To clarify the species, pathogenicity, and distribution of the pathogens causing the root rot of Atractylodes lancea in Hubei province, the tissue separation method was used to isolate the pathogens from root rot samples in the main planting areas of A. lancea in Hubei. Based on the preliminary identification of the Fusarium genus by the internal transcribed spacer(ITS) sequence, three housekeeping genes, EF1/EF2, Btu-F-FO1/Btu-F-RO1, and FF1/FR1, were amplified and sequenced. Subsequently, a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on these TEF gene sequences to classify the pathogens. The pathogenicity of these strains was determined using the root irrigation method. A total of 194 pathogen strains were isolated using the tissue separation method. Molecular identification using the three housekeeping genes identified the pathogens as F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. commune, F. equiseti, F. tricinctum, F. redolens, F. fujikuroi, F. avenaceum, F. acuminatum, and F. incarnatum. Among them, F. solani and F. oxysporum were the dominant strains, widely distributed in multiple regions, with F. solani accounting for approximately 54% of the total isolated strains and F. oxysporum accounting for approximately 34%. Other strains accounted for a relatively small proportion, totaling approximately 12%. The results of pathogenicity determination showed that there were certain differences in pathogenicity among strains. The analysis of the pathogenicity differentiation of the widely distributed F. solani and F. oxysporum strains revealed that these dominant strains in Hubei were mainly highly pathogenic. This study determined the species, pathogenicity, and distribution of the pathogens causing the root rot of A. lancea in Hubei province. The results provide a scientific basis for further understanding the root rot of A. lancea and its epidemic occurrence and scientifically preventing and controlling this disease.
Plant Diseases/microbiology* ; Atractylodes/microbiology* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots/microbiology* ; Fusarium/classification* ; China ; Virulence ; Fungal Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Tiaoshu Anshen (regulating the hinge and calming the mind) acupuncture on sleep quality and serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in patients with chronic insomnia. METHODS: A total of 58 patients with chronic insomnia were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 29 cases in each group. Tiaoshu Anshen acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20) and bilateral Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Benshen (GB13) in the acupuncture group, once a day, 1-day interval was taken after 6 consecutive days of treatment. Estazolam tablet was given orally before bed in the medication group, 1 mg each time. The 4-week treatment was required in both groups. Before and after treatment, the sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG), the serum levels of 5-HT and DA were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: After treatment, the item scores and total scores of PSQI were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); in the acupuncture group, the scores of sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders and total score of PSQI were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05). After treatment, the total sleep time (TST) was prolonged (P<0.05), the sleep latency (SL) and wake after sleep onset (WASO) were shortened (P<0.05), the sleep efficiency (SE%), percentage of non-rapid eye movement stage 3 (N3%), percentage of rapid eye movement stage (REM%) and serum levels of 5-HT were increased (P<0.05) compared with those before treatment; the percentage of non-rapid eye movement stage 1 (N1%), percentage of non-rapid eye movement stage 2 (N2%) and serum levels of DA were decreased (P<0.05) compared with those before treatment in the two groups. After treatment, in the acupuncture group, TST was longer, while SL and WASO were shorter than those in the medication group (P<0.05), SE%, N3%, REM% and serum level of 5-HT were higher, while N1%, N2% and serum level of DA were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Tiaoshu Anshen acupuncture may improve the sleep quality by regulating the serum neurotransmitter levels i.e. 5-HT and DA in patients with chronic insomnia.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/physiopathology* ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Serotonin/blood* ; Sleep Quality ; Acupuncture Points ; Dopamine/blood* ; Aged ; Neurotransmitter Agents/blood* ; Young Adult

Objective To understand the current situation of reprocessing reusable sterilized items in the central sterile supply departments(CSSD)of hospitals and provide a scientific basis for further standardized management.Methods Using the convenience sampling method,a self-designed questionnaire on the current situation of reprocessing of reusable disinfection items in CSSDs was used to conduct a survey in 31 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities)from June 11th to 23rd,2024.The questionnaire covered 2 aspects,including the basic situation of the hospital and the reprocessing of disinfection items.Results A total of 1 835 questionnaires were distributed,and 1 603 valid questionnaires were retrieved.Regarding the use of reusable disinfection items,with the most frequently used items being humidification bottles,tourniquets,breathing bags and their accessories,and ventilator tubing systems etc.Among them,1 558 hospitals(97.19％)established standardized disposal procedures,and 996 hospitals(62.13％)assigned dedica-ted personnel to be responsible.In terms of the reprocessing procedures of reusable disinfection items,all 1 603 hospitals carried out drying process for the items;the main packaging method was plastic self-sealing bags(59.95％),and 541 hospitals(33.75％)sterilized the packaging materials.Additionally,935 hospitals(58.33％)used oil-free air compressors;among them,51 hospitals(58.62％)installed activated carbon filters at the end of the compressors.Conclusion The current situation of reprocessing reusable sterilized items in CSSDs of nationwide hospitals needs improvement.It is recommended to strengthen the training of professional disinfection knowledge,unify the sterilization standards for plastic self-sealing bags,develop a storage management system,and adopt a medical air compressor system without oil and water to reduce the risk of hospital infections.

