Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict the mechanism of Zhizhu Decoction in regulating macrophage polarization to reduce adipose tissue inflammation in obese children, and animal experiments were then carried out to validate the prediction results. The active ingredients and targets of Zhizhu Decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). The inflammation related targets in the adipose tissue of obese children were searched against GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET, and a drug-disease-target network was established. STRING was used to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network and screen for core targets. R language was used to carry out Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. AutoDock was used for the molecular docking between core targets and active ingredients. 24 SPF grade 6-week C57B/6J male mice were adaptively fed for 1 week, and 8 mice were randomly selected as the blank group. The remaining 16 mice were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to onstruct a high-fat diet induced mouse obesity model. After successful modeling, the 16 mice were randomly divided into model group and Zhizhu Decoction group, with 8 mice in each group. Zhizhu Decoction group was intervened by gavage for 14 days, once a day. Blank group and model group were given an equal amount of sterile double distilled water(ddH_2O) by gavage daily. After the last gavage, serum and inguinal adipose tissue were collected from mice for testing. The morphology of inguinal adipose tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the protein expression of macrophage marker molecule nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and epidermal growth factor like hormone receptor 1(F4/80) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Network pharmacology predicted luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin as the main active ingredients in Zhizhu Decoction and 15 core targets. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed involvement in the key signaling pathway of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB). Molecular docking showed that the active ingredients of Zhizhu Decoction bound well to the core targets. Animal experiment showed that compared with the model group, Zhizhu Decoction reduced the distribution of inflammatory cytokines in the inguinal adipose tissue of mice, lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum(P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of iNOS and F4/80(P<0.05). The results showed that the active ingredients in Zhizhu Decoction, such as luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin, inhibit the aggregation of macrophages in adipose tissue, downregulate their classic activated macrophage(M1) polarization, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α, and thus improve adipose tissue inflammation in obese mice.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Adipose Tissue/immunology* ; Mice ; Male ; Humans ; Network Pharmacology ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Child ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Obesity/genetics* ; Inflammation/drug therapy*

The elevated polyamines, amine-rich molecules with diverse functions in pathophysiology processes, are implicated in contributing to tumorigenesis and progression. Whether and how they affect the efficacy of chemotherapy is incompletely understood. Our screening assays reveal that the supplement with a low dose of spermidine (Spd), one of the polyamines, enhances ferroptosis in prostate cancer cells as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and intracellular Fe²⁺ levels in vitro. Combination treatment with Spd and a low dose of ferroptosis inducer erastin synergistically augments anti-tumor efficacy with undetectable toxicity in mice. Analysis of RNA-seq data indicates that heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), an enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of heme to release Fe²⁺, is significantly upregulated in response to Spd and erastin cotreatment. Spd mediated the hypusine modification of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (EIF5A) promotes the translation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), subsequently leading to elevation of HMOX1. Moreover, Spd and erastin significantly inhibit proteasome activity which results in a decrease in proteasomal degradation of NRF2, although many proteasome-related genes are induced either by Spd or Spd plus erastin. Thus, in addition to its pro-oncogenic activity, the supplement of Spd improves antitumor activity in combination with ferroptosis inducers and offers an optional approach to cancer treatment.

Chirality is not only a natural phenomenon but also a bridge between chemistry and life sciences. An effective way to obtain a single enantiomer is through racemates resolution. Recent literature shows that chiral metal-organic frameworks (CMOFs) have many applications in various fields because of their diverse topologies and functionalities. This review outlines the design idea and summarizes the latest synthesis strategies and applications of CMOFs. It highlights key advances and issues in the separation domain. In conclusion, the review provides perspectives on the challenges and prospective advancements of CMOFs materials and CMOFs-based separation technologies.

To explore the differences in biological gas production in the waterlogged zone of a coal seam fire-affected area, in this study the in-situ gas production experiment was conducted with the mine water from aquitard layers in coal seam fire zones in Xinjiang. The results showed that the biogas production first increased and then decreased with the increase in distance, and the highest gas production reached 216.55 mL. The changes in key metabolic pathways during the anaerobic fermentation of coal were analyzed, which showed that as the distance from the aquitard layer in the coal seam fire zone increased, the methanogenesis pathways gradually shifted from acetic acid decarboxylation and carbon dioxide reduction to acetic acid decarboxylation and methylamine methanogenesis. The significant variability in the in-situ mine water reservoir conditions contributed to the differences. In addition, the reservoir pressure and temperature increased as the distance from the fire zone became longer, and the salinity of the farthest mine water in the reverse fault was the highest due to the lack of groundwater supply. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant correlations of microbial communities with key functional genes and the types and concentrations of ions. The ions significantly influencing microbial enzymatic metabolic activities included Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, PO₄^3-, and Mo⁶⁺. The differences in metabolic pathways were attributed to the integrated effects of a co-occurring environment with multiple ions. The gas production simulation experiments and metagenomic analyses provide data support for the practical application of in-situ biogas experiments, laying a foundation for engineering applications.
Biofuels ; Coal ; Methane/biosynthesis* ; Fires ; Groundwater ; Coal Mining ; Fermentation ; China ; Anaerobiosis

Objective To explore the guiding value of thromboelastography(TEG)in blood transfusion therapy for patients undergoing liver rupture repair.Methods A total of 106 patients who underwent liver rupture repair and were admitted to the hospital from June 2021 to June 2024 were selected.According to the random number table method,the patients were divided into 53 patients who underwent liver rupture repair with TEG detection blood transfusion(study group)and 53 patients who underwent liver rupture repair with conventional coagulation function detection blood transfusion(control group).General information of patients was collected.The levels of coagulation function indicators,the dosage of blood products and intraoperative complications of patients in the study group and the control group before blood transfusion and 24 hours after blood transfusion were compared.Results 24 hours after blood transfusion,the fibrinogen level in the study group was higher than that in the control group,while the prothrombin time,activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time were shorter than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically sig-nificant(P<0.05).The dosages of red blood cells,frozen plasma,platelets and cryoprecipitate in the study group were all lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The total incidence of intraoperative complications in the study group was lower than that in the con-trol group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion TEG has significant guiding value in blood transfusion therapy for patients undergoing liver rupture repair.

Objective To investigate whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)can improve the muscle strength,endurance and work efficiency of calf muscles in healthy young men,aiming to explore a new method for preventing and combating microgravity-induced muscle atrophy in space environments.Methods 40 healthy young men aged 18-35 years were randomly divided into a Control group(Pseudo Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation)and a Experimental group(Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation)in a 1∶1 ratio,with 20 participants in each group.In the Control group,the indicator light of the stimulator was covered,and the device was turned on,but the electrodes did not contact the skin,The device automatically turned offafter 3 seconds.In the Experimental group,the TEAS device was connected to the current and TEAS intervention was performed.The electrical stimulation waveform was a sperse-dense wave with a frequency of 4/20 Hz,and the intensity was determined by patient tolerance.The acupoints selected for electrical stimulation in both groups were bilateral Zusanli(ST36)、Liangqiu(ST34),Taixi(KI3),and Fuliu(KI7).Zusanli and Liangqiu were paired,and Taixi and Fuliu were paired.The intervention frequency was 30 min/time,1 time/day,6 days/week,for 2 weeks.The relative peak torque at 60°/s,relative peak torque at 180°/s,and average power at 180°/s of the bilateral calf muscles were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at 0th,7th,and 14d day of the experiment.Results After 1 week of TEAS,compared with Control group,there were no significant changes in the relative peak torque at 60°/s,relative peak torque at 180°/s and average power at 180°/s of the bilateral anterior calf muscles in the Experimental group(all P>0.05);however,compared with Control group,the relative peak torque at 60°/s and the relative peak torque at 180°/s of the bilateral posterior calf muscles in the Experimental group were significantly increased(all P<0.05).After 2 weeks TEAS;compared with the Control group,there were no significant changes in the relative peak torque at 60°/s,relative peak torque at 180°/s and average power at 180°/s of the bilateral anterior calf muscles in the Experimental group(all P>0.05);however,the relative peak torque at 60°/s,relative peak torque at 180°/s,and average power at 180°/s of the bilateral posterior calf muscles were significantly increased in the Experimental group(all P<0.05).Conclusion TEAS of Zusanli,Liangqiu,Fuliu and Taixi acupoints on the lower limbs for 2 weeks can effectively improve the maximum muscle strength,endurance and work efficiency of the posterior calf muscles in healthy young men.

