This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction in the treatment of heart failure by regulating electrical remodeling through the transient outward potassium current(I_(to))/voltage-gated potassium(Kv) channels. Five normal SD rats were intragastrically administered with Zhenwu Decoction granules to prepare drug-containing serum, and another seven normal SD rats received an equal amount of distilled water to prepare blank serum. H9c2 cardiomyocytes underwent conventional passage and were treated with angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ) for 24 h. Subsequently, 2%, 4%, and 8% drug-containing serum, simvastatin(SIM), and BaCl_2 were used to interfere in H9c2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h. The cells were divided into a control group [N, 10% blank serum + 90% high-glucose DMEM(DMEM-H)], a model group(M, AngⅡ + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a low-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z1, AngⅡ + 2% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoction + 8% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a medium-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z2, AngⅡ + 4% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoc-tion + 6% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a high-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z3, AngⅡ + 8% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoction + 2% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), an inducer group(YD, AngⅡ + SIM + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), and an inhibitor group(YZ, AngⅡ + BaCl_2 + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H). The content of ANP in cell extracts of each group was detected by ELISA. The relative mRNA expression levels of ANP, Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The protein expression of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2 was detected by Western blot. I_(to) was detected by the whole cell patch-clamp technique. The results showed that Zhenwu Decoction at low, medium, and high doses could effectively reduce the surface area of cardiomyocytes. Compared with the M group, the Z1, Z2, Z3, and YD groups showed decreased ANP content and mRNA level, increased protein and mRNA expression of Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2, and decreased protein and mRNA expression of Kv1.4, and the aforementioned changes were the most notable in the Z3 group. Compared with the N group, the Z1, Z2, and Z3 groups showed significantly increased peak current and current density of I_(to). The results indicate that Zhenwu Decoction can regulate myocardial remodeling and electrical remodeling by improving the expression trend of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, KChIP2, and DPP6 proteins and inducing I_(to) to regulate Kv channels, which may be one of the mechanisms of Zhenwu Decoction in treating heart failure and related arrhythmias.
Rats ; Animals ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Atrial Remodeling ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Heart Failure/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Potassium

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases

Freshly collected seeds of Amomum tsaoko demonstrate obvious dormancy. Therefore, the selection of stable reference genes during seed dormancy release is very important for the subsequent functional research of related genes. In this study, ten commonly used reference genes(GAPDH, 40S, actin, tubulin, EIF4A-9, EIF2α, UBC, UBCE2, 60S, and UBQ) were selected as candidates for quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) of the embryo samples of A. tsaoko at different dormancy release stages. Three kinds of software(BestKeeper, geNorm, and Normfinder) and the Delta CT method were used to evaluate the expression stability of the candidate reference genes, and the RefFinder online tool was employed to integrate the results and generate a comprehensive ranking. The results showed that the expression levels of the ten candidate reference genes differed greatly in different embryo samples. GAPDH and UBC had high expression levels, as manifested by the small Ct values. GeNorm identified 40S and UBCE2 as the most stable genes. NormFinder ranked EIF2α as the most stable gene and UBC as the least stable gene. UBCE2 was found to be the most stable gene and actin the least stable one by BestKeeper. Delta CT analysis suggested that the expression of 40S was most stable. UBCE2 was recommended as the most stably expressed gene by RefFinder. Thus, UBCE2 is the ideal reference gene for qRT-PCR analysis of A. tsaoko seeds at different dormancy release stages. The results may lay a foundation for analyzing the expression of related genes during seed dormancy release of A. tsaoko.
Amomum ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Seeds/genetics*

Objective To establish a method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of Zhendian Kaiqiao Granules. Methods Gentiane Radix et Rhizoma, Scuteliariae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Radices Paeoniae Alba in the preparation were identified by TLC. Gentiopicrin and paeoniflorin were determined by HPLC. The analysis was performed on a Phenomenex C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), with the mobile phase of methyl alcohol-water (12:88). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the column temperature was maintained at room temperature; the detection wavelengths were set at 273 nm (gentiopicrin) and 230 nm (paeoniflorin). Results Gentiane Radix et Rhizoma, Scuteliariae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Radices Paeoniae Alba could be detected by TLC. Gentiopicrin showed a good linear relationship at a range of 2.396–11.980 μg, r=0.999 6. The average recovery was 99.72%, and RSD was 2.70%. Paeoniflorin showed a good linear relationship at a range of 2.728–13.640 μg, r=0.999 0. The average recovery was 98.74%, and RSD was 2.42%. Conclusion The established method is simple, reliable and reproductive.The method can be used for control quality of Zhendian Kaiqiao Granules.

Objective: In order to study the function of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) gene, the CDS nucleotide sequence of GGPS was cloned from Panax notoginseng, and its prokaryotic expression was performed. Methods: The primers were designed according to the reported GGPPS gene sequence in Genbank, and the coding sequence was obtained by RT-PCR. The prokaryotic expression vector was constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 for the expression under the induction of isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Results: The CDS of GGPS gene had a full length of 1 032 bp coding for 343 amino acids. Results of SDS-PAGE showed that a 29 000—44 000 protein was achieved and the recombinant protein was mainly in the form of insoluble inclusion body. Conclusion: The CDS nucleotide sequence of GGPPS gene was successfully cloned, and the stable prokaryotic expression was established. This study will provide a foundation for the further functional researches of GGPPS gene in P. notoginseng.

According to the transcriptome dataset of Panax notoginseng, the key geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase gene (GGPPS) in terpenoid backbone biosynthesis was selected to be cloned. Using specific primer pairs combining with RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) technique, the full-length cDNA sequence with 1 203 bp, which containing a 1 035 bp open reading frame, was cloned and named as PnGGPPS. The corresponding full-length DNA sequence contained 2 370 bp, consisted of 1 intron and 2 exons. The deduced protein PnGGPPS contained 344 amino acids and shared more than 73% identity with GGPPS from Ricinus communis and Salvia miltiorrhiza. PnGGPPS also had specific Aspartic acid enrichment regions and other conserved domains, which belonged to the Isoprenoid-Biosyn-C1 superfamily. The quantitative real-time PCR showed that PnGGPPS expressed in different tissues of 1, 2, 3 years old root, stem, leaf and 3 years old flower, and the expression level in 3 years old leaf was significant higher than that in other organs, which suggested that it might not only be involved in the regulation of the growth and development, but also be associated with the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and carotenoids, the development of chloroplast, the shade habit and the quality formation of P. notoginseng.
Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; Geranylgeranyl-Diphosphate Geranylgeranyltransferase ; genetics ; Panax notoginseng ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

With homology cloning approaches coupling with RACE (rapid-amplification of cDNA ends) techniques, the full-length coding sequence of pathogenesis-related protein PR10-1 with differential expression was cloned from the total RNA of the root of Panax notoginseng, and its function was explored furtherly. As a result, the longest 465 bp ORF (named as PnPR10-1 with the Accession No. KJ741402 in GenBank) was detected from the cloned sequence with full-length of cDNA of 863 bp. The corresponding peptide encoded consisted of 155 amino acids, contained some domains such as Bet-v-I, and showed high similarity with that from Panax ginseng by analysis of phylogenetic trees created from the alignments. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the expression of PnPR10-1 gene was constitutive in different tissues of 1-3 year old plant, suggesting that it might be involved in growth, development, and secondary metabolism; yet it was up-regulated significantly with the infection of Fusarium oxysporum in root, suggesting that it might be involved in defense against many diseases including root rot in P. notoginseng.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Genes, Plant ; Glycoside Hydrolases ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Panax notoginseng ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plant Roots

Objective To establish a community-based management model for heart failure patients under the professional guidance of upper first-class hospital staff.Methods Two hundreds heart failure (New York Heart Function Ⅱ-Ⅳ) patients aged from 35 to 85 in two communities of Chengdu city were divided into two groups by cluster randomization:the management group and the control group.The community hospital doctors were trained for the evaluation and management of heart failure according standardized guidelines by upper first-class hospital doctors,and responsible for the management of patients in the management group.Meanwhile,the management group patients also received self-care education.Patients in control group were treated by community doctors without special training.Data including the community hospital doctors' knowledge rate of heart failure,positive diagnosis rate,and the rate for standardized medication for heart failure; the patients' knowledge rate of heart failure,the rate of drug compliance,the rate of standardized drug taken for heart failure,the rate of self-care in daily-life,the quality of life,the iucidence of cardiovascular events,hospitalization time and cost were compared between the two groups.Results The community hospital doctors' knowledge rate of heart failure,the related knowledge for prevention and treatment on the causes of heart failure,the positive diagnosis rate,and the rate for standardized medication for heart failure [β receptor blocker 77.3％ (17/22); angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors 63.6％ (14/22)] were significantly higher than doctors in the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).There were 96 in the management group and 97 in the control group.Data were similar between the two groups at baseline.After (18.5 ± 0.5)months,the patient's knowledge rate of heart failure [100％ (96/96) vs.71.1％ (69/97)],the rate of drug compliance [78.1％ (75/96) vs.13.4％ (13/97)],the rate of standardized drug taken for heart failure[β receptor blocker:75.0％ (72/96) vs.8.2％(8/97) ; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors:60.4％ (58/96) vs.10.3％ (10/97)],and the rate of self-care in daily-life [salt and food restriction:88.5％ (85/96) vs.29.9％ (23/97) ; blood pressure monitoring:83.3％ (80/96) vs.56.7％ (55/97) ; weight monitoring:78.1％ (75/96) vs.13.4％ (13/97)] were all significantly higher in the management group than in control group.For patients with New York Heart Function Ⅲ-Ⅳ,the score of the LiHFe questionnaire (43.7 ± 9.2 vs.49.5 ± 11.3),the incidence of cardiovascular events [63.3％ (19/30) vs.90.3％ (28/31)],the days of hospitalization [(8.2 ± 3.2) days vs.(13.9 ± 10.9) days],and the cost for hospitalization [(2873.3 ± 401.6) Yuan vs.(4525.8 ±6417.8) Yuan] were all significantly lower in the management group(n =30) than in the control group(n =31) (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The community-based management model for heart failure patients in the community level is effective to improve the management and outcome in this cohort.

Objective To illustrate the influences of walking speed and road slope on lower limb motions by quantitative analysis on the changes of joint angles and muscle activation. Method Five walking speeds and three road slopes were selected from slow to fast according to the related measurement. The gaits of 15 young women were measured using the motion capture system and the EMG signals of 8 major muscles in lower limbs were collected simultaneously. The mean joint angles of hip, knee and ankle in sagittal plane at different speeds and different slopes were calculated. The subject whose data was closest to the mean value could be easily found. Results The joint angles of the subject’s hip, knee and ankle in sagittal plane at different speeds and different slopes in a gait cycle were presented and the activation curves of the 8 major muscles during lower limb movements were obtained. Conclusions In each gait cycle, the curves of joint angles and muscle activations varied little with 5 different speeds, while curves for 3 different road slopes only showed similar tendencies but with different peaks.

Objective To report the clinical result of repairing complex tissue defect in limb caused by traffic accident using both tissue flap transplantation and external fixer. Methods The vascular tissue flap including bone flap and muscular flap to repair the complex tissue defection ( soft tissue, bones, joints) in forearm, hand, leg, ankle and foot were applied in 36 cases. At the same time in surgery, injured bones and joints were fixed by external fixator for stabilizing and accelerating cure. Results All 36 cases were applied successfully with transplanted tissue combined with external fixator. The external fixator were moved away about 10～16 weeks post - operation in upper extremity or 6～8 months post - operation in lower extremity and all the cases recovered satisfactorily. Conclusions It is a reliable method for repairing the complex tissue defection in the limb caused by traffic accident by external fixator with traumatology and microsurgery technique. And it is also characterized as a minor injury method on transplanted bones, enables early exercise for joints, convenient observation of flap circulation and easy nursing.