ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism by which Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula improves metabolism-neuroplasticity and treats unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction by regulating the metabolic balance of glutamate （Glu）/γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA）. Methods48 Sprague-Dawley （SD） adult rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group， model group， Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula groups with low， medium， and high doses （9.20， 18.39， 36.78 g·kg^-1）， and betahistine group （1.62 mg·kg^-1）. A unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction （vestibular dysfunction） model was established by intratympanic injection of chloroform into the right ear， while the control group received intratympanic injection of normal saline. Drugs were administered once daily for seven consecutive days. During the period， behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the behaviors of rats after unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the neuronal morphology in the medial vestibular nucleus. Golgi staining was employed to assess the number of dendritic spines of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-ESI-MS/MS） was utilized to detect Glu/GABA. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of neuronal nuclei （NeuN）， growth-associated protein 43 （GAP-43）， and glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）. Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were applied to determine the expressions of glutamate-immunoreactive （Glu-IR）， GABA， GFAP， postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD-95）， and GAP-43. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group presented with head deviation， balance disorder， increased tail suspension score， nuclear consolidation of medial vestibular nerve neurons， and decreased Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The number of dendritic spines in neurons and NeuN-positive cells decreased. The content of Glu decreased. The content of GABA increased （Glu/GABA decreased）. The expression of GAP-43 was down-regulated， and GFAP was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Glu-IR， PSD-95， and GAP-43 proteins， as well as Glu-IR mRNA decreased， while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the head deviation， imbalanced behavior， and tail suspension scores in each treatment group decreased， with alleviated neuronal injury and recovered Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The number of dendritic spines of neurons increased， and the number of NeuN-positive cells rebounded. The content of Glu increased， and the content of GABA decreased （Glu/GABA increased）. GFAP was down-regulated， and GAP-43 was up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Glu-IR， PMD-95， and GAP-43 proteins， as well as Glu-IR mRNA increased， while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA decreased. The effect was more significant in the high-dose group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula can alleviate vestibular dysfunction， and its mechanism may be associated with regulating the metabolic balance of Glu/GABA， mitigating neural damage， improving synaptic plasticity （promoting GAP-43 expression and inhibiting GFAP expression）， and facilitating vestibular compensation.

Bacillus mycoides JA20-1 was screened and identified as a biocontrol bacterium with a high capacity for producing volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the laboratory. This strain had significant inhibitory effects on various postharvest disease pathogens in crops, such as Botrytis cinerea, as well as soil-borne disease pathogens in ginseng, such as Sclerotinia ginseng. In order to accelerate its industrialization process, in this study, single-factor experiments and response surface optimization methods were used. The fermentation medium and fermentation conditions in the shake flask of strain JA20-1 were systematically optimized by using cell production volume as the response variable. Meanwhile, the biocontrol effect of JA20-1 on B. cinerea of ginseng during the storage period was evaluated by using the method of fumigation in a dry dish in vitro. The results indicated that the optimal fermentation medium formulation for strain JA20-1 was as follows: 1% yeast paste, 1% soluble starch, 0.25% K_2HPO_4·3H_2O, and 0.2% NaCl. The optimal fermentation conditions in the shake flask were vaccination size of 3%, culture volume of 50 mL in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask, pH of 6.2, fermentation temperature of 34 ℃, shaking speed of 180 r·min~(-1), and incubation time of 18 hours. The bacteria count in the fermentation broth under these conditions reached 2.17 × 10~8 CFU·mL~(-1), which was 6.58 times higher than before. The average control efficacy of the fermentation broth on Botrytis cinerea of ginseng under in vitro fumigation reached 61.70% and 84.04% respectively, when 20 mL and 30 mL per dish were used. The research provided theoretical support and technical foundation for the development and utilization of Bacillus mycoides JA20-1 and the biocontrol of soil-borne diseases in ginseng and postharvest diseases in crops.
Botrytis/drug effects* ; Fermentation ; Panax/microbiology* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism* ; Bacillus/physiology* ; Pest Control, Biological/methods* ; Biological Control Agents/metabolism* ; Culture Media/chemistry*

Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The AP2/ERF transcription factor family is a class of transcription factors widely present in plants, playing a crucial role in regulating flowering, flower development, flower opening, and flower senescence. Based on transcriptome data from flower, leaf, and stem samples of two Lonicera macranthoides varieties, 117 L. macranthoides AP2/ERF family members were identified, including 14 AP2 subfamily members, 61 ERF subfamily members, 40 DREB subfamily members, and 2 RAV subfamily members. Bioinformatics and differential gene expression analyses were performed using NCBI, ExPASy, SOMPA, and other platforms, and the expression patterns of L. macranthoides AP2/ERF transcription factors were validated via qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the 117 LmAP2/ERF members exhibited both similarities and variations in protein physicochemical properties, AP2 domains, family evolution, and protein functions. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that AP2/ERF transcription factors were primarily differentially expressed in the flowers of the two L. macranthoides varieties, with the differentially expressed genes mainly belonging to the ERF and DREB subfamilies. Further analysis identified three AP2 subfamily genes and two ERF subfamily genes as potential regulators of flower development, two ERF subfamily genes involved in flower opening, and two ERF subfamily genes along with one DREB subfamily gene involved in flower senescence. Based on family evolution and expression analyses, it is speculated that AP2/ERF transcription factors can regulate flower development, opening, and senescence in L. macranthoides, with ERF subfamily genes potentially serving as key regulators of flowering duration. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research into the specific functions of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in L. macranthoides and offer important theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying floral phenotypic differences among its varieties.
Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Transcription Factors/chemistry* ; Lonicera/classification* ; Flowers/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Multigene Family

Objective To compare the application effects of plankton multiplex polymerase chain reac-tion-capillary electrophoresis(PCR-CE),SYBR Green Ⅰ real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy(MD-VF-Auto SEM)in the diagnosis of drowning.Methods Lung,liver and kidney tissues from 212 drowned corpses and 30 non-drowned corpses were examined respectively by the three drowning-related plankton testing methods,and the detection rates of plankton in each tissue by three methods were compared.Results In drowned corpses,the total detection rates of PCR-CE,qPCR,and MD-VF-Auto SEM were 93.9%,96.2%,and 95.3%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The detection rate of lung tissue by MD-VF-Auto SEM(100%)was higher than those of PCR-CE and qPCR(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the detection rates of the three methods in liver or kidney tissues(P>0.05).In non-drowning corpses,a small number of diatoms(less than 10 cells/10 g)were detected by MD-VF-Auto SEM method,only in liver and kidney tissues,while the other two methods yielded negative results for all tissues.Conclusion All three methods have good efficacy in the examination of drowned corpses.The MD-VF-Auto SEM method directly observes diatom morpho-logical characteristics through scanning electron microscopy,and the qualitative and quantitative analy-ses are intuitive and accurate.It has great advantages in the examination of difficult degradation samples.The PCR-CE method and qPCR method have a low sample demand(0.5 g),are easy to operate and have short detection time(4-7 h).They are easy to be applied in the grassroots depart-ments and are suitable for the rapid determination of drowned corpses in routin cases.The combina-tion of the two DNA methods with the MD-VF-Auto SEM method can increase the detection rate of plankton,ensuring the reliability of examination results.This combined use is of significant importance in the application of drowning diagnosis.

Objective:To screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with liver cancer by bioinformatics analysis method, and to investigate the mechanism of the minichromosome maintenance protein 2 ( MCM2) and replication factor C subunit 4 ( RFC4) genes in liver cancer in vitro. Methods:Gene expression profiling data of 80 and 36 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and 307 and 13 cirrhotic tissues were obtained from the GSE25097 and GSE98620 datasets of the gene expression analysis (GEO) database, respectively. Gene expression profiling data of 374 liver cancer tissues and 50 normal liver tissues were downloaded from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database. Limma and DESeqs R software were used to process the gene expression profiling data, construct protein-protein interaction networks, and analysis the relevance of these genes to survival. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to screen out the core genes. Liver cancer SMMC7721 cells were transfected with MCM2 blank plasmid (MCM2 control group), MCM2 overexpression plasmid [MCM2 WT1 group, MCM2 WT2 (2-fold WT1) group], RFC4 blank plasmid (RFC4 control group), and RFC4 overexpression plasmid [RFC4 WT1 group, RFC4 WT2 (2-fold WT1) group], respectively. The expression of MCM2 and RFC4 in liver cancer cell lines and their transfection levels were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting. The effects of MCM2 and RFC4 on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by MTT assay and cell cloning assay, respectively. The effects of MCM2 and RFC4 on the migration of liver cancer cells were determined by the scratch assay. The effects of MCM2 and RFC4 on liver cancer cell invasion were detected by Transwell assay.Results:By bioinformatic analysis, 9 HCC DEGs were selected, including ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 T ( UBE2T), aurora kinase A ( AURKA), targeting protein for Xklp2 ( TPX2), MCM2, RFC4, ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase subunit M2 ( RRM2), serine peptidase inhibitory factor Kazal type 1 ( SPINK1), collagen type XV alpha 1 chain ( COL15A1) and C-C motif chemokine 25 ( CCL25). Among the six genes associated with clinical stages, the MCM2 and RFC4 genes were found to be strongly associated with prognosis in liver cancer. The relative protein expression of MCM2 and RFC4 in HepG2 cells (1.83±0.07, 1.44±0.09) and SMMC7721 cells (1.74±0.05, 1.43±0.08) was higher than that in MIHA cells (1.00±0.02, 1.00±0.03), and all the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The relative gene expression of MCM2 and RFC4 in HepG2 cells (14.30±0.12, 5.10±0.18) and SMMC7721 cells (10.60±0.11, 7.60±0.07) was higher than that in MIHA cells (1.00±0.05, 1.00±0.03), and all the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Compared with the MCM2 control group, the absorbance values [(0.28±0.01 and 0.21±0.01) vs 0.18±0.03], the number of clonal cells [(717±12 and 782±29) cells vs (389±17) cells], the percentage migration [(0.43±0.02 and 0.68±0.01) vs 0.15±0.06], and the number of cellular invasions [(933±21 and 821±11) cells vs (409±16) cells] were higher in the MCM2 WT1 and MCM2 WT2 groups, and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Compared with the RFC4 control group, the absorbance values [(0.30±0.02 and 0.21±0.01) vs 0.17±0.02], the number of cloned cells [(571±11 and 728±9) cells vs (373±23) cells], the percentage migration [(0.75±0.11 and 0.67±0.04) vs 0.34±0.07], and the number of cell invasion [(835±26 and 818±18) cells vs (629±12) cells] were higher in the RFC4 WT1 and the RFC4 WT2 groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:MCM2 and R FC4 genes play a role in promoting tumorigenesis and growth in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective:To analyze the blood-transition prototype components and metabolites of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor.Methods:Ultra-high performance liquid chromatographyquadrupole/electrostatic field orbital trap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q Exactive Focus MS/MS) technique was used to compare the chromatogram differences of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor extract, blank serum and drug-containing serum. According to the retention time, relative molecular weight and the ratio with primary and secondary ion fragments provided by MS, the prototype components and metabolites of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor extract were analyzed in serum of rats after oral administration. The detection conditions were as follows: the mobile phase of methanol (A)-0.1% formic acid solution (B) for elution gradient (0-5 min, 5%A; 5-60 min, 5%-95%A; 60-65 min, 95%A), the flow rate of 0.3 ml/min, heated electrospray ionization, detection range of m/z 80-1 200, positive and negative ion scanning modes.Results:A total of 31 transitional components were detected in the serum, of which 9 were prototype components and 22 were metabolites. The 9 prototype components were identified as phenylacetaldehyde, baogongteng C/ erycibellin, p-coumaric acid, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, quinic acid, paeonol, 3-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, salicylic acid, and isourecumenol. The 22 metabolites mainly consist of 11 organic acid components, 3 indole components, 2 organic phenolic components, 2 alkaloid components, 1 nucleoside component, 1 amino acid component, 1 lactone component, and 1 sulfonic component. The metabolic pathways were mainly glucuronidation, sulfation and others, which by phase Ⅱ metabolism.Conclusion:Organic phenols and organic acids are the main components that enter the body of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda Medicinal Liquor, while alkaloid compounds and organic acid components may be potential active ingredients for its pharmacological effects.

