This study investigated the effects of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on striatal neuronal apoptosis in rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) based on the B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)/caspase-3 signaling pathway. Twenty-four 3-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) were randomly divided into a model group, a methylphenidate group(2 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata group(2.4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). Age-matched male Wistar Kyoto(WKY) rats were used as the normal control group, with 8 rats in each group. The rats were administered by gavage for 28 days. Body weight and food intake were recorded for each group. The open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to assess hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. Nissl staining was used to detect changes in striatal neurons and Nissl bodies. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) fluorescence staining was used to detect striatal cell apoptosis. Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 proteins in the striatum. The results showed that compared with the model group, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata significantly reduced the total movement distance, average movement speed, and central area residence time in the open field test, and significantly reduced the ratio of open arm entries, open arm stay time, and head dipping in the elevated plus maze test. Furthermore, it increased the number of Nissl bodies in striatal neurons, significantly downregulated the apoptosis index, significantly increased Bcl-2 protein expression and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and reduced Bax and caspase-3 protein expression. In conclusion, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can reduce hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors in ADHD rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 signaling pathway in the striatum, enhancing the anti-apoptotic capacity of striatal neurons.
Animals ; Male ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neurons/cytology* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Humans ; Corpus Striatum/cytology* ; Plant Extracts

The phase changes and quantity-quality transfer of 17 batches of Ostreae Concha(Ostrea rivularis) during the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process were analyzed. The content of calcium carbonate(CaCO_3), the main component, was determined by chemical titration, and the extract yield and transfer rate were calculated. The CaCO_3 content in the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction was 94.39%-98.80%, 95.03%-99.22%, and 84.58%-90.47%, respectively. The process of raw material to calcined decoction pieces showed the yield range of 96.85% to 98.55% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 96.92% to 99.27%. The process of calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction showed the extract yield range of 2.86% to 5.48% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 2.59% to 5.13%. The results of X-ray fluorescence(XRF) assay showed that the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction mainly contained Ca, Na, Mg, Si, Br, Cl, Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, and K. The chemometric results showed an increase in the relative content of Cr, Fe, and Si from raw material to calcined decoction pieces and an increase in the relative content of Mg, Al, Br, K, Cl, and Na from calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was employed to establish XRD characteristic patterns of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The XRD results showed that the main phase of all three was calcite, and no transformation of crystalline form or generation of new phase was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was employed to establish the FTIR characteristic spectra of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The FTIR results showed that the raw material had internal vibrations of O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O, and CO■ groups. Due to the loss of organic matter components after calcination, no information about the vibrations of C-H, C=O, and C-O groups was observed in the spectra of calcined decoction pieces and standard decoction. In summary, this study elucidated the quantity-quality transfer and phase changes in the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process by determining the CaCO_3 content, calculating the extract yield and transfer rate, and comparing the element changes, FTIR characteristic spectra, and XRD characteristic pattern. The results were reasonable and reliable, laying a foundation for the subsequent process research and quality control of the formula granules of calcined Ostreae Concha(O. rivularis Gould), and providing ideas and methods for the quality control of the whole process of raw material-decoction pieces-standard decoction-formula granules of Ostreae Concha and other testacean traditional Chinese medicine.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Calcium Carbonate/analysis* ; Quality Control

Successful cloning through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) faces significant challenges due to epigenetic obstacles. Recent studies have highlighted the roles of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 as potential contributors to these obstacles. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we generated genome-wide maps of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in mouse pre-implantation NT embryos. Our analysis revealed that aberrantly over-represented broad H3K4me3 domain and H3K27me3 signal lead to increased bivalent marks at gene promoters in NT embryos compared with naturally fertilized (NF) embryos at the 2-cell stage, which may link to relatively low levels of H3K36me3 in NT 2-cell embryos. Notably, the overexpression of Setd2, a H3K36me3 methyltransferase, successfully restored multiple epigenetic marks, including H3K36me3, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3. In addition, it reinstated the expression levels of ZGA-related genes by reestablishing H3K36me3 at gene body regions, which excluded H3K27me3 from bivalent promoters, ultimately improving cloning efficiency. These findings highlight the excessive bivalent state at gene promoters as a potent barrier and emphasize the removal of these barriers as a promising approach for achieving higher cloning efficiency.
Animals ; Mice ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/biosynthesis* ; Histones/genetics* ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the role and molecular mechanisms of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and its target genes in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) with bortezomib.Methods:TFEB target genes were predicted using the GTRD database (http://gtrd.biouml.org/), identifying Ptch1 gene for further study. Expression changes of Ptch1 in RPMI8226 and U266 MM cell lines after bortezomib treatment were assessed by real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. RPMI8226 and U266 cell lines were transfected with siRNA-TFEB, and mRNA and protein levels of key factors (Ptch1, Gli1) in the Ptch1/Hedgehog signaling pathway were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Furthermore, Ptch1 was overexpressed in MM cell lines via lentiviral transduction. Autophagy was evaluated by acridine orange staining, and protein levels of LC3B, Beclin-1, and Lamp-1 were measured by Western blot. Lysosomal quantity changes were assessed by lysosomal fluorescent probes.Results:Bortezomib (6.0×10 -6 mmol/L, 24 h) significantly reduced Ptch1 mRNA and protein levels in both cell lines compared with blank control group (all P<0.05). siRNA-TFEB transfection reversed bortezomib’s inhibition of Hedgehog pathway key factors Ptch1 and Gli. Ptch1 overexpression in bortezomib-treated RPMI8226 and U266 cells significantly reduced the relative expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3B, Beclin-1, and Lamp-1 (all P=0.001). Acridine orange staining showed fewer acidic vesicular organelles within two cell lines (all P=0.001). The relative fluorescence expressions of lysosomal probes reflecting the number of lysosomes were also decreased ( P values of RPMI8226 and U266 cell lines were 0.001 and 0.007, respectively) . Conclusion:The knockdown of TFEB can specifically promote the expression of the Ptch1/Hedgehog signaling pathway, thereby reducing bortezomib-induced autophagy in MM cells and reversing the inhibitory effect of bortezomib on the proliferation of MM cell lines.

Medical device related infections caused by bacteria are common complications in clinical practice,and preventing bacterial colonization on the surface of medical materials is one of the important challenges in the medical field.Therefore,there is an urgent need to construct medical coatings that combine antibacterial properties and biocompatibility.In this study,a γ-polyglutamic acid(γ-PGA)complex with long-chain alkyl quaternary ammonium salts formed by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions was prepared,which was insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents(e.g.,ethanol),and was capable of constructing antimicrobial coatings on the surfaces of medical materials in a simple and efficient manner.The bactericidal effect of the coating was verified using viable bacteria counting experiments,and the results showed that the bactericidal rate of the coated thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU)membrane against Staphylococcus aureus was greater than 99.9%compared with that of the uncoated TPU membrane.In addition,a cytotoxicity assay was performed using the L929 fibroblast and cell proliferation detection kit(CCK-8),which showed that the survival rate of L929 fibroblasts on coated TPU was greater than 90%.Meanwhile,the hemolysis rate of coated erythrocytes was tested using fresh rabbit red blood cells(RBCs),and the hemolysis rate on the coated TPU surface was 1.5%.The above results indicated that the coating had good biocompatibility.The preparation method of medical antibacterial coating reported in this study provided a new idea for preventing bacterial infections related to implantable/interventional medical devices.

Articular cartilage is a crucial tissue structure in humans.With ongoing exploration of joint tissue structure and the emergence of innovative biotechnological organoids,various sources of stem cells can be selected for induction to differentiate into articular cartilaginous organoids based on the articular cartilage tissue structure,which can be applied to the treatment of cartilage defects,drug testing,and precision medicine and biological development.This article presents a review of the research progress concerning articular cartilaginous organoids,in order to provide a reference for clinical practice.

Articular cartilage is a crucial tissue structure in humans.With ongoing exploration of joint tissue structure and the emergence of innovative biotechnological organoids,various sources of stem cells can be selected for induction to differentiate into articular cartilaginous organoids based on the articular cartilage tissue structure,which can be applied to the treatment of cartilage defects,drug testing,and precision medicine and biological development.This article presents a review of the research progress concerning articular cartilaginous organoids,in order to provide a reference for clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the role and molecular mechanisms of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and its target genes in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) with bortezomib.Methods:TFEB target genes were predicted using the GTRD database (http://gtrd.biouml.org/), identifying Ptch1 gene for further study. Expression changes of Ptch1 in RPMI8226 and U266 MM cell lines after bortezomib treatment were assessed by real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. RPMI8226 and U266 cell lines were transfected with siRNA-TFEB, and mRNA and protein levels of key factors (Ptch1, Gli1) in the Ptch1/Hedgehog signaling pathway were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Furthermore, Ptch1 was overexpressed in MM cell lines via lentiviral transduction. Autophagy was evaluated by acridine orange staining, and protein levels of LC3B, Beclin-1, and Lamp-1 were measured by Western blot. Lysosomal quantity changes were assessed by lysosomal fluorescent probes.Results:Bortezomib (6.0×10 -6 mmol/L, 24 h) significantly reduced Ptch1 mRNA and protein levels in both cell lines compared with blank control group (all P<0.05). siRNA-TFEB transfection reversed bortezomib’s inhibition of Hedgehog pathway key factors Ptch1 and Gli. Ptch1 overexpression in bortezomib-treated RPMI8226 and U266 cells significantly reduced the relative expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3B, Beclin-1, and Lamp-1 (all P=0.001). Acridine orange staining showed fewer acidic vesicular organelles within two cell lines (all P=0.001). The relative fluorescence expressions of lysosomal probes reflecting the number of lysosomes were also decreased ( P values of RPMI8226 and U266 cell lines were 0.001 and 0.007, respectively) . Conclusion:The knockdown of TFEB can specifically promote the expression of the Ptch1/Hedgehog signaling pathway, thereby reducing bortezomib-induced autophagy in MM cells and reversing the inhibitory effect of bortezomib on the proliferation of MM cell lines.

To report 7 Chinese children with characteristic hyperpigmented macules on the forehead and temples. Among the 7 cases, there were 2 males and 5 females, with the age at onset ranging from 9 to 24 months (12.43 ± 5.32 months), and the disease duration being 1 - 4 months (2.57 ± 1.27 months). Skin examination revealed that the children presented with varying numbers of irregular brown macules and patches scattered on their foreheads and temples, without obvious desquamation. Dermoscopic examination revealed multiple yellowish-brown patches with irregular borders, and linear vessels were observable in some skin lesions. A diagnosis of acquired facial hyperpigmented macules was made in these children. The children received no treatment. After 2 years of follow-up, hyperpigmented macules completely subsided in 2 cases and regressed to varying degrees in 4 cases, while 1 case exhibited no changes in the skin lesions. Considering the literature and the cases discussed in this article, it is hypothesized that acquired facial hyperpigmented macules in young children may represent an independent condition.

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of Jianpi Huayu Prescription(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Poria,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,etc.)on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma through TGF-β1/Smad7 pathway.Methods(1)Hep3B tumor-bearing mouse model was established by BALB/C-nu nude mice.The mice were randomly divided into control group and Jianpi Huayu Prescription low-,medium-and high-dose groups(3.844,7.689,15.378 g·kg-1·d-1),with five mice in each group.Intragastric administration was performed once a day for 21 days.(2)Hep3B cells were divided into blank group,model group(10 ng·mL-1 TGF-β1),low-concentration group(10 ng·mL-1 TGF-β1+4 mg·mL-1 Jianpi Huayu Prescription),and high-concentration group(10 ng·mL-1 TGF-β1+6 mg·mL-1 Jianpi Huayu Prescription).After 48 hours of TGF-β1 induction,the cells were replaced with the corresponding concentration of Jianpi Huayu Prescription complete culture medium(0,4,6 mg·mL-1)and cultured for 24 hours.(3)HUVEC cells were divided into normal group,model group,Chinese medicine group,model plus Chinese medicine group.The cells in the normal group were cultured with conditioned medium without TGF-β1;the cells in the model group were cultured with conditioned medium containing TGF-β1.The cells in the Chinese medicine group were cultured in conditioned medium containing 4 mg·mL-1 Jianpi Huayu Prescription without TGF-β 1.The cells in the model plus Chinese medicine group were cultured with conditioned medium containing 4 mg·mL-1 Jianpi Huayu Prescription and TGF-β1.After 24 hours of continuous culture,the cells were collected for subsequent experiments.(4)The tumor mass index and tumor inhibition rate of subcutaneous transplantation tumor of Hep3B tumor-bearing nude mice were calculated.The expression of CD31 in subcutaneous xenografts of tumor-bearing nude mice was detected by immunofluorescence.The microvessel density of subcutaneous transplanted tumor in nude mice was detected by immunohistochemistry.The migration ability of Hep3B cells was detected by cell scratch test.Transwell assay was used to detect the invasion ability of Hep3B/HUVEC cells.The tube formation ability of HUVEC cells was detected.The expression levels of related proteins in subcutaneous transplanted tumors,Hep3B and HUVEC cells of tumor-bearing nude mice were detected by Western Blot.Results(1)Compared with the control group,the weight and tumor mass index of subcutaneous transplanted tumor in nude mice in the medium-and high-dose groups of Jianpi Huayu Prescription were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The expression of CD31 and microvessel density in subcutaneous transplanted tumors of nude mice in low-,medium-and high-dose groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the protein expressions of VE-cadherin,EphA2 and N-cadherin were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the protein expressions of E-cadherin and Smad7 was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).(2)Compared with the blank group,the relative migration rate of Hep3B cells in the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the number of invasive cells was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The protein expressions of Vimentin and N-cadherin were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),and the protein expressions of E-cadherin and Smad7 was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the relative migration rate of Hep3B cells in the low-and high-concentration groups of Jianpi Huayu Prescription was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the number of invasive cells was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The protein expressions of Vimentin and N-cadherin was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01),and the protein expressions of E-cadherin and Smad7 were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).(3)Compared with the normal group,the number of tubular branching points formed by HUVEC cells in the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),the length of tubular branching was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the number of invasive cells was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The protein expressions of VE-cadherin and EphA2 were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01),and the protein expression of Smad7 was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the number of tubular branching points formed by HUVEC cells in the model plus Chinese medicine group was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),the length of tubular branching was significantly shortened(P＜0.01),and the number of invasive cells was significantly reduced(P＜0.01).The protein expressions of VE-cadherin and EphA2 were significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01),and the protein expression of Smad7 was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).Conclusion Jianpi Huayu Prescription can significantly inhibit the growth,invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma,which may be related to the regulation of EMT and angiogenesis mediated by TGF-β1/Smad7 pathway.