ObjectiveTo explore the role and potential mechanism of circulating glutamate in enhancing insulin sensitivity by aerobic exercise. This research may provide a novel strategy for preventing metabolic diseases through precise exercise interventions. MethodsTo investigate the effects of elevated circulating glutamate on insulin sensitivity and its potential mechanisms, 18 male C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group (C), a group receiving 500 mg/kg glutamate supplementation (M), and a group receiving 1 000 mg/kg glutamate supplementation (H). The intervention lasted for 12 weeks, with treatments administered 6 d per week. Following the intervention, an insulin tolerance test (ITT) and a glucose tolerance test (GTT) were conducted. Circulating glutamate levels were measured using a commercial kit, and the activity of the skeletal muscle InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was analyzed via Western blot. To further investigate the role of circulating glutamate in enhancing insulin sensitivity through aerobic exercise, 30 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a control group (CS), an exercise intervention group (ES), and an exercise combined with glutamate supplementation group (EG). The ES group underwent treadmill-based aerobic exercise, while the EG group received glutamate supplementation at a dosage of 1 000 mg/kg in addition to aerobic exercise. The intervention lasted for 10 weeks, with sessions occurring 6 d per week, and the same procedures were followed afterward. To further elucidate the mechanism by which glutamate modulates the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, C2C12 myotubes were initially subjected to graded glutamate treatment (0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10 mmol/L) to determine the optimal concentration for cellular intervention. Subsequently, the cells were divided into 3 groups: a control group (C), a glutamate intervention group (G), and a glutamate combined with MK801 (an NMDA receptor antagonist) intervention group (GK). The G group was treated with 5 mmol/L glutamate, while the GK group received 50 μmol/L MK801 in addition to 5 mmol/L glutamate. After 24 h of intervention, the activity of the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was analyzed using Western blot. ResultsCompared to the mice in group C, the circulating glutamate levels, the area under curve (AUC) of ITT, and the AUC of GTT in the mice of group H were significantly increased. Additionally, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, IRS1, p-AKT, and p-mTOR proteins in skeletal muscle were significantly downregulated. Compared to the mice in group CS, the circulating glutamate levels, the AUC of ITT, and the AUC of GTT in the mice of group ES were significantly reduced. Additionally, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, IRS1, p-AKT, and p-mTOR proteins in skeletal muscle of group ES mice were significantly upregulated. There were no significant changes observed in the mice of group EG. Compared to the cells in group 0 mmol/L, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT proteins in cells of group 5 mmol/L were significantly downregulated. Compared to the cells in group C, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT proteins in the cells of group G were significantly downregulated. No significant changes were observed in the cells of group GK. ConclusionLong-term aerobic exercise can improve insulin sensitivity by lowering circulating levels of glutamate. This effect may be associated with the upregulation of the InsR/IRS1/AKT signaling pathway activity in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, glutamate can weaken the activity of the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, potentially by binding to NMDAR expressed in skeletal muscle.

Objective To investigate the improvement effect of coumarin on hydrogen peroxide(H2 O2)induced oxidative damage in human ovarian granulosa cells by regulating the Kelch like ECH associated protein 1(Keap1)/nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE)signaling pathway.Methods The human ovarian granulosa cell line COV434 was grouped into control group(normal culture),model group(0.5 mmol·L-1 H2 O2),coumarin group(0.5 mmol·L-1 H2 O2+320 μmol·L 1 coumarin),suppressor group(0.5 mmol·L-1 H2 O2+10 μmol·L-1 Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway inhibitor compound 20c)and combination group(0.5 mmol·L-1 H2O2+320 μmol·L-1coumarin+10 μmol·L-1 compound 20c).Cell counting kit 8(CCK-8)method was applied to detect the optical density(OD)of COV434 cells;2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)fluorescence probe method was applied to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS);the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and interleukin-18(IL-18)were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);flow cytometry was applied to detect the apoptosis rate of COV434 cells;Western blot was applied to detect the expression of Keap1,Nrf2.Results OD values of blank group,model group,coumarin group,suppressor group and combination group were 1.53±0.20,0.91±0.10,1.35±0.14,0.56±0.05 and 1.06±0.12;the ROS levels were 1.00±0.00,2.24±0.35,1.18±0.13,3.97±0.58 and 2.09±0.20;the SOD levels were(73.43±9.76),(43.32±5.88),(71.54±8.76),(27.64±3.12)and(52.46±6.45)U·mL-1;the levels of IL-18 were(205.90±20.43),(334.56±35.68),(233.24±24.58),(456.54±47.83)and(301.13±37.64)pg·mL-1;the apoptosis rates were(5.96±0.69)％,(19.62±1.77)％,(8.89±0.97)％,(30.23±3.12)％and(17.65±1.07)％;the Keap1 protein levels were 0.95±0.10,0.66±0.08,0.93±0.09,0.31±0.04 and 0.69±0.07;the Nrf2 protein levels were 1.31±0.12,0.76±0.07,1.25±0.14,0.21±0.02 and 0.90±0.11,respectively.The differences between model group with blank group,between model group with coumarin group,suppressor group,between combination group with coumarin group,were also statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Coumarin may improve H2 O2-induced oxidative damage in human ovarian granulosa cells by up-regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Objective Bevacizumab has been clinically used in colorectal cancer,ovarian cancer,cervical cancer,non-small cell lung cancer and other tumor diseases.Common adverse reactions during bevacizumab treatment include albuminuria,thrombosis,bleeding,gastrointestinal perforation and hypertension,among which the incidence of hypertension is as high as 19％-47％.The occurrence of hypertension affects the quality of life of patients,hinds the normal development of tumor treatment,and even induces serious cardiovascular diseases and increases the risk of death,which requires clinical attention.In this paper,the mechanism,influencing factors,prognosis and related treatment of bevacizumab associated hypertension were reviewed,so as to provide reference for clinical rational drug use.

