This study aims to reveal the effect and mechanism of Gentianella turkestanorum total extract(GTI) in ameliorating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical components in GTI. SwissTarget-Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD were utilized to screen the targets of GTI components and NASH. The common targets shared by GTI components and NASH were filtered through the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.0 to identify core targets, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. AutoDock was used for molecular docking of key components with core targets. A mouse model of NASH was established with a methionine-choline-deficient high-fat diet. A 4-week drug intervention was conducted, during which mouse weight was monitored, and the liver-to-brain ratio was measured at the end. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Sirius red staining, and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver tissue. The levels of various biomarkers, including aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), hydroxyproline(HYP), total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH), in the serum and liver tissue were determined. RT-qPCR was conducted to measure the mRNA levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β), interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), collagen type I α1 chain(COL1A1), and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and potential drug targets identified through network pharmacology. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS identified 581 chemical components of GTI, and 534 targets of GTI and 1 157 targets of NASH were screened out. The topological analysis of the common targets shared by GTI and NASH identified core targets such as IL-1β, IL-6, protein kinase B(AKT), TNF, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARG). GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the ameliorating effect of GTI on NASH was related to inflammatory responses and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT pathway. The staining results demonstrated that GTI ameliorated hepatocyte vacuolation, swelling, ballooning, and lipid accumulation in NASH mice. Compared with the model group, high doses of GTI reduced the AST, ALT, HYP, TC, and TG levels(P<0.01) while increasing the HDL-C, SOD, and GSH levels(P<0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that GTI down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COL1A1, and α-SMA(P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that GTI down-regulated the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT), phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha(p-IκBα), and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)(P<0.01). In summary, GTI ameliorates inflammation, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress associated with NASH by regulating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Molecular Docking Simulation

OBJECTIVE: To identify the blood type of specimens from pregnant patients with difficult-to-type ABO status, and to guide clinical safe blood transfusion. METHODS: The specimens from 36 pregnant patients with suspicious ABO blood group were collected. These specimens were submitted by clinical institutions from various regions to our center's genetic testing platform from January 2021 to December 2022. The blood group phenotypes and genotypes of these specimens were identified by serological method and genetic sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 20 ABO subtypes were detected in the 36 samples, including 10 cases of BA/O, 3 cases of cisAB/O, 2 cases of A/Bw, 1 case of A2/B, 1 case of Aw/B, 1 case of BA/B, 1 case of BA/A, and 1 case of Bw/O. Additionally, 4 cases were identified as para-Bombay blood type, and no specific variations associated with abnormal phenotypes were found in the remaining 12 cases. CONCLUSION ABO subtypes interfere with ABO blood group identification in pregnant patients, and pregnancy status also affects blood group phenotype. Accurate determination of blood group genotype by genetic sequencing technology can guide clinical blood transfusion for pregnant patients, and ensure maternal and infant safety.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; ABO Blood-Group System/genetics* ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; Blood Transfusion ; Genotype ; Phenotype

Objective To establish a rapid,accurate,and sensitive multiplex PCR detection method for the simultaneous identification of the six common edible meats (beef,lamp,chicken,pork,goose,duck),and to evaluate its application value in meat adulteration identification.Methods Based on complete mitochondrial genomic sequences of six species in the GenBank database,DNA sequences (cattle:16S rRNA;sheep:COX-1;chickens:Cytb;pig:COX-1;goose:NADH2;duck:16S rRNA) with intra-species conservation and inter-species specificity were screened,and species-specific primers were designed to construct a multiplex PCR detection system that can simultaneously detect the meat of six common species.The species specificity,sensitivity and reproducibility of the system were studied,and the simulated mixture sample detection was performed.Results This study successfully constructed a multiplex PCR detection system that can detect the meats of six common species simultaneously.The system was not effective in DNA amplification of non-target species.When the DNA template sizes were 0.0625-2 ng/μL,the amplified products of all six species could be detected.The duck compo-nent was still detected when the mixing ratio of duck and beef was as low as 0.5%.Conclusion This study constructs and establishes a multiplex PCR detection system with strong specificity,high sensi-tivity,and good reproducibility.It can accurately identify the components of animal origin in common edible meats and provide a simple and practical method for identifying adulteration of common edible meats and meat products in China.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Xiongcan Yishen Formula(XYF)on ferroptosis in mouse TM3 Leydig cells after oxidative stress injury(OSI)induced by H2O2.Methods:An oxidative stress injury model was established in mouse TM3 Leydig cells using H2O2 induction.The modeled TM3 cells were randomly divided into OSI group,XYF group,the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1(F-1)group,and F-1+XYF group,which were respectively intervened with blank serum,20%drug-containing serum,2μmol/L F-1,and2μmol/L F-1+20%drug-containing serum.A control group(normal TM3 cells+blank serum)was also set up.The morphology of cells in each group was observed,and the levels of testosterone,superoxide dismutase(SOD),reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione(GSH),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),fatty acid CoA ligase 4(FACL4),total iron ions,and ferrous ions were detected.Re-sults:Compared with the model group,the control group showed significantly decreased expression of ROS,MDA,FACL4,total iron,and ferrous ions(P<0.05),and significantly increased levels of testosterone,SOD,GSH,FTH1,SLC7A11,and GPX4(P<0.05).The male silkworm kidney-tonifying formula group significantly promoted testosterone secretion by TM3 cells and upregulated the expression of FTH1,SLC7A11,GPX4,GSH,and SOD in TM3 cells(P<0.05),while significantly downregulating ROS,MDA,FACL4,total iron ions,and ferrous ions(P<0.05).Conclusion:Following H2O2 exposure,oxidative stress can induce ferroptosis in mouse TM3 Leydig cells.XYF can antagonize OSI and ferroptosis in TM3 cells by activating the SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 axis,which may underlie the mechanism of XYF in the treatment of male late-onset hypogonadism.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Purpose::Vibrio vulnificus ( V. Vulnificus) infection is characterized by rapid onset, aggressive progression, and challenging treatment. Bacterial resistance poses a significant challenge for clinical anti-infection treatment and is thus the subject of research. Enhancing host infection tolerance represents a novel infection prevention strategy to improve patient survival. Our team initially identified cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) as an important target owing to its negative modulation of the body's infection tolerance. This study explored the superior effects of the CYP1A1 inhibitor bergamottin compared to antibiotic combination therapy on the survival of mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus and the protection of their vital organs. Methods::An increasing concentration gradient method was used to induce multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus development. We established a lethal infection model in C57BL/6J male mice and evaluated the effect of bergamottin on mouse survival. A mild infection model was established in C57BL/6J male mice, and the serum levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on liver and kidney function. The morphological changes induced in the presence of bergamottin in mouse organs were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver and kidney tissues. The bacterial growth curve and organ load determination were used to evaluate whether bergamottin has a direct antibacterial effect on multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus. Quantification of inflammatory factors in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the expression levels of inflammatory factors in liver and kidney tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on inflammatory factor levels. Western blot analysis of IκBα, phosphorylated IκBα, p65, and phosphorylated p65 protein expression in liver and kidney tissues and in human hepatocellular carcinomas-2 and human kidney-2 cell lines was used to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on the nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. One-way ANOVA and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results::In mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus, bergamottin prolonged survival ( p = 0.014), reduced the serum creatinine ( p = 0.002), urea nitrogen ( p = 0.030), aspartate aminotransferase ( p = 0.029), and alanine aminotransferase ( p = 0.003) levels, and protected the cellular morphology of liver and kidney tissues. Bergamottin inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression in serum (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.029, TNF-α: p = 0.025) and inhibited the protein expression of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in liver (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.037) and kidney (IL-1β: p = 0.016, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.008) tissues. Bergamottin did not affect the proliferation of multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus or the bacterial load in the mouse peritoneal lavage fluid ( p = 0.225), liver ( p = 0.186), or kidney ( p = 0.637). Conclusion::Bergamottin enhances the tolerance of mice to multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus infection. This study can serve as a reference and guide the development of novel clinical treatment strategies for V. Vulnificus.

Knowledge about the neuronal dynamics and the projectome are both essential for understanding how the neuronal network functions in concert. However, it remains challenging to obtain the neural activity and the brain-wide projectome for the same neurons, especially for neurons in subcortical brain regions. Here, by combining in vivo microscopy and high-definition fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography, we have developed strategies for mapping the brain-wide projectome of functionally relevant neurons in the somatosensory cortex, the dorsal hippocampus, and the substantia nigra pars compacta. More importantly, we also developed a strategy to achieve acquiring the neural dynamic and brain-wide projectome of the molecularly defined neuronal subtype. The strategies developed in this study solved the essential problem of linking brain-wide projectome to neuronal dynamics for neurons in subcortical structures and provided valuable approaches for understanding how the brain is functionally organized via intricate connectivity patterns.
Animals ; Neurons/physiology* ; Mice ; Brain/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Somatosensory Cortex/physiology* ; Neural Pathways/physiology* ; Hippocampus/physiology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Male ; Brain Mapping ; Nerve Net/physiology* ; Substantia Nigra/physiology* ; Tomography, Optical/methods*

