Selection of Reference Genes for Expression Analysis in Chinese Medicinal Herb Huperzia serrata

Huperzine A (HupA) is a powerful and selective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. It has attracted widespread attention endangering the ultimate plant sources of Lycopodiaceae family. In this study, we used Huperzia serrata, extensively used in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a slow growing vascular plant as the model plant of the Lycopodiaceae family to develop and validate the reference genes. We aim to use gene expression platform to understand the gene expression of different tissues and developmental stages of this medicinal herb. Eight candidate reference genes were selected based on RNA-seq data and evaluated with qRT-PCR. The expression of L/ODC and cytochrome P450s genes known for their involvement in lycopodium alkaloid biosynthesis, were also studied to validate the selected reference genes. The most stable genes were TBP, GAPDH, and their combination (TBP + GAPDH). We report for the first time the reference gene of H. serrata’s different tissues which would provide important insights into understanding their biological functions comparing other Lycopodiaceae plants and facilitate a good biopharming approach

Associations of Chinese diagnosis-related group systems with inpatient expenditures for older people with hip fracture

Background Hip fracture is frequent in older people and represents a major public health issue worldwide. The increasing incidence of hip fracture and the associated hospitalization costs place a significant economic burden on older patients and their families. On January 1, 2018, the Chinese diagnosis-related group (C-DRG) payment system, which aims to reduce financial barriers, was implemented in Sanming City, southern China. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of C-DRG system with inpatient expenditures for older people with hip fracture. Methods An uncontrolled before-and-after study employed data of all the patients with hip fracture aged 60 years or older from all the public hospitals enrolled in the Sanming Basic Health Insurance Scheme from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. The ‘pre C-DRG sample’ included patients from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017. The ‘post C-DRG sample’ included patients from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. A propensity score matching analysis was used to adjust the difference in baseline characteristic parameters between the pre and post samples. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models adjusted for the demographic, clinical, and institutional factors. Robust tests were performed by accounting for time trend, the fixed effects of the year and hospitals, and clustering effect within hospitals. Results After propensity score matching, we obtained two homogeneous groups of 1123 patients each, and the characteristic variables of the two matched groups were similar. We found that C-DRG reform was associated with a 19.51% decrease in out-of-pocket (OOP) payments (p < 0.001) and a 99.93% decrease in OOP payments as a share of total inpatient expenditure (p < 0.001); whereas total inpatient expenditure was not significantly associated with the C-DRG reform. All the sensitivity analyses did not change the results significantly. Conclusion The implementation of C-DRG payment system reduced both the absolute amount of OOP payments and OOP payments as a share of total inpatient expenditure for older patients with hip fracture, without affecting total inpatient expenditure. These results may provide significant insights for policymakers in reducing the financial burden on older patients with hip fracture in other countries

Compassion, Discrimination, and Prosocial Behaviors: Young Diasporic Chinese During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has fueled anti-Asian, especially anti-Chinese sentiments worldwide, which may negatively impact diasporic Chinese youths\u27 adjustment and prosocial development. This study examined the association between compassion, discrimination and prosocial behaviors in diasporic Chinese youths during the COVID-19 pandemic. 360 participants participated and completed the multi-country, cross-sectional, web-based survey between April 22 and May 9, 2020, the escalating stage of the pandemic. This study found compassion as prosocial behaviors\u27 proximal predictor, while discrimination independently predicted participation in volunteering, and could potentially enhance the association between compassion and charitable giving. These findings suggest that prosociality among young people is sensitive to social context, and that racial discrimination should be considered in future prosocial studies involving young members of ethnic and racial minorities

Inventarisasi Tanaman Peneduh Jalan Penjerap Timbal di Purwokerto

Tanaman peneduh jalan adalah tanaman yang berada di tepi jalan. Tanaman peneduh jalan memiliki dua fungsi yaitu sebagai estetika dan ekologis. Salah satu fungsi ekologis tanaman peneduh jalan adalah mengakumulasi bahan pencemar. Jenis pencemaran yang memerlukan penanganan secara sistematis dan komprehensif adalah pencemaran timbal (Pb). Pb banyak dihasilkan oleh aktivitas pembakaran bahan bakar minyak kendaraan bermotor. Jenis tanaman peneduh jalan yang berpotensi mengakumulasi Pb belum tereksplorasi sehingga dilakukan riset yang dapat menghasilkan database jenis spesies yang mampu mengurangi Pb di lingkungan. Tujuan penelitian adalah menginventarisasi jenis tanaman peneduh jalan penjerap Pb. Manfaat penelitian adalah mendapatkan jenis tanaman peneduh jalan yang berpotensi penjerap Pb. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah survai di 8 (delapan) jalan di wilayah Purwokerto. Sampel daun tanaman peneduh jalan diambil secara acak terpilih di sepanjang jalan tersebut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan jenis-jenis tanaman peneduh jalan yang berpotensi menjerap Pb adalah Glodogan (Polyalthea longifolia), Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus), Filicium (Filicium decipiends), Ketapang (Terminalia catappa), Beringin (Ficus benjamina), Kupu-kupu (Bauhinia tomentosa), Puspa (Schima wallichii), Kenari (Canarium ovatum) dan Genitu (Chrysophyllum cainito)

Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerotic Lesion Development in Ldlr-Deficient Mice on a Long-Term High-Fat Diet

BACKGROUND: Mice deficient in the LDL receptor (Ldlr(-/-) mice) have been widely used as a model to mimic human atherosclerosis. However, the time-course of atherosclerotic lesion development and distribution of lesions at specific time-points are yet to be established. The current study sought to determine the progression and distribution of lesions in Ldlr(-/-) mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Ldlr-deficient mice fed regular chow or a high-fat (HF) diet for 0.5 to 12 months were analyzed for atherosclerotic lesions with en face and cross-sectional imaging. Mice displayed significant individual differences in lesion development when fed a chow diet, whereas those on a HF diet developed lesions in a time-dependent and site-selective manner. Specifically, mice subjected to the HF diet showed slight atherosclerotic lesions distributed exclusively in the aortic roots or innominate artery before 3 months. Lesions extended to the thoracic aorta at 6 months and abdominal aorta at 9 months. Cross-sectional analysis revealed the presence of advanced lesions in the aortic sinus after 3 months in the group on the HF diet and in the innominate artery at 6 to 9 months. The HF diet additionally resulted in increased total cholesterol, LDL, glucose, and HBA1c levels, along with the complication of obesity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Ldlr-deficient mice on the HF diet tend to develop site-selective and size-specific atherosclerotic lesions over time. The current study should provide information on diet induction or drug intervention times and facilitate estimation of the appropriate locations of atherosclerotic lesions in Ldlr(-/-) mice

Regional variations in and correlates of disability-free life expectancy among older adults in China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Considerable socioeconomic and health inequalities have been reported in China. However, because of a lack of appropriate data, limited research has been conducted on variations in disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) among older adults. This study aimed to use the most up-to-date disability survey data to explore geographical variations in DFLE at age 60 in China and to identify the socioeconomic and health care factors that partially account for these variations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study used 2006 mortality data extrapolated from the 1990 and 2000 Census and disability data from a national disability survey conducted in 2006. Disability was performance based and was diagnosed by trained physicians. DFLE was calculated by region using the Sullivan method. Multiple linear regression models by gender were conducted to explore correlates of DFLE.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>DFLE at age 60 varied widely by region, from 11.2 to 20.8 years in 2006. Per capita gross domestic product, proportion of urban residents, and access to health care were the primary factors associated with geographical variations in DFLE.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The pattern of differences in DFLE by region mirrors the pattern of regional economic development in China. Countermeasures to decrease regional differences in DFLE include accelerating regional economic development and improving health care distribution.</p

Insight-HXMT observations of Swift J0243.6+6124 during its 2017-2018 outburst

The recently discovered neutron star transient Swift J0243.6+6124 has been monitored by {\it the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope} ({\it Insight-\rm HXMT). Based on the obtained data, we investigate the broadband spectrum of the source throughout the outburst. We estimate the broadband flux of the source and search for possible cyclotron line in the broadband spectrum. No evidence of line-like features is, however, found up to $\rm 150~keV$. In the absence of any cyclotron line in its energy spectrum, we estimate the magnetic field of the source based on the observed spin evolution of the neutron star by applying two accretion torque models. In both cases, we get consistent results with $B\rm \sim 10^{13}~G$, $D\rm \sim 6~kpc$ and peak luminosity of $\rm >10^{39}~erg~s^{-1}$ which makes the source the first Galactic ultraluminous X-ray source hosting a neutron star.Comment: publishe