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavones from Oxytropis falcata Bunge on hepatic fibrosis(HF)induced by carbon tetrachloride and liver transforming growth factor(TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway.Methods Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into normal group(intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil,intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl),model group(intraperitoneal injection of 40％CC14 peanut oil solution induced HF model,intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl),positive control group(modeling,intragastric administration of 0.2 mg·kg-1 of colchicine),experimental-L,-M,-H groups(modeling,intragastric administration of 100,200 and 400 mg·kg-1 of total flavonoid extract of Oxytropis falcata Bunge),8 individuals in each group,for 4 consecutive weeks.The histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining.Serum liver function and liver fibrosis were measured;erum inflammatory factors were detected;fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to determine gene expression in liver.Results The pathological injury of liver tissue in the model group was serious,and a large number of inflammatory factors and collagen fibers were accumulated,while the rest of the treatment groups had different degrees of remission.In normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-M,-H groups,glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels were(49.28±12.44),(5 885.42±948.37),(4 454.60±489.27),(4 650.47±843.53),(3 761.75±887.30)and(3 544.90±1 066.75)μg·L-1;glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase levels were(186.90±46.89),(5 936.23±793.81),(3 971.37±780.28),(4 360.30±863.35),(3 943.10±439.47)and(3 971.38±631.08)μg·L-1;hyaluronic acid levels were(45.08±17.16),(104.32±36.06),(66.83±20.09),(70.30±21.07),(60.00±9.68)and(59.02±10.73)μg·L-1;laminin levels were(23.13±3.89),(60.85±13.66),(35.67±9.92),(39.98±9.39),(36.55±12.21)and(34.68±24.83)μg·L-1;type Ⅲ procollagen level were(24.98±5.34),(82.58±30.14),(40.70±16.14),(51.08±23.21),(43.60±12.48)and(44.20±11.66)p±g·L-1;interleukin(IL)-1β levels were(37.63±1.24),(46.10±3.23),(39.22±2.36),(41.33±0.93),(40.25±2.04)and(39.18±2.23)pg·mL-1;tumor necrosis factor-α levels were(314.58±20.56),(383.71±16.97),(349.00±7.93),(348.88±25.11),(325.75±27.84)and(335.07±21.33)pg·mL-1;TGF-β1 mRNA expression of relative quantity respectively were 1.00±0.00,60.99±15.70,9.61±1.59,7.37±1.09,6.41±0.64,6.87±1.09;Smad7 mRNA relative expression were 1.00±0.00,0.34±0.05,0.21±0.03,0.35±0.02,0.38±0.02,0.42±0.03.The above indexes in the model group were compared with the normal group,and the above indexes in the experimental-M,-H groups were compared with the model group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge have protective effects on CC14-induced liver fibrosis in rats,and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of TGF-β/Smad pathway.

