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.

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.

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.

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; Gene Editing

This paper introduced the overview of the "eight trends" of Chinese medicinal materials(CMM) industry in 2021, analyzed the problems of CMM production, and put forward development suggestions. Specifically, "eight trends" could be summarized as follows.(1) The growing area of CMM tended to be stable, and some provinces began to release the local catalog of Dao-di herbs.(2) The protection process of new varieties accelerated, and a number of excellent varieties were bred.(3) The theory of ecological cultivation was further enriched, and the demonstration effect of ecological cultivation technology was prominent.(4) Some CMM realized complete mechanization and formed typical model cases.(5) The number of cultivation bases using the traceability platform increased, and provincial internet trading platforms were set up.(6) The construction of CMM industrial clusters accelerated, and the number of provincial-level regional brands increased rapidly.(7) Many new agricultural business entities were founded nationwide, and a variety of methods were used to drive the intensified development of CMM.(8) A number of local TCM laws were promulgated, and the management regulation of food and medicine homology substances catalogs was issued. On this basis, four suggestions for CMM production were proposed.(1) It is suggested to speed up the formulation of the national catalog of Dao-di herbs and carry out the certification of Dao-di herbs production bases.(2) Ecological planting of forest and grassland medicine should be further strengthened in terms of technical research and promotion based on the principle of ecological priority.(3) The basic work of disaster prevention should be paid more attention and technical measures for disaster mitigation should be developed.(4) The planted area of commonly used CMM should be incorporated into the national regular statistical system.
Agriculture ; Certification ; Commerce ; Industry ; China

Lilii Bulbus is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine with both medicinal and edible values, while the market products usually has the problem of sulfur fumigation. Therefore, the quality and safety of Lilii Bulbus products deserve attention. In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was combined with principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to analyze the differential components of Lilii Bulbus before and after sulfur fumigation. We identified ten markers generated after sulfur fumigation, summarized their mass fragmentation and transformation patterns, and verified the structures of phenylacrylic acid markers of sulfur fumigation. At the same time, the cytotoxicity of the aqueous extracts of Lilii Bulbus before and after sulfur fumigation was evaluated. The results showed that in the concentration range of 0-800 mg·L~(-1), the aqueous extract of Lilii Bulbus after sulfur fumigation had no significant effect on the viability of human liver LO2 cells, human renal proximal tubular HK-2 cells, and rat adrenal pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells. Moreover, the viability of the cells exposed to the aqueous extract of Lilii Bulbus before and after sulfur fumigation showed no significant difference. This study identified phenylacrylic acid and furostanol saponins as markers of sulfur-fumigated Lilii Bulbus for the first time, and made clear that proper sulfur fumigation of Lilii Bulbus would not produce cytotoxicity, providing a theoretical basis for the rapid identification and quality and safety control of sulfur-fumigated Lilii Bulbus.
Humans ; Animals ; Rats ; Fumigation ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Epithelial Cells ; Sulfur

