Triose phosphate utilization in leaves is modulated by whole-plant sink-source ratios and nitrogen budgets in rice.

Triose phosphate utilization (TPU) is a biochemical process indicating carbon sink-source (im)balance within leaves. When TPU limits leaf photosynthesis, photorespiration-associated amino acid exports probably provide an additional carbon outlet and increase leaf CO2 uptake. However, whether TPU is modulated by whole-plant sink-source relations and nitrogen (N) budgets remains unclear. We address this question by model analyses of gas-exchange data measured on leaves at three growth stages of rice plants grown at two N levels. Sink-source ratio was manipulated by panicle pruning, by using yellower-leaf variant genotypes, and by measuring photosynthesis on adaxial and abaxial leaf sides. Across all these treatments, higher leaf N content resulted in the occurrence of TPU limitation at lower intercellular CO2 concentrations. Photorespiration-associated amino acid export was greater in high-N leaves, but was smaller in yellower-leaf genotypes, panicle-pruned plants, and for abaxial measurement. The feedback inhibition of panicle pruning on rates of TPU was not always observed, presumably because panicle pruning blocked N remobilization from leaves to grains and the increased leaf N content masked feedback inhibition. The leaf-level TPU limitation was thus modulated by whole-plant sink-source relations and N budgets during rice grain filling, suggesting a close link between within-leaf and whole-plant sink limitations.

Identification of the gut microbiota affecting Salmonella pullorum and their relationship with reproductive performance in hens.

Introduction: Pullorum disease is one of the common bacterial infectious diseases caused by Salmonella pullorum (S. pullorum), which can result in a decrease in the reproductive performance of laying hens, thus causing considerable economic losses. However, studies about the characteristics of intestinal microbiota with pullorum and their potential association with reproductive performance in hens are still limited. This study was to identify the gut microbiota associated with S. pullorum in poultry. Methods: A total of 30 hens with S. pullorum-negative (PN) and 30 hens with S. pullorum-positive (PP) were analyzed for hatching eggs laid in 2 weeks (HEL), fertilization eggs (FE), chick number (CN), and microbial structure. Results: There were significant differences in HEL (p < 0.01), FE (p < 0.01), and CN (p < 0.01) between PP and PN. Histomorphological observations showed abnormal morphology of the ovaries and fallopian tubes and low integrity of epithelial tissue in the ileum and cecum in PP. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that beneficial cecal microbes, such as Bacteroides, Desulfovibrio, and Megamonas, were positively correlated with reproductive performance and had lower abundance in PP (p = 0.001). Furthermore, diminished phosphotransferase system (PTS) and pentose phosphate pathway, butanoate metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation were also found in PP. Discussion: Taken together, this study clarified the morphological characteristics of the reproductive tract and intestines of chickens infected with S. pullorum and preliminarily explored the potential association between cecal microbiota and reproductive performance in hens. Our data may provide a reference for revealing the intestinal microbial characteristics of hens in resisting pullorum and exploring novel approaches to infection control in future studies.

Genome-wide analysis of the MADS-box gene family involved in salt and waterlogging tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

MADS-box transcription factors are crucial members of regulatory networks underlying multiple developmental pathways and abiotic stress regulatory networks in plants. Studies on stress resistance-related functions of MADS-box genes are very limited in barley. To gain insight into this gene family and elucidate their roles in salt and waterlogging stress resistance, we performed genome-wide identification, characterization and expression analysis of MADS-box genes in barley. A whole-genome survey of barley revealed 83 MADS-box genes, which were categorized into type I (Mα, Mß and Mγ) and type II (AP1, SEP1, AGL12, STK, AGL16, SVP and MIKC*) lineages based on phylogeny, protein motif structure. Twenty conserved motifs were determined and each HvMADS contained one to six motifs. We also found tandem repeat duplication was the driven force for HvMADS gene family expansion. Additionally, the co-expression regulatory network of 10 and 14 HvMADS genes was predicted in response to salt and waterlogging stress, and we proposed HvMADS11,13 and 35 as candidate genes for further exploration of the functions in abiotic stress. The extensive annotations and transcriptome profiling reported in this study ultimately provides the basis for MADS functional characterization in genetic engineering of barley and other gramineous crops.

Transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed the pulmonary protective mechanism of Xixin-Ganjiang Herb Pair for warming the lungs to dissolve phlegm in COPD rats.

