ObjectiveBased on transcriptomics， to explore the mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway to improve the learning and memory ability of insomnia rats with liver depression syndrome. MethodsSixty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， eszopiclone group （0.09 mg·kg^-1）， and low， medium， and high dose groups of Hei Xiaoyaosan （3.82， 7.65， 15.30 g·kg^-1）， with ten rats in each group. Except for the blank group， the other groups were induced insomnia rat model with liver depression by chronic restraint， tail clamping stimulation and intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine （PCPA）. Each treatment group received intragastric administration according to the specified dosage， once a day for 14 consecutive days. The pentobarbital sodium cooperative sleep test， open field test， and Morris water maze test were used to test the sleep quality， depressive-like behavior， and learning and memory abilities of rats. Additionally， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF） and nitric oxide （NO） in hippocampus. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe pathological changes of the hippocampal tissue， while terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate （dUTP） nick end labeling （TUNEL） was used to evaluate apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Transcriptomic sequencing technology was employed to identify differentially expressed genes in hippocampus between the model group and the blank group， as well as between the medium-dose group of Hei Xiaoyaosan and the model group. Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis were performed on the intersecting genes. Subsequently， the enriched key genes and signaling pathways were analyzed and verified. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was utilized to assess the mRNA expression levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog （PTEN）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）-like protein 11 （BCL2L11）， and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 （MAPK1） in hippocampus， and Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein expressions of PI3K， phosphorylation （p）-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， Bcl-2， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， and cleaved Caspase-3 in the same tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited a reduction in body weight， an increase in sleep latency， and a decrease in sleep duration （P<0.01）. Additionally， rats showed obvious depression-like behavior， and their learning and memory abilities decreased. Furthermore， the contents of 5-HT， GABA， NO， BDNF and GDNF in hippocampus decreased （P<0.01）. Histological examination revealed a disorganized cell arrangement in the CA1 region of the hippocampus， characterized by irregular cell shapes， a reduced cell count， deeply stained and pyknotic nuclei， increased vacuolar degeneration， and an elevated apoptosis rate （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the body weight of the high and medium dose groups of Hei Xiaoyaosan increased， the sleep latency shortened and the sleep time prolonged （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Additionally， depression-like behavior and learning and memory abilities of rats were significantly improved， the levels of 5-HT， GABA， NO， BDNF and GDNF in the hippocampus increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. These interventions also ameliorated pathological damage in the hippocampal CA1 area and reduced the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons （P<0.01）. Transcriptomic sequencing results indicated that Hei Xiaoyaosan might exert a therapeutic effect by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway through key mRNAs such as PTEN， BCL2L11， and MAPK1. The roles of these key mRNAs and proteins within PI3K/Akt pathway were further validated. In comparison to the blank group， the expression levels of PTEN， BCL2L11 and MAPK1 mRNA in the hippocampus of rats in the model group were increased （P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of p-PI3K， p-Akt and Bcl-2 were decreased （P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of PTEN， Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 were increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose and medium-dose groups of Hei Xiaoyaosan could down-regulate the expressions of PTEN， BCL2L11 and MAPK1 mRNAs （P<0.01）， up-regulate the expressions of p-PI3K， p-Akt and Bcl-2 proteins （P<0.01）， and down-regulate the protein expressions of PTEN， Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan may regulate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by down-regulating expressions of key genes such as PTEN， BCL2L11 and MAPK1， and thus improve the learning and memory abilities of insomnia rats with liver depression syndrome.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Obesity usually exacerbates the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME), hindering CD8⁺ T cell infiltration and function, which further represents a significant barrier to the efficacy of immunotherapy. Herein, a multifunctional liposomal system (CR-Lip) for encapsulating celastrol (CEL) was utilized to remodel obesity-related ITME and improve cancer immunotherapy, wherein Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) was detected interspersed in the phospholipid bilayer and its glycosyl exposed on the surface of the liposome. CR-Lip had a relatively uniform size (116.5 nm), facilitating favorable tumor tissue accumulation through the interaction between Rg3 and glucose transporter 1 overexpressed in obese tumor cells. Upon reaching the tumor region, CR-Lip was found to induce the immunogenic cell death (ICD) of HFD tumor cells. Notably, the level of PHD3 in HFD tumor cells was effectively boosted by CR-Lip to effectively block metabolic reprogramming and increase the availability of major free fatty acids fuel sources. In vivo, experiments studies revealed that the easy-obtained nano platform stimulated enhanced the production of various cytokines in tumor tissues, DC maturation, CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration, and synergistic anticancer therapeutic potency with aPD-1 (tumor inhibition rate = 82.1%) towards obesity-related melanoma. Consequently, this study presented an efficacious approach to tumor immunotherapy in obese mice by encompassing tumor eradication, inducing ICD, and reprogramming metabolism. Furthermore, it offered a unique insight into a valuable attempt at the immunotherapy of obesity-associated related tumors.

