Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the pillar for the development of motherland medicine, and animal medicine has a long history of application in China, characterized by wide resources, strong activity, definite efficacy, and great benefits. It has significant potential and important status in the consumption market of raw materials of TCM. In the context of global climate change, farming system alterations, and low renewability, the depletion of wild medicinal animal resources has accelerated. Accordingly, the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild resources of animal medicinal materials has become a problem that garners increasing attention and urgently needs to be solved. This paper summarizes the current situation of domestic and foreign medicinal animal breeding and research progress in industrial application in recent years and points out the issues related to standardized breeding, germplasm selection and breeding, and quality evaluation standards for medicinal animals. Furthermore, this paper discusses standardized breeding, quality standards, resource protection and utilization, and the search for alternative resources for rare and endangered medicinal animals. It proposes that researchers should systematically carry out in-depth basic research on animal medicine, improve the breeding scale and level of medicinal animals, employ modern technology to enhance the quality standards of medicinal materials, and strengthen the research and development of alternative resources. This approach aims to effectively address the relationship between protection and utilization and make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of medicinal animal resources and the animal-based Chinese medicinal material industry.
Animals ; Breeding ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Conservation of Natural Resources

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reexplore minimum iodine excretion and to build a dietary iodine recommendation for Chinese adults using the obligatory iodine loss hypothesis. METHODS: Data from 171 Chinese adults (19-21 years old) were collected and analyzed based on three balance studies in Shenzhen, Yinchuan, and Changzhi. The single exponential equation was accordingly used to simulate the trajectory of 24 h urinary iodine excretion as the low iodine experimental diets offered (iodine intake: 11-26 μg/day) and to further deduce the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for iodine, including estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended nutrient intake (RNI). RESULTS: The minimum iodine excretion was estimated as 57, 58, and 51 μg/day in three balance studies, respectively. Moreover, it was further suggested as 57, 58, and 51 μg/day for iodine EAR, and 80, 81, and 71 μg/day for iodine RNI or expressed as 1.42, 1.41, and 1.20 μg/(day·kg) of body weight. CONCLUSION The iodine DRIs for Chinese adults were established based on the obligatory iodine loss hypothesis, which provides scientific support for the amendment of nutrient requirements.
Humans ; Iodine/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Female ; China ; Young Adult ; Diet ; Adult ; Nutritional Requirements ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: Recombination events are common and serve as the primary driving force of diverse human adenovirus (HAdV), particularly in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs). Therefore, continual monitoring of these events is essential for effective viral surveillance and control. METHODS: Respiratory specimens were collected from children with ARIs between January 2022 and December 2023. The penton base, hexon, and fiber genes were amplified from HAdV-positive specimens and sequenced to determine the virus type. In cases with inconsistent typing results, genes were cloned into the pGEM-T vector to detect recombination events. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was performed to characterize the recombinant HAdV genomes. RESULTS: Among 6,771 specimens, 277 (4.09%, 277/6,771) were positvie for HAdV, of which 157 (56.68%, 157/277) were successfully typed, with HAdV-B3 being the dominant type (91.08%, 143/157), and 14 (5.05%, 14/277) exhibited inconsistent typing results, six of which belonged to species B. The penton base genes of these six specimens were classified as HAdV-B7, whereas their hexon and fiber genes were classified as HAdV-B3, resulting in a recombinant genotype designated P7H3F3, which closely resembled HAdV-B114. Additionally, a partial gene encoding L1 52/55 kD was identified, which originated from HAdV-B16. CONCLUSION A novel recombinant, P7H3F3, was identified, containing sequences derived from HAdV-B3 and HAdV-B7, which is similar to HAdV-B114, along with additional sequences from HAdV-B16.
Humans ; Adenoviruses, Human/isolation & purification* ; Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology* ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Recombination, Genetic ; Male ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Infant ; Female ; Phylogeny ; Adenovirus Infections, Human/epidemiology* ; Acute Disease ; Genome, Viral

Nitazoxanide is an FDA-approved antiprotozoal drug. Our previous study found that oral administration of nitazoxanide inhibited Western diet (WD)-induced hepatic steatosis in ApoE^-/- mice. However, the specific mechanism remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we performed an untargeted metabolomics approach to reveal the effect of nitazoxanide on the liver metabolic profiles in WD-fed ApoE^-/- mice, and carried out the cellular experiments to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. UPLC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics analysis was used to investigate the effect of nitazoxanide on global metabolite changes in liver tissues. The differential metabolites were screened for enrichment analysis and pathway analysis. Hepatocytes were treated with tizoxanide, the metabolite of nitazoxanide, to investigate the underlying mechanism based on the findings in metabolomics study. The improvement of liver lipid metabolism disorders by nitazoxanide treatment in WD-fed ApoE^-/- mice was mainly through regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism, D-glutamine and glutamate metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis metabolism. Tizoxanide, the active metabolite of nitazoxanide, increased glutathione (GSH) contents and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (Gcl-c) and glutathione reductase (Gsr) mRNA expressions in HepG2 cells. Tizoxanide increased cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) protein levels, inhibited lipid accumulation in hepatocytes induced by free fatty acid (FFA). Tizoxanide increased S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) protein levels in HepG2 cells and mouse primary liver cells stimulated with free fatty acid (FFA). Tizoxanide increased N-acetyl glutamate synthase (Nags) and carbamoylphosphate synthetase 1 (Cps1) mRNA expressions in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, nitazoxanide improves WD-induced hepatic steatosis in ApoE^-/- mice and the underlying mechanisms include increasing CBS expression, GSH content, PEMT protein expression, Nags and Cps1 mRNA expression in hepatocytes.

Objective To explore the influence of Buqi Qingchang Decoction(composed of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction plus Baitouweng Decoction with Curcumae Radix and Curcumae Longae Rhizoma added)combined with XELOX chemotherapy and Bevacizumab targeted therapy on the clinical efficacy,quality of life and survival period of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer of qi deficiency and damp-heat syndrome.Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 70 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer of qi deficiency and damp-heat syndrome who were admitted to the Department of Oncology,Chongqing Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine(Chongqing Beibei District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine)from December 2020 to December 2023.The patients were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the therapy,with 35 cases in each group.The control group was treated with XELOX chemotherapy combined with Bevacizumab targeted therapy,while the observation group was given oral administration of Buqi Qingchang Decoction together with chemotherapy and targeted therapy.The changes in the serum levels of tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199),and Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)scores for quality of life in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the clinical efficacy,progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After treatment,the objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR)in the observation group were 51.42％(18/35)and 85.71％(30/35),respectively,which were significantly higher than those in the control group[25.71％(9/35)and 54.29％(19/35),respectively],and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(2)The PFS of the observation group was 16.7 months and that of the control group was 12.9 months,and the OS of the observation group was 23.3 months and that of the control group was 17.7 months.The PFS and OS of the observation group were significantly longer than those of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of serum CEA and CA199 in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the KPS scores were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of serum CEA and CA1 99 levels and the increase of KPS scores in the observation group were superior to those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion XELOX chemotherapy and Bevacizumab regimen combined with Buqi Qingchang Decoction exerts certain effect in treating metastatic colorectal cancer.The combined therapy is effective on enhancing the efficacy to a certain extent,prolonging the survival period of patients,reducing the risk of disease progression,decreasing the levels of serum tumor markers,and improving the quality of life of patients.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Shen Jiang Zhouche Powder(composed of modified Lizhong Pill,Erchen Decoction,and Zhouche Pill)in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion(MPE)patients with fluid retention in the chest and hypochondrium syndrome.Methods Eighty MPE patients with fluid retention in the chest and hypochondrium syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group,with 40 cases in each group.Both groups were given conventional western medical treatment,and additionally the control group was treated with Spironolactone and Furosemide Tablets orally while the treatment group was treated with Shen Jiang Zhouche Powder orally.A total of 21 days constituted one course of treatment,and both groups were treated for two courses and then were followed up for one month.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,scores of Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)established by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG),and scores of self-rating scale of sleep(SRSS)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy,TCM syndrome efficacy and clinical safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After treatment and one-month follow-up,the total clinical effective rate in the treatment group was 67.5%(27/40)and that in the control group was 45.0%(18/40),and the intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After two courses of treatment,the total effective rate of TCM syndrome improvement in the treatment group was 92.5%(37/40)and that of the control group was 50.0%(20/40),and the intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the TCM syndrome efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,except for the score of dyspnea in the control group,the scores of each of the main symptoms(including dry cough,chest tightness,chest pain,tightness of breath,dyspnea)and accompanied symptoms as well as the total TCM syndrome scores in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the decrease of the scores of each of the main symptoms and accompanied symptoms as well as the total TCM syndrome scores were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the scores of KPS and SRSS in the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the improvement in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(5)There were no obvious adverse reactions occurring in both groups,while only mild symptoms of the adverse reactions were presented.The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was 7.5%(3/40)and that in the control group was 12.5%(5/40),and the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Shen Jiang Zhouche Powder exerts certain clinical efficacy in the treatment of MPE patients with fluid retention in the chest and hypochondrium syndrome,which is effective on alleviating the clinical symptoms of TCM,and improving the quality of life of patients,without obvious toxicity or side effects.

Objective To develop an automatic urine volume detection and collection device to solve the problems of routine urine test.Methods An automatic urine volume detection and collection device was developed with the components of a main control system,a detection system,a prompting system and a grasping and moving system.The main control system consisted of two STM32 microcontrollers and a reset switch;the detection system was made up of a weighing module,an infrared module and indicator lights,which had its urine volume automatic detection algorithm developed based on the Keil5 platform;the prompting system realized voice broadcasting through the voice module fixed on the back panel of the box;the grasping and moving system was composed of a rail drive motor(86CM stepper motor),a photoelectric switch and a motorized gripper.Results The device developed tested urine samples with an accuracy of 99.44％,and could collect qualified samples automatically and quickly.Conclusion The device developed detects urine volume and collects samples automatically,and enhances the accuracy and efficiency of urine examination.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(4):66-69]

AIM To study endophytic fungi from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.and the enzyme inhibitory activities of their secondary metabolites.METHODS Six different media were used to isolate and purify endophytic fungi from S.baicalensis by tissue homogenate method.The activities of secondary metabolites were evaluated by targeting different enzymes.The highly active strains were identified by molecular biology combined with morphology,and the highly active chemical components were tracked and separated by modern chromatographic separation technology.RESULTS Sixty-four endophytic fungal strains were isolated from S.baicalensis,and one hundred and twenty-eight secondary metabolites were obtained by fermentation.The samples with certain inhibitory activities against adenosine deaminase(ADA),β-lactamase and tyrosinase(TYR)accounted for 14.06%,3.91%and 18.75%,respectively.Strain HTS-23-2 showed high TYR inhibitory activity,and 99%homology with Aspergillus flavus by molecular identification.One compound was isolated from the fermentation samples and identified as kojic acid.CONCLUSION S.baicalensis harbors a rich diversity of endophytic fungi,which serve as a valuable resource for active substances.

The cerebellum is heavily connected with other brain regions, sub-serving not only motor but also nonmotor functions. Genetic mutations leading to cerebellar dysfunction are associated with mental diseases, but cerebellar outputs have not been systematically studied in this context. Here, we present three dimensional distributions of 50,168 target neurons of cerebellar nuclei (CN) from wild-type mice and Nlgn3R451C mutant mice, a mouse model for autism. Our results derived from 36 target nuclei show that the projections from CN to thalamus, midbrain and brainstem are differentially affected by Nlgn3R451C mutation. Importantly, Nlgn3R451C mutation altered the innervation power of CN→zona incerta (ZI) pathway, and chemogenetic inhibition of a neuronal subpopulation in the ZI that receives inputs from the CN rescues social defects in Nlgn3R451C mice. Our study highlights potential role of cerebellar outputs in the pathogenesis of autism and provides potential new therapeutic strategy for this disease.
Animals ; Mice ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cerebellar Nuclei ; Autistic Disorder/pathology* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Mutation ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke history have a high risk of cardiovascular events despite anticoagulation therapy. It is unclear whether catheter ablation (CA) has further benefits in these patients. METHODS: AF patients with a previous history of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) from the prospective Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study between August 2011 and December 2020 were included in the analysis. Patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio to CA or medical treatment (MT) based on propensity score. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or ischemic stroke (IS)/SE. RESULTS: During a total of 4.1 ± 2.3 years of follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 111 patients in the CA group (3.3 per 100 person-years) and in 229 patients in the MT group (5.7 per 100 person-years). The CA group had a lower risk of the primary outcome compared to the MT group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47-0.74, P < 0.001]. There was a significant decreasing risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.001), IS/SE (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.97, P = 0.033), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.54, P < 0.001) and AF recurrence (HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.37, P < 0.001) in the CA group compared to that in the MT group. Sensitivity analysis generated consistent results when adjusting for time-dependent usage of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS In AF patients with a prior stroke history, CA was associated with a lower combined risk of all-cause death or IS/SE. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm the benefits of CA in these patients.