Objective: To systematically evaluate the relationship of exposure to five heavy metals, namely lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and aluminum with obesity in children and adolescents, so as to provide a scientific basis for subsequent research in the area. Methods: Four Chinese databasesc (CBM, VIP, CNKI and Wanfang) and four foreign databases (OVID, PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO), were searched to collect relevant studies, and the search period was from the establishment of the database to May 5, 2024. After 2 investigators independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies, the results were analyzed quantitatively and summarized qualitatively. Results: A total of 5 cohort studies on lead exposure and 17 cross sectional studies involving exposure to lead ( n =13), cadmium ( n =8), mercury ( n =8), arsenic ( n =4), and aluminum ( n =1) were included. Meta analysis of the 2 cohort studies showed that lead exposure was not associated with the risk of overweight and obesity in children ( RR=0.76, 95%CI=0.50-1.16, P ＞0.05). The cross sectional study Meta-analysis results showed that lead exposure was negatively associated with the risk of childhood overweight ( OR=0.70, 95%CI =0.59-0.84, 2 studies) and obesity ( OR=0.71, 95%CI =0.58-0.87, 3 studies); cadmium exposure was negatively associated with the risk of childhood overweight ( OR=0.83, 95%CI =0.73-0.95, 2 studies) and obesity risk( OR=0.70, 95%CI =0.63-0.78, 3 studies); mercury exposure increased the risk of overweight/obesity ( OR=1.42, 95%CI =1.14-1.76, 2 studies) and abdominal obesity ( OR= 1.99, 95%CI =1.45-2.73, 2 studies) in children; the group with the highest concentration of arsenic in urine had a lower risk of developing obesity compared to the group with the lowest concentration ( OR=0.39, 95%CI =0.23-0.65, 1 study), and the group with the highest concentration of aluminum in urine had a lower risk of obesity compared with the group with the lowest concentration ( OR=0.52, 95%CI =0.31-0.86, 1 study)(all P <0.05). Conclusion Heavy metal exposure may be a risk factor for overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, but the conclusions are inconsistent and need to be validated in further high quality prospective cohort studies.

Rubi Fructus has a long history of medicinal and edible use in China. It contains chemical components such as terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and alkaloids, and possesses various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, anti-osteoporosis, and liver-protective effects. Rubi Fructus is widely applied in medical, health, and food fields. The quality of Rubi Fructus can directly affect the safety and effectiveness of clinical medication. Therefore, this article reviews the research progress on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Rubi Fructus. Based on the concept of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) quality markers(Q-markers), the article explores the screening and determination of Q-markers for Rubi Fructus from various aspects, including plant kinship, traditional efficacy, medicinal properties, measurability of chemical composition, different processing methods, producing areas, harvesting periods, and planting conditions. The components ellagic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, rutin, astragalin, tiliroside, and hyperoside are preliminarily proposed as Q-markers for Rubi Fructus, providing a reference for the quality control of Rubi Fructus.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Rubus/chemistry* ; Fruit/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying molecular mechanism of Modified Hu-Lu-Ba-Wan (MHW) in alleviating renal lesions in mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into model group and MHW group according to a random number table, while db/m mice were settled as the control group (n=8 per group). The control and model groups were gavaged daily with distilled water [10 mL/(kg·d)], and the MHW group was treated with MHW [17.8 g/(kg·d)] for 6 weeks. After MHW administration for 6 weeks, indicators associated with glucolipid metabolism and urinary albumin were tested. Podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Kidney transcriptomics was performed after confirming therapeutic effects of MHW on DKD mice. The relevant target of MHW' effect in DKD was further determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, MHW improved glucose and lipid metabolism (P<0.05), and reduced lipid deposition in the kidney. Meanwhile, MHW reduced the excretion of urinary albumin (P<0.05) and ameliorated renal damage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the inflammation response, particularly the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, may be responsible for the effect of MHW on DKD. Furtherly, our results found that MHW inhibited IL-17A and alleviated early fibrosis in the diabetic kidney. CONCLUSION MHW ameliorated renal damage in DKD via inhibiting IL-17A, suggesting a potential strategy for DKD therapy.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/genetics* ; Interleukin-17/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Kidney/ultrastructure* ; Podocytes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Albuminuria ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective:To isolate a potassium ion channel Kv4.1 inhibitor from centipede venom,and to determine its sequence and structure.Methods:Ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify peptide components of centipede venom,and their inhibiting effect on Kv4.1 channel was determined by whole-cell patch clamp recording.The molecular weight of isolated peptide Kv4.1 channel inhibitor was identified with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry;its primary sequence was determined by Edman degradation sequencing and two-dimensional mass spectrometry;its structure was established based on iterative thread assembly refinement online analysis.Results:A peptide SsTx-P2 was separated from centipede venom with the molecular weight of 6122.8,and its primary sequence consists of 53 amino acid residues NH2-ELTWDFVRTCCKLFPDKSECTKACATEFTGGDESRLKDVWPRKLRSG DSRLKD-OH.Peptide SsTx-P2 potently inhibited the current of Kv4.1 channel transiently transfected in HEK293 cell,with 1.0 μmol/L SsTx-P2 suppressing 95%current of Kv4.1 channel.Its structure showed that SsTx-P2 shared a conserved helical structure.Conclusion:The study has isolated a novel peptide SsTx-P2 from centipede venom,which can potently inhibit the potassium ion channel Kv4.1 and displays structural conservation.

Objective:To isolate a potassium ion channel Kv4.1 inhibitor from centipede venom,and to determine its sequence and structure.Methods:Ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify peptide components of centipede venom,and their inhibiting effect on Kv4.1 channel was determined by whole-cell patch clamp recording.The molecular weight of isolated peptide Kv4.1 channel inhibitor was identified with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry;its primary sequence was determined by Edman degradation sequencing and two-dimensional mass spectrometry;its structure was established based on iterative thread assembly refinement online analysis.Results:A peptide SsTx-P2 was separated from centipede venom with the molecular weight of 6122.8,and its primary sequence consists of 53 amino acid residues NH2-ELTWDFVRTCCKLFPDKSECTKACATEFTGGDESRLKDVWPRKLRSG DSRLKD-OH.Peptide SsTx-P2 potently inhibited the current of Kv4.1 channel transiently transfected in HEK293 cell,with 1.0 μmol/L SsTx-P2 suppressing 95%current of Kv4.1 channel.Its structure showed that SsTx-P2 shared a conserved helical structure.Conclusion:The study has isolated a novel peptide SsTx-P2 from centipede venom,which can potently inhibit the potassium ion channel Kv4.1 and displays structural conservation.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults.Methods:A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test.Results:A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95% CI: 2.23-3.88) points ( P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95% CI: 4.03-5.37) points ( P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement ( P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions:This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.

Objective:To isolate a potassium ion channel Kv4.1 inhibitor from centipede venom,and to determine its sequence and structure.Methods:Ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify peptide components of centipede venom,and their inhibiting effect on Kv4.1 channel was determined by whole-cell patch clamp recording.The molecular weight of isolated peptide Kv4.1 channel inhibitor was identified with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry;its primary sequence was determined by Edman degradation sequencing and two-dimensional mass spectrometry;its structure was established based on iterative thread assembly refinement online analysis.Results:A peptide SsTx-P2 was separated from centipede venom with the molecular weight of 6122.8,and its primary sequence consists of 53 amino acid residues NH2-ELTWDFVRTCCKLFPDKSECTKACATEFTGGDESRLKDVWPRKLRSG DSRLKD-OH.Peptide SsTx-P2 potently inhibited the current of Kv4.1 channel transiently transfected in HEK293 cell,with 1.0 μmol/L SsTx-P2 suppressing 95%current of Kv4.1 channel.Its structure showed that SsTx-P2 shared a conserved helical structure.Conclusion:The study has isolated a novel peptide SsTx-P2 from centipede venom,which can potently inhibit the potassium ion channel Kv4.1 and displays structural conservation.

Objective:To isolate a potassium ion channel Kv4.1 inhibitor from centipede venom,and to determine its sequence and structure.Methods:Ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify peptide components of centipede venom,and their inhibiting effect on Kv4.1 channel was determined by whole-cell patch clamp recording.The molecular weight of isolated peptide Kv4.1 channel inhibitor was identified with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry;its primary sequence was determined by Edman degradation sequencing and two-dimensional mass spectrometry;its structure was established based on iterative thread assembly refinement online analysis.Results:A peptide SsTx-P2 was separated from centipede venom with the molecular weight of 6122.8,and its primary sequence consists of 53 amino acid residues NH2-ELTWDFVRTCCKLFPDKSECTKACATEFTGGDESRLKDVWPRKLRSG DSRLKD-OH.Peptide SsTx-P2 potently inhibited the current of Kv4.1 channel transiently transfected in HEK293 cell,with 1.0 μmol/L SsTx-P2 suppressing 95%current of Kv4.1 channel.Its structure showed that SsTx-P2 shared a conserved helical structure.Conclusion:The study has isolated a novel peptide SsTx-P2 from centipede venom,which can potently inhibit the potassium ion channel Kv4.1 and displays structural conservation.

Objective:To isolate a potassium ion channel Kv4.1 inhibitor from centipede venom,and to determine its sequence and structure.Methods:Ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify peptide components of centipede venom,and their inhibiting effect on Kv4.1 channel was determined by whole-cell patch clamp recording.The molecular weight of isolated peptide Kv4.1 channel inhibitor was identified with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry;its primary sequence was determined by Edman degradation sequencing and two-dimensional mass spectrometry;its structure was established based on iterative thread assembly refinement online analysis.Results:A peptide SsTx-P2 was separated from centipede venom with the molecular weight of 6122.8,and its primary sequence consists of 53 amino acid residues NH2-ELTWDFVRTCCKLFPDKSECTKACATEFTGGDESRLKDVWPRKLRSG DSRLKD-OH.Peptide SsTx-P2 potently inhibited the current of Kv4.1 channel transiently transfected in HEK293 cell,with 1.0 μmol/L SsTx-P2 suppressing 95%current of Kv4.1 channel.Its structure showed that SsTx-P2 shared a conserved helical structure.Conclusion:The study has isolated a novel peptide SsTx-P2 from centipede venom,which can potently inhibit the potassium ion channel Kv4.1 and displays structural conservation.

Objective:To isolate a potassium ion channel Kv4.1 inhibitor from centipede venom,and to determine its sequence and structure.Methods:Ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify peptide components of centipede venom,and their inhibiting effect on Kv4.1 channel was determined by whole-cell patch clamp recording.The molecular weight of isolated peptide Kv4.1 channel inhibitor was identified with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry;its primary sequence was determined by Edman degradation sequencing and two-dimensional mass spectrometry;its structure was established based on iterative thread assembly refinement online analysis.Results:A peptide SsTx-P2 was separated from centipede venom with the molecular weight of 6122.8,and its primary sequence consists of 53 amino acid residues NH2-ELTWDFVRTCCKLFPDKSECTKACATEFTGGDESRLKDVWPRKLRSG DSRLKD-OH.Peptide SsTx-P2 potently inhibited the current of Kv4.1 channel transiently transfected in HEK293 cell,with 1.0 μmol/L SsTx-P2 suppressing 95%current of Kv4.1 channel.Its structure showed that SsTx-P2 shared a conserved helical structure.Conclusion:The study has isolated a novel peptide SsTx-P2 from centipede venom,which can potently inhibit the potassium ion channel Kv4.1 and displays structural conservation.