Xixin-Ganjiang Herb Pair (XGHP), a classic combination treatment to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm, is widely used in the treatment of various pulmonary diseases. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of chronic obstructive airway diseases that can seriously harm human health. However, the effective components, targets, and pathways that underlie XGHP in the treatment of COPD remain unclear. Therefore, this study initially identified the effective components of XGHP through the use of UPLC-MS/MS and pharmacologic methods of traditional Chinese medicine. Secondly, transcriptomic analysis of the lung tissues of rats revealed the pharmacodynamic transcripts of each group, and metabolomics analysis revealed the differential metabolites associated with XGHP treatment. Finally, molecular docking of effective components with transcriptome genes was performed and western blotting was performed in order to determine the expression of related proteins in rat lung tissue. Overall, 30 effective components of XGHP were identified, including L-asarinin, 6-gingerol, sesamin, kaempferol, and quercetin. Transcriptomic studies demonstrated that expression of 386 genes recovered after XGHP treatment, and that they were mainly enriched in the oxidative phosphorylation and AMPK signaling pathways. According to the metabolomics studies, expression of eight metabolites differed between the COPD and the XGHP groups. These metabolites were mainly involved the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Finally, the transcriptomic and metabolomics data were integrated. FASN and SCD in AMPK signaling pathway were directly linked to certain metabolites, including linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. These results indicate that XGHP can inhibit pAMPK expression and negatively regulate FASN and SCD expression during treatment of COPD in order to enhance the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and maintain energy homeostasis.

In situ mapping of ion distribution profiles and gene expression reveals interactions between hypoxia and Mn2+/Fe2+ availability in barley roots.

Flooding stress affects soil properties thus altering the availability, uptake, and transport of mineral nutrients in plant roots. Flooding stress also increases the amount of soluble Mn2+ and Fe2+ in the soil and their uptake by plants, causing elemental toxicity. However, as oxygen profiles in plant roots are not uniform, it is still unclear how soil flooding will affect Mn2+/Fe2+ absorption and distribution in different cell types and tissues. In this study, waterlogging sensitive barley variety NasoNijo (NN) and tolerant variety TX9425 (TX) were exposed to hypoxia, metal (Mn2+ and Fe2+), and combined hypoxia + metal treatment to map the in situ ion profiles at different regions of barley root. We found that combined hypoxia and metal stress causes significantly more reduction in plant biomass compared with the single submergence or metal stress. Despite this, more Fe and Mn were accumulated under metal stress condition than those under combined stress, regardless of variety. Cultivar NN absorbed more Fe and Mn than TX in the cortical cells of the root meristem and in the mature zone under metal stress which was also verified by histochemical detection. In the mature zone, the expressions of Fe and Mn transporter genes including HvADPRibase-Mn (Manganese-dependent ADP-ribose), HvZIP1 (zinc-regulated transporter /Fe-regulated transporter-like protein 1), HvYS1 (yellow stripe 1), HvNRAMP5 (Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 5) were significantly downregulated under all three treatments in both barley varieties except HvADPRibase-Mn HvZIP1 cortex of TX were unchanged under metal stress. Interestingly, the transcripts of HvMTP1 (metal tolerance protein 1) were significantly downregulated by metal and combined stress in stele and upregulated by hypoxia and metal stress in cortex of TX, but not affected in NN. It is concluded that Fe and Mn absorption involving HvMTP1is associated with the extent of waterlogging tolerance in barley.

Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Mechanisms of Guizhi-Fuling Treatment for Myocardial Ischemia.

Myocardial ischemia is a cardio-physiological condition due to a decrease in blood perfusion to the heart, leading to reduced oxygen supply and abnormal myocardial energy metabolism. Guizhi-Fuling (GZFL) is effective in treating Myocardial ischemia. However, its mechanism of action is unclear and requires further exploration. We attempt to decipher the mechanisms behind GZFL treating Myocardial ischemia by integrating metabolomics and network pharmacology. In this study, myocardial metabolomic analysis was performed using GC/MS to identify the potential mechanism of action of GZFL during myocardial ischemia. Then, network pharmacology was utilized to analyze key pathways and construct a pathway-core target network. Molecular docking was incorporated to validate core targets within network pharmacological signaling pathways. Finally, western blots were utilized to verify core targets of metabolomics, network pharmacology integrated pathways, and key signaling targets. Thus, 22 critical biomarkers of GZFL for treating myocardial ischemia were identified. Most of these metabolites were restored using modulation after GZFL treatment. Based on the network pharmacology, 297 targets of GZFL in treating myocardial ischemia were identified. The further comprehensive analysis focused on three key targets, such as Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PIK3CA), and their related metabolites and pathways. Compared with the model group, the protein expression levels of TH, MPO and PIK3CA were reduced in GZFL. Therefore, the mechanism of GZFL for treating myocardial ischemia could inhibit myocardial inflammatory factors, reduce myocardial inflammation, and restore endothelial function while controlling norepinephrine release and uric acid concentration.

Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics to reveal anti-chronic myocardial ischemia mechanism of Gualou Xiebai decoction.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gualou Xiebai decoction (GLXB), a well-known classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, is a recorded and proven therapy for the management of cardiac diseases. However, its pharmacological characteristics and mechanism of action are unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of GLXB and its mechanism of action in an isoprenaline-induced rat model of chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI) were investigated by incorporating metabonomics and transcriptomics. Meanwhile, the echocardiographic evaluation, histopathological analysis, serum biochemistry assay, TUNEL assay and western blot analysis were detected to revealed the protective effects of GLXB on CMI. RESULTS: The results of echocardiographic evaluation, histopathological analysis and serum biochemistry assay revealed that GLXB had a significantly cardioprotective performance by reversing echocardiographic abnormalities, restoring pathological disorders and converting the serum biochemistry perturbations. Further, the omics analysis indicated that many genes and metabolites were regulated after modeling and GLXB administration, and maintained the marked "high-low" or "low-high" trends. Meanwhile, the results from integrated bioinformatics analysis suggested that the interaction network mainly consisted of amino acid and organic acid metabolism. The results of TUNEL assay and western blot analysis complemented the findings of integrated analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that GLXB has a curative effect in isoproterenol-induced CMI in rats. Integrated analysis based on transcriptomics and metabolomics studies revealed that the mechanism of GLXB in alleviating CMI was principally by the regulation of energy homeostasis and apoptosis, which was through a multi-component and multi-target treatment modality.

Effect of a Targeted Ambulance Treatment Quality Improvement Programme on Outcomes from Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Metropolitan Citywide Intervention Study.

The performance of ambulance crew affects the quality of pre-hospital treatment, which is vital to the survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients, yet remains suboptimal in China. In this retrospective analysis study, we aimed to examine the effect of a citywide quality improvement programme on provision of prehospital advanced life support (ALS) by emergency medical service (EMS) system. EMS-treated adult OHCA patients after the implementation of the programme (1 January 2021 to 30 June 2022) were compared with historical controls (1 June 2019 to 31 August 2020) in Suzhou. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching procedures were applied to compare the outcomes between two periods for total OHCA cases and subgroup of cases treated by fixed or non-fixed ambulance crews. A total of 1465 patients (pre-period/post-period: 610/855) were included. In the 1:1 matched analysis of 591 cases for each period, significant improvement (p < 0.05) was observed for the proportion of intravenous (IV) access (23.4% vs. 68.2%), advanced airway management (49.2% vs. 57.0%), and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at handover (5.4% vs. 9.0%). The fixed ambulance crews performed better than non-fixed group in IV access and advanced airway management for both periods. There were significant increases in IV access (AOR 12.66, 95%CI 9.02−18.10, p < 0.001), advanced airway management (AOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.30−2.16, p < 0.001) and ROSC at handover (AOR 2.37, 95%CI 1.38−4.23, p = 0.002) after intervention in unfixed group, while no significant improvement was observed in fixed group except for IV access (AOR 7.65, 95%CI 9.02−18.10, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the quality improvement program was positively associated with the provision of prehospital ALS interventions and prehospital ROSC following OHCA. The fixed ambulance crews performed better in critical care provision and prehospital outcome, yet increased protocol adherence and targeted training could fill the underperformance of non-fixed crews efficaciously.

