ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Qingrun prescription（QRP）-containing serum on improving insulin resistance in HepG2 cells and its potential mechanisms. MethodsAn insulin resistance model was established in HepG2 cells with 1×10^-6 mol·L^-1 insulin. Branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase （BCKDH） gene silencing was achieved using siRNA， and the cells were divided into 8 groups： normal group， model group （1×10^-6 mol·L^-1 insulin）， metformin group （1 mmol·L^-1 metformin）， high-， medium-， and low-dose QRP groups （20%， 10%， and 5% QRP-containing serum， respectively）， QRP + siRNA-silenced BCKDH （si-BCKDH） group （10% QRP-containing serum + si-BCKDH）， and QRP + si-NC group （10% QRP-containing serum + si-NC）. Glucose levels in the supernatant were measured with a glucose assay kit， while glycogen content was assessed using a glycogen assay kit. Levels of branched-chain amino acids （BCAAs） and branched-chain keto acids （BCKAs） were determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UHPLC-MS/MS）. mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of BCKDH， dishevelled， Egl-10， and pleckstrin （DEP） domain-containing mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）-interacting protein （DEPTOR）， mTOR， and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 （S6K1） were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ResultsCompared to the normal group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased glucose consumption and glycogen content， increased levels of BCAAs and BCKAs， downregulated expression of BCKDH and DEPTOR， and upregulated mTOR and S6K1 expression （P<0.01）. In comparison to the model group， QRP treatment at all doses significantly enhanced glucose consumption and glycogen content while reducing BCAAs and BCKAs levels （P<0.01）. The high- and medium-dose QRP groups demonstrated significant upregulation of BCKDH mRNA transcription and protein expression， as well as DEPTOR mRNA transcription. Moreover， the DEPTOR protein expression level was significantly increased in high-， medium-， and low-dose QRP groups， while mTOR and S6K1 mRNA and protein expression levels were markedly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared to the QRP + si-NC group， the QRP + si-BCKDH group exhibited increased BCAAs and BCKAs levels， significantly decreased BCKDH mRNA transcription and protein expression， downregulated DEPTOR mRNA and protein expression， and upregulated mTOR and S6K1 mRNA and protein expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionQRP may improve insulin resistance by reprogramming BCAAs metabolism. This effect involves upregulating BCKDH， reducing BCAAs and BCKAs levels， and suppressing the mTOR pathway activation.

This study aims to investigate the mechanism of Qingrun Decoction in alleviating hepatic insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) rats through the reprogramming of amino acid metabolism. A T2DM rat model was established by inducing insulin resistance through a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The model rats were randomly divided into five groups: model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose Qingrun Decoction groups, and metformin group. A normal control group was also established. The rats in the normal and model groups received 10 mL·kg~(-1) distilled water daily by gavage. The metformin group received 150 mg·kg~(-1) metformin suspension by gavage, and the Qingrun Decoction groups received 11.2, 5.6, and 2.8 g·kg~(-1) Qingrun Decoction by gavage for 8 weeks. Blood lipid levels were measured in different groups of rats. Pathological damage in rat liver tissue was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining. Transcriptome sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were performed on rat liver and serum samples, integrated with bioinformatics analyses. Key metabolites(branched-chain amino acids, BCAAs), amino acid transporters, amino acid metabolites, critical enzymes for amino acid metabolism, resistin, adiponectin(ADPN), and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway-related molecules were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and resistin and significantly decreased ADPN levels. Hepatocytes in the model group exhibited loose arrangement, significant lipid accumulation, fatty degeneration, and pronounced inflammatory cell infiltration. In liver tissue, the mRNA transcriptional levels of solute carrier family 7 member 2(Slc7a2), solute carrier family 38 member 2(Slc38a2), solute carrier family 38 member 4(Slc38a4), and arginase(ARG) were significantly downregulated, while the mRNA transcriptional levels of solute carrier family 1 member 4(Slc1a4), solute carrier family 16 member 1(Slc16a1), and methionine adenosyltransferase(MAT) were upregulated. Furthermore, the mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase E1α(BCKDHA) and DEP domain-containing mTOR-interacting protein(DEPTOR) were downregulated, while mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of mTOR, as well as ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1(S6K1), were upregulated. The levels of BCAAs and S-adenosyl-L-methionine(SAM) were elevated. The serum level of 6-hydroxymelatonin was significantly reduced, while imidazole-4-one-5-propionic acid and N-(5-phospho-D-ribosyl)anthranilic acid levels were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, Qingrun Decoction significantly reduced blood lipid and resistin levels while increasing ADPN levels. Hepatocytes had improved morphology with reduced inflammatory cells, and