Objective To investigate the association of digit ratio with single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)at three loci(rs17576,rs3918249,rs9509)of matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP-9)gene.Methods A total of 804 Ningxia Han youths(399 males and 405 females)were used as the study subjects.A digital camera was used to take frontal photographs of the hands,and image analysis software was used to mark the anatomical points and measure the lengths of each finger of both hands(2D,3D,4D,5D);Multiplexed PCR was used to detect the three polymorphic sites of the MMP-9 gene,SPSS 25.0 and R Studio software were used for data analysis and plotting.Results The 2D/3D(P＜0.05)and 2D/4D(left,P＜0.01,right,P＜0.05)of both hands,2D/5D(P＜0.01),3D/5D,4D/5D(P＜0.05)of the right hand,and 3D/4D(P＜0.05)of the left hand in female youths of Ningxia Han were significantly higher than those in males,Differences in genotypes and allele frequencies at all 3 loci of the MMP-9 gene were not statistically significant between genders(P＞0.05).Right hand 2D/4D was significantly associated with genotypes at the rs17576 and rs3918249 loci in male youths(P＜0.05).Conclusion MMP-9 gene SNPs(rs17576 and rs3918249)may be associated with the formation of 2D/4D of Ningxia Han male youths.

Chirality is not only a natural phenomenon but also a bridge between chemistry and life sciences.An effective way to obtain a single enantiomer is through racemates resolution.Recent literature shows that chiral metal-organic frameworks(CMOFs)have many applications in various fields because of their diverse topologies and functionalities.This review outlines the design idea and summarizes the latest synthesis strategies and applications of CMOFs.It highlights key advances and issues in the separation domain.In conclusion,the review provides perspectives on the challenges and prospective advance-ments of CMOFs materials and CMOFs-based separation technologies.

Objective To clarify the occurrence,location distribution,and risk factors of microperforations in surgical gloves used in dermatovenereology surgeries.Methods A total of 898 sterilized surgical gloves worn by right-handed medical staff during dermatovenereology surgeries in Suqian Hospital of Jiangsu Province Hospital from May 2022 to April 2024 were selected as the research objects.The occurrence and location distribution of microperforations in all sterilized surgical gloves after surgery were collected.Univariate analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were conducted on the factors that might lead to the occurrence of microperforations.Results Among the 898 gloves selected in this study,61 gloves(6.79%)had microperforations;the incidence of microperforations in the gloves worn on the left hand was significantly higher than that in the gloves worn on the right hand(P<0.05);microperforations were prone to occur on the palmar surfaces of the index finger and thumb of the gloves.The results of univariate and binary Logistic regression analyses showed that the use of special instruments,surgery duration≥60 minutes,ingrown nails surgery,and worn by the chief surgeon were the risk factors for the occur-rence of microperforations in sterilized surgical gloves(OR>1,P<0.05),while wearing double-layer gloves was the protective factor to avoid the occurrence of microperforations(OR<1,P<0.05).Conclusion The sterilized surgical gloves are more likely to occur microperforations if involved special instruments in surgery,surgery duration≥60 minutes,and ingrown nails surgery,and worn by the chief surgeon,while wearing double-layer gloves can reduce the incidence of microperforations.

Objective:To measure the radial artery (RA) diameter and explore its related factors by using optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Cardiac Care Unit of Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University. Patients who underwent first-ever right forearm access and OCT guided coronary intervention via right distal RA, and measurement of the whole portion of RA diameter with OCT in our center between January 2021 to December 2021 were enrolled. Following the coronary intervention, OCT was used to assess the entire RA. The RA diameter was measured from the RA ostium to 2 cm above the radial styloid process, with a 1 mm interval. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the factors related the RA diameter.Results:The study enrolled 124 patients with an age of (61.6±12.6) years, of whom 98 (79%) were male. The total length of the RA was (19.5±1.8) cm, for males (20.2±1.3) cm and females (17.2±1.2) cm. The average RA diameter was (3.13±0.50) mm, and the RA diameter at 2 to 5 cm above the radial styloid process was (2.98±0.53) mm. The average RA diameter was significantly larger for male patients than for female patients ((3.21±0.50) mm vs. (2.84±0.37) mm, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that gender was significantly associated with RA diameter ( P=0.019). Conclusions:The average RA diameter measured by OCT is (3.13±0.50) mm, (2.98±0.53) mm at 2 to 5 cm above the radial styloid process. Gender is identified as a factor related to the RA diameter.