OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of electroacupuncture with "tonifying the kidney and dispelling stasis" acupoint prescription on sexual function in diabetic erectile dysfunction （DMED）model rats， and to explore its possible mechanism of action. MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into 10 each in blank group， model group， Tadalafil group， and electroacupuncture group. DMED rat model was prepared by high glucose and high fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After successful modelling， rats in the electroacupuncture group were given electroacupuncture intervention of "tonifying the kidney and dispelling stasis" acupoint prescription once every other day； Tadalafil group was given Tadalafil solution 0.5 mg/kg·d by gavage， and the blank group， model group and electroacupuncture group were given 10 ml/kg pure water by gavage once a day. Each group was intervened for 30 days. The body mass and blood glucose level of the rats were detected on the 1st， 8th， 15th， 22nd days and at the end of the intervention， respectively. At the end of the intervention， the penile erection of the rats was observed by using the apomorphine test； the level of plasma endothelial cell microparticles （EMPs）was detected by flow cytometry； the histopathological morphology of the penile cavernous body was observed by HE staining， and the pathological morphology of the endothelial cells of the penile vasculature was observed by electron microscopy. Serum sex hormones including testosterone （T）， follicle stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinising hormone （LH） and vascular endothelial function-related factors including vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， endothelin-1 （ET-1）， lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 （LOX-1）， soluble E-selectin （sE-selectin）， and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （sICAM-1） were measured by ELISA method. ResultsCompared with blank group， the model group， Tadalafil group， and electroacupuncture group all had lower body mass and higher blood glucose levels at each time of testing （P＜0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the number of penile erections reduced in the model group， the level of CD31⁺ EMPs increased， the levels of serum T， FSH， LH， and VEGF reduced， and the levels of serum ET-1， LOX-1， sE-selectin， and sICAM-1 increased （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Tadalafil group and the electroacupuncture group showed an increased number of penile erections decreased level of CD31⁺ EMPs， increased levels of serum T， FSH， LH， and VEGF， and decreased levels of serum ET-1， LOX-1， sE-selectin， and sICAM-1 （P＜0.01）. Compared with the Tadalafil group， serum T， FSH， LH， VEGF levels increased and ET-1， LOX-1 levels decreased in the electroacupuncture group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. HE staining and electron microscopic observation revealed that there was severe pathological damage to the cavernous tissue of the penis and vascular endothelial cells of the rat in the model group， which was ameliorated to a certain degree in both Tadalafil group and electroacupuncture group. ConclusionThe electroacupuncture prescription of "tonifying the kidney and dispelling stasis" can improve the erectile dysfunction of DMED rats， which is comparable to the effect of Tadalafi. Its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of vascular endothelial function.

ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze an outbreak of rotavirus infectious diarrhea in a prison in Chongqing Municipality, to provide a basis for adult rotavirus surveillance and prevention, and to explore the public health problems in special settings. MethodsA retrospective survey was conducted to collect and analyze data on individual cases with diarrheal disease on-site. The clinical characteristics, as well as the temporal, spatial and geographical distribution patterns of the epidemic were described. Multi-pathogen detection tests were conducted both on diarrhea cases and environmental samples, with viral genotyping performed on positive samples. A case-control analysis was performed to identify the causes of the outbreak, and an SEIR model was adopted to predict the outbreak trend and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. ResultsA total of 65 cases were found among the inmates, with an attack rate of 2.03%. The predominant clinical manifestations included diarrhea (89.23%), watery stool (73.85%), and dehydration (18.46%). The epidemic curve indicated a “human-to-human” transmission pattern, with an average incubation period of 5‒6 days. The attack rates among chefs in the main canteen (80.00%, 8/10) and caterers (28.33%, 17/60) were significantly higher than those of other inmates （P<0.05）. Multi-pathogen polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing detected positive for group A rotavirus, with the viral genotyping identified as G9P [8] strain. Factors such as unprotected "bare-handed" food distribution among cases with diarrhea (OR=9.512, 95%CI: 4.261‒21.234) and close contact with diarrhea cases (OR=3.656, 95%CI: 1.719‒7.778) were the possible cause of the outbreak. The SEIR model (r₀=5, α=0.3, β₁=0.08, β₂=0.04) was constructed using prison inmates as susceptible population, aiming at fitting the initial transmission trend of the outbreak, and the epidemic rate declined rapidly after intervention measures were implemented (r_t≈0). ConclusionThis rare rotavirus infection diarrhea outbreak among adults in confined settings suggests that the construction of public health prevention and control systems in prison may be overlooked. Cross infection during meal processing and distribution in the canteens of such settings is likely to be the cause of the outbreak. Given the potential neglect of public heath system construction in special settings, it is imperative to enhance the surveillance and monitoring of rotavirus and other intestinal multi-pathogens among adults, as well as the construction of public health prevention and control systems in these special settings.

Platycodonis Radix is the dry root of Platycodon grandiflorum of Campanulaceae, which has a variety of pharmacological effects and is a commonly used bulk Chinese medicine. In this study, the chloroplast genome sequences of six P. grandiflorum from different producing areas has been sequenced with Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform. The specific DNA barcodes were screened, and the germplasm resources and genetic diversity were analyzed according to the specific barcodes. The total length of the chloroplast genome of 6 P. grandiflorum samples was 172 260-172 275 bp, and all chloroplast genomes showed a typical circular tetrad structure and encoded 141 genes. The comparative genomics analysis and results of amplification efficiency demonstrated that trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF were the potential specific DNA barcodes for identification the germplasm resources of P. grandiflorum. A total of 305 P. grandiflorum samples were collected from 15 production areas in 9 provinces, for which the fragments of trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF were amplificated and the sequences were analyzed. The results showed that trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF have 5 and 11 mutation sites, respectively, and 5 and 7 haplotypes were identified, respectively. The combined analysis of the two sequences formed 13 haplotypes (named Hap1-Hap13), and Hap4 is the main genotype, followed by Hap1. The unique haplotypes possessed by the three producing areas can be used as DNA molecular tags in this area to distinguish from the germplasm resources of P. grandiflorum from other areas. The haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity and genetic distance were 0.94, 4.79×10^-3 and 0.000 0-0.020 3, respectively, suggesting that the genetic diversity was abundant and intraspecific kinship was relatively close. This study laid a foundation for the identification of P. grandiflorum, the protection and utilization of germplasm resources, and molecular breeding.

Objective To study the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of compound levodopa/carbidopa(250 mg/25 mg)and levodopa/benserazide(200 mg/50 mg)in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods This experiment used a levodopa challenge test with a randomized crossover design.In the first week,20 PD patients orally received either 275 mg of compound levodopa/carbidopa or 250 mg of levodopa/benserazide on an empty stomach,and in the second week,they received the other treatment.The levodopa blood concentration was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry,and motor symptoms were evaluated using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Ⅲ.Results Data from 17 patients in the compound levodopa/carbidopa group and 18 patients in the levodopa/benserazide group was included in the analysis.After administration,the Cmax values of compound levodopa/carbidopa and levodopa/benserazide groups were(3 563.76±1 003.06)and(3 642.44±1 192.70)ng·mL-1;the tmax values were(1.10±0.44)and(1.03±0.55)h;the t1/2 values were(1.52±0.15)and(1.68±0.27)h;the AUC0-t values were(7 625.19±1 706.85)and(5 846.07±1 191.16)ng·mL-1·h;the mean residence time(MRT)values were(2.39±0.361)and(2.14±0.37)h,respectively.There were no statistically significant differences in the Cmax,tmax,and t1/2 values between the two groups(all P＞0.05).Compared with the levodopa/benserazide group,the compound levodopa/carbidopa group increased levodopa AUC and prolonged MRT(all P＜0.05).The improvement in motor symptoms and levodopa blood concentration showed consistent trends at various time points in both groups.The compound levodopa/carbidopa group showed significantly better improvement in motor function at 6 and 8 hours after medication compared to the levodopa/benserazide group[(-10.82±8.91)points vs(-5.17±6.78)points,(-7.88±10.05)points vs(-2.11±4.84)points;both P＜0.05].Conclusion The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of compound levodopa/carbidopa are similar to those of levodopa/benserazide.

Objective To utilize bioinformatic approaches to elucidate the correlation between secreted phosphoprotein 1(SPP1)and immune infiltration in various malignancies,elucidating the mechanism of gene function in cancer-immune cell interplay.Methods Cancer samples were derived from the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-tissue Expression(GTEx)database,examining SPP1 expression difference between tumors and normal tissues using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA2),and its correlation with different immune cells in extracellular matrix via TIMER2 Database.SPP1's association with interacting molecules was scrutinized on the STRING website,followed by assessment of its distinct functional state across various cancers from Cancer Single-cell State Atlas Database(Cancer SEA).Results In 32 tumor types,SPP1 mRNA is significantly elevated in 23 types of cancers and correlates heavily with fibroblast,integrin family,and CD44.Furthermore,the SPP1 gene exhibits profound specificity in tumor functions such as vascular invasion,metastasis,DNA damage,and repair.Conclusion Specific expression of SPP1 in tumors signifies a significant correlation with tumor immune cells in the extracellular matrix,promoting tumor progression and invasion.This suggests that targeted monitoring of SPP1 could serve as a prospective cancer diagnostics/therapeutics biomarker.

