The interactions between microorganisms and medicinal plants are crucial to the quality improvement of medicinal plants. Medicinal plants attract microorganisms to colonize by secreting specific compounds and provide niche and nutrient support for these microorganisms, with a symbiotic network formed. These microorganisms grow in the rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and endophytic tissues of plants and significantly improve the growth performance and medicinal component accumulation of medicinal plants by promoting nutrient uptake, enhancing disease resistance, and regulating the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Microorganisms are also widely used in the ecological planting of medicinal plants, and the growth conditions of medicinal plants are optimized by simulating the microbial effects in the natural environment. The interactions between microorganisms and medicinal plants not only significantly improve the yield and quality of medicinal plants but also enhance their geoherbalism, which is in line with the concept of green agriculture and eco-friendly development. This study reviewed the research results on the interactions between medicinal plants and microorganisms in recent years and focused on the analysis of the great potential of microorganisms in optimizing the growth environment of medicinal plants, regulating the accumulation of secondary metabolites, inducing systemic resistance, and promoting the ecological planting of medicinal plants. It provides a scientific basis for the research on the interactions between medicinal plants and microorganisms, the research and development of microbial agents, and the application of microorganisms in the ecological planting of medicinal plants and is of great significance for the quality improvement of medicinal plants and the green and sustainable development of TCM resources.
Plants, Medicinal/metabolism* ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Symbiosis

Notum, a negative feedback regulator of the Wnt signaling, has emerged as a promising target for treating glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). This study showcases an efficient strategy for discovering the anti-Notum constituents from herbal medicines (HMs) as novel anti-GIOP agents. Firstly, a rapid-responding near-infrared fluorogenic substrate for Notum was rationally engineered for high-throughput identifying the anti-Notum HMs. The results showed that Bu-Gu-Zhi (BGZ), a known anti-osteoporosis herb, potently inhibited Notum in a competitive-inhibition manner. To uncover the key anti-Notum constituents in BGZ, an efficient strategy was adapted via integrating biochemical, phytochemical, computational, and pharmacological assays. Among all identified BGZ constituents, three furanocoumarins were validated as strong Notum inhibitors, while 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MP) showed the most potent anti-Notum activity and favorable safety profiles. Mechanistically, 5-MP acted as a competitive inhibitor of Notum via creating strong hydrophobic interactions with Trp128 and Phe268 in the catalytic cavity of Notum. Cellular assays showed that 5-MP remarkably promoted osteoblast differentiation and activated Wnt signaling in dexamethasone (DXMS)-challenged MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. In dexamethasone-induced osteoporotic mice, 5-MP strongly elevated bone mineral density (BMD) and improved cancellous and cortical bone thickness. Collectively, this study constructs a high-efficient platform for discovering key anti-Notum constituents from HMs, while 5-MP emerges as a promising anti-GIOP agent.

Objective:To analyze the predictive role of WT1 expression levels pre-and early post-transplantation on relapse and overall survival(OS)in patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML)undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT)during their first complete remission(CR1).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 107 adult AML patients who underwent allo-HSCT during their CR1 at our center between May 2012 and December 2021.The predictive role of bone marrow WT1 expression levels before transplantation and at 3 and 6 months post-transplantation on relapse and OS was explored in combination with relevant clinical factors.Results:The median follow-up time for the 107 patients was 70(range:11-117)months.Among the patients,15 cases died.Kaplan-Meier survial analysis showed that the 3-year overall survival(OS)rate was 85.0％.20 patients experienced relapse,with a median time to relapse of 8(range:0.5-44)months and a l-year cumulative relapse rate of 13.1％.The overall median value of WT1 before transplantation,3 months after transplantation,and 6 months after transplantation was 0.26％(range:0％-23.64％),with an upper quartile value of 0.74％.No statistically significant differences in WT1 expression levels were observed among the pre-transplantation,3-month post-transplantation,and 6-month post-transplantation time points(P=0.227).Univariate analysis showed that patients with WT1 levels＞0.74％at 3 months post-transplantation had a higher 1-year relapse rate(P=0.029)and lower 3-year OS rate(P＜0.001)compared to patients with WT1 levels ≤0.74％.Other significant factors affecting 1-year relapse included stem cell source(P=0.041)and chronic graft-versus-host disease(cGVHD)(P=0.013).For 3-year OS,additional influencing factors were genetic high risk(P=0.048)and stem cell source(P=0.016).Multivariate analysis revealed that WT1 level＞0.74％at 3 months post-transplantation had a trend to affect 1-year relapse rate(HR=3.309,95％CI:0.958-11.431,P=0.058),while the absence of cGVHD was an independent risk factor for 1-year relapse(HR=3.473,95％CI:0.749-16.100,P=0.037).Only WT1 level＞0.74％at 3 months post-transplantation was an independent risk factor for 3-year OS(HR=6.886,95％CI:2.402-19.738,P＜0.001).Conclusion:High WT1 expression level at 3 months post-transplantation in AML patients undergoing allo-HSCT during CR1 affects the 1-year relapse rate and 3-year OS,and is an independent risk factor affecting 3-year OS.These findings suggest that dynamic monitoring of WT1 expression levels has certain value in prognostic assessment of AML patients who received allo-HSCT during CR1.

