italic>Artemisia argyi is a traditional Chinese medicine in China, which is used as medicine with its leaves. The leaves of A. argyi mainly contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, volatile oils and other compounds, and have a variety of pharmacological activities. AP2/ERF transcription factors are abundant in plants and are mainly involved in plant growth and development, abiotic stress response and secondary metabolite biosynthesis regulation. However, there are few reports on the AP2/ERF gene family and its functions in A. argyi. In this study, we systematically identified the AP2/ERF gene family in A. argyi genome, and analyzed its phylogenetic tree, protein physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, conserved motifs, promoter elements, and expression patterns. The results showed that a total of 204 AP2/ERF transcription factors were identified in A. argyi genome, encoding proteins consisting of 88-483 amino acids with a relative molecular mass of 10-52.94 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.62-9.88. Subcellular prediction showed that the majority of AP2/ERFs were located in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and the minority of them is located in the membrane and chloroplasts. According to the Arabidopsis AP2/ERF family classification, A. argyi AP2/ERF proteins were divided into four subfamilies: Soloist, AP2, ERF (B3, B4, B5, B6), and DREB (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6), among which DREB family accounted for the largest proportion, and the same subfamily had similar conserved motifs. cis-Acting element analysis showed that AP2/ERF promoters have a large number of elements responding to light and abiotic stress. Expression pattern analysis showed that most of the genes of the AP2/ERF family were dominantly expressed mainly in roots and stems, of which 19 were dominantly expressed in leaves, 77 would be induced to be expressed by methyl jasmonate, of which 16 genes were both dominantly expressed in leaves and induced to be expressed by methyl jasmonate, and these AP2/ERF genes may be the key regulatory genes for the synthesis of active ingredients in A. argyi leaves.This study lays the foundation for the functional study of AP2/ERF family genes and their regulating roles in the active components biosynthesis in A. argyi leaves.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huatan Tongluo Prescription(mainly composed of Fici Simplicissimae Radix,Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum,Poria,Nelumbinis Folium,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,etc.)combined with drug-coated balloon(DCB)in the treatment of coronary heart disease(CHD)and to observe its effect on low-shear related serological indicators.Methods A total of 106 patients with CHD of qi deficiency and phlegm stasis obstructing collateral type who were scheduled to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 53 cases in each group.The control group was treated with drug-eluting stent implantation,and the treatment group was treated with DCB.After the operation,the control group was given conventional antiplatelet aggregation drugs,and the treatment group was given oral administration of Yiqi Huatan Tongluo Prescription.The medication for the two groups lasted for 12 weeks.The changes in the serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1),interleukin 1 β(IL-1β)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome efficacy after treatment and the incidence of adverse events one year after operation were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 12 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy of the treatment group was 88.68％(47/53),and that of the control group was 75.47％(40/53).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the TCM syndrome efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(2)The analysis of indicators related to endothelial dysfunction in the blood flow with low shear stress showed that after treatment,the levels of serum MCP-1,IL-1βand VEGF in the control group presented no obvious changes(P＞0.05),but the serum levels of MCP-1 and IL-1β in the treatment group were significantly lowered compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of serum MCP-1,IL-1β and VEGF levels in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)The one-year follow-up after the operation showed that the total incidence of adverse events in the treatment group was 18.87％(10/53),and that in the control group was 20.75％(11/53).There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Huatan Tongluo Prescription combined with DCB has definite action on the targets related to endothelial dysfunction in coronary blood flow with low shear stress,which is conducive to reducing inflammatory response,improving the symptoms of angina pectoris and enhancing clinical efficacy.The incidence of adverse events did not increase one year after operation,indicating good safety and effectiveness.

Purpose: Numerous studies have produced conflicting findings regarding the efficacy of statins in prostate cancer treatment. Our objective was to examine the correlation between statin usage and clinical outcomes in Taiwanese men with de novo metastatic prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: We identified patients diagnosed with de novo metastatic prostate cancer from the Chang Gung Research Database spanning the years 2007 to 2020. To minimize confounding bias, we employed the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method. Clinical outcomes were assessed using IPTW-adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the association between mortality and clinical factors. Results: The study cohort comprised 1,716 statin users and 276 non-users. Patients who used statins exhibited a longer median overall survival (85.4 months compared to 58.2 months; p=0.001) and cancer-specific survival (112.6 months compared to 75.7 months; p<0.001) compared to non-users. The median time to the development of castration-resistant status was similar between statin users and non-users (p=0.069). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, after IPTW adjustment, demonstrated that statin use was associated with improved overall survival. Conclusions Our study indicates that the use of statins following a de novo metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis enhances survival outcomes. However, statins did not appear to delay the onset of castration-resistant status. Further large-scale and long-term studies are warranted to investigate the biological effects of statins in men with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are derived from internal cellular compartments, and have potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in degenerative disease associated with aging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising tool for functional EVs production. This study investigated the efficacy of EVs and its effect on differentiation capacity. METHODS: The characteristics of MSCs were evaluated by flow cytometry and stem cell differentiation analysis, and a production mode of functional EVs was scaled from MSCs. The concentration and size of EVs were quantitated by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). Western blot analysis was used to assess the protein expression of exosomespecific markers. The effects of MSC-derived EVs were assessed by chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation analyses and histological observation. RESULTS The range of the particle size of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)- and Wharton’s jelly -MSCs-derived EVs were from 130 to 150 nm as measured by NTA, which showed positive expression of exosomal markers. The chondrogenic induction ability was weakened in the absence of EVs in vitro. Interestingly, after EV administration, type II collagen, a major component in the cartilage extracellular matrix, was upregulated compared to the EV-free condition.Moreover, EVs decreased the lipid accumulation rate during adipogenic induction.