Pathological vascular remodeling is a hallmark of various vascular diseases. Previous research has established the significance of andrographolide in maintaining gastric vascular homeostasis and its pivotal role in modulating endothelial barrier dysfunction, which leads to pathological vascular remodeling. Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate (PDA), a derivative of andrographolide, has been clinically utilized in the treatment of inflammatory diseases precipitated by viral infections. This study investigates the potential of PDA in regulating pathological vascular remodeling. The effect of PDA on vascular remodeling was assessed through the complete ligation of the carotid artery in C57BL/6 mice. Experimental approaches, including rat aortic primary smooth muscle cell culture, flow cytometry, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, Boyden chamber cell migration assay, spheroid sprouting assay, and Matrigel-based tube formation assay, were employed to evaluate the influence of PDA on the proliferation and motility of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Molecular docking simulations and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine protein interactions. The results revealed that PDA exacerbates vascular injury-induced pathological remodeling, as evidenced by enhanced neointima formation. PDA treatment significantly increased the proliferation and migration of SMCs. Further mechanistic studies disclosed that PDA upregulated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression in SMCs and interacted with T-cadherin (CDH13). This interaction augmented proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, culminating in pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings underscore the critical role of PDA in the regulation of pathological vascular remodeling, mediated through the MyD88/CDH13 signaling pathway.
Mice ; Rats ; Animals ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Vascular Remodeling ; Cell Proliferation ; Vascular System Injuries/pathology* ; Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Cell Movement ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Potassium/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; Cadherins

Oral iron is a commonly used preparation for the treatment of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in children, but its undesirable taste has become a major factor affecting clinical adherence to the medication. No studies have been conducted to evaluate the palatability of oral iron supplements. Thirteen representative oral iron supplements were selected to evaluate the palatability of oral iron supplements from different perspectives of in vivo and ex vivo by combining the electronic tongue (e-tongue) test, FaceReader facial expression analysis technology and taste interviews. E-tongue test results showed that iron dextran granlues were closest to odorless potassium chloride solution, basically free of bitterness and astringency, which was superior to the other products. FaceReader facial expression results showed that 58.7% of the subjects valued iron dextran granlues for their emotional efficacy higher than that of iron proteinsuccinylate oral solution. Among 43 participants aged ≥ 5 years, the taste preference for iron dextran granlues was 83.7%, and 83.7% of participants chose to take iron dextran granlues again. This study found that iron dextran granlues have a better taste and their flavor is more popular among children, which provides a reference for pediatric clinical use of oral iron supplementation preparations and a new idea for the evaluation of palatability of medications for children. This in vivo palatability evaluation is an investigational clinical trial that was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Beijing Children's Hospital (No. 2021-149-Y).

italic>Artemisia argyi is a traditional Chinese medicine in China, which is used as medicine with its leaves. The leaves of A. argyi mainly contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, volatile oils and other compounds, and have a variety of pharmacological activities. AP2/ERF transcription factors are abundant in plants and are mainly involved in plant growth and development, abiotic stress response and secondary metabolite biosynthesis regulation. However, there are few reports on the AP2/ERF gene family and its functions in A. argyi. In this study, we systematically identified the AP2/ERF gene family in A. argyi genome, and analyzed its phylogenetic tree, protein physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, conserved motifs, promoter elements, and expression patterns. The results showed that a total of 204 AP2/ERF transcription factors were identified in A. argyi genome, encoding proteins consisting of 88-483 amino acids with a relative molecular mass of 10-52.94 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.62-9.88. Subcellular prediction showed that the majority of AP2/ERFs were located in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and the minority of them is located in the membrane and chloroplasts. According to the Arabidopsis AP2/ERF family classification, A. argyi AP2/ERF proteins were divided into four subfamilies: Soloist, AP2, ERF (B3, B4, B5, B6), and DREB (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6), among which DREB family accounted for the largest proportion, and the same subfamily had similar conserved motifs. cis-Acting element analysis showed that AP2/ERF promoters have a large number of elements responding to light and abiotic stress. Expression pattern analysis showed that most of the genes of the AP2/ERF family were dominantly expressed mainly in roots and stems, of which 19 were dominantly expressed in leaves, 77 would be induced to be expressed by methyl jasmonate, of which 16 genes were both dominantly expressed in leaves and induced to be expressed by methyl jasmonate, and these AP2/ERF genes may be the key regulatory genes for the synthesis of active ingredients in A. argyi leaves.This study lays the foundation for the functional study of AP2/ERF family genes and their regulating roles in the active components biosynthesis in A. argyi leaves.

The statement of"qi transformation leading to the removal of pathogenic dampness"was recorded in Wen Bing Tiao Bian(Analysis on Epidemic Febrile Diseases)written by the Qing Dynasty physician WU Ju-Tong.Dampness in the triple energizer is caused by the dysfunction of qi transformation,and the treatment of dampness must be based on the activation of qi movement and focused on the promotion of qi movement and the restoration of the qi transformation in the triple energizer.For the treatment of dampness attack in the upper energizer,therapies of dispersing lung to smooth qi and resolving dampness to relieve the obstruction are recommended.For the treatment of dampness obstruction in the middle energizer,therapy of activating spleen qi by strengthening spleen and moving qi is stressed for helping the removal of dampness and for the eradication of the source of dampness.For the treatment of dampness stagnation in the lower energizer,therapy of draining dampness with sweet-light medicines and activating yang can be used according to the illness status.The three methods of treating dampness,namely dispersing the upper energizer,activating the middle energizer and draining the lower energizer,all embody the mechanism of"qi transformation leading to the removal of pathogenic dampness",and the therapies of dispersing lung with light medicines,inducing perspiration by opening striated layer,eliminating dampness with aromatics and draining dampness with sweet-light medicines should be used in accordance with the syndromes.The elucidation of the academic thoughts of"qi transformation leading to the removal of pathogenic dampness"can provide theoretical reference for the fundamental research of dampness syndrome and clinical application of therapies for resolving dampness in Chinese medicine.

