Astragalus membranaceus(A. membranaceus), a traditional tonic, contains flavonoids as one of its main bioactive components and key indicators for quality standard detection. These compounds predominantly exist in glycosylated forms after glycosylation modification within the plant. The catalytic products of flavonoid glycosyltransferases in A. membranaceus have been reported to be mostly monoglycosides, and only AmUGT28 catalyzes luteolin to form diglycosides. In this study, we cloned a glycosyltransferase gene, AmGT90, from A. membranaceus, with an ORF length of 1 335 bp, encoding 444 amino acids, and the protein had a relative molecular mass of 50.5 kDa. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that AmGT90 belongs to the UGT74 family. In vitro enzymatic reaction showed that AmGT90 had broad substrate specificity and could catalyze the glycosylation of various flavonoids, including isoflavones, flavones, flavanones, and chalcones. AmGT90 not only catalyzed the formation of monoglycosides but also diglycosides. In addition, the mechanism of AmGT90 catalyzing the formation of diglycosides from luteolin was preliminarily explored. The experimental results showed that AmGT90 may preferentially recognize C4'-OH of luteolin and then recognize C7-OH to form diglycosides. This study reported a glycosyltransferase from A. membranaceus capable of converting flavonoids into monoglycosides and diglycosides. This finding not only enhances our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways of flavonoid glycosides in A. membranaceus but also introduces a new component for glycoside production through synthetic biology.
Glycosyltransferases/chemistry* ; Flavonoids/chemistry* ; Astragalus propinquus/classification* ; Phylogeny ; Glycosylation ; Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Substrate Specificity ; Cloning, Molecular ; Amino Acid Sequence

OBJECTIVE: To study the results, re-donation situation and characteristics of single-reagent reactive blood donors who were put into the reentry strategy in Wuhan area, explore the rationality and effectiveness of the current reentry strategy, and provide data support for the improvement of the reentry process of blood donors. METHODS: From January 2020 to December 2023, blood donors who conform the reentry criteria and voluntarily applied for returning to Wuhan Blood Center were tested and the results were analyzed. According to the reentry strategy, serological testing and nucleic acid testing were carried out in parallel, serological testing was performed by ELISA with reagents from two different manufacturers, and the primary reactive samples were tested by double-well retest, and HBV/HCV/HIV nucleic acid detection was performed by RT-PCR with an individual donor test mode. Supplementary HBcAb testing was applied for HBV single reagent reactivity by chemiluminescence method. Supplementary TP-WB testing was applied for returning blood donors with repeated TP single reagent reactivity. If returning blood donors with HIV single reagent reactivity were repeated single reagent reactivity, the samples were sent to local CDC for confirmatory test. RESULTS: 7 098 blood donors were qualified for reentry, 716 donors voluntarily applied for reentry, 436 donors successfully reentry, 251 donors entered the next round, 29 donors could not reentry. The reentry rates for the past four years were 66.67%（42/63）, 54.73%（81/148）, 60.71%（136/224） and 62.99%（177/281）, respectively. Up to December 31, 2023, 275 donors donated blood again, and the donation rates for past four years were 76.19%（32/42）, 72.84%（59/81）, 61.76%（84/136） and 56.50%（100/177）, respectively. After donating blood, 31 donors were disqualified again by blood screening and subjected to permanent deferral. The results of returning to the team had statistical differences in reentry items, educational level, age, and marriage（P < 0.05）. CONCLUSION The current reentry strategy adopted by the blood donation and supply institution can effectively retain part of blood donors, reduce the negative emotions of blood donors and increase blood resources.
