OBJECTIVE: To observe the skin surface temperature at the related back-shu points in the patients with the different levels of pulmonary ventilation function in chronic persistent asthma, and to explore the correlation between the skin temperature at the back-shu points and pulmonary ventilation function indexes based on "lung governing the skin and hair". METHODS: Sixty-one patients with chronic persistent asthma, based on the level of pulmonary ventilation function, were assigned into a reduced pulmonary ventilation function group (reduced function group, 32 cases) and a normal pulmonary ventilation function group (normal function group, 29 cases). In the two groups, the skin surface temperature was measured in the sites of bilateral Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Pishu (BL20) and Shenshu (BL23); and the pulmonary ventilation function indexes (the percentage of predicted value of forced vital capacity [FVC%pred], the percentage of predicted value of forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1%pred], the percentage of predicted value of FEV1/FVC [FEV1/FVC%pred] and the percentage of predicted value of the peak expiratory flow [PEF%pred]) were recorded. The correlation between the skin surface temperature of acupoints and pulmonary ventilation function was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the normal function group, the surface skin temperature at the bilateral Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Pishu (BL20) and Shenshu (BL23) was higher in the reduced function group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal function group, FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC%pred and PEF%pred were decreased in the reduced function group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in FVC%pred between the two groups (P>0.05). The skin surface temperature at the bilateral Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Pishu (BL20) and Shenshu (BL23) was negatively correlated with FVC%pred, FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC%pred and PEF%pred in 61 patients with chronic persistent asthma (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION The skin surface temperature at back-shu points is elevated in line with the the decline of pulmonary ventilation function in the patients with chronic persistent asthma, presenting a negative correlation with pulmonary ventilation function indexes. It is preliminarily verified that back-shu point is characterized by reflecting the visceral disorders.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Asthma/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Skin Temperature ; Lung/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Aged ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Young Adult ; Hair

ERK1/2 is a key protein that mediates cell signal transduction,and it is involved in regulating biological processes such as chromatin remodeling,nuclear disintegration,proliferation,survival,metabolism,and cell migration and differentiation.Its overactivation is closely related to the occurrence and progression of cancer,and the mechanism is manifested as the overactivation of ERK1/2 by gene mutations of upstream pathway molecules or regulators and the reactivation of ERK1/2 after inhibition against the above targets.ERK1/2 is a potentially valuable target.In this review,the mechanism of post-translational modification and spatial regulation of ERK1/2 and the application status of corresponding small-molecule inhibitors were discussed.The current antitumor strategy of targeting and regulating ERK1/2 was summarized,and the possibility of exploring potential targets was elucidated,thus providing new insights into the developmental research of ERK1/2 as an ideal anticancer target.

OBJECTIVE To establish the UHPLC fingerprint of Miao Medicine Ficus tikoua Bur., study its spectrum-effect relationship with antioxidant activity, and screen the antioxidant active components. METHODS UHPLC was used to establish the fingerprint of Ficus tikoua Bur.. Evaluation System for Similarity of Chromatographic Fingerprint of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Version 2012) was used to evaluate the similarity and identify the common peaks. SPSS 16.0 and SIMCA 14.1 software were used for hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and principal component analysis(PCA). The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) free radical scavenging method, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt(ABTS) free radical scavenging method and total antioxidant capacity method were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of 16 batches of ethanol extracts from Ficus tikoua Bur. Three methods including grey relational analysis(GRA), bivariate correlation analysis and partial least squares regression(PLSR) were used to study the spectrum-effect relationship. RESULTS The UHPLC fingerprints of 16 batches of Ficus tikoua Bur. were established and 13 common peaks were identified. The similarities were 0.613−0.996. At the same time, it was identified that peak 9 was rutin, peak 10 was isoquercetin, and peak 12 was narcissin. The results of HCA showed that the samples were clustered into two categories, which was consistent with the PCA results. Sixteen batches of Ficus tikoua Bur. had different degrees of antioxidant activity. The results of GRA showed that the correlation between 13 common peaks and antioxidant activity was >0.8, and all of them had high correlation. The results of bivariate correlation analysis and PLSR analysis showed that the correlation coefficient and regression coefficient of peak 5, peak 9(rutin), peak 10(isoquercetin), peak 11 and peak 12(narcissin) were positively correlated with antioxidant activity, and the contribution rate was larger(variable importance in projection>1), which were the main active components of antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION All the 16 batches of Ficus tikoua Bur. have good antioxidant activity, and its antioxidant effect is the result of the synergistic action of the internal antioxidant component group. The components corresponding to the common peaks 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 are closely related to their antioxidant activity, revealing the pharmacodynamic material basis of the antioxidant activity of Ficus tikoua Bur.

BACKGROUND:Overactive osteoclasts disrupt bone homeostasis and play a bad role in the pathological mechanisms of related skeletal diseases,such as osteoporosis,fragility fractures,and osteoarthritis.Studies have confirmed that ellagic acid and ellagtannin have the potential to inhibit osteoclast differentiation.As their natural metabolites,urolithin A has antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,anti-proliferative and anti-cancer effects,but its effect on osteoclast differentiation and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of urolithin A on osteoclast differentiation induced by receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand and its mechanism. METHODS:Mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia cells(RAW264.7)that grew stably were cultured in vitro.Toxicity of urolithin A(0,0.1,0.5,1.5,2.5 μmol/L)to RAW264.7 cells were detected by cytotoxic MTS assay to screen out the safe concentration.Different concentrations of urolithin A were used again to intervene with receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced differentiation of RAW264.7 cells in vitro.Then,tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin ring and nucleus staining were performed to observe its effect on the formation and function of osteoclasts.Finally,the expressions of urolithin A on upstream and downstream genes and proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway were observed by western blot and RT-qPCR assays. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Urolithin A inhibited osteoclast differentiation and F-actin ring formation in a concentration-dependent manner and 2.5 μmol/L had the strongest inhibitory effect.Urolithin A inhibited the mRNA expression of Nfatc1,Ctsk,Mmp9 and Atp6v0d2 and the protein synthesis of Nfatc1 and Ctsk,related to osteoclast formation and bone resorption.Urolithin A inhibited the activity of osteoclasts by downregulating the phosphorylation of p38 protein to inhibit the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

ObjectiveBased on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， to evaluate the establishment of a mouse model of liver Yin deficiency by thyroid tablet suspension combined with 10% carbon tetrachloride（CCl₄） from the perspective of non-targeted metabolomics， in order to lay the foundation for the establishment of a traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndrome model. MethodA total of 24 mice were randomly divided into blank group and model group. The model group was given thyroid tablet suspension（0.003 2 g·kg^-1） by gavage for 14 consecutive days， and 10% CCl₄（5 mL·kg^-1） was intraperitoneally injected once a week to establish a liver Yin deficiency model， while the blank group was injected with an equal amount of olive oil intraperitoneally and gavaged with an equal amount of distilled water， and was fed with normal feed. After the modeling was completed， 6 mice in each group were randomly selected， the levels of alanine aminotransferase（ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase（AST）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate（cAMP）， cyclic guanosine monophosphate（cGMP）， interleukin（IL）-6， IL-10， tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）were measured in the mice serum， and malondialdehyde（MDA）， superoxide dismutase（SOD）， total protein（TP）， hydroxyproline（HYP） and other indicators were measured in the mice liver. Liver tissue sections were taken for hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining and observing pathological changes. The remaining 6 mice in each group were subjected to UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to screen differential metabolites in the liver Yin deficiency mouse model， Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） database was used to analyze the corresponding metabolic pathways of differential metabolites. ResultCompared with the blank group， mice in the model group showed liver Yin deficiency manifestations such as reduced body weight， fatigue and sleepiness， disheveled and lusterless hair， irritability. The levels of ALT， cAMP/cGMP， IL-6， AST， MDA， cAMP， TNF-α significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the levels of SOD， IL-10 and cGMP significantly decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the changes of HYP and TP were not statistically significant. Hepatic steatosis and distortion of the radial arrangement of the liver plate cells were seen in the section images of the model group， endogenous substances were clearly separated， and 252 differential metabolites were identified in the serum samples， which were mainly involved in the metabolic pathways of purine metabolism， steroid hormone biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism. A total of 229 differential metabolites were identified in the liver samples， mainly involving nucleotide metabolism， purine metabolism， steroid hormone biosynthesis， pyrimidine metabolism， antifolate resistance， insulin resistance， primary bile acid biosynthesis， prostate cancer， sulfur relay system， arachidonic acid metabolism and other metabolic pathways. ConclusionThe successful establishment of liver Yin deficiency model in mice by CCl₄ combined with thyroid hormone is evaluated through the investigation of serum and liver metabolomics， combined with biochemical indicators， which provides a biological basis and experimental foundation for the Yin deficiency syndrome model of TCM.

Objective:To investigate whether silencing information regulator 1 (SIRT1) activation can relieve paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain by inhibiting mitochondrial damage in dorsal root ganglion neurons.Methods:Forty-eight healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into solvent control group, paclitaxel group, paclitaxel+SIRT1 inhibitor group and paclitaxel+SIRT1 agonist group ( n=12). Neuropathic pain model in the later 3 groups was prepared by intraperitoneal injection of paclitaxel at 8 mg/kg on the 1 st, 4 th and 7 th d of experiment, respectively; rats in the paclitaxel+SIRT1 inhibitor group and paclitaxel+SIRT1 agonist group were respectively injected with SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 or agonist SRT1720 30 min before the first injection of paclitaxel. In addition, neuropathic pain model was established in 12 rats (model group) by the same method and SIRT1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion tissues was detected by Western blotting 1 d before experiment and on the 3 rd, 7 th and 14 th d of experiment, respectively. Von-Frey filament was used to detect the 50% paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT), and thermal radiation thermal pain detector was used to evaluate the paw withdraw thermal latency (PWTL) 1 d before experiment and on the 3 rd, 7 th and 14 th d of experiment. On the 7 th d of experiment, 6 rats in each group were sacrificed with excessive anesthesia after PWMT and PWTL detection; L 4-L 6 dorsal root ganglion tissues were rapidly isolated and primary neurons were cultured; Western blotting was used to detect SIRT1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion tissues, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential (ratio of orange-red fluorescence to green fluorescence), hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) detection kit was used to detect H 2O 2 concentration, and mitochondrial superoxide detection kit and mitochondrial green fluorescence probe kit were used to detect mitochondrial superoxide expression. Results:In the model group, SIRT1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion tissues one d before experiment was significantly decreased compared with that on the 3 rd, 7 th and 14 th d of the experiment ( P<0.05). On 3 rd, 7 th and 14 th d of experiment, compared with the solvent control group, the paclitaxel group had significantly decreased 50% PWMT ([6.37±2.27] g, [5.47±2.42] g and [5.34±1.74] g), and PWTL ([9.38±1.27] s, [9.70±1.97] s and [9.12±1.21] s, P<0.05); compared with the paclitaxel group, the paclitaxel+SIRT1 agonist group had significantly increased 50% PWMT ([13.86±3.72] g, [11.87±3.10] g and [12.39±2.94] g) and PWTL ([14.25±2.63] s, [13.29±2.94] s and [14.43±3.91] s), and the paclitaxel+SIRT1 inhibitor group had significantly decreased 50% PWMT [(2.20±1.43] g, [2.43±1.44] g and [2.21±1.56] g) and PWTL ([4.47±1.66] s, [3.65±1.80] s and [3.14±1.59] s, P<0.05). On the 7 th d of experiment, the paclitaxel group had significantly decreased SIRT1 protein expression (53.95±7.37) and ratio of orange-red fluorescence to green fluorescence (48.74±14.57), and significantly increased H 2O 2 concentration ([4.86±0.69] μmol/L) and mitochondrial superoxide expression (180.17±12.08) in the dorsal root ganglion tissues compared with the solvent control group ( P<0.05); compared with the paclitaxel group, the paclitaxel+SIRT1 agonist group had significantly increased SIRT1 expression (97.51±10.09) and ratio of orange-red fluorescence to green fluorescence (83.52±8.60) and decreased H 2O 2 concentration ([2.30±0.39] μmol/L) and mitochondrial superoxide expression (90.17±18.84) in the dorsal root ganglion tissues ( P<0.05); compared with the paclitaxel group, the paclitaxel+SIRT1 inhibitor group had significantly decreased SIRT1 expression (30.80±6.31) and ratio of orange-red fluorescence to green fluorescence (24.60±6.19) and increased H 2O 2 concentration ([10.67±1.85] μmol/L) and mitochondrial superoxide expression (294.52±26.94) in the dorsal root ganglion tissues ( P<0.05). Conclusion:SIRT1 activation can alleviate paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain by inhibiting mitochondrial damage in dorsal root ganglion neurons.

BACKGROUND: B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy yield remarkable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reportedly exhibits distinct advantages in addressing the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity in the distribution and genetic variations in R/RMM. METHODS: Herein, the ctDNA of 108 peripheral blood plasma samples from patients with R/RMM was thoroughly investigated before administration of anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy to establish its predictive potential. Flow cytometry is used primarily to detect subgroups of T cells or CAR-T cells. RESULTS: In this study, several tumor and T cell effector-mediated factors were considered to be related to treatment failure by an integrat analysis, including higher percentages of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in the bone marrow (P = 0.013), lower percentages of CAR-T cells in the peripheral blood at peak (P = 0.037), and higher percentages of CD8+ T cells (P = 0.034). Furthermore, there is a substantial correlation between high ctDNA level (>143 ng/mL) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high levels of ctDNA (>143 ng/mL), MM-driven high-risk mutations (including IGLL5 [P = 0.004], IRF4 [P = 0.024], and CREBBP [P = 0.041]), number of multisite mutations, and resistance-related mutation (ERBB4, P = 0.040) were independent risk factors for PFS. CONCLUSION: Finally, a ctDNA-based risk model was built based on the above independent risk factors, which serves as an adjunct non-invasive measure of substantial tumor burden and a prognostic genetic feature that can assist in predicting the response to anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy. REGISTERATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100046474) and National Clinical Trial (NCT04670055, NCT05430945).

Objective To quickly observe the tonic effects of Cervi Colla on enriching blood,strengthening bones and anti-aging in zebrafish model.Methods Glyphosate(Gly)was used to construct the erythrocyte injury model in adult zebrafish,and methotrexate(MTX)was used to construct the hematopoietic function injury model of juvenile zebrafish.Prednisolone(Pred)was used to establish the inhibition model of bone formation in zebrafish larvae.The ocular cell apoptosis model of zebrafish larvae was established by dibutyl phthalate(DBP).Results Cervi Colla could improve the Gly-induced abnormal erythrocyte nucleus in adult zebrafish and promote the expression of hematopoietic factors SCL and GATA1.Cervi Colla improved Pred-induced inhibition of bone formation in juvenile zebrafish,and promoted the expression of osteoblast-related gene ALP and Runx2a.The number of ocular cell apoptosis induced by DBP was decreased,and the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 was promoted.Conclusion Cervi Colla has significant effects on protecting erythrocyte,protecting hematopoiesis,protecting bone formation and anti-apoptosis.These effects may be related to replenish blood,anti-osteoporosis,and anti-aging.This study provides a scientific basis for the clinical application of Cervi Colla,and lays a foundation for further development and application.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical and genetic features of young Chinese patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) .Methods:In this cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to patients with MPN patients nationwide. The respondents were divided into 3 groups based on their age at diagnosis: young (≤40 years) , middle-aged (41-60 years) , and elderly (>60 years) . We compared the clinical and genetic characteristics of three groups of MPN patients.Results:1727 assessable questionnaires were collected. There were 453 (26.2%) young respondents with MPNs, including 274 with essential thrombocythemia (ET) , 80 with polycythemia vera (PV) , and 99 with myelofibrosis. Among the young group, 178 (39.3%) were male, and the median age was 31 (18-40) years. In comparison to middle-aged and elderly respondents, young respondents with MPN were more likely to present with a higher proportion of unmarried status (all P<0.001) , a higher education level (all P<0.001) , less comorbidity (ies) , fewer medications (all P<0.001) , and low-risk stratification (all P<0.001) . Younger respondents experienced headache (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.007; MF, P=0.001) at diagnosis, had splenomegaly at diagnosis (PV, P<0.001) , and survey (ET, P=0.052; PV, P=0.063) . Younger respondents had fewer thrombotic events at diagnosis (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.011) and during the survey (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.003) . JAK2 mutations were found in fewer young people (ET, P<0.001; PV, P<0.001; MF, P=0.013) ; however, CALR mutations were found in more young people (ET, P<0.001; MF, P=0.015) . Furthermore, mutations in non-driver genes (ET, P=0.042; PV, P=0.043; MF, P=0.004) and high-molecular risk mutations (ET, P=0.024; PV, P=0.023; MF, P=0.001) were found in fewer young respondents. Conclusion:Compared with middle-aged and elderly patients, young patients with MPN had unique clinical and genetic characteristics.

Objective:To assess the significance of counting the number of caudal vertebral ossification centers (OCN) below fetal terminal conus medullaris in the screening for closed spina bifida and tethered cord syndrome (TCS).Methods:The OCN was counted in 961 normal fetuses(normal group) between 17 and 41 gestational weeks and in 140 fetuses with closed spina bifida or tethered cord syndrome(abnormal group) from Jan.2013 to Dec.2020 in Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Women and Children′s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University and Maternity and Child Health Care of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The OCN was counted in the dorsal mid-sagittal section of fetal caudal spine.The reliability and agreement test were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients in another 50 normal fetuses. The OCN was compared between two groups. ROC curve and the cut-off value were constructed and calculated.Results:In normal group, the N increased with the growing of gestational age.In the subgroup of 17-20 weeks, the OCN ranged from 5 to 7 in most fetuses. In the others subgroups, the OCN was equal to or greater than 6 in 99.9% cases and more than 6 in 97.1% cases. In abnormal group, OCN was less than 7 in 93.0% fetuses and less than 6 in 82.8% cases. There were statistical differences between the two groups except for the subgroup of 17-20 gestational weeks( P<0.05). With the cut-off value of 6.5, the specificity and sensitivity were 93.0% and 94.3% respectively for predicting the presence of closed spinal dysraphism or TCS. Conclusions:OCN is a simple way to evaluate the position of conus medullaris and to screen for the skin-covered spine dysraphism or TSC. OCN is more than 6 in most normal fetuses. Further evaluation of spine is required in fetuses with N less than or equal to 6.