Objective:To explore the prognosis of patients with acute aortic syndrome (AAS) in the real world and to examine the risk factors associated with poor outcomes in AAS.Methods:This is a single-center retrospective study. Patients diagnosed with AAS at Xinqiao Hospital from January 2021 to July 2023 were included. The primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and aorta-related mortality, while the secondary endpoints included stroke, myocardial infarction, secondary interventions, and readmission for any cause. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and risk factors for primary endpoint events were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression.Results:A total of 254 AAS patients, aged (58.9±13.2) years were included in this study. There were 178 cases of aortic dissection, 69 cases of aortic intramural hematoma, and 7 cases of aortic penetrating ulcer. The median follow-up time was 545 days. Seventy-three all-cause deaths occurred among patients with AAS, including 61 aorta-related deaths; 3 strokes, 1 myocardial infarction, 9 secondary surgeries, and 35 readmissions for any cause were observed. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis demonstrated significant differences in all-cause mortality rates based on the Stanford classification, AAS disease classification, eGFR, and albumin levels (all P<0.05), and similar results were also observed in aorta-related death (all P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression suggested that albumin<35 g/L ( HR=2.372, 95% CI 1.337-4.210, P=0.003), eGFR<90 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2 ( HR=2.457, 95% CI 1.261-4.786, P=0.008), and Stanford type A AAS ( HR=3.420, 95% CI 1.998-5.856, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in AAS patients; albumin<35 g/L( HR=2.432, 95% CI 1.295-4.570, P=0.006), eGFR<90 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2( HR=2.523,95% CI 1.243-5.122, P=0.010), and Stanford type A AAS ( HR=3.455,95% CI 1.819-6.564, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for aorta-related mortality in AAS patients. Conclusions:In the real world, the prognosis of patients with AAS remains pessimistic. Patients with type A AAS, renal dysfunction, hypoproteinemia may have a higher risk of poor prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of endothelial activation and stress index(EASIX)for the prognosis of patients with mantle cell lymphoma(MCL).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to assess prognosis and compare the clinical features of patients diagnosed with MCL who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2010 to June 2023,had therapeutic indications and received standard treatment.Results:A total of 66 patients were included and divided into high EASIX group and low EASIX group,according to a cutoff value of 0.97 determined by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that prealbumin＜0.2 g/L,high EASIX,and ECOG PS score ≥2 were independent risk factors influencing overall survival(OS)in MCL patients.The median OS of patients in the high and low EASIX group was 13.0 and 37.5 months,and the median progression-free survival was 8.8 and 26.0 months,respectively.The proportions of patients with ECOG PS score ≥2 and prealbumin＜0.2 g/L at onset significantly increased in the high EASIX group compared to those in the low EASIX group.Conclusion:At the time of initial diagnosis,EASIX can serve as an independent prognostic indicator impacting OS in patients with MCL.Furthermore,patients in the high EASIX group experience a poorer prognosis and shorter survival duration compared with those in the low EASIX group.

