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 investigate the changes of thyroid hormones and the flow velocity of superior thyroid artery in patients with Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyrotoxicosis before and after treatment with methimazole.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to select 45 cases of Graves' disease and 45 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis from October 2021 to December 2022 in the Department of Endocrinology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital. The changes of thyroid hormone and blood flow velocity of superior thyroid artery in patients with Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis before and after treatment with methimazole were analyzed. Measurement data satisfying normal distribution were expressed by xˉ±s, and the mean between two groups was compared by t test. Measurement data not satisfying normal distribution were expressed by M( Q1, Q3), and the median between two groups was compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test. χ 2 test was used to compare the constituent ratio of enumeration data among groups. Results:There was no significant difference in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) between the two groups before treatment, and there was no significant difference in TSH between the two groups after 1 month and 3 months of treatment (all P>0.05). The levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3) were (24.09±9.29) pmol/L and (17.41±9.36) pmol/L in Graves' disease group and Hashimoto's thyroiditis group respectively before treatment. FT4 were (60.23±20.82) and (43.47±21.71) pmol/L, respectively, and the peak stolie vloiy (PSV) were (69.53±5.70) and (52.65±4.64) cm/s, respectively in Graves' disease group and Hashimoto's thyroiditis group respectively before treatment. There were significant differences between the two groups ( t values wrere 3.39 and 3.74, Z=13.83, all P<0.001). The difference of FT3 between one month after treatment and before treatment was (-6.36±5.32) and (-12.64±9.08) pmol/L ( t=4.02, P<0.001) and the difference in FT3 between 3 months of treatment and before treatment was (-10.14±9.50) and (-17.80±11.17) pmol/L, respectively ( t=3.51, P<0.001) between the Graves disease group and the Hashimoto's thyroiditis group. The difference in FT4 between the Graves disease group and the Hashimoto's thyroiditis group after 1 month of treatment and before treatment was (-28.47±10.09) and (-20.57±14.48) pmol/L ( t=7.01, P<0.001), and the difference of FT4 was (-47.06±20.57) and (-30.17±20.54) pmol/L ( t=3.91, P<0.001) between the Graves disease group and the Hashimoto toxin group. The difference between one month after treatment and before treatment was (-13.10(-34.10,-2.60)) and (-10.50(-27.5,-0.20)) cm/s ( Z=2.63, P=0.009), respectively. The difference between 3 months and before treatment was (-31.40(-53.20,-12.70)) and (-19.90(-46.00,-4.70)cm/s ( Z=4.40, P<0.001)) between the Graves disease group and the Hashimoto's thyroiditis group, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:Thyroid hormone levels were decreased after treatment with methimazole in patients with diffuse toxic goiter and Hashimoto toxemia, but the difference was not statistically significant. The PSV level of superior thyroid artery in patients with diffuse toxic goiter was significantly lower than that in patients with Hashimoto's thyrotoxicosis.

Evaluate the interventional effect of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on cataract rats and its effects on plasma and liver tissue metabolites. The ultimate goal is to explore the scientific connotation of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on vision improvement. All experiments were approved by the experimental animal ethics committee from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (202306A067). D-Galactose (D-gal) induced cataract model in rats was established. The lens opacity, lens and liver tissue pathology, level of oxidative stress and polyol metabolism regulation in the lens, level of oxidative stress in serum and liver tissue, and the content of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum and liver tissue were analysed to evaluate the effect of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on cataract. The metabolite profiles of plasma and liver tissue of rats were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to compare and analyze the metabolic data in control group and cataract group, and screen potential biomarkers. The related metabolic pathways were further constructed by KEGG database analysis. The results showed that lens and liver pathology of cataract rats were improved after being intervened by the leaves extract of Lycium barbarum. The contents of AR and Ca²⁺ were significantly decreased in lens, and the contents of SDH and GSH and the ability of CAT were significantly increased; the content of GSH and the ability of SOD were significantly improved in serum and liver tissue, the content of MDA, the abilities of ALT and AST and the level of inflammatory factors were significantly reduced. The metabolomics results showed that there were 15 different metabolites in plasma and liver tissue of cataract rats, and 9 different biomarkers including retinyl ester, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, were returned by Lycium barbarum leaves extract. As revealed by pathway enrichment in plasma and liver tissue, it was found that the retinol metabolic pathway was mainly regulated by Lycium barbarum leaves extract. In summary, Lycium barbarum leaves can effectively alleviate the pathological changes of cataract, inhibit inflammation and improve antioxidant capacity, which may relate to the retinol metabolic pathway. It provides scientific basis and support for revealing the scientific connotation of the effect of Lycium barbarum leaves on vision improvement.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum leaves on letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mice. The PCOS model was prepared by letrozole combined with high-fat diet. After successful modeling, 40 mice were randomly divided into PCOS group, positive drug metformin group, low-dose Lycium barbarum leaves group, and high-dose Lycium barbarum leaves group. The corresponding drugs were given by gavage for 29 days. At the end of the experiment, the eyeballs were removed for blood collection and ovarian tissue was collected. The ovarian mass, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), testosterone (T), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E₂) levels were measured in each group. The morphology of ovarian tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the oocytes, cystic follicles and corpus luteum were counted. Cecal contents of mice were collected for analysis of intestinal flora composition and differential flora. The animal experiment process was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The results showed that the estrous cycle of PCOS mice was disordered. Compared with the PCOS group, the Lycium barbarum leaves group can significantly reduce the ovarian damage of mice, reduce the number of cystic dilated follicles, and normalize the estrous cycle. After the intervention of Lycium barbarum leaves, the levels of FBG, FINS, T, AMH, LH, FSH and LH/FSH were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while the level of E₂ was significantly increased (P < 0.001). In addition, Lycium barbarum leaves can regulate the disorder of intestinal flora diversity in PCOS mice, increase the abundance of Bacteroidetes, and reduce the abundance of Firmicutes, Ileibacterium, Romboutsia and Faecalibaculum. In summary, Lycium barbarum leaves can play a therapeutic role in PCOS mice by improving insulin resistance, regulating reproductive hormone disorders and gut microbiota imbalance. It provides scientific basis and useful reference for the rational utilization and development of Lycium barbarum leaves.

Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations,pathological features,immunophenotype,as well as diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of patients with CD4-CD56+blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm(BPDCN),in order to further understand the rare disease.Methods:The clinical data,laboratory examinations and treatment regimens of two patients with CD4-CD56+BPDCN in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The two patients were both elderly males with tumor involved in skin,bone marrow,lymph nodes,etc.Immunohistochemical results of skin lesions showed that both CD56 and CD123 were positive,while CD4,CD34,TdT,CD3,CD20,MPO and EBER were negative.Flow cytometry of bone marrow demonstrated that CD56,CD123,and CD304 were all positive,while specific immune markers of myeloid and lymphoid were negative.Two patients were initially very sensitive to acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphomatoid chemotherapy regimens,but prone to rapid relapse.The overall survival of both patients was 36 months and 4 months,respectively.Conclusion:CD4-CD56+BPDCN is very rare and easily misdiagnosed as other hematological tumors with poor prognosis.Acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphomatoid therapy should be used first to improve the poor prognosis.

Secondary organic aerosol(SOA)produced by photooxidation of styrene and other aromatic compounds is a major part of fine particles in urban atmosphere.In this study,the measurement of component and content of SOA formed from photooxidation of styrene in smog chamber using synchronous radiation vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer(VUV-PIAMS)was conducted.Photoionization mass spectra of styrene SOA was detected by synchrotron radiation photon with 10.5 eV,and the proportion of main components was quantified based on the peak area of each ion peak.The photoionization efficiency curve of ion peak was obtained under synchrotron radiation photons in the range from 7.5 to 11.5 eV,and then the ionization potential was acquired for qualitative analysis of the component structure.The results showed that the photoionization mass spectra of styrene SOA mainly contained ion peaks at m/z 106,108,120 and 122,and the ionization potentials of each peak were(9.41±0.03)eV,(8.93±0.03)eV,(9.24±0.03)eV and(9.25±0.03)eV,respectively.Combined with quantum chemistry calculation and off-line measurement verification of infrared absorption spectra and electrospray ionization mass spectra,it was determined that benzaldehyde,benzyl alcohol,4-vinylphenol and benzoic acid were main components of styrene SOA,accounting for 32.5%,17.5%,25%and 15%of the measured components,respectively,and the generated quantity ratio was 13∶7∶10∶6.VUV-PIAMS could overcome the disadvantages of off-line method,and could on-line detect component and content of SOA,proving a useful tool to measure the chemical components and reveal the formation process of SOA particles.