Objective To integrate patient clinical information with single-cell sequencing analysis to identify key genes involved in organic erectile dysfunction(ED)in diabetic patients,and to further validate these findings using genome-wide association study(GWAS)data to pinpoint the genes associated with diabetic organic ED.Methods Single-cell RNA sequen-cing data were downloaded from the GSE206528 dataset,comprising samples from five patients including three individuals with-out ED or diabetes,and two patients diagnosed with diabetic ED.Data preprocessing,cell clustering,and annotation were per-formed using R,followed by extraction of microvascular endothelial cells for differential expression analysis.Enrichment analysis of the identified differentially expressed genes(DEGs)was conducted using the Hiplot platform.Expression quantitative trait loci(eQTL)single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)corresponding to these DEGs were retrieved from the UK Biobank(UKB)da-tabase as exposures.ED(GWAS ID:ebi-a-GCST006956)was defined as the outcome variable.Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis was then performed to identify potential causal genes.Results Using the Seurat package,single-cell RNA se-quencing data from the five patients underwent quality control and integration.After cell type identification,a subset of microvas-cular endothelial cells was selected for differential expression analysis,resulting in the identification of 214 DEGs.Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were significantly enriched in pathways related to diabetic complications,including the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,and oxidative phosphorylation.Subsequently,MR analysis was per-formed on the 214 DEGs,using erectile dysfunction(ebi-a-GCST006956)as the outcome.Six genes were identified as potential causal genes including MYL9,NFIB,ENDOD1,DES,NRARP and HSPA1B.Conclusion These findings suggest that MYL9,NFIB,ENDOD1,DES,NRARP and HSPA1B may play a role in the progression of organic ED in diabetic patients.

AIM To investigate the protective effect of Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills against house dust mite(HDM)-induced allergic asthma in mice.METHODS Compared to the intact BALB/c mice in the blank control group,the BALB/c mice randomly assigned into the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.67 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills groups(15,30 and 60 mg/kg),were induced into acute allergic asthma models via weekly intraperitoneal sensitization with 0.1 mL HDM solution(0.5 mg/mL)for three weeks followed by three consecutive daily intranasal challenges with 10 μL HDM solution(2.5 mg/mL)starting in the third week.The drug administered continuously 7 days after the last excitation.The mice had their airway reactive Penh value detected,their pulmonary pathological changes observed by HE staining,their blood eosinophils(EOS)counted,their Th2 cytokines in lung tissue and serum IgE levels detected by ELISA,and their number of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)and pulmonary Th2 cells detected by flow cytometry.Chronic allergic asthma was induced in grouped BALB/c mice through repeated intranasal challenges with 10 μL HDM solution(2.5 mg/mL)administered five times weekly for five consecutive weeks.Drug treatment continued for 14 days following the final challenge.After the final treatment,the mice had their pulmonary pathological changes observed by HE staining,and their levels of Th2 cytokines in B ALF and lung tissue and serum IgE detected by ELISA.RESULTS Compared to the blank control group,the acute allergic asthma model group exhibited increases in Penh value,EOS count and IgE level in serum,IL-4 and IL-5 levels in lung tissue(P＜0.01);obvious pulmonary inflammatory cells infiltration,and thickened airway wall;and increase in pulmonary number of Th2 cells(P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills demonstrated decreased Penh value,serum EOS count,IgE level and IL-5 level in lung tissue(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);reduced pulmonary inflammatory infiltration and alleviated airway wall thickening;and decreased number of pulmonary Th2 cells.Compared to the blank group,the chronic allergic asthma model group showed obvious pulmonary inflammatory infiltration and airway wall thickening;and increased EOS count and IgE level in serum,IL-4 and IL-13 in lung tissue and IL-14 in BALF(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with either medium-dose or high-dose Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills demonstrated reduced pulmonary inflammatory infiltration;and decreased serum EOS count,IgE level,IL-13 in lung tissue and IL-14 in BALF(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Sanfeng Tongqiao Dropping Pills reduce Th2 cells in peripheral blood and lung tissue,suppress type 2 inflammation,and thereby alleviate allergic asthma.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of intestinal flora and its correlation with peripheral blood microinflammatory factors in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with diabetes mellitus(PTB-DM).Methods A total of 162 patients with PTB-DM admitted to the hospital from September 2022 to September 2024 were selected as the PTB-DM group,and another 150 healthy subjects who underwent physi-cal examinations during the same period in the hospital were selected as the control group.The clinical data of all research subjects was collected.The composition of intestinal flora of the research subjects was analyzed by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology.The levels of peripheral blood microinflammatory factors[inter-feron-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]in all research subjects were detected.The clinical data,composition of intestinal flora and levels of microinflammatory factors of the PTB-DM group were compared with those of the control group.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the relative abundance of intestinal flora and the levels of peripheral blood microin-flammatory factors in patients with PTB-DM.Results The relative abundances of Bacteroidales and Clostridi-ales in the PTB-DM group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the relative abun-dances of Enterobacterales and Actinobacteriales were significantly higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of IFN-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α in the PTB-DM group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically signifi-cant(P<0.05).The relative abundances of Bacteroidales and Clostridiales in the PTB-DM group were nega-tively correlated with the levels of IFN-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α.The relative abundances of Enterobacterales and Actinobacteriales were positively correlated with the levels of IFN-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α(all P<0.05).Conclu-sion There is a significant imbalance of intestinal flora in patients with PTB-DM,and the levels of microin-flammatory factors IFN-γ,IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood are significantly increased,and are closely re-lated to the relative abundance of specific flora.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of self-prescribed Huoxue Shengjing Prescription as adjuvant therapy for varicocele-induced infertility and its impact on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ET/ICSI).Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 99 patients with varicocele-induced infertility in our hospital from January 2022 to July 2023 were selected as observation subjects and divided into three groups using a random number table method, with 33 patients in each group. The low ligation group received low ligation of varicocele under a microscope, the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group received low ligation + conventional Western medicine therapy, and the combined group received low ligation + conventional Western medicine therapy + a self-prescribed Huoxue Shengjing Prescription. Among them, the low ligation of varicocele under a microscope was followed by IVF-ET/ICSI assisted reproductive technology 3 months after surgery; the conventional Western medicine therapy involved continuous administration of L-carnitine oral solution for 3 months; the self-prescribed Huoxue Shengjing Prescription was started on the first day after surgery and continued for 3 months. TCM syndrome scores were assessed before and after treatment, and semen routine analysis was performed using an automated semen quality analyzer. Mitochondrial activity of granulosa cells was measured using the Hrudka extraction method, and sperm nuclear DNA integrity was assessed using a modified alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis method. Follow-up was conducted for 1 year to observe and record the outcomes of IVF-ET/ICSI and evaluate the clinical efficacy.Results:The total effective rate was 93.9% (31/33) in the combined group, 69.7% (23/33) in the low ligation group, and 75.8% (25/33) in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group, with statistical significance ( χ 2=6.52, P=0.039). After treatment, the scores for mild abdominal pain, testicular heavy pain, impotence, mental fatigue, and the total score in the combined group were lower than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( F values were 89.29, 97.51, 136.36, 155.06, and 311.13, respectively, P<0.001). The sperm survival rate, sperm concentration, normal morphology rate, and progressive motility rate in the combined group were higher than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( F values were 19.23, 11.85, 35.97, and 52.21, respectively, P<0.001). Mitochondrial grade I cell activity of granulosa cells was higher than that of the low ligation + conventional treatment group and low ligation group ( F=23.23, P<0.001), and grade Ⅲ cell activity was lower than that of the low ligation + conventional treatment group and low ligation group ( F=20.28, P<0.001). After treatment, the detection of grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ sperm nuclear DNA integrity in the combined group were higher than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( F values were 17.73 and 18.39, respectively, P<0.001), while grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ were lower than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( F values were 29.07 and 10.36, respectively, P<0.001). During follow-up, the excellent embryo rate and the spouse's clinical pregnancy rate in the combined group were higher than those in the low ligation + conventional Western medicine treatment group and the low ligation group ( χ2 values were 14.92 and 8.38, respectively; P values were 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). Conclusion:The adjuvant treatment with a self-prescribed Huoxue Shengjing Prescription can enhance sperm quality in patients with varicocele-related infertility, maintain DNA integrity, regulate seminal plasma mitochondrial function, increase the rate of high-quality embryos, and improve the spouse's pregnancy outcomes.

Objective To explore the relationship between C-reactive protein/albumin ratio(CAR)and the disease severity in patients with severe pneumonia,and its predictive value for 28-day mortality risk.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 152 patients with severe pneumonia admitted to Fuyang People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022.They were divided into non-critical illness group(n=51),critical illness group(n=63),and extremely critical illness group(n=38)based on the disease severity.The clinical data such as age and gender of patients was collected,and Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between CAR and the severity of illness[determined by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score].Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify independent influencing factors of the severity of illness.According to the survival status of patients after 28 days of treatment,they were divided into survival group(n=107)and death group(n=45).CAR was categorized into quintiles(Q1-Q5),and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between CAR and 28-day mortality risk in severe pneumonia patients.A restricted cubic spline(RCS)model was used to analyze the dose-response relationship between CAR and mortality risk.The predictive value of CAR and related indicators for patient mortality risk was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC).Results CAR was significantly positively correlated with the severity of the disease(APACHE Ⅱ score)(r=0.716,P<0.05).Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR),blood lactate(Lac),and high CAR were independent risk factors for the disease severity in patients with severe pneumonia(P<0.05).After adjusting for confounding factors,the mortality risk increased with the increase of CAR(P<0.05).Subgroup analysis of the screened confounding factors revealed that the correlation between CAR and 28-day mortality risk in severe pneumonia patients remained stable across different APACHE Ⅱ scores,GCS scores,SOFA scores,white blood cell counts(WBC),neutrophils(NEU),red cell volume distribution width(RDW),procalcitonin(PCT),and Lac,with interactions observed between NLR and Lac subgroups(P<0.05).The RCS model indicated that there was no non-linear dose-response relationship between CAR and 28-day mortality risk in patients with severe pneumonia of different genders.ROC curve analysis showed that CAR,Lac,and NLR had good predictive value for 28-day mortality in severe pneumonia patients,with the combined predictive efficacy being significantly higher than that of individual indicators.Conclusion There is a close relationship between CAR and the progression and prognosis of severe pneumonia,making it a new approach to assessing the severity of illness and predicting mortality risk in patients.

