ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of targeted silencing of Runt-related Transcription Factor 3 （RUNX3） on the proliferation and migration of Mouse Hepatic Stellate Cells （HSCs）， as well as subsequent collagen deposition. MethodsMouse hepatic stellate cell line （JS-1） was selected and then morphologically observed and identified under a microscope. After the cells had fully adhered， they were treated with 5 ng/mL of transforming growth factor beta 1 （TGF-β₁） for 24 hours to induce hepatic stellate cell activation. Furthermore， a RUNX3 silencing model was established using RUNX3 lentiviral infection. The experiment was divided into four groups： Control group， TGF-β₁ group， TGF-β₁+siRNA-NC group， and TGF-β₁+siRNA-RUNX3 group. Protein expression changes of RUNX3， alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， and Alpha 1 type I collagen （Collagen I） were detected using Western blot method. Cellular immunofluorescence assays were employed to investigate the deposition changes of α-SMA and RUNX3 in hepatic stellate cells. RT-qPCR was utilized to examine the mRNA expression changes of RUNX3， α-SMA， and Collagen I. The proliferative capacity of hepatic stellate cells was assessed using Edu staining. The migratory ability of hepatic stellate cells was evaluated through wound healing assays and Transwell migration experiments. ResultsCompared with Control group， a significant elevation in RUNX3 was observed in the TGF-β₁-induced activated HSCs （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the protein and mRNA levels of fibrosis-related markers and α-SMA and Collagen I were significantly upregulated （P<0.001）. Additionally， the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs were significantly enhanced （P<0.001）. In contrast， when compared to TGF-β₁+siRNA-NC group， TGF-β₁+siRNA-RUNX3 group exhibited a notable decrease in RUNX3 and other related indicators， such as the protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA and Collagen I （P<0.05）. Concurrently， the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs were significantly inhibited in TGF-β₁+siRNA-RUNX3 group （P<0.01）. ConclusionSilencing RUNX3 can inhibit the deposition of collagen and the proliferation and migration of hepatic stellate cells. Conversely， RUNX3 promotes the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs， thereby facilitating the activation of HSC.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infectious respiratory disease that has been prevalent since December 2019. Chinese medicine (CM) has demonstrated its unique advantages in the fight against COVID-19 in the areas of disease prevention, improvement of clinical symptoms, and control of disease progression. This review summarized the relevant material components of CM in the treatment of COVID-19 by searching the relevant literature and reports on CM in the treatment of COVID-19 and combining with the physiological and pathological characteristics of the novel coronavirus. On the basis of sorting out experimental methods in vivo and in vitro, the mechanism of herb action was further clarified in terms of inhibiting virus invasion and replication and improving related complications. The aim of the article is to explore the strengths and characteristics of CM in the treatment of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for the research and scientific, standardized treatment of COVID-19 with CM.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diversity of Duffy blood group gene among ethnic Hui population from Henan Province using PacBio long-read sequencing technique. METHODS: Randomly select 30 individuals with three generations of Hui ancestry from Henan as the study subjects. Full-length sequences of the Duffy blood group gene were obtained through PacBio long-read sequencing. Distribution of the predicted phenotype and genotype frequency were determined, and the linkage between Duffy haplotypes and variation sites was analyzed. Genetic diversity, natural selection pressure, and population genetic characteristics were evaluated. This study was approved by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2022223). RESULTS: The predicted Duffy blood group phenotype in the Henan Hui population was predominantly Fy(a+b-). Three novel SNPs in the FY*01 allele were identified, with a total frequency of 13.33%, among which FY*01.NEW1 (c.199C>T) was the most common. A total of 32 variant sites were identified, with 28 located in intronic regions, indicating that genetic diversity was primarily concentrated in introns. The Duffy blood group gene was under negative selection pressure (dN/dS < 1, Tajima's D, Fu and Li's D* and F* significantly deviated from 0), suggesting overall conservation. The allele frequencies of Duffy blood group in the Henan Hui population was similar to that of the Xinjiang Hui, Xinjiang Kazakh, Inner Mongolia Mongolian, and Yuncheng Han populations, but significantly different from those of most Han and other ethnic groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study revealed the characteristics of the Duffy blood group gene among the Henan Hui population and demonstrated the significant advantages of PacBio long-read sequencing technique in haplotype analysis, genetic diversity study, and novel mutation identification.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Asian People/ethnology* ; China/ethnology* ; Duffy Blood-Group System/genetics* ; Ethnicity/genetics* ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Variation ; Haplotypes ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective To investigate the relationship between stationing years of personnel on an island and their traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution,thus providing a reference for adjusting the health status of stationed personnel,preventing and treating diseases.Methods Based on The Scale of Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire,TCM constitution of 734 personnel stationed on an island was investigated.Pearson χ2 method was used for data analysis.Results Of the 734 personnel stationed on an island 345(47.0%)were of the balanced constitution type and 389(53.0%)were of the biased constitution types.Among the people with biased constitution types,composite constitution accounted for 80.5%(313 people)and the simple accounted for the rest(19.5%,76 people).The top three types of the biased were dampness heat(15.2%),qi deficiency(14.0%),and yin deficiency(10.7%).The distribution of TCM constitution types was significantly different in terms of stationing years on the island(P<0.05).There was a significant difference in the balanced type and yin deficiency type between people with stationing time≤2 years and>8 years(P<0.05).There was a significant difference in qi deficiency type and qi depression type between people with stationing time≤2 years and>5 years(P<0.05).Compared to people with stationing time≤2 years,significant difference was found in yang deficiency type in people with stationing time ranging from 2 to 5 years and those with>8 years(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the phlegm dampness type,blood stasis type,and specific diathesis type between people with stationing time≤2 years and people with stationing time ranging from>2～5 years and>8 years(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the dampness heat type between people with stationing time≤2 years and people with stationing time ranging from>5～8 years and>8 years,between pepole with stationing time ranging from>2～5 years and people with stationing time>8 years(P<0.05).Conclusion The dampness heat type,qi deficiency type and yin deficiency type are common biased TCM constitution in personnel stationed on islands.The longer the time spent on islands,the greater the possibility of forming biased constitution.

The pathogenesis of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy(PDPN)is very complicated and tricky treat,which seriously affects the physical and mental health of patients.TCM has certain advantages in treating PDPN,but lacks theoretical guidance centered on pathogenesis.The dynamic evolution of the pathogenesis of PDPN fits the theory of"deficient-qi induced stagnation".PDPN is mainly characterized by pain,with prolonged pain entering the collaterals.This article discussed the pathogenesis of PDPN from the theory of"deficient-qi induced stagnation"based on collateral disease.Among them,the"deficient qi"is mainly responsible for the deficiency of qi,blood,yin and yang,and the collaterals are not be nourished;"stagnation"includes the pathological state of qi stagnation,phlegm and stasis caused by the abnormal movement of qi,blood and body fluid,and the obstruction of collaterals."Deficient qi"and"stagnation"interact with each other to promote the progress of PDPN.The article concluded that the key point of treatment is to regulate the deficiency qi(tonify deficiency)and remove stagnation and clear collaterals(smooth the stagnation),which could provide a new diagnosis and treatment idea and theoretical basis for the clinical differentiation and treatment of PDPN.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Stelmatocrypton khasianum.(Benth.)Baill.and their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxic activity.METHODS Separation and purification were performed using thin layer chromatography,silica gel,semi-preparative HPLC and Sephadex LH-20,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by RAW264.7 model,and the cytotoxic activity was determined by CCK-8 method.RESULTS Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as 2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester(1),dalzienoside(2),benzyl-(6-O-α-L-rhanmopyranosyl)O-β-D-glucopyranoside(3),corchorusoside C(4),cyclo(Ala-Tyr)(5),thymidine(6),(4S,5S)-5-hydroxy-4-hexanolide(7),2-methylpyridin-3-ol(8),butyl isobutyl phthalate(9),bis-(2-ethylhexyl)terephthalate(10),p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(11),vanilic acid(12),salicylic acid(13),isovanilic acid(14),3-hydroxy-p-anisaldehyde(15).The IC50 values of compounds 1,2 and 4 for NO were(27.69±5.51),(25.82±3.58)and(23.35±7.09)μmol/L,respectively.The IC50 value of compound 1 on MCF-7 cells was(18.15±6.45)μmol/L.The IC50 values of compound 4 on MCF-7 and HCCC-9810 cells were(19.43±2.66)and(21.76±5.81)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 2-11 are isolated from S.khasianum for the first time.Compounds 1,2 and 4 exhibit good in vitro anti-inflammatory activity,and 1,4 have cytotoxic activity.

Objective:To analyze the diversity of Duffy blood group gene among ethnic Hui population from Henan Province using PacBio long-read sequencing technique.Methods:Randomly select 30 individuals with three generations of Hui ancestry from Henan as the study subjects. Full-length sequences of the Duffy blood group gene were obtained through PacBio long-read sequencing. Distribution of the predicted phenotype and genotype frequency were determined, and the linkage between Duffy haplotypes and variation sites was analyzed. Genetic diversity, natural selection pressure, and population genetic characteristics were evaluated. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 202223).Results:The predicted Duffy blood group phenotype in the Henan Hui population was predominantly Fy(a+ b-). Three novel SNPs in the FY*01 allele were identified, with a total frequency of 13.33%, among which FY*01.NEW1 (c.199C>T) was the most common. A total of 32 variant sites were identified, with 28 located in intronic regions, indicating that genetic diversity was primarily concentrated in introns. The Duffy blood group gene was under negative selection pressure ( dN/ dS < 1, Tajima′s D, Fu and Li′s D*& F* significantly deviated from 0), suggesting overall conservation. The allele frequencies of Duffy blood group in the Henan Hui population was similar to that of the Xinjiang Hui, Xinjiang Kazakh, Inner Mongolia Mongolian, and Yuncheng Han populations, but significantly different from those of most Han and other ethnic groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:This study revealed the characteristics of the Duffy blood group gene among the Henan Hui population and demonstrated the significant advantages of PacBio long-read sequencing technique in haplotype analysis, genetic diversity study, and novel mutation identification.