Molecular Mechanism of Xixin-Ganjiang Herb Pair Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-Integrated Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by high morbidity, disability, and mortality, which seriously threatens human life and health. Xixin and Ganjiang are classic herb pairs of Zhongjing Zhang, which are often used to treat COPD in China. However, the substance basis and mechanism of action of Xixin-Ganjiang herb pair (XGHP) in the treatment of COPD remain unclear. METHODS: On the website of TCMSP and the DrugBank, effective compounds and targets of XGHP were found. COPD targets were obtained from GeneCards, DisGeNET, and GEO gene chips. Intersecting these databases resulted in a library of drug targets for COPD. Then, intersection targets were used for protein-protein interaction (PPI) and pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, the binding activity between compounds and core genes was evaluated by molecular docking to verify the expression level of PTGS2 and PPARG in rats. RESULTS: Twelve effective compounds and 104 core genes were found in the intersection library, and kaempferol, sesamin, ß-sitosterol, PTGS2, and PPARG were particularly prominent in the network analysis. A total of 113 pathways were obtained and enrichment of the TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway was particularly obvious. Molecular docking indicated that kaempferol, sesamin, and ß-sitosterol were closely related to PTGS2 and PPARG and were superior to aminophylline. Key compounds in XGHP could restrict the expression of PTGS2 in the lung tissues of COPD rats and promote the expression of PPARG. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of the expression of inflammatory factor PTGS2 and promotion of the expression of PPARG may be an effective target of XGHP in the treatment of COPD.

Heritable Gut Microbiome Associated with Salmonella enterica Serovar Pullorum Infection in Chickens.

Pullorum disease is one of the most common diarrhea-related diseases caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Pullorum (S Pullorum); it negatively affects the poultry industry. However, limited studies have explored the association between the gut microbiota and S Pullorum infection in chickens. In the present study, we performed a microbiome comparison and a microbiome genome-wide association study (mGWAS) to investigate the association among the host genetics, the gut microbiota, and pullorum disease in chickens. We found that S Pullorum infection in chickens could alter the abundance of 39 bacterial genera (P < 0.05). The altered structure and composition of the gut microbiota were also detected in the offspring. mGWAS results revealed host genetic variants to be prominently associated with gut microbial diversity and individual microbes. The pathogens Pelomonas and Brevundimonas, which had a high abundance in positive parent chickens and their offspring, were significantly associated with several genetic mutations in immunity-related genes, such as TGIF1, TTLL12, and CCR7 This finding explained why Pelomonas and Brevundimonas were heritable in S Pullorum-infected chickens. The heritable gut microbes and identified genetic variants could provide references for the selection of resistant chickens and the elimination of pullorum disease.IMPORTANCE The present study investigated the association among the host genome, the gut microbiome, and S Pullorum infection in chickens. The results suggested that the gut microbial structure is altered in S Pullorum-infected chickens. The diversity and abundance of the gut microbiota remarkably differed between the offspring coming from S Pullorum-positive and S Pullorum-negative chickens. Heritable gut microbiota were detected in the offspring. Moreover, host genetic variants were associated with microbial diversity and individual gut microbes. The pathogens Pelomonas and Brevundimonas, which exhibited a high heritability in S Pullorum-positive parents and their offspring, were associated with several genetic mutations in immunity-related genes.

When dispatcher assistance is not saving lives: assessment of process compliance, barriers and outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a metropolitan city in China.

BACKGROUND: Several Chinese cities have implemented dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR), although out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival rates remain low. We aimed to assess the process compliance, barriers and outcomes of OHCA in one of the earliest implemented (DA-CPR) programmes in China. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed OHCA emergency dispatch records of Suzhou emergency medical service from 2014 to 2015 and included adult OHCA victims (>18 years) with a bystander-witnessed atraumatic OHCA that was subsequently confirmed by on-site emergency physician. The circumstances and DA-CPR process related to the OHCA event were analysed. Dispatch audio records were reviewed to identify potential barriers to implementation during the DA-CPR process. RESULTS: Of the 151 OHCA victims, none survived. The median time from patient collapse to call for emergency services and that from call to provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions was 30 (IQR 20-60) min and 115 (IQR 90-153) s, respectively. Only 110 (80.3%) bystanders/rescuers followed the dispatcher instructions; of these, 51 (46.3%) undertook persistent chest compressions. Major barriers to following the DA-CPR instructions were present in 104 (68.9%) cases, including caller disconnection of the call, distraught mood or refusal to carry out either compressions or ventilations. CONCLUSIONS: The OHCA survival rate and the DA-CPR process were far from optimal. The zero survival rate is disproportionally low compared with survival statistics in high-income countries. The prolonged delay in calling the emergency services negated and rendered futile any DA-CPR efforts. Thus, efforts targeted at developing public awareness of OHCA, calling for help and competency in DA-CPR should be increased.

Integrative transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses provide hepatotoxicity mechanisms of asarum.

Asarum is frequently applied in combination with other agents for prescriptions in practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A number of studies have previously indicated that asarum treatment induces lung toxicity by triggering inflammation. However, the potential effects of asarum in the liver and the underlying mechanisms have remained largely elusive. Therefore, transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches were used in the present study to examine the mechanisms of the hepatotoxicity of asarum. Specifically, mRNA and metabolites were obtained from rat liver samples following intragastric administration of asarum powder. RNA sequencing analysis was subsequently performed to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and a total of 434 DEGs were identified in liver tissue samples, 214 of which were upregulated and 220 were downregulated. Pathway enrichment analysis found that these genes were particularly enriched in processes including the regulation of p53 signaling, metabolic pathways and bile secretion. To investigate potential changes to the metabolic profile as a result of asarum treatment, a metabolomics analysis was performed, which detected 14 significantly altered metabolites in rat liver samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These metabolites were predominantly members of the taurine, hypotaurine and amino acid metabolic pathways. Metscape network analyses were subsequently performed to integrate the transcriptomics and metabolomics data. Integrative analyis revealed that the DEGs and metabolites were primarily associated with bile acid biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism and the p53 signaling pathway. Taken together, these results provide novel insight into the mechanism of asarum-mediated hepatotoxicity, which may potentially aid the clinical diagnosis and future therapeutic intervention of asarum poisoning.

New Contributions to Asarum Powder on Immunology Related Toxicity Effects in Lung.

Objective. Asarum is widely used in clinical practice of Chinese medicine in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Many toxic ingredients (safrole, etc.) had been found in Asarum that show multiple visceral toxicities. In this study, we performed systematic investigation of expression profiles of genes to take a new insight into unclear mechanism of Asarum toxicities in lung. Methods. mRNAs were extracted from lungs of rats after intragastric administration with/without Asarum powders, and microarray assays were applied to investigate gene expression profiles. Differentially expressed genes with significance were selected to carry out GO analysis. Subsequently, quantitative PCRs were performed to verify the differential expression of Tmprss6, Prkag3, Nptx2, Antxr11, Klk11, Rag2, Olr77, Cd7, Il20, LOC69, C6, Ccl20, LOC68, and Cd163 in lung. Changes of Ampk, Bcl2, Caspase 3, Il1, Il20, Matriptase2, Nfκb, Nptx2, and Rag2 in the lung on protein level were verified by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results. Compared with control group, the estimated organ coefficients were relatively increased in Asarum group. Results of GO analysis showed that a group of immune related genes in lung were expressed abnormally. The result of PCRs showed that Ccl20 was downregulated rather than other upregulated genes in the Asarum group. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry images showed that Asarum can upregulate the expression of Ampk, Caspase 3, Il1, Il20, Matriptase2, Nfκb, and Rag2 and downregulate the expression of Bcl2 in lung. Conclusion. Our data suggest that expressions of immune related genes in lung were selectively altered by Asarum. Therefore, inflammatory response was active, by regulating Caspase 3, Il1, Il20, Matriptase2, Nfκb, Rag2, Tmprss6, Prkag3, Nptx2, Antxr1, Klk11, Olr77, Cd7, LOC69, C6, LOC68, Cd163, Ampk, Bcl2, and Ccl20. Our study indicated that inflammatory factors take effect in lung toxicity caused by Asarum, which provides a new insight into molecular mechanism of Asarum toxicities in lung.

Photosynthetic Properties and Potentials for Improvement of Photosynthesis in Pale Green Leaf Rice under High Light Conditions.

Light is the driving force of plant growth, providing the energy required for photosynthesis. However, photosynthesis is also vulnerable to light-induced damage caused by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plants have therefore evolved various protective mechanisms such as non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) to dissipate excessively absorbed solar energy as heat; however, photoinhibition and NPQ represent a significant loss in solar energy and photosynthetic efficiency, which lowers the yield potential in crops. To estimate light capture and light energy conversion in rice, a genotype with pale green leaves (pgl) and a normally pigmented control (Z802) were subjected to high (HL) and low light (LL). Chlorophyll content, light absorption, chloroplast micrographs, abundance of light-harvesting complex (LHC) binding proteins, electron transport rates (ETR), photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, and generation of ROS were subsequently examined. Pgl had a smaller size of light-harvesting chlorophyll antenna and absorbed less photons than Z802. NPQ and the generation of ROS were also low, while photosystem II efficiency and ETR were high, resulting in improved photosynthesis and less photoinhibition in pgl than Z802. Chlorophyll synthesis and solar conversion efficiency were higher in pgl under HL compared to LL treatment, while Z802 showed an opposite trend due to the high level of photoinhibition under HL. In Z802, excessive absorption of solar energy not only increased the generation of ROS and NPQ, but also exacerbated the effects of increases in temperature, causing midday depression in photosynthesis. These results suggest that photosynthesis and yield potential in rice could be enhanced by truncated light-harvesting chlorophyll antenna size.