Objective: To explore the effects of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA) hydrogel loaded with nano silver on full-thickness skin defect wounds in rats. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. The morphology, particle diameter, and distribution of silver nanoparticles in nano silver solution with different mass concentrations and the pore structure of silver-containing GelMA hydrogel with different final mass fractions of GelMA were observed by scanning electron microscope and the pore size was calculated. On treatment day 1, 3, 7, and 14, the concentration of nano silver released from the hydrogel containing GelMA with final mass fraction of 15% and nano silver with final mass concentration of 10 mg/L was detected by mass spectrometer. At 24 h of culture, the diameters of inhibition zone of GelMA hydrogel containing final mass concentration of 0 (no nano silver), 25, 50, and 100 mg/L nano silver against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were detected. Fibroblasts (Fbs) and adipose stem cells (ASCs) were isolated respectively by enzymatic digestion using the discarded prepuce after circumcision from a 5-year-old healthy boy who was treated in the Department of Urology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in July 2020, and the discarded fat tissue after liposuction from a 23-year-old healthy woman who was treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery of the Hospital in July 2020. The Fbs were divided into blank control group (culture medium only), 2 mg/L nano sliver group, 5 mg/L nano sliver group, 10 mg/L nano sliver group, 25 mg/L nano sliver group, and 50 mg/L nano sliver group, which were added with the corresponding final mass concentrations of nano sliver solution, respectively. At 48 h of culture, the Fb proliferation viability was detected by cell counting kit 8 method. The Fbs were divided into 0 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, 10 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, and 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group and then were correspondingly treated. On culture day 1, 3, and 7, the Fb proliferation viability was detected as before. The ASCs were mixed into GelMA hydrogel and divided into 3D bioprinting group and non-printing group. On culture day 1, 3, and 7, the ASC proliferation viability was detected as before and cell growth was observed by live/dead cell fluorescence staining. The sample numbers in the above experiments were all 3. Four full-thickness skin defect wounds were produced on the back of 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 4 to 6 weeks. The wounds were divided into hydrogel alone group, hydrogel/nano sliver group, hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group, and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group, and transplanted with the corresponding scaffolds, respectively. On post injury day (PID) 4, 7, 14, and 21, the wound healing was observed and the wound healing rate was calculated (n=6). On PID 7 and 14, histopathological changes of wounds were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining (n=6). On PID 21, collagen deposition of wounds was observed by Masson staining (n=3). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, Bonferroni correction, and independent sample t test. Results: The sliver nano particles in nano silver solution with different mass concentrations were all round, in scattered distribution and uniform in size. The silver-containing GelMA hydrogels with different final mass fractions of GelMA all showed pore structures of different sizes and interconnections. The pore size of silver-containing GelMA hydrogel with 10% final mass fraction was significantly larger than that of silver-containing GelMA hydrogels with 15% and 20% final mass fractions (with P values both below 0.05). On treatment day 1, 3, and 7, the concentration of nano silver released from silver-containing GelMA hydrogel in vitro showed a relatively flat trend. On treatment day 14, the concentration of released nano silver in vitro increased rapidly. At 24 h of culture, the diameters of inhibition zone of GelMA hydrogel containing 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L nano silver against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 0, 0, 0.7, and 2.1 mm and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 3.3 mm, respectively. At 48 h of culture, the proliferation activity of Fbs in 2 mg/L nano silver group and 5 mg/L nano silver group was both significantly higher than that in blank control group (P<0.05), and the proliferation activity of Fbs in 10 mg/L nano silver group, 25 mg/L nano silver group, and 50 mg/L nano silver group was all significantly lower than that in blank control group (P<0.05). Compared with the that of Fbs in 0 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, the proliferation activity of Fbs in 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group and 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was all significantly decreased on culture day 1 (P<0.05); the proliferation activity of Fbs in 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the proliferation activity of Fbs in 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly decreased on culture day 3 (P<0.05); the proliferation activity of Fbs in 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly decreased on culture day 7 (P<0.05). The proliferation activity of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group show no statistically significant differences to that in non-printing group on culture day 1 (P>0.05). The proliferation activity of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group was significantly higher than that in non-printing group on culture day 3 and 7 (with t values of 21.50 and 12.95, respectively, P<0.05). On culture day 1, the number of dead ASCs in 3D bioprinting group was slightly more than that in non-printing group. On culture day 3 and 5, the majority of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group and non-printing group were living cells. On PID 4, the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group had more exudation, and the wounds of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were dry without obvious signs of infection. On PID 7, there was still a small amount of exudation on the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group, while the wounds of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were dry and scabbed. On PID 14, the hydrogels on the wound surface of rats in the four groups all fell off. On PID 21, a small area of wounds remained unhealed in hydrogel alone group. On PID 4 and 7, the wound healing rates of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were significantly higher than those of the other three groups (P<0.05). On PID 14, the wound healing rate of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group was significantly higher than the wound healing rates in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group (all P<0.05). On PID 21, the wound healing rate of rats in hydrogel alone group was significantly lower than that in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group (P<0.05). On PID 7, the hydrogels on the wound surface of rats in the four groups remained in place; on PID 14, the hydrogel in hydrogel alone group was separated from the wounds of rats, while some hydrogels still existed in the new tissue of the wounds of rats in the other three groups. On PID 21, the collagen arrangement in the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group was out of order, while the collagen arrangement in the wounds of rats in hydrogel/nano sliver group, and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group was relatively orderly. Conclusions: Silver-containing GelMA hydrogel has good biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. Its three-dimensional bioprinted double-layer structure can better integrate with new formed tissue in the full-thickness skin defect wounds in rats and promote wound healing.
Male ; Rats ; Animals ; Humans ; Hydrogels/pharmacology* ; Bioprinting ; Metal Nanoparticles ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silver/pharmacology* ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Anti-Bacterial Agents

Carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality have become hot issues of political and economic activities in China and abroad. The structure and development of various industries in China will be profoundly affected in the process of accomplishing "Dual Carbon" goals. Eco-agriculture of Chinese medicine(EACM) highlights the balance and sustainable development of the ecosystem while producing high-quality medicinal materials. With chemically synthesized fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators prohibited, EACM emphasizes the recycling of agricultural and sideline products and the reduction of waste output, which results in the minimal negative impact on the ecological environment. Therefore, it is typical agriculture with low-carbon sources and high-carbon sinks. This study reviewed the mechanism and potential of EACM in carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality, analyzed the specific ways of EACM in reducing carbon sources and increasing carbon sinks based on the typical ecological planting pattern, and proposed the point of view to strengthen EACM as well as the "Dual Carbon" theory and research methods, so as to direct low-carbon and efficient deve-lopment. Furthermore, this study advocated to comprehensively promote the transformation of Chinese medicine production from chemical agriculture to eco-agriculture to improve the comprehensive benefits of contribution rate of carbon neutrality, explore and establish carbon sink compensation mechanism to ensure the sustainable and healthy development of EACM, and strengthen the training of EACM and "Dual Carbon" theory and technologies to continuously improve the capacity of EACM in sustainable development. This study is expected to provide a reference for the development of ecological functions in EACM and the development of economic functions through ecological functions.
Agriculture ; Carbon Dioxide ; China ; Ecosystem ; Fertilizers ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional