Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

AIM To prepare the oral lyophilized tablets of gastrodin-coated micropowder.METHODS Fluidized bed bottom spray method was adopted in the preparation of coated micropowder,after which the oral lyophilized tablets were further prepared.With mannitol consumption,pullulan consumption and xanthan gum consumption as influencing factors,comprehensive score for appearance traits,moisture,disintegration time and the sedimentation volume ratio as an evaluation index,the formulation was optimized by Box-Behnken method,then the taste-masking effect,appearance traits,moisture,disintegration time,content uniformity and dissolution rate were investigated.RESULTS The optimal formulation was determined to be 44.20 mg/tablet for mannitol consumption,3.70 mg/tablet for pullulan consumption,1.30 mg/tablet for xanthan gum consumption,66.67 mg/tablet for coated micropowder,and 1.5 mg/tablet for sucralose micropowder,the comprehensive score was 17.43.The obtained oral lyophilized tablets demonstrated good taste-masking effect,appearance traits and content uniformity with the disintegration time of 3-5 s,whose dissolution rates were less than 5％within 3 min in the simulated oral environment(phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.8)and more than 85％within 15 min in the simulated gastric environment(hydrochloric acid solution at pH 1.2).CONCLUSION The oral lyophilized tablets of gastrodin-coated micropowder display good taste,ease of swallowing and simple and feasible preparation process,which can provide a new idea for the taste improvement of other oral lyophilized tablets and unpleasant-smelling raw medicines.

Objective To verify the efficacy of a domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in detecting the total human DNA concentration,male DNA concen-tration in mixed male/female DNA samples,the degree of DNA degradation and inhibitor tolerance.Methods Samples with different concentrations,different male/female ratios,different concentrations of inhibitors,and different degradation degrees were tested using the domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.This kit was compared with a similar product on the market and was applied to the detection of DNA from real cases.Results This human DNA quan-tification kit can effectively detect human DNA as low as 0.001 65 ng/μL,and 6.25 pg/μL of male DNA in mixed samples with a male-to-female ratio of 1∶15 000.Even when the sample contains as high as 400 ng/μL of humic acid or 1 000 μmol/L of hemin alone,the DNA concentration can still be accurately detected.The degradation index can effectively characterize the degradation degree of the sample.This kit has been successfully applied in forensic practice.Conclusion This human DNA quan-tification kit is accurate and reliable in detection.It can accurately reflect the degradation of DNA and inhibitor tolerance.It has good performance in quantitative accuracy,determination of the male/female ratio in mixed samples,and inhibitor tolerance.It has application potential in forensic case examination.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of zedoarondiol on neovascularization of atherosclerotic (AS) plaque by exosomes experiment. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish AS model and treated with high- and low-dose (10, 5 mg/kg daily) of zedoarondiol, respectively. After 14 weeks, the expressions of anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS-1) and its receptor CD36 in plaques, as well as platelet activation rate and exosome-derived miR-let-7a were detected. Then, zedoarondiol was used to intervene in platelets in vitro, and miR-let-7a was detected in platelet-derived exosomes (Pexo). Finally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-let-7a mimics and treated with Pexo to observe the effect of miR-let-7a in Pexo on tube formation. RESULTS: Animal experiments showed that after treating with zedoarondiol, the neovascularization density in plaques of AS mice was significantly reduced, THBS-1 and CD36 increased, the platelet activation rate was markedly reduced, and the miR-let-7a level in Pexo was reduced (P<0.01). In vitro experiments, the platelet activation rate and miR-let-7a levels in Pexo were significantly reduced after zedoarondiol's intervention. Cell experiments showed that after Pexo's intervention, the tube length increased, and the transfection of miR-let-7a minics further increased the tube length of cells, while reducing the expressions of THBS-1 and CD36. CONCLUSION Zedoarondiol has the effect of inhibiting neovascularization within plaque in AS mice, and its mechanism may be potentially related to inhibiting platelet activation and reducing the Pexo-derived miRNA-let-7a level.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Exosomes/drug effects* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Blood Platelets/drug effects* ; Apolipoproteins E/deficiency* ; Thrombospondin 1/metabolism* ; CD36 Antigens/metabolism* ; Platelet Activation/drug effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Objective To investigate the mammographic imaging features of breast cancer and its correlation with microvascular density(MVD).Methods A total of 86 patients with breast cancer confirmed by surgical pathology in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps 7th Division Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were selected as the research objects.According to the modified Bloom Richard-son scoring system,the breast cancer patients were classified into histological grade Ⅰ(n=22),grade Ⅱ(n=25)and grade Ⅲ(n=39).All patients underwent preoperative mammographic imaging examination.Immunohistochemistry staining was performed and MVD count was conducted after operation.Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between MVD of breast cancer with different histo-logical grades and mammographic imaging features.Results The microvascular positive expression rate of breast cancer lesions was 100%,the MVD counts per visual field were 14～276 vessels,with an average of(72.58±16.37)vessels,of which the MVD counts of patients with histological grade Ⅰ to Ⅱ were 14 to 175 vessels,with an average of(42.10±13.51)vessels;the MVD counts of patients with histological grade Ⅲ was 22～276 vessels,with an average of(93.82±22.17)vessels.The MVD counts of patients with histological grade Ⅲ was signifi-cantly higher than that of patients with histological grade Ⅰ to Ⅱ,with statistically significant difference(t=19.627,P<0.001).The incidences of irregular margin,spicular sign,axillary lymph node metastasis and fine particle calcification in patients with histological gradeⅢ were higher than those in patients with histological grade Ⅰ to Ⅱ,with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The MVD counts of breast cancer patients with irregular margin,spicular sign,axillary lymph node metastasis and fine particle calcification were higher than those of patients with smooth margin and without spicular sign,axillary lymph node metastasis or fine particle calcification,which was positively correlated with histological grades(P<0.05).Conclusion Some mammographic imaging features of breast cancer can reflect tumor angiogenesis to a certain extent,which can provide important reference for the treatment and prognosis of the disease,with certain clinical value.

Objective:To investigate the effect of risk forewarning hierarchical management on mental state,major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)and quality of life in patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutane-ous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:This randomized controlled study enrolled 152 patients with acute coro-nary syndrome who underwent PCI in the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao between July 2021 and June 2023.Patients were randomly divided into control group(n=76,conventional intervention program)and intervention group(n=76,additional risk forewarning hierarchical management).After 3-month intervention,mental state[Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA)and Hamilton depression scale(HAMD)scores],health literacy[perceived knowledge scale for coronary heart diseases(PKS-CHD)score],quality of life[Seattle angina questionnaire(SAQ)score]and in-cidence of MACE were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared to those in the control group,patients in the intervention group had significantly higher total score of PKS-CHD[(35.08±3.59)points vs.(30.53±3.85)points],SAQ dimensional scores of physical limitation[(15.24±1.73)points vs.(13.26±1.45)points],an-ginal stability[(16.84±1.39)points vs.(15.18±1.48)points],disease perception[(17.00±1.46)points vs.(14.34±1.93)points],anginal frequency[(18.55±1.18)points vs.(16.11±1.39)points]and treatment satis-faction[(17.12±1.45)points vs.(14.04±1.93)points](P＜0.001 all),and significantly lower HAMA score[(11.89±1.64)points vs.(13.55±1.56)points],HAMD score[(12.61±1.76)points vs.(16.42±1.92)points]and the incidence of MACE(8.00％vs.28.38％)(P＜0.001 all).Conclusion:Risk forewarning hierarchical man-agement may effectively relieve patients'negative emotions,improve their health literacy and quality of life,and significantly reduce the risk of MACE in patients with acute coronary syndrome after PCI.