Genetic pattern and gene localization of polydactyly in Beijing fatty chicken.

Polydactyly, a common heritable limb malformation in vertebrates, is characterized by supernumerary digits. In chickens, basic characteristics and rough dominant genes have been explored in past decades; however, the elaborate pattern of inheritance and the determinant gene remain obscure. In this study, different types of polydactylism were classified by the numbers and the shapes of toes, including the newly defined subtypes of B' and G, for the Beijing fatty chicken, a native breed of chicken from China. Through experiments on hybridization, we demonstrated a complete dominant inheritance of polydactyly instead of an incomplete penetrance or genetic modification of the previous conjecture. In particular, by using the F2 population of the five-digit purebred line of Beijing fatty chicken backcrossed to Shiqiza chicken and by using restriction-site associated DNA based markers, we performed a genome-wide association study on the trait of polydactyly. Furthermore, whole genome resequencing strategy was applied to sweep SNPs across the whole genome. An outlier-based Fst approach was employed to search for signatures of selection, and results indicated that the determinant mutation was found in the region ranging from 8.3 Mb to 8.7 Mb, where the polydactyly candidate gene LMBR1 was located. The G/T mutation of rs80659072 was identified to be highly associated with polydactyly in our resequencing and was validated in random samples from an expanded population. Thus, we confirmed that LMBR1 was the causative gene of polydactyly in the Beijing fatty chicken by using GWAS with restriction-site associated DNA based markers and resequencing.

Non-European traditional herbal medicines in Europe: a community herbal monograph perspective.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The European Directive 2004/24/EC introducing a simplified registration procedure for traditional herbal medicinal products, plays an important role in harmonising the current legislation framework for all herbal medicinal products in the European Union (EU). Although substantial achievements have been made under the new scheme, only a limited number of herbal medicinal products from non-European traditions commonly used in Europe have been registered. Therefore, identification of the obstacles, and determination of appropriate means to overcome the major challenges in the registration of non-European traditional herbal medicinal products are of critical importance for the EU herbal medicinal product market. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The primary aims of this study were to understand the key issues and obstacles to registration of non-European traditional herbal medicinal products within the EU. The findings may identify the need for more attention on the Community herbal monographs elaborated by the Herbal Medicinal Products Committee (HMPC), as well as further evidence based scientific research on non-European herbal substances/preparations by the scientific community. METHODS: A systematic evaluation of the herbal substances and preparations included in Community herbal monographs and public statements has been carried out. The focus was herbal substances and preparations derived from non-European traditions. RESULTS: Of the 109 adopted Community herbal monographs, 10 are herbal substances used in Chinese traditional medicine. Where the HMPC issued a public statement because it was unable to elaborate a monograph more than half-involved herbal substances/preparations from non-European traditions. The main reasons herbal substances/preparations from non-European traditions were not accepted for inclusion in the Community herbal monographs have been identified as due to unfulfilled requirements of Directive 2004/24/EC. The most common reasons were the lack of evidence to demonstrate a 15-year minimum medicinal use period in the EU and evidence of absence of health risk as required by Article 16a (1) (d), and Article 16a (1) (e). CONCLUSIONS: Under the current EU legislation, the requirement to demonstrate 15-year minimum medicinal use in the EU is a major obstacle to the registration of non-European traditional herbal medicinal products. Access to scientific data to support the product safety profile may be a possible solution to overcome the hurdle presented by the 15-year minimum medicinal use period. Furthermore, the Community herbal monographs play an important role in the registration process. Therefore, making full use of existing Community herbal monographs, and promoting scientific research and subsequent development of additional monographs for herbal substances and preparations, and combinations thereof from non-European traditions would be of benefit to herbal medicinal product registration from non-European traditions.