The auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family is an important regulator for plant growth hormone signaling, involved in plant growth, development, as well as response to environmental stresses. In the present study, we identified SmIAA7 which is potentially associated with Salvia miltiorrhiza leaf development through comparatively analyzed the transcriptome data from different pinnate leaves. SmIAA7 was successfully isolated from S. miltiorrhiza using the specific primers. Then subsequent bioinformatic analysis, prokaryotic expression and purification, subcellular localization, and induction expression analysis under auxin and abiotic stress were performed. The full-length of SmIAA7 contained an ORF of 684 bp encoding a protein of 227 amino acid with a molecular weight of 25.3 kD. Conserved domain analysis showed that SmIAA7 contains the conserved Aux_IAA domain (pfam02309). Sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis results indicated SmIAA7 was phylogenetically close to IAA7 and IAA14 from other plants, suggesting SmIAA7 involved in plant growth and development as well as response to environmental stresses. The prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-SmIAA7 was constructed and SmIAA7 recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) strain. Subcellular localization experiment demonstrated that SmIAA7 localized in the nucleus of plant cells. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the expression level of SmIAA7 was upregulated in response to auxin. Drought, low temperature, and salt stress significantly increased the transcript level of SmIAA7 gene. This study lays a foundation for further elucidating the role of SmIAA7 in leaf development, signal transduction, and stress defense in S. miltiorrhiza.

Background Job burnout and depressive symptoms are prevalent among occupational populations, with a close relationship between them. Sleep quality, as a potential mediating factor, significantly affects the mental health of workers. Objective To explore the relationship between job burnout, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms, and determine whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between job burnout and depressive symptoms. Methods From April 25 to May 1, 2024, this study employed cluster sampling to conduct a questionnaire survey among individuals engaged in various occupations across five cities in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The questionnaires included socio-demographic information, as well as the Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory (CMBI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for assessing burnout, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms, respectively. Out of the 4106 questionnaires distributed, a total of 3837 questionnaires were valid, and the valid recovery rate was 93.45%. The distribution among demographic variables in burnout, sleep quality and depressive symptoms were statistically analyzed. A binary logistic regression model was used for multifactor correlation analysis; Pearson correlation was used to test the correlation between burnout, sleep quality, and depressed mood. Modelling and mediated effect path mapping were performed using Amos 24.0 software. Results The postive rate of occupational burnout in the workers was 97.49% (3741/3837), the positive rate of poor sleep quality was 66.77% (2526/3837), and the positive rate of depressive symptoms was 75.68% (2904/3837). There were statistically significant differences in depressive symptoms by ages, shift types, working years, marital status, smoking habits, drinking habits, and exercising frequency (P < 0.05). The logistic model indicated that working years, drinking habits, job burnout, and overall sleep quality were significant factors influencing the occurrence of depressive symptoms (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between depressive symptom scores and job burnout scores (r=0.045, P < 0.01), between depressive symptom scores and sleep quality scores (r=0.480, P < 0.01), and between job burnout scores and sleep quality scores (r=0.054, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the indirect effect of job burnout on depressive symptoms through sleep quality was 0.100 (95%CI: 0.204, 0.252; P < 0.01). Conclusion Job burnout and sleep quality are significant factors associated with the occurrence of depressive symptoms among occupational populations, and sleep quality plays a partial mediating role in depressive symptoms associated with job burnout. This finding may provide a scientific basis for developing intervention strategies to control depressive symptoms among workers.

