Ecological cultivation is an important way for the sustainable production of traditional Chinese medicine in the context of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Facility cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation modes have been developed and applied to develop the endangered Dendrobium huoshanense on the basis of protection. However, the differences in the greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential of these cultivation modes remain unexplored, which limits the accurate assessment of carbon-friendly ecological cultivation modes of D. huoshanense. Greenhouse gas emission flux monitoring based on the static chamber method provides an effective way to solve this problem. Therefore, this study conducted a field experiment in the facility cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation modes at a D. huoshanense cultivation base in Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province. From April 2023 to March 2024, samples of greenhouse gases were collected every month, and the concentrations of CO_2, CH_4, and N_2O of the samples were then detected by gas chromatography. The greenhouse gas emission fluxes, cumulative emissions, and global warming potential were further calculated, and the following results were obtained.(1)The two cultivation modes of D. huoshanense showed significant differences in greenhouse gas emission fluxes, especially the CO_2 emission flux, with a pattern of facility cultivation>simulative habitat cultivation [(35.60±11.70)mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1) vs(2.10±4.59)mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)].(2) The annual cumulative CO_2 emission flux in the case of facility cultivation was significantly higher than that of simulative habitat cultivation[(3 077.00±842.00)kg·hm~(-2) vs(221.00±332.00)kg·hm~(-2)], while no significant difference was found in annual cumulative CH_4 and N_2O emission fluxes.(3) The facility cultivation mode had a significantly higher global warming potential than the simulative habitat cultivation mode [(3 053.00±847.00)kg·hm~(-2) vs(196.00±362.00)kg·hm~(-2)]. Overall, the simulative habitat cultivation of D. huoshanense has obvious carbon-friendly characteristics compared with facility cultivation, which is in line with the concept of ecological cultivation of medicinal plants. This study is of great reference significance for the implementation and promotion of the ecological cultivation mode of D. huoshanense under carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Greenhouse Gases/metabolism* ; Carbon/analysis* ; Ecosystem ; Carbon Dioxide/metabolism* ; China ; Global Warming

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of personalized puncture planning before surgery using Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 69 elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty from January 2020 20 to December 2021 with more than 1 year of follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty-four patients were individualized for preoperative planning with PACS software (observation group), including 8 males and 26 females, with a mean age of (73.30±7.96) years old;and 35 patients were treated with conventional treatment (control group), including 7 males and 28 females, with a mean age of (77.30±7.84) years old. The operation time, the amount of cement injection, cement leakage rate, bone watertight diffusion and refracture within 1 year between two groups were observed and compared. The Cobb's angle, low back pain visual analogue scale(VAS) and the modified Oswsetry disability indexes(ODI) before surgery and 1 day, 1 year after surgery were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Both groups successfully completed the operation without serious surgical complications, 2 refractures occurred in the control group. The operation time in the observation group was(41.9±11.9) min, which was less than that in the control group (52.7±13.6) min (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the cement injection volume between two groups (P>0.05). Two cases of cement leakage in the observation group was less than 8 in the control group (P<0.05). The bone cement distribution index of two groups had significant difference(P<0.05). There were no significant differences between two groups in Cobb's angle of the injured vertebras and ODI before and 1 day after surgery(P>0.05), however, the comparative differences were statistically significant at 1 year after surgery(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the VAS between two groups at each time period(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Using the PACS software to plan personalized puncture scheme can reduce the operation time, reduce the cement leakage rate, improve the diffusion of bone cement and longer maintain the postoperative form of vertebral body and the functional state of patients' lumbar back.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Vertebroplasty/methods* ; Fractures, Compression/diagnostic imaging* ; Spinal Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Retrospective Studies ; Radiology Information Systems

