Objective This study conducted molecular biological identification of the viruses carried by Culex pipiens pallens specimens collected in Shunyi District, Beijing in 2023, and observed the changes in the infection rate of the viruses carried by Cx. pipiens pallens at different collection times. Methods Cx. pipiens pallens were collected using carbon dioxide mosquito traps. The mosquito samples were ground in batches and analyzed by molecular biology technologies. The virus infection rate at different collection times was analyzed statistically. Results 17 strains of Culex pipiens pallens densovirus(CppDNV)were identified from Cx. pipiens pallens samples collected in Shunyi District, Beijing, in 2023. The nucleotide sequence analysis of the virus genome coding region showed that CppDNV was a single-stranded DNA virus with a total length of 3 335 nt, encoding 2 non-structural proteins(NS1, NS2)and 1 capsid protein(VP). The nucleotide(amino acid)sequence lengths of the three proteins were 2 376 nt(791 aa),1 092 nt(363 aa)and 1 071 nt(356 aa), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CppDNV was located in genus Brevihamaparvovirus. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in infection rates across collection times(χ2=4.429, P=0.194). Conclusions CppDNV was identified in Cx. pipiens pallens in Beijing, and it was stably maintained in this natural population.

Objective To investigate the species composition of mosquitoes and breeding conditions of larvae in the rice planting areas of Beijing, and to provide a scientific basis for mosquito control in rice fields. Methods Adult mosquitoes were collected using CO2-baited light traps, and mosquito larvae(including pupae)were sampled via the dipping method. Results A total of 4 genera and 6 species of adult mosquitoes were captured in the study area. The dominant species were Culex pipiens pallens, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, and Anopheles sinensis. The average adult mosquito density was 5.11 specimens per trap-hour, with slightly lower density in July compared to August. For larvae and pupae,3 genera and 4 species were identified, dominated by Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, An. sinensis, and Aedes vexans. Conclusions The mosquito species composition in Beijing′s rice planting areas is diverse. Mosquito control strategies should prioritize the management of adult mosquitoes, while density control of mosquito larvae in paddy fields can be achieved through intermittent irrigation techniques.

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 : To investigate the causes of false negative results in the detection of Streptococcus agalactiae using fluorescent quantitative PCR(qPCR) targeting the CAMP factor gene(cfb),and to perform a comprehensive analysis of the associated molecular mechanisms. Methods: A total of 76 vaginal secretion samples were evaluated using both qPCR based on cfb gene and bacterial culture methods. Four suspicious strains exhibiting negative qPCR results but positive culture findings were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS),latex agglutination antigen detection,and the CAMP test. Whole genome analysis was conducted utilizing the MGI DNBSEQ-T7 and Nanopore-PromethION 48 sequencing platforms. Phylogenetic and circular evolutionary trees were constructed using the 16S rRNA gene for strain verification. Multilocus sequence typing(MLST) was conducted,and cfb sequences were aligned and analyzed based on spliced sequences and original data. Specific primers targeting the cfb gene were designed for full-length amplification,followed by verification through agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The four strains identified as suspicious were classified as S. agalactiae through MALDI-TOF MS,antigen detection,and 16S rRNA gene analysis,with MLST typing indicating ST-862. Phenotypic analysis revealed a negative CAMP test. Whole genome sequence alignment failed to detect the cfb gene or any homologous sequences,and molecular testing confirmed the absence of cfb gene PCR amplification products,thereby confirming its complete deletion. Conclusion This deletion is identified as the molecular mechanism responsible for the false negative qPCR detection of S. agalactiae when targeting this specific gene.It is recommended that the qPCR detection targeting a single cfb gene has limitation,and this may impact clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions. This limitation warrants carefulconsideration.

Objective : To explore the molecular characteristics of four CAMP negativeStreptococcus agalactiae(S.agalactiae) in whole genome sequencing. Methods : The identification of suspicious bacterial strains was conducted using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS). For the strains confirmed asS.agalactiaethrough identification, further CAMP experiments were conducted. For CAMP negative strains, whole genome sequencing was performed using MGI DNBSEQ-T7 and MinION Flow Cell sequencing platforms. Subsequently, multi-locus sequence typing(MLST), virulence genes and resistance genes of the strains were compared and analyzed using various databases. Phoenix M50 fully automatic drug sensitivity analyzer was employed to determine the sensitivity of the bacterial strains to commonly used antibiotics. Results: Four CAMP-negativeS.agalactiaestrains were included. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that all four CAMP-negativeS.agalactiaestrains belonged to the ST862 type. These strains harbored 22 virulence genes associated with capsular polysaccharides, β-hemolysin, and hyaluronidase, as well as seven resistance genes linked to macrolides, lincosamides, polypeptides, and aminoglycosides. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that CAMP-negativeS.agalactiaewas susceptible to penicillin G, cefepime, cefotaxime, and vancomycin. However, three strains exhibited resistance to erythromycin, and one strain demonstrated resistance to clindamycin. Conclusion Four CAMP negativeS.agalactiaeof the ST862 type possess multiple virulence and drug resistance genes, showing high resistance to erythromycin, warranting clinical attention.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of 62-slice spiral CT and its post-processing techniques for tibial plateau fracture(TPF)and its influence on treatment regimens selection.Methods A total of 173 TPF patients diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were included,and the diagnostic accuracy,classification diagostic accuracy and fracture collapse degree accuracy of X-ray and CT scans were compared,with surgical and pathological diagnosis as the gold standard.Results CT and its post-processing technique can more clearly show the direction of fracture line,the displacement direction of fracture fragments and the collapse degree of articular surface than X-ray.The fracture morphology of 171 patients seen during the operation was consistent with CT and its post-processing images.The diagnostic accuracy of X-ray for TPF was 93.64%,which was lower than that of CT and its post-processing techniques(98.84% ),and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=6.474,P=0.011).The overall accuracy of X-ray in evaluating the degree of fracture collapse was significantly lower than that of CT 3D reconstruction(65.32% vs.90.75%;χ2=32.644,P<0.001).The total accuracy of CT and its post-processing techniques for TPF Schatzker classification(97.69% )was higher than that of X-ray(88.44% ),and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=11.462,P=0.001).Different CT reconstruction models had statistically significant difference on the total accuracy of TPF Schatzker classification diagnosis(χ2=40.647,P<0.001),and the diagnosis accuracy of volume reconstruction was the highest(96.53% ).Conclusion The application of CT and its post-processing techniques can effectively evaluate TPF,articular surface collapse and fracture classification,and provide imaging reference for clinical decision-making.

The aim of this study is to explore the mechanism of ligustilide, the main active constituent of essential oils of traditional Chinese medicine Angelicae Sinensis Radix, on alleviating oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) injury in PC12 cells from the perspective of ferroptosis. OGD/R was induced in vitro, and 12 h after ligustilide addition during reperfusion, cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. DCFH-DA staining was used to detect the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS). Western blot was employed to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins, glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), transferrin receptor 1(TFR1), and solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), and ferritinophagy-related proteins, nuclear receptor coactivator 4(NCOA4), ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3). The fluorescence intensity of LC3 protein was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. The content of glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), and Fe was detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay. The effect of ligustilide on ferroptosis was observed by overexpression of NCOA4 gene. The results showed that ligustilide increased the viability of PC12 cells damaged by OGD/R, inhibited the release of ROS, reduced the content of Fe and MDA and the expression of TFR1, NCOA4, and LC3, and improved the content of GSH and the expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 compared with OGD/R group. After overexpression of the key protein NCOA4 in ferritinophagy, the inhibitory effect of ligustilide on ferroptosis was partially reversed, indicating that ligustilide may alleviate OGD/R injury of PC12 cells by blocking ferritinophagy and then inhibiting ferroptosis. The mechanism by which ligustilide reduced OGD/R injury in PC12 cells is that it suppressed the ferroptosis involved in ferritinophagy.
Animals ; Rats ; PC12 Cells ; Ferroptosis/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Transcription Factors ; Glutathione

Background Individual monitoring of occupational external exposure is an essential part of the occupational health management of radiation workers, and is an important basis for the evaluation of individual absorbed dose and the diagnosis of occupational radiation diseases. Continuous participation of monitoring service providers in intercomparison is a fundamental quality assurance for routine monitoring, which can identify problems and improve them in time. Objective Taking the Laboratory of Radiation Protection in Shanghai Institute of Preventive Medicine as an example, to evaluate the performance of an individual occupational external dose monitoring system in the laboratory, identify influencing factors of the monitoring results, and provide a basis for improving the quality of daily monitoring by analyzing the process and results of a national intercomparison of individual dose monitoring. Methods According to the Testing criteria of personnel dosimetry performance for external exposure (GBZ 207-2016), and the relevant requirements of Class II (photon) inspection, a total of 20 groups of blind sample dosimeters were measured for four consecutive years from 2018 to 2021. The radiation energy source of each group was identified, and related personal dose equivalent H_p(10), the uncertainty of measurement results, and the deviation between the reported value and the reference value were calculated. The national intercomparison process and results of individual dose monitoring were also analyzed. Results The energy sources of the blind samples in the tested laboratory for four years were N100 or Cs-137. The reported dose values of the blind samples were 0.57-4.61 mSv, the combined uncertainties were 0.043-0.365 mSv, the expanded uncertainties (k=2) were 0.09-0.73 mSv, and the relative expanded uncertainties (k=2) were 13.8%-16.4%. The single-group performance ∣P_i∣ of 20 sets of blind samples in the four years was ≤0.10, the yearly comprehensive performance of 5 sets of blind samples was ≤0.10, and the yearly Q score of the test report was >15 points. The laboratory achieved excellent results in the national intercomparison of individual dose monitoring in four consecutive years, except the Q value not reaching full score. Conclusion The laboratory exhibits standardized data processing of individual dose monitoring, generates accurate and reliable results, and meets the requirements of relevant national standards; but it should continue to participate in the national intercomparison of individual dose monitoring, strengthen the angular response research of energy identified dosimeter, improve the monitoring ability of low-dose X-rays, analyze the key points of reducing the uncertainty of measurement results, and continuously improve the monitoring ability.

An open reading frame (ORF) of isopentenyl-diphosphate delta isomerase gene (FuIPI) was cloned from Fritillaria unibracteata Hsiao et K. C. Hsia. (F. unibracteata). Furthermore, the bioinformatics and functional analyses of FuIPI were performed in this study. The result showed that, the ORF of FuIPI gene was 825 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 274 amino acids in length, with a relative molecular mass of about 31 kD and a theoretical isoelectric point of 5.61. Sequence analysis showed that FuIPI contained conserved structural domains and key residues involved in the catalyzing process. The phylogenetic analysis exhibited that FuIPI was closely related to IPIs of Dendrobium officinale and Musa acuminate. Real-time PCR analysis showed that FuIPI was distributed in different tissues of F. unibracteata, but had the highest transcriptional level in leaves, followed by stems, bulbs, and flowers. Furthermore, the FuIPI protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The purified FuIPI protein successfully catalyzed the conversion from isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) to dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP). The above results provided a theoretical basis for further investigation of the molecular role of FuIPI in the biosynthesis of alkaloids.