ObjectiveTo improve the quality standard of Yuanhu Zhitong oral liquid in order to strengthen the quality control of this oral liquid. MethodThin layer chromatography（TLC） was used for the qualitative identification of Corydalis Rhizoma and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix in Yuanhu Zhitong oral liquid by taking tetrahydropalmatine， corydaline reference substances and Corydalis Rhizoma reference medicinal materials as reference， and cyclohexane-trichloromethane-methanol（5∶3∶0.5） as developing solvent， Corydalis Rhizoma was identified using GF254 glass thin layer plate under ultraviolet light（365 nm）. And taking petroleum ether（60-90 ℃） -ether-formic acid（10∶10∶1） as developing solvent， Angelicae Dahuricae Radix was identified using a silica gel G TLC plate under ultraviolet light（305 nm）. High performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） was performed on a Waters XSelect HSS T3 column（4.6 mm×250 mm， 5 μm） with acetonitrile（A）-0.1% glacial acetic acid solution（adjusted pH to 6.1 by triethylamine）（B） as the mobile phase for gradient elution（0-10 min， 20%-30%A； 10-25 min， 30%-40%A； 25-40 min， 40%-50%A； 40-60 min， 50%-60%A）， the detection wavelength was set at 280 nm， then the fingerprint of Yuanhu Zhitong oral liquid was established， and the contents of tetrahydropalmatine and corydaline were determined. ResultIn the thin layer chromatograms， the corresponding spots of Yuanhu Zhitong oral liquid， the reference substances and reference medicinal materials were clear， with good separation and strong specificity. A total of 12 common peaks were identified in 10 batches of Yuanhu Zhitong oral liquid samples， and the peaks of berberine hydrochloride， dehydrocorydaline， glaucine， tetrahydropalmatine and corydaline. The similarities between the 10 batches of samples and the control fingerprint were all >0.90. The results of determination showed that the concentrations of corydaline and tetrahydropalmatine had good linearity with paek area in the range of 0.038 6-0.193 0， 0.034 0-0.170 0 g·L^-1， respectively. The methodological investigation was qualified， and the contents of corydaline and tetrahydropalmatine in 10 batches of Yuanhu Zhitong oral liquid samples were 0.077 5-0.142 9、0.126 1-0.178 2 g·L^-1， respectively. ConclusionThe established TLC， fingerprint and determination are simple， specific and reproducible， which can be used to improve the quality control standard of Yuanhu Zhitong oral liquid.

Platycodonis Radix is the dry root of Platycodon grandiflorum of Campanulaceae, which has a variety of pharmacological effects and is a commonly used bulk Chinese medicine. In this study, the chloroplast genome sequences of six P. grandiflorum from different producing areas has been sequenced with Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform. The specific DNA barcodes were screened, and the germplasm resources and genetic diversity were analyzed according to the specific barcodes. The total length of the chloroplast genome of 6 P. grandiflorum samples was 172 260-172 275 bp, and all chloroplast genomes showed a typical circular tetrad structure and encoded 141 genes. The comparative genomics analysis and results of amplification efficiency demonstrated that trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF were the potential specific DNA barcodes for identification the germplasm resources of P. grandiflorum. A total of 305 P. grandiflorum samples were collected from 15 production areas in 9 provinces, for which the fragments of trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF were amplificated and the sequences were analyzed. The results showed that trnG-UCC and ndhG_ndhF have 5 and 11 mutation sites, respectively, and 5 and 7 haplotypes were identified, respectively. The combined analysis of the two sequences formed 13 haplotypes (named Hap1-Hap13), and Hap4 is the main genotype, followed by Hap1. The unique haplotypes possessed by the three producing areas can be used as DNA molecular tags in this area to distinguish from the germplasm resources of P. grandiflorum from other areas. The haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity and genetic distance were 0.94, 4.79×10^-3 and 0.000 0-0.020 3, respectively, suggesting that the genetic diversity was abundant and intraspecific kinship was relatively close. This study laid a foundation for the identification of P. grandiflorum, the protection and utilization of germplasm resources, and molecular breeding.

Objective To identify the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of young patients with sporadic rectal cancer liver metastasis(RCLM).Methods The clinical data of young RCLM patients at 45 years or under(n=40,as younger patient group)in Peking University First Hospital from January 2016 to January 2021 were reviewed,meanwhile,elder RCLM patient group were comprised of 82 patients older than 45-year-old in a 1:2 ratio.Proportions of categorical variables were compared between young patients and old patients.The clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed with univariate and multivariate Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier method for demonstrating survival differences between the maximum diameter of liver metastasis and local therapy.Results One hundred and twenty-two RCLM patients were identified,the 1-,3-and 5-year survival rates of young patient group were 97.5%,47.5%,15.0%,those of elder patient group were 84.1%,26.8%,9.8%,respectively.The differences in BMI(P=0.008),primary tumor with obstruction and bleeding(P=0.006),synchronous rectal cancer liver metastases(P=0.005),the maximum diameter of liver metastasis>3 cm(P=0.019)were statistically significant between the two groups.And univariate and multivariate analyses showed that age(P=0.003),N stage(P=0.007),local therapy for liver metastases(P=0.047)and the maximum diameter of liver metastasis(P=0.030)were independent risk factors for influencing the prognosis of RCLM patients;curative resection or not of primary tumor(P=0.035)and the maximum diameter of liver metastasis(P=0.041)were independent risk factors for influencing the prognosis of young RCLM patients.Kaplan-Maier curve demonstrated survival differences between the maximum diameter of liver metastasis and local therapy for liver metastasis in RCLM patients(log-rank P=0.000).Conclusions Although with later staging of initial tumor station,young RCLM patients may obtain better survival benefit compared with old patients.Higher degree of lymph node metastasis,local therapy for liver metastases and the maximum diameter of liver metastasis>3 cm indicates poor prognosis in RCLM patients,and without curative resection of primary tumor and maximum diameter of liver metastasis are also considered as the independent poor prognostic factors of young RCLM patients.Local therapy for liver metastases appears to play an important role in the treatment strategy of RCLM patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Grifola frondosa extract on inflammatory response of colon tissue in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)by regulating interleukin-6(IL-6)/Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods:Forty SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group,UC model group,Grifola frondosa treatment group,western medicine treatment group and combined treatment group,with 8 rats in each group.After UC rats were established by free drinking 3%DSS for 7 days,the treatment group were given Grifola frondosa extract 10 mg/(kg·d),sulfasalazine 0.3 g/(kg·d),and the same amount of two drugs,for 14 consecutive days.During the experiment,general state of rats were observed,and the disease activity index(DAI)score was calculated;pathological changes of rats colon tissue were observed by HE staining;protein expression levels of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3 and p-STAT3 in rats colon tissue were detected by Western blot;content of IL-6 in rats serum was detected by ELISA;protein contents and expressions of IL-6R and MPO in rats colon tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry.Results:Compared with blank control group,general state of rats in UC model group was poor,DAI score was increased,obvious tissue mucosal defects and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by HE staining;protein expression levels of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3 and p-STAT3 in rats colon tissue and contents of IL-6R and MPO were significantly increased(P<0.01);content of IL-6 in rats serum was significantly increased(P<0.01),the difference was statistically significant.Compared with UC model group,general condition of rats in each treatment group was improved,DAI score was decreased,HE staining showed that mucosal defects were improved to varying degrees,and occasionally inflammatory cell infiltration was observed;protein expression levels of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3 and p-STAT3 in colon tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01),contents of IL-6R and MPO in colon tissue and content of IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased(P<0.01 or P<0.05),the differences were statistically significant.Conclusion:Grifola frondosa extract can reduce the inflammatory response in colon tissue of UC rats by regulating expressions of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway related factors.

To understand Helicobacter pylori's drug resistance,genetic diversity,and relationship with clinical diseases in the Guiyang and Qiannan minority areas of Guizhou Province,we collected samples through endoscopy,and isolated and cul-tured H.pylori.The drug resistance and genotype characteristics were determined.The differences in different regions and dis-ease types were compared,and the structural characteristics of H.pylori and mixed infections with different strains of H.py-lori in Qiannan Prefecture were analyzed.A difference in the composition ratio of EPYIA typing in the cagA variable region was observed between the two areas(P=0.012),and the composition ratio of the vacA genotype differed(P=0.000).A total of 94.6％(53/56)new sequences of H.pylori strains from two regions were obtained by MLST.The rate of infection by H.pylori mixed with different strains was 44.4％in Qiannan Pre-fecture,and no significant difference was observed in the com-position of H.pylori mixed infections among patients with dif-ferent clinical diseases(P=0.349).Differences in EPI YA typ-ing and the vacA genotype composition ratio in the cagA varia-ble region of H.pylori were observed between the Qiannan Prefecture and Guiyang City.

The interaction of gut microbiota and its metabolites with the host not only plays an important role in maintaining gut homeostasis and host health, but also is a key link in responding to pathogen infections. A thorough understanding of the changes in gut microbiota and its metabolites during infection, as well as their role and mechanism in host defense against infection, is helpful to guide anti-infection treatment. This review focuses on the role of gut microbiota and their metabolites in host defense against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, and reveals that they can exert anti-infection effects through resistance mechanisms (inducing antimicrobial substances, training immunity, inhibiting pathogen respiration, directly neutralizing pathogens, immune regulation) and tolerance mechanisms (altering energy metabolism patterns of microbiota, cell proliferation and tissue damage repair, maintaining physiological signal transduction in extraintestinal organs, inflammation regulation, maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier), and also summarizes measures to regulate gut microbiota against pathogen infections, in order to provide more ideas for novel anti-infection prevention and treatment strategies targeting gut microbiota and its metabolites.

