This study was aimed at developing an in vitro fluorescent substrate assay for the activity of leucyl aminopeptid-ase(LAP)from Echinococcus multilocularis and comparing it with the chemical chromogenic substrate enzyme activity assay.Through the establishment of reaction conditions for the fluorescent substrate-based in vitro enzyme activity assay,we com-pared the differences between the fluorescent substrate L-Leucine-7-amido-4-methylocoumarin(Leu-AMC)and the chemical chromogenic substrate L-Leucine-4-nitroanilide(Leu-pNA)through molecular docking,inhibition rates,and precision measures.Molecular docking revealed that the fluorescent substrate Leu-AMC had higher affinity for the protein than the chemical chromogenic substrate Leu-pNA.Through analysis of the effects of varying reaction conditions on fluorescence intensi-ty,we optimized the fluorescent substrate enzyme activity assay to demonstrate favorable performance at a reaction temperature of 37℃,a pH of 9.0,a protein concentration of 800 nmol/L,and a reaction duration of 60 minutes.Leu-AMC exhibited significant and distinct responses at a 5 μmol/L substrate concentration,under varying substrate conditions.The fluo-rescent substrate assay demonstrated more significant intergroup differences than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay when various inhibitors were added.This study established a fluorescence-based enzyme activity assay for leucyl aminopeptidase from Echinococcus multilocularis by using Leu-AMC as the substrate;this method demonstrated a more significant intergroup difference and sensitivity than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of antiviral therapy and influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) negative conversion for hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) in children.Methods:The clinical data of 38 children with CHB who received antiviral treatment in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to August 2024 were collected.All patients were treated with interferon alpha monotherapy or combined with nucleoside analogues for 48 weeks.The patients were divided into HBsAg negative group and HBsAg non-negative group according to the therapeutic results at 48 weeks.Multivariate Logistic regression were used to identify influencing factors of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks.The receiver operator characteristic（ROC）curve was used to analyze the predictive value of each factor to HBsAg negative conversion.Results:The alanine aminotransferase normalization rate，hepatitis B virus DNA negative rate，HBeAg negative rate and HBsAg negative rate were 76.3%，94.7%，39.5% and 47.4%，respectively at 48 weeks.There were 18 cases in HBsAg negative group and 20 cases in HBsAg non-negative group.There were statistical significant differences in age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment between HBsAg negative group and HBsAg non-negative group（ P<0.05）.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment were independent predictors of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks（ OR=0.664，95% CI 0.473-0.932， P=0.018； OR=8.719，95% CI 1.920-39.604， P=0.005； OR=6.182，95% CI 2.083-18.347， P=0.001）.The area under the curve of age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks were 0.737（95% CI 0.576-0.899， P=0.012），0.847（95% CI 0.725-0.969， P<0.001）and 0.939（95% CI 0.811-0.991， P<0.001），respectively.When the age was less than 4.625 years，the sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks were 83.3%，65.0%，68.2% and 81.3%，respectively.A decrease in HBsAg level of >1.07 lg IU/mL at 12 weeks of treatment had a sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value，and negative predictive value of 72.2%，90.0%，86.7%，and 78.3%，respectively，for predicting HBsAg seroclearance at 48 weeks.A reduction in HBsAg of >1.92 lg IU/mL at 24 weeks of treatment showed a sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value，and negative predictive value of 83.3%，90.0%，88.2%，and 85.7%，respectively，in predicting HBsAg seroclearance at 48 weeks. Conclusion:The children with CHB have a higher rate of HBsAg negative conversion after antiviral therapy at 48 weeks.Age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment can serve as early predictors for HBsAg negative conversion in children with CHB.

Panax quinquefolium, also known as American ginseng, is a perennial herb in the Araliaceae family. It has the effects of replenishing Qi and nourishing Yin, clearing heat and generating saliva. Additionally, it has protective effects on the nerves, improves myocardial ischemia and hypoxia, regulates metabolism, enhances the body's immunity, and is known as "green gold". However, with the development of the industry and the expansion of planting scales, P. quinquefolium faces serious disease issues that are difficult to prevent and control. Among these, root rot, often referred to as "plant cancer", is one of the most destructive plant diseases affecting the yield and quality of P. quinquefolium. P. quinquefolium root rot is caused by the fungi Fusarium(genus) and Ilyonectria(genus), which severely affect the root system and limit the production and quality of P. quinquefolium, thus restricting the development of the P. quinquefolium industry. In recent years, research on P. quinquefolium root rot has attracted significant attention and made some progress. However, the mechanisms of interaction between the root rot pathogens and the host plant remain unclear. This paper reviews the research progress on the pathogens, infection cycle, disease prevalence, pathogenesis, and biological control of P. quinquefolium root rot to provide prospects for future research, aiming to provide references for the in-depth study and effective control of root rot, and to promote the green and healthy development of the P. quinquefolium industry.
Panax/microbiology* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Plant Roots/microbiology* ; Fusarium/pathogenicity*

Syringa pinnatifolia, belonging to the family Oleaceae, is a species endemic to China. It is predominantly distributed in the Helan Mountains region of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia of China. The peeled roots, stems, and thick branches have been used as a distinctive Mongolian medicinal material known as "Shan-chen-xiang", which has effects such as suppressing "khii", clearing heat, and relieving pain and is employed for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and joint pain. Over the past five years, significant increase was achieved in research on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. There were a total of 130 new constituents reported, covering sesquiterpenoids, lignans, and alkaloids. Its effects of anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, sedation, and analgesia were revealed, and the mechanisms of agarwood formation were also investigated. To better understand its medical value and potential of clinical application, this review updates the research progress in recent five years focusing on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of S. pinnatifolia, providing reference for subsequent research on active ingredient and support for its innovative application in modern medicine system.
Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Syringa/chemistry*

Objective:To study the results of detection of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel and analyze the contributors to pulmonary nodules so as to provide data for early prevention and interventions.Methods:The physical examination data of 1 465 military flying personnel was retrospectively analyzed who had received the annual health checkup and undergone chest CT examinations at Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center. They were grouped by age (<40 years and ≥40 years), flying hour (<1 000 h and ≥1 000 h) and type of personnel [pilots and air support (technical) personnel]. The detection rates of pulmonary nodules among flying personnel were compared across groups, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the contributing factors to pulmonary nodules.Results:Among the 1 465 military flying personnel, 212 cases (14.47%) with pulmonary nodules were detected. A total of 230 pulmonary nodules were detected, including 35 pulmonary nodules (15.22%) in the left upper lung, 42 pulmonary nodules (18.26%) in the left lower lung, 52 pulmonary nodules (22.61%) in the right upper lung, 47 pulmonary nodules (20.43%) in the right middle lung, and 54 pulmonary nodules (23.48%) in the right lower lung. The detection rate of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel in the ≥1 000 h group was higher than in the <1 000 h group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). More pulmonary nodules were detected among military flying personnel who smoked than among those who did not, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.34, P=0.002). Age, types of personnel, body mass index, and complications with other lung diseases made no significant difference in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was a risk factor for pulmonary nodules ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.217-2.351). Conclusions:Among military flying personnel, pulmonary nodules are more likely to occur in the right lung. Smoking is an independent risk factor for pulmonary nodules, suggesting that routine chest CT screening should be carried out during the annual physical examinations of military flying personnel in order to exercise early interventions.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or metal(loid)s individually has been associated with neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the impacts of PAH and metal(loid) co-exposure and potential interaction effects on NTD risk remain unclear. We conducted a case-control study in China among population with a high prevalence of NTDs to investigate the combined effects of PAH and metal(loid) exposures on the risk of NTD. METHODS: Cases included 80 women who gave birth to offspring with NTDs, whereas controls were 50 women who delivered infants with no congenital malformations. We analyzed the levels of placental PAHs using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, PAH-DNA adducts with ³²P-post-labeling method, and metal(loid)s with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Unconditional logistic regression was employed to estimate the associations between individual exposures and NTDs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized regression models were used to select a subset of exposures, while additive interaction models were used to identify interaction effects. RESULTS: In the single-exposure models, we found that eight PAHs, PAH-DNA adducts, and 28 metal(loid)s were associated with NTDs. Pyrene, selenium, molybdenum, cadmium, uranium, and rubidium were selected through LASSO regression and were statistically associated with NTDs in the multiple-exposure models. Women with high levels of pyrene and molybdenum or pyrene and selenium exhibited significantly increased risk of having offspring with NTDs, indicating that these combinations may have synergistic effects on the risk of NTDs. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that individual PAHs and metal(loid)s, as well as their interactions, may be associated with the risk of NTDs, which warrants further investigation.
Humans ; Neural Tube Defects/chemically induced* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/adverse effects* ; Female ; Case-Control Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Environmental Pollutants ; Maternal Exposure/adverse effects* ; Metals/toxicity* ; Young Adult ; Risk Factors

This study was aimed at developing an in vitro fluorescent substrate assay for the activity of leucyl aminopeptid-ase(LAP)from Echinococcus multilocularis and comparing it with the chemical chromogenic substrate enzyme activity assay.Through the establishment of reaction conditions for the fluorescent substrate-based in vitro enzyme activity assay,we com-pared the differences between the fluorescent substrate L-Leucine-7-amido-4-methylocoumarin(Leu-AMC)and the chemical chromogenic substrate L-Leucine-4-nitroanilide(Leu-pNA)through molecular docking,inhibition rates,and precision measures.Molecular docking revealed that the fluorescent substrate Leu-AMC had higher affinity for the protein than the chemical chromogenic substrate Leu-pNA.Through analysis of the effects of varying reaction conditions on fluorescence intensi-ty,we optimized the fluorescent substrate enzyme activity assay to demonstrate favorable performance at a reaction temperature of 37℃,a pH of 9.0,a protein concentration of 800 nmol/L,and a reaction duration of 60 minutes.Leu-AMC exhibited significant and distinct responses at a 5 μmol/L substrate concentration,under varying substrate conditions.The fluo-rescent substrate assay demonstrated more significant intergroup differences than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay when various inhibitors were added.This study established a fluorescence-based enzyme activity assay for leucyl aminopeptidase from Echinococcus multilocularis by using Leu-AMC as the substrate;this method demonstrated a more significant intergroup difference and sensitivity than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of antiviral therapy and influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) negative conversion for hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) in children.Methods:The clinical data of 38 children with CHB who received antiviral treatment in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to August 2024 were collected.All patients were treated with interferon alpha monotherapy or combined with nucleoside analogues for 48 weeks.The patients were divided into HBsAg negative group and HBsAg non-negative group according to the therapeutic results at 48 weeks.Multivariate Logistic regression were used to identify influencing factors of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks.The receiver operator characteristic（ROC）curve was used to analyze the predictive value of each factor to HBsAg negative conversion.Results:The alanine aminotransferase normalization rate，hepatitis B virus DNA negative rate，HBeAg negative rate and HBsAg negative rate were 76.3%，94.7%，39.5% and 47.4%，respectively at 48 weeks.There were 18 cases in HBsAg negative group and 20 cases in HBsAg non-negative group.There were statistical significant differences in age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment between HBsAg negative group and HBsAg non-negative group（ P<0.05）.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment were independent predictors of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks（ OR=0.664，95% CI 0.473-0.932， P=0.018； OR=8.719，95% CI 1.920-39.604， P=0.005； OR=6.182，95% CI 2.083-18.347， P=0.001）.The area under the curve of age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks were 0.737（95% CI 0.576-0.899， P=0.012），0.847（95% CI 0.725-0.969， P<0.001）and 0.939（95% CI 0.811-0.991， P<0.001），respectively.When the age was less than 4.625 years，the sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HBsAg negative conversion at 48 weeks were 83.3%，65.0%，68.2% and 81.3%，respectively.A decrease in HBsAg level of >1.07 lg IU/mL at 12 weeks of treatment had a sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value，and negative predictive value of 72.2%，90.0%，86.7%，and 78.3%，respectively，for predicting HBsAg seroclearance at 48 weeks.A reduction in HBsAg of >1.92 lg IU/mL at 24 weeks of treatment showed a sensitivity，specificity，positive predictive value，and negative predictive value of 83.3%，90.0%，88.2%，and 85.7%，respectively，in predicting HBsAg seroclearance at 48 weeks. Conclusion:The children with CHB have a higher rate of HBsAg negative conversion after antiviral therapy at 48 weeks.Age and HBsAg decline level at 12 and 24 weeks of antiviral treatment can serve as early predictors for HBsAg negative conversion in children with CHB.

Objective:To study the results of detection of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel and analyze the contributors to pulmonary nodules so as to provide data for early prevention and interventions.Methods:The physical examination data of 1 465 military flying personnel was retrospectively analyzed who had received the annual health checkup and undergone chest CT examinations at Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center. They were grouped by age (<40 years and ≥40 years), flying hour (<1 000 h and ≥1 000 h) and type of personnel [pilots and air support (technical) personnel]. The detection rates of pulmonary nodules among flying personnel were compared across groups, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the contributing factors to pulmonary nodules.Results:Among the 1 465 military flying personnel, 212 cases (14.47%) with pulmonary nodules were detected. A total of 230 pulmonary nodules were detected, including 35 pulmonary nodules (15.22%) in the left upper lung, 42 pulmonary nodules (18.26%) in the left lower lung, 52 pulmonary nodules (22.61%) in the right upper lung, 47 pulmonary nodules (20.43%) in the right middle lung, and 54 pulmonary nodules (23.48%) in the right lower lung. The detection rate of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel in the ≥1 000 h group was higher than in the <1 000 h group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). More pulmonary nodules were detected among military flying personnel who smoked than among those who did not, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.34, P=0.002). Age, types of personnel, body mass index, and complications with other lung diseases made no significant difference in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was a risk factor for pulmonary nodules ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.217-2.351). Conclusions:Among military flying personnel, pulmonary nodules are more likely to occur in the right lung. Smoking is an independent risk factor for pulmonary nodules, suggesting that routine chest CT screening should be carried out during the annual physical examinations of military flying personnel in order to exercise early interventions.