Objective: A multicenter Chinese mainland survey was conducted to investigate the sensitization distribution characteristics of cat, dog and horse dander in patients with allergic diseases, so as to provide clinicians with epidemiological data of common animal allergens and useful information for the prevention and treatment of allergies in cats, dogs and horses. Methods: The epidemiological investigation and design was adopted. This study is based on the national epidemiological survey of allergic diseases led by the first affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. From January to December in 2021, a total of 2 122 patients diagnosed with allergic diseases were included in the outpatient department of respiratory department/pediatrics/allergy department of 14 units such as the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, and 222 healthy subjects were included as controls from the physical examination center of the above units in the same period. All the subjects filled out the allergic disease questionnaire under the guidance of doctors, and the allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) of cats, dogs and horses of all subjects were detected by magnetic particle chemiluminescence system. The epidemiological characteristics of three animal allergens in different diseases, ages and regions were analyzed. Chi square test was used to analyze the frequency difference between groups, t test or Mann Whitney U test was used to test the distribution difference between two groups, and one-way ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis H test was used to compare the distribution difference between multiple groups. Bar chart, Venn-plot and radar chart were drawn to show the sensitization distribution characteristics. A small number of missing values caused by subjects' omission have been excluded during the analysis. Results: The 2 122 patients with allergic diseases were 57.35% male (1 217/2 122) and 40.95% female (869/2 122), and 1.70% (36/2 122) patients had loss of gender information. The age of patients with allergic diseases was 9.0 (6.0, 28.0) years, while that of healthy controls was 29.0 (13.0, 39.0) years old, and there were 1.7% (36/2 122) and 0.9% (2/222) subjects with missing age information, respectively. The proportion of caesarean section in allergic patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (31.4% vs. 17.6%,χ²=16.582,P<0.001) [2.5% (54/2 122) of the patient group and 5.4% (12/222) of the control group had missing birth mode information], and the proportion of patients with allergic diseases who reported that both parents had allergic diseases was significantly higher than that of the control group (35.7% vs. 9.5%, χ²=65.171,P<0.001). Patients with allergic diseases are mainly school-age (6-12 years old) and adolescents (12-18 years old). 16.4% of patients with allergic diseases were sensitized to cat dander, 10% and 6% to dog and horse dander. The sensitization rate of cat dander in patients with rhinitis, asthma, conjunctivitis, food allergy and atopic dermatitis was the highest (16.4%-21.6%), followed by dog dander (10.2%-15.2%). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was the highest among different animal sensitized populations. The proportion of cat, dog and horse allergens sensitized at the same time is between 10%-15%, and the proportion of any two or more animal dander sensitized at the same time is about 45%. Animal allergens are associated with respiratory allergic diseases, especially allergic rhinitis with allergic conjunctivitis. There were significant differences in the distribution of positive rates of three animal allergens in different regions, and the highest positive rate of cat dander was found in all provinces of the country. Conclusion: The sensitization rate of animal dander allergens increased significantly, and the highest was in children and adolescents. Cat dander is the most common animal allergen, followed by dog. Different animals show obvious cross or common sensitization due to their high homology.
Allergens ; Animals ; Cats ; Cesarean Section ; Dander ; Dogs ; Female ; Horses ; Immunoglobulin E ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Rhinitis, Allergic

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of applying peroneal artery perforator flap with super-draining techniques in repairing skin defects of extremities.Methods:The data of patients with limb wounds admitted to the 990th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People’s Liberation Army from March 2014 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. All were repaired with peroneal artery perforator flaps with super-draining techniques.Cutaneous nerves and perforating vessels were anastomosed according to the routine ratio of 1∶2.The superficial vein and the recipient veinwere matched and marked according to the relative position the diameter and length.Then one to three superficial veins were anastomosed in sequence according to the vein mark number.Upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Hand Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association.Patients with lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hindfoot Score System.All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association.Results:A total of 67 cases were included in this cohort. There were 54 males and 13 females, aged from 21 to 65 years, with an average of 44 years.Eight cases were anastomosed with three superficial veins, 38 cases were anastomosed with two flaps, and 21 cases were anastomosed with one flap.The donor sites were closed directly in 56 cases.Eleven cases received full-thickness skin grafting to cover the donor site.One case showed necrosis of the half flap for the arterial crisis. The wound was repaired by full-thickness skin grafting in further treatment. Three cases had hemorrhage under the free flap, which was healed secondarily after debridement. The remaining were healed well.All patients were followed for 6 to 44 months. There was no obvious swelling and blisters in the early postoperative period.The texture of the flap was the same as the surrounding area.In the later stage, the atrophy and scar were not obvious, without pigmentation. The sensation recovered quickly. The donor site healed without dysfunction.Sixteen patients with upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch. Twelve cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and one case was fair. Fifty-one cases of lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hind Foot Score System. Thirty-eight cases were excellent, 11 cases were good, and two cases were fair. All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association. The two-point distance discrimination was 8-10 mm, with an average of 9.1 mm. The sensory function of the flaps reached S3+ in 48 cases and S3 in 19 cases.Conclusions:Application of super-draining technique in peroneal artery perforator flap surgery can effectively prevent blood congestion and reduce the necrosis risk of the free flap and complication rate. It can improve the survival quality of the flap and facilitate the recovery of the function of the receiving area.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of applying peroneal artery perforator flap with super-draining techniques in repairing skin defects of extremities.Methods:The data of patients with limb wounds admitted to the 990th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People’s Liberation Army from March 2014 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. All were repaired with peroneal artery perforator flaps with super-draining techniques.Cutaneous nerves and perforating vessels were anastomosed according to the routine ratio of 1∶2.The superficial vein and the recipient veinwere matched and marked according to the relative position the diameter and length.Then one to three superficial veins were anastomosed in sequence according to the vein mark number.Upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Hand Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association.Patients with lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hindfoot Score System.All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association.Results:A total of 67 cases were included in this cohort. There were 54 males and 13 females, aged from 21 to 65 years, with an average of 44 years.Eight cases were anastomosed with three superficial veins, 38 cases were anastomosed with two flaps, and 21 cases were anastomosed with one flap.The donor sites were closed directly in 56 cases.Eleven cases received full-thickness skin grafting to cover the donor site.One case showed necrosis of the half flap for the arterial crisis. The wound was repaired by full-thickness skin grafting in further treatment. Three cases had hemorrhage under the free flap, which was healed secondarily after debridement. The remaining were healed well.All patients were followed for 6 to 44 months. There was no obvious swelling and blisters in the early postoperative period.The texture of the flap was the same as the surrounding area.In the later stage, the atrophy and scar were not obvious, without pigmentation. The sensation recovered quickly. The donor site healed without dysfunction.Sixteen patients with upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch. Twelve cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and one case was fair. Fifty-one cases of lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hind Foot Score System. Thirty-eight cases were excellent, 11 cases were good, and two cases were fair. All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association. The two-point distance discrimination was 8-10 mm, with an average of 9.1 mm. The sensory function of the flaps reached S3+ in 48 cases and S3 in 19 cases.Conclusions:Application of super-draining technique in peroneal artery perforator flap surgery can effectively prevent blood congestion and reduce the necrosis risk of the free flap and complication rate. It can improve the survival quality of the flap and facilitate the recovery of the function of the receiving area.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the viral etiology and allergen distribution in infants and young children at high risk of asthma during a wheezing episode. METHODS: A total of 135 infants and young children at high risk of asthma were enrolled who were admitted due to asthmatic bronchitis or asthmatic bronchopneumonia between April 2016 and August 2017. Fluorescent probe PCR was used to measure influenza A (Flu A), respiratory syncytium virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza virus (PinF), human rhinovirus (HRV), human partial lung virus (hMPV) and human bocavirus (HBoV) in nasopharyngeal aspirates. ImmunoCAP was used to measure inhaled allergens, food allergens, and total IgE concentration. RESULTS: Among the 135 patients, the overall virus detection rate of nasopharyngeal aspirates was 49.6%, and HRV had the highest detection rate of 25.2%, followed by HBoV (9.6%), RSV (8.1%), PinF (5.9%), Flu-A (3.7%), ADV (1.5%) and hMPV (0.7%). The 1-3 years group had a significantly higher detection rate of HRV than the <1 year group (P<0.05). The positive rate of allergen screening was 59.3%, with 44% for inhaled allergens and 89% for food allergens. Among the inhaled allergens, dust mites had the highest positive rate of 77%, followed by mould (37%), pollen (26%) and animal dander (9%). Among the food allergens, egg white had a positive rate of 73% and milk had a positive rate of 68%. The <1 year group had a significantly higher positive rate of inhaled allergens than the 1-3 years group (P<0.05). The 1-3 years age group had a significantly higher level of T-IgE than the <1 year group (P<0.05). The positive virus group had a significantly higher positive rate of inhaled allergens than the non-virus group (P<0.05). The children with the second wheezing episode had significantly higher positive rates of inhaled allergens and food allergens and level of T-IgE than those with the first wheezing episode (P<0.05). The children with the second wheezing episode also had significantly higher positive rates of dust mites and mould than those with the first wheezing episode (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Early HRV infection and inhaled allergen sensitization are closely associated with the development of wheezing in infants and young children at high risk of asthma.
Allergens ; Animals ; Asthma ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Egg Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Infant ; Pyroglyphidae ; Respiratory Sounds