Ginkgo biloba, an ancient relict plant, holds a lengthy medicinal tradition in China. The leaves and seeds of this remarkable species contain flavonoids, a class of active compounds that offer a multitude of pharmacological advantages. The understanding of the synthesis process of these flavonoids can be deepened substantially by elucidating their biosynthetic pathway and metabolic regulation mechanisms. This can thereby provide a foundation for achieving precise regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis, which is of great significance for improving the production efficiency and quality of flavonoids in G. biloba. This review comprehensively summarizes research advancements in metabolomics, genomics, and transcriptomics of flavonoids in G. biloba, aiming to establish a thorough academic framework. It examines key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids in G. biloba and their functions, highlighting their crucial roles in flavonoid production. Additionally, it outlines transcriptional regulation mechanisms associated with flavonoid in G. biloba biosynthesis, focusing on transcription factors responsive to environmental cues and their regulatory networks that modulate flavonoid gene expression. These insights offer a theoretical foundation for precise control of G. biloba flavonoid production. By amalgamating these diverse research findings, this review aims to establish a robust theoretical groundwork for future studies on biosynthesis and efficient utilization of flavonoids in G. biloba.
Ginkgo biloba/chemistry* ; Flavonoids/biosynthesis* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Biosynthetic Pathways

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on oral microbiota and metabolites in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in 47 MAFLD patients complicated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 48 MAFLD patients without CHB enrolled from November, 2023 to January, 2024. Fasting tongue coating samples were collected from the patients for analyzing microbial community structures and metabolites using high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics techniques, and their associations with clinical indicators and biological pathways were explored using correlation analysis and functional annotation. RESULTS: The levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and severity of fatty liver were all significantly lower in MAFLD+CHB group than in MAFLD group. Microbiota analysis showed that the abundances of Patescibacteria (at the phylum level), Hydrogenophaga, and Absconditabacteriales (at the genus level) were significantly increased, while the abundance of Megasphaera was decreased in MAFLD+CHB group. The differential microbiota were significantly correlated with TC, GGT and low-density lipoprotein (r=-0.68‒0.75). Metabolomics analysis revealed that 469 metabolites (including lipids and amino acids) were upregulated and 2306 (including organic oxygen-containing compounds and phenylpropanoids) were downregulated in MAFLD+CHB group, for which KEGG enrichment analysis suggested abnormal activation of the linoleic acid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Correlation analysis between microbiota and metabolites indicated that Patescibacteria and Megasphaera, which were positively correlated with lipid metabolites and negatively with fatty acid metabolites, respectively, jointly affected glycolipid metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. CONCLUSIONS Compared to patients with MAFLD alone, MAFLD patients with concurrent chronic HBV infection showed lower levels in some lipid metabolism indicators and the degree of hepatic steatosis, accompanied by alterations in oral microbiota structure and metabolic profiles. The precise mechanisms involved require further investigation to be fully elucidated.
Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Prospective Studies ; Microbiota ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/microbiology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Fatty Liver/microbiology* ; Middle Aged ; Mouth/microbiology* ; Metabolomics

During the past decate, Chinese pathologists have made remarkable achievements in the area of soft tissue tumors. They have not only done in-depth researches in selected entities like liposarcoma and round cell sarcomas, but have also issued expert consenses and guideline, as well as published professional books and translation books, with purpose to comprehensively improve the level of diagnosis nationwide.

Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.

objective:To investigate the factors influencing failure of preoperative optimisation with exclusive enteral nutrition(EEN)in patients with Crohn's disease(CD)and to construct a predictive model.Methods:Clinical data of 161 patients with Crohn's disease who underwent surgical treatment after preoperative EEN optimization at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center of General Surgery of the Eastern Theater General Hospital from June 2021 to November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups according to the preoperative EEN optimisation effect:optimisation success and optimisation failure.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors influencing optimisation failure,and a column line graphical model was constructed using R4.4.0 software.Results:After at least 4 weeks of EEN treatment,a total of 44 patients(27.33%)failed preoperative optimization.Multifactorial analysis showed that FC>500 μg/g and use of corticosteroids were independent risk factors for failure of preoperative optimization,and an increase in prealbumin after 1 week of treatment was a protective factor for successful preoperative optimization.Based on the results of the multivariate analysis,a column graph was constructed,and the C-index was 0.873(95%CI=0.783～0.964).The calibration curve shows that the probability of failure predicted by the nomogram model prior to optimization is in good agreement with the actual probability.The clinical decision curve confirms that the risk threshold is between 0.03～0.96,and the nomogram model can be used to predict the failure of preoperative EEN optimization over other treatment options.Conclusion:FC>500μg/g and history of corticosteroid use were independent risk factors for failure of preoperative optimization,and an increase in prealbumin after 1 week of treatment was a protective factor for successful preoperative optimization.The nomogram constructed on the basis of these results has a good predictive value and is clinically applicable.

Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.

During the past decate, Chinese pathologists have made remarkable achievements in the area of soft tissue tumors. They have not only done in-depth researches in selected entities like liposarcoma and round cell sarcomas, but have also issued expert consenses and guideline, as well as published professional books and translation books, with purpose to comprehensively improve the level of diagnosis nationwide.

Objective To observe the influence of nintedanib ethanesulfonate soft capsules combined with tetrandrine tablets on pulmonary function and dyspnea symptoms in patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.Methods Patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were divided into treatment group and control group by cohort method.The control group was given basic treatment such as glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants according to the patient's condition;the treatment group was given ethanesulfonate nintedanib soft capsules(100 mg,bid)and tetrandrine tablets(40 mg,tid)on the basis of the control group,and the treatment course was 3 months.The clinical efficacy,severity of dyspnea[modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale(mMRC)and St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ)],pulmonary function indicators,pulmonary fibrosis score,and blood gas analysis indicators were compared between the two groups,and the safety was assessed.Results A total of 42 cases were included in the treatment group and the control group,respectively.The total effective rates of the treatment group and the control group were 92.86％(39 cases/42 cases)and 76.19％(32 cases/42 cases)respectively(P＜0.05).After treatment,the mMRC scores of the treatment group and the control group were(1.43±0.27)and(1.69±0.31)points;the SGRQ scores were(46.51±4.39)and(51.08±4.76)points;the forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)values were(64.96±6.55)％and(58.67±5.01)％;the fibrosis scores were(1.12±0.14)and(1.26±0.18)points;the partial pressure of arterial oxygen values were(80.31±7.03)and(75.02±6.94)mmHg.The above indexes of the treatment group were compared with those of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).There were no adverse drug reactions in the treatment group,and the main adverse drug reactions in the control group were gastrointestinal discomfort.The total incidence rates of adverse drug reactions in the treatment group and the control group were 0 and 2.38％,respectively(P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with basic treatment,nintedanib ethanesulfonate soft capsules combined with tetrandrine tablets can better improve the pulmonary fibrosis degree and dyspnea degree in patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis,and delay the decline of pulmonary function of patients.

Five flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the methanol and ethyl acetate fractions of the ethanol extract of Diphylleia sinensi by using various chromatographic methods, including silica gel, MCI gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified as diphyflavonoid A (1), diphyflavonoid B (2), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol-3-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (5) by spectroscopy methods (1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, IR, and MS). Compounds 1 and 2 were two new flavonoid glycosides, and compounds 3 and 5 were isolated from the genus Diphylleia for the first time.

From the perspective of the physiological basis of liver and kidney sharing the common source in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),and by integrating the theory of kidney dominating bone,liver dominating tendon,and meridian sinew of TCM as well as the bone resorption and collapse theory,and non-uniform settlement theory and lower-limb musculoskeletal bowstring structure theory of modern orthopedics,the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)under the system of non-uniform settlement during bone resorption and multidimensional composite bowstring working in coordination with the theory of liver-kidney and muscle-bone was explored.The key to the TCM pathogenesis of ONFH lies in the deficiency of the liver and kidney,and then the imbalance of kidney yin-yang leads to the disruption of the dynamic balance of bone formation and bone resorption mediated by osteoblasts-osteoclasts,which manifests as the elevated level of bone metabolism and the enhancement of focal bone resorption in the femoral head,and then leads to the necrosis and collapse of the femoral head.It is considered that the kidney dominates bone,liver dominates tendon,and the tendon and bone together constitute the muscle-bone-joint dynamic and static system of the hip joint.The appearance of collapse destroys the originally balanced muscle-bone-joint system.Moreover,the failure of liver blood in the nourishment of muscles and tendons further exacerbates the imbalance of the soft tissues around the hip joint,accelerates the collapse of the muscle-bone-joint dynamic and static system,speeds up the process of femoral head collapse,and ultimately results in irreversible outcomes.Based on the above pathogenesis,the systematic integrative treatment of ONFH should be based on the TCM holistic concept,focuses on the focal improvement of internal and external blood circulation of the femoral head by various approaches,so as to rebuild the coordination of joint function.Moreover,attention should be paid to the physical constitution of the patients,and therapy of tonifying the kidney and regulating the liver can be used to restore the balance between osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,and to reconstruct the muscle-bone-joint system,so as to effectively delay or even prevent the occurrence of ONFH.