Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of high expression of transmembrane and coiled helix structural domain 1 (TMCO1) on prognosis of gastric cancer and the possible mechanisms. METHODS: TMCO1 expression in gastric cancer and its effect on gastric cancer progression and prognosis were analyzed using publicly available databases and clinical data of patients undergoing radical surgery in our hospital, and its possible biological functions were explored using KEGG and GO analyses. In gastric cancer HGC-27 cells, the effects of lentivirus-mediated TMCO1 overexpression and TMCO1 silencing on cell apoptosis, proliferation, invasion and migration were examined. RESULTS: TMCO1 expression was significantly elevated in gastric cancer tissues (P<0.05), and its high expression was positively correlated with cancer progression (P<0.001) and a lowered postoperative 5-year survival rate of the patients (P<0.05). Bioinformatic analyses suggested that TMCO1 may affect gastric cancer cell apoptosis via Wnt signaling. In HGC-27 cells, TMCO1 overexpression significantly promoted tumor cell proliferation, inhibited cell apoptosis, and enhanced cell migration and invasion, whereas TMCO1 silencing produced the opposite effects. Western blotting showed that β-catenin levels were significantly upregulated in TMCO1-overexpressing cells and downregulated in cells with TMCO1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS TMCO1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues, and its high expression promotes gastric cancer progression and affects long-term prognosis of the patients possibly by activating the Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Prognosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Movement ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

Objective To investigate the risk factors for pulmonary infection in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF),and to establish a predictive model.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 585 ACLF patients who were admitted to Department of Infectious Diseases,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University,from January 2009 to September 2022,and according to the condition of pulmonary infection after admission,they were divided into infection group with 213 patients and non-infection group with 372 patients.The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups,and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The clinical data of these patients were collected.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the risk factors for pulmonary infection in ACLF patients and establish a predictive model,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to assess the predictive value of the model.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the degree of fitting of the model,and the ROC curve and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)were used to assess the predictive performance of the model.Results Among the 585 patients with ACLF,213 experienced pulmonary infection,with an infection rate of 36.41%.The multivariate logistic analysis showed that upper gastrointestinal bleeding(odds ratio[OR]=2.463,P=0.047),infection at other sites(OR=2.218,P=0.004),femoral vein catheterization(OR=2.520,P＜0.001),and combined use of two or more antibiotics(OR=2.969,P＜0.001)were risk factors for pulmonary infection in ACLF patients.These factors were included in the risk factor predictive model of Logit(P)=-1.869+0.901×upper gastrointestinal bleeding+0.755×infection at other sites+0.924×femoral vein catheterization+1.088×combined use of two or more antibiotics.The ROC curve analysis showed that the model had a good predictive value(Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2=3.839,P=0.698),with an AUC of 0.753(95%confidence interval:0.700-0.772).Conclusion There is a relatively high incidence rate of pulmonary infection in patients with ACLF,and upper gastrointestinal bleeding,spontaneous peritonitis,femoral vein catheterization,and combined use of two or more antibiotics are related risk factors.The model established based on these factors can effectively predict the onset of pulmonary infection in ACLF patients.

Aim To explore the effect and mechanism of the artesunate(ART)on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The cell lines MHCC-97H and HCC-LM3 were used to be detected.MTT and clone formation were used to determine the cell proliferation;Wound healing was used to detect the cell migration;Transwell was used to test the cell invasion.Flow-cy-tometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cy-cle.RNA-seq and qRT-PCR was used to detect the genes expression.Results The proliferation,migra-tion and invasion of treated cells were obviously inhibi-ted(P＜0.01).Moreover,the apoptosis rate in-creased significantly,so did the proportion of G2/M cells.Transcriptomic analysis identified GADD45A as a potential target of ART through RNA-sequencing da-ta,and suggested that ART might induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through regulating the expression of GADD45A.In addition,the results of mechanism studies and signaling analysis suggested that GADD45A had interaction with its upstream gene NACC1(nucle-us accumbens associated 1).Moreover,after ART treatment,the expressions of GADD45A and NACC1 were changed significantly.Conclusion ART may be a potential drug to resist HCC by affecting the expres-sion of GADD45A and its upstream gene NACC1,which provides a new drug,a new direction and a new method for the clinical treatment of HCC.

