ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently， the gene family members were subject to analysis， including gene structure， chromosomal localization， cis-acting elements， gene synteny， and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR， the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally， correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca， unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies， with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes， 12 bHLH genes （such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74） were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem， while 9 bHLH genes （such as PIL13， UNE12， and bHLH130） were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca， the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata， and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes， 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems， flowers， and fruits. Specifically， bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata， thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally， GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.

ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently， the gene family members were subject to analysis， including gene structure， chromosomal localization， cis-acting elements， gene synteny， and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR， the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally， correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca， unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies， with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes， 12 bHLH genes （such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74） were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem， while 9 bHLH genes （such as PIL13， UNE12， and bHLH130） were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca， the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata， and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes， 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems， flowers， and fruits. Specifically， bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata， thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally， GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.

Objective China is among the 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis(TB)worldwide,and TB remains a public health concern.Kashgar Prefecture in the southern Xinjiang Autonomous Region is considered as one of the highest TB burden regions in China.However,molecular epidemiological studies of Kashgar are lacking. Methods A population-based retrospective study was conducted using whole-genome sequencing(WGS)to determine the characteristics of drug resistance and the transmission patterns. Results A total of 1,668 isolates collected in 2020 were classified into lineages 2(46.0%),3(27.5%),and 4(26.5%).The drug resistance rates revealed by WGS showed that the top three drugs in terms of the resistance rate were isoniazid(7.4%,124/1,668),streptomycin(6.0%,100/1,668),and rifampicin(3.3%,55/1,668).The rate of rifampicin resistance was 1.8%(23/1,290)in the new cases and 9.4%(32/340)in the previously treated cases.Known resistance mutations were detected more frequently in lineage 2 strains than in lineage 3 or 4 strains,respectively:18.6%vs.8.7 or 9%,P<0.001.The estimated proportion of recent transmissions was 25.9%(432/1,668).Multivariate logistic analyses indicated that sex,age,occupation,lineage,and drug resistance were the risk factors for recent transmission.Despite the low rate of drug resistance,drug-resistant strains had a higher risk of recent transmission than the susceptible strains(adjusted odds ratio,1.414;95%CI,1.023-1.954;P = 0.036).Among all patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis(DR-TB),78.4%(171/218)were attributed to the transmission of DR-TB strains. Conclusion Our results suggest that drug-resistant strains are more transmissible than susceptible strains and that transmission is the major driving force of the current DR-TB epidemic in Kashgar.

Objective:To analyze and identify the non-medicinal parts in Zanthoxylum nitidum husk by HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap-MS, and study the antioxidant activity, in order to provide the scientific basis for further research and development of Z. nitidum. Method:Data is collected by HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap-MS,and high-resolution MS and MS2 spectra of mass spectrogram of chromatographic peaks were analyzed and compared with the literature database. The structure of each chromatographic peak was calculated and confirmed. The anti-oxidative activity of the Z. nitidum husk was studied by DPPH scavenging free radical ability and ABTS free radical scavenging ability. Result:Twenty-five alkaloids were identified from Z. nitidum husk. The main constituents were isoquinoline alkaloids (nitidine,liriodenine,magnocurarine),pyrrolidine alkaloid (allocryptopine,oxymatrine,oxysophocarpine),quinoline alkaloid (magnoflorine,nitidine chloride),and organic amine alkaloids (γ-sanshool). Antioxygenic activity was studied by DPPH scavenging free radical ability and ABTS free radical scavenging ability. The results showed that they were within the measured concentration range, the antioxidant activity increased with the rise of the sample concentration, a good dose dependence was presented. Conclusion:In this paper,the chemical constituents and the activity Z. nitidum husk were studied. Studies have shown a variety of alkaloids, with a good antioxidant activity. This study provides a reference for further research and development of Z. nitidum.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of antibiotics in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in multiple regions of China, and to provide a reference for CAP standard treatment and rational antibiotic use in children. METHODS: The medical data of 1 383 children with CAP who were hospitalized in the department of pediatrics in 10 grade A tertiary hospitals from 9 cities between April 14, 2014 and January 1, 2016 were reviewed, to analyze the status of antibiotic use in hospitalized children in North China, Northeast China, East China, and South China. RESULTS: The overall rate of antibiotic use in children with CAP was 89.08%, with 88.7% in North China, 95.5% in Northeast China, 83.3% in East China, and 86.6% in South China. The main types of antibiotics used were cephalosporins, macrolides, compound preparations of β-lactam antibiotics, polyphosphoric broad-spectrum antibiotics and other β-lactam antibiotics. The selection of antibiotics was generally rational, but antibiotics were still used in some patients with viral infection alone or a combined use of ≥2 kinds of antibiotics were noted in some patients with infection caused by one kind of pathogen. Irrational antibiotic use was observed in 131 children (10.63%). CONCLUSIONS There are high rates of antibiotic use and irrational use of antibiotics among children with CAP. Standard management of antibiotic use in children with CAP should be strengthened.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; China ; Community-Acquired Infections ; drug therapy ; Humans

BACKGROUNDCD4 count is used to determine antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligibility. In China, flow cytometers are mostly located in urban areas with limited access by patients residing in remote areas. In an attempt to address this issue, we conducted a study to validate the performance of Alere PIMA point-of-care CD4 analyzer.

METHODSVenous and finger-prick blood specimens were collected from HIV-positive participants from two voluntary counseling and testing sites in Yunnan Province. Both venous and finger-prick blood specimens were tested with the PIMA analyzer. Venous blood specimens tested with the Becton Dickinson FACSCalibur were used as a reference.

RESULTSVenous specimens from 396 and finger-prick specimens from 387 persons were available for analysis. CD4 counts by PIMA correlated well with those from FACSCalibur with an R2 of 0.91 for venous blood and 0.81 for finger-prick blood. Compared to FACSCalibur, the PIMA analyzer yielded lower counts with a mean bias of - 47.0 cells/μl (limit of agreement, [LOA]: -204-110 cells/μl) for venous blood and -71.0 cells/μl (LOA: -295-153 cells/μl) for finger-prick blood. For a CD4 threshold of 350 cells/μl, the positive predictive value (PPV) of PIMA was 84.2% and 75.7% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 97.6% and 95.8% for venous and finger-prick blood, respectively. For an ART threshold of 500 cells/μl, the corresponding PPV was 90.3% and 84.0% and NPV was 94.3% and 93.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSCD4 counting using venous blood with PIMA analyzers is a feasible alternative to a large flow cytometer to determine ART eligibility.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biological Assay ; methods ; Blood Specimen Collection ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; methods ; Child ; China ; Female ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo examine UVB-induced responses in normal human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and epidermoid carcinoma cells (A431) at the cellular and molecular level, and investigated the protective effect of salidroside.

METHODSCells irradiated by UVB at various dosage and their viability was assessed by MTT assays, cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of NF-κB, BCL-2, and CDK6 after 50 J/m(2) UVB irradiation were detected by RT-PCR and western blotting.

RESULTSOur results confirmed greater tolerance of A341 cells to UVB-induced damage such as cell viability and cell cycle arrest, which was accompanied by differential expression changes in NF-κB, BCL-2, and CDK6. UVB exposure resulted in HaCaT cells undergoing G(1)-S phase arrest. When treated with salidroside, HaCaT survival was significantly enhanced following exposure to UVB, suggesting great therapeutic potential for this compound.

CONCLUSIONTaken together, our study suggests that A431 respond differently to UVB than normal HaCaT cells, and supports a role for NF-κB, CDK6, and BCL-2 in UVB-induced cell G(1)-S phase arrest. Furthermore, salidroside can effectively protect HaCaT from UVB irradiation.

Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; radiation effects ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Ultraviolet Rays

OBJECTIVETo study the brain protection of baicalin on rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its probable mechanism of action.

METHODSThirty-six male healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham-operative group, the AD group, and the baicalin group, twelve in each. beta-amyloid protein 1-40 was injected to the bilateral hippocampus of rats in the AD group and the baicalin group to establish the AD rat model. The sham operation was performed to rats of the sham-operative group in the same way. Equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution was injected to the bilateral hippocampus of rats in the sham-operative group. Baicalin was intraperitoneally injected at the daily dose of 40 mg/kg to rats in the baicalin group before and after operation, once daily for 7 successive days. Equal volume of buffer solution was intraperitoneally injected to rats in the sham-operative group and the AD group in the same procedures at the same time points. The expression of hippocampal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was determined by Western blot. The spatial learning memory capacities was observed using T-morris test. Histological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.

RESULTSResults of the T-morris test showed the spontaneous alternation selective ratio decreased in the AD group (28.33% +/- 7.50%) and the baicalin group (38.33% +/- 7.50%) (both P < 0.05) when compared with the sham-operative group (61.67% +/- 7.50%). There was significant difference between the AD group and the baicalin group (P < 0.05). Results of HE staining showed degeneration and necrosis of cortical and hippocampal neurons in the AD group and the baicalin group. Changes in the AD group were more obvious. Results of Western blot showed the expression of hippocampal cyclooxygenase (COX-2) obviously increased in the AD group, while it obviously decreased in the baicalin group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBaicalin could alleviate beta-amyloid protein induced brain injury, which might be associated with its inhibition on the COX-2 expression.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biomechanical effect of anterior screw fixation on the type II fractured odontoid process.

METHODSTwenty fresh human C1-C2 vertebrae specimens were harvested and randomly divided into three groups. The angle of type II fracture line was 0 degree in group I (n=6), 17 degrees in group II (n=8) and 25 degrees in group III (n=6). The fractures were treated by anterior screw fixation. Insertion torque,maximal axial pullout force and stiffness of the bone-screw were tested.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of screw insertion torque and the pull-out strength between each group. The displacement of the odontoid fragment had an association to the angle of the fracture line,the displacement of the small angle was significantly higher than that of the large one (P < 0.5). No significant difference of structure stiffness of the bone-screw was found between each group.

CONCLUSIONAnterior screw fixation is feasible for type II odontoid fracture with certain fracture line extends from anteroinferior to posterosuperior.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Spinal Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery