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 develop the functions and optimize the automatic monitoring module for arrhythmias of the adverse drug event active surveillance and assessment system-Ⅱ,in order to continuously improve the performance,enhance the monitoring efficiency,and explore the ways to optimize the module.Methods Expand and optimize the functions of the module,increase the customized configuration,and determine the optimal setting conditions;compare the optimized test data with the results of the evaluation studies on the automatic monitoring of drug-induced arrhythmias in large samples of medicated population previously,and verify the optimization extent as well as the accuracy of the module.Results In the new module optimized according to the characteristics of the monitoring population,the function of"mandatory medical order keywords"was added,and it was determined that the inclusion of 6 electrocardiogram examination-related medical order keywords with a frequency of not less than 2 occurrences was the optimal configuration condition for the optimization of the module;combining the results of the previous automatic monitoring and evaluation researches,the system functions were verified and compared under the conditions of using the whole drugs and 2 kinds of single drug.While there was no loss of true positive cases,the number of cases with system alarms decreased by 30.75％,80.13％and 90.82％,respectively,compared with that before the optimization of the module,and the positive predictive value was significantly improved.Conclusion After the function expansion and optimization,the automatic monitoring module of drug-induced arrhythmias significantly reduces the labor cost of case evaluation and keeps the accuracy of monitoring results constant;the new module can better adapt to the demands of different automatic monitoring modes and operates stably,which is more generalizable and flexible,and provides a new way of considering for the research and development of automatic monitoring modules.

Objective To clarify the understanding of types of laboratories and manufacturers for GB 9706.1-2020 Medical electrical equipment-Part 1:General requirements for basic safety and essential performance by laboratory proficiency testing for creepage distance and electrical clearance test.Methods An operation guide was formed according to the testing program in GB 9706.1-2020,and the homogeneity and stability of the samples were evaluated according to CNAS-GL003:2018 Guidance on Evaluating the Homogenneity and Stability of Samples Used for Proficiency Testing.Robust statistic methods were used to assess the quantitative parameters of the test results of the participating laboratories according to the requirements in GB/T 28043-2019 Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison;the results reported by the expert laboratories were used as the specified values of the qualitative parameters.SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results All the results of the crreepage distance and electrical clearance tests met the requirements for homogeneity and stability.Of the 46 laboratories involved in,37 ones did have comprehensive satisfactory determinations while the remained 9 ones not.Conclusion Some laboratories don't behave well in understanding the standard,which have to be reformed accordingly to enhance their proficiencies.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(10):54-59]

Background:Celiac disease is an autoimmune enteropathy which can present with patchy mucosal lesions.Therefore,the diagnosis of the disease requires histological evaluation of multiple site biopsies.Aims:To analyze the pathological characteristics of multiple site small intestinal biopsies in adult patients with celiac disease and provide reference for early identification and diagnosis of celiac disease.Methods:The pathological data of 22 adult patients who were newly diagnosed as having celiac disease at the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from August 2019 to April 2022 were collected retrospectively.All patients were positive for serum anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody IgA,and biopsies of duodenal bulb,descending part of the duodenum and terminal ileum were obtained under endoscopy.Histological examination was performed by experienced pathologists according to the modified Marsh grading system.Results:The most common pathological grade of duodenal bulb(50.0%)and descending part of the duodenum(45.5%)was Marsh Ⅲc,while those of terminal ileum was Marsh Ⅲa(63.6%).All of the bulb biopsies,95.5%of the descending part and 72.7%of the terminal ileum biopsies showed characteristic histological changes of celiac disease.Mucosal pathology was patchy in 7 patients,of which one patient was duodenal bulb and terminal ileum involved,and 6 were duodenum involved only.Fifteen patients had diffuse small intestinal mucosal pathology involving duodenal bulb,descending part and terminal ileum,of which 4 patients showed concordant histology(the same Marsh grade in duodenal bulb,descending part and terminal ileum)and 11 patients showed discordant histology.In 18 patients(81.8%),duodenum was the only affected site or duodenum showed more serious mucosal lesions compared with terminal ileum.Conclusions:Adult celiac disease may affect the whole small intestine,and the mucosal involvement may be patchy,which highlights the importance of taking small intestinal biopsies from multiple sites repeatedly in the diagnostic work-up of celiac disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in elderly patients with heart failure (HF) and their impact on readmission and mortality. METHODS: We conducted a study of 274 participants aged 60 years or older with HF. The prevalence of polypharmacy (defined as the use of five or more medications) was calculated, and the 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers criteria were applied to access PIMs. Medications and PIMs were characterized at admission and discharge, and changes in prescriptions during hospitalization were compared. The impact of polypharmacy and PIM on readmission and mortality were investigated. RESULTS: The median age of this study population was 68 years old. The median number of prescribed drugs was 7 at admission and 10 at discharge. At discharge, 99.27% of all patients were taking five or more drugs. The incidence of composite endpoint and cardiovascular readmission increased with the number of polypharmacy within 6 months. The use of guideline-directed medical therapy reduced the incidence of composite endpoint events and cardiovascular readmission, while the use of non-cardiovascular medications increased the composite endpoint events. The frequency of PIMs was 93.79% at discharge. The incidence of composite endpoint events increased with the number of PIMs. "PIMs in older adults with caution" increased cardiovascular readmission and "PIMs based on kidney function" increased cardiovascular mortality. Several comorbidities were associated with cardiovascular mortality or non-cardiovascular readmission. CONCLUSIONS Polypharmacy and PIM were highly prevalent in elderly patients with HF, and their use was associated with an increased risk of composite endpoint events, readmission and mortality. Non-cardiovascular medications, "PIMs in older adults with caution", "PIMs based on kidney function" and several comorbidities were important factors associated with hospital readmission and mortality. Our findings highlight the importance of medication optimization in the management of HF in elderly patients.

Two cases of epidemic situation of serogroup B meningitis in infants in Shandong Province in 2021 were investigated. Samples of cases and their close contacts were collected for isolation, culture and identification of Neisseria meningitides (Nm). The isolates were subjected to multi-locus sequence typing, outer membrane protein porA and fetA genotyping and drug sensitivity test. Two laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of serogroup B meningitis were reported from Yantai city and Linyi city. The indicated cases were infants aged 5 months and 2 months old respectively. They were not vaccinated with meningitis vaccine. Their epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations were similar and the prognosis was good. The same sequence type (ST) of serogroup B Nm strains as the indicated cases was detected in the samples of close family contacts, but without subsequent cases. Among them, Yantai strain was were identified as the type ST-8920, belonging to CC4821 clonal complex, and the genotypes of porA and fetA were p1.21-2, 23 and F3-1. Linyi strain was a new type, belonging to CC4821 clonal complex and the genotypes of porA and fetA were p1.20, 23 and F1-91. The above strains were resistant to penicillin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and Chemitrim, and their sensitivity to cephalosporin decreased. Two cases of infant serogroup B epidemic were relatively rare in China, which were different from the epidemiological and pathogenic characteristics of other Nm serogroups in the past.
Epidemics ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis, Meningococcal/epidemiology* ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Neisseria meningitidis ; Serogroup

Objective:To assess the correlation between hyperuricaemia and normoalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease(NADKD) in elderly type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:This retrospective case-control study enrolled 910 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were hospitalized in the Geriatric Department of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from 2015 to 2020. The patients were divided into NADKD group [urinary albumin/creatinine(UACR)<30 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) <60 mL·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, n=169)], albuminuria DKD group [UACR ≥30 mg/g and eGFR <60 mL·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, n=234], and control group [UACR <30 mg/g and eGFR≥60 mL·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, n=507]. Medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests were collected. Results:The proportion of women in the NADKD group was significantly higher than that in the albuminuric DKD group(50.89% vs 40.60%, P<0.05). Duration of diabetes, HbA 1C, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), the prevalences of hypertension and hyperuricaemia, blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, and blood uric acid were significantly lower in the NADKD group than those in the albuminuric DKD group(all P<0.05). Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, triglycerides, serum uric acid and the prevalence of hyperuricemia were significantly higher in the NADKD group compared the control group(all P<0.001) while the proportion of hypertension, systolic blood pressure, LDL-C, HbA 1C, and FPG were lower(all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that eGFR was negatively associated with urea nitrogen and serum uric acid while positively associated with HbA 1C in normoalbuminuric elderly type 2 diabetic patients(all P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that hyperuricaemia was a risk factor for NADKD in elderly type 2 diabetic patients after adjusting for BMI, blood pressure, lipids, and glucose( OR=1.963, 95% CI 1.157-3.332, P=0.012). Conclusion:Hyperuricaemia is significantly associated with NADKD in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of different treatment frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking for acne vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with acne vulgaris were randomized into a treatment group 1 (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off), a treatment group 2 (30 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a treatment group 3 (30 cases, 5 cases dropped off). Combination therapy of auricular bloodletting and auricular point sticking at Fei (CO₁₄), Shenmen (TF₄), Neifenmi (CO₁₈) and Shenshangxian (TG₂p) were given once a week, twice a week and 3 times a week in the treatment group 1, the treatment group 2 and the treatment group 3 respectively, 4 weeks were as one course and totally 3 courses were required in the 3 groups. Before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 courses of treatment, the scores of global acne grading system (GAGS), skin lesion and quality of life-acne (QoL-Acne) were observed, the clinical efficacy was evaluated after 3 courses of treatment and the recurrence rate was evaluated in follow-up of 1 month after treatment in the 3 groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the scores of GAGS and skin lesion were decreased at each time point in the 3 groups (P<0.05), the QoL-Acne scores were increased after 1 course of treatment in the treatment group 3 and after 2, 3 courses of treatment in the 3 groups (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in scores of GAGS, skin lesion and QoL-Acne among the 3 groups (P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in effective rate and recurrence rate among the 3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Different frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking have similar efficacy in treating acne vulgaris, all can improve the skin lesion and quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris, and have a cumulative effect and good long-term curative effect.
Acne Vulgaris/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Bloodletting ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To determine the carrier rate of deafness-related genetic variants among 53 873 newborns from Zhengzhou. METHODS: Heel blood samples of the newborns were collected with informed consent from the parents, and 15 loci of 4 genes related to congenital deafness were detected by microarray. RESULTS: In total 2770 newborns were found to carry deafness-related variants, with a carrier rate of 5.142%. 1325 newborns (2.459%) were found to carry heterozygous variants of the GJB2 gene, 1071 (1.988%) were found with SLC26A4 gene variants, 205 were found with GJB3 gene variants (0.381%), and 120 were found with 12S rRNA variants (0.223%). Five newborns have carried homozygous GJB2 variants, two have carried homozygous SLC26A4 variants, five have carried compound heterozygous GJB2 variants, and four have carried compound heterozygous SLC26A4 variants. 33 neonates have carried heterozygous variants of two genes at the same time. CONCLUSION The carrier rate of deafness-related variants in Zhengzhou, in a declining order, is for GJB2, SLC26A4, GJB3 and 12S rRNA. The common variants included GJB2 235delC and SLC26A4 IVS7-2A>G, which are similar to other regions in China. To carry out genetic screening of neonatal deafness can help to identify congenital, delayed and drug-induced deafness, and initiate treatment and follow-up as early as possible.

Objective: To observe the blood perfusion volume variation pattern in the body surface microcirculation at the Yuan-Primary and the Xi-Cleft points during the menstrual cycle in female college students with moderate constitution under normal physiological state of the uterus; to explore the specific laws of the body surface microcirculation at the Yuan-Primary and Xi-Cleft points in response to the uterine qi and blood changes under normal physiological conditions, and to provide the experimental basis for the specificity of acupoints reflecting the uterine function. Methods: Forty-three healthy and moderate constitution female college students with regular menstrual cycles, without dysmenorrhea and not yet giving birth were recruited. Bilateral Yuan-Primary points [Taichong (LR 3), Taibai (SP 3) and Taixi (KI 3)] and Xi-Cleft points [Zhongdu (LR 6), Diji (SP 8) and Shuiquan (KI 5)], belonging to the three yin meridians of foot and adjacent to the spinal cord segment of the uterus, were selected as the detection acupoints; the crossing point of the three yin meridians of foot [Sanyinjiao (SP 6)], the uterus-related meridian acupoint [Xuehai (SP 10)], the uterus-non-related meridian acupoint [Xuanzhong (GB 39)], and the non-meridian non-acupoint point were selected as the control points. The laser speckle blood flow imaging technique was used to monitor the blood perfusion volume in skin microcirculation at the above points at the menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases of the subjects. Results: The blood perfusion volume in the body surface microcirculation at the right Zhongdu (LR 6) at the ovulatory phase was higher than that at the menstrual, follicular and luteal phases (all P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the microcirculation blood perfusion volume at the other points among different phases (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The blood perfusion volume in the body surface microcirculation at Zhongdu (LR 6), the Xi-Cleft point of the Liver Meridian, shows a specific response to qi and blood changes in the uterus of women with moderate constitution.