Objective To explore the correlation between serum circularRNA-HOMER1(circHOMER1),microRNA(miR)-23a-3p levels with clinical stages and oxidative stress in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods From January 2023 to July 2024,75 DR patients treated in Handan Central Hospital were included as the DR group.According to the clinical staging of DR,they were divided into non proliferative DR(NPDR group,n=43)and proliferative DR(PDR group,n=32).In addition,75 patients with simple type 2 diabetes who came to Handan Central Hospital were included as non DR group.The levels of serum circHOMER1,miR-23a-3p,malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and reduced glutathione(GSH)were detect-ed.Clinical data of the subjects were collected.The TargetScan website was used to predict the targeting relationship between circHOMER1 and miR-23a-3p.Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between serum circHOMER1,miR-23a-3p and MDA,SOD,GSH.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of progression of DR in type 2 diabetes patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)carve was used to analyze the predictive value of serum circHOMER1 and miR-23a-3p in the progression of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes.Results There was a targeted relationship between circHOMER1 and miR-23a-3p.The serum MDA(28.66±4.52ng/ml)and circHOMER1(1.24±0.16)levels in the DR group were higher than those in the non DR group(16.95±3.27ng/ml,1.02±0.11),while SOD(45.39±7.84U/L),GSH(135.82±21.23μg/mL)and miR-23a-3p(0.88±0.07)levels were lower than those in the non DR group(81.65±11.47U/L,207.44±25.95μg/mL,1.01±0.09),and differences were statistically significant(t=9.813～22.602,all P<0.001).The serum MDA(33.28±4.96ng/ml)and circHOMER1(1.36±0.20)levels in the PDR group were higher than those in the NPDR group(25.23±3.58ng/ml,1.15±0.17),while SOD(34.39±7.15U/L),GSH(113.50±20.17μg/ml)and miR-23a-3p(0.79±0.07)levels were lower than those in the NPDR group(53.27±8.44U/L,152.43±23.99μg/ml,0.94±0.08),and the differences were statistically significant(t=4.906～10.376,all P<0.001).Spearman analysis showed that serum MDA and circHOMER1 were positively correlated with the severity of DR(r=0.533,0.473,all P<0.001),while SOD,GSH,miR-23a-3p were negatively correlated with the severity of DR(r=-0.552,-0.515,-0.529,all P<0.001).Pearson analysis showed that serum circHOMER1 was negatively correlated with miR-23a-3p,SOD,GSH,and positively correlated with MDA(r=-0.475,-0.460,-0.455,0.462,all P<0.001).Serum miR-23a-3p was positively correlated with SOD and GSH,and negatively correlated with MDA(r=0.428,0.437,-0.439,all P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that high MDA,low SOD,low GSH,high circHOMER1,low miR-23a-3p,high FPG and high HbA1c were the risk factors of progression of DR in type 2 diabetes patients(OR=0.214～3.556,all P<0.05).The area under curve(AUC)of serum circHOMER1 and miR-23a-3p alone and jointhy predicting the progression of DR in type 2 diabetes patients were 0.751,0.797 and 0.903 respectively.The combined prediction was higher than that of serum circHOMER1 and miR-23a-3p alone(Z=3.179,2.335,P=0.002,0.020).Conclusion Serum MDA and circHOMER1 levels are higher in DR patients,while serum SOD,GSH and miR-23a-3p levels are lower.Abnormal expression of circHOMER1 and miR-23a-3p in serum is associated with progression of DR and oxidative stress.Combined detection of circHOMER1 and miR-23a-3p in serum can predict the progression of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective The study aimedto investigate the effects and metabolic mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GQD)containing serum on hypoxia-induced glucose metabolism in L02 cells.Methods The effects of five hypoxia durations(6,12,18,24,and 48 hours)on glucose consumption and cell viability of L02 cells were examined under hypoxic conditions to determine the optimal hypoxia time.Normal hepatocytes served as the normal control group.L02 cells with hypoxia-induced reduction in glucose consumption were divided into several groups:hypoxia group,metformin 2 mmol/L group,and 25 g/kg GQD groups treated with 5%,10%,and 15%GQD contain-ing serum.Glucose consumption was used as an indicator of drug efficacy.High-resolution liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)was employed to collect metabolite signals from each group.Data were analyzed by using Progenesis QI software,and potential biomarkers were identified through online databases such as HMDB.Finally,metabolic pathways of potential biomarkers were analyzed via the Metabo Analyst 5.0 website.Results An 18 hour hypoxia period was identified as the optimal duration for the replication of the hypoxia-induced L02 cell model.GQD containing serums at 5%and 10%significantly increased glucose consumption in hypoxia-induced L02 cells after 18 hours.14 biomarkers of hypoxia-induced L02 cells were identified,with the levels of 13 biomarkers significantly increased and 1 biomarker significantly decreased.GQD containing serum notably regulated the levels of 3 biomarkers.Conclusion GQD containing serum might improve hypoxia-induced abnormal glucose metabolism in L02 cells and enhance glucose consumption by modulating glycero-phospholipid metabolism,glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis,and sphingolipid metabolism.