In this study,indigo-dyed cotton and silk textiles were subjected to simulated aging treatments by ultraviolet light(UV)and hydrochloric acid solution(pH=2)according to the potential preservation environments of ancient textile cultural relics.Scanning electron microscope(SEM)was used for microstructural observation of the simulated textiles,and a combination method of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)and portable Raman spectroscopy(P-RS)was developed for detection of indigo dye in cotton and silk textiles before and after aging.The results revealed that,in silk samples after UV aging and acid aging,the indigo dye along with isatin which was the indigo degradation product could be detected by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS,while in cotton samples after UV aging and acid aging,the signal of isatin was less prominent although the characteristic peaks of indigo were detectable.However,the characteristic signals of indigo in both UV-aged and acid aged textiles could be effectively detected by P-RS,which provided a quick and convenient method for detection of indigo dye in textiles.Compared with UV aging and acid aging,acid-aged samples exhibited a more robust signal response to indigo dye,offering a rapid and non-destructive method for indigo detection.The developed UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and P-RS methods could be used in efficient and rapid identification of indigo dye,which hold potential in the preservation and restoration of ancient textile cultural relics.

[Objective] To study on the genotyping of a sample with inconsistent forward and reverse serological tests, and to conduct a pedigree investigation and molecular biological mechanism study. [Methods] The ABO blood group of the proband and his family members were identified using blood group serological method. The ABO gene exon 1-7 of samples of the proband and his family were sequenced by Sanger and single molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT). DeepTMHMM was used to predict and analyze the transmembrane region of proteins before and after mutation. [Results] The proband and his mother have the Bw phenotype, while his maternal grandfather has ABw phenotype. The blood group results of forward and reverse typing of other family members were consistent. ABO gene sequencing results showed that there was B new mutation of c.3 G>C in exon 1 of ABO gene in the proband, his mother and grandfather, leading to a shift in translation start site. DeepTMHMM analysis indicated that the shift in the translation start site altered the protein topology. [Conclusion] The c.3G>C mutation in the first exon of the ABO gene leads to a shift in the translation start site, altering the protein topology from an α-transmembrane region to a spherical signaling peptide, reducing enzyme activity and resulting in the Bw serological phenotype.

Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition caused by dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system, remains difficult to treat due to limited understanding of its molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis identified cerebellin 2 (CBLN2) as highly enriched in human and murine proprioceptive and nociceptive neurons. We found that CBLN2 expression is persistently upregulated in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in mice. In addition, transcription factor SOX11 binds to 12 cis-regulatory elements within the Cbln2 promoter to enhance its transcription. SNL also induced SOX11 upregulation, with SOX11 and CBLN2 co-localized in nociceptive neurons. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sox11 or Cbln2 attenuated SNL-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. High-throughput sequencing of DRG following intrathecal injection of CBLN2 revealed widespread gene expression changes, including upregulation of numerous NF-κB downstream targets. Consistently, CBLN2 activated NF-κB signaling, and inhibition with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate reduced CBLN2-induced pain hypersensitivity, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines production, and neuronal hyperexcitability. Together, these findings identified the SOX11/CBLN2/NF-κB axis as a critical mediator of neuropathic pain and a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Animals ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; SOXC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Male ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Nerves

OBJECTIVE: Huachansu injection (HCSI), a promising anti-cancer Chinese medicine injection, has been reported to have the potential for reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy and improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The objective of this study is to explore the synergistic and detoxifying effects of HCSI when used in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11). METHODS: To investigate the effect of HCSI on anti-CRC efficacy and intestinal toxicity of CPT-11, we measured changes in the biological behavior of LoVo cells in vitro, and anti-tumor effects in LoVo cell xenograft nude mice models in vivo. Meanwhile, the effect of HCSI on intestinal toxicity and the uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression was investigated in the CPT-11-induced colitis mouse model. Subsequently, we measured the effect of HCSI and its 13 constituent bufadienolides on the expression of UGT1A1 and organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B3 (OATP1B3) in HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The combination index (CI) results showed that the combination of HCSI and CPT-11 exhibited a synergistic effect (CI < 1), which significantly suppressing the LoVo cell migration, enhancing G2/M and S phase arrest, and inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, the damage to intestinal tissues was attenuated by HCSI in CPT-11-induced colitis model, while the increased expression of UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells and in mouse was observed. CONCLUSION The co-therapy with HCSI alleviated the intestinal toxicity induced by CPT-11 and exerted an enhanced anti-CRC effect. The detoxifying mechanism may be related to the increased expression of UGT1A1 and OATP1B3 by HCSI and its bufadienolides components. The findings of this study may serve as a theoretical insights and strategies to improve CRC patient outcomes. Please cite this article as: Jiang B, Meng ZY, Hu YJ, Chen JJ, Zong L, Xu LY, Zhang XQ, Zhang JX, Han YL. Huachansu injection enhances anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of irinotecan and alleviates its induced intestinal toxicity through upregulating UGT1A1-OATP1B3 expression in vitro and in vivo. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):576-590.
Irinotecan/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Glucuronosyltransferase/genetics* ; Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Up-Regulation/drug effects* ; Male ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Hep G2 Cells ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Amphibian Venoms