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of Jiu Wei Bu Xue Oral Liquid on insomnia rats combining the methods of network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method and TCMIP, TCMSP databases were used to collect the ingredients and targets of Jiu Wei Bu Xue Oral Liquid. Protein-protein interactions and network analysis were performed to screen the key network targets and putative active ingredients of Jiu Wei Bu Xue Oral Liquid in treatment of insomnia, and then following by biological function and KEGG pathway analysis. Then binding ability for key network targets and putative active ingredients were predicted with molecular docking. The prediction targets were validated in para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) induced insomnia rats with administration of Jiu Wei Bu Xue Oral Liquid (2, 4, 8 mL·kg^-1) for 7 days. Pentobarbital sodium induced sleeping test were performed to evaluate the synergistic sleep-aiding effect of Jiu Wei Bu Xue Oral Liquid. Then glutamic acid (Glu), γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) content and glutamate decarboxylase 1 (GAD67) activity in hypothalamus or hippocampus were evaluated, and the expressions of GAD67, γ-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit α1 (GABRA1) and γ-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit β2 (GABRB2) in hippocampus were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot methods. Animal experiments were approved by the Institutional Committee on Animal Care of Guangxi Institute of Chinese Medicine & Pharmaceutical Science (the number of permission: 2022060802). Results showed that 16 key network targets and 16 putative active ingredients were obtained by analyzing the herbs-ingredients-targets network of Jiu Wei Bu Xue Oral Liquid in treatment of insomnia. Network pharmacology and molecular docking all indicated these active ingredients, for example atractylenolide Ⅲ, showed better binding ability with GABRA1 and GABRB2. Animal study indicated that, compared to PCPA-induced insomnia model, Jiu Wei Bu Xue Oral Liquid remarkably shortened the sleeping latency and increased the sleeping duration, increased GAD67 activity and the production of GABA in hippocampus of insomnia rats, as well as the expressions of GAD67, GABRA1 and GABRB2, while decreased Glu content in hypothalamus, leading to decreasing of Glu/GABA ratio and recovery of Glu-GABA balance. These results indicated that Jiu Wei Bu Xue Oral Liquid improved insomnia symptoms and helped maintain the Glu-GABA balance within hypothalamus and hippocampus, and reduced the excitatory neurotoxicity within brain. The mechanism may due to the elevation of GAD67 expression and enzyme activity, and the enhancement of type-A GABA receptor (GABA_AR)-mediated neurons inhibition.

The present article was aimed to compare the effectiveness of different induction methods for depression models. Kunming mice were randomly divided into chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) group, corticosterone (CORT) group, and CUMS+CORT (CC) group. The CUMS group received CUMS stimulation for 4 weeks, and the CORT group received subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg CORT into the groin every day for 3 weeks. The CC group received both CUMS stimulation and CORT administration. Each group was assigned a control group. After modeling, forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and sucrose preference test (SPT) were used to detect the behavioral changes of mice, and the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and CORT were detected with ELISA kits. Attenuated total refraction (ATR) spectra of mouse serum were collected and analyzed. HE staining was used to detect morphological changes in mouse brain tissue. The results showed that the weight of model mice from the CUMS and CC groups decreased significantly. There was no significant change in immobility time of model mice from the three groups in FST and TST, while the glucose preference of model mice from the CUMS and CC groups was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The serum 5-HT levels of model mice from the CORT and CC groups were significantly reduced, while the serum BDNF and CORT levels of model mice from the CUMS, CORT, and CC groups showed no significant changes. Compared with their respective control groups, the three groups showed no significant difference in the one-dimensional spectrum of serum ATR. The difference spectrum analysis results of the first derivative of the spectrogram showed that the CORT group had the greatest difference from its respective control group, followed by the CUMS group. The structures of hippocampus in the model mice from the three groups were all destroyed. These results suggest that both CORT and CC treatments can successfully construct a depression model, and the CORT model is more effective than the CC model. Therefore, CORT induction can be used to establish a depression model in Kunming mice.
Mice ; Animals ; Depression/etiology* ; Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Serotonin

The oncogenic product of BCR-ABL is an abnormal tyrosine kinase that causes chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). With further research into the pathogenesis of CML, the discovery of compounds that selectively inhibit abnormal BCR-ABL tyrosine kinases is a research focus worthy of attention. The first three generations of BCR-ABL inhibitors are orthosteric inhibitors, which competitively block the binding of ABL protein tyrosine kinase to ATP and prevent it from activating downstream signals. The fourth-generation BCR-ABL inhibitors allosterically inhibit ABL protein tyrosine kinase by binding to the myristoyl pocket, providing greater selectivity and maintaining activity against drug-resistant mutations proteins. Novel drug design strategies such as proteolytic targeting chimera (PROTAC), covalent inhibitors and dual targeting inhibitors also provide new directions for the development of BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors. This paper reviews recent research advances on BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors and discusses drug design strategies for various novel BCR-ABL inhibitors.