italic>Atractylodes chinensis has important medicinal and economic values. In this study, the chloroplast genome sequences of four A. chinensis samples from different producing areas were sequenced using the Illumina platform. The specific DNA barcodes were screened and the germplasm resources of A. chinensis samples from different producing areas and the genetic diversity of the population were analyzed basing on the specific barcodes. The whole chloroplast genomes of the four A. chinensis samples had a typical cyclic tetrad structure, with 112 genes annotated. The comparative genomics results indicated that ccsA and trnC-GCA_petN were potential specific DNA barcodes for intraspecific identification of A. chinensis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of ccsA and trnC-GCA_petN was performed on 256 samples from 14 areas in 9 provinces, and the amplification efficiency was 100%. Sequence analysis showed that ccsA and trnC-GCA_petN had 11 and 22 variant positions, which could identify 16 and 22 haplotypes, respectively. The combined sequence analysis identified 39 haplotypes, named Hap1-Hap39, of which the most abundant and widely distributed genotype was Hap9. Haplotype diversity (H_d) = 0.896 and nucleotide diversity (Pi) = 0.002 22 indicated high genetic diversity at the species level in A. chinensis. The genetic distances of the haplotypes were 0.000 00-0.004 88, indicating that there were small genetic differences among the haplotypes. The results of phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 39 haplotypes had very close genetic relationship, and formed two obvious branches with other groups of the same genus except Atractylodes macrocephala. This study plays an important role in the identification of the origin of A. chinensis and the protection and breeding of germplasm resources.

AIM: To analyze the clinical effect of 577nm subthreshold micropulse laser(SML)photocoagulation combined with intravitreal injection of Conbercept in the treatment of diabetic macular edema(DME)after vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed on 29 cases(30 eyes)of PDR patients who had DME after vitrectomy in our hospital from January 2019 to June 2021. They were divided into two groups according to different treatment methods: 14 cases(14 eyes)in the single injection group received intravitreal injection of Conbercept, and 15 cases(16 eyes)in the combined treatment group received 577nm SML photocoagulation in the macular area combined with intravitreal injection of Conbercept. The changes in best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central macular thickness(CMT)before and at 6 and 12mo after treatment, as well as the changes of multifocal electroretinogram(mfERG)before and at 12mo after treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: The BCVA(LogMAR)of patients in both groups improved and CMT decreased after treatment for 6 and 12mo(all P<0.001). There were no significant differences in BCVA(LogMAR)and CMT before treatment and 6mo, 12mo after treatment between single injection group and combined treatment group(all P>0.05). Compared with the combined treatment group, the amplitude was slightly lower(23.02±3.13 vs. 26.50±3.33 μV/deg2)and the latency time was prolonged(38.75±1.62 vs. 34.21±3.06ms)in single injection group at 12mo(all P≤0.001). The average injection times in single injection group was 8.14±1.46, and 5.05±1.51 in combined treatment group at 12mo after treatment(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: 577nm SML photocoagulation combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept can effectively relieve macular edema, improve BCVA and visual function of macular area and reduce the injection times of conbercept for DME patients.

Objective: To investigate the surgical indications and perioperative clinical outcomes of pelvic exenteration (PE) for locally advanced, recurrent pelvic malignancies and complex pelvic fistulas. Methods: This was a descriptive study.The indications for performing PE were: (1) locally advanced, recurrent pelvic malignancy or complex pelvic fistula diagnosed preoperatively by imaging and pathological examination of a biopsy; (2)preoperative agreement by a multi-disciplinary team that non-surgical and conventional surgical treatment had failed and PE was required; and (3) findings on intraoperative exploration confirming this conclusion.Contraindications to this surgical procedure comprised cardiac and respiratory dysfunction, poor nutritional status,and mental state too poor to tolerate the procedure.Clinical data of 141 patients who met the above criteria, had undergone PE in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2018 to September 2022, had complete perioperative clinical data, and had given written informed consent to the procedure were collected,and the operation,relevant perioperative variables, postoperative pathological findings (curative resection), and early postoperative complications were analyzed. Results: Of the 141 included patients, 43 (30.5%) had primary malignancies, 61 (43.3%) recurrent malignancies, 28 (19.9%) complex fistulas after radical resection of malignancies,and nine (6.4%)complex fistulas caused by benign disease. There were 79 cases (56.0%) of gastrointestinal tumors, 30 cases (21.3%) of reproductive tumors, 16 cases (11.3%) of urinary tumors, and 7 cases (5.0%) of other tumors such mesenchymal tissue tumors. Among the 104 patients with primary and recurrent malignancies, 15 patients with severe complications of pelvic perineum of advanced tumors were planned to undergo palliative PE surgery for symptom relief after preoperative assessment of multidisciplinary team; the other 89 patients were evaluated for radical PE surgery. All surgeries were successfully completed. Total PE was performed on 73 patients (51.8%),anterior PE on 22 (15.6%),and posterior PE in 46 (32.6%). The median operative time was 576 (453,679) minutes, median intraoperative blood loss 500 (200, 1 200) ml, and median hospital stay 17 (13.0,30.5)days.There were no intraoperative deaths. Of the 89 patients evaluated for radical PE surgery, the radical R0 resection was achieved in 64 (71.9%) of them, R1 resection in 23 (25.8%), and R2 resection in two (2.2%). One or more postoperative complications occurred in 85 cases (60.3%), 32 (22.7%)of which were Clavien-Dindo grade III and above.One patient (0.7%)died during the perioperative period. Conclusion: PE is a valid option for treating locally advanced or recurrent pelvic malignancies and complex pelvic fistulas.
Humans ; Pelvic Exenteration/methods* ; Pelvic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications

This study aims to explore the factors influencing the success rate of the microdissection testicular sperm extraction (Micro-TESE) in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and cryptorchidism. Clinical data of 162 patients with cryptorchidism who underwent Micro-TESE due to infertility from December 2015 to May 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. In the univariate analysis, significant differences in the age of patient at the time of orchidopexy (median [interquartile range, IQR]: 7.0 [4.0-11.0] years vs 11.5 [9.0-14.5] years, P < 0.001), interval between orchidopexy and Micro-TESE (mean ± standard deviation: 17.5 ± 5.0 years vs 14.4 ± 4.4 years, P < 0.001), severity of cryptorchidism (unilateral [62.8%] vs bilateral [31.6%], P < 0.001; location of cryptorchidism, intra-abdominal [27.3%] vs inguinal [44.8%] vs suprascrotal [66.7%], P < 0.001), volume of the dominant testis (median [IQR]: 17.00 [15.00-19.00] ml vs 14.50 [11.75-16.25] ml, P < 0.001), and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; P = 0.004) and testosterone (P = 0.006) were observed between the successful and failed sperm extraction groups. After conducting the multivariate analysis, four of these factors, including unilateral/bilateral cryptorchidism (P < 0.001), location of cryptorchidism (P = 0.032), age of orchidopexy (P < 0.001), and dominant testicular volume, were adopted in the clinical prediction model to evaluate preoperatively the success rate of Micro-TESE for patients with NOA and cryptorchidism. The likelihood of successful sperm retrieval by Micro-TESE in men with NOA and cryptorchidism increased in patients with mild forms of cryptorchidism.
Azoospermia ; Child ; Cryptorchidism ; Humans ; Male ; Microdissection ; Models, Statistical ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen ; Sperm Retrieval ; Spermatozoa ; Testis

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of conventional acupuncture combined with row-like puncture at sternocleidomastoid on peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Acupuncture was applied at affected Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Sibai (ST 2), Quanliao (SI 18), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, row-like puncture was applied at sternocleidomastoid (1 needle was punctured at muscle origin and insertion respectively, 3 to 4 needles were row-like punctured at the connection line of muscle origin and insertion). The treatment was given once a day, 5 times were as one course, with 2-day interval, totally 4 courses were required in the both groups. The house-brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grade, facial nerve function rating system-dynamic view rating scale score and facial disability index (FDI) scale score [including scores of FDI physical function (FDIp) and FDI social life function (FDIs)] before and after treatment were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the H-B facial nerve function grades were improved compared before treatment in the both groups ( CONCLUSION Compared with conventional acupuncture, combination therapy with row-like puncture at sternocleidomastoid can improve the therapeutic effect of peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Humans ; Needles ; Punctures ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of chidamide combined with anti-myeloma drugs on the proliferation and apoptosis of myeloma cells. METHODS: The proliferation inhibition of the cells was detected by CCK-8 method, and flow cytometry was used to detected the apoptosis of the cells. RESULTS: Chidamide could inhibit the proliferation of myeloma cells and promote the apoptosis of primary myeloma plasma cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In NCI-H929 cell line, chidamide combined with low-dose bortezomib and lenalidomide showed synergistic effect, while combined with dexamethasone and pomalidomide showed additive effect. In MM.1s cell line, chidamide combined with bortezomib, dexamethasone, lenalidomide and pomalidomide all showed synergistic effects. CONCLUSION Chidamide inhibits proliferation of myeloma cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner and promotes apoptosis of primary myeloma plasma cells. Furthermore, it can enhance the inhibitory effect of anti-myeloma drugs.
Aminopyridines ; Apoptosis ; Benzamides ; Bortezomib/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

The Leguminosae perennial vines of Callerya and Millettia have many species and wide distribution， not only can be used for medicines， but also they have ornamental and insecticidal effects. With increasing demand for Spatholobi Caulis， and the reserves of wild medicinal materials are on the verge of exhaustion， resulting in the increasing number of mixtures and substitutes in the market， which makes it urgent to study the origin of Spatholobi Caulis. By referring to related literature， there are three major origins of Spatholobi Caulis， including Callerya， Millettia and Spatholobus. Callerya is separated from Millettia， they are divided and united for many times， now the official website of Flora of China has accepted the revision of them as two genera. This paper intends to compare the chemical components and pharmacodynamic effects of Callerya and Millettia， aiming to explore the similarities and differences between the two genera， so as to determine the rationality and necessity of separating Callerya from Millettia. After comparing， it was found that the chemical composition and pharmacodynamic effects of the two genera were different， which supported the separation of Callerya from Millettia， and it was not recommended to mix use of them.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical application value of serum light chain (sLC) in the diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy evaluation for multiple myeloma. METHODS: 46 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were selected as MM group and 50 healthy persons as control group. Rate scattering immunoturbidimetry was used to detect serum light chain and immunoglobulin (Ig) in two groups, serum protein electrophoresis was used to detect M protein by agarose gel. Then, the sensitivity and specificity of the two methods in MM diagnosis were analyzed and compared, and the significance of sLC detection in MM diagnosis were discussed. In addition, 15 MM patients after received conventional therapy were tracked, sLC levels in five different therapentic times were recorded, and the effect of sLC in efficacy evaluation of MM was analyzed. RESULTS: There were 11 cases of IgA type, 15 cases of IgG type, 8 cases of light chain κ type, 8 cases of light chain λ type, 2 cases of IgD type, and 2 cases of non-secretion type. The sLC-κ, sLC-λ and their ratio (including light chain type and double clone type), IgA and IgG (except IgD type), as well as albumin, beta-globulin and gamma-globulin levels showed statistically significant differences (P＜0.05) compared with the control group. The sensitivity of serum protein electrophoresis, Ig quantification, sLC and its ratio in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma were 57%, 76% and 65%, and their specificity were 83%, 61% and 90%, respectively. After the second or third chemotherapy, the sLC-κ/λ ratio gradually approached the normal range as the disease reliefes, and the sLC-κ/λ ratio continued to be on or off the line at outliers or further away from the reference value as the disease progresses in MM patients with κ type or λ type. CONCLUSION sLC detection shows positive significance in early diagnosis of multiple myeloma, SLC monitoring can be used for the efficacy evaluation for treatment of MM patients.
Humans ; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains ; Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis

To scientifically evaluate the intervention effect of Chinese medicine preventive administration(combined use of Huo-xiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules) on community population in the case of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), a large cohort, prospective, randomized, and parallel-controlled clinical study was conducted. Total 22 065 subjects were included and randomly divided into 2 groups. The non-intervention group was given health guidance only, while the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) intervention group was given two coordinated TCM in addition to health guidance. The medical instructions were as follows. Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid: oral before meals, 10 mL/time, 2 times/day, a course of 5 days. Jinhao Jiere Granules: dissolve in boiling water and take after meals, 8 g/time, 2 times/day, a course of 5 days, followed up for 14 days, respectively. The study found that with the intake of medication, the incidence rate of TCM intervention group was basically maintained at a low and continuous stable level(0.01%-0.02%), while the non-intervention group showed an overall trend of continuous growth(0.02%-0.18%) from 3 to 14 days. No suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case occurred in either group. There were 2 cases of colds in the TCM intervention group and 26 cases in the non-intervention group. The incidence of colds in the TCM intervention group was significantly lower(P<0.05) than that in the non-intervention group. In the population of 16-60 years old, the incidence rate of non-intervention and intervention groups were 0.01% and 0.25%, respectively. The difference of colds incidence between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). In the population older than 60 years old, they were 0.04% and 0.21%, respectively. The incidence of colds in the non-intervention group was higher than that in the intervention group, but not reaching statistical difference. The protection rate of TCM for the whole population was 91.8%, especially for the population of age 16-60(95.0%). It was suggested that TCM intervention(combined use of Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules) could effectively protect community residents against respiratory diseases, such as colds, which was worthy of promotion in the community. In addition, in terms of safety, the incidence of adverse events and adverse reactions in the TCM intervention group was relatively low, which was basically consistent with the drug instructions.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

Ralstonia solanacearum strain PRS-84 used in this study was isolated from diseased Pogostemon cablin plants in our previous study.The competent cells of R.solanacearum strain PRS-84 were transformed by electroporation with Tn5 transposon and then were plated on TTC agar plates containing kanamycin to select for kanamycin-resistant colonies.The detection of kanamycin-resistant gene in kanamycin-resistant colonies was performed by PCR.Further,the flanking fragments of Tn5 transposon insertion site in the mutants were amplified by inverse PCR,and the flanking fragments were sequenced and analyzed.The results indicated that the kanamycin-resistant colonies were obtained in the transformation experiment of R.solanacearum strain PRS-84 by electroporation with Tn5 transposon.A specific band of approximately 700 bp was amplified by PCR from kanamycin-resistant colonies.The flanking sequences of Tn5 transposon insertion site in the transformants were obtained by inverse PCR.After sequencing and sequence analysis of Tn5 transposon insertion site in mutants,we preliminarily speculated that the Tn5 transposon inserted in the typ A gene,rec O gene and gid A gene in three mutants,respectively.A random mutagenesis system of R.solanacearum strain PRS-84 by electroporation with Tn5 transposon has been established,and the Tn5 insertion mutants have been obtained.This study might facilitate the creation of mutant library and the discovery of the virulence gene of R.solanacearum isolated from P.cablin.
DNA Transposable Elements ; Electroporation ; Genes, Bacterial ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Pogostemon ; microbiology ; Ralstonia solanacearum ; genetics ; Virulence