ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of laminin subunit α3 （LAMA3） on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， invasion， and metastasis abilities of pancreatic cancer （PC）. MethodsA comprehensive analysis was performed for tumor- and EMT-related databases to identify the EMT genes associated with PC， especially LAMA3. The methods of qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression level of LAMA3 in PC tissue and cell lines； immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the localization of LAMA3 in PANC-1 cells； Transwell assay was used to investigate the effect of LAMA3 on the invasion and migration abilities of PC cells. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. ResultsThe analysis of the TCGA database identified 3 EMT-related oncogenes for PC， i.e.， LAMA3， AREG， and SDC1. The LASSO-Cox regression model showed that LAMA3 had the most significant impact on the prognosis of PC （risk score=0.256 1×LAMA3+0.043 1×SDC1+0.071 4×AREG）. The Cox model and nomogram showed that the high expression of LAMA3 was an independent risk factor for the poor prognosis of PC （hazard ratio=1.32， 95% confidence interval： 1.07‍ ‍—‍ 1.62， P<0.01）. Experimental results showed that there was a significant increase in the expression of LAMA3 in pancreatic cancer tissue compared with the normal pancreatic tissue. Compared with the HPDE cell line， there were varying degrees of increase in the expression of LAMA3 in pancreatic cancer AsPC-1， BxPC-3， PANC-1， MIA PaCa-2， and SW1990 cell lines， with the highest expression level in PANC-1 cells. The enrichment analysis showed that LAMA3 was associated with the biological processes and signaling pathways such as EMT， collagen metabolism， extracellular matrix degradation， the TGF-β pathway， and the PI3K pathway. After the knockdown of LAMA3， there were significant reductions in the expression levels of N-Cadherin， Vimentin， and Snail， while there was a significant increase in the expression level of E-Cadherin. Transwell assay showed that there were significant reductions in the invasion and migration abilities of PANC-1 cells after the knockdown of LAMA3. ConclusionLAMA3 is highly expressed in PC and can promote the EMT， invasion， and migration of PC cells， and therefore， LAMA3 may be used as a novel diagnostic marker and a new therapeutic target for PC.

BACKGROUND:Observational studies have shown that intervertebral disc degeneration affects sedentary and physical activity levels;however,the causal relationship between sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score and intervertebral disc degeneration is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the causal relationship between sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score and intervertebral disc degeneration using the Mendelian randomization method. METHODS:Five features associated with behavioral correlations in the Oswestry disability index score,including time spent watching TV,time spent on the computer,and light/moderate/vigorous physical activity,were selected from large-scale population-based genome-wide association studies,and instrumental variables were extracted for each of these behaviorally related features.Mendelian randomization analyses were performed in conjunction with the extraction of intervertebral disc degeneration as an outcome from the Finn Gen latest version 9 database.The results were analyzed using the inverse variance weighted,MR-Egger regression,simple mode,weighted mode,weighted median estimator,and regression model odds ratios(OR)and 95%confidence interval(CI)to assess the causal relationship between sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index scoring and intervertebral disc degeneration.Cochran's Q was used to test for heterogeneity,MR-Egger intercept to test for multiplicity,and leave-one-out to test the sensitivity of single nucleotide polymorphisms to the causal relationship between exposure factors and disc degeneration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results of the Mendelian randomization analysis using inverse variance weighted method showed a positive causal association between time spent watching TV/on the computer and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration(OR=1.775,95%CI:1.418-2.221,P<0.001)/(OR=1.384,95%CI:1.041-1.839,P<0.001),an inverse causal association between light physical activity and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration(OR=1.000,95%CI:0.999-1.000,P=0.020).MR-Egger intercept analysis indicated there was potential horizontal polytropy between light physical activity and intervertebral disc degeneration(P=0.005),while there was no horizontal pleiotropy between time spent watching TV,time spent on the computer and intervertebral disc degeneration(P=0.521,P=0.851).Cochran's Q analysis showed that heterogeneity was observed between time spent watching TV,time spent on the computer and intervertebral disc degeneration(P=3.33×10-11,P=0.001),and no significant heterogeneity was observed between light physical activity and intervertebral disc degeneration(P=0.186).Overall,there is a bidirectional causal relationship between sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score and intervertebral disc degeneration,i.e.,not only does intervertebral disc degeneration affect sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score,but sedentary and physical activity levels in the Oswestry disability index score also affect intervertebral disc degeneration.These findings add to the genetic evidence for a positive effect of light physical activity on intervertebral disc degeneration,indicate that moderate/vigorous physical activity shows no significant causal relationship with intervertebral disc degeneration,and expand the evidence base for sedentary behaviors such as prolonged time spent watching TV/on the computer as a risk factor for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective: To understand the impact of left behind experience on the mental health of secondary vocational school students, so as to provide theoretical basis for the psychological health education of secondary vocational school students. Methods: From September to December in 2019, a total of 3 401 students from Duyun, Guiding and Pingtang County were selected by multi stage cluster random sampling method. Self designed questionnaire and Symptom Check List-90(SCL-90) were used to investigate mental health status. A total of 1 415 left behind students and 1 415 non left behind students were matched by using propensity score matching (PSM). Wilcoxon test and Logistic regression analysis were conducted. Results: Before the matching of propensity score, there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of family structure, mother s educational level, family residence,family harmony and children s past health among the students with or without left behind experience ( χ 2=28.17, 52.40, 96.31, 29.75 , 19.10, P <0.05). After the matching, there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of the above variables among the students with or without left behind experience ( χ 2=0.02-4.32, P >0.05). Before the matching of propensity scores, there were significant differences in the scores of 10 dimensions of SCL-90, including somatization (1.67,1.58), interpersonal sensitivity (2.00,1.89), anxiety (1.90,1.70), obsessive compulsive symptoms (2.20, 2.10), depression (2.00, 1.85), hostility (1.83, 1.67), terror (1.85, 1.71), paranoia (1.83, 1.67), psychotic (1.70, 1.60) and other (1.85, 1.71) dimensions among secondary vocational school students with or without left behind experience ( Z=-5.15 to -2.84, P <0.05). After propensity score matching, there were significant differences in scores remained only in three factors for interpersonal sensitivity [(2.00(1.56,2.67)，2.00(1.44,2.56)], paranoia [1.83(1.33,2.50)，1.83(1.33,2.33)] and psychoticism [1.70(1.30,2.30)，1.70(1.20,2.20)] in SCL- 90 among secondary vocational students with or without left behind experience ( Z=-2.45, -2.12, -2.23, P <0.05). Conclusion The impact of left behind experience on the mental health of vocational school students is mainly reflected in interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia, and psychoticism, which should be identified as key areas of psychological education for secondary vocational school students.

Polygonati Rhizoma demonstrates significant potential for addressing both chronic and hidden hunger. The supply of high-quality seedlings is a primary factor influencing the development of the Polygonati Rhizoma industry. Warm water soaking is often used in agriculture to promote the rapid germination of seeds, while its application and molecular mechanism in Polygonati Rhizoma have not been reported. To rapidly obtain high-quality seedlings, this study treated Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium seeds with sand storage at low temperatures, warm water soaking, and cultivation temperature gradients. The results showed that the culture at 25 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months rapidly broke the seed dormancy of P. kingianum var. grandifolium, while the culture at 20 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 1 month failed to break the seed dormancy. Soaking seeds in 60 ℃ warm water further increased the germination rate, germination potential, and germination index. Specifically, the seeds soaked at 60 ℃ and cultured at 25 ℃ without sand storage treatment(Aa25) achieved a germination rate of 78. 67%±1. 53% on day 42 and 83. 40%±4. 63% on day 77. The seeds pretreated with sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months, soaked in 60 ℃ water, and then cultured at 25 ℃ achieved a germination rate comparable to that of Aa25 on day 77. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that warm water soaking might promote germination by triggering reactive oxygen species( ROS), inducing the expression of heat shock factors( HSFs) and heat shock proteins( HSPs), which accelerated DNA replication, transcript maturation, translation, and processing, thereby facilitating the accumulation and turnover of genetic materials. According to the results of indoor controlled experiments and field practices, maintaining a germination and seedling cultivation environment at approximately 25 ℃ was crucial for the one-year seedling cultivation of P. kingianum var. grandifolium.
Germination ; Seedlings/genetics* ; Water/metabolism* ; Seeds/metabolism* ; Polygonatum/genetics* ; Temperature ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Plant Dormancy

OBJECTIVE: To establish and validate a novel diabetic retinopathy (DR) risk-prediction model using a whole-exome sequencing (WES)-based machine learning (ML) method. METHODS: WES was performed to identify potential single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or mutation sites in a DR pedigree comprising 10 members. A prediction model was established and validated in a cohort of 420 type 2 diabetic patients based on both genetic and demographic features. The contribution of each feature was assessed using Shapley Additive explanation analysis. The efficacies of the models with and without SNP were compared. RESULTS: WES revealed that seven SNPs/mutations ( rs116911833 in TRIM7, 1997T>C in LRBA, 1643T>C in PRMT10, rs117858678 in C9orf152, rs201922794 in CLDN25, rs146694895 in SH3GLB2, and rs201407189 in FANCC) were associated with DR. Notably, the model including rs146694895 and rs201407189 achieved better performance in predicting DR (accuracy: 80.2%; sensitivity: 83.3%; specificity: 76.7%; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 80.0%) than the model without these SNPs (accuracy: 79.4%; sensitivity: 80.3%; specificity: 78.3%; AUC: 79.3%). CONCLUSION Novel SNP sites associated with DR were identified in the DR pedigree. Inclusion of rs146694895 and rs201407189 significantly enhanced the performance of the ML-based DR prediction model.