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Adult ; Exome Sequencing ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics* ; Alleles ; Infertility, Male/genetics*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genomic characteristics and prognostic factors of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) with RAS mutations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of JMML children with RAS mutations treated at the Hematology Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2008 to November 2022. RESULTS: A total of 34 children were included, with 17 cases (50%) having isolated NRAS mutations, 9 cases (27%) having isolated KRAS mutations, and 8 cases (24%) having compound mutations. Compared to children with isolated NRAS mutations, those with NRAS compound mutations showed statistically significant differences in age at onset, platelet count, and fetal hemoglobin proportion (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and hepatomegaly (≥2 cm below the costal margin) were factors affecting the survival rate of JMML children with RAS mutations (P<0.05); hepatomegaly was a factor affecting survival in the non-HSCT group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with NRAS compound mutations have a later onset age compared to those with isolated NRAS mutations. At initial diagnosis, children with NRAS compound mutations have poorer peripheral platelet and fetal hemoglobin levels than those with isolated NRAS mutations. Liver size at initial diagnosis is related to the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations. HSCT can improve the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy* ; Mutation ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Infant ; GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics* ; Prognosis

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge, holding a crucial position in the medical field. However, the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization, completeness, and accuracy, primarily due to the decentralized distribution of TCM resources. To address these issues, we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery (TCMKD, https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/). Seven types of data, including syndromes, formulas, Chinese patent drugs (CPDs), Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs), ingredients, targets, and diseases, were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD. To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine, TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining, enrichment analysis, and network localization and separation. These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights. In addition to its analytical capabilities, a quick question and answer (Q&A) system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently, thereby improving the interactivity of the platform. The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool, offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining. Overall, TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM, delving into the pharmacological foundations of TCM treatments, but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems, extending beyond just TCM.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jianpi Qinghua granule in improving skeletal muscle insulin resistance induced by long-term low-dose cadmium exposure in rats.Methods:A total of 24 SPF-grade healthy 2-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to normal control(NC) group, cadmium exposure(Cd) group, and Jianpi Qinghua granule protection(Cd+ JPQHG) group. After 24 weeks, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were measured, and HOMA-IR was calculated. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were conducted to assess insulin sensitivity. Skeletal muscle tissues were extracted for Western blot analysis to detect levels of insulin signaling pathway-related proteins. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the translocation of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4), and oxidative stress markers were measured.Results:Compared to the NC group, the Cd group showed significant increases in fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA-IR after 24-week exposure. Abnormal glucose and insulin tolerance were also observed in the Cd group. The 12-week intervention with Jianpi Qinghua granule significantly improved glucose metabolism and alleviated the abnormalities in glucose and insulin tolerance. Western blot results indicated that the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt in the skeletal muscle of the Cd group were significantly reduced compared to the NC group, while these levels were significantly elevated in the Cd+ JPQHG group, along with increased translocation of GLUT4 to the cell membrane. Additionally, cadmium exposure significantly increased H 2O 2 and malondialdehyde levels while decreased antioxidant enzyme activity. These oxidative stress indicators improved significantly after Jianpi Qinghua granule intervention( P<0.05). Conclusion:Jianpi Qinghua granule may improve skeletal muscle insulin resistance and glucose metabolism disorders due to long-term low-dose cadmium exposure by reducing oxidative stress, regulating the phosphorylation levels of key proteins in the insulin signaling pathway, and promoting GLUT4 translocation to the cell membrane.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge,holding a crucial position in the medical field.However,the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization,completeness,and accuracy,primarily due to the decen-tralized distribution of TCM resources.To address these issues,we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery(TCMKD,https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/).Seven types of data,including syndromes,formulas,Chinese patent drugs(CPDs),Chinese medicinal materials(CMMs),ingredients,targets,and diseases,were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD.To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine,TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining,enrichment analysis,and network localization and separation.These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights.In addition to its analytical capabilities,a quick question and answer(Q&A)system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently,thereby improving the interactivity of the platform.The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool,offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining.Overall,TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM,delving into the pharmaco-logical foundations of TCM treatments,but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems,extending beyond just TCM.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jianpi Qinghua granule in improving skeletal muscle insulin resistance induced by long-term low-dose cadmium exposure in rats.Methods:A total of 24 SPF-grade healthy 2-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to normal control(NC) group, cadmium exposure(Cd) group, and Jianpi Qinghua granule protection(Cd+ JPQHG) group. After 24 weeks, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were measured, and HOMA-IR was calculated. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were conducted to assess insulin sensitivity. Skeletal muscle tissues were extracted for Western blot analysis to detect levels of insulin signaling pathway-related proteins. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the translocation of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4), and oxidative stress markers were measured.Results:Compared to the NC group, the Cd group showed significant increases in fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA-IR after 24-week exposure. Abnormal glucose and insulin tolerance were also observed in the Cd group. The 12-week intervention with Jianpi Qinghua granule significantly improved glucose metabolism and alleviated the abnormalities in glucose and insulin tolerance. Western blot results indicated that the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt in the skeletal muscle of the Cd group were significantly reduced compared to the NC group, while these levels were significantly elevated in the Cd+ JPQHG group, along with increased translocation of GLUT4 to the cell membrane. Additionally, cadmium exposure significantly increased H 2O 2 and malondialdehyde levels while decreased antioxidant enzyme activity. These oxidative stress indicators improved significantly after Jianpi Qinghua granule intervention( P<0.05). Conclusion:Jianpi Qinghua granule may improve skeletal muscle insulin resistance and glucose metabolism disorders due to long-term low-dose cadmium exposure by reducing oxidative stress, regulating the phosphorylation levels of key proteins in the insulin signaling pathway, and promoting GLUT4 translocation to the cell membrane.

