A novel analytical method was developed in this study by combining online solid phase extraction with ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(Online SPE-UPLC-MS/MS)for simultaneous determination of 50 kinds of steroid hormones in surface water.Specifically,after high-speed centrifugation of 4 mL water samples,the supernatant was directly injected into an Oasis HLB online SPE column for enrichment and purification.Subsequently,the target compounds were transferred to the analytical column via valve switching for separation and analysis.The chromatographic separation was performed on a Thermo Acclaim RSLC C18 column(100 mm×2.1 mm,2.2 μm),using a mobile phase composed of 5 mmol/L ammonium fluoride aqueous solution and acetonitrile.Mass spectrometric detection was conducted in positive ion mode,utilizing multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)with quantification achieved by the internal standard method.The method validation demonstrated that the limits of detection(LOD)for the 50 kinds of steroid hormones ranged from 0.02 to 0.50 ng/L,while the limits of quantification(LOQ)were between 0.08 and 1.67 ng/L.The average recoveries in surface water samples at spiked concentrations of 5,20 and 200 ng/L were between 74.1％and 119％,with relative standard deviations(RSDs)of 0.2％to 9.9％.This method was applied to analyze 11 surface water samples collected from sites surrounding a pharmaceutical and chemical industrial park.A total of 44 kinds of steroid hormones were detected,with concentrations ranging from 0.11 to 88.6 ng/L,revealing the presence of hormone contamination in the environmental waters surrounding industrial areas.Compared with the traditional offline SPE methods,the proposed online SPE technique significantly reduced sample volume requirements and pretreatment time,while minimizing the loss of target compounds during the pretreatment process.Moreover,compared to reported online SPE techniques,this method achieved high-throughput analysis of multiple classes of steroid hormones,with lower detection limits and higher recoveries.Overall,this method provided rapid sample preparation,high sensitivity,and excellent stability,making it suitable for the direct analysis of trace steroid hormones in surface water.

Objective To understand the implementation status of"Diagnosis of Ascariasis"(WS/T 565-2017)and provide a scientific basis for promoting,revising,and improving the Standard.Methods Using the convenient sampling method,the investigation targeted professional and technical personnel at the provincial,city,county,and township levels engaged in parasitic disease prevention,control,or diagnosis and treatment in Anhui and Sichuan provinces.No less than 150 individuals were included in each province.The implementation survey of Diagnosis of Ascariasis(WS/T 565-2017)was conducted by the subjects completing a questionnaire by themselves.Results The response rate to the questionnaire was 91.90%(386/420).The awareness and utilization rates of the Standard were 81.87%and 49.22%,respectively and both increased with age(χ2 trend=7.977 and 19.016,respectively,P＜0.01).Respondents with college degrees(90.72%)had a higher awareness rate(χ2=8.619,P＜0.05).In terms of utilization rate,males(58.38%),those with college degrees(67.01%),staff members of provincial-level units(77.78%),and personnel in medical institutions(71.43%)had higher utilization rates(χ2=13.486,17.166,8.426,and 5.956,respectively,all P＜0.05).The survey indicated that 57.77%of the work units of respondents have conducted promotional activities,and 53.89%of the work units of respondents have sent personnel to participate in training.Moreover,this proportion tended to increase as the unit level decreased(χ2 trend=9.403 and 14.729,P＜0.01).The level of participation in publicity and training by medical institutions(89.29%)was significantly higher than that of disease control institutions(55.31%and 51.12%,respectively,χ2=12.290 and 15.225,P＜0.01).Furthermore,training participation is a crucial factor in enhancing awareness rates.A total of 368 respondents(95.34%)reported that their work units have conducted testing for ascariasis.Additionally,378 individuals(97.92%)believe that the Standard is"applicable"or"basically applicable,"while 369(95.60%)felt that no revisions were needed.Conclusions The results indicated that"Diagnosis of Ascariasis"(WS/T 565-2017)remains applicable to the diagnostic needs of ascariasis and it is recommended to strengthen its promotion and implementation.

With the determination of the whole genome sequence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) virus, the successful breakthrough of infectious cloning technology of VZV, and the emergence of effective preventive vaccines, which have been proven to be effective and safe, varicella has become a disease preventable by specific immunity. This article will review the genomic structure, epidemiological characteristics, and research application progress of varicella vaccine and herpes zoster vaccine of varicella zoster virus to provide reference for primary prevention of the disease.
Humans ; Herpesvirus 3, Human/genetics* ; Herpes Zoster/prevention & control* ; Herpes Zoster Vaccine ; Chickenpox Vaccine ; Genomics

Objective: To establish and validate a nomogram-based predictive model for idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the collected clinical and biochemical data of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) including 249 patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA) and 107 patients with IHA, who were treated at the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2013 to November 2022. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin concentration (PRC) were measured by chemiluminescence. Stepwise regression analysis was applied to select the key predictors of IHA, and a nomogram-based scoring model was developed. The model was validated in another external independent cohort of patients with PA including 62 patients with UPA and 43 patients with IHA, who were diagnosed at the Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. An independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ² test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In the training cohort, in comparison with the UPA group, the IHA group showed a higher serum potassium level [M(Q₁, Q₃), 3.4 (3.1, 3.8) mmol/L vs. 2.7 (2.1, 3.1) mmol/L] and higher PRC [4.0 (2.1, 8.2) mU/L vs. 1.5 (0.6, 3.4) mU/L] and a lower PAC post-saline infusion test (SIT) [305 (222, 416) pmol/L vs. 720 (443, 1 136) pmol/L] and a lower rate of unilateral adrenal nodules [33.6% (36/107) vs. 81.1% (202/249)]; the intergroup differences in these measurements were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Serum potassium level, PRC, PAC post-SIT, and the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules showed similar performance in the IHA group in the validation cohort. After stepwise regression analysis for all significant variables in the training cohort, a scoring model based on a nomogram was constructed, and the predictive parameters included the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules, serum potassium concentration, PAC post-SIT, and PRC in the standing position. When the total score was ≥14, the model showed a sensitivity of 0.65 and specificity of 0.90 in the training cohort and a sensitivity of 0.56 and specificity of 1.00 in the validation cohort. Conclusion: The nomogram was used to successfully develop a model for prediction of IHA that could facilitate selection of patients with IHA who required medication directly.
Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis* ; Nomograms ; Hypertension ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aldosterone ; Saline Solution ; Renin ; Potassium

This study explored the mechanism of Shenling Baizhu Powder(SLBZP) in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes from the perspective of flora disorder and chronic inflammation. Fifty rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, low-dose SLBZP group, medium-dose SLBZP group, and high-dose SLBZP group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats of 5 weeks old were administrated by gavage with ultrapure water and different doses of SLBZP decoction. The basic indicators such as body weight and blood glucose were monitored every week, and stool and intestinal contents were collected from the rats of 9 weeks old for 16 S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum biochemical indicators, ELISA to measure serum insulin, and chipsets to measure leptin and inflammatory cytokines. The results showed that SLBZP reduced the body weight as well as blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and lipid levels. In the rats of 9 weeks, the relative abundance of Anaerostipes, Turicibacter, Bilophila, Ochrobactrum, Acinetobacter, and Prevotella decreased significantly in the model control group, which can be increased in the high-dose SLBZP group; the relative abundance of Psychrobacter, Lactobacillus, Roseburia and Staphylococcus significantly increased in the model control group, which can be down-regulated in the high-dose SLBZP group. The differential metabolites of intestinal flora included 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid, phenylpyruvic acid, octanoic acid, 3-indolepropionic acid, oxoglutaric acid, malonic acid, 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, and methylmalonic acid. Moreover, SLBZP significantly lowered the levels of free insulin, insulin resistance and leptin resistance in rats. The variations in the serum levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) showed that SLBZP could alleviate chronic inflammation in rats. In conclusion, SLBZP can regulate intestinal flora and metabolites and relieve chronic inflammation to control obesity and prevent type 2 diabetes.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Insulin ; Powders ; Rats

Rhizome rot disease is one of the main disease of planted Polygonatum kingianum. In this study, six strains of pathogenic fungus was isolated from P. kingianum samples with rhizome rot disease collected from six counties in Yunnan province. Its pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculation to healthy P. kingianum rhizome according to Koch's postulates. The colonies of the isolated fungi on potato dextrose agar(PDA) were orange with abundant crescentic conidia which were eseptate with a mean size of 19. 3-24. 9 μm×5. 2-5. 9 μm and a L/W ratio of 3. 4-4. 5. There was an oil ball in the center of the conidium. It's easy to see setae on PDA colony.The phylogenetic tree based on ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, HIS3, ACT, and TUB2 sequences by maximum likelihood(ML) method indicated that the pathogenic fungus for P. kingianum rhizome rot disease was clustered into the clade of Colletotrichum spaethianum species complex, and was close to C. spaethianum. However, there were some differences in morphological and genetic characteristics between the pathogenic fungus and C. spaethianum. Therefore, the pathogenic fungus for rhizome rot disease of P. kingianum was identified as a new Colletotrichum species named C. kingianum. The disease spreads primarily due to the plantation of infected seedlings of P. kingianum. It is necessary to choose healthy seedlings and take rigorous disinfection measures for the disease prevention.
China ; Colletotrichum/genetics* ; Phylogeny ; Polygonatum ; Rhizome