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the antidepression mechanisms of Xiaoyaosan (XYS), a classic Chinese prescription, from the perspective of energy metabolism in the brain and intestinal tissues. METHODS: Chronic unpredictable mild stress model-a classic depression rat model-was established. Effects of XYS on behaviors and gastrointestinal motility of depressed rats were investigated. Effects of XYS on energetic charge (EC), adenosine triphosphate-related enzymes, and key enzymes of energy metabolism in both hippocampus and jejunum tissues of depressed rats were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography, biochemical analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to construct a correlation network of "behavior-brain energy metabolism-intestinal energy metabolism" of depression. RESULTS: XYS significantly reduced the abnormal behaviors that observed in depressed rats and increased the EC and the activity of Na⁺-K⁺-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase in hippocampus and jejunum tissues of depressed rats. XYS restored the key energetic pathways that had been interrupted by depression, including glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, XYS exhibited antidepressive effects in terms of regulating energy metabolism in tissues of both brain and intestine. CONCLUSION XYS significantly corrected the disturbances in EC and energy metabolism-related enzymes of both brain and intestinal tissues, alleviating both core and concomitant symptoms of depression. The current findings underscore the role of energy metabolism in the antidepressive activity of XYS, providing a fresh perspective on depression, and novel research strategies for revealing the mechanism of actions of traditional Chinese medicines on multi-site and multi-symptom diseases. Please cite this article as: Xiao MT, Wang SY, Wu XL, Zhao ZY, Wang HM, Liu HM, Qin XM, Liu XJ. Antidepressant mechanism of Xiaoyaosan: A perspective from energy metabolism of the brain and intestine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):706-720.
Animals ; Energy Metabolism/drug effects* ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Brain/drug effects* ; Male ; Depression/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Hippocampus/drug effects*

Colorectal tumorigenesis generally progresses from adenoma to adenocarcinoma, accompanied by dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). A randomized controlled trial has confirmed the efficacy and safety of Shen-Bai-Jie-Du decoction (SBJDD) in preventing colorectal tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the dynamic evolution of the TME and validated cell infiltration with multiplex immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Bulk RNA sequencing was utilized to assess the underlying mechanisms. Our results constructed the mutually verifiable single-cell transcriptomic atlases in Apc ^Min/+ mice and clinical patients. There was a marked accumulation of CCL22⁺ dendritic cells (DCs) and an enhanced immunosuppressive action, which SBJDD and berberine reversed. Combined treatment with cholesterol and lipopolysaccharide induced characteristic gene expression of CCL22⁺ DCs, which may represent "exhausted DCs". Intraperitoneal injection of these DCs after SBJDD treatment eliminated its therapeutic effects. TMEM131 derived CCL22⁺ DCs generation by TNF signaling pathway and may be a potential target of berberine in retarding colorectal tumorigenesis. These findings emphasize the role of exhausted DCs and the regulatory mechanisms of SBJDD and berberine in colorectal cancer (CRC), suggesting that the multi-component properties of SBJDD may help restore TME homeostasis and offer novel cancer therapy.

Aim To compare the observation results of atomic force microscopy(AFM)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and to summarize the main problems and solutions of AFM in observing biological macromolecules,using the observa-tion subjects of protein samples purified by our research group.Methods The protein samples were diluted to 15 nmol·L-1 with PBS,fixed on glass slides,silicon wafers,and mica sheets,dried,and made into solid-phase observation samples.SEM sam-ples were plated with platinum before observation.The surface structures of proteins were observed using AFM and SEM,sample heights were calculated,and differences in results were com-pared.Results Protein samples with positive charges tended to shift to the right during observation due to the repulsion of the AFM probe;mica sheets could effectively eliminate the positive charge of proteins to avoid sample movement;PBS provided a stable environment for protein samples,but the crystallization of PBS salts interfered with probe operation and imaging clarity;SEM samples needed to be plated with platinum before observa-tion and could not achieve the precision of AFM.Conclusions Both AFM and SEM can directly observe protein structures in vitro,with AFM providing higher precision results;when protein sample stability permits,ultrapure water is preferred as the sol-vent carrier,and volatile liquids such as ethanol can also serve as solvent carriers.The application of AFM offers a new approach for pharmacological studies on interactions between biological macromolecules.

