Objective To study the mini-character and microscopic features of Plantago asiatica from different populations and summarize the exclusive features to provide a reference for the effective identification of Plantago asiatica. Methods Stereomicroscope and optical microscope were used to identify 30 batches of Plantago asiatica from different populations.The similarities and differences in mini-character and microscopic features of Plantago asiatica among different populations were identified. Results The differences in mini character between the Plantago asiatica from different populations were mainly reflected in whether there was fluff on the surface of leaves, inflorescence peduncles, and persistent sepals, as well as whether the epidermis of fibrous roots was flaky. The differences in microscopic characteristics between the Plantago asiatica from different populations were mainly reflected in the number of non-glandular hairs on the leaf surface, the shape of the petiole endothelial layer cells, and the number of large vascular bundles, and the number of layers of mesophyll palisade tissue cells, etc. Conclusion Plantago asiatica from different populations can be identified through mini-character and microscopic; by comparing the relevant identification features, which can provide a basis for revising and improving the standards of Plantago asiatica.

Objective To study anti-inflammatory activities of oridonin derivatives without Michael fragment. Methods Two oridonin sulfonylureas were designed and synthesized by a photocatalysis reaction and a scaffold hopping strategy. The inhibitory rate of IL-1β was selected for anti-inflammatory activity evaluation. Results Both compound ZM658 and ZM659 revealed potent anti-inflammatory activities with the values of 69.3% and 59.7% in THP-1 cells, respectively. Moreover, two compounds also showed dose-dependent and low cytotoxicity. Conclusion The result indicated that Michael receptor fragment of oridonin could be substituted with sulfonylurea group.

Objective To study the antitumor activities of RRx-001 derivatives with novel covalent fragments. Methods Four targeted compounds were designed and synthesized. The structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR and HRMS. A549 and HCT116 cancer cell lines were selected for antiproliferative activity assays. Results All the compounds revealed antitumor activities and compound ZM528 showed the best antitumor activity against these two cell lines with IC₅₀ values of （5.1±4.8） μmol/L and （6.0±2.7） μmol/L, respectively. Conclusion The result indicated that bromoacetyl group of RRx-001 could be substituted with other covalent fragments.

Objective To investigate 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase/inosine monophos-phate cyclohydrolase(ATIC),a key regulator of metabolism and cell proliferation,to explore its role in glioma proliferation,e-valuate its association with patient prognosis,and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA),Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx),and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas(CGGA)databas-es,we analyzed differential ATIC expression between tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues in glioma patients,as well as its correlation with clinical features including pathological grade,isocitrate dehydrogenase(IDH)mutation status,and chromosome 1p/19q deletion.ATIC was knocked down using siRNA transfection.The effect of ATIC on the proliferation of glioma cell lines(LN229,U373,and U251)was evaluated using EdU,CCK-8,and colony formation assays.Furthermore,ATIC overexpression via plasmid transfection was analyzed in conjunction with flow cytometry and Western blotting analysis to assess cell cycle pro-gression and cyclin-related protein expression.Results ATIC expression was significantly elevated in glioma tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues(P＜0.01).Patients with high ATIC expression exhibited shorter overall survival(OS)and were asso-ciated with higher pathological grades,wild-type IDH status,and the presence of chromosome 1p/19q deletion.Compared with U373 and U251 glioma cell lines,LN229 and U87 glioma cell lines demonstrated higher ATIC expression.In siRNA-mediated ATIC knockdown models(siATIC-LN229,siATIC-U373),cell proliferation was suppressed as demonstrated by EdU,CCK-8,and colony formation assays,whereas ATIC overexpression in U251 cells promoted proliferation.Flow cytometry revealed G1-phase arrest and impaired S-phase progression in siATIC-LN229 cells.Conversely,ATIC overexpression in U251 cells decreased G1-phase accumulation and increased S-phase progression.Mechanistically,ATIC knockdown decreased the expression of phos-phorylated Rb(p-Rb),upregulated p21,and downregulated key cyclin-related proteins essential for G1/S transition.In contrast,ATIC overexpression facilitated the G1/S transition through p21 downregulation and enhanced phosphorylation of Rb pro-tein.Conclusion High ATIC expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes in glioma patients and may promote tumor progression through regulation of the p21-Rb signaling pathway.Therefore,ATIC represents a promising biomarker for both clinical diagnosis and prognosis in glioma.

Objective To determine KCNJ14 gene expression in human glioma cells and assess its impact on U251 cell pro-liferation,while exploring the potential mechanism involved.Methods The protein expression levels of KCNJ14 in different hu-man glioma cell lines(U87,U251,SNB19,and LN229)were analyzed by Western blotting.KCNJ14 was knocked down and over-expressed in U251 cells using siRNA and plasmid transfection,respectively.Subsequently,protein expression levels,cell prolif-eration capacity,and the regulation of cell cycle related proteins were measured in each group.The association between KCNJ14 mRNA expression and clinical survival prognosis in glioma patients was evaluated through statistical analysis of public databas-es.Results KCNJ14 protein expression varied across different human glioma cell lines,with the highest level observed in U251 cells.Inhibition of KCNJ14 suppressed U251 cell proliferation and impaired cell cycle progression.Bioinformatics analysis re-vealed that KCNJ14 mRNA expression was significantly associated with clinical characteristics and survival outcomes in glioma patients.Conclusion KCNJ14 exhibits differential expression in glioma cells and is negatively associated with patient prognosis.Mechanistically,it may regulate glioma cell proliferation by modulating cell cycle related proteins.

Objective To investigate 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase/inosine monophos-phate cyclohydrolase(ATIC),a key regulator of metabolism and cell proliferation,to explore its role in glioma proliferation,e-valuate its association with patient prognosis,and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA),Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx),and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas(CGGA)databas-es,we analyzed differential ATIC expression between tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues in glioma patients,as well as its correlation with clinical features including pathological grade,isocitrate dehydrogenase(IDH)mutation status,and chromosome 1p/19q deletion.ATIC was knocked down using siRNA transfection.The effect of ATIC on the proliferation of glioma cell lines(LN229,U373,and U251)was evaluated using EdU,CCK-8,and colony formation assays.Furthermore,ATIC overexpression via plasmid transfection was analyzed in conjunction with flow cytometry and Western blotting analysis to assess cell cycle pro-gression and cyclin-related protein expression.Results ATIC expression was significantly elevated in glioma tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues(P＜0.01).Patients with high ATIC expression exhibited shorter overall survival(OS)and were asso-ciated with higher pathological grades,wild-type IDH status,and the presence of chromosome 1p/19q deletion.Compared with U373 and U251 glioma cell lines,LN229 and U87 glioma cell lines demonstrated higher ATIC expression.In siRNA-mediated ATIC knockdown models(siATIC-LN229,siATIC-U373),cell proliferation was suppressed as demonstrated by EdU,CCK-8,and colony formation assays,whereas ATIC overexpression in U251 cells promoted proliferation.Flow cytometry revealed G1-phase arrest and impaired S-phase progression in siATIC-LN229 cells.Conversely,ATIC overexpression in U251 cells decreased G1-phase accumulation and increased S-phase progression.Mechanistically,ATIC knockdown decreased the expression of phos-phorylated Rb(p-Rb),upregulated p21,and downregulated key cyclin-related proteins essential for G1/S transition.In contrast,ATIC overexpression facilitated the G1/S transition through p21 downregulation and enhanced phosphorylation of Rb pro-tein.Conclusion High ATIC expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes in glioma patients and may promote tumor progression through regulation of the p21-Rb signaling pathway.Therefore,ATIC represents a promising biomarker for both clinical diagnosis and prognosis in glioma.

Objective To determine KCNJ14 gene expression in human glioma cells and assess its impact on U251 cell pro-liferation,while exploring the potential mechanism involved.Methods The protein expression levels of KCNJ14 in different hu-man glioma cell lines(U87,U251,SNB19,and LN229)were analyzed by Western blotting.KCNJ14 was knocked down and over-expressed in U251 cells using siRNA and plasmid transfection,respectively.Subsequently,protein expression levels,cell prolif-eration capacity,and the regulation of cell cycle related proteins were measured in each group.The association between KCNJ14 mRNA expression and clinical survival prognosis in glioma patients was evaluated through statistical analysis of public databas-es.Results KCNJ14 protein expression varied across different human glioma cell lines,with the highest level observed in U251 cells.Inhibition of KCNJ14 suppressed U251 cell proliferation and impaired cell cycle progression.Bioinformatics analysis re-vealed that KCNJ14 mRNA expression was significantly associated with clinical characteristics and survival outcomes in glioma patients.Conclusion KCNJ14 exhibits differential expression in glioma cells and is negatively associated with patient prognosis.Mechanistically,it may regulate glioma cell proliferation by modulating cell cycle related proteins.

Objective:Using Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the unidirectional causal effects of gut microbiota on gout and serum uric acid levels.Methods:The Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The gut microbiota was used as the exposure factor, with gout and serum uric acid levels as the outcomes, utilizing the MiBioGen Consortium, FinnGen GWAS, and CKDGen Consortium meta-analysis databases. The analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) approach. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. This study used RStudio 4.3.1 software for analysis.Results:The IVW results confirmed that 17 microbiota taxa were associated with gout, including class Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], family Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.161(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Akkermansia [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Collinsella [ OR(95% CI)=1.257(1.043, 1.516), P=0.016], genus Eubacterium hallii group [ OR(95% CI)=1.226(1.022, 1.471), P=0.027], genus Howardella [ OR(95% CI)=1.094(1.001, 1.195), P=0.046], genus Ruminococcaceae UCG010 [ OR(95% CI)=1.317(1.089, 1.593), P=0.004], order Clostridiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.182(1.007,1.387), P=0.041], order Verrucomicrobiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], class Melainabacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.894(0.804, 0.994), P=0.038], family Streptococcaceae [ OR(95% CI)=0.851(0.727, 0.996), P=0.044], unknown family [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Streptococcus [ OR(95% CI)=0.836(0.710, 0.983), P=0.030], unknown genus [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Victivallis [ OR(95% CI)=0.857(0.736, 0.998), P=0.046], order Gastranaerophilales [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800,0.989), P=0.030], and phylum Bacteroidetes [ OR(95% CI)=0.827(0.692, 0.989), P=0.037]. Additionally, 5 microbiota taxa were associated with serum uric acid levels: phylum Actinobacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.963(0.925, 0.992), P=0.027], family ⅩⅢ [ OR(95% CI)=0.965(0.932, 1.008), P=0.035], genus Escherichia Shigella [ OR(95% CI)=1.047(1.005,1.089), P=0.034], genus Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.974(0.941, 1.003), P=0.028], and genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.966(0.943, 0.995), P=0.018]. No abnormalities in SNPs were found in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion:An increase in the levels of class Verrucomicrobiae, family Verrucomicrobiaceae, genus Akkermansia, and genus Escherichia Shigella is associated with an increased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels, while an increase in the levels of class Melainabacteria, family Streptococcaceae, unknown family, phylum Actinobacteria, and family ⅩⅢ is associated with a decreased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels.