Objective To explore the effect of high altitude exposure and short-term acclimation on the platelet-associated parameters by studying the changes of platelet-associated parameters in healthy young man.Methods Four hundred and sixtytwo young men were recruited from Chengdu (the elevation of 500m) during Jun.2012 to Aug.2013 according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,of which 193 had been living in Chengdu (plain group),and 269 flew from Chengdu to Lhasa (3700m) in 2 hours,and then 147 of them were exposed in the high altitude for 1 day (acute high altitude exposure group),and another 122 for 7 days (short-term acclimation group).The demographic data were collected and the blood routine and platelet-associated parameters were measured of all the participants,and then the information collected were compared between the 3 groups.Results Compared to the plain group,the platelet count (PLT),platelet distribution width (PDW) and plateletcrit (PCT) reduced and the mean platelet volume (MPV) increased significantly (P＜0.05) in the acute high altitude exposure group;while all the indexes in short-term acclimation group returned to approach the levels in the plain group,but statistical differences still existed in PLT,PDW and PCT (P＜0.05).The platelet activating factor (PAF) and epinephrine (Epi) decreased markedly in acute high altitude exposure group than in plain group (P＜0.05);while in short-term acclimation group,the PAF returned to approach the level in plain group,and the Epi was further down (P＜0.05).In addition,no marked difference of 5-HT level was observed in the 3 groups (P＞0.05).Pearson correlation analysis indicated that high altitude-induced reduction of oxygen saturation (SpO2) was positively related to the changes of PLT.Conclusions Acute high altitude exposure may reduce PLT,PDW and PCT levels,but elevate MPV and enhance the platelet activity.The reduction of SpO2 might be associated with the changes of PLT,PDW and PCT.Platelet-associated parameters may be recovered to normal with a compensatory effect after short-term acclimation.

PurposeTo evaluate the significance of ultrasonic elastography strain ratio, MRI and the combination of both in diagnosis of breast tumor.Materials and MethodsFifty-four cases with single breast tumor underwent preoperative ultrasound elasticity imaging and MRI. Accuracy of ultrasound elastography strain rate ratio (SRR) of the tumor and surrounding normal breast tissue was measured by quantitative ultrasound elastography, and its combination with MRI were analyzed. ResultsThere was signiifcant differences on SRR between the benign group and the malignant group (2.24±1.28vs 4.96±1.73, t=2.648,P<0.05). Optimal threshold of ultrasonic elastography SRR in differential diagnosis of breast benign from malignant tumor was 2.41 determined by ROC curve. The accuracy of SRR, MRI and the combination of both in differentiating benign from malignant breast tumor was 81.48% (44/54), 85.19% (46/54) and 96.30%(52/54), respectively. There was no statistic difference between SRR and MRI in diagnostic accuracy (χ2=0.267,P>0.05). Combined both had higher diagnosis accuracy when compared with SR and MRI separately (χ2=6.000 and 3.967,P<0.05).Conclusion Ultrasonic elastography strain ratio is accurate and objective in differentiating benign from malignant breast tumors. It is a valuable quantitative index in clinical practice. Moreover, SRR combined with MRI can reduce the misdiagnosis rate.

Objective To evaluate the automatic synthesis of 18F-labeled cyclic RGD peptide c(RGDyK)and its biological distribution in the tumor-bearing mice. Methods N-succinimidyl-4-18 F-fluorobenzoate (18F-SFB) was automatically synthesized and then re-dissolved in acetonitrile (MeCN). The cyclic RGD peptide c(RGDyK) was mixed with an hydrous DMSO and N, N-diisopropyl ethylamine (DIPEA). 18F-FBRGD was obtained by the reaction of peptide solution with 18 F-SFB. The final product was purified by HPLC gradient separation system and solid-phase extraction method. The biodistribution study and competition test of N-4-18F- fluorobenzoyl-RGD (18F-FB-RGD) in the tumor-bearing mice was performed. Results The labeling yield of 18 F-FB-RGD was (33.6 ± 3.5)%. The synthesis time was 110 min. The radiochemical purity was more than 98%. The tumor uptake of 18F-FB-RGD was (3.43 ±0.15), (2.61 ±0.14), (2.11 ±0.13), and (1.79 ±0.18) %ID/g, respectively, at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after injection. The ratio of tumor to muscle activity ranged from 4.26 ±0.69 to 5.80 ±0.78. The tumor uptake decreased dramatically after RGD blockage. The uptake was (0.46 ±0.21) %ID/g and (2.87 ±0.59) %ID/g in the blocked and unblocked mice, respectively, at 60 min after blockage. Conclusions 18 F-FB-RGD can be automatically synthesized and it may become a promising tumor imaging agent.