The purpose of this paper is to explore the decoction and dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions and to provide a reference basis for the clinical use of rhubarb root and rhizome. By collating the relevant classical prescriptions of rhubarb root and rhizome in Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolüe, the relationship between its decoction and dosing methods and the syndrome was analyzed. The decoction of rhubarb root and rhizome in classical prescriptions can be divided into three categories: simultaneous decoction, decoction later, and other methods (impregnation in Mafei decoction, decoction with water from the well spring first taken in the morning, and pills). If it enters the blood level or wants to slow down, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted at the same time with other drugs. If it enters the qi level and wants to speed up, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted later. If it wants to upwardly move, rhubarb root and rhizome should be immersed in Mafei decoction. If it wants to suppress liver yang, rhubarb root and rhizome should be decocted with water from the well spring first taken in the morning. If the disease is prolonged, rhubarb root and rhizome should be taken in pill form. The dosing methods of rhubarb root and rhizome can be divided into five categories: draught, twice, three times, before meals, and unspecified. For acute and serious illnesses with excess of pathogenic qi and adequate vital qi, we choose draught. For gastrointestinal diseases, we choose to take the medicine twice. For achieving a moderate and long-lasting effect, we choose to take the medicine three times. If the disease is located in the lower part of the heart and abdomen, we choose to take it before meals. The use of rhubarb root and rhizome in clinical practice requires the selection of the appropriate decoction and dosing methods according to the location of the disease, the severity of the disease, the patient′s constitution, and the condition after taking the medicine.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among bus drivers. Methods A total of 962 drivers from a bus company in Shenzhen City were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. The Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire for Bus Drivers was used to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs among the research subjects. Results The prevalence of WMSDs was 37.8% in the bus drivers. The prevalence of WMSDs was higher in the low back/waist, neck, and shoulder compared with other body parts, with prevalence of 24.0%, 20.2%, and 14.8%, respectively. The prevalence of single-site and multi-site WMSDs was 18.5% and 19.3%, respectively. The results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that longer job tenure and higher alcohol consumption frequency were associated with higher WMSDs risks (all P<0.01). Weekly work time >48 hours, insufficient rest, work-related fatigue, uncomfortable auxiliary lenses, non-upright trunk posture, prolonged static trunk posture, prolonged wrist flexion, and habitual staying up late were risk factors of WMSDs in the bus drivers (all P<0.05). Conclusion The prevention and treatment of WMSDs among the bus drivers cannot be ignored. Personal characteristics, work organization, work environment, working posture and sleeping habits are the factors that influence the development of WMSDs.

Objective:To identify a novel reassortant H3N2 avian influenza virus using nanopore sequencing technology and analyze its genetic characteristics.Methods:The positive samples of the H3N2 avian influenza virus, collected from the external environment in the farmers' market of Guangzhou, were cultured in chicken embryos. The whole genome was sequenced by targeted amplification and nanopore sequencing technology. The genetic characteristics were analyzed using bioinformatics software.Results:The phylogenetic trees showed that each gene fragment of the strain belonged to the Eurasian evolutionary branch, and the host source was of avian origin. The HA gene was closely related to the origin of the H3N6 virus. The NA gene was closely related to the H3N2 avian influenza virus from 2017 to 2020. The PB1 gene was closely related to the H5N6 avian influenza virus in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Fujian Province from 2016 to 2022 and was not related to the PB1 gene of the H5N6 avian influenza epidemic strain in Guangzhou. The other internal gene fragments had complex sources with significant genetic diversity. Molecular characteristics indicated that the strain exhibited the molecular characteristics of a typical low pathogenic avian influenza virus and tended to bind to the receptors of avian origin. On important protein sites related to biological characteristics, this strain had mutations of PB2-L89V, PB1-L473V, NP-A184K, M1-N30D/T215A, and NS1-P42S/N205S.Conclusions:This study identified a novel reassortant H3N2 avian influenza virus by nanopore sequencing, with the PB1 gene derived from the H5N6 avian influenza virus. The virus had a low ability to spread across species, but further exploration was needed to determine whether its pathogenicity to the host was affected.

To monitor and analyze the molecular variation of the H3N2 influenza virus in Guangzhou during the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory samples of influenza-like cases from influenza monitoring sentinel hospitals were collected from influenza monitoring sentinel hospitals for virus isolation and whole genome sequencing. The results showed that during COVID-19, there was only one peak of H3N2 influenza in the second quarter of 2022 in Guangzhou (the positive rate was 52.23%), and the epidemic intensity and duration were both higher than those in 2019. The HA gene and NA gene of the epidemic strain in Guangzhou in 2022 belonged to the 3C.2a1b. 2a. 1a. 1 branch, which had a good antigenic site matching with the vaccine strain (A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020) from 2021 to 2022 and had no antigen drift. In 2022 strains, the variation of antigen determinant mainly occurred in the I48T of C region, while no variation occurred in the A, B, D, and E regions. The binding site of the HA protein receptor was consistent with the vaccine strain (A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020). Most of the strains in 2022 carried 13 glycosylation sites on the HA protein, but an outbreak of strains caused a loss of glycosylation sites at 24-NST. In conclusion, the strains that caused the epidemic of H3N2 influenza in Guangzhou in 2022 were not evolved or transmitted from the local strains in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To monitor and analyze the molecular variation of the H3N2 influenza virus in Guangzhou during the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory samples of influenza-like cases from influenza monitoring sentinel hospitals were collected from influenza monitoring sentinel hospitals for virus isolation and whole genome sequencing. The results showed that during COVID-19, there was only one peak of H3N2 influenza in the second quarter of 2022 in Guangzhou (the positive rate was 52.23%), and the epidemic intensity and duration were both higher than those in 2019. The HA gene and NA gene of the epidemic strain in Guangzhou in 2022 belonged to the 3C.2a1b. 2a. 1a. 1 branch, which had a good antigenic site matching with the vaccine strain (A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020) from 2021 to 2022 and had no antigen drift. In 2022 strains, the variation of antigen determinant mainly occurred in the I48T of C region, while no variation occurred in the A, B, D, and E regions. The binding site of the HA protein receptor was consistent with the vaccine strain (A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020). Most of the strains in 2022 carried 13 glycosylation sites on the HA protein, but an outbreak of strains caused a loss of glycosylation sites at 24-NST. In conclusion, the strains that caused the epidemic of H3N2 influenza in Guangzhou in 2022 were not evolved or transmitted from the local strains in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective:To isolate the influenza A (H3N2) viruses from different sources in Guangzhou in 2019 and analyze these viruses' evolution and variation characteristics.Methods:The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of H3N2 isolates from outpatient monitoring, influenza outbreaks, and inpatient severe cases in Guangzhou in 2019 were sequenced. Bioinformatics software analyzed the variations and evolution characteristics of HA and NA genes.Results:The epidemic peaks of influenza A (H3N2) viruses were made up of period Ⅰ (from January to August) and period Ⅱ (from November to December). The positive rate of influenza A (H3N2) in males was 13.46% (703/5 221), which was higher than that in females (11.50%, 510/4 435) ( χ 2=8.43, P=0.00). The group's positive rate of 10-20 years old was the highest (25.18%,665/2 641). The isolates from different sources were highly homologous and closely related to 3C.2a.1 branches, which could be further divided into three small groups of Group 1-3. Gene recombination was observed between different branches. The mutations of HA antigen sites gradually appeared from Group 1 to Group 3, leading to new antigen drift. Variations of HA antigenic sites mainly occurred in the region of A and B. The mutations of receptor binding sites of Group 1 and Group 3 viruses occurred in the anterior and posterior walls. There were two glycosylation sites lacked on region A of HA antigen observed in the isolates of Group 2-3. Conclusions:Genetic variations of H3N2 influenza viruses in Guangzhou included gene mutations and gene recombination. Under the pressure of the vaccine, the evolution of viruses was rapid. Therefore, the monitoring of molecular-related epidemic characteristics of the H3N2 influenza virus was necessary.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of a case infected with avian influenza A (H5N6) virus associated with exposure to aerosol and provide evidence for the prevention and control of human infection with avian influenza virus.Methods:Epidemiological investigation was conducted to identify the history of exposure, infection route, and disease progression. Real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR was used to test the samples collected from the case, close contacts, environment and poultry market.Results:The case had no history of exposure to live poultry and poultry market. But before the onset the case had a history of exposure to the live poultry placed in a car with doors and windows closed. The samples collected from the case’s lower respiratory tract and the remaining frozen chicken meat were all influenza A (H5N6) virus positive.Conclusions:The source of infection was the live poultry, and the infection route might be the exposure to aerosol in a car with doors and windows closed, where the poultry were temporarily stored. It is necessary to promote centralized poultry slaughtering, cold chain distribution and fresh poultry sale, as well as strengthen health education and establish the concept of consuming fresh poultry.