This study aims to investigate the potential effect of the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix on hypercholesterolemia in mice that was induced by a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet and explore its possible mechanism from bile acid reabsorption. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into the following groups: control, model, low-and high-dose(4 and 8 g·kg~(-1), respectively) fresh Rehmanniae Radix, and positive drug(simvastatin, 0.05 g·kg~(-1)). Other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet for 6 consecutive weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia. From the 6th week, mice were administrated with corresponding drugs daily via gavage for additional 6 weeks, while continuing to be fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet. Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-c), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-c), and total bile acid(TBA), as well as liver TC and TG levels and fecal TBA level, were determined by commercial assay kits. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, oil red O staining, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Three livers samples were randomly selected from each of the control, model, and high-dose fresh Rehmanniae Radix groups for high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Differentially expressed genes were mined and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to predict the key pathways and target genes of the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. RT-qPCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) and cholesterol 27α-hydroxylase(CYP27A1) in the liver. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP27A1 in the liver as well as farnesoid X receptor(FXR), apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter(ASBT), and ileum bile acid-binding protein(I-BABP) in the ileum. The results showed that the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix significantly lowered the levels of TC and TG in the serum and liver, as well as the level of LDL-c in the serum. Conversely, it elevated the level of HDL-c in the serum and TBA in feces. No significant difference was observed in the level of TBA in the serum among groups. HE staining, oil red O staining, and transmission electron microscopy showed that the water extract reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver. Further mechanism studies revealed that the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix significantly down-regulated the protein levels of FXR and bile acid reabsorption-related proteins ASBT and I-BABP. Additionally, it enhanced CYP7A1 and CYP27A1, the key enzymes involved in bile acid synthesis. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix may exert an anti-hypercholesterolemic effect by regulating FXR/ASBT/I-BABP signaling, inhibiting bile acid reabsorption, and increasing bile acid excretion, thus facilitating the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.
Animals ; Male ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Cholesterol/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Hypercholesterolemia/genetics* ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Liver/drug effects* ; Humans ; Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase/genetics* ; Plant Extracts

To investigate the effects of phosphorus fertilizer on the morphological traits, active ingredients and rhizosphere soil microbial community of Polygala tenuifolia. The phosphorus fertilizer was calculated in terms of P_2O_5. Five treatments were set up: 0(CK), 17(P1), 34(P2), 51(P3), and 68(P4) kg per Mu(1 Mu≈667 m~2). A randomized block design was adopted. Samples of P. tenuifolia and its rhizosphere soil were collected under different superphosphate fertilizer treatments. Illumina high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the rhizosphere soil microbial community, 9 morphological traits were measured and the content of 11 active ingredients were determined. The results showed that the whole plant weight, shoot fresh weight, root weight, and root peel thickness were the highest under P1 treatment, increasing by 34.41%, 38.80%, 39.21%, and 3.17% respectively compared to CK. Under P2 treatment, the plant height, stem diameter, root thickness, and core thickness were significantly higher than CK. Phosphorus fertilizer had a significant impact on the content of tenuifolin, sibiricose A5, sibiricose A6, arillanin A, 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose, and polygalaxanthone Ⅲ. Correlation analysis results showed that the relative abundance of Arthrobacter, Bacillus, norank＿f＿Vicinamibacteraceae, norank＿o＿Vicinamibacterales, MND1 and other bacteria, as well as the relative abundance of Neocosmospora, Paraphoma and other fungi were positively correlated with root diameter, wood core diameter, the whole plant weight, root weight, shoot fresh weight of P. tenuifolia. Bacillus, Neocosmospora, Subulicystidium were significantly positively correlated with oligosaccharides such as 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose, sibiricose A5、sibiricose A6、glomeratose A、arillanin A and tenuifoliside C. Arthrobacter, Humicola, Aspergillus, Paraphoma were positively correlated with tenuifolin and norank＿f＿Vicinamibacteraceae, norank＿o＿Vicinamibacterales, Fusarium were positively correlated with polygalaxanthone Ⅲ. Evidently, appropriate phosphorus application is conducive to the growth and quality improvement of P. tenuifolia, and can increase the abundance of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.
Rhizosphere ; Phosphorus/pharmacology* ; Soil Microbiology ; Polygala/anatomy & histology* ; Fertilizers/analysis* ; Bacteria/metabolism* ; Soil/chemistry* ; Microbiota/drug effects* ; Plant Roots/metabolism*

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) are used in the diagnosis and prognostication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We wanted to determine the specific contributions of RF and ACPA to the biological nature of RA and whether they act synergistically. METHODS: We identified 731 patients from our prospective multi-ethnic RA cohort and categorised them into four groups: ACPA-positive, RF-positive, doubly positive and doubly negative. We compared the demographics, Disease Activity Score-28, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, quality of life using Short Form 36 and the use of prednisolone and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) of these patient groups. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-one patients (67.2%) were ACPA+RF+, 54 (7.4%) were ACPA+RF-, 82 (11.2%) were ACPA-RF+ and 104 (14.2%) were ACPA-RF-. Mean disease duration before the study entry was not different in the four groups. Patients with older age of onset were less likely to be positive for RF and ACPA. Fewer ACPA+RF+ patients were in remission compared to those in the other groups ( P < 0.05). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was higher at study entry in the ACPA+RF+ group (40.4 mm/h vs. 30.6-30.9 mm/h, P < 0.05). Prednisolone and number of DMARDs used were higher in the ACPA+RF+ group compared to the doubly negative group. There were no differences in the functional status and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS RA patients who were positive for both ACPA and RF had lower remission rate, higher baseline ESR and required more corticosteroid and DMARD treatment compared to those who were singly positive or doubly negative. Being doubly positive confers a worse outcome to RA patients.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Rheumatoid Factor/blood* ; Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies/blood* ; Adult ; Quality of Life ; Prospective Studies ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Aged ; Peptides, Cyclic/immunology* ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Severity of Illness Index ; Prognosis

This study investigates the effect and underlying mechanism of Guizhi Tongluo Tablets(GZTL) in treating atherosclerosis(AS) in a mouse model. Apolipoprotein E-knockout(ApoE~(-/-)) mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: model, high-, medium-, and low-dose GZTL, and atorvastatin(ATV), and age-matched C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. ApoE~(-/-) mice in other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of AS and administrated with corresponding drugs via gavage for 8 weeks. General conditions, signs of blood stasis, and body mass of mice were monitored. Aortic plaques and their stability were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, and oil red O staining. Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were measured by biochemical assays, and those of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq) was employed to analyze the differential expression of CD72hi macrophages(CD72hi-Mφ) in the aortas of AS patients and mice. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to visualize CD72hi-Mφ expression in mouse aortic plaques, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was utilized to determine the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. The results demonstrated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in body mass, aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, a notable decrease in collagen fiber content, and an increase in apoptosis. Additionally, the model group showcased elevated serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, alongside marked upregulations in the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. In comparison with the model group, the GZTL groups and the ATV group showed a reduction in body mass, and the medium-and high-dose GZTL groups and the ATV group demonstrated reductions in aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, an increase in collagen fiber content, and a decrease in apoptosis. Furthermore, the treatment goups showcased lowered serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. The data of scRNA-seq revealed significantly elevated CD72hi-Mφ signaling in carotid plaques of AS patients compared with that in the normal arterial tissue. Animal experiments confirmed that CD72hi-Mφ expression, along with several pro-inflammatory cytokines, was significantly upregulated in the aortas of AS mice, which were downregulated by GZTL treatment. In conclusion, GZTL may alleviate AS by inhibiting CD72hi-Mφ activity.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Atