The AP2/ERF transcription factor family is a class of transcription factors widely present in plants, playing a crucial role in regulating flowering, flower development, flower opening, and flower senescence. Based on transcriptome data from flower, leaf, and stem samples of two Lonicera macranthoides varieties, 117 L. macranthoides AP2/ERF family members were identified, including 14 AP2 subfamily members, 61 ERF subfamily members, 40 DREB subfamily members, and 2 RAV subfamily members. Bioinformatics and differential gene expression analyses were performed using NCBI, ExPASy, SOMPA, and other platforms, and the expression patterns of L. macranthoides AP2/ERF transcription factors were validated via qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the 117 LmAP2/ERF members exhibited both similarities and variations in protein physicochemical properties, AP2 domains, family evolution, and protein functions. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that AP2/ERF transcription factors were primarily differentially expressed in the flowers of the two L. macranthoides varieties, with the differentially expressed genes mainly belonging to the ERF and DREB subfamilies. Further analysis identified three AP2 subfamily genes and two ERF subfamily genes as potential regulators of flower development, two ERF subfamily genes involved in flower opening, and two ERF subfamily genes along with one DREB subfamily gene involved in flower senescence. Based on family evolution and expression analyses, it is speculated that AP2/ERF transcription factors can regulate flower development, opening, and senescence in L. macranthoides, with ERF subfamily genes potentially serving as key regulators of flowering duration. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research into the specific functions of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in L. macranthoides and offer important theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying floral phenotypic differences among its varieties.
Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Transcription Factors/chemistry* ; Lonicera/classification* ; Flowers/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Multigene Family

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tongmai Hypoglycemic Capsule (THC) on myocardium injury in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) rats. METHODS: A total of 24 Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 4 weeks with high-fat and high-sugar food and then injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally for the establishment of the DCM model. In addition, 6 rats with normal diets were used as the control group. After modeling, 24 DCM rats were randomly divided into the model, L-THC, M-THC, and H-THC groups by computer generated random numbers, and 0, 0.16, 0.32, 0.64 g/kg of THC were adopted respectively by gavage, with 6 rats in each group. After 12 weeks of THC administration, echocardiography, histopathological staining, biochemical analysis, and Western blot were used to detect the changes in myocardial structure, oxidative stress (OS), biochemical indexes, protein expressions of myocardial fibrosis, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related faactor 2 (Nrf2) element, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with THC significantly decreased cardiac markers such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase-MB, etc., (P<0.01); enhanced cardiac function indicators including heart rate, ejection fraction, cardiac output, interventricular septal thickness at diastole, and others (P<0.05 or P<0.01); decreased levels of biochemical indicators such as fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate transaminase, (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and decreased the levels of myocardial fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I (Col-1) protein (P<0.01), improved myocardial morphology and the status of myocardial interstitial fibrosis. THC significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels in model rats (P<0.01), increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione (P<0.01), and significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase-1, and superoxide dismutase 2 proteins in the left ventricle of rats (P<0.01). CONCLUSION THC activates the Nrf2 signaling pathway and plays a protective role in reducing OS injury and cardiac fibrosis in DCM rats.
Animals ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/physiopathology* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Capsules ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*

Intestinal fibrosis is a significant clinical challenge in inflammatory bowel diseases, but no effective anti-fibrotic therapy is currently available. Glucagon receptor (GCGR) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) are both peptide hormone receptors involved in energy metabolism of epithelial cells. However, their role in intestinal fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Herein GCGR and GLP1R were found to be reduced in the stenotic ileum of patients with Crohn's disease as well as in the fibrotic colon of mice with chronic colitis. The downregulation of GCGR and GLP1R led to the accumulation of the metabolic byproduct lactate, resulting in histone H3K9 lactylation and exacerbated intestinal fibrosis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Dual activating GCGR and GLP1R by peptide 1907B reduced the H3K9 lactylation in epithelial cells and ameliorated intestinal fibrosis in vivo. We uncovered the role of GCGR/GLP1R in regulating EMT involved in intestinal fibrosis via histone lactylation. Simultaneously activating GCGR/GLP1R with the novel dual agonist peptide 1907B holds promise as a treatment strategy for alleviating intestinal fibrosis.

Early correction of childhood malocclusion is timely managing morphological, structural, and functional abnormalities at different dentomaxillofacial developmental stages. The selection of appropriate imaging examination and comprehensive radiological diagnosis and analysis play an important role in early correction of childhood malocclusion. This expert consensus is a collaborative effort by multidisciplinary experts in dentistry across the nation based on the current clinical evidence, aiming to provide general guidance on appropriate imaging examination selection, comprehensive and accurate imaging assessment for early orthodontic treatment patients.
Humans ; Malocclusion/diagnostic imaging* ; Child ; Consensus

Radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a common oral complication in patients with tumors following head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Erosion and ulcers are the main features of OM that seriously affect the quality of life of patients and even the progress of tumor treatment. To date, differences in clinical prevention and treatment plans for OM have been noted among doctors of various specialties, which has increased the uncertainty of treatment effects. On the basis of current research evidence, this expert consensus outlines risk factors, clinical manifestations, clinical grading, ancillary examinations, diagnostic basis, prevention and treatment strategies and efficacy indicators for OM. In addition to strategies such as basic oral care, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, anti-infective agents, pro-healing agents, and photobiotherapy recommended in previous guidelines, we also emphasize the role of traditional Chinese medicine in OM prevention and treatment. This expert consensus aims to provide references and guidance for dental physicians and oncologists in formulating strategies for OM prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, standardizing clinical practice, reducing OM occurrence, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Risk Factors ; Stomatitis/etiology*

