This paper aims to contribute to guaranteeing the stable development and enhancing the understanding of ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica so that the national strategy and industrial demand can be better served. It first introduces current traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)policy and industrial development status from five aspects, including policy guarantee, theoretical support, technological innovation, standardization system, and brand influence. Then, the paper analyzes the development dilemma of TCM agriculture in production and quality increase and ecological environment protection. It also proposes the development goals of ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica that meet the current industrial development demand, which are reducing chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and carbon emissions, improving quality, increasing efficiency, and protecting ecological environment. In addition, the new development goals are interpreted through case studies. Finally, this paper proposes four development strategies for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica: conducting research on the pattern and spatial and temporal variations of nationwide TCM production areas; studying the internal and external ecological memories of medicinal plant growth from the perspectives of genetic variations and environmental adaptation variations and elucidating their contributions to the formation of quality; carrying out selection and breeding of stress-resistant varieties for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica, the optimization of key technologies for soil improvement and restoration and green prevention and control against diseases and pests, and the improvement of quality; carrying out research on the quality assurance and value realization of ecological products made from TCM. This research can provide guidance for policy formulation, theoretical development of the discipline, and the enhancement of industrial technology for ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica.
Agriculture/methods* ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To investigate the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG)on the cardiac structure and function in obese patients with heart failure(HF)and compare the efficacy of LSG across obese patients with different HF types.Methods This study included 33 obese patients with HF who underwent LSG.The clinical indicators were compared between before operation and 12 months after operation.Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to evaluate the changes in echocardiographic parameters before operation and 3,6,and 12 months after operation.Patients were allocated into a HF with preserved ejection fraction group(n=17),a HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction group(n=5)and a HF with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)group(n=11)based on left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)before operation for subgroup analyses of the effects of LSG on the cardiac structure and function of obese patients with HF.The paired samples t-test was conducted to assess the degree of cardiac structural and functional alterations after LSG.Results The 33 patients included 69.7% males,with an average age of(35.3±9.9)years,and a body mass index(BMI)of(51.2±9.8)kg/m².The median follow-up was 9.0(5.0,13.3)months.Compared with the preoperative values,the postoperative BMI(P=0.002),body surface area(BSA)(P=0.009),waist circumference(P=0.010),hip circumference(P=0.031),body fat content(P=0.007),and percentage of patients with cardiac function grades Ⅲ-IV(P<0.001)decreased.At the 12-month follow-up left atrial diameter(P=0.006),right atrial long-axis inner diameter(RAD1)(P<0.001),right atrial short-axis inner diameter(RAD2)(P<0.001),right ventricular inner diameter(P=0.002),interventricular septal thickness at end-diastolic(P=0.002),and left ventricular end-diastolic volumes(P=0.004)and left ventricular end-systolic volumes(P=0.003) all significantly reduced compared with preoperative values.Additionally,left ventricular fractional shortening and LVEF improved(both P<0.001).Subgroup analyses revealed that cardiac structural parameters significantly decreased in the HF with preserved ejection fraction,HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction,and HFrEF subgroups compared with preoperative values.Notably,the HFrEF group demonstrated the best performance in terms of left atrial diameter(P=0.003),left ventricular inner diameter at end-diastole(P=0.008),RAD1(P<0.001),RAD2(P=0.004),right ventricular inner diameter(P=0.019),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(P=0.004)and left ventricular end-systolic volume(P=0.001),cardiac output(P=0.006),tricuspid regurgitation velocity(P=0.002),and pulmonary artery systolic pressure(P=0.001) compared to preoperatively.Postoperative left ventricular fractional shortening(P<0.001,P=0.003,P<0.001)and LVEF(P<0.001,P=0.011,P=0.001)became higher in all the three subgroups than the preoperative values.Conclusions LSG decreased the body weight,BMI,and BSA,improved the cardiac function grade,reversed the enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricle,reduced the right atrium and right ventricle,and enhanced the left ventricular systolic function.It was effective across obese patients with different HF types.Particularly,LSG demonstrates the best performance in improving the structures of both atria and ventricles in obese patients with HFrEF.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Heart Failure/complications* ; Adult ; Obesity/physiopathology* ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Heart/physiopathology* ; Stroke Volume

Objective:To establish a TaqMan-MGB probe-based method for detecting the polymorphic loci C677T and A1298C of the MTHFR gene.Methods:Specific primers and TaqMan-MGB probes targeting the C677T and A1298C polymorphic loci of the MTHFR gene were designed and optimized based on the gene sequence information.A real-time quantitative PCR detection system was established.Gradient dilution experiments were conducted to determine the limit of detection,and reproducibility experiments were performed to evaluate detection consistency.Specificity was validated using wild-type and mutant plasmid templates.The method was applied to detect 56 clinical samples,and its accuracy and practicality were assessed through comparison with traditional Sanger sequencing.Results:The TaqMan-MGB probe method demonstrated high specificity for detecting the C677T and A1298C loci,with no cross-reactivity between wild-type and mutant probes,enabling accurate genotype differentiation.Sensitivity experiments revealed detection limits of 1.13 × 103 copies/μL for C677T and 8.39 × 101 copies/μL for A1298C.Reproducibility experiments showed coefficients of variation below 1％,indicating stable and reliable results.Among the 56 clinical samples,the overall detection rate for the C677T locus was 86.99％,and for the A1298C locus,it was 97.92％.The TaqMan-MGB method exhibited good concordance with Sanger sequencing results.Conclusion:The TaqMan-MGB method exhibits high specificity,sensitivity,and excellent reproducibility in detecting the polymorphic loci C677T and A1298C of the MTHFR gene,making it suitable for rapid detection in large-scale clinical samples.This method provides an effective molecular diagnostic tool for the early diagnosis and prevention of folate-related diseases.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

Objective:To establish a TaqMan-MGB probe-based method for detecting the polymorphic loci C677T and A1298C of the MTHFR gene.Methods:Specific primers and TaqMan-MGB probes targeting the C677T and A1298C polymorphic loci of the MTHFR gene were designed and optimized based on the gene sequence information.A real-time quantitative PCR detection system was established.Gradient dilution experiments were conducted to determine the limit of detection,and reproducibility experiments were performed to evaluate detection consistency.Specificity was validated using wild-type and mutant plasmid templates.The method was applied to detect 56 clinical samples,and its accuracy and practicality were assessed through comparison with traditional Sanger sequencing.Results:The TaqMan-MGB probe method demonstrated high specificity for detecting the C677T and A1298C loci,with no cross-reactivity between wild-type and mutant probes,enabling accurate genotype differentiation.Sensitivity experiments revealed detection limits of 1.13 × 103 copies/μL for C677T and 8.39 × 101 copies/μL for A1298C.Reproducibility experiments showed coefficients of variation below 1％,indicating stable and reliable results.Among the 56 clinical samples,the overall detection rate for the C677T locus was 86.99％,and for the A1298C locus,it was 97.92％.The TaqMan-MGB method exhibited good concordance with Sanger sequencing results.Conclusion:The TaqMan-MGB method exhibits high specificity,sensitivity,and excellent reproducibility in detecting the polymorphic loci C677T and A1298C of the MTHFR gene,making it suitable for rapid detection in large-scale clinical samples.This method provides an effective molecular diagnostic tool for the early diagnosis and prevention of folate-related diseases.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

Objective To explore the influence of impulsivity on digital addiction tendencies in patients with Wilson disease(WD)and its related factors.Methods A total of 66 patients with WD were included in the study which were divided into neurological WD group(42 cases)and hepatic WD group(24 cases)according to clinical manifestations.Sixty-six WD patients were included as the study subjects,including 24 cases of hepatic WD and 42 cases of neurological WD.The Chinese version of the Barratt impulsiveness scale(BIS-11-C)was used to assess patients'impulsiveness.Mobile phone addiction index(MPAI)evaluates the degree of dependence on mobile phone use.Cranial MRI was used to examine the location and cumulative frequency of the diseased brain region.Results Among the 66 WD patients,45 cases(68.2% )had the tendency of digital addiction,including 35 cases(53.0% )in the neurological WD group and 10 cases(15.2% )in the hepatic WD group.There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of the two types of WD patients(P=0.001).The scores of BIS-11-C and MPAI scales in neurological WD group were higher than those in hepatic WD group(P<0.05).The out-of-control score in the MPAI scale is positively correlated with the attention impulsivity score(r=0.499,P=0.001),motor impulsivity score(r=0.553,P=0.001),unplanned impulsivity score(r=0.535,P=0.001),and impulse control score(r=0.653,P=0.001)in the BIS-11-C scale.Linear regression analysis showed a correlation between attention impulsivity score and frontal lobe lesions(B=-1.634,P=0.018).There was a correlation between loss of control score and frontal lobe lesions(B=-3.609,P=0.023).The withdrawal score was associated with the thalamus lesions(B=-5.047,P=0.007)and frontal lobe lesions(B=-2.204,P=0.024).Avoidance score was associated with parietal lobe lesions(B=-1.867,P=0.032).The low efficacy score was associated with the putamen lesions(B=-1.789,P=0.016)and frontal lobe lesions(B=-1.592,P=0.044).Conclusion Neurological WD patients have higher tendency of digital addiction than hepatic WD patients and the tendency of digital addiction is related to impulsivity.The digital addiction tendency of WD patients may be related to impulse control disorders caused by lesions in multiple brain regions such as the putamen,thalamus,and frontal lobe.