Objective:To analyze the predictive role of WT1 expression levels pre-and early post-transplantation on relapse and overall survival(OS)in patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML)undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT)during their first complete remission(CR1).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 107 adult AML patients who underwent allo-HSCT during their CR1 at our center between May 2012 and December 2021.The predictive role of bone marrow WT1 expression levels before transplantation and at 3 and 6 months post-transplantation on relapse and OS was explored in combination with relevant clinical factors.Results:The median follow-up time for the 107 patients was 70(range:11-117)months.Among the patients,15 cases died.Kaplan-Meier survial analysis showed that the 3-year overall survival(OS)rate was 85.0％.20 patients experienced relapse,with a median time to relapse of 8(range:0.5-44)months and a l-year cumulative relapse rate of 13.1％.The overall median value of WT1 before transplantation,3 months after transplantation,and 6 months after transplantation was 0.26％(range:0％-23.64％),with an upper quartile value of 0.74％.No statistically significant differences in WT1 expression levels were observed among the pre-transplantation,3-month post-transplantation,and 6-month post-transplantation time points(P=0.227).Univariate analysis showed that patients with WT1 levels＞0.74％at 3 months post-transplantation had a higher 1-year relapse rate(P=0.029)and lower 3-year OS rate(P＜0.001)compared to patients with WT1 levels ≤0.74％.Other significant factors affecting 1-year relapse included stem cell source(P=0.041)and chronic graft-versus-host disease(cGVHD)(P=0.013).For 3-year OS,additional influencing factors were genetic high risk(P=0.048)and stem cell source(P=0.016).Multivariate analysis revealed that WT1 level＞0.74％at 3 months post-transplantation had a trend to affect 1-year relapse rate(HR=3.309,95％CI:0.958-11.431,P=0.058),while the absence of cGVHD was an independent risk factor for 1-year relapse(HR=3.473,95％CI:0.749-16.100,P=0.037).Only WT1 level＞0.74％at 3 months post-transplantation was an independent risk factor for 3-year OS(HR=6.886,95％CI:2.402-19.738,P＜0.001).Conclusion:High WT1 expression level at 3 months post-transplantation in AML patients undergoing allo-HSCT during CR1 affects the 1-year relapse rate and 3-year OS,and is an independent risk factor affecting 3-year OS.These findings suggest that dynamic monitoring of WT1 expression levels has certain value in prognostic assessment of AML patients who received allo-HSCT during CR1.

Objective:To explore the prognosis of patients with acute aortic syndrome (AAS) in the real world and to examine the risk factors associated with poor outcomes in AAS.Methods:This is a single-center retrospective study. Patients diagnosed with AAS at Xinqiao Hospital from January 2021 to July 2023 were included. The primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and aorta-related mortality, while the secondary endpoints included stroke, myocardial infarction, secondary interventions, and readmission for any cause. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and risk factors for primary endpoint events were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression.Results:A total of 254 AAS patients, aged (58.9±13.2) years were included in this study. There were 178 cases of aortic dissection, 69 cases of aortic intramural hematoma, and 7 cases of aortic penetrating ulcer. The median follow-up time was 545 days. Seventy-three all-cause deaths occurred among patients with AAS, including 61 aorta-related deaths; 3 strokes, 1 myocardial infarction, 9 secondary surgeries, and 35 readmissions for any cause were observed. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis demonstrated significant differences in all-cause mortality rates based on the Stanford classification, AAS disease classification, eGFR, and albumin levels (all P<0.05), and similar results were also observed in aorta-related death (all P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression suggested that albumin<35 g/L ( HR=2.372, 95% CI 1.337-4.210, P=0.003), eGFR<90 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2 ( HR=2.457, 95% CI 1.261-4.786, P=0.008), and Stanford type A AAS ( HR=3.420, 95% CI 1.998-5.856, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in AAS patients; albumin<35 g/L( HR=2.432, 95% CI 1.295-4.570, P=0.006), eGFR<90 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2( HR=2.523,95% CI 1.243-5.122, P=0.010), and Stanford type A AAS ( HR=3.455,95% CI 1.819-6.564, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for aorta-related mortality in AAS patients. Conclusions:In the real world, the prognosis of patients with AAS remains pessimistic. Patients with type A AAS, renal dysfunction, hypoproteinemia may have a higher risk of poor prognosis.

