OBJECTIVES: To investigate the targets and mechanisms of 7-hydroxyethyl chrysin (7-HEC) in prevention and treatment of high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) in rats. METHODS: Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, HACE model group, and 7-HEC-treated group (18 rats in each group). Except for the normal control group, rats in the two other groups were exposed to a hypobaric hypoxic chamber simulating a 7000 m altitude for 72 h to establish the HACE model. The 7-HEC-treated group was intraperitoneally injected with 7-HEC (150 mg·kg^－¹·d^－¹) for 3 consecutive days before modeling, while the model group received equivalent isotonic sodium chloride solution. Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) proteomics technology was used to detect differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with screening criteria set at a fold change >1.2 and P<0.05. Western blotting was used to verify the expression levels of target proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, 256 DEPs were identified in the HACE model group. Compared with the HACE model group, 87 DEPs were identified in the 7-HEC-treated group. Among them, 19 DEPs that were dysregulated in the HACE model group were restored after 7-HEC intervention, of which seven (HSPA4, Arhgap20, SERT, HACL1, CCDC43, POLR3A, and PCBD1) were confirmed by Western blotting. GO enrichment analysis of the DEPs between the HACE model and 7-HEC-treated groups revealed their involvement in 13 biological processes, five cellular components, and two molecular functions. KEGG pathway analysis indicated associations with the mRNA surveillance pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, serotonergic synapse, RNA polymerase, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisome, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, folate biosynthesis. PPI network analysis demonstrated that HSPA4, POLR3A, and HACL1, which were validated by Western blotting, interacted with multiple signaling pathways and ranked among the top 20 hub proteins by degree value, suggesting their potential role as core regulatory factors. Arhgap20, SERT and PCBD1 also exhibited interactions with several proteins, suggesting their potential as key regulatory proteins, whereas no interactions for CCDC43 were identified. CONCLUSIONS This study applied TMT proteomics to identify seven potential therapeutic targets of 7-HEC for the prevention and treatment of HACE. These targets may be involved in the pathogenesis of HACE through multiple pathways, including maintaining cellular homeostasis, ameliorating oxidative stress, regulating energy metabolism, and reducing vascular permeability.
Animals ; Male ; Proteomics/methods* ; Rats, Wistar ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Rats ; Brain Edema/etiology* ; Altitude Sickness/metabolism* ; Protein Interaction Maps

Objective:To prepare 7-hydroxyethyl chrysin(7-HEC)loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)nanoparticles and to detect the in vitro release.Methods:The 7-HEC/PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by emulsification solvent volatilization method.The particle size,polydispersity index(PDI),encapsulation rate,drug loading and zeta potential were measured.The prescription was optimized by single factor investigation combined with Box-Behnken response surface method.Mannitol was used as protectant to prepare lyophilized powder,and the optimal formulation was characterized and studied for the in vitro release.Results:The optimal formulation of 7-HEC/PLGA nanoparticles was as follows:drug loading ratio of 2.12∶20,oil-water volume ratio of 1∶14.7,and 2.72%soybean phospholipid as emulsifier.With the optimal formulation,the average particle size of 7-HEC/PLGA nanoparticles was(240.28±0.96)nm,the PDI was 0.25±0.69,the encapsulation rate was(75.74±0.80)%,the drug loading capacity was(6.98±0.83)%,and the potentiostatic potential was(-18.17±0.17)mV.The cumulative in vitro release reached more than 50%within 48 h.Conclusions:The optimized formulation is stable and easy to operate.The prepared 7-HEC/PLGA nanoparticles have uniform particle size,high encapsulation rate and significantly higher dissolution rate than 7-HEC.