Objective To assess the risk factors for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)bloodstream infection(BSI)and 28-day short-term mortality in elderly patients,and provide reference for the pre-vention and treatment of CRAB BSI.Methods Clinical data of patients aged ≥60 years and diagnosed with AB BSI in a hospital in Yulin City from January 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,including demogra-phic and microbiological characteristics,as well as clinical outcomes of the patients.Variables which were significant in univariate analysis were selected for multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression model and Cox propor-tional hazards model.Independent risk factors for infection were further determined,and survival analysis was per-formed using Kaplan-Meier curve.Results A total of 150 patients were included in the study,out of which 16 pa-tients(10.7％)had CRAB BSI and 134 had carbapenem-sensitive AB(CSAB)BSI.The 28-day short-term mortali-ty of AB BSI in elderly patients was 15.3％(23/150,95％CI:9.6％-21.1％),and the short-term mortality of CRAB BSI was higher than that of CSAB([56.3％,9/16]vs[10.4％,14/134]).Deep venous catheterization(OR:15.598,95％CI:1.831-132.910)and combined infections of other sites(OR:15.449,95％CI:1.497-159.489)were related to CRAB BSI in elderly patients.The independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in elderly patients with AB BSI were hemodialysis(OR:11.856,95％CI:2.924-48.076),intensive care unit admission(OR:9.387,95％CI:1.941-45.385),and pulmonary infection being suspected source of bacteremia(OR:7.019,95％CI:1.345-36.635).Conclusion The occurrence of CRAB BSI in elderly patients is related to the combined infection of other sites and deep vein catheterization.Hemodialysis,admission to ICU,and pulmonary infection being suspected source of bacteremia are independent risk factors for the prognosis of AB BSI in elderly patients.

Objective To evaluate the effects and the possible mechanisms based on the synaptic plasticity regulated by the orexin signalling pathway of the classic Qing Dynasty prescription AnMeidan(AMD),whose"Raw and cooked jujube kernel"used and without the prescription on learning and memory in a rat model of insomnia.Methods The insomnia model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)into rats,and AMD was administered by gavage and a decoction of the formula was disassembled.Observing 24 h autonomous activity using the EthoVision XT animal motion trajectory tracking system,Morris water maze was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability;hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Nissl staining were used to observe the neuronal changes in rat hippocampal CA1 area;Golgi staining and immunohistochemistry(IHC)were used to observe the neuronal dendritic changes in rat hippocampal CA1 area,and the changes in synaptic plasticity proteins,synaptophysin(SYN),microtubule-associated protein 2(MAP-2),glial fibrillary acidic protein43(GFAP-43);Western blotting and Reverse transcription-qPCR(RT-qPCR)were used to detect hippocampal orexin A(OXA)/phosphatidylinositol-specific phosphodiesterase Cβ1(PLCβ-1)/protein kinase Cα(PKCα)/extracellular signalling-regulated kinase(ERK1/2)signalling pathway protein and gene expression.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed prolonged upper platform latency,decreased number of crossing stations,decreased distance travelled by periplatform range I activity,the frequency and duration of mania increase,while the frequency and duration of stillness decrease(P<0.01),damaged muscle fibres in the CA1 region of the hippocampus,uneven staining of the nuclei,decreased and disorganized Nyctal microsomes,reduced dendritic spine length and number(P<0.05),and faded staining and decreased expression of SYN,MAP-2,and GFAP-43(P<0.01),hippocampal OXA protein and gene expression increased(P<0.01),and PLCβ-1,PKCα,ERK1/2 protein and gene expression decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,Suvorexant and AMD,AMD desiccated,and cooked jujube seed increased the static frequency、number of times they traversed the station,the distance travelled in the first quadrant and the range of periportal activities,and the time of periportal range I activities(P<0.05,P<0.01);hippocampal muscle fibres were more neatly arranged,the number of Nissin bodies increased,and dendritic spine lengths and numbers were increased(P<0.05),and the SYN,MAP-2,and GFAP-43 expression was elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01),OXA expression was decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05),and PLCβ-1,PKCα,ERK1/2 expression was elevated(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the AMD group,both AMD de-raw and ripe date palm kernel groups could increase the number of times and distances they traversed the stations(P<0.05,P<0.01),decrease the length and number of dendritic spines(P<0.05),decrease the expression of SYN,MAP-2,GFAP-43,and OXA proteins in hippocampal CA1 region(P<0.01),and elevate the PLCβ-1,PKCα,and ERK1/2 expression(P<0.05).Conclusion AMD can regulate the synaptic plasticity of hippocampus in insomniac rats through regulating the OXA/PLCβ-1/PKCα/ERK1/2 signalling pathway to improve the learning memory,the effect of"raw and cooked jujube kernel"used together was better than that of"raw and cooked jujube kernel"used separately.