Accurate determination of the thickness of multi-layered nanofilm materials is of great importance to advance the development of thin film deposition technology and ensure the quality assurance of photovoltaic materials.Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS)has been successfully employed for depth profiling of thin film materials,such as metal coatings.However,the accuracy of interface discrimination and thin layer thickness measurement is limited by the mixing effects of elemental signals.In this work,a high-depth resolution method for measuring the thin film thickness of lead sulfide(PbS)colloidal quantum dot(CQD)photovoltaic devices by LA-ICP-MS was introduced.The influence of different laser parameters on the mixing effects of element signals during the ablation process was compared,and the results showed that the laser ablation behavior of multi-layered nanofilm materials were improved and the mixing of element signals were reduced by optimizing parameters such as laser energy density and spot diameter.Meanwhile,a self-developed aerosol rapid wash-out small volume tubular ablation cell was used to effectively improve the aerosol transport efficiency,and the wash-out time of aerosol was(1.60±0.6)s.Compared with commercial cylindrical ablation cells,the depth profile of multi-layer thin film samples was clearer.The depth profile of the interlayer interface showed a significant melting phenomenon during the ablation of the PbS CQD layer,leading to severe mixing of elemental signals at the PbS/ZnO layer interface.Under the conditions such as 2.5 J/cm2 laser energy,32 μm spot diameter,and 1 Hz repetition rate,the average ablation rates of Au,PbS and ZnO layers in PbS CQD photovoltaic devices were(60±2)nm/pulse,(69±5)nm/pulse,and(22±2)nm/pulse,with depth resolution of(26±2)nm,(213±11)nm,and(68±6)nm,respectively.The thickness of PbS CQD photovoltaic device films from the same batch was determined,and the test results exhibited good consistency with scanning electron microscope(SEM)measurement values,with a relative deviation of less than 6％.This method could accurately determine the thickness of nanoscale multilayer thin film samples,which was crucial for improving the performance of photovoltaic devices and controlling product quality.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective:To learn about the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) population structure and regional distribution characteristics of Yersinia pestis in the natural focus of plague in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Methods:A total of 319 representative strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from natural focus of plague in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 1954 to 2020 were selected, and 2 298 SNP loci included in the global Yersinia pestis phylogenetic tree were compared by whole genome sequencing technology. MEGA 6.0 software was used to construct phylogenetic trees of 319 strains of Yersinia pestis from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, determine the SNP population structure of Yersinia pestis in the focus, and describe its regional distribution characteristics. Results:The 319 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau natural plague foci were distributed in 5 clades, namely 1.IN, 2.ANT, 3.ANT, 0.PE and 2.MED. The 1.IN clade contained 209 strains (65.52%, 209/319), which was the dominant population of strains in Qinghai Province, accounting for 90.51% (143/158). The 2.ANT clade contained 83 strains (26.02%, 83/319), which was the dominant population in Tibet Autonomous Region, accounting for 67.24% (78/116). The 3.ANT, 0.PE, and 2.MED clades contained 12 (3.76%, 12/319), 9 (2.82%, 9/319) and 6 strains (1.88%, 6/319), respectively, which were scattered in Qinghai Province, Gansu Province, Sichuan Province, Tibet Autonomous Region, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region under the jurisdiction of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Conclusion:The SNP population structure of Yersinia pestis in natural focus of plague in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is relatively rich, and the strains are distributed in 5 clades: 1.IN, 2.ANT, 3.ANT, 0.PE and 2.MED, showing the distribution characteristics of specific regions.

Objective To investigate a suspected outbreak event of Mycobacterium abscessus(Mab)infection in department of pulmonary and critical care medicine in a hospital,provide basis for the precise prevention and control of healthcare-associated infection(HAI).Methods On-site epidemiological investigation and environmental hygienic detection were carried out in patients with Mab infection following fiberbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage in the department of pulmonary and critical care medicine in this hospital,and targeted intervention measures were pro-posed.Results From September 7 to October 20,2022,a total of 344 cases of bronchoalveolar lavage were per-formed for patients in fiberbronchoscopy room of department of pulmonary and critical care medicine.Mab was de-tected from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)of 10 patients.Through on-site and follow-up investigation,the initial case was defined as community-associated infection,and the other 9 cases were due to the contamination of specimens.A total of 33 environmental hygienic specimens were collected,and no Mab was detected.The event was effectively controlled after standardizing the process of bronchoscope decontamination,strengthening the infection management of ward and bronchoscopy room,and strictly implementing the certificate system of bronchoscopy de-contamination personnel.Conclusion This pseudo-outbreak is due to the contamination of fiberbronchoscope by Mab.Timely identifying risk factors as well as taking targeted prevention and control measures can effectively con-trol the spread and prevalence of Mab infection.