Objective:To explore the accuracy of a multi-task model based on vision Transformer for analyzing the three-dimensional (3D) upper airway and its subregions, and to evaluate its clinical applicability.Methods:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, cone-beam CT (CBCT) data of 10 patients [4 males and 6 females, (20.8±2.7) years] who had their first visit to the Department of Orthodontics in the Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University from January 2012 to January 2020 were retrospectively selected. The 3D slicer software was used to segment the upper airway and pharyngeal airway and measure their volumes as the gold standard. The Dolphin 3D software was used to segment the pharyngeal airway and its subregions and measure their volumes as the gold standard. A multi-task model based on vision Transformer developed by the research team for automatic segmentation and volume measurement of the upper airway and its subregions. All the measurements were conducted by the same attending physician. The Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC) were used to evaluate the consistency between the multi-task network and the gold standard in the upper airway segmentation and volume measurements, and the paired t test was used to compare the differences between the multi-tasking model and the gold standard. Results:The mean volume deviation of the upper airway segmented by multi-task model and 3D Slicer was -979.6 mm 3, and the ICC was 0.97. The mean volume deviation of the pharyngeal airway, nasopharynx, velopharynx, glossopharynx and hypopharynx segmented by multi-task network and Dolphin 3D were 2 069.5, -950.1, -823.6, -813.9 and 4 003.4 mm 3, respectively. In addition, ICC in pharyngeal airway, nasopharynx, velopharynx, glossopharynx and hypopharynx were 0.97, 0.94, 0.96, 0.96 and 0.69, respectively. Conclusions:The multi-task model based on vision Transformer produced different errors in the segmentation of 3D upper airway and its subregions. The segmentation of the nasopharynx, velopharynx and glossopharynx was in good agreement with the gold standard, while the segmentation of hypopharynx was poor, suggesting that the robustness and generalization of this model should be further enhanced.

Objective:To investigate the effects of self-made Gujin Xiaoji Mixture combined with warming needle therapy on the clinical efficacy and immune function of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with qi and yin deficiency syndrome.Methods:This experiment was a randomized controlled trial study. 180 patients with advanced NSCLC qi and yin deficiency syndrome in the oncology centre of Qingdao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the observation subjects from March 2021 to August 2022, and were divided into 2 groups using the random number table method, with 90 cases in each group. The control group received conventional chemotherapy combined with Sintilimab injection, 21 days as a cycle, with a total of 4 cycles of treatment; and the observation group received Gujin Xiaoji Mixture combined with warming needle therapy based on the control group, 7 days as one course of treatment, with a total of 12 courses. Both groups were followed up for 12 months. The TCM syndrome scores were performed before and after treatment. The functional assessment of cancer therapy-lung (FACT-L) was used to evaluate the quality of life of patients; flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + and NK cell, and the CD4 +/CD8 + ratio was calculated; adverse drug reactions and progression free survival of patients during treatment were observed and recorded, the efficacy of TCM syndrome and objective efficacy of solid tumors were evaluated. Results:After treatment, the observation group's post-treatment TCM syndrome score (5.67±1.99 vs. 7.12±2.31, t=-4.53) was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.001); mobility (23.03±2.80 vs. 20.69±2.46, t=5.96), daily living (23.06±2.56 vs. 20.71± 2.33, t=6.42), emotional status (18.44±2.32 vs. 16.12±2.71, t=6.18), and other factors (33.14±4.11 vs. 27.39±4.64, t=8.81) and total score (97.68±7.23 vs. 84.91±7.49, t=11.64) were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01). In the observation group, after treatment, the levels of CD3 + [(65.14±6.06)% vs. (59.84±5.74)%, t=6.02], CD4 + [(40.09±4.09)% vs. (35.69±3.86)%, t=7.43], NK cell [(29.11±4.81)% vs. (22.38±4.51)%, t=9.68] and CD4 +/CD8 + [(1.52±0.27) vs. (1.14±0.12), t=12.63] were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01), and CD8 + [(26.82±3.79)% vs. (31.76±4.65)%, t=-7.81] level was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01). After treatment, the objective remission rate in the observation group was 7.8% (7/90), and the disease control rate was 87.8% (79/90), while the objective remission rate after treatment in the control group was 5.5% (5/90), and the disease control rate was 82.2% (74/90), and there were no statistical significance in the comparison of objective remission rate and disease control rate of the 2 groups ( χ2=0.09, 0.70, P=0.765, 0.407). The total effective rate after treatment was 62.2% (56/90) in the observation group and 34.4% (31/90) in the control group, and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant ( Z=-3.89, P<0.001). WBC [(4.27±1.12)×10 9/L vs. (3.84±1.11)×10 9/L, t=2.58] and haemoglobin [(119.93±17.25)g/L vs. (109.76±15.61)g/L, t=4.15] levels of the observation group were higher than those in the control group after treatment ( P<0.01). During follow-up, the median progression-free survival was 6.2 months in the observation group and 5.5 months in the control group patients, and the difference between the 2 groups was not statistically different ( t=0.11, P>0.05). Conclusion:The combination of Gujin Xiaoji Mixture with warming needle therapy can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with advanced NSCLC with deficiency of qi and yin syndrome, improve the immunity and clinical efficacy of patients, alleviate the adverse effects of drugs, and prolong the progression-free survival period.