AIM To observe the protective effects and mechanism of Shuli Jiangzhuo Formula on cardiac function in a rat model of uremic cardiomyopathy(UCM).METHODS The successful UCM models established by 5/6 nephrectomy were randomly allocated into the model group,the valsartan group(8.33 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Shuli Jiangzhuo Formula groups(7.19,14.38,28.76 g/kg),in contrast to those of the sham operation group,followed by 8 weeks respective drug administration.Upon the completion of the pharmacological intervention,the rats had the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),ejection fraction(EF)and fractional shortening(FS)measured by echocardiography;the whole heart mass index(HMI)and left ventricular mass index(LVMI)detected;the renal function(serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen)and the hemoglobin concentration detected;the mitochondrial morphology analyzed by observation of cardiomyocyte ultrastructure using transmission electron microscopy;the DNA damage in cardiomyocytes detected by TUNEL staining;the serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and BNP detected by ELISA;and the myocardial mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the sham operated controls,the model group demonstrated significant elevation of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen(P＜0.01);decreased hemoglobin concentration(P＜0.01);disorganized myocardial collagen fiber architecture,and pronounced mitochondrial swelling with ultrastructural damage;decreased EF and FS(P＜0.05);increased LVEDD and LVESD(P＜0.01);increased HMI and LVMI(P＜0.01);increased levels of serum IL-1β,IL-18 and BNP(P＜0.01);increased cardiomyocyte pyroptosis(P＜0.01);and enhanced mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1 β(P＜0.01).Compared to model group controls,the high-dose Shuli Jiantuo Formula intervention exhibited decreased levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen(P＜0.01);increased hemoglobin concentration(P＜0.01);reduced DNA fragmentation,alleviated mitochondrial swelling and mitigated ultrastructural damage;reduced LVEDD and LVESD(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased HMI and LVMI(P＜0.01);downregulated levels of serum IL-1β,IL-18 and BNP(P＜0.01);decreased cardiomyocyte pyroptosis(P＜0.01);and inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Shuli Jiangzhuo Formula demonstrates dual cardiorenal protective effects in UCM rats through suppression of the left ventricular hypertrophy progression and inhibition of the adverse ventricular remodeling processess.The therapeutic efficacy primarily stems from targeted suppression of NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway activation and substantial attenuation of cardiomyocyte pyroptosis cascade.

Objective : To explore the mechanism of isorhamnetin (Iso) in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods and to verify it in vitro. Methods : The key targets were obtained by constructing the PPI protein interaction network based on the common intersection targets of Iso-OSCC. At the same time, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) were used to analyze the related signaling pathways of the intersection targets. Iso and core targets were also analyzed through molecular docking and visualization. Colony formation assay and Transwell assay were used to identify the effect of Iso on the proliferation and invasion of Cal-27 cells. Western blot was used to analyze the regulatory effects of different concentrations of Iso on estrogen receptor-1 (ESR1), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit-1 (PIK3R1), Src tyrosine kinase (SRC), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway proteins. Results: A total of 269 potential intersection targets of Iso-regulated OSCC were obtained. According to the degree obtained by topological analysis, PIK3R1, AKT1, SRC, ESR1, and other core targets were screened out. KEGG analysis showed that 165 signaling pathways were enriched in the intersection targets of Iso-OSCC, among which the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway played an important role in the treatment of OSCC with Iso. Molecular docking results showed that the absolute value of binding energy between target proteins PIK3R1, AKT1, SRC, ESR1, and Iso was high. After Cal-27 cells were treated with Iso, the number of cell colony formations, the number of transmembrane cells, and the expression of PIK3R1, ESR1, SRC, p-PI3K, and p-AKT were negatively correlated with the increase in Iso concentration (P < 0.05). Conclusion Iso can inhibit PI3K/AKT signal transduction and influence the expression of PIK3R1, AKT1, SRC, and ESR1 proteins, thereby inhibiting the occurrence and development of OSCC.

Objective To observe the application value of ultrasound classification of blood vessels at C6 transverse process region during ultrasound-guided cervical sympathetic block(CSB).Methods A total of 42 pain patients were retrospectively enrolled.According to vascular distribution morphology and variation,as well as the minimum vertical distance from carotid artery to C6 transverse process shown by ultrasound,blood vessels at C6 transverse process region was classified into type Ⅰ(standard type),Ⅱ(short arterial spacing type),Ⅲ(puncture path obstruction type)and Ⅳ(vascular variation type in blockade zone).CSB needle insertion strategy was adjusted according to the results of ultrasound classification.The needle tip directly reached the puncture target for type Ⅰ,"fluid push method"was used for type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ,while the needle tip needed to be guided to reach the area between carotid sheath and variant blood vessels in the puncture target area for type Ⅳ.The effectiveness and safety of this method were observed.Results Among 42 cases,type Ⅰ was observed in 18 cases(18/42,42.86%),type Ⅱ was noticed in 3 cases(3/42,7.14%),and type Ⅲ and Ⅳ was detected in 9(9/42,21.43%)and 12(12/42,28.57%)cases,respectively.CSB was successfully performed in all 42 cases,Horner syndrome was successfully induced and relieved spontaneously within 1-2 h.No adverse reactions such as local hematoma,pneumothorax,nor local pain was observed.Conclusion Ultrasound classification of blood vessels at C6 transverse process region during CSB was effective and safe,having certain promotion value.