Pinellia ternata， belonging to the Pinellia genus within the Araceae family， is a medicinal plant due to its tubers. There are severe issues with unclear germplasm and mixed varieties in its cultivation， necessitating urgent new variety protection efforts. The distinctness， uniformity， and stability （DUS） testing of the plant variety is the basis for protecting new plant varieties， and the DUS test guidelines are the technical basis for DUS testing. To develop the DUS test guidelines for P. ternata， agronomic traits of 229 germplasm of P. ternata were observed and measured during its two growth stages over the years， and each character was graded and described. A total of 38 traits were selected as the test traits of the DUS test guideline for P. ternata. There were three plant traits， 19 leaf traits， six flower traits， two fruit traits， two tuber traits， five bulbil traits， and one ploidy trait. These traits could be divided into 22 quality characters， 12 quantitative characters， and four pseudo-quantitative characters， as well as seven groups， including plants， leaves， flowers， fruit， tubers， bulbils， and ploidy. By searching for standard traits， 10 standard varieties were ultimately determined. Preparing these guidelines will have great significance for reviewing and protecting P. ternata varieties， safeguarding breeders' rights， and promoting the development of the P. ternata industry.

Objective To investigate the clinical diagnostic value of plasma serine protease inhibitor Ka-zal-type 4(SPINK4)expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma(CRC)and progressive adenoma(AA).Methods A total of 62 patients with CRC(CRC group)and 15 patients with AA(AA group)diagnosed by colonoscopy and pathological examination in this hospital from June 2020 to December 2021 were selected,and 22 healthy people undergoing physical examination during the same period were selected as the HC group.The expression of SPINK4 in plasma was detected by ELISA,and the expression of CEA in plasma was detected by electrochemiluminescence,and the correlation was analyzed.The diagnostic efficiency was analyzed by re-ceiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the expression of p53 in CRC tissues was detected by immu-nohistochemistry.Results The expression of plasma SPINK4 in the CRC group and AA group was lower than that in the HC group(Z=3.72,-0.41,P＜0.05),and the expression of CEA in the CRC group was higher than that in the HC group(Z=-3.63,P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC),accuracy,sensi-tivity and specificity of SPINK4 combined with CEA in the diagnosis of CRC and AA were higher than those of SPINK4 and CEA alone.The positive rate of mutant type p53 in SPINK4 low expression group and CEA high ex-pression group was significantly increased in CRC patients(72.55％,75.00％,P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of plasma SPINK4 is decreased in CRC and AA,and the combined detection of SPINK4 and CEA has a good di-agnostic efficiency in CRC and AA.

ObjectiveTo identify immunogenic cell death （ICD）-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）， and to establish a scoring model based on these genes for predicting the prognosis and tumor microenvironment characteristics of HCC. MethodsThe Cancer Genome Atlas database was used to obtain HCC datasets， and heatmaps were used to display the expression of 57 ICD-related genes in HCC. A cluster analysis was conducted based on the expression of ICD-related genes， and two ICD subtypes （low and high ICD expression groups） were analyzed in terms of gene ontology enrichment analysis， Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis， somatic mutation， and immune cell infiltration. The LASSO Cox regression risk model was constructed to evaluate its clinical application value， and a nomogram model was established to predict the 1-， 3-， and 5-year survival rates of patients. In addition， qRT-PCR was used to validate the expression levels of key genes in the model. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison between two groups， and the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine prognostic factors among clinicopathological features. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used for prognostic analysis， and the Spearman rank correlation test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsThe low ICD expression group had a poorer prognosis， while the high ICD expression group had relatively favorable clinical outcomes （P=0.004）. Further analysis showed that the high ICD expression group was associated with an immune-active microenvironment， and the genes were mainly enriched in immune-related pathways such as immunoglobulin receptor binding， hematopoietic cell lineage， and B cell receptor. The results of somatic mutation analysis showed that the high ICD expression group had higher expression levels of CD274， CTLA4， HAVCR2， TIGIT， PDCD1， and PDCD1LG2 （all P<0.05）. A risk prediction model was established using 8 ICD-related genes， i.e.， HSP90AA1， ATG5， BAX， PPIA， HSPA4， TLR2， TREM1， and LY96， and this model showed a good predictive value across different clinical characteristics. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that age and risk score were independent prognostic factors for overall survival in the training set （both P<0.05）. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression levels of HSPA4 and REM1 in HCC tumor samples were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissue samples （both P<0.001）. For the patients with an increase in ICD risk score， the ICD risk score was negatively correlated with γδT cells （r=-0.29， P<0.05）， plasma cells （r=-0.3， P<0.05）， and CD8⁺T lymphocytes （r=-0.37， P<0.05） and was positively correlated with memory B cells （r=0.38， P<0.05）， resting dendritic cells （r=0.47， P<0.05）， and M0 macrophages （r=0.49， P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study identifies the ICD-related genes that are associated with the prognosis of HCC， which provides insights into the immune characteristics of different ICD expression profiles. The risk model and the nomogram model established in this study have a significant value for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients and guiding immunotherapy for HCC patients.

Lung cancer ranks the top of malignancies that cause cancer-related deaths worldwide.The leaves of Morus alba L are traditional Chinese medicine widely applied in respiratory diseases.Our previous work has demonstrated the anti-lung cancer effect of secondary metabolites of mulberry leaf,but their mechanism of action has still not fully elucidated.We synthesized Moracin N(MAN)-Probe conjugated with alkyne to label lung cancer cells and identified protein targets by chemical proteomic analysis.MAN and its probe exerted similar growth-inhibitory effect on human lung cancer cells.Chemical proteomic results showed that MAN targeted the programmed death ligand 1(PD-L1)checkpoint pathway and T cell receptor(TCR)signaling pathway,indicating its immune-regulatory function.Cell-free surface plasmon resonance(SPR)results showed the direct interaction of MAN with PD-L1 protein.Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that MAN bound to E158 residue of PD-L1 protein.MAN downregulated the expression levels of PD-L1 in a time-and dose-dependent manner and disrupted the PD-L1/programmed death 1(PD-1)binding,including other secondary metabolites of mulberry leaves Guangsangon E(GSE)and Chalcomoracin(CMR).Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)co-cultured with MAN-treated A549 cells,resulting in the increase of CD8+GZMB+T cells and the decrease of CD8+PD-1+T cells.It suggested that MAN exerts anti-cancer effect through blocking the PD-L1/PD-1 signaling.In vivo,MAN combined with anti-PD-1 antibody significantly inhibited lung cancer development and metastasis,indicating their synergistic effect.Taken together,secondary metabolites of mulberry leaves target the PD-L1/PD-1 signaling,enhance T cell-mediated immunity and inhibit the tumorigenesis of lung cancer.Their modulatory effect on tumor microenvironment makes them able to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C),ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C), and triglyceride glucose index (TyG) on metabolic syndrome (MS) in adult women.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 24 410 adult women who received health examination in health management center of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were selected from January 2019 to December 2021 as subjects. The subjects′ basic information, physical examination results, and laboratory examination data were collected retrospectively. The relationship between non-HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, TyG, and MS in adult women were examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic value of each indicator for MS in adult women.Results:Among 24 410 adult females, 800 (3.3%) were found to have MS. After adjusting for age, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood uric acid, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, fatty liver, non HDL-C ( OR=1.608), TG/HDL-C ( OR=1.311), TyG ( OR=13.288) were all risk factors for MS in adult women. non-HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and TyG, as well as their combined AUC of ROC, were 0.795 (95% CI: 0.742-0.776), 0.909 (95% CI: 0.902-0.917), 0.942 (95% CI: 0.937-0.948), and 0.944 (95% CI: 0.937-0.950), respectively. TyG had the highest diagnostic value for MS in adult women among the three indicators, the optimal cutoff value for TyG was 8.237, with a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 85.5%. Conclusion:non-HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, TyG, as well as their combination, all demonstrate good diagnostic value for MS in adult women.