AIM To investigate the effects of stir-frying,processing with butter and carbonizing by stir-frying on oil components in Gleditsiae sinensis Fructus and Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis.METHODS The volatile oils and fatty oils were extracted by steam distillation method and Soxhlet extraction method,respectively,after which the extraction rates were determined.GC-MS was applied to analyzing the kinds and relative contents of oil components,after which cluster analysis was performed.RESULTS After the processing,the two medicinal materials demonstrated increased extraction rates of fatty oils and decreased extraction rates of volatile oils(except for processing with butter),the extraction rates of oil components in Gleditsiae sinensis Fructus were higher than those in Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis,and the reduced relative contents of toxic olefin benzene components were observable.CONCLUSION The kinds and relative contents of oil components in Gleditsiae sinensis Fructus and Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis exist obvious differences,the former displays better medicinal quality,whose processing mechanism in alleviating dryness and strength may contribute to the reduction of relative contents of toxic olefin benzene components.

Objective To explore the current status of H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City,analyze its influencing factors,and provide a reference basis for the prevention and control of H.pylori infection.Methods A total of 677 residents from four districts of Sanya City were selected by overall stratified random sampling method,and were subjected to urea 14C breath test and questionnaire survey to calculate the positive rate of H.pylori in the natural population and analyze the influencing factors of H.pylori infection.Results A total of 606 residents were included,and the number of H.pylori positive detections was 261,with a positive detection rate of 38.5％.Among them,different ethnicity,marital status,smoking,eating vegetables and fruits,and literacy level were associated with H.pylori infection(P＜0.05);gender,age,BMI,alcohol consumption,drinking water source,betel quid chewing,and the number of cohabitants were not significantly associated with H.pylori infection(P＞0.05).Family infection was an independent risk factor for H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City,and Li ethnicity,frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables,and college and higher education level were independent protective factors for H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City.Conclusion The rate of H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City is lower than the national average.Consuming more fruits and vegetables and improving the awareness of hygiene protection are conducive to the prevention of H.pylori infection;and the promotion of the family and related members with the same examination and treatment is important to avoid aggregation of infection within the family.

Objective To explore the effect of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)microRNA 17-92 cluster host gene(MIR17HG)regulating microRNA(miR)-214-3p/ring finger protein 38(RNF38)signal axis on the malignant biological behavior of liver cancer cells.Methods The cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 46 patients with liver cancer who underwent surgical resection in our hospital from May 2022 to October 2023 were collected to detect the expression of lncRNA MIR17HG,miR-214-3p and RNF38.HepG2,Bel-7402,SMMC-7721 and HL-7702 cells were cultured in vitro,and the expression of lncRNA MIR17HG,miR-214-3p and RNF38 was compared,Bel-7402 cells were selected for further study,and randomly divided into sh-NC group,sh-MIR17HG group,anti-NC group,anti-miR-214-3p group and Bel-7402 group.The proliferation,apoptosis,invasion and migration of Bel-7402 cells in each group were investigated,the expression of RNF38,caspase-3(caspase-3),B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP2)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9)protein was analyzed by western blotting,the relationship between lncRNA MIR17HG and miR-214-3p and the relationship between miR-214-3p and RNF38 were verified by double luciferase.Results The mRNA expression of lncRNA MIR17HG and RNF38 in liver cancer tissues was higher,the mRNA expression of miR-214-3p was lower,and the positive expression rate of RNF38 protein was higher(P＜0.05).The expression of lncRNA MIR17HG mRNA,RNF38 mRNA and RNF38 protein in SMMC-7721,HepG2 and Bel-7402 cells was higher than that in HL-7702 cells,and the expression of miR-214-3p mRNA was lower than that in HL-7702 cells(P＜0.05).Compared with Bel-7402 group and sh-NC group,the OD450nm value,the number of cloned cells,the number of invasive cells,the number of migrated cells and the expression of RNF38,MMP2,Bcl-2 and MMP9 in sh-MIR17HG group decreased,while the apoptosis rate and the expression of caspase-3 increased(P＜0.05).Compared with sh-MIR17HG group and anti-NC group,the OD450nm value,the number of cloned cells,the number of invasive cells,the number of migrated cells and the expression of RNF38,MMP2,Bcl-2 and MMP9 in anti-miR-214-3p group increased,while the apoptosis rate and the expression of caspase-3 decreased(P＜0.05).LncRNA MIR17HG and miR-214-3p,and miR-214-3p and RNF38 have targeted relationships respectively.The luciferase activity in miR-214-3p+WT-MIR17HG group was lower than that in miR-NC+WT-MIR17HG group(P＜0.05),and the luciferase activity in miR-214-3p+WT-RNF38 group was lower than that in miR-NC+WT-RNF38 group(P＜0.05).Conclusion LncRNA MIR17HG may promote the malignant biological behavior of liver cancer cells by regulating the miR-214-3p/RNF38 axis.

The current research status of different structures,driving modes and training modes of hand rehabilitation robots at home and abroad was introduced.The disadvantages of the existing hand rehabilitation robots were analyzed.It's pointed out hand rehabilitation robots in the future would involve in the combination of rigid and flexible wearing,new intelligent driving mode and multi-mode rehabilitation training.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(11):88-96]

In this study, CM-5 spectrophotometer and Heracles NEO ultra-fast gas-phase electronic nose were used to analyze the changes in color and odor of vinegar-processed Cyperi Rhizoma(VPCR) pieces. Various analysis methods such as DFA and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) were combined to identify different processing degrees and quantify the end point of processing. The results showed that with the increase in vinegar processing, the brightness parameter L~* of VPCR pieces decreased gradua-lly, while the red-green value a~* and yellow-blue value b~* initially increased and reached their maximum at 8 min of processing, followed by a gradual decrease. A discriminant model based on the color parameters L~*, a~*, and b~* was established(with a discrimination accuracy of 98.5%), which effectively differentiated different degrees of VPCR pieces. Using the electronic nose, 26 odor components were identified from VPCR samples at different degrees of vinegar processing. DFA and PLS-DA models were established for different degrees of VPCR pieces. The results showed that the 8-min processed samples were significantly distinct from other samples. Based on variable importance in projection(VIP) value greater than 1, 10 odor components, including 3-methylfuran, 2-methylbuty-raldehyde, 2-methylpropionic acid, furfural, and α-pinene, were selected as odor markers for differentiating the degrees of vinegar processing in VPCR. By combining the changes in color and the characteristic odor components, the optimal processing time for VPCR was determined to be 8 min. This study provided a scientific basis for the standardization of vinegar processing techniques for VPCR and the improvement of its quality standards and also offered new methods and ideas for the rapid identification and quality control of the end point of processing for other traditional Chinese medicine.
Acetic Acid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Electronics

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic basis for a child with 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type VII. METHODS: A child who was diagnosed at the Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital on August 9, 2019 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child, including urine gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, were collected. The child and her parents were subjected to whole exome sequencing. RESULTS: The child, a female neonate, had presented mainly with intermittent skin cyanosis, convulsions, hypomagnesemia, apnea, neutropenia after birth. Her urine 3-methylpentenedioic acid has increased to 17.53 μmol/L. DNA sequencing revealed that she has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the CLPB gene, namely c.1016delT (p.L339Rfs*5) and c.1087A>G (p.R363G), which were respectively inherited from her mother and father. Both variants were unreported previously. Based on the standards from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variants were respectively predicted to be pathogenic and likely pathogenic. CONCLUSION The child was diagnosed with 3-methylglutenedioic aciduria type VII. Discovery of the c.1016delT and c.1087A>G variants has enriched the mutational spectrum of the CLPB gene.
Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Base Sequence ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors/diagnosis* ; Mutation ; Neutropenia/genetics* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA