In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has achieved significant progress in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease （IBD）. A comprehensive literature search was conducted covering the period from January 1， 2010， to December 30， 2024， across Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang Data， VIP China Science and Technology Journal Database， and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System， as well as international databases such as PubMed， Web of Science， and Embase. The clinical applications and mechanistic studies of TCM in IBD were systematically reviewed. The current status of TCM research on the etiology and pathogenesis of IBD， innovative clinical practices， and multimodal therapeutic approaches， including Chinese herbal formulas， single herbs or active compounds， acupuncture， herbal retention enema， and acupoint application， were summarized， together with their synergistic effects when combined with western medical treatments. The development and application of Chinese patent medicines for IBD are undergoing a profound transition from efficacy validation to mechanistic exploration. Mechanistic studies on the effects of TCM in IBD mainly focus on regulating gut microbiota homeostasis， repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier， and modulating intestinal immune balance. Furthermore， future research directions for TCM-based IBD management are proposed， including the establishment of TCM diagnostic and treatment models， expanding integrated applications of external and internal TCM therapies， innovating personalized treatment strategies， and advancing drug development. These efforts aim to provide insights for the standardized and precision-oriented development of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.

The innate immune sensor NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation is involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. PGAM5 is a mitochondrial phosphatase involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. However, the role of PGAM5 in ulcerative colitis and the mechanisms underlying PGAM5 regulating NLRP3 activity remain unknown. Here, we show that PGAM5 deficiency ameliorates dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice via suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. By combining APEX2-based proximity labeling focused on PGAM5 with quantitative proteomics, we identify NEK7 as the new binding partner of PGAM5 to promote NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation in a PGAM5 phosphatase activity-independent manner upon inflammasome induction. Interfering with PGAM5-NEK7 interaction by punicalagin inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice. Altogether, our data demonstrate the PGAM5-NEK7 interaction in macrophages for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and further provide a promising therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis by blocking the PGAM5-NEK7 interaction.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whose etiology is influenced by genetic and clinical risk factors, considerably impacts women's quality of life. However, the genetic underpinnings in non-European populations and comprehensive risk models integrating genetic and clinical factors remain underexplored. This study constructed the first polygenic risk score (PRS) for POP in the Chinese population by utilizing 20 disease-associated variants from the largest existing genome-wide association study. We analyzed a discovery cohort of 576 cases and 623 controls and a validation cohort of 264 cases and 200 controls. Results showed that the case group exhibited a significantly higher PRS than the control group. Moreover, the odds ratio of the top 10% risk group was 2.6 times higher than that of the bottom 10%. A high PRS was significantly correlated with POP occurrence in women older than 50 years old and in those with one or no childbirths. As far as we know, the integrated prediction model, which combined PRS and clinical risk factors, demonstrated better predictive accuracy than other existing PRS models. This combined risk assessment model serves as a robust tool for POP risk prediction and stratification, thereby offering insights into individualized preventive measures and treatment strategies in future clinical practice.
Humans ; Female ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; China/epidemiology* ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Adult ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genetic Risk Score ; East Asian People

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a structurally diverse group of plant metabolites renowned for their pharmacological properties. However, sustainable sources for these compounds remain limited. Consequently, researchers are focusing on elucidating BIA biosynthetic pathways and genes to explore alternative sources using synthetic biology approaches. CYP80B, a family of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, plays a crucial role in BIA biosynthesis. Previously reported CYP80Bs are known to catalyze the 3'-hydroxylation of (S)-N-methylcoclaurine, with the N-methyl group essential for catalytic activity. In this study, we successfully cloned a full-length CYP80B gene (StCYP80B) from Stephania tetrandra (S. tetrandra) and identified its function using a yeast heterologous expression system. Both in vivo yeast feeding and in vitro enzyme analysis demonstrated that StCYP80B could catalyze N-methylcoclaurine and coclaurine into their respective 3'-hydroxylated products. Notably, StCYP80B exhibited an expanded substrate selectivity compared to previously reported wild-type CYP80Bs, as it did not require an N-methyl group for hydroxylase activity. Furthermore, StCYP80B displayed a clear preference for the (S)-configuration. Co-expression of StCYP80B with the CYP450 reductases (CPRs, StCPR1, and StCPR2), also cloned from S. tetrandra, significantly enhanced the catalytic activity towards (S)-coclaurine. Site-directed mutagenesis of StCYP80B revealed that the residue H205 is crucial for coclaurine catalysis. Additionally, StCYP80B exhibited tissue-specific expression in plants. This study provides new genetic resources for the biosynthesis of BIAs and further elucidates their synthetic pathway in natural plant systems.
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/chemistry* ; Benzylisoquinolines/chemistry* ; Hydroxylation ; Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Alkaloids/metabolism* ; Stephania tetrandra/genetics*

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is a characteristic oil crop rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly α-linolenic acid, which has important development and utilization value. The Dof transcription factor is one of the plant-specific transcription factor families, which is widely involved in important biological processes such as plant growth, development, and metabolic regulation. In order to explore the key Dof transcription factors involved in the oil biosynthesis and systematically analyze their regulatory mechanisms of P. frutescens seeds, a total of 56 PfDof gene family members were identified from the genome and transcriptome data of P. frutescens and classified into four subfamilies according to sequence characteristics. All PfDofs contained highly conserved C₂-C₂ zinc finger domains, with gene duplication being the primary mechanism driving their evolution and expansion. Genes within the same subgroup exhibited similar gene structures and conserved motifs. The 56 PfDofs were predicted as unstable hydrophilic proteins, with α-helixes and random coils as their predominant structural components. The RNA-seq results revealed that 11 PfDofs exhibited differential expression during different developmental stages of P. frutescens seeds. RT-qPCR was performed to further validate the expression patterns of these 11 members across various tissue samples (root, stem, leaf, and flower) of P. frutescens and at different developmental stages of its seeds. The results showed that PfDof29 exhibited the highest expression level in seeds, which was consistent with the transcriptome data. Subcellular localization studies demonstrated that PfDof29 was localized to the nucleus and had a transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of PfDof29 in Nicotiana tabacum resulted in a significant increase in total oil content of tobacco leaves, accompanied by reductions in starch and soluble sugar content, while the protein content remained unchanged. Additionally, the metabolic balance between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the transgenic tobacco leaves was altered, with a significant increase in α-linolenic acid content. The expression levels of the fatty acid desaturase genes NtFAD2, NtFAD3, and NtFAD8 were significantly upregulated. A yeast one-hybrid assay revealed that PfDof29 could directly bind to the promoter region of PfFAD8, thereby regulating its expression. This study provides an initial understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of PfDof transcription factors in the synthesis and accumulation of oil in P. frutescens. These findings offer new insights into the enhancement of oil content and quality of P. frutescens seeds.
Transcription Factors/physiology* ; Perilla frutescens/metabolism* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; alpha-Linolenic Acid/biosynthesis* ; Lipids/biosynthesis* ; Seeds/genetics*

BACKGROUND: China has made significant progress in medical accessibility and quality over the past decades, and quality improvements in gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy have been consistent. The study aimed to describe the status quo of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy in the Chinese mainland based on the data from the National Clinical Improvement System (NCIS) and the Hospital Quality Monitoring System (HQMS). METHODS: Data were extracted from the NCIS and the HQMS. Data analysis included general information from the Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy centers, management of inpatients and outpatients, and annual volume and quality indicators of digestive endoscopy. Acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, and cirrhosis were identified as priority diseases and were subjected to detailed analysis. RESULTS: Data from 4620 and 7074 hospitals were extracted from the NCIS and HQMS, respectively. In 2023, 9.6 gastroenterologists, 6.7 endoscopists, and 37.3 gastroenterology beds per hospital nationwide were observed, achieving 19,252.4 outpatient visits, 1615.2 hospitalizations (97.0 for acute pancreatitis, 146.1 for gastrointestinal bleeding, 40.2 for inflammatory bowel disease, and 111.4 for cirrhosis), and 9432.7 digestive endoscopic procedures per hospital. Overall, the quality of practice improved significantly. The proportion of early cancer among gastrointestinal cancers increased from 11.1% in 2015 to 23.4% in 2023, and the adenoma detection rate during colonoscopy increased from 19.3% in 2019 to 26.9% in 2023. Regarding priority diseases, hospitalizations increased, and 31-day unplanned readmission rates decreased between 2019 and 2023. The median hospitalization costs and median proportion of medication costs decreased for acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and cirrhosis. However, it increased for inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSION This report evaluates the status quo and development of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy in the Chinese mainland, providing guidance for future quality improvements.
Humans ; China ; Gastroenterology/statistics & numerical data* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/statistics & numerical data* ; Endoscopy, Digestive System/statistics & numerical data*

Objective:To analyze the medication law of Professor Liu Guangzhen in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) with qi-yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome using data mining methods.Methods:From March 2023 to April 2024, the TCM outpatient prescriptions used by Professor Liu to treat DN with qi-yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were collected. The database was established by Excel 2019, and the property, taste, meridian, and use frequency of drugs were analyzed through the TCM inheritance assistance system V2.5. The Apriori algorithm in IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 was used to analyze the association rules and draw the network diagram of high-frequency drugs, and the two-step hidden tree analysis algorithm (LTM-EAST) in the Lantern 5.0 was used to establish the hidden structure model of high-frequency Chinese materia medica. The obtained hidden variables were clustered and interpreted comprehensively, and scored by Bayesian information measure (BIC).Results:A total of 314 prescriptions were included, involving 182 kinds of Chinese materia medica, with a total frequency of 9 242 times. High frequency Chinese materia medica included Astragali Radix, Saposheikovize Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma fried with wheat bran, Litchi Semen, Hedyotis diffusa willd, Benincasae Exocarpium, Mori Folium, etc. The medicinal property was mainly warm, the tastes were mainly sweet, bitter and pungent, and the meridian tropism was mainly spleen, stomach, liver and kidney meridians. The efficacy classification was mainly tonic drugs, heat-clearing drugs, water-clearing and dampness-percolating drugs, and blood circulation-activating drugs. There were 150 association rules of high-frequency Chinese materia medica, including Astragali Radix-Saposheikovize Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma fried with wheat bran-Hedyotis diffusa willd, Saposheikovize Radix-Benincasae Exocarpium, etc. A total of 15 hidden variables, 30 hidden classes and 5 comprehensive clustering models were obtained by hidden structure model analysis.Conclusions:Professor Liu's treatment of DN withqi-yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is mainly based on tonifying qi and yin, tonifying spleen and kidney, removing dampness and turbidity and removing blood stasis. According to different conditions, the focus of medication has changed.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which AGE receptor(RAGE)antagonist FPS-ZM1 inhibits AGE accumulation and promotes wound repair in rats with diabetic foot ulcer(DFU).Methods A total of 30 SD rats were divided into normal control(Con)group,sham operation group(Sham),DFU group,FPS-ZM1 treatment group(DFU+FPS-ZM1),and phosphate buffer saline treatment group(DFU+PBS),with 6 rats in each group.Masson staining was used to evaluate the wound surface structure.ELISA was used to detect the expression of AGE,TNF-α,matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9),and VEGF proteins in serum and tissues,and Western blot method was used to test the expression of RAGE,VEGF receptor(VEGFR),CD31,and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)proteins.Results Compared with the Con and Sham groups,the collagen fibers had less indigo staining,disordered arrangement and sparse distribution in DFU group.Compared with the DFU and DFU+PBS groups,the DFU+FPS-ZM1 group showed obvious blue staining of collagen fibers in the wound granulation tissue,and the number of deposition layers was relatively neat and orderly.Compared with Sham group,the expressions of AGE,TNF-α and MMP-9 proteins,NF-κB and RAGE proteins in serum and tissues were increased(P<0.05),and the expressions of VEGF protein and CD31 and VEGFR proteins in serum and tissues were decreased in DFU group(P<0.05).Compared with DFU group,the expressions of AGE,TNF-α and MMP-9 proteins,NF-κB and RAGE proteins in serum and tissues decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of VEGF protein and CD31 and VEGFR proteins in serum and tissues increased in DFU+FPS-ZM1 group(P<0.05).Compared with DFU+FPS-ZM1 group,the expressions of AGE,TNF-α and MMP-9 proteins,NF-κB and RAGE proteins in serum and tissues increased(P<0.05),and the expressions of VEGF protein,CD31 and VEGFR proteins in serum tissues decreased in DFU+PBS group(P<0.05).Conclusions The RAGE antagonist FPS-ZM1 down-regulates MMP-9 and up-regulates VEGF by inhibiting the NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway,and promotes DFU wound healing.

Objective To investigate the expression characteristics of poly(rC)-binding protein 1(PCBP1)in gastric cancer tissues and their clinical significances by bioinformatics analysis combined with experimental verification,and to identify its relationship with STIP1 homology and U-Box containing protein 1(STUB1).Specifically,this study aims to verify the expression patterns of PCBP1 and STUB1 in gastric cancer and determine their relationships with clinicopathological features by immunohistochemistry to provide a theoretical framework as well as potential intervention strategies for gastric cancer.Methods Data of PCBP1 expression in gastric cancer and adjacent tissues were obtained from TIMER 2.0 online analysis website.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed using gastric cancer data(STAD)in the TCGA(the Cancer Genome Atlas)database,and its potential mechanism was determined.The main regulatory factor STUB1 was found in the fer-roptosis regulatory pathway.Subsequently,PCBP1 and STUB1 expressions in 33 cases of gastric cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.The collected cases were grouped according to different degrees of differentiation,age,gender,tumor size,depth of tumor invasion,TNM stage and pathological morphology.The positive expression rates of PCBP1 and STUB1 were observed.The correlation between the two proteins and the correlation between clinical and pathological features were analyzed by c2 test.Finally,the relationship between PCBP1 and STUB1 and malignancy of gastric cancer was further explored.Results Immunohistochemical results showed that the positive expression rate of PCBP1 in cancer tissues was 69.7%,which was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues(48.5%).The positive expression rate of STUB1 in cancer tissues was 39.4%,which was lower than that in adjacent tissues(54.5%),statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The positive expression rate of PCBP1 was correlated with tumor differentiation,lymph node metastasis and Lauren classification(P<0.05),but not with patient's age,gender,depth of inva-sion,clinical stage,nerve infiltration,and intravascular tumor thrombus(P>0.05).The positive expression rate of STUB1 was correlated with tumor differentiation,depth of invasion,lymph node metastasis and Lauren classification(P<0.05).The Spearman correlation coefficient between PCBP1(cancer)and STUB1(cancer)was-0.413,with P=0.017(P<0.05),indicating that there was a significant negative correlation between them.Conclusion PCBP1 participates in the malignant progression of gastric cancer by regulating the main regulator STUB1 in the ferroptosis pathway.Theoretically,it provides a new insight into molecular mechanism as well as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating gastric cancer.