Diabetic Retinopathy/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Machine Learning ; Male ; Female ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Middle Aged ; Exome Sequencing ; Aged ; Adult ; Pedigree ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Mutation

To explore the protective mechanisms of a novel molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanozyme in alleviating inflammation-related endothelial cell injury by regulating mitochondrial dynamic, flower like-MoS₂ nanosheets were prepared by hydrothermal method, and its antioxidant enzyme-mimic activities were assessed via electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. It was shown that MoS₂ nanosheets had strong scavenging ability for hydroxyl radical (·OH) and singlet reactive oxygen species (¹O₂) in a dose-dependent manner. Using an in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vascular endothelial cell injury model, the protective roles of MoS₂ nanozyme on cytotoxicity and apoptosis of endothelial cells were examined by MTT and Annexin V-FITC/PI assay, respectively. Mitochondrial fission/fusion of endothelial cell were observed by Mito-Tracker green probe. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) probe DCFH-DA and superoxide anion probe DHE were used to detect the level of oxidative stress in vitro. Plasmid GFP-LC3 transfection using colocalization analysis was applied to assess the autophagy of endothelial cells. The results showed that MoS₂ nanozyme could significantly reduce the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of endothelial cells stimulated by LPS, and prevent the impairment mitochondrial dynamics of endothelial cells, thus maintaining mitochondrial dynamics. In addition, MoS₂ nanozyme was also shown to alleviate LPS-mediated endothelial mitochondrial autophagy, thus protecting endothelial cells from inflammatory stress. These results established that MoS₂ nanozyme protected endothelial cells injury from inflammatory stress by regulating mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial autophagy of endothelial cells, which is expected to expand the use of MoS₂ nanozyme in the prevention and treatment of inflammation-related vascular endothelial diseases.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), a serine/threonine kinase, is one of the non-typical members of the CDKs family. CDK5 is mainly activated by non-cyclin activators p35 or p39 (as well as their respective fragments p25 and p29) to phosphorylate downstream substrates and regulate numerous neural and non-neural functions. Increasing evidence has confirmed that the overactivation of CDK5/p25 complex is closely related to neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, diabetes and inflammation. Consequently, CDK5 has become an important target in multiple diseases treatment. Nevertheless, to date, no selective CDK5 inhibitors are currently in the clinical stage. On the other hand, pan-CDK inhibitors are limited in clinical trials, due to their poor clinical efficacy and toxic side effects caused by the extensive inhibition of other kinases. In view of this, selective CDK5 inhibitors are of great significance not only for elucidating its exact biological functions, but also exploring the possibility of CDK5 inhibitors as a safe and effective therapy. This paper provides a brief overview of the structure and function of CDK5 protein as well as its relationship with diseases. In addition, the structural types and binding modes of CDK5 inhibitors targeting ATP active sites are also highlighted. Finally, we summarize and prospect the strategies to improve the selectivity of CDK5 inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE Taking Professor Zhou Zhongying's clinical cases of treating hyperthyroidism as the research object,this article explored the use of the TabNet model based on neural networks to discover the diagnosis and treatment rules of hyperthyroid-ism,providing a method reference for inheriting the academic thoughts of famous veteran traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and assisting clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS Based on the clinical diagnosis and treatment cases of hyperthyroidism of Pro-fessor Zhou Zhongying and his team,standardized and structured training data were constructed;algorithms based on attention mecha-nism and sparse feature selection mechanism were studied;a pathogenesis prediction model was constructed by inputting standardized clinical manifestations,standardized tongue and pulse conditions;core symptoms,pathogenesis and medication were analyzed,as well as the relationship between the three.RESULTS The trained prediction model was used to predict the 6 pathogenesis of liver stagna-tion,liver fire,phlegm fluid,kidney deficiency,yin deficiency,and blood stasis.Compared with multi-label classification models constructed by classic algorithms such as decision trees and random forests,this model had better classification and prediction indica-tors.Mining was carried out through the decision tree algorithm,and 6 core pathogenesis corresponding Chinese medicine groups were summarized:vinegar-baked Bupleurum chinense,prunella vulgaris,oyster,processed Carapax trionycis,Scrophularia ningpoensis,Asparagus cochinchinensis,Ophiopogon japonicus,etc.CONCLUSION Using the TabNet algorithm on clinical medical record data to build a pathogenesis prediction model based on clinical manifestations,tongue and pulse conditions can effectively predict the core pathogenesis,and then discover the connection between symptoms,pathogenesis and medication,providing methodological references for the inheritance of academic ideas of famous veteran traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and clinical auxiliary diagnosis and treatment decision-making.