Objective To investigate the correlation between coronary heart disease(CHD)and cognitive impairment in rural populations aged 40 and above.Methods From October 2014 to March 2015,all residents aged 40 and above from two villages in Huyi District,Xi'an,were selected as study subjects.Information regarding their demographics,lifestyle habits,medical history,family history,physical examinations,and biochemical tests was collected.The participants were categorized into those with and without the history of CHD.Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE),with scores below the cutoff(illiteracy≤17;primary school≤20;junior high school and above≤24)defined as cognitive impairment.Chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of cognitive impairment between the CHD and non-CHD groups.Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to adjust for confounding factors in analyzing the relationship between CHD and cognitive impairment.Results A total of 1 833 subjects were included in the analysis,comprising 735 males(40.1％)and 57 individuals with CHD(3.1％).Among them,234 participants(13.3％)met the criteria for cognitive impairment.Univariate analysis showed a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment in the CHD group compared to the non-CHD group(24.6％vs.12.9％,P=0.016).Unadjusted binary Logistic regression analysis indicated a positive correlation between CHD and cognitive impairment(OR=2.199,95％CI:1.185-4.084,P=0.013).However,after adjusting for confounding factors such as gender,age,education level,hypertension,diabetes,dyslipidemia,stroke history and BMI,the association between CHD and cognitive impairment was not statistically significant(OR=1.265,95％CI:0.656-2.441,P=0.483).In the stratified analysis,among diabetic patients,CHD was significantly associated with a high risk of cognitive impairment(OR=4.191,95％CI:1.464-12.000,P=0.008).The prevalence of cognitive impairment significantly increased in patients with CHD combined with diabetes(OR=4.712,95％CI:1.651-13.449,P=0.004).Conclusion This study did not establish a direct association between CHD and cognitive impairment.However,this study suggests that the presence of CHD and diabetes mellitus is significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment.Future prospective studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to further confirm the relationship between the two.

Objective:To sinicize the adolescent personality structure questionnaire(APS-Q), and to examine the psychometric properties of APS-Q among Chinese adolescents.Methods:APS-Q was sinicized and the Chinese version of APS-Q was used for investigation.A sample of 1 207 adolescents were investigated firstly and randomly divided into sample 1 ( n1=590) and sample 2 ( n2=617) for exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, respectively. Moreover, the sample 3 ( n3=420) was collected to conduct confirmatory factor analysis for the second time.Sample 4( n4=83) was used to assess the test-retest reliability of APS-Q. The Chinese big five personality inventory-15 (CBF-PI-15), generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used as criterion tools. Both SPSS 21.0 and Mplus 7.4 software were used for the data analysis. Results:Item analysis showed that the CITCs for items 27, 31 and 35 were low.Exploratory factor analysis suggested that after deleting items 3, 4, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31 and 35, the revised APS-Q was consisted with 25 items, covering 6 dimensions, which were investment and goals, aggression, sense of self, relationship with family, relationship with friends, and self-acceptance, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the six-factor model fitted well (sample 2: χ2/ df=1.94, RMSEA=0.04, CFI=0.94, TLI=0.93, and SRMR=0.05; sample 3: χ2/ df=2.12, RMSEA=0.05, CFI=0.95, TLI=0.92, and SRMR=0.06). Multigroup CFA indicated that the six-factor structure of APS-Q had strict measurement invariance across sex. The scores of APS-Q were significantly correlated with big five personality, depression, and anxiety(all P<0.05). The total score of APS-Q demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (α=0.90, ω=0.90, split-half reliability=0.82, MIC=0.27) and test-retest reliability ( r=0.84), while the subscale scores of APS-Q showed acceptable internal consistencies (α=0.71-0.82, ω=0.72-0.82, split-half reliabilities=0.60-0.79, MIC=0.36-0.52) and test-retest coefficients ( r=0.66-0.77). Conclusion:The Chinese version of APS-Q can be used as a reliable and valid measurement to assess personality function for Chinese adolescents.