ObjectiveTo analyze and sum up the medication rule and the core prescription of Professor LIU Minru in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome （intracellular lipid membrane congestion syndrome）and explore the effect mechanism underlying the medication. MethodTwo platforms were used to carry out data mining to analyze the characteristics and rules of Professor LIU's prescriptions for the treatment of this disease. Network pharmacology was used to further clarify active ingredients in the core prescription，and a traditional Chinese medicine-active ingredient-target network was constructed，with the potential mechanism of action analyzed. ResultA total of 321 prescriptions were included in the medical records，involving 178 Chinese medicinals and 28 kinds of formula granules.The Chinese medicinals mainly act on the liver and kidney meridians， whose main tastes were sweetness，pungency，and bitterness and properties were mainly warm，mild，and slightly cold.Commonly used medicine pairs include Dioscoreae Rhizoma-Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata，Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix，Bupleuri Radix-Aurantii Fructus，and Gleditsiae Spina-Curcumae Rhizoma.The commonly used formulas are Xuefu Zhuyutang，Siwugang，Yangjing Zhongyutang，etc. The core prescription is composed of 12 Chinese medicinals such as angelica，white peony，saponaria thorn，and epimedium，containing 74 active ingredients，including quercetin，luteolin，kaempferol，fisetin，and β-sitosterol.A total of 37 key targets were found，involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt），mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK），Janus protein tyrosine kinase （JAK）/signal transduction and activator of transcription （STAT），and other signaling pathways. ConclusionThe pathogenesis of this disease is complex.Professor LIU adheres to the pathogenesis of "kidney deficiency as the root cause，and phlegm retention as the symptom". Under the guidance of the academic ideology of "kidney Qi as the root，and protecting Yin as the foundation" and "nurturing Yin to support Yang"，she takes into account Yin and Yang in kidney tonic，replenishes and consolidates the essence and blood，and relieves manifestations by dissipating mass， activating blood， and regulating Qi. She has a rigorous thinking in formulating prescriptions. The core prescription has the characteristics of comprehensive regulation by multiple components at multiple targets in multiple pathways.

Objective To investigate the current status of mini-CEX scores among students in the Elderly Service Man-agement program after completing the"Fundamentals of Nursing"course and analyze the influencing factors.Methods A total of 99 students from the Elderly Service Management program at the Wuming campus of Guangxi Medical University were selected as the study subjects.Assessment tools included a general information questionnaire,the Chinese version of the Mini Clinical E-valuation Exercise(mini-CEX),the Self-Rating Scale of Self-Directed Learning(SRSSDL),and a self-learning ability assess-ment scale.Stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to explore the factors affecting mini-CEX scores.Results The total mini-CEX score for the 99 students was 49.00(44.00,55.00).Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that being a student leader,SRSSDL scores,self-learning ability,and teaching model were significant factors(P＜0.05),explaining 56.8％of the total variance.Conclusion The clinical comprehensive ability of students in the Elderly Service Management program requires enhancement,influenced by multiple factors including teaching model,self-learning ability,and self-directed learning capacity.

Objective To investigate the impacts of tanshinone ⅡA(Tan ⅡA)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced proliferation and apoptosis of dental pulp stem cells by regulating the fatty acid synthase(Fas)/fatty acid synthase ligand(FasL)signaling pathway.Methods Identification of human pulp stem cells(hDPSCs)isolated from the third molar of 18～20 years old patients requiring orthodontics.Lps-induced hDPSCs were treated with low,medium and high doses of Tan ⅡA,and then human recombinant FasL protein(rh FasL)was used to intervene the LPS-induced hDPSCs after high dose Tan ⅡA.Proliferation and apoptosis of hDPSCs,levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin(IL)-6 in hDPSCs supernatant,proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Cleaved aspartate-specific cysteine proteinase-3(Cleaved Caspase-3),Fas,FasL protein expression were detected.Results hDPSCs were successfully isolated.In a dose-dependent manner,Tan ⅡA promoted LPS-induced proliferation,inhibited apoptosis,up-regulated PCNA protein expression,and inhibited TNF-α,IL-6 level,Cleaved Caspase-3,Fas,and FasL protein expression.The effect of rh FasL on LPS-induced dental pulp stem cells was opposite to the above indexes(P<0.05).rh FasL attenuates the effect of high-dose Tan ⅡA on pro-liferation and apoptosis of LPS-induced dental pulp stem cells.Conclusion Tan ⅡA may promote LPS induced hDPSCs proliferation and inhibit apoptosis by inhibiting the Fas/FasL signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in AIDS patients complicated with Pneumocystis jirovecii ( P. jirovecii) infection. Methods:This is a retrospective study. From January 2019 to June 2021, the respiratory tract and other body fluid samples of 236 cases of AIDS co-infected patients diagnosed in the AIDS Department of Changsha First Hospital were collected, along with corresponding medical histories. Traditional etiological hexamine silver staining and serum 1,3-β-D glucan (BDG) were performed simultaneously with mNGS detection, and Fisher′s exact test was used to analyze the results and compare the diagnostic performances of mNGS with those of hexamine silver staining and serum G test.Results:A total of 236 cases of AIDS patients with pulmonary infection were collected and tested. Seventy-seven cases were clinically diagnosed with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and 159 cases with non- Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Among the 236 AIDS patients with pulmonary infection, mNGS detected 77 [32.63%(77/236)] positive cases of Pneumocystis jiroveci, while hexamine silver staining detected 10[4.24%(10/236)] and serum BDG detected 146 [61.86% (146/236). Based on these clinical diagnostic results, the sensitivity of mNGS detection was 100% (77/77) for the 77 patients with Pneumocystis pneumoniae, significantly higher than that of silver hexamine staining [12.99% (10/77), P=0.046] and serum BDG [58.44% (45/77), P=0.038]. The mNGS showed good specificity, which was the same as that of hexamine silver staining [100% (159/159)] and significantly higher than that of serum BDG [36.48% (58/159), P=0.026]. With therapeutic clinical diagnosis as the reference method, the accuracy of mNGS detection was 100% (236/236). Conclusions:This study evaluated the diagnostic value of mNGS detection in AIDS patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. The results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of mNGS detection were high, and it had exceptional clinical application value in the pathogenic detection of infectious diseases.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical safety of Naoxintong （NXT） capsules after marketing， find out the potential risk factors of the drug as soon as possible， and reveal the incidence， nature， and clinical manifestations of the adverse events （ADE） and adverse reactions （ADR） of NXT capsules， so as to provide a basis for safe use of the drug in clinical practice. MethodA prospective， large-sample， multi-center observational cohort study was conducted to monitor all the 7 345 inpatients and outpatients orally taking NXT in 14 hospitals in China from January to December in 2018， with at least one follow-up. The demographic characteristics， disease type， NXT medication， ADR occurrence， characteristics， and prognosis of the patients were collected. SPSS 23.0 was used for single-factor and multivariate logistic regression to predict the influencing factors of ADR. ResultThe male and female patients accounted for similar proportions. There were 5 081 patients （79.40%） aged ≥60 years and 3 153 patients （49.27%） with body mass index （BMI） exceeding the normal standard. There were 344 （5.38%） patients with a history of allergy to medicines and food， 9 （0.14%） patients with a family history of allergy， and 52 （0.81%） patients with a history of allergic diseases. The ADRs associated with NXT occurred in 22 patients， with the incidence of 0.34%. The clinical manifestations of ADR appeared in 31 cases， involving 10 organs/systems， of which gastrointestinal system damage was the most common （17， 54.84%）. All ADRs were mild or moderate. Most ADRs （19， 86.36%） occurred within 4 weeks after administration. The patients with alleviated NXT-associated ADRs accounted for 81.82%. No indicators related to significant increases in ADR risks were found. ConclusionNXT is well tolerated in the general population. The hospital centralized monitoring for the clinical safety of oral Chinese patent drugs based on HIS data and Web tracking and follow-up system is an essential means for the post-market research on the safety of drugs.