Objective:Using Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the unidirectional causal effects of gut microbiota on gout and serum uric acid levels.Methods:The Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The gut microbiota was used as the exposure factor, with gout and serum uric acid levels as the outcomes, utilizing the MiBioGen Consortium, FinnGen GWAS, and CKDGen Consortium meta-analysis databases. The analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) approach. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. This study used RStudio 4.3.1 software for analysis.Results:The IVW results confirmed that 17 microbiota taxa were associated with gout, including class Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], family Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.161(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Akkermansia [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Collinsella [ OR(95% CI)=1.257(1.043, 1.516), P=0.016], genus Eubacterium hallii group [ OR(95% CI)=1.226(1.022, 1.471), P=0.027], genus Howardella [ OR(95% CI)=1.094(1.001, 1.195), P=0.046], genus Ruminococcaceae UCG010 [ OR(95% CI)=1.317(1.089, 1.593), P=0.004], order Clostridiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.182(1.007,1.387), P=0.041], order Verrucomicrobiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], class Melainabacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.894(0.804, 0.994), P=0.038], family Streptococcaceae [ OR(95% CI)=0.851(0.727, 0.996), P=0.044], unknown family [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Streptococcus [ OR(95% CI)=0.836(0.710, 0.983), P=0.030], unknown genus [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Victivallis [ OR(95% CI)=0.857(0.736, 0.998), P=0.046], order Gastranaerophilales [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800,0.989), P=0.030], and phylum Bacteroidetes [ OR(95% CI)=0.827(0.692, 0.989), P=0.037]. Additionally, 5 microbiota taxa were associated with serum uric acid levels: phylum Actinobacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.963(0.925, 0.992), P=0.027], family ⅩⅢ [ OR(95% CI)=0.965(0.932, 1.008), P=0.035], genus Escherichia Shigella [ OR(95% CI)=1.047(1.005,1.089), P=0.034], genus Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.974(0.941, 1.003), P=0.028], and genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.966(0.943, 0.995), P=0.018]. No abnormalities in SNPs were found in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion:An increase in the levels of class Verrucomicrobiae, family Verrucomicrobiaceae, genus Akkermansia, and genus Escherichia Shigella is associated with an increased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels, while an increase in the levels of class Melainabacteria, family Streptococcaceae, unknown family, phylum Actinobacteria, and family ⅩⅢ is associated with a decreased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels.

Objective:To construct 68Ga-1, 4, 7-trizacyclononane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid (NOTA)-CD44 as a novel atherosclerosis tracer targeting hyaluronic acid (HA), and evaluate its biological property and molecular imaging features. Methods:Low molecular weight (LMW) recombinant human CD44 protein was selected, and the C-terminal of the protein was modified by sulfonation and coupled to the bifunctional ligand NOTA to synthesize a novel molecular probe 68Ga-NOTA-CD44 targeting HA. The biological properties of the probe, such as labeling rate and in vitro stability, were studied. Three atherosclerotic plaque model mice and three normal C57BL/6 mice were studied by 68Ga-NOTA-CD44 microPET/CT imaging and pathological examination. Results:68Ga-NOTA-CD44 tracer was synthesized and purified with the radiochemical purity above 99%, and the specific activity was up to 62.22 MBq/nmol. lts stability was good in PBS, and the radiochemical purity was over 90% after incubation for 3 h. After intravenous injection, the probe was metabolized mainly by the kidneys, and its metabolic level decreased successively in the liver, lungs and blood. MicroPET/CT imaging results of atherosclerotic model mice suggested that the uptake in the plaque of abdominal aorta was higher at 60 min after injection, with SUV max and target/background ratio (TBR) max of 1.14±0.02 and 4.95±0.93, and the probe had certain atherosclerotic plaque eroded targeting, which was consistent with the pathological result. Conclusions:As a novel probe, 68Ga-NOTA-CD44 is simple to prepare and has a high labeling rate. It has good physicochemical properties and in vivo biological properties, and can display atherosclerotic eroded plaques sensitively. 68Ga-NOTA-CD44 has a promising prospect to be a new molecular probe for early noninvasive recognition of atherosclerotic eroded plaques.