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Data on sofosbuvir‐based therapy for pregnant women and infants with severe chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are lacking. Two late pregnant women and one female infant with severe CHC were enrolled for treatment. Pregnant Women 1 and 2 and Infant 3 were 30, 33, and 1.2 years old, respectively; the gestational ages of pregnant Women 1 and 2 were 31 and 26 weeks, respectively. Notably, pregnant Women 1 and 2 and Infant 3 had hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels of 139 000, 198 000, and 8 450 000 IU/ml; alanine aminotransferase levels of 420, 781, and 220 U/L; and received sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir for 12 weeks, respectively. All three patients were safely cured with favorable tolerance, and two newborns were both breastfeeding and were consistently negative for the anti‐HCV antibody during the 1‐year follow‐up after birth. Additionally, two newborns and Infant 3 had normal growth parameters during the follow‐up year one. In conclusion, this case series study found that sofosbuvir‐based therapy for pregnant women and infants with severe CHC is safe and effective. The data may fill the gap and provide evidence of the use of sofosbuvir‐based therapy as a reference when similar severe CHC situations are encountered during clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Few safety and effectiveness results have been published regarding the administration of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) during pregnancy for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods In this multicenter prospective observational study, pregnant women with HBV DNA levels higher than 200 000 IU/mL who received TAF or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) from gestational weeks 24–35 to delivery were 1:1 enrolled and followed until postpartum month 6. Infants received immunoprophylaxis. The primary endpoint was the safety of mothers and infants. The secondary endpoint was the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive rate at 7 months for infants. Results In total, 116 and 116 mothers were enrolled, and 117 and 116 infants were born, in the TAF and TDF groups, respectively. TAF was well tolerated during a mean treatment duration of 11.0 weeks. The most common maternal adverse event was nausea (19.0%). One (0.9%), 3 (2.6%), and 9 (7.8%) mothers had abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels at delivery and at postpartum months 3 and 6, respectively. The TDF group had safety profiles that were comparable to those of the TAF group. No infants had birth defects in either group. The infants' physical and neurological development at birth and at 7 months in the TAF group were comparable with those in the TDF group. The HBsAg positive rate was 0% at 7 months in all 233 infants. Conclusions Antiviral prophylaxis with TAF was determined to be generally safe for both mothers and infants and reduced the MTCT rate to 0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though the COVID-19 epidemic in China has been successfully put under control within a few months, it is still very important to infer the origin time and genetic diversity from the perspective of the whole genome sequence of its agent, SARS-CoV-2. Yet, the sequence of the entire virus genome from China in the current public database is very unevenly distributed with reference to time and place of collection. In particular, only one sequence was obtained in Henan province, adjacent to China's worst-case province, Hubei Province. Herein, we used high-throughput sequencing techniques to get 19 whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 from 18 severe patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, a provincial designated hospital for the treatment of severe COVID-19 cases in Henan province. The demographic, baseline, and clinical characteristics of these patients were described. To investigate the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 of the current COVID-19 outbreak in China, 729 genome sequences (including 19 sequences from this study) sampled from Mainland China were analyzed with state-of-the-art comprehensive methods, including likelihood-mapping, split network, ML phylogenetic, and Bayesian time-scaled phylogenetic analyses. We estimated that the evolutionary rate and the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of SARS-CoV-2 from Mainland China were 9.25 × 10−4 substitutions per site per year (95% BCI: 6.75 × 10−4 to 1.28 × 10−3) and October 1, 2019 (95% BCI: August 22, 2019 to November 6, 2019), respectively. Our results contribute to studying the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 over time in Mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, COVID‐19 has been reported in nearly all countries globally. To date, little is known about the viral shedding duration, clinical course and treatment efficacy of COVID‐19 near Hubei Province, China. This multicentre, retrospective study was performed in 12 hospitals in Henan and Shaanxi Provinces from 20 January to 8 February 2020. Clinical outcomes were followed up until 26 March 2020. The viral shedding duration, full clinical course and treatment efficacy were analysed in different subgroups of patients. A total of 149 COVID‐19 patients were enrolled. The median age was 42 years, and 61.1% (91) were males. Of them, 133 (89.3%) had fever, 131 of 144 (91%) had pneumonia, 27 (18.1%) required intensive care unit (ICU) management, 3 (2%) were pregnant, and 3 (2%) died. Two premature newborns were negative for SARS‐CoV‐2. In total, the median SARS‐CoV‐2 shedding period and clinical course were 12 (IQR: 9–17; mean: 13.4, 95% CI: 12.5, 14.2) and 20 (IQR: 16–24; mean: 21.2, 95% CI: 20.1, 22.3) days, respectively, and ICU patients had longer median viral shedding periods (21 [17–24] versus 11 [9–15]) and clinical courses (30 [22–33] vs. 19 [15.8–22]) than non‐ICU patients (both p <.0001). SARS‐CoV‐2 clearances occurred at least 2 days before fatality in 3 non‐survivors. Current treatment with any anti‐viral agent or combination did not present the benefit of shortening viral shedding period and clinical course (all p >.05) in real‐life settings. In conclusion, the viral shedding duration and clinical course in Henan and Shaanxi Provinces were shorter than those in Hubei Province, and current anti‐viral therapies were ineffective for shortening viral shedding duration and clinical course in real‐world settings. These findings expand our knowledge of the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and may be helpful for management of the epidemic outbreak of COVID‐19 worldwide. Further studies concerning effective anti‐viral agents and vaccines are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been reported in almost all countries globally. No effective therapy has been documented for COVID-19, and the role of convalescent plasma therapy is unknown. In the current study, 6 patients with COVID-19 and respiratory failure received convalescent plasma a median of 21.5 days after viral shedding was first detected, all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA within 3 days after infusion, and 5 eventually died. In conclusion, convalescent plasma treatment can end SARS-CoV-2 shedding but cannot reduce the mortality rate in critically ill patients with end-stage COVID-19, and treatment should be initiated earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbohydrate response element‐binding protein (ChREBP), also referred to as MLXIPL, plays a crucial role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Existing studies have shown an association between genetic variations of the ChREBP gene and lipid levels, such as triglycerides and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, mechanistic studies of this association are limited. In this study, bioinformatic analysis revealed that the polymorphism rs1051943A occurs in the complementary binding sequence of miR‐1322 in the ChREBP 3′‐untranslated region (UTR). Studies of potential mechanisms showed that the A allele could facilitate miR‐1322 binding, and luciferase activity significantly decreased when co‐transfected with a ChREBP 3′‐UTR luciferase reporter vector and miR‐1322 mimics in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, miR‐1322 significantly regulated the expression of ChREBP downstream genes and reduced the synthesis of lipids. The expression of miR‐1322 was up‐regulated by glucose and palmitic acid stimulation. Population studies showed that rs1051943‐A allele was only found in the Han Chinese and Uighur ethnic groups, different from European populations (G allele frequency = 0.07). In summary, we provide evidence that the rs1051943 A allele creates a functional miR‐1322 binding site in ChREBP 3′‐UTR and post‐transcriptionally down‐regulates its expression, possibly associated with levels of plasma lipids and glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-three annual Citrus aurantium grafted seedlings from Chongqing, Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi and other main producing areas were collected, and the plant height, rootstock diameter, scion diameter, root length, root diameter, lateral root number, root breadth, branch number, branch length, green leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, thorns and other indicators were measured. Through the K-cluster analysis of SPSS 19.0 software, the classification standards were obtained. Combined with the production practice, plant height, scion diameter and branch number were taken as the quality classification indexes of C. aurantium seedlings(annual grafted seedlings), and three classification standards were established. If it does not meet the three-level standard, it is unqualified seedling and cannot be used as seedling. It is suggested to use the first and second level seedlings in production.

In order to understand the associated species and the population distribution pattern, the investigation of 32 sample plotsfrom the main natural distribution area in Dipsacus asperoides community was carried by quadrat method .The results showed that there were 156 species, which belong to 131 genera and 60 families. There were more species in the two dominant families, Asteraceae and Rosaceae. There were many types of associated, but most appeared at a low frequency. The vegetation type were mostly herbaceous and shrub species, which accounted for 77.6% of the total species. The value of t was greater than t0.05 by methods of variance/mean, showed the difference was significant and the distribution pattern of D. asperoides were cluster distribution. The determination results of seven aggregation intensity index also showed that D. asperoides population accorded with the characteristics of cluster distribution（C>1，K>0，Ca>0，m*>1，m*/m>1，I>0，GI>0）., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

In this study, several types of Artemisia annua in soil, including the soil which had not been planted, or planted for one year, or continuously planted for three or five years were collected, in order to study the influences of continuous cropping on the growth of A. annua, content of artemisinin, available nutrient of soil, and bacterial community structure through adopting routine analysis and Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that continuous cropping inhibited significantly the growth of A. annua and reduced leaf biomass, content and yield of artemisinin, with the maximum decreasing amplitude of 30.20%, 7.70% and 35.58% respectively. The content of soil organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and 16S rRNA sequence number were increased to different extents after continuous cropping of A. annua. According to the results of high-throughput sequencing, 634-812 types of common bacteria belonged to 21 categories were planted in different soil of A. annua with different planting years, which represented that the distribution distance of the point of bacterial community with different years among coordinate system of principal component was relative distant, and community structure had significant changes (P<0.05). As the planting years increased, the abundance of Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes decreased in contrast to Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia. In the top 20 types of predominant bacteria,Nitrospira japonica and Nitrospira disappeared, among which, only Gemmatimonadaceae, Micromonosporaceae, Nitrosomonadaceae, Xanthobacteraceae, and unculture bacterium JG30-KF-AS9 were similar, indicating that the planting and continuous cropping of A. annua selectively inhibited the growth and reproduction of soil bacteria, and influenced the supply and transform of soil nutrient, leading to a poor growth and resulting in reduction of artemisinin content and yield. Therefore, it is necessary to advocate crop rotation in the process of planting A. annua., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Referring to the rules for agricultural seed testing (GB/T 3543-1995) issued by China, the test of sampling, purity, thousand seed weight, moisture, viability, relative conductivity and germination rate had been studied for seed quality test methods of Lonicera macranthoides. The seed quality from 38 different collection areas was measured to establish quality classification standard by K-means clustering. The results showed that at least 7.5 g seeds should be sampled, and passed 20-mesh sieve for purity analysis.The 500-seed method used to measure thousand seed weight. The moisture was determined by crushed seeds dried in high temperature (130±2) ℃ for 3 h.The viability determined by 25 ℃ 0.1% TTC stained 5h in dark. 1.0 g seeds soaked in 50 ml ultra pure water in 25 ℃ for 12 hours to determine the relative conductivity. The seed by 4 ℃stratification for 80 days were cultured on paper at 15 ℃. Quality of the seeds from different areas was divided into three grades. The primary seed quality classification standard was established.The I grade and II grade were recommend use in production., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

In order to improve reproductive efficiency and quality standard, the influence factors of seed germination and seeding growth of Lonicera macranthoides werew studied. The fruit and seed morphological characteristics of L. macranthoides were observed, the seed water absorbing capacity was determined, and different wet sand stratification time, temperature and germination bed treatment were set up. The effects of the parameters on seed germination and seedling growth were analysed. There was no obstacles of water absorption on L. macranthoides seed, quantity for 22 h water absorption was close to saturation. In the first 80 d, with the increase of the stratification time, seed initial germination time was shortened, germination rate and germination potential was improved. Stratification for 100 d, germination rate decreased. At 15 ℃, seed germination and seedling growth indicators were the best. The seedling cotyledon width in light was significantly higher than that in dark. Seeds on the top of paper and top of sand germination rate, germination potential, and germination index was significantly higher than that of other germination bed and mildew rate is low. The optimal conditions of seeds germination test was stratified in 4 ℃ wet sand for 80 d, 15 ℃ illuminate culture on the top of paper or top of sand. The first seeding counting time was the 4th day after beginning the test, the final time was the 23th day. The germination potential statistical time was the 13th day after beginning the test., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Objective: To study the effects of aphid occurring on the quality of Lonicera macranthoides bud., Methods: The fresh and dry bud yields of different aphid damage in the same plant were caculated. Contents of chlorogenic acid caffeic acid, luteolin-7-O-gluco-side, isochlbrogenic acid A, macranthoidin B and dipsacoside B in Lonicera macranthoides bud damaged by aphid were determined by HPLC-ELSD., Results: Aphid significantly affected the contents of luteolin-7-O-glucoside, macranthoidin B, dipsacoside B, and chlorogenic acid (P < 0. 01 or P <0. 05), but had no obvious effect on the content of caffeic acid and isochlorogenic acid A in the bud of Lonicera macranthoides., Conclusions: It is supposed to regulate prevention and control of aphids in Lonicera macranthoides GAP base.