Growth arrest DNA damage-inducible protein 45 β (GADD45B) has been reported to be a regulatory factor for active DNA demethylation and is implicated in the modulation of synaptic plasticity and chronic stress-related psychopathological processes. However, its precise role and mechanism of action in stress susceptibility remain elusive. In this study, we found a significant reduction in GADD45B expression specifically in the ventral, but not the dorsal hippocampal CA1 (dCA1) of stress-susceptible mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GADD45B negatively regulates susceptibility to social stress and NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) in the ventral hippocampal CA1 (vCA1). Importantly, through pharmacological inhibition using the NMDA receptor antagonist MK801, we provided further evidence supporting the hypothesis that GADD45B potentially modulates susceptibility to social stress by influencing NMDA receptor-mediated LTP. Collectively, these results suggested that modulation of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity is a pivotal mechanism underlying the regulation of susceptibility to social stress by GADD45B.
Animals ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/antagonists & inhibitors* ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal/drug effects* ; Male ; Stress, Psychological/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects* ; Long-Term Potentiation/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Antigens, Differentiation/metabolism* ; Dizocilpine Maleate/pharmacology* ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/pharmacology* ; GADD45 Proteins

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (ESG) in the treatment of obesity.Method:A 26 year old female patient was admitted on October 20, 2022 due to a progressive increase in weight for 2 years. Her body mass index (BMI) was 30.04 kg/m 2, body fat percentage was 39.2%, and visceral fat grade was 15. ESG was performed using the OverStitch SX endoscopic suture system. Result:The surgery was successful, with approximately 5 ml of intraoperative bleeding.The patient discharged on the first day after surgery. Two weeks after surgery, small bowel follow-through showed a tubular shape of the stomach. At 6 months after surgery, the BMI was 25.2 kg/m 2, body fat percentage was 32%, visceral fat grade was 10. The total body weight loss rate (%TBWL) at 6 months after surgery was 16%, and the excess weight loss rate (%EWL) was 54.5%. Conclusion:ESG is effective for the treatment of obesity.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (ESG) in the treatment of obesity.Method:A 26 year old female patient was admitted on October 20, 2022 due to a progressive increase in weight for 2 years. Her body mass index (BMI) was 30.04 kg/m 2, body fat percentage was 39.2%, and visceral fat grade was 15. ESG was performed using the OverStitch SX endoscopic suture system. Result:The surgery was successful, with approximately 5 ml of intraoperative bleeding.The patient discharged on the first day after surgery. Two weeks after surgery, small bowel follow-through showed a tubular shape of the stomach. At 6 months after surgery, the BMI was 25.2 kg/m 2, body fat percentage was 32%, visceral fat grade was 10. The total body weight loss rate (%TBWL) at 6 months after surgery was 16%, and the excess weight loss rate (%EWL) was 54.5%. Conclusion:ESG is effective for the treatment of obesity.

Objective:This study aimed to analyze the genomic characteristics of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) strains circulating in Jilin province from 2010 to 2023.Methods:Vesicle fluid from 78 sporadic cases with VZV infection were collected in Jilin province from 2010 to 2023, after detecting by Real-time PCR, 26 specimens (CT<25) were detected by PCR. Open reading frame 22(ORF22), ORF38 and ORF62 were amplified and analyzed. Genotyping was confirmed by SNPs ORF22 (37902, 38019, 38055, 38081 and 38177) and ORF38 (69424). Vaccine strains were indentified from wild-type strains according to ORF38 (69349) and ORF62 (106262, 107252, and 108111). Sequences were analyzed by homologous comparison and phylogenetic analysis.Results:The comparison with Dumas sequence revealed that SNPs (37902, 38055, 38081 and 38177) in ORF22 and ORF38 (69424) have mutations similar to the pOka strain, which belong to clade 2. Compared to the Dumas and Baike strains, all 26 samples were wild-type strains. JL2016-4 strain changes from threonine to asparaginyl at position 38059, JL2021-4 strain changes from arginine to proline at position 37933, from aspartic acid to tyrosine at position 37935, and from aspartic acid at base 38031 to tyrosine. JL2023-1 strain changes from arginine to leucine at position 37933.Conclusions:VZV has been prevalent for 14 years in Jilin province. The main epidemic strains belong to the clade 2. We should strengthen the monitoring of VZV outbreaks and raise the coverage rate of VZV vaccination.

Objective:To quantify the associations between periconceptional maternal homocysteine (HCY) and offspring′s birth weight and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) infant.Methods:The 19 984 mother-child pairs in this prospective cohort study were recruited from the Shanghai preconception cohort; the infants were delivered from 1 st September 2016 to 11 th November 2022. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect the mothers′ demographic information, medical history, dietary supplement use, and maternal complications during pregnancy, and their serum samples were collected. Serum HCY, folate, and vitamin B 12 were measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay based on serum sample drawn at enrollment. Birth weight data were obtained from medical records. Multiple imputation methods were applied to handle missing data in key variables. Multivariable linear regression and Poisson regression models were used to analyze the relationship between maternal HCY concentration during the periconceptional period and the birth weight and SGA risk of the offspring. Results:A total of 9 452 pairs were enrolled preconceptionally and the remaining 10 532 pairs were enrolled in early pregnancy. The proportion of mothers whose pregnancy age was greater than 35 years was 9.2% (1 832/19 984), the proportion of primiparous women was 76.5% (15 283/19 984), the proportion of pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity was 14.0% (2 804/19 984), the proportion of using folic acid supplements before pregnancy was 21.4% (4 272/19 984), and the proportion of those who supplemented with folic acid during early pregnancy was 85.2% (8 976/10 532); gestational diabetes mellitus was in 6.2% (1 245/19 984), gestational hypertensive syndrome in 3.6% (711/19 984). The birth weight of the offspring was (3 297±468) g, and there were 1 962 SGA children (9.8%). The HCY concentration in the overall population in appropriate for gestational age during the periconceptional period was (7.9±3.2) μmol/L, with (8.3±3.7) μmol/L in the preconception subgroup and (7.3±2.4) μmol/L in the early pregnancy subgroup. After adjustment for the covariates of perinatal demographic information, adverse pregnancy outcomes, serum folate and vitamin B 12, increased maternal periconceptional HCY was significantly associated with lower offspring birth weight ( β=-2.30, 95% CI -4.43--0.16, P=0.035). Only the early pregnancy subgroup was significantly associated with lower offspring birth weight ( β=-7.39, 95% CI-11.50--3.21, P<0.001). No association was found between peripregnancy HCY and offspring SGA risk. However, elevated HCY in early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of SGA in the offspring ( RR=1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, P=0.002). Periconceptional vitamin B 12 was a mediator of the association between HCY and offspring birth weight, accounting for 16.5%, 41.2% and 5.4% of its total effect in the overall periconceptional population, the pre-pregnancy subgroup and the early pregnancy subgroup, respectively. Conclusions:Maternal periconceptional HCY level is associated with lower birth weight in offspring, but not with the risk of SGA. Elevated maternal HCY in early pregnancy subgroup may be associated with increased risk of SGA in offspring.

ObjectiveTo develop traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formulae for the treatment of nonsevere coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） and to explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism. MethodsThe dysregulated signaling pathways were determined in macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of COVID-19 patients and in lung epithelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in vitro based on transcriptome analysis. A total of 102 TCM formulae for the clinical treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 were collected through literature. The pathway-reversing rates of these formulae in macrophages and lung epithelial cells were evaluated based on signature signaling pathways， and the basic formula was determined in conjunction with TCM theory. The commonly used Chinese materia medica for nonsevere COVID-19 were summarized from the 102 TCM formulae as abovementioned. And together with the screening results from the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China， a “Chinese materia medica pool” was esta-blished for the development of TCM formulae for COVID-19. The regulatory effects of each herb on signaling pathways were obtained based on targeted transcriptome analysis. Oriented at reversing dysregulated signaling pathways of COVID-19， the calculation was carried out， and the artificial intelligent methods for compositing formulae， that are exhaustive method and parallel computing， were used to obtain candidate compound formulas. Finally， with reference to professional experience， an innovative formula for the treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 was developed. The ethanol extract of the formula was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effects by detecting the mRNA expression of interleukin 1b （Il1b）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （Cxcl2）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 （Cxcl10）， C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （Ccl2）， nitric oxide synthase 2 （Nos2）， and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （Ptgs2） using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR） in RAW264.7 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. ResultsIn macrophages and lung epithelial cells， 34 dysregulated signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 were identified respectively. The effects of the 102 formulae for clinical treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 were evaluated based on the dysregulated signaling pathways and targeted transcriptome， and the result showed that Yinqiao Powder and Pingwei Powder （银翘散合平胃散， YQPWP） ranked first， reversing 91.18% of the dysregulated signaling pathways in macrophages and 100% of the dysregulated signaling pathways in lung epithelial cells. Additionally， YQPWP had the function of scattering wind and clearing heat， resolving toxins and removing dampness in accordance with the pathogenesis of wind-heat with dampness in COVID-19. It was selected as the basic formula， and was further modified and optimized to develop an innovative fomula Qiaobang Zhupi Yin （翘蒡术皮饮， QBZPY） based on expert experience and artificial intelligence in composing formulae. QBZPY can reverse all the dysregulated signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 in macrophages and lung epithelial cells， with the reversing rates of 100%. The chief medicinal of QBZPY， including Lianqiao （Fructus Forsythiae）， Xixiancao （Herba Siegesbeckiae） and Niubangzi （Fructus Arctii）， can down-regulate multiple signaling pathways related with virus infection， immune response， and epithelial damage. RT-qPCR results indicated that compared with the model group， the QBZPY group down-regulated the mRNA expression of Il1b， tumor necrosis factor （Tnf）， Cxcl2， Cxcl10， Ccl2， Nos2 and Ptgs2 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionBased on targeted transcriptome analysis， expert experience in TCM and artificial intelligence， QBZPY has been developed for the treatment of nonsevere COVID-19. The ethanol extract of QBZPY has been found to inhibit mRNA expression of several pro-inflammatory genes in a cellular inflammation model.

Objective To study the effect of neuromodulatory protein-1(NRG-1)in inhibiting sepsis induced myocardial injury and its mechanism.Methods The rat sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).SD rats were divided into the sham operation group,sepsis group,sepsis+NRG group(rhNRG,10 μg/kg).After 12,24 h of successful modeling,the heart and peripheral serum of the surviving rats in each group were taken respectively.The HE staining was used to observe the changes of cardiac tissue morphology and structure,and ELISA was used to detect the expression levels of creatine kinase(CK),crea-tine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB),sensitive troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)in serum,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in cardiac tissue and IL-6 expression level;Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation protein ki-nase B(p-Akt),phosphorylation glycogen synthase kinaseβ(p-GSK3β),B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2)and Bax protein expression in rat myocardial tissue.Results After 12,24 h of modeling,compared with the sham group,the expression levels of CK,CK-MB and cTnⅠ in serum,TNF-α,IL-6 and Bax protein in myocar-dial tissue in the sepsis group all were significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the expression levels of p-Akt and p-GSK3β in myocardial tissue were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).After 12,24 h of modeling,com-pared with the sepsis group,the expression levels of CK,CK-MB,cTn Ⅰ in the serum and the expression levels of TNF-α,IL-6 in the myocardial tissue of the sepsis+NRG group were significantly decreased;after 24 h of modeling,compared with the sepsis group,the expression level of Bax protein in myocardial tissue of the sep-sis+NRG group was decreased,while the p-Akt,p-GSK3β expression levels were increased(P＜0.05).The pathological results showed that compared with the sham operation group,the sepsis group produced signifi-cant lesions;compared with the sepsis group,the lesions in the sepsis+NRG group were alleviated.Conclusion The expression levels of related biomarkers in septic myocardial injury have change.NRG-1 could improve the cardiac function through Akt/GSK3β pathway,inhibit the related proinflammatory factors and reduce the myocardial tissue damage.