established in Syrian golden hamsters fed a high-fat diet.Predicted pathways and targets were validated using qPCR,ELISA,and histopathological assessment of aortic and hepatic tis-sues via HE staining.Results Network pharmacology identified 27 potential active components of Polygonum capitatum(primarily flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin)and 110 drug-disease intersection targets,in-cluding core targets MMP-9,ALB,and AKT1.GO and KEGG analyses enriched 593 and 125 pathways,re-spectively,with the NF-κB inflammatory pathway,TNF signaling pathway and lipid metabolism/atherosclerosis pathways highlighted as key mechanisms.Animal ex-periments demonstrated that Polygonum capitatum im-proved serum lipid profiles(reduced TC,TG,LDL-C)in AS hamsters,suppressed the MMP-9/NF-κB signa-ling pathway(downregulated MMP-9,p65 phosphoryla-tion,TNF-α,and IL-6),and inhibited VSMC synthetic phenotypic transformation(upregulated α-SMA and myocardin)by downregulating MCPIP1.Additionally,Polygonum capitatum ameliorated aortic lesions and he-patic lipid deposition in AS hamsters.Conclusions Polygonum capitatum alleviates AS by synergistically regulating the MMP-9/NF-κB/MCPIP1 axis through flavonoid components,suppressing vascular inflammato-ry cascades and maintaining VSMC contractile pheno-types.This reflects Polygonum capitatum's multi-com-ponent,multi-pathway,and multi-target characteristics in combating AS.