Humans ; Blood Donors ; China ; Hepatitis B ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hepatitis C ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). METHODS: The clinical data of 90 children with SAA who received allo-HSCT in the Department of Hematology, Wuhan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2016 to July 2023 were collected. The clinical features and causes of death were analyzed retrospectively. Cox proportional hazards model was used to screen the risk factors of death. RESULTS: Only 9 children died with a median time of 6.3(2.6, 8.3) months among the 90 children with SAA after allo-HSCT. Among the 5 deaths due to infection, 3 were pulmonary infection, including 2 cases of cytomegalovirus pneumonia. One case developed septic shock due to gastrointestinal infection. One case experienced graft failure, which was complicated by bloodstream infection, and developed septic shock. Three cases died of transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA). One case died of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The results of multivariate analysis showed that post-transplant +60 d PLT≤30×10⁹/L (HR=7.478, 95%CI : 1.177-47.527, P =0.033), aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ (HR=7.991, 95%CI : 1.086-58.810, P =0.041), and TA-TMA occurrence (HR=13.699, 95%CI : 2.146-87.457, P =0.006) were independent risk factors for post-transplant mortality. CONCLUSION Allo-HSCT is an effective therapy for SAA in children. Post-transplant +60 d PLT≤30×10⁹/L, aGVHD Ⅲ-Ⅳ, and TA-TMA occurrence are independently associated with post-transplant mortality, which may be helpful for early detection of potential high-risk children and optimization of clinical diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Humans ; Anemia, Aplastic/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Male ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Child, Preschool ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Adolescent ; Infant

OBJECTIVES: Near vision loss (NVL) is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide, exerting a profound impact on individual quality of life and socio-economic development. This study aims to analyze the burden of NVL in China by sex and age groups from 1990 to 2021 and to project trends over the next 15 years. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, we conducted descriptive analyses of NVL prevalence in China, calculated age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rates (ASDR) to compare burden differences between sexes and age groups, and applied an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to predict NVL trends for the next 15 years. The model selection was based on best-fit criteria to ensure reliable projections. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, China's ASPR of NVL rose from 10 096.24/100 000 to 15 624.54/100 000, and ASDR increased from 101.75/100 000 to 158.75/100 000. In 2021, ASPR (16 551.70/100 000) and ASDR (167.69/100 000) were higher among females than males (14 686.21/100 000 and 149.76/100 000, respectively). China ranked highest globally in both NVL cases and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with female burden significantly exceeding male burden. Projections indicated this trend and sex gap will persist until 2036. Compared with 1990, the prevalence cases and DALYs increased by 239.20% and 238.82%, respectively in 2021, with the highest burden among females and the 55-59 age group. The ARIMA model predicted continued increases in prevalence and DALYs by 2036, with females maintaining a higher burden than males. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals a marked increase in the NVL burden in China and predicts continued growth in the coming years. Public health policies should prioritize NVL prevention and control, with special attention to women and middle-aged populations to mitigate long-term societal and health impacts.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Adult ; Global Burden of Disease ; Adolescent ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Aged ; Sex Factors ; Child ; Young Adult ; Child, Preschool ; Cost of Illness ; Infant ; Aged, 80 and over ; Vision Disorders/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVE: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral

Background Mitochondrial biogenesis is pivotal in coal workers' pneumoconiosis fibrosis, yet the role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α)-nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1)-mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) pathway inmitochondrial biogenesis remains elusive, warranting further investigation. Objective To elucidate the role of the PGC-1α-NRF1-TFAM pathway in mitochondrial biogenesis in a rat coal workers' pneumoconiosis model through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Methods (1)n vivo: twelve SPF male SD rats (200-220 g) were randomized into a control group and a coal dust group (n=6 per group). After acclimatization, the coal dust group received 1 mL 50 mg·mL⁻¹ coal dust suspension via intratracheal instillation; the controls received saline. Lung tissues were harvested after two months for histopathology [HE, Masson, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) ], protein and mRNA analysis, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) quantification by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). (2) In vitro: rat lung type II epithelial cells (RLE-6TN) cells were exposed to coal dust (50, 100, 200, and 400 mg·L⁻¹, 24 h). CCK-8 assay determined optimal doses. Ultrastructural changes were analyzed by TEM. Cells were transfected with OE-PGC-1α (PGC-1α overexpression) or shRNA-PGC-1α plasmids (PGC-1α knockdown), and the transfection efficiency was determined by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The expression levels of alpah-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), citrate synthase (CS), PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM, and fibronectin (Fn) proteins and their corresponding mRNA were detected using Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. The relative content of mtDNA was determined by qPCR. Results In vivo: the control group lung samples exhibited soft, pink parenchyma, while the coal dust-exposed lungs showed blackened surfaces with soft texture. The histopathological evaluation revealed intact alveolar walls in the controls versus structural destruction, micro-nodules, and fibrotic areas in the coal dust group. After Masson staining, coal dust deposits were found surrounded by blue collagen fibers in the exposed lungs, but absent in the controls. The coal dust group displayed significant upregulation of fibrotic marker α-SMA and downregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis markers (CS, PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM) and mtDNA compared to the controls (P<0.05). In vitro: coal dust exposure reduced cell density and induced morphological alterations. TEM revealed evenly distributed normal mitochondria in controls versus mitochondrial swelling, disrupted cristae, and reduced numbers in exposed cells. The mitochondrial biogenesis markers were elevated in the coal dust + OE-PGC-1α group compared to the coal dust + OE-NC group (P<0.05); in contrast, they were decreased in the coal dust + shRNA-PGC-1α group compared to the coal dust + shRNA-NC group (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the expression levels of the fibrosis marker α-SMA mRNA and protein were increased in the coal dust group (P<0.05). Overexpression of PGC-1α reduced α-SMA expression, while downregulation of PGC-1α increased its expression (P<0.05). Conclusion Coal dust exposure induces mitochondrial dysfunction and pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro via the PGC-1α-NRF1-TFAM pathway dysregulation. Targeting this pathway may mitigate coal dust-induced fibrosis by restoring mitochondrial biogenesis.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine(TMP)in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham group(only threading without ligation),AMI(ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery),AMI+TMP(20 mg·kg-1 TMP),AMI+TMP+miR-155-5p(20 mg·kg-1 TMP+miR-155-5p 200 μL),AMI+TMP+miR-155-5p+ACTA1 group(20 mg·kg-1 TMP+miR-155-5p and ACTA1 200 μL).The cardiac function of rats was detected by ultrasound.The expression of cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTn Ⅰ)was detected by immunohistochemistry.Creatine kinase MB(CK-MB)was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling(Tunel)assay was used to detect the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes.The levels of miR-155-5p and ACTA1 mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Results The expression levels of cTn Ⅰ in sham group,AMI,AMI+TMP,AMI+TMP+miR-155-5p,AMI+TMP+miR-155-5p+ACTA1 group were 1.04±0.21,13.63±1.92,7.88±2.23,11.96±3.02,8.34±1.88;the expression levels of miR-155-5p were 1.03±0.21,3.67±0.56,1.85±0.43,3.12±0.66,1.92±0.64,respectively;CK-MB levels were(37.03±7.98),(163.39±20.04),(77.63±15.77),(147.98±11.30),(80.56±10.39)U·L-1,respectively;the above indexes were compared between AMI+TMP group and AMI group,AMI+TMP+miR-155-5p group and AMI+TMP group,AMI+TMP+miR-155-5p+ACTA1 group and AMI+TMP+miR-155-5p group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion TMP may inhibit apoptosis,reduce inflammation and myocardial fibrosis through miR-155-5p/ACTA1 molecular axis,and improve myocardial injury in AMI.

Objective To understand the allocation of full-time staff in healthcare-associated infection(HAI)ma-nagement and the ability in HAI information surveillance of medical institutions(MIs)in Hubei Province,and pro-vide a basis for the quality control of HAI management in the province.Methods In July 2023,a survey was issued to the quality control centers of cities,counties and districts of the province by Hubei HAI Management Quality Control Center,and a questionnaire survey was carried out regarding the basic situation,HAI full-time staff and HAI surveillance in secondary-and above level MIs in cities and states of Hubei Province.Results A total of 476 MIs were surveyed,328 MIs(68.91％)had adequate staff for HAI management,and 214 MIs(44.96％)carried out HAI surveillance through HAI information system.In the survey on the ability in acquiring 13 indicators of HAI quality control,MIs carrying out HAI surveillance through HAI information system was higher than those through manual surveillance.Conclusion The construction of full-time staff of HAI management in Hubei Province needs to be further strengthened,and the ability of HAI information surveillance needs to be further improved.MIs with HAI information surveillance should pay attention to the updating and iteration of HAI surveillance system,and constantly improve the monitoring function.