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent inflammatory skin disorder in which patients experience recurrent eczematous lesions and intense itching. The colonization of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is correlated with the severity of the disease, but its role in AD development remains elusive. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we uncovered that keratinocytes activate a distinct immune response characterized by induction of Il24 when exposed to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Further experiments using animal models showed that the administration of recombinant IL-24 protein worsened AD-like pathology. Genetic ablation of Il24 or the receptor Il20rb in keratinocytes alleviated allergic inflammation and atopic march. Mechanistically, IL-24 acted through its heterodimeric receptors on keratinocytes and augmented the production of IL-33, which in turn aggravated type 2 immunity and AD-like skin conditions. Overall, these findings establish IL-24 as a critical factor for onset and progression of AD and a compelling therapeutic target.
Dermatitis, Atopic/genetics* ; Interleukins/metabolism* ; Animals ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/immunology* ; Mice ; Keratinocytes/microbiology* ; Humans ; Interleukin-33/immunology* ; Inflammation/microbiology* ; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypersensitivity/microbiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective:To explore the effects and mechanism of Salvianolic acid B(SalB)on Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods:Forty-eight C57BL/6 male mice were randomly separated into control group(control)withoutdrugs,model group(MPTP)with intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrah-ydropyridine(MPTP),SalB control group with intraperitoneal injection of SalB,and SalB treatment group(MPTP+SalB).Construction of PD mouse model by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP,and treatment with intraperitoneal injection of SalB.Pole climbing test was applied to assess behavior differences.The time of first black stool excretion and water content of feces were measured to evaluate intestinal dysfunctions.The number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)positive cells in substantia nigra and the level of Toll like receptor 4(TLR4)in colon were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.The pathological changes of colonic mucosa were observed by HE staining.The levels of calprotectin(CP)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in colon were determined by ELISA.Western blot was used to determine the level of TH in midbrain,the protein level of TH,tight junction protein(ZO-1),and protein level of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways which express in colon.Results:Com-pared with the Control group,the climbing time,T-turn time and the first black stool excretion time in MPTP group increased while the fecal water content and the number of TH positive cells in substantia nigra were decreased.Accompanied by TLR4 positive cells in colon,pathological injury score of colonic mucosa,levels of CP and TNF-α in colon increased,expression of TH in midbrain and expression of ZO-1 in colon decreased.Expressions of TLR4,MyD88,Nuclear NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 in colon increased.Com-pared with MPTP group,SalB treatment shortened the climbing time,T-turn time and the first black stool excretion time in SalB treat-ment group,increased the fecal water content and the number of TH positive cells in substantia nigra,lowered TLR4 positive cells in colon,enhanced expression of TH in midbrain and colon,reduced the pathological injury score of colonic mucosa,significantly decreased levels of CP and TNF-α in colon,enhanced expression of ZO-1 in colon,inhibited expressions of TLR4,MyD88,Nuclear NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 in colon.Conclusion:SalB can protect the nerves and intestines and alleviate the intestinal inflamma-tion of PD mice,which may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathway.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of lung function impairment and its influencing factors in smoking men with non-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A total of 230 non-COPD men who attended the smoking cessation clinic of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from October 2021 to August 2022 were prospectively assessed. Participants were categorized into three age groups:<40 years old group (65 cases), including smokers (53 cases) and non-smokers (12 cases); 40-60 years old group (109 cases), including smokers (73 cases) and non-smokers (36 cases);>60 years old group (56 cases), including smokers (20 cases) and non-smokers (36 cases). In this study, we compared the lung function indices of male smokers and non-smokers in different age groups , analyzed the possible factors affecting the lung function of smokers by linear regression , and compared the changes in the lung function of male smokers before and after smoking cessation. Results:In the<40 years old group, smokers′ forced vital capacity ratio (FVC)% predicted value (%pred), maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF)%pred, forced expiratory flow after 75%/50% of the FVC has been exhaled (FEF 75, FEF 50)%pred, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO)%pred, and the ratio of DLCO to alveolar volume (DLCO/VA)%pred were all lower than non-smokers (all P<0.05). Similarly, in the 40-60 years old and>60 years old groups, compared with non-smokers, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1)%pred was significantly lower in smokers than in non-smokers ( P<0.05). FEV 1%pred ( β=-0.728, 95% CI:-0.026, 0.011), FVC%pred ( β=-0.332, 95% CI:-0.012, 0.003), FEF 50%pred ( β=-0.455, 95% CI:-0.03, -0.007), residual volume (RV)%pred ( β=0.371, 95% CI: 0.008, 0.041), RV to total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC)%pred ( β=0.454, 95% CI: 0.011, 0.035) and MMEF%pred ( β=-0.324, 95% CI:-0.022, -0.002) were all influenced by the smoking index. All small airway function indices improved after smoking cessation (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Impairment of lung function in male smokers with non-COPD is characterized by early impairment of lung volume, lung diffusion function and small airway function, which progresses to impairment of lung flow rate with age, as influenced by smoking index and age.