Objective To analyze blood type unexpected antibody and disease characteristics of inpatients in a hospital,and provide a reference for optimizing precise transfusion schemes and improving clinical transfusion safety.Methods The data of unexpected antibody screening and identification in the General Hospital of Western Theater Command from January 2012 to December 2021 were collected,while information on these patient age,gender,blood transfusion history,pregnancy history and disease diagnosis were also collected.The positive rate,composition ratio and disease characteristics of unexpected antibodies were analyzed.Results The positive rate of unexpected antibody screening was 0.55%(1 736/315 456),in which females were higher than males(0.69%vs 0.44%,χ2=90.107,P＜0.05),patients with a history of blood transfusion or(and)pregnancy were higher than those without a history of blood transfusion or(and)pregnancy(75.69%vs 22.81%,χ2=971.098,P＜0.05),and patients aged 40～80 accounted for 72.93%(1 266/1 736).Patients diseases with unexpected antibody positive accounted for 80.41%(1 396/1 736),mainly including digestive system diseases,immune diseases of blood and hematopoietic organs,tumors,urogenital system diseases,circulatory system diseases,musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases.Moreover,91.88%(1 595/1 736)of the patients with anti-screening positive underwent antibody identification,in which the majority of unexpected antibodies were Rh blood group system[41.57%(663/1 595)],Lewis blood group system[11.22%(179/1 595)],and MNS blood group system[6.90%(110/1 595)].Antibody specificity was mainly characterized by anti-E[32.41%(517/1 595)],anti-Lea[10.47%(167/1 595)],and anti-M 6.08%(97/1 595).Other antibodies[35.8%(571/1 595)]were mainly no-detected specific antibodies.Conclusion The screening results of blood type unexpected antibodies and disease type analysis are of great significance for transfusion safety.Blood transfusion department should carry out precise blood transfusion matching with multiple antigens(RhCcDEe,Lea,M)for long-term transfusion patients,women,and patients with pregnancy or blood transfusion history,so as to reduce the incidence of unexpected antibodies and improve transfusion safety.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of maltol aluminum exposure on miR-193a-3p, demethylase AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and protein kinase B (AKT), and whether miR-193a-3p is involved in aluminum-induced cognitive impairment by regulating ALKBH5/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway. Methods Specific pathogen-free male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and low-, medium- and high- dose groups according to their body weight, with eight rats in each group. Rats in the low-, medium-, and high- dose groups were intraperitoneally injected with maltol aluminum solution at concentrations of 10.00, 20.00, and 40.00 μmol/kg body weight, respectively, while the rats in control group were given an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Rats were injected for five days every week for three months. After injection, the novel object recognized test was used to assess the learning and memory ability of the rats. The relative expression of miR-193a-3p and B-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteine aspartate protease-3 (Caspase-3) mRNA in rat hippocampus was detected using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The relative protein expression of ALKBH5, PTEN, and AKT2 in the rat hippocampus was detected using Western blot. Results The discrimination index and the preference index of the new object recognition test of the rats in high-dose group were lower than those in control group and low-dose group (all P<0.05). The relative expression of miR-193a-3p and Bcl-2 mRNA in the hippocampus of the rats in high-dose group was lower than those in control group and low-dose group (all P<0.05). The relative mRNA expression of Bax in the high-dose group was higher than those in the control group and low-dose group (both P<0.05). The relative mRNA expression of Caspase-3 of the rats in the high-dose group was higher than that in the other three groups (both P<0.05). The relative protein expression of ALKBH5 in the hippocampus of the rats in the high-dose group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The relative expression of PTEN protein was higher than those in the control group and low-dose group (both P<0.05). The relative protein expression of AKT2 was lower than those in the control group and low-dose group (both P<0.05). Conclusion Sub-chronic aluminum exposure can inhibit the expression of miR-193a-3p in the hippocampus of rats, which may disrupt the ALKBH5/PTEN/AKT pathway and affect normal neuronal homeostasis and cellular function. This pathway may play an important role in aluminum-induced cognitive impairment.