Objective:To analyze the distribution and genomic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants isolated from imported cases of COVID-19 in Sichuan Province from December 2022 to January 2023.Methods:This study selected 108 nasal and throat swab samples with fluorescence threshold (Ct)≤32 that were collected from imported COVID-19 cases in Sichuan Province from December 2022 to January 2023. Targeted amplification and Illumina NextSeq? 2000 system were used for whole-genome sequencing. Nextclade and Pangolin online platforms were used to determine the virus genotypes and analyze the mutation loci. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood.Results:A total of 55 SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences with coverage of >95% were obtained, and all of the strains were Omicron variants. Compared with the sequence of reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1, the median number of nucleotide mutation sites of 21L, 22B, 22D, 22E, and 22F genotypes were 93, 75, 92, 78, and 92, and the median number of amino acid mutation sites were 68, 53, 68, 69, and 65, respectively. From December 2022 to January 2023, the predominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants from imported cases in Sichuan Province were BA.5.2 (10.91%, 6/55), XBB.1.1 (9.10%, 5/55), BF.7.14 (7.23%, 4/55), and BQ.1.1 (7.23%, 4/55).Conclusions:The distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants can reflect the global epidemic trend to a certain extent. However, it is different from the distribution of local circulating variants in the Chinese mainland. The XXB variants with transmission advantages can be detected in large numbers of inbound travelers before becoming the predominant circulating strains in the Chinese mainland.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingxuan Zhike granules in improving cough symptoms and shortening the course of influenza (wind-heat invading lung) in children.Methods:In this multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial, a total of 240 outpatient influenza patients from 7 hospitals, including the First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from April 2023 to December 2023 were collected.The subjects were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group via SAS software using the block randomization method.The differences between two groups were compared with t test, corrected t test and χ2 test.Subjects in the control group were given Oseltamivir phosphate granules, orally, twice a day (weight ≤15 kg, 30 mg/time; weight >15-23 kg, 45 mg/time; weight >23-40 kg, 60 mg/time; weight >40 kg, 75 mg/time; age≥13 years, 75 mg/time).In addition to Oseltamivir phosphate granules, subjects in the experimental group were also given Qingxuan Zhike granules, orally, 3 times a day (1-3 years old, 1/2 bag each time; >3-6 years old, 3/4 bag each time; >6-14 years old, 1 bag each time).After 5 days of treatment, the medication was suspended for 2 days.The effect of cough, antipyretic effect, clinical recovery rate, clinical recovery time, Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) score, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome effect, complication rate, and adverse reactions were evaluated between the two groups. Results:Finally, 232 cases were included in the study, including 115 cases in the experimental group and 117 cases in the control group.Before and after treatment, there were no significant difference in CARIFS cough score between the experimental group and the control group (all P>0.05).After treatment, the change in CARIFS cough score in the experimental group [(-1.00±0.91) scores]was significantly higher than that in the control group [(-0.75±0.98) scores] ( t=-1.995, P=0.047).After treatment, the change in TCM syndrome cough score in the experimental group [(-1.69±1.51) scores] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(-0.97±1.63) scores] ( t′=-0.035, P=0.001).The time of complete regression of fever in the experimental group [(44.82±22.72) h] was shorter than that in the control group [(51.35±27.07) h], and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-1.966, P=0.050).The fever score showed that the area under the curve between the CARIFS symptom fever score and time in the experimental group was 4.40±2.42, while that in the control group was 5.12±2.44, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-2.252, P=0.025).The clinical recovery rate was 93.91%(108/115) in the experimental group and 92.31%(108/117) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.233, P>0.05).The clinical recovery time in the experimental group [(2.93±1.21) d] was shorter than that in the control group [(3.29±1.15) d], and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-2.279, P=0.024).After treatment, there was a significant difference in TCM syndrome score variation between the experimental group [(-12.00±4.13) scores] and the control group [(-10.85±4.31) scores] ( t′=-2.067, P=0.040).No complication occurred in both groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups ( χ2=1.299, P>0.05). Conclusions:Qingxuan Zhike granules combined with Oseltamivir phosphate can effectively improve the cough symptoms associated with influenza in children, shorten the time and course of fever, and improve the TCM syndrome score; thus, they are safe in clinical application.

In recent years, the number of people living in short-term and long-term period in high-altitude has been continuously increasing, with over 81.6 million people living in areas with an altitude of ≥ 2, [KG*9]500 meters. In China, there are over 10 million people who frequently reside at high altitudes, and over 20 million people enter the plateau every year. The unique plateau climate has triggered a series of plateau related diseases, among which high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is one of the most serious diseases. If patients are not treated promptly and appropriately, they may die from cerebral hernia within 24 hours. However, the exact mechanism of the development of HACE is not fully understood, which makes the clinical prevention and treatment of HACE challenging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and their exosomes (MSC-Exos) have the ability to repair damaged tissues and cells, resist oxidative stress, inhibit inflammatory reactions, and regulate autophagy, which may potentially become new drugs for preventing and treating HACE. This article elucidated the pathogenesis of high altitude brain edema and the potential roles of MSC and MSC-Exos based on relevant literatureat home and abroad, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of HACE by MSC and MSC-Exos.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether gas-trodin(GAS)plays a neuroprotective role by activating PI3K/Akt/BACH1 signaling axis to improve glycolytic func-tion.METHODS HT22 cells were treated with Aβ25-35 for 24 h to establish cell damage model.GAS pretreated HT22 cells for 2 h,and Akt agonist SC79,Akt inhibitor MK2206,PI3K inhibitor LY294002 were added 0.5 h before GAS treatment to detect their protective mecha-nisms.Pharmacodynamic research of GAS in this model were divided into six groups:control group,GAS group(GAS 10 μmol·L-1),model group(Aβ25-35 20 μmol·L-1),model +GAS 2.5,5 and 10 μ mol·L-1 group).Mecha-nism research of GAS in this model was divided into 6 groups:control group,Aβ25-35 20 μmol·L-1 group,Aβ25-35 20 μmol·L-1 + GAS 10 μmol·L-1 group,Aβ25-35 + SC79 group(Aβ25-35 20 μmol·L-1 +SC79 10 μmol·L-1),Aβ25-35+MK2206+GAS group(A β 25-35 20 μ mol·L-1 +MK2206 10 μmol·L-1+GAS 10 μmol·L-1),Aβ25-35+LY294002+GAS group(Aβ25-35 20 μmol·L-1+LY294002 10 μmol·L-1+GAS 10 μmol·L-1).Cell viability was detected by MTT,mor-phological changes of cells were observed by micro-scope,ATP content was detected by chemilumines-cence,and pyruvate(PA)content was detected by colo-rimetry.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of transcription factor BACH1,key glycolysis enzyme hexokinase(HK1)and PI3K/Akt signaling path-way related proteins PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt and p-Akt.RESULTS The results showed that compared with the control group,the cell morphology of HT22 cells damaged by Aβ25-35 was damaged,the number of cells decreased,the cell body became smaller,the number of dead cells increased,the cell survival rate,ATP and PA contents decreased significantly,and the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,BACH1 and HK1 were significantly down-regulated.GAS treatmentcansignificantlyimprovethemor-phology of HT22 cells damaged by Aβ25-35,increase cell survival rate,ATP and PA contents,and up-regulate the expression of p-PI3K,p-Akt,BACH1 and HK1 proteins.SC79 also significantly increased cell survival rate,ATP content,protein expression of BACH1 and HK1.However,the above ameliorative effect of GAS on HT22 cell dam-age induced by Aβ25-35 was antagonized by LY294002 and MK2206.CONCLUSION GAS exerts a neuroprotec-tive effect on Aβ25-35-induced HT22 cell injury by improv-ing glycolytic function through activating PI3K/Akt/BACH1 signaling axis.

Single-cell or low-input multi-omics techniques have revolutionized the study of pre-implantation embryo development.However,the single-cell or low-input proteomic research in this field is rela-tively underdeveloped because of the higher threshold of the starting material for mammalian embryo samples and the lack of hypersensitive proteome technology.In this study,a comprehensive solution of ultrasensitive proteome technology(CS-UPT)was developed for single-cell or low-input mouse oocyte/embryo samples.The deep coverage and high-throughput routes significantly reduced the starting material and were selected by investigators based on their demands.Using the deep coverage route,we provided the first large-scale snapshot of the very early stage of mouse maternal-to-zygotic transition,including almost 5,500 protein groups from 20 mouse oocytes or zygotes for each sample.Moreover,significant protein regulatory networks centered on transcription factors and kinases between the MII oocyte and 1-cell embryo provided rich insights into minor zygotic genome activation.

Objective To construct SLC6A4-shRNA lentiviral vector, establish PC12 cells stable transformation cell line，and detect the effect of SLC6A4 gene silencing on hypoxia induced PC12 cells apoptosis. Methods Three specific targets sequence of SLC6A4 were designed and short hairpin RNA was synthesized, and then were recombined into shRNA expression vector GV248 plasmid, with non-homology shRNA sequence as negative control. The connection products were switched to competent cells. After dentification and sequencing, the vectors were co-transfected with the auxiliary vectors into 293T cells in order to produce recombinant shRNA lentiviral particles. Then, PC12 cells were infected with the recombinant lentiviral and screened by puromycin. The PC12 cells were divided into two groups: lentiviral negative control group (NC-shRNA) and SLC6A4-silenced group (SLC6A4-shRNA). The expression of SLC6A4 mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative and the 5-HTT protein level was assayed by Western blot, The effect of SLC6A4 gene silencing on hypoxia induced apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Results The SLC6A4-shRNA lentiviral expression vector was constructed and the recombinant lentiviral particles by packaging the 293T cells were obtained, the stably infected PC12 cells were established after filtering. Compared with negative control group, the expression level of SLC6A4 gene and 5-HTT protein in SLC6A4-shRNA group was suppressed notably (P<0.01). It was confirmed that lentiviral vector could effectively silence SLC6A4 gene in PC12 cells and SLC6A4 gene silencing could decrease apoptosis rate of PC12 cells under hypoxia condition. Conclusion The SLC6A4 gene of PC12 cells could be effectively silenced by shRNA lentivirus vector，which could reverse hypoxia induced apoptosis.

Objective To study the protective effect and mechanism of Saussurea involucrata flavone capsule on the myocardial tissue of mice in simulated plateau hypoxia environment. Methods 64 Balb/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, hypoxia model group, positive control group and Xuelian flavonoid capsule group. Myocardial tissue was observed microscopically and ultra-structurally, and the changes of hypoxia-related indexes were detected. The changes in the transcription levels of hypoxia-related genes were detected by RT-PCR, and the changes in the protein expressions of hypoxia-related genes were detected by Western blotting to study the mechanism of action of Xuelian flavone capsules. Results Saussurea involucrata flavone capsule had significantly alleviated the pathological damage to the myocardium of mice caused by simulated altitude hypoxia, increased the activity of T-AOC in myocardial tissue, reduced the accumulation of LD, and also reduced the expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA in myocardial tissue, increased the SOD, CAT mRNA and protein expression levels. Conclusion Saussurea involucrata flavone capsule have good anti-altitude hypoxia effect, which could protect myocardial tissue structure and function, regulate energy metabolism, and improve antioxidant capacity. The mechanism might be related to improving the antioxidant capacity, regulating energy metabolism, and affecting the protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, SOD and CAT mRNA in high altitude hypoxic mice.