Performance of Prediction Models for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in General Population: A Systematic Review and External Validation Study.

INTRODUCTION: Prediction models for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) need to be proven effective in the target population before they can be applied to population-based endoscopic screening to improve cost-effectiveness. We have systematically reviewed ESCC prediction models applicable to the general population and performed external validation and head-to-head comparisons in a large multicenter prospective cohort including 5 high-risk areas of China (Fei Cheng, Lin Zhou, Ci Xian, Yang Zhong, and Yan Ting). METHODS: Models were identified through a systematic review and validated in a large population-based multicenter prospective cohort that included 89,753 participants aged 40-69 years who underwent their first endoscopic examination between April 2017 and March 2021 and were followed up until December 31, 2022. Model performance in external validation was estimated based on discrimination and calibration. Discrimination was assessed by C-statistic (concordance statistic), and calibration was assessed by calibration plot and Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: The systematic review identified 15 prediction models that predicted severe dysplasia and above lesion (SDA) or ESCC in the general population, of which 11 models (4 SDA and 7 ESCC) were externally validated. The C-statistics ranged from 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.66-0.69) to 0.70 (0.68-0.71) of the SDA models, and the highest was achieved by Liu et al (2020) and Liu et al (2022). The C-statistics ranged from 0.51 (0.48-0.54) to 0.74 (0.71-0.77), and Han et al (2023) had the best discrimination of the ESCC models. Most models were well calibrated after recalibration because the calibration plots coincided with the x = y line. DISCUSSION: Several prediction models showed moderate performance in external validation, and the prediction models may be useful in screening for ESCC. Further research is needed on model optimization, generalization, implementation, and health economic evaluation.

Genome-wide identification of the AOMT gene family in wax apple and functional characterization of SsAOMTs to anthocyanin methylation.

Introduction: Anthocyanins are major pigments in the peels of red-series wax apple fruits, and two principal components of them, namely, the cyanin and the peonidin, are non-methoxylated and methoxylated anthocyanins, respectively. Anthocyanin O-methyltransferases (AOMTs) are an important group of enzymes that have the ability to catalyze anthocyanins methylation to promote the solubility, stability, and bioactivity of anthocyanins. Although AOMT genes have been studied in a variety of plants, the function of them in wax apple is generally not well understood. Methods: The anthocyanin composition in peels of two wax apple cultivars was determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLS-MS). The genome-wide analysis of the AOMT genes was performed with bioinformatics technology, and the expression patterns of different plant tissues, cultivars, fruit ripening stages, and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatments were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing analysis and real-time quantitative PCR verification. An initial functional evaluation was carried out in vitro using recombinant the Anthocyanin O-methyltransferase Gene 5 of S. samarangense (SsAOMT5) protein. Results: Only two main compositions of anthocyanin were found in peels of two wax apple cultivars, and it was worth noting that Tub Ting Jiang cultivar contained non-methoxylated anthocyanin (Cy3G) only, whereas Daye cultivar contained both non-methoxylated and methoxylated (Pn3G) anthocyanins. A total of six SsAOMT genes were identified in the whole genome of wax apple, randomly distributing on three chromosomes. A phylogenic analysis of the protein sequences divided the SsAOMT gene family into three subgroups, and all SsAOMTs had highly conserved domains of AOMT family. In total, four types of stress- related and five types of hormone- related cis-elements were discovered in the promoter region of the SsAOMTs. Expression pattern analysis showed that SsAOMT5 and SsAOMT6 were expressed in all tissues to varying degrees; notably, the expression of SsAOMT5 was high in the flower and fruit and significantly higher in Daye peels than those of other cultivars in the fruit ripening period. Exogenous ABA treatment significantly increased anthocyanin accumulation, but the increase of methoxylated anthocyanin content did not reach significant level compared with those without ABA treatment, whereas the expression of SsAOMT5 upregulated under ABA treatment. We identified two homologous SsAOMT5 genes from Daye cultivar (DSsAOMT5) and Tub Ting Jiang cultivar (TSsAOMT5); the results of functional analyses to two SsAOMT5 recombinant proteins in vitro demonstrated that DSsAOMT5 showed methylation modification activity, but TSsAOMT5 did not. Conclusion: In conclusion, SsAOMT5 was responsible for methylated anthocyanin accumulation in the peels of wax apple and played an important role in red coloration in wax apple peels.

Correction: Magnetotransport and magnetic properties of Cr-modified Mn2Sb epitaxial thin films.

Correction for 'Magnetotransport and magnetic properties of Cr-modified Mn2Sb epitaxial thin films' by Ting-Wei Chen et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 5785-5794, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CP05442F.

Clinical efficacy of immunotherapy plus target therapy for preventing postoperative recurr-ence of hepatocellular carcinoma after associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

Surgical resection in patients with advanced primary carcinoma of liver has high risks of early recurrence and incidence of portal vein tumor thrombus, caused by insufficient resi-dual liver volume after two-steps hepatotomy. At present, the treatment for patients with advanced primary carcinoma of liver is limited, thus can't satisfy the requirement of patient for treatment. The authors introduce the clinical experience of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and insufficient residual liver volume who underwent preventive immunotherapy plus target therapy after associa-ting liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, in order to provide reference for relevant treatment.

[Analysis of absorbed constituents and network pharmacology research of Xiaoer Fupi Granules].

Xiaoer Fupi Granules, a refined version of the classical prescription Shenling Baizhu Powder, has the effect of invigora-ting spleen, replenishing Qi, harmonizing stomach and resolving accumulation and is commonly used to treat Qi deficiency in spleen and stomach, disordered transportation and transformation, and indigestion of children. However, its medicinal constituents and mechanism remain unclear. We studied the main active constituents and action mechanism of Xiaoer Fupi Granules by integrating network pharmacology and prototype constituent analysis in vivo. This study will help to increase the reliability of database analysis results and lay a foundation for precise medication and mining of quality control markers. On the basis of Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine(BATMAN-TCM), the "key chemical constituents-target" network was constructed. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) was employed to analyze the absorbed constituents in rat urine and plasma, so as to validate the network. Further, we used BATMAN-TCM to construct the "absorbed constituents-target-pathway" network and explore the functioning mechanism of Xiaoer Fupi Granules. A total of 86 chemical constituents of Xiaoer Fupi Granules were predicted via BATMAN-TCM, among which only 18.6% were detected in rat plasma and urine. Accor-ding to the "absorbed constituents-target-pathway" network, 8 chemical constituents such as stearic acid and caprylic acid capable of regulating gastric acid and insulin secretion may be the critical constituents of Xiaoer Fupi Granules in invigorating spleen and harmonizing stomach. This study identified the critical active constituents and predicted the action mechanism of Xiaoer Fupi Granules, providing the reference for the research on the material basis of Xiaoer Fupi Granules.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Zinc Toxicity Tolerance within a Rice Core Collection (Oryza sativa L.).

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for rice, but it is toxic at a high concentration, especially in acid soils. It is yet unknown which genes regulate Zn tolerance in rice. In the present study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed for Zn tolerance in rice at the seedling stage within a rice core collection, named Ting's core collection, which showed extensive phenotypic variations in Zn toxicity with high-density single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A total of 7 and 19 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected using root elongation (RE) and relative root elongation (RRE) under high Zn toxicity, respectively. Among them, 24 QTL were novel, and qRRE15 was located in the same region where 3 QTL were reported previously. In addition, qRE4 and qRRE9 were identical. Furthermore, we found eight candidate genes that are involved in abiotic and biotic stress, immunity, cell expansion, and phosphate transport in the loci of qRRE8, qRRE9, and qRRE15. Moreover, four candidate genes, i.e., Os01g0200700, Os06g0621900, Os06g0493600, and Os06g0622700, were verified correlating to Zn tolerance in rice by quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Taken together, these results provide significant insight into the genetic basis for Zn toxicity tolerance and tolerant germplasm for developing rice tolerance to Zn toxicity and improving rice production in Zn-contaminated soils.

[Effects of economic fruit forest planting on the stability of red soil aggregates in the subtropical hilly area]. / 亚热带丘岗区经果林种植对红壤团聚体稳定性的影响.

The stability of aggregates is of great significance to evaluate water and soil environment in regions plan-ting economic fruit forest. We explored the effects of economic fruit forest types on the structure and stability of soil aggregates in the 0-50 cm soil layer from 5-year-old Amygdalus persica, Pyrus sorotina, Citrus reticulata, Camellia oleifera and Actinidia chinensis forests in the hilly area in northern Hunan. The content, distribution characteristics and stability indices of soil aggregates from each economic fruit forest were quantitatively analyzed by the Shavinov method. The results showed that most soil aggregates were mechanically stable, with a minimum content of 92.3%. After wet sieving, the size of water-stable aggregates in the soil from Camellia oleifera forest was mainly >2 mm, accounting for 55.9% of the total aggregates. The 0.25-2 mm aggregates were the dominant particles in the A. persica, P. sorotina, C. reticulata and A. chinensis forest soils, with contributions higher than 43.6%. The mean weight diameter (MWD) and the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of soil aggregates for the five economic fruit forest types ranged from 1.10 to 3.19 mm and 0.61 to 2.28 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the percentages of soil aggregate destruction (PAD) and fractal dimension (D) were in the range of 2.9%-37.3% and 2.30-2.68, respectively. With the increases of soil depth, the stability of soil aggregates from A. persica, C. oleifera and A. chinensis forest soils became worse; MWD and GMD decreased by 1.7%-57.7% and 4.5%-65.8%, respectively; PAD and D increased by 0.4%-17.3% and 1.6%-11.1%, respectively. The effects of economic fruit forest types on the stability of soil aggregates decreased with increasing soil depth. Based on the stability indices, aggregate stability from five economic fruit forests followed the order of C. oleifera > A. chinensis > P. sorotina > C. reticulata > A. persica. The type of economic fruit forest improved the stability of soil structure mainly by affecting the content of large-size aggregates. In terms of improving the distribution and stability of soil aggregates, it was suggested that C. oleifera should be given the top priority as the economic fruit forest in the subtropical hilly area, followed by A. chinensis. Whereas A. persica planting might reduce the degree of soil agglomeration, thus, the protective measures of soil loss should be considered during planting. Our results could provide theoretical basis and application guidance for the development, utilization, and ecological management of economic fruit forests in subtropical hilly areas.

Time comparison of artificial airway establishment in operating room and on slope using endotracheal intubation and laryngeal mask / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the completion time of endotracheal intubation and laryngeal mask implantation in operating room and on slope of ski resort, and to discuss the optimal method of estab-lishing artificial airway on slope of ski resort.@*METHODS@#The simulator was placed with the head under the feet on slope of ski resort. The artificial airway was established by tracheal intubation assisted by video laryngoscope (endotracheal intubation group) and laryngeal mask placement (laryngeal mask group) respectively by an anesthesiologist who wore full set of ski suits, helmets, goggles, gloves and ski boots. Each method was repeated 5 times, and the operation time of artificial airway establishment was recorded. While the simulated human was placed flat on the operating table in an operating room of a hospital, and the artificial airway was established by the same anesthesiologist using the same methods. Time was recorded and repeated for 5 times. The completion time of endotracheal intubation and laryngeal mask placement in the operating room and on the ski slope were compared.@*RESULTS@#The operating time of tracheal intubation in the operating room was longer than that of laryngeal mask placement [(79.8±10.4) s vs. (53.4±2.7) s, P=0.005], and the operating time of endotracheal intubation on the ski slope was longer than that of laryngeal mask placement [(209.2±32.7) s vs. (72.2±3.1) s, P=0.001]. The time of endotracheal intubation group on the slope of the ski resort was longer than that in the opera-ting room(t=-7.851, P=0.001). The time of laryngeal mask group on the slope was longer than that in the operating room (t=-19.391, P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#On ski slope, both of tracheal intubation assisted by video laryngoscope and laryngeal mask placement can quickly complete the establishment of artificial airway, but the time required is longer than that in the operating room. The time of laryngeal mask placement to establish artificial airway is shorter than that of tracheal intubation assisted video laryngoscope, which may have a certain advantage in ski rescue.

Anticancer effects of Daidzein against the human melanoma cell lines involves cell cycle arrest, autophagy and deactivation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathways.

Retraction of: 'Anticancer effects of Daidzein against the human melanoma cell lines involves cell cycle arrest, autophagy and deactivation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathways', by Hui Chu, Junzhi Li, Ting Liu, Na Miao, Wei Zhang, JBUON 2020;25(1):485-490; PMID:32277673. Following the publication of the above article, readers drew to our attention that part of the data was unreliable. The authors were requested to provide the raw data to prove the originality, but were unable to do so. After an investigation, the Editors of JBUON decided to retract this article. We thank the readers for bringing this matter to our attention. We apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.

[Brief discussion about role and measures of scientific fertilization in ecological cultivation of Chinese medicinal materials].

The ecological planting of Chinese medicinal materials is a cultivation technology that takes into account both ecological and economic benefits, and takes scientific planting technology as a guide to achieve the goal of high quality, high yield and efficiency of Chinese medicinal materials and the sustainable and healthy development of Chinese medicinal materials planting. Among them, scientific fertilization is an important measure to realize the ecological planting of Chinese medicinal materials. In recent years, the social economy has developed rapidly. In the production of Chinese herbal medicines, a large amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have been gradually used to increase short-term economic benefits. The unreasonable use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has neglected the output, quality, safety, environmental pollution and environmental protection of medicinal materials. The impact of continuous development. Therefore, from the perspective of research on cultivation of Chinese medicinal materials, this article briefly describes the role and measures of scientific fertilization in ecological planting of Chinese medicinal materials. The roles of scientific fertilization in solving soil pollution and soil quality deterioration of Chinese herbal medicine cultivation, sustainable deve-lopment of Chinese herbal medicine production, unstable production quality of Chinese herbal medicine products, and quality safety are summarized separately. It is proposed measures based on the characteristics of soil fertilization, the growth and development characteristics of Chinese medicinal materials as the core, and the industrial planting model as the carrier to promote scientific fertilization in the cultivation of Chinese medicinal materials. Finally, the development direction of scientific fertilization and ecological plan-ting of traditional Chinese medicine is prospected, in order to provide support and reference for the development of ecological planting of traditional Chinese medicine.

Novel therapeutic compounds for prostate adenocarcinoma treatment: An analysis using bioinformatic approaches and the CMap database.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate adenocarcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy, particularly for people >70 years old. The main challenge in the treatment of advanced neoplasm is bone metastasis and therapeutic resistance for known oncology drugs. Novel treatment methods to prolong the survival time and improve the life quality of these specific patients are required. The present study attempted to screen potential therapeutic compounds for the tumor through bioinformatics approaches, in order to provide conceptual treatment for this malignant disease. METHODS: Differentially expressed genes were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and submitted into the Connectivity Map database for the detection of potentially associated compounds. Target genes were extracted from the search results. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment were performed for the confirmation. Survival analysis was used to measure potential therapeutic effects. RESULTS: It was revealed that 3 compounds (vanoxerine, tolnaftate, and gabexate) may help to prolong the disease-free survival time from tumor metastasis of patients with the tumor. A total of 6 genes [also-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), collagen type III α 1 chain (COL3A1), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glucuronidase, ß pseudogene 11 (GUSBP11), apolipoprotein E (APOE), and collagen type I α 1 chain (COL1A1)] were identified to be the potential therapeutic targets for the aforementioned compounds. CONCLUSION: In the present study, it was speculated that 3 compounds may function as the potential therapeutic drugs of bone metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma; however, further studies verifying vitro and in vivo are necessary.

Species Quantification in Complex Herbal Formulas-Vector Control Quantitative Analysis as a New Method.

Product mislabeling and/or species fraud in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) not only decrease TCM quality, but also pose a potential health issue to the end user. Up to now, methods to control TCM quality have been developed to detect specific metabolites or identify the original species. However, species quantification in complex herbal formulas is rarely concerned. Here, we reported a simple Vector Control Quantitative Analysis (VCQA) method for flexible and accurate multiplex species quantification in traditional Chinese herbal formulas. We developed PCR-based strategy to quickly generate the integrated DNA fragments from multiple targeted species, which can be assembled into the quantitative vector in one round of cloning by Golden Gate ligation and Gateway recombination technique. With this method, we recruited the nuclear ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region for the quantification of Ligusticum sinense "Chuanxiong," Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Franch. & Sav., Notopterygium incisum K. C. Ting ex H. T. Chang, Asarum sieboldii Miq., Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk., Nepeta cataria L., Mentha canadensis L., and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. in ChuanXiong ChaTiao Wan, a classic Chinese herbal formula with very long historical background. We found that, firstly, VCQA method could eliminate the factors affecting such as the variations in DNA extracts when in combination with the use of universal and species-specific primers. Secondly, this method detected the limit of quantification of A. sieboldii Miq. in formula products down to 1%. Thirdly, the stability of quality of ChuanXiong ChaTiao Wan formula varies significantly among different manufacturers. In conclusion, VCQA method has the potential power and can be used as an alternative method for species quantification of complex TCM formulas.

[Influence on orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetra-ting needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62)].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect on incomplete eyelid in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with facial neuritis, in compliance with the inclusion criteria, were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 32 cases in each. In the treatment group, the penetrating needling was applied to BL2 and EX-HN4 on the affected side, combined with the perpendicular needling at bilateral BL62. Besides, on the affected side, the penetrating needling was applied from Yangbai (GB14) toward four directions, named Shangxing (GV23), Touwei (ST8), Cuanzu (BL2) and Sizukong (TE23), the mutual penetrating needling was adopted between Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6). Between Yingxiang (LI20) and Xiaguan (ST7), a row-arranged needling technique was applied. All of the needles were retained for 10 to 30 min in each treatment. The treatment was given once daily and the treatment for 10 days was as 1 course. A total of 2 courses of treatment were required. In the control group, prednisone acetate （30 mg/d）, was administered consecutively for 5 days. Afterward, the dose was reduced to be 10 mg/d and the medication stopped after taking consecutively for 1 week. Muscular injection with vitamin B12 （0.5 mg） and B1 （0.1 mg） was given, once daily. 10 days later, vitamin B1 was taken for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times a day, for 10 days totally. Before and after the treatment, the clinical effect was compared between the two groups in terms of the analysis on the Hourse-Brackman (H-B) grade of facial nerve function, the distance between the upper and the lower eyelids, muscle strength, degree of eyelid closure and electromyogram (EMG). RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment group was 96.9 % (31/32), better than 84.4%（27/32） in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the treatment group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the control group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the latent period of motor nerve conduction and the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the treatment, the results of the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group (P<0.05，P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The treatment with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62) greatly promotes the recovery of orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis, reduces the complications and presents the satisfactory clinical effect.

[Analysis of ecological recycling modes for Gastrodia elata cultivation].

Gastrodia elata is a kind of precious traditional Chinese medicine. In artificial cultivation, it has not got rid of its dependence on forest resources. In order to maintain the balance of the ecological system and reduce the waste of resources as much as possible, based on the information from field investigation at many places, this paper introduced the new ecological circulation planting patterns of G. elata, such as "forest-G. elata" supporting planting, G. elata-edible mushroom rotation, forest-G. elata-edible mushroom three-dimensional planting, fungus material classification planting technology, and so on. In this paper, we expounded the ecological problems solved by several planting patterns in G. elata production and analyzed their shortcomings. Finally, based on the exis-ting models, a complete ecological planting system of G. elata was summarized. This planting system emphasizes: ① The follow-up forests should be started before the planting of G. elata. And the economic forests were used to cultivation of G. elata. ② The classified utilization of fungus-growing materials. The leaves were used to cultivate germination bacteria of G. elata, the small branches were used to cultivate protocorm and juvenile tuber, the large branches were used to cultivate immature tuber, and the tree trunk was used to cultivate mature tuber. ③ Recycle utilization G. elata fungus material. The old fungus materials were used to produce strains or cultivate edible fungus. This design project not only solves the problems of the source of G. elata fungus material, the efficient utilization of fungus material and land resources, but also enriches the industrial structure. Using limited time and land resources to obtain greater economic benefits. It has certain guiding significance for poverty alleviation and ecological improvement.

Potential distribution of Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H. T. Chang and its predicted responses to climate change based on a comprehensive habitat suitability model.

Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H. T. Chang is a rare and endangered traditional Chinese medicinal plant. In this research, we built a comprehensive habitat suitability (CHS) model to analyze the potential suitable habitat distribution of this species in the present and future in China. First, using nine different algorithms, we built an ensemble model to explore the possible impacts of climate change on the habitat distribution of this species. Then, based on this model, we built a CHS model to further identify the distribution characteristics of N. incisum-suitable habitats in three time periods (current, 2050s, and 2070s) while considering the effects of soil and vegetation conditions. The results indicated that the current suitable habitat for N. incisum covers approximately 83.76 × 103 km2, and these locations were concentrated in the Tibet Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, and Sichuan Province. In the future, the areas of suitable habitat for N. incisum would significantly decrease and would be 69.53 × 103 km2 and 60.21 × 103 km2 in the 2050s and 2070s, respectively. However, the area of marginally suitable habitat would remain relatively stable. This study provides a more reliable and comprehensive method for modelling the current and future distributions of N. incisum, and it provides valuable insights for highlighting priority areas for medicinal plant conservation and resource utilization.

Analysis of ecological recycling modes for Gastrodia elata cultivation / 中国中药杂志

Gastrodia elata is a kind of precious traditional Chinese medicine. In artificial cultivation, it has not got rid of its dependence on forest resources. In order to maintain the balance of the ecological system and reduce the waste of resources as much as possible, based on the information from field investigation at many places, this paper introduced the new ecological circulation planting patterns of G. elata, such as "forest-G. elata" supporting planting, G. elata-edible mushroom rotation, forest-G. elata-edible mushroom three-dimensional planting, fungus material classification planting technology, and so on. In this paper, we expounded the ecological problems solved by several planting patterns in G. elata production and analyzed their shortcomings. Finally, based on the exis-ting models, a complete ecological planting system of G. elata was summarized. This planting system emphasizes: ① The follow-up forests should be started before the planting of G. elata. And the economic forests were used to cultivation of G. elata. ② The classified utilization of fungus-growing materials. The leaves were used to cultivate germination bacteria of G. elata, the small branches were used to cultivate protocorm and juvenile tuber, the large branches were used to cultivate immature tuber, and the tree trunk was used to cultivate mature tuber. ③ Recycle utilization G. elata fungus material. The old fungus materials were used to produce strains or cultivate edible fungus. This design project not only solves the problems of the source of G. elata fungus material, the efficient utilization of fungus material and land resources, but also enriches the industrial structure. Using limited time and land resources to obtain greater economic benefits. It has certain guiding significance for poverty alleviation and ecological improvement.

Influence on orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetra-ting needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62) / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect on incomplete eyelid in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with facial neuritis, in compliance with the inclusion criteria, were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 32 cases in each. In the treatment group, the penetrating needling was applied to BL2 and EX-HN4 on the affected side, combined with the perpendicular needling at bilateral BL62. Besides, on the affected side, the penetrating needling was applied from Yangbai (GB14) toward four directions, named Shangxing (GV23), Touwei (ST8), Cuanzu (BL2) and Sizukong (TE23), the mutual penetrating needling was adopted between Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6). Between Yingxiang (LI20) and Xiaguan (ST7), a row-arranged needling technique was applied. All of the needles were retained for 10 to 30 min in each treatment. The treatment was given once daily and the treatment for 10 days was as 1 course. A total of 2 courses of treatment were required. In the control group, prednisone acetate （30 mg/d）, was administered consecutively for 5 days. Afterward, the dose was reduced to be 10 mg/d and the medication stopped after taking consecutively for 1 week. Muscular injection with vitamin B12 （0.5 mg） and B1 （0.1 mg） was given, once daily. 10 days later, vitamin B1 was taken for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times a day, for 10 days totally. Before and after the treatment, the clinical effect was compared between the two groups in terms of the analysis on the Hourse-Brackman (H-B) grade of facial nerve function, the distance between the upper and the lower eyelids, muscle strength, degree of eyelid closure and electromyogram (EMG). RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment group was 96.9 % (31/32), better than 84.4%（27/32） in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the treatment group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the control group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the latent period of motor nerve conduction and the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the treatment, the results of the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group (P<0.05，P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The treatment with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62) greatly promotes the recovery of orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis, reduces the complications and presents the satisfactory clinical effect.