Objective: To explore the phenological characteristics of Polygonum viviparum introduced from high altitude to low altitude area., Methods: To introduce the root and seed of Polygonum viviparum from high altitude to low altitude area and collect their growth and phenological data., Results: In low altitude area, Polygonum viviparum germinated at the beginning of March, grew from March to the end of July, withered during the whole August due to high temperature, recovered from the end of August to the beginning of October, and then withered again due to low temperature. Its reproduction lasted from April to the end of July, stagnated from the beginning of August to the middle of September, and recovered from the middle of September to the end of October., Conclusion: The high temperature of August in low altitude area is the bottleneck season for Polygonum viviparum, yet it can grow normally while such technologies are applied to its culture as early seeding, culture seedling with fertilizing soil ball, complete overshadow etc.

Objective: To establish the high-resolution melting curve (HRM) approach for genotyping CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) and explore its value on estimation of the Warfarin initial dose in comparison with various traditional genotyping methods., Methods: CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) genotyping was detected in 100 patients receiving Warfarin therapy by the newly developed HRM method and traditional genotyping methods including PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), TaqMan probe and DNA sequencing., Results: The results of the genotypes obtained from above mentioned methods to detect CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) were similar and consistent. The HRM method is simpler, more economical, and faster compared to the traditional methods. The frequencies of the VKORC1-1639 AA, AG, GG genotypes from these 100 clinical samples were 73 (73%), 23 (23%), 4 (4%), respectively; Frequencies of the CYP2C9 1075 AA, AC, CC genotypes were 94(94%), 6 cases (6%), 0, respectively., Conclusions: HRM approach can effectively detect CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) polymorphisms and this method is simpler, more economical, and faster compared to the traditional methods for detecting CYP2C9*3 (1075A/C, rs1057910) and VKORC1 (-1639A/G, rs9923231) polymorphisms.

Objective: To establish a sensitive and specific HPLC method for the quality control of Rhizoma Coptidis collected from shizhu in chongqing., Methods: The HPLC fingerprints of Rhizoma Coptidis from shizhu were obtained from Waters instrument. The methods was performed on a Diamonsil C18 column gradient eluted with acetonitrile-0.05 mol/L KH2PO4 (pH3 with H3PO4) at the flow rate of 0.8 m/min. The temperature of column was 25 degrees C and the UV detection wavelength was 270nm., Results: The HPLC fingerprint of Rhizoma Coptis, showing 16 characteristic peaks, was established from 10 lots of Rhizoma Coptis. By comparision of the retention time and the on-line UV spectra of chemical standards, peak 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 were identified as Epiberberine, Jatrorrhizine, Coptisine, Palmatine and Berberine., Conclusion: The HPLC fingerprint of Rhizoma Coptidis with high specificity can be used to control its quality.