The study explored the pathological mechanism of doxorubicin chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity and the intervention methods of traditional Chinese medicine. BALB/c mice were selected to establish tumor-bearing mouse models by orthotopic injection of 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer cells. After randomization, the mice were treated with doxorubicin chemotherapy or doxorubicin chemotherapy + Kaixin San(KXS). The lesions in the prefrontal cortex of mice were observed by pathological examination, and the lesion information was obtained by long non-coding RNA sequencing. The occurrence of lesions was determined by Western blot and biochemical indicators. In addition, neuroblastoma cells and microglia cells were used to construct in vitro models, and drug-containing serum and p-AMPK dephosphorylation inhibitors were used to further verify the accuracy of animal experiments. Pathological results showed that KXS could alleviate doxorubicin-induced neuronal degeneration in the prefrontal cortex. The long non-coding RNA sequencing suggested that neuronal degeneration and the intervention process of KXS were related to ferroptosis, immune diseases, AMPK signaling pathway, etc. Western blot and biochemical indicators confirmed that this process was directly related to the activation of the AMPK/HIF-1α/ACSL4 signaling pathway to alleviate ferroptosis of neurons and immune response of glial cells. In conclusion, KXS could alleviate doxorubicin-induced neurotoxicity by activating the AMPK signaling pathway and reducing the ferroptosis of neurons and immune response of glial cells.
Animals ; Doxorubicin/toxicity* ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Female ; Humans ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/genetics*

Objective To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine(MDMA)and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine(MDA)in rats af-ter single and continuous administration of MDMA,providing reference data for the forensic identifica-tion of MDMA.Methods A total of 24 rats in the single administration group were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg experimental groups and the control group,with 6 rats in each group.The ex-perimental group was given intraperitoneal injection of MDMA,and the control group was given intraperi-toneal injection of the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.The amount of 0.5 mL blood was collected from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.In the continuous administration group,24 rats were randomly divided into the experi-mental group(18 rats)and the control group(6 rats).The experimental group was given MDMA 7 d by continuous intraperitoneal injection in increments of 5,7,9,11,13,15,17 mg/kg per day,respectively,while the control group was given the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group by in-traperitoneal injection.On the eighth day,the experimental rats were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg dose groups,with 6 rats in each group.MDMA was injected intraperitoneally,and the con-trol group was injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.On the eighth day,0.5 mL of blood was taken from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect MDMA and MDA levels,and statistical software was employed for data analysis.Results In the single-administration group,peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA were reached at 5 min and 1 h after administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 12 h.In the continuous administration group,peak concentrations were reached at 30 min and 1.5 h af-ter administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 10 h.Nonlinear fitting equations for the concentration ratio of MDMA and MDA in plasma and administration time in the single-administration group and continuous administration group were as follows:T=10.362C-1.183,R2=0.974 6;T=7.397 3C-0.694,R2=0.961 5(T:injection time;C:concentration ratio of MDMA to MDA in plasma).Conclusions The toxicokinetic data of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in rats,obtained through single and continuous administration,including peak concentration,peak time,detection time limit,and the relationship between concentration ratio and administration time,provide a theoretical and data foundation for relevant forensic identification.

Objective:To explore the genetic etiology of fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD) through whole exome sequencing (WES).Methods:Thirty seven fetuses identified with CHD by prenatal ultrasonography but with negative results by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) at Jinhua Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were selected as the study subjects, for whom WES was carried out.Results:WES and Sanger sequencing had detected 6 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, and 6 variants with unknown clinical significance. The variants had involved 15 loci within 11 genes, in addition with one copy number variation.Conclusion:WES can increase the detection rate for genetic abnormalities among fetuses with CHD, which can facilitate the prenatal diagnosis, evaluation of prognosis and genetic counseling for the couples.