Correlation between fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and DNA methylation in adult twins / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the cytidine-phosphate-guanosine (CPG) sites associated with fas-ting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in twins.@*METHODS@#In the study, 169 pairs of monozygotic twins were recruited in Qingdao, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan and Heilongjiang in June to December of 2013 and June 2017 to October 2018. The methylation was detected by Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip and Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. According to the Linear Mixed Effect model (LME model), fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c were taken as the main effects, the methylation level (β value) was taken as the dependent variable, continuous variables, such as age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, components of blood cells, surrogate variables generated by SVA, and categorical variables, such as gender, smoking and drinking status, hypoglycemic drugs taking, were included in the fixed effect model as covariates, and the identity numbers (ID) of the twins was included in the random effect model. The intercept was set as a random. Regression analysis was carried out to find out the CpG sites related to fasting blood glucose or HbA1c, respectively.@*RESULTS@#In this study, 338 monozygotic twins (169 pairs) were included, with 412 459 CpG loci. Among them, 114 pairs were male, and 55 pairs were female, with an average age of (48.2±11.9) years. After adjustment of age, gender, BMI, blood pressure, smoking, drinking, blood cell composition, and other covariates, and multiple comparison test, 7 CpG sites (cg19693031, cg01538969, cg08501915, cg04816311, ch.8.1820050F, cg06721411, cg26608667) were found related to fasting blood glucose, 3 of which (cg08501915, ch.8.1820050f, cg26608667) were the newly found sites in this study; whereas 10 CpG sites (cg19693031, cg04816311, cg01538969, cg01339781, cg01676795, cg24667115, cg09029192, cg20697417, ch.4.1528651F, cg16097041) were found related to HbA1c, and 4 of which(cg01339781, cg24667115, cg20697417, and ch.4.1528651f) were new. We found that cg19693031 in TXNIP gene was the lowest P-value site in the association analysis between DNA methylation and fas-ting plasma glucose and HbA1c (PFPG=2.42×10-19, FDRFPG<0.001; PHbA1c=1.72×10-19, FDRHbA1c<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#In this twin study, we found new CpG sites related to fasting blood glucose and HbA1c, and provided some clues that partly revealed the potential mechanism of blood glucose metabolism in terms of DNA methylation, but it needed further verification in external larger samples.

Identification and characterization of the dominant Microcystis sp. cyanobacteria detected in Lake Dong Ting, China.

The presence of cyanobacteria in drinking water, aquatic foods and bathing water has created a significant major problem to global public health as these toxins induce damage in various organ including liver, cardiovascular, intestinal and central nervous systems. Although the morphologic, phylogenetic and toxicogenetic characteristics of cyanobacteria were identified in several lakes in China, many freshwater sources such as Dong Ting Lake, Hunan Province, China remain to be determined. Since the presence of these cyanobacteria may potentially affect human health, the aim of this study was to isolate, identify and characterize the most frequent occurring bloom-forming cyanobacteria in Dong Ting Lake, Hunan Province, China, which can provide information on the safety of utilization of this water source for drinking water, agriculture and recreation. Samples collected from the surface water of Dong Ting Lake were subjected to serial dilution in the lab for morphological analysis. Data demonstrated the morphological features were 2-5 µm diameters with rounded shapes and green color resembling Microcystis sp. The isolated cyanobacterial strain obtained from surface water samples in Dong Ting Lake was termed Microcystis sp. YFM2. The MC concentration was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and found to be 92.88 µg/107 cells in Microcystis sp. YFM2. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results indicated that Microcystis sp. YFM2 isolated from Dong Ting Lake contained synthetase genes (mcyA-C). Our findings indicated that the dominant cyanobacteria Microcystis sp. YFM2 isolated from the freshwater Dong Ting Lake demonstrated morphologic, phylogenetic and toxicogenetic properties resembling a toxin generating cyanobacterium. Based upon this knowledge, it is essential to monitor the use of this Lake for future domestic, agricultural and recreational purposes.

[Screening of pyrene degradation bacteria strain from the Kochia scoparia roots and its potential for promoting growth]. / ç„¦åŒ–åŽ‚åœ°è‚¤æ ¹å† è§£èŠ˜ç»†èŒçš„ç­›é€‰åŠä¿ƒç”Ÿæ½œåŠ›.

The endophytic bacteria were isolated from the roots of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs)-tolerant plant. We investigated their ability of PAHs degradation and plant growth promo-ting, with the aim to provide theoretical support for bacterial-plant cooperative soil remediation. Kochia scoparia living in coking plant area were selected for strains isolation. Eight endophytic bacteria strains, which used pyrene and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) as sole carbon and nitrogen source, were isolated from the roots of K. scoparia. Three endophytic bacteria, KSE4, KSE7 and KSE8, displayed high degradation efficiency in pyrene degradation experiment. They were identified as Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Sphingobacterium sp., respectively. The abili-ties of those three strains to produce ACC deaminase and their effects on seed germination of K. scoparia were examined under pyrene stress through liquid culture tests. The results showed that the activity of ACC deaminase decreased with increasing pyrene concentration (0-15 mg·L-1). KSE7 had the strongest promotion effect. When pyrene concentration reached to 15 mg·L-1, the germination rate and bud length of K. scoparia increased by 44.8% and 61.1%, respectively. Our results indicated that KSE7 is a promising bacterial strain for soil remediation in coking plant area.