AIM:To investigate the effects of memantine(Mem),an N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)recep-tor antagonist,on sevoflurane(Sev)anesthetic depth and perioperative neurocognitive disorders in mice,and to explore the possible mechanisms involved.METHODS:Mouse electroencephalogram(EEG)monitoring and cognitive disorder models were established.For EEG monitoring,male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group,Sev group,and Mem+Sev group.The EEG monitoring electrodes were implanted in the heads of the mice 7 d before anesthe-sia.On the day of anesthesia,the mice in Mem+Sev group received an intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg Mem dissolved in normal saline,while those in control and Sev groups received intraperitoneal injection of an equivalent volume of normal saline based on body weight.Thirty minutes later,the mice in Sev and Mem+Sev groups were anesthetized with 400 mL/min O2+3%Sev for 5 h,while those in control group were treated with 400 mL/min O2 for 5 h.The EEG monitoring was ter-minated after the righting reflex was restored in Sev and Mem+Sev groups.The time of disappearance and recovery of the righting reflex was recorded,and changes in EEG burst suppression ratio and relative power of each frequency band were analyzed.For the cognitive disorder part,another batch of male C57BL/6J mice were selected and divided into the same groups as before.The mice underwent water maze spatial navigation training for 6 d before anesthesia.On the day of anes-thesia,the mice in Mem+Sev group received an intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg Mem dissolved in normal saline,while those in control and Sev groups received intraperitoneal injection of an equivalent volume of normal saline based on body weight.Thirty minutes later,the mice in Sev and Mem+Sev groups were anesthetized with 400 mL/min O2+3%Sev for 5 h,and those in control group were treated with 400 mL/min O2 for 5 h.Spatial navigation and exploration tests were conducted 3 d after anesthesia.After the tests,the mice were sacrificed,and their hippocampal tissues were collected.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and acetylcholine(ACh)in the hippocampal tis-sues were detected by ELISA.The concentration of Ca2+in the hippocampal tissues was measured using a calcium assay kit.Pathological changes in the hippocampal CA3 region were observed by HE staining,and the protein levels of NMDA receptor GluN1 subunit,GABAA receptor,amyloid β-protein(Aβ),and p-tau were detected by Western blot.RE-SULTS:Compared with control group,the mice in Sev group had increased burst suppression ratio at all time points dur-ing anesthesia and prolonged escape latency and reduced platform crossings 3 d after anesthesia(P<0.05).The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the hippocampal tissues increased,while the level of ACh decreased,and the concentration of Ca2+in-creased.The protein levels of GluN1 subunit,Aβ and p-tau were elevated(P<0.05).Compared with Sev group,the mice in Mem+Sev group had shortened anesthesia induction time and increased burst suppression ratio at all time points during anesthesia,with elevated relative power of slow waves and δ waves(P<0.05).The escape latency was shortened,and the platform crossings increased 3 d after anesthesia(P<0.05).The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the hippocampal tissues decreased,while the levels of ACh increased,and the protein levels of GluN1 subunit,Aβ and p-tau were reduced(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in anesthesia recovery time among the groups(P>0.05).CONCLU-SION:Memantine,in combination with Sev anesthesia,accelerates anesthesia induction and deepens anesthetic depth,which may be related to the increased relative power of δ EEG waves,but has no significant effect on recovery time.Me-mantine intervention alleviates Sev anesthesia-induced cognitive disorders by inhibiting the overexpression of NMDA recep-tors,Aβ and p-tau,and attenuating neuroinflammation.

Objective To establish a hydraulic system model of the aqueous humor circulation in the human eye and explore the characteristics of aqueous humor flow and intraocular pressure changes under various types of glaucoma and surgical conditions.Methods A hydraulic system model of aqueous humor circulation was constructed using AMESim software based on ocular structural parameters to simulate the fluid dynamics of aqueous humor in three types of glaucoma and their surgical interventions.Results Significant elevation in intraocular pressure was observed with pathological changes such as trabecular meshwork obstruction,anterior chamber angle contraction,and narrowing of the iris-lens gap.Through simulations of surgical interventions,including trabeculectomy,iridectomy,and ciliary body ablation,aqueous outflow resistance was effectively reduced,leading to a controlled intraocular pressure.Conclusions By successfully simulating both the pathological conditions of glaucoma and the dynamic intraocular pressure changes under surgical interventions,the hydraulic system model accurately reflects the physiological characteristics of glaucoma.The model not only predicts the effects of therapeutic interventions,but also provides reliable simulation support for the diagnosis and optimization of treatment strategies for glaucoma.