Objective To evaluate the effects and the possible mechanisms based on the synaptic plasticity regulated by the orexin signalling pathway of the classic Qing Dynasty prescription AnMeidan(AMD),whose"Raw and cooked jujube kernel"used and without the prescription on learning and memory in a rat model of insomnia.Methods The insomnia model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)into rats,and AMD was administered by gavage and a decoction of the formula was disassembled.Observing 24 h autonomous activity using the EthoVision XT animal motion trajectory tracking system,Morris water maze was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability;hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Nissl staining were used to observe the neuronal changes in rat hippocampal CA1 area;Golgi staining and immunohistochemistry(IHC)were used to observe the neuronal dendritic changes in rat hippocampal CA1 area,and the changes in synaptic plasticity proteins,synaptophysin(SYN),microtubule-associated protein 2(MAP-2),glial fibrillary acidic protein43(GFAP-43);Western blotting and Reverse transcription-qPCR(RT-qPCR)were used to detect hippocampal orexin A(OXA)/phosphatidylinositol-specific phosphodiesterase Cβ1(PLCβ-1)/protein kinase Cα(PKCα)/extracellular signalling-regulated kinase(ERK1/2)signalling pathway protein and gene expression.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed prolonged upper platform latency,decreased number of crossing stations,decreased distance travelled by periplatform range I activity,the frequency and duration of mania increase,while the frequency and duration of stillness decrease(P<0.01),damaged muscle fibres in the CA1 region of the hippocampus,uneven staining of the nuclei,decreased and disorganized Nyctal microsomes,reduced dendritic spine length and number(P<0.05),and faded staining and decreased expression of SYN,MAP-2,and GFAP-43(P<0.01),hippocampal OXA protein and gene expression increased(P<0.01),and PLCβ-1,PKCα,ERK1/2 protein and gene expression decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,Suvorexant and AMD,AMD desiccated,and cooked jujube seed increased the static frequency、number of times they traversed the station,the distance travelled in the first quadrant and the range of periportal activities,and the time of periportal range I activities(P<0.05,P<0.01);hippocampal muscle fibres were more neatly arranged,the number of Nissin bodies increased,and dendritic spine lengths and numbers were increased(P<0.05),and the SYN,MAP-2,and GFAP-43 expression was elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01),OXA expression was decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05),and PLCβ-1,PKCα,ERK1/2 expression was elevated(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the AMD group,both AMD de-raw and ripe date palm kernel groups could increase the number of times and distances they traversed the stations(P<0.05,P<0.01),decrease the length and number of dendritic spines(P<0.05),decrease the expression of SYN,MAP-2,GFAP-43,and OXA proteins in hippocampal CA1 region(P<0.01),and elevate the PLCβ-1,PKCα,and ERK1/2 expression(P<0.05).Conclusion AMD can regulate the synaptic plasticity of hippocampus in insomniac rats through regulating the OXA/PLCβ-1/PKCα/ERK1/2 signalling pathway to improve the learning memory,the effect of"raw and cooked jujube kernel"used together was better than that of"raw and cooked jujube kernel"used separately.