BACKGROUND:Yougui Pill is a famous formula of the Chinese traditional medicine,which has good efficacy for lumbar disc herniation due to kidney yang insufficiency. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the potential targets and mechanism of action of Yougui Pill in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation by using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,and verified by animal experiments. METHODS:(1)Network pharmacological analysis:We obtained the active ingredients and targets of Yougui Pill from TCMSP and other databases,collected genes related to lumbar disc herniation from GeneCards database,and took the intersection of the two for the topological analysis to derive the main active ingredients and core therapeutic targets.Gene ontology function analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis were performed using R software.(2)Molecular docking:Autodock and Pymol software were utilized for the prediction of molecular binding energy of TCM active ingredients to core therapeutic targets.(3)Animal experiments:Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group,a degeneration group and a Yougui Pill group,with 6 rats in each group.A rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration was prepared by fiber puncture method in the degeneration and Yougui Pill groups.At 2 weeks after modeling,Yougui Pill was given by gavage in the Yougui Pill group,once a day for 2 consecutive weeks.The level of tumor necrosis factor-α in serum was detected by the ELISA method,and morphological changes of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus cells were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were 90 active ingredients and 64 targets,and the main active ingredients were found to be quercetin,kaempferol,β-carotene,soybean flavonoid,and 4'-O-methylnyasol.The core targets of Yougui Pill for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation were interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor-α,AKT1,interleukin 1B,and vascular endothelial growth factor A.Enrichment analysis revealed that the intersecting genes might be expressed through the interleukin-17 signaling pathway,tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,PI3K-AKT signaling pathway,and other signaling pathways to improve intervertebral disc degeneration.The molecular docking test verified that quercetin,kaempferol,and β-carotene had strong binding ability to the core targets.Animal experiments showed that the level of serum tumor necrosis factor α in the degeneration group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),and the level of serum tumor necrosis factor α in the Yougui Pill group was lower than that in the degeneration group(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral discs and the structure of the nucleus pulposus in the degeneration group were destroyed,and the number of nucleus pulposus cells was reduced;there was a tendency to reconstructing the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral discs in the Yougui Pill group,and the number of nucleus pulposus cells increased compared with the degeneration group.To conclude,Yougui Pill may treat lumbar disc herniation by improving disc degeneration through the effects of quercetin,kaempferol,beta-carotene and other key active ingredients on core targets such as tumor necrosis factor.

BACKGROUND:Acupotomy is effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,but its mechanism is not very clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of acupotomy on the apoptosis of knee chondrocytes in knee osteoarthritis rats based on osteoclast associated receptor(OSCAR)-tumor necrosis factor-associated apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)-osteoprotetin(OPG)pathway. METHODS:Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group(n=9),model group(n=9)and acupotomy group(n=9).Rats in the normal group were routinely housed without any treatment.Animal models of knee osteoarthritis were established by knee injection of papain.Acupotomy intervention was performed 1 week after modeling,once a week for a total of three times.Relevant tests were performed at the end of the intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Lequesne MG behavioral scores of rats in the model group were elevated compared with the normal group(P<0.01),while the Lequesne MG behavioral scores of rats in the acupotomy group were decreased comparedwith the model group(P<0.01).Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that compared with the normal group,the cartilage surface of the rat's knee joints in the model group was worn and uneven and the chondrocytes were swollen,ruptured,reduced in number,and arranged disorderly;while the cartilage surface of the rat's knee joints in the acupotomy group was relatively smooth,and the chondrocytes were high in number and arranged in an orderly manner,with the structure basically clear.Immunohistochemical staining results showed that compared with the normal group,the positive expressions of OSCAR and TRAIL were increased in the model group(P<0.01),while the positive expression of OPG was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the positive expressions of OSCAR and TRAIL in the acupotomy group were decreased(P<0.01),while the positive expression of OPG was increased(P<0.01).TUNEL staining results showed that compared with the normal group,the number of apoptotic cells in the model group were increased(P<0.01);compared with the model group,the number of apoptotic cells in the acupotomy group decreased(P<0.01).RT-qRCR and western blot results showed that compared with the normal group,the protein expressions of OSCAR,TRAIL and Bax in the model group were increased(P<0.01),and the protein expressions of OPG and Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.01);compared with the model group,the protein expressions of OSCAR,TRAIL,and Bax in the acupotomy group were decreased(P<0.01),and the protein expressions of OPG and Bcl-2 were increased(P<0.01).To conclude,acupotomy can reduce cartilage injury of the knee joint in rats with knee osteoarthritis,which may be related to the blockage of mitochondrial pathway apoptotic signaling release by the OSCAR-TRAIL-OPG pathway.