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of spread and genetic evolution of H5 subtype avian influenza virus in Guangzhou from 2014 to 2019.Methods:H5 subtype virus was detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR from the environmental samples in Guangzhou poultry markets. The genes of HA and NA of 48 isolates randomly selected were sequenced, including 46 isolates from environmental samples and 2 isolates from cases. The characteristics of molecular variation and genetic evolution were analyzed by using bioinformatics software.Results:A total of 1 094 strains of H5 subtype avian influenza virus were isolated from 52 284 samples (2.09%). All the strains belonged to Clade 2.3.4.4.C. NA gene belonged to H6N6 of Eurasian lineage. The cleavage sites of all the strains showed the characteristics of highly pathogenicity. Receptor binding sites were avian-derived receptors. However, mutations of S123P, S133A and T156A occurred, which implied that these strains could tend to bind to human receptors. There was an additional glycosylation site at 140 in strains isolated after 2017. The variation of antigen loci mainly occurred in B and E regions.Conclusions:H5 subtype avian influenza virus spread in Guangzhou from 2014 to 2019 with annual increased proportion of positive rate, and the sequencing results indicated that it belonged to Clade 2.3.4.4.C of H5N6 highly pathogenic virus, and genetic evolution and mutation continued, especially the common mutations which could enhance the binding capacity to human receptors. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance.

Objective: To explore the genetic cause for abnormal pregnancies through detecting chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs) in abortic tissues by next generation sequencing (NGS). Methods: NGS technique was used to detect CNVs in abortion tissues. Parental chromosomal karyotypes were predicted based on the results. The aberrant chromosomal segments of the parents were accurately mapped by G-banding karyotyping analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: In addition to numerical chromosomal aberrations, 12 microdeletion/microduplications were detected by NGS. For 8 families where both parents accepted chromosomal karyotyping, 4 carriers of chromosomal abnormalities were identified. One marker chromosome was missed by karyotyping analysis, and a mother was confirmed to carry a cryptic balanced translocation by FISH. Conclusion NGS can facilitate detection of cryptic chromosomal translocations in couples with repeated pregnancy failure and is of great value for detecting abnormal CNVs for its high sensitivity.

Objective To evaluate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway during acute lung injury (ALI) in rats.Methods Healthy clean-grade adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 4-5 weeks,weighing 100-120 g,were selected,and BMSCs were prepared and cultured in vitro.Eighty-four healthy clean-grade adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 4 weeks,weighing 170-190 g,were selected and divided into 4 groups (n=21 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),group ALI,ALI plus BMSCs group (group ALI + BMSCs),and ALI plus phosphate buffer solution (PBS)group (group ALI+PBS).ALI was induced by intraperitoneally injecting 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide 0.5 ml in anesthetized rats.In group ALI+BMSCs,1×104 cells/ml BMSCs 0.5 ml (in PBS) was injected via the tail vein after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide.PBS 0.5 ml was injected via the tail vein after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide in group ALI+PBS.Arterial blood samples were collected at 6,24 and 48 h after injecting BMSCs for blood gas analysis and for determination of wet to dry weight ratio (W/D ratio),pathological changes (using haematoxylin and eosin staining),and expression of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in lung tissues (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,PaO2 was significantly decreased,PaCO2 and W/D ratio were increased,the expression of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in lung tissues was up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes of lung tissues were accentuated in ALI,ALI+BMSCs and ALI+PBS groups.Compared with group ALI,PaO2 was significantly increased,PaCO2and W/D ratio were decreased,the expression of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in lung tissues was down-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes of lung tissues were significantly reduced in group ALI+BMSCs.Conclusion The mechanism by which BMSCs mitigates ALI may be associated with inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in rats.