Abstract LaoXiangHuang (LXH) is a medical pickled fruit made of fresh finger citron (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis) in Chaozhou, China. Aging is a process to strengthen the efficacy of Laoxianghuang (LXH), which is related to the activity of microorganisms. In this study, the changes of the microbial community of LXH within the three-years aging process were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing (HTS). According to alpha diversity results, bacterial abundance and diversity were higher than those of fungi. A total of 3 phyla and 13 bacterial genera were identified whereas 2 phyla and 4 fungal genera were identified. Meta-taxonomic of the overall bacterial communities in samples revealed that Halomonas spp. was the most abundant genus in all samples, which showed the first decresed, and then increased and decreased finally. The followed by Nitriliuptor spp., Nesterenkonia spp., Weissella spp., Notinibacter spp., Streptococcus spp., Nocardiopsis spp., Acinetobacter spp., Ralstonia spp., Lactobacillus spp. and unassigned genus. The unassigned genera (through the whole three-years fermentation period), Ustilago spp., Malassezia spp., Aspergillus spp. and Schizophyllum spp. were the predominant fungal genera. The result of PCOA and T-test analysis exhibited that the samples with different aging times have significant differences and are mainly reflected in Halomonas, unassigned bacterial genera, Nitriliruptor, Nesterenkonia, Weissella, Intestinibacter, Streptococcus and Nocardiopsis, Lactobacillus, Acinetobacter, Ralstonia, unassigned fungal genera, Ustilago spp. Malassezia spp. Aspergillus spp. and Schizophyllum spp., which may have important potential in promoting the aging process of LXH. This study helps us to understand the dynamic change of microorganisms of LXH during the aging process and provides a research basis for shortening the aging time of LXH in the future.

Abstract Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), the receptor for CD154, is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of the CD40 rs1883832 polymorphism on atherosclerotic disease in different population; however, inconsistent results were obtained. In this study, we investigated the association of four polymorphisms (rs1883832, rs13040307, rs752118 and rs3765459) of CD40 gene and their effect on CD40 expression with the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) in a Chinese population. Three hundred and eighty patients with IS and 450 control subjects were included in the study. The CD40 polymorphisms were discriminated by Snapshot SNP genotyping assay. Serum soluble CD40 (sCD40) levels were detected by ELISA. We found that the rs1883832CT and rs1883832TT genotypes were associated with an increased risk of IS compared with the rs1883832CC genotype (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.03–1.95, p = 0.030 and OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.29–2.82, P = 0.001, respectively), and the rs1883832T allele was associated with a significantly increased risk of IS compared with rs1883832C allele (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15–1.70, P = 0.001). Elevated serum sCD40 levels were observed in patients with IS compared with the control gropu (P < 0.01). Individuals carrying the rs1883832TT or rs1883832CT genotypes showed significantly higher sCD40 levels compared with the rs1883832CC genotype in the IS group [(64.8 ± 25.4 pg/mL, TT = 94); (63.9 ± 24.3 pg/mL, CT = 185) vs (53.3 ± 22.5 pg/mL, CC = 101), P < 0.01]. The TCCA haplotype was associated with an increased risk of IS compared with the control group (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.23–3.58, p = 0.005). However, we did not find a significant association between the other three polymorphisms and IS risk. In conclusion, after a comprehensive comparison with other studies, we confirmed that the rs1883832T allele but not the rs1883832C allele is associated with an increased risk of IS. The rs1883832 polymorphism may exert influences on abnormal CD40 expression in IS patients among the Chinese population.

ABSTRACT Quantifying the effects of environmental conditions on grain quality of foxtail millet (Setaria italica [L.] P. Beauv.) is critical for large-scale promotion of high-quality foxtail millet according to local conditions. We analyzed quantitative correlation between grain quality of foxtail millet and environmental factors during the growing season (May-September) using multivariate statistical analysis under different ecological conditions at five representative locations across Shanxi Province, China. Based on the results of principal component analysis, the first principal component, which explained 58.22% of total variance in grain quality, was selected to represent the comprehensive quality of foxtail millet. The results of gray relational analysis showed that the difference in grain quality across different locations was mainly affected by altitude (grey relational grade [GRG] = 0.8137), followed by precipitation (GRG = 0.7744), diurnal temperature range (GRG = 0.6816), latitude (GRG = 0.5417), sunshine hours (GRG = 0.5052), and ≥ 20 °C accumulated temperature (GRG = 0.4517). The precipitation of July and diurnal temperature range of July-September had the greatest effect on grain quality of foxtail millet. Stepwise regression and path analyses revealed that altitude, precipitation, and ≥ 20 °C accumulated temperature were the major environmental factors affecting grain quality of foxtail millet, which determined 99% of total variance in grain quality. Altitude and precipitation exhibited a significant positive effect, while ≥ 20 °C accumulated temperature showed a significant negative effect. The regression equation proposed in this study (P = 0.0048, R2 = 0.99) can be used to predict and forecast grain quality of foxtail millet.

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its related factors remains unclear in Shanghai.The aim of this study was to investigate the positive rates of ADHD symptoms and the associated factors in a sample of children aged 5 to 15 years in Zhabei District, Shanghai. Methods: The participants were selected by cluster-stratified sampling of the general information and responses gathered from questionnaires on ADHD symptoms. The questionnaires examined summed up to 9,627. The positive rates of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms and the socio-demographic factors were compared. Results: The positive rates of most ADHD symptoms decreased with age. Children between 5 and 7 years and between 7 and 9 years exhibited the highest ADHD positive rates. Boys showed a higher positive rate of ADHD symptoms compared to girls. Children who were local residents showed a higher rate than nonlocal residents and those of other nationalities. This might be related to the integration of immigrants and those belonging to lower socioeconomic classes. The positive rates of ADHD symptoms decreased with the educational level of the parents, while the parents'; level of education was associated with the severity of the ADHD symptoms. Problems of inattention were more common than problems of hyperactivity, as indicated by the positive rates. Conclusions: The improper educational guidance of ineffective parents, as well as simple and crude attitudes to education, may place children in such a conflicting state, gradually creating psychological problems and resulting in a lack of self-confidence and ADHD.

OBJECTIVES:The transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate system treats irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation from transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate-I to transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate-III. However, this system has demonstrated problems associated with screw loosening, atlantoaxial fixation and concealed or manifest neurovascular injuries. This study sought to design a set of individualized templates to improve the accuracy of anterior C2 screw placement in the transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate-IV procedure.METHODS:A set of individualized templates was designed according to thin-slice computed tomography data obtained from 10 human cadavers. The templates contained cubic modules and drill guides to facilitate transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate positioning and anterior C2 screw placement. We performed 2 stages of cadaveric experiments with 2 cadavers in stage one and 8 in stage two. Finally, guided C2 screw placement was evaluated by reading postoperative computed tomography images and comparing the planned and inserted screw trajectories.RESULTS:There were two cortical breaching screws in stage one and three in stage two, but only the cortical breaching screws in stage one were ranked critical. In stage two, the planned entry points and the transverse angles of the anterior C2 screws could be simulated, whereas the declination angles could not be simulated due to intraoperative blockage of the drill bit and screwdriver by the upper teeth.CONCLUSIONS:It was feasible to use individualized templates to guide transoral C2 screw placement. Thus, these drill templates combined with transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate-IV, may improve the accuracy of transoral C2 screw placement and reduce related neurovascular complications.

Large gastric folds (LGF) can be caused by benign conditions as well as malignancies. Unfortunately, endoscopic features and biopsy results are often equivocal, making the diagnosis and management of large gastric folds difficult. Polyposis syndromes encompass a group of conditions in which multiple gastrointestinal polyps occur in the lumen of the gut. Large gastric folds are extremely rare in these syndromes. We present the case of a patient with polyposis who was found to have large gastric folds in the entire gastric fundus and body, mimicking malignancy. The patient's medical history and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) with mucosal resection confirmed the diagnosis of a pre-malignant disease. The lesion was monitored by serial endoscopic ultrasonography and biopsy, abdominal computed tomography (CT), and positron emission and computed tomography (PET-CT) for 6 years. The lesion remained stable, with the exception of abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on PET-CT in the gastric folds, which was determined to be a false-positive sign. To date, the patient remains healthy. We further discuss the mechanisms underlying the formation of large gastric folds caused by polyposis syndromes. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) is unnecessary for this progression. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining suggested that overexpression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) and down-regulation of myocyte enhancer-binding factor 2 (MEF2) may be involved in this case.