Objective To investigate changes in the intestinal flora and function in rats with antibiotic-associated diarrhea(A AD)treated with GeGen QinLian Decoction(GQD).Methods Sixty male or female SPF-grade SD rats were fed for 7 days and then divided randomly into Control(Con)and modeling groups(1∶5 ratio).Rats in the modeling group received clindamycin 250 mg/kg by gavage once a day for 7 consecutive days.After successful modeling,the rats were divided randomly into model(Mod),high-dose GQD(GQD-H,10.08 g/kg),medium-dose GQD(GQD-M,5.04 g/kg),low-dose GQD(GQD-L,2.52 g/kg),and live Bifidobacterium power(LBP,0.15 g/kg)groups(n=10 rats per group).GQD and LBP were administered by gavage,and the Con and Mod groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage once a day.Feces were collected after 7 consecutive days of administration for macrogenomics sequencing analysis.Results α diversity and β diversity suggested that intestinal microbial diversity differed between the Mod and GQD-treated groups.GQD increased the abundance of thick-walled bacteria and decreased the abundance of Aspergillus at the phylum level,and increased the relative abundances of the intestinal mucus bacteria Blautia,Bacteroides,Thomasclavelia,and Mediterraneibacter,and decreased the relative abundances of Adlercreutzia,Muribaculum,and Escherichia at the genus level.GQD also up-regulated the amino acid,carbohydrate,and immune disease pathways.Conclusions GQD improves the abundance ratio of beneficial and pathogenic intestinal bacteria in rats with antibiotic-associated diarrhea,which in turn reduces the intestinal inflammatory response and repairs the intestinal immune system.

The sympathetic nervous system(SNS)plays a pivotal role in maintaining organ homeosta-sis and the pathogenesis of various ailments.Studies have unveiled a profound interconnection between sympathet-ic nerves and the development of liver cirrhosis,cirrhotic cardiomyopathy,and hepatorenal syndrome.Therefore,researchers have proposed SNS as a candidate therapeutic target for liver-related disorders.This article reviewed the research progress of sympathetic nerves in liver cirrhosis,cirrhotic cardiomyopathy,and hepatorenal syn-drome,aiming to enrich the knowledge about the roles of sympathetic nerves in cirrhosis and its complications and provide new ideas for the treatment of liver cirrhosis and its complications.