fatty degeneration and lipid deposition were alleviated. Differentially expressed genes and differential metabolites were mainly enriched in amino acid metabolic pathways. The expression levels of Slc7a2, Slc38a2, Slc38a4, and ARG in the liver tissue were significantly upregulated, while Slc1a4, Slc16a1, and MAT expression levels were significantly downregulated. BCKDHA and DEPTOR expression levels were upregulated, while mTOR and S6K1 expression levels were downregulated. Additionally, the levels of BCAAs and SAM were significantly decreased. The serum level of 6-hydroxymelatonin was increased, while those of imidazole-4-one-5-propionic acid and N-(5-phospho-D-ribosyl)anthranilic acid were decreased. In summary, Qingrun Decoction may improve amino acid metabolism reprogramming, inhibit mTOR pathway activation, alleviate insulin resistance in the liver, and mitigate pathological damage of liver tissue in T2DM rats by downregulating hepatic BCAAs and SAM and regulating key enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism, such as BCKDHA, ARG, and MAT, as well as amino acid metabolites and transporters.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Insulin Resistance ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics* ; Male ; Liver/drug effects* ; Amino Acids/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Metabolic Reprogramming

Objective To establish a gene sequencing method for ABO blood group,to analyze the mu-tation sites at the DNA level in order to accurately identify ABO blood group.Methods Twenty blood sam-ples were selected,in which 18 samples were ABO normal blood group and 2 samples were the ABO subtype. Exons 6 and 7 of ABO blood group gene were amplified by sequence-specific primer PCR (PCR-SSP),and then the gene sequence was directly sequenced and analyzed by PCR,and the ABO blood group was identified by comparing with the ABO reference sequence.Results The gene sequencing results of 20 blood samples were consistent with the serological results.In 2 subtype samples,the genotype in 1 sample was BA.02/O.01 and its phenotype was B(A) subtype.C>G mutation occurred at position 700 of the 7th exon,which resulted in proline changing to alanine at position 234 during amino acid translation.The genotype of the other sample was AW.37/B.01 and the phenotype was AxB subtype.The position 940 of the 7th exon mutates from ade-nine to guanine,resulting in the mutation of lysine changing to glutamic acid at position 314 during protein translation.Conclusion A method of ABO blood group gene sequencing suitable for laboratory is estab-lished,which could accurately identify ABO blood group.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) co-mutation status in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of patients with stage ⅢB-Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma who were first diagnosed in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2019 to December 2022 were collected prospectively. Patients were divided into EGFR mutation group ( n=82) and EGFR co-mutation group ( n=74) according to whether EGFR was combined with other gene mutations. The level of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in peripheral blood was measured by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), the levels of ctDNA in peripheral blood, and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between two groups of patients before and after 1 month of treatment. The univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted by Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results:In the EGFR mutation group, there were 45 cases of EGFR19 deletion mutation and 37 cases of EGFR21 mutation. In the EGFR co-mutation group, there were 41 cases of EGFR19 deletion mutation, 33 cases of EGFR21 mutation, 46 cases of TP53 mutation, 16 cases of RB1 mutation, 6 cases of PTEN mutation, 2 cases of MET amplification, 1 case of ERBB2 mutation, 1 case of KRAS mutation, 1 case of RET rearrangement, and 1 case of ALK rearrangement. There were statistically significant differences between the EGFR mutation group and the EGFR co-mutation group in the maximum tumor diameter ( χ2=5.04, P=0.025) and stage ( χ2=3.92, P=0.048). The ORRs of the two groups were 64.63% (53/82) and 37.84% (28/74), respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=11.19, P<0.001). The DCRs were 96.34% (79/82) and 86.49% (64/74), respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=4.95, P=0.026). The ctDNA levels in the EGFR mutation group and EGFR co-mutation group after one month of treatment decreased compared to before treatment[2.63 (1.83, 3.30) ng/μl vs. 4.73 (3.92, 5.49) ng/μl, Z=-7.06, P<0.001; 4.26 (2.26, 6.07) ng/μl vs. 5.28 (4.37, 6.09) ng/μl, Z=-5.15, P<0.001], the ctDNA levels in the EGFR co-mutation group were higher than those in the EGFR mutation group before treatment and after 1 month of treatment ( Z=-2.47, P=0.013; Z=-4.29, P<0.001). In the EGFR co-mutation group, the ctDNA levels in peripheral blood of patients who were effectively treated with targeted therapy decreased after 1 month of treatment compared to before treatment [(2.03±0.63) ng/μl vs. (3.92±0.82) ng/μl, t=42.94, P<0.001], the levels of ctDNA in peripheral blood of ineffectively treated patients before and after 1 month of treatment were higher than those of effectively treated patients [(5.84±0.57) ng/μl vs. (3.92±0.82) ng/μl, t=-11.91, P<0.001; (5.87±1.64) ng/μl vs. (2.03±0.63) ng/μl, t=-14.43, P<0.001]. The median PFS of the EGFR mutation group and the EGFR co-mutation group of patients were 10.4 and 8.3 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=22.28, P<0.001). Univariate analysis suggested that the maximum tumor diameter ( HR=0.10, 95% CI: 0.06-0.16, P<0.001), performance status (PS) score ( HR=0.09, 95% CI: 0.06-0.15, P<0.001), stage ( HR=0.09, 95% CI: 0.05-0.14, P<0.001), pre-treatment ctDNA level ( HR=12.04, 95% CI: 8.21-17.65, P<0.001), ctDNA level after 1 month of treatment ( HR=3.75, 95% CI: 3.10-4.54, P<0.001) and EGFR co-mutations ( HR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.57-3.12, P<0.001) were found to be significant factors affecting the PFS of stage ⅢB-Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma patients receiving targeted therapy; Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PS score ( HR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.14-0.47, P<0.001), stage ( HR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.24-0.98, P=0.044), pre-treatment ctDNA level ( HR=4.73, 95% CI: 3.08-7.28, P<0.001), ctDNA level after 1 month of treatment ( HR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.65-2.80, P<0.001), and EGFR gene co-mutation ( HR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.40-3.64, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for PFS in stage ⅢB-Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma patients receiving targeted therapy. Conclusion:Both the EGFR mutation group and EGFR co-mutation group show a decrease in ctDNA levels after targeted therapy for one month compared to before treatment. The median PFS of EGFR co-mutation patients is shorter than that of patients with a single EGFR mutation. PS score, stage, ctDNA levels before and after treatment, and EGFR gene co-mutation are all independent factors affecting PFS in stage ⅢB-Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma patients after targeted therapy.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of oropharyngeal aspiration on reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia,in order to provide a basis for clinical operation and practice.Methods:CNKI, Wanfang, China Biology Medicine Disc, VIP, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched for relevant studies on the effects of oropharyngeal attraction on ventilators associated pneumonia. At the same time, the included references were screened, and the search time limit was from the establishment of the database to January 1, 2023. The quality of the included literature was strictly evaluated and data extracted by two researchers with evidence-based training, and Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.4 software.Results:The results of meta-analysis showed that oropharyngeal aspiration could reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia ( OR=0.30, 95% CI 0.22-0.40, P<0.01) and shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation ( MD=-2.39, 95% CI -3.59--1.20, P<0.01) and reduced length of stay in ICU ( MD=-2.62, 95% CI -2.99--2.26, P<0.01). Conclusions:Strengthening oropharyngeal aspiration can reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with mechanical ventilation. In clinical practice, oropharyngeal aspiration should be performed when the position changes, and continuous aspiration can be performed if conditions are met.

Hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1(Hapln1)supports active cardiomyogenesis in zebrafish hearts,but its regulation in mammal cardiomyocytes is unclear.This study aimed to explore the potential regulation of Hapln1 in the dedifferentiation and proliferation of cardiomyocytes and its therapeutic value in myocardial infarction with human induced pluripotent stem cell(hiPSC)-derived car-diomyocytes(CMs)and an adult mouse model of myocardial infarction.HiPSC-CMs and adult mice with myocardial infarction were used as in vitro and in vivo models,respectively.Previous single-cell RNA sequencing data were retrieved for bioinformatic exploration.The results showed that recombinant human Hapln1(rhHapln1)promotes the proliferation of hiPSC-CMs in a dose-dependent manner.As a physical binding protein of Hapln1,versican interacted with Nodal growth differentiation factor(NODAL)and growth differentiation factor 11(GDF11).GDF11,but not NODAL,was expressed by hiPSC-CMs.GDF11 expression was unaffected by rhHapln1 treatment.However,this molecule was required for rhHapln1-mediated activation of the transforming growth factor(TGF)-β/Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein(SMAD)2/3 signaling in hiPSC-CMs,which stimulates cell dedifferentiation and proliferation.Recombinant mouse Hapln1(rmHapln1)could induce cardiac regeneration in the adult mouse model of myocardial infarction.In addition,rmHapln1 induced hiPSC-CM proliferation.In conclusion,Hapln1 can stimulate the dedifferentiation and proliferation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes by promoting versican-based GDF11 trapping and subsequent activation of the TGF-β/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.Hapln1 might be an effective hiPSC-CM dedifferentiation and proliferation agent and a po-tential reagent for repairing damaged hearts.

Circular RNAs are novel non-coding RNAs with multiple biological functions, which can participate in biological processes such as the occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis of liver cancer, as well as drug resistance of liver cancer. This article reviews the roles and mechanisms of circR-NAs in chemotherapy resistance, targeted therapy resistance and immunotherapy resistance in liver cancer, in order to provide new ideas for solving liver cancer resistance.

Specnuezhenide(SNZ)is among the main components of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi,which has anti-inflammation,anti-oxidation,and anti-tumor effect.The low bioavailability makes it difficult to explain the mechanism of pharmacological effect of SNZ.In this study,the role of the gut microbiota in the metabolism and pharmacokinetics characteristics of SNZ as well as the pharmacological meaning were explored.SNZ can be rapidly metabolized by the gut microbiome,and two intestinal bacterial metabolites of SNZ,salidroside and tyrosol,were discovered.In addition,carboxylesterase may be the main intestinal bacterial enzyme that mediates its metabolism.At the same time,no metabolism was found in the incubation system of SNZ with liver microsomes or liver homogenate,indicating that the gut microbiota is the main part involved in the metabolism of SNZ.In addition,pharmacokinetic studies showed that salidroside and tyrosol can be detected in plasma in the presence of gut microbiota.Interestingly,tumor development was inhibited in a colorectal tumor mice model administered orally with SNZ,which indicated that SNZ exhibited potential to inhibit tumor growth,and tissue distribution studies showed that salidroside and tyrosol could be distributed in tumor tissues.At the same time,SNZ modulated the structure of gut microbiota and fungal group,which may be the mechanism governing the antitumoral activity of SNZ.Furthermore,SNZ stimulates the secretion of short-chain fatty acids by intestinal flora in vitro and in vivo.In the future,targeting gut microbes and the interaction between natural products and gut microbes could lead to the discovery and development of new drugs.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement mechanism of caudatin on liver injury of rats. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， caudatin low-dose and high-dose groups （25， 50 mg/kg）， with 6 rats in each group. Diethylnitrosamine （DEN） was injected intraperitoneally three times per week for eight weeks to establish liver injury model of rats. At 5th week of modeling， the rats received relevant medicine or 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose intragastrically for 4 weeks. The levels of liver function indexes [alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， total protein （TP） and total bilirubin （TBI）] and inflammatory factors [interleukin （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α）， IL-1β] in serum were detected； the histopathological morphological changes of rat liver were observed； the positive protein expressions of nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） and 78 kDa glucose regulatory protein （Grp78） in liver tissue were also determined； the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein Grp78， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， activating transcription factor 6 （ATF6） and inositol requiring enzyme 1α （IRE1α） and the level of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase robertluoyi@126.com （PERK） in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with blank group， serum levels of ALT， AST， TBI， IL-6， TNF-α and IL-1β and positive expressions of NF-κB and Grp78 in liver tissue as well as protein expressions of Grp78， CHOP， ATF6 and IRE1α， PERK protein phosphorylation level were all increased significantly in model group （P＜0.05）， while the serum level of TP was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. The disordered structure of liver lobule， swollen liver cells， unclear intercellular boundary were observed and accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with model group， most of the above indexes were significantly reversed in caudatin groups （P＜0.05）； the structure of hepatic lobule was relatively complete and clear， the cells were arranged orderly， and the infiltration of inflammatory cells was also reduced. CONCLUSIONS Caudatin has a significant improvement effect against DEN-induced liver injury in rats， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammatory reaction.

Background and Objectives: Chronic periodontitis can lead to alveolar bone resorption and eventually tooth loss. Stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are appropriate bone regeneration seed cells. To track the survival, migration, and differentiation of the transplanted SHED, we used super paramagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIO) Molday ION Rhodamine-B (MIRB) to label and monitor the transplanted cells while repairing periodontal bone defects. Methods: and Results: We determined an appropriate dose of MIRB for labeling SHED by examining the growth and osteogenic differentiation of labeled SHED. Finally, SHED was labeled with 25 μg Fe/ml MIRB before being transplanted into rats. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to track SHED survival and migration in vivo due to a low-intensity signal artifact caused by MIRB. HE and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that both MIRB-labeled and unlabeled SHED could promote periodontal bone regeneration. The colocalization of hNUC and MIRB demonstrated that SHED transplanted into rats could survive in vivo. Furthermore, some MIRB-positive cells expressed the osteoblast and osteocyte markers OCN and DMP1, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that SHED could secrete protein factors, such as IGF-1, OCN, ALP, IL-4, VEGF, and bFGF, which promote bone regeneration. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the transplanted SHED was surrounded by a large number of host-derived Runx2- and Col II-positive cells that played important roles in the bone healing process. Conclusions SHED could promote periodontal bone regeneration in rats, and the survival of SHED could be tracked in vivo by labeling them with MIRB. SHED are likely to promote bone healing through both direct differentiation and paracrine mechanisms.