ObjectiveThe scale of microalgae farming industry is huge. During farming, it is easy for microalgae to be affected by miscellaneous bacteria and other contaminants. Because of that, periodic test is necessary to ensure the growth of microalgae. Present microscopy imaging and spectral analysis methods have higher requirements for experiment personnel, equipment and sites, for which it is unable to achieve real-time portable detection. For the purpose of real-time portable microalgae detection, a real-time microalgae detection system of low detection requirement and fast detection speed is needed. MethodsThis study has developed a microalgae detection system based on deep learning. A microscopy imaging device based on bright field was constructed. With imaged captured from the device, a neural network based on YOLOv3 was trained and deployed on microcomputer, thus realizing real-time portable microalgae detection. This study has also improved the feature extraction network by introducing cross-region residual connection and attention mechanism and replacing optimizer with Adam optimizer using multistage and multimethod strategy. ResultsWith cross-region residual connection, the mAP value reached 0.92. Compared with manual result, the detection error was 2.47%. ConclusionThe system could achieve real-time portable microalgae detection and provide relatively accurate detection result, so it can be applied to periodic test in microalgae farming.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the expression of GLI1 and im-mune invasion and clinical prognosis in gastric cancer.To study the effect of GLI1 expression on drug resistance in gastric cancer.Methods:The expression difference of GLI1 in gastric cancer and normal tissues was analyzed by using TCGA database,and the effect of clinical features and GLI1 gene ex-pression level on prognosis of patients with gastric cancer was analyzed.The correlation between GLI1 gene expression and tumor immune cell infiltration in gastric cancer tissues was analyzed to explore its influence on drug resistance of chemotherapy drugs and targeted drugs.Clinical samples were collect-ed to analyze the difference of GLI1 expression in gastric cancer and paracancer tissues.Results:The expression of GLI1 in gastric cancer tissues was 1.7 times that in normal tissues,and the overall sur-vival and disease-free survival of patients with high expression are shorter than those with low ex-pression(P＜0.05).The interstitial score,immune score and abundance of immunoinfiltrating cells were higher in the high expression of GLI1 in gastric cancer tissues.High expression of GLI1 reduces drug sensitivity and is positively correlated with the expression of immune checkpoint markers PDCD1(P＜0.05).GLI1 expression was significantly increased in patients with subdifferentiated gastric cancer.Conclusions:GLI1 expression is associated with the prognosis and immune infiltration of patients with gastric cancer,and it may lead to poor prognosis of patients by regulating chemotherapy resis-tance,which may be a potential therapeutic target and molecular marker for gastric cancer.

Objective:To investigate the value of antioxidant-associated long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)risk score model in prognosis and the association with immune microenvironment of the gastric cancer patients.Methods:Gastric cancer transcriptome data and clinical information were downloaded from TCGA database.Antioxidant-associated lncRNAs were obtained by co-ex-pression analysis of lncRNAs and antioxidant genes.Risk score was constructed using univariate cox regression analysis and lasso regression analysis.Log-Rank test was used to compare the survival differences between two groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was used to assess the specificity and sensitivity of the prognostic risk score model.Nomogram was constructed com-bining risk score and clinical parameters.Immune cell infiltration was assessed by TIMER 2.0.Im-munotherapy sensitivity of each sample was analyzed at TIDE website.Results:A risk score in-cluding 12 IncRNAs was constructed by univariate cox regression analysis and lasso regression anal-ysis.The risk score was an independent factor influencing patient prognosis[HR=5.406(3.131～9.335),P＜0.001].Risk score was positively correlated with multiple suppressive immune cells infil-tration(M2 macrophage,tumor-associated fibroblast).Meanwhile,multiple aberrant expression of immune checkpoint genes and higher TIDE score were found in high-risk group,suggesting that high-risk groups may be more sensitive to immunotherapy.Conclusion:The antioxidant-associ-ated IncRNAs risk score is a good prognostic predictor and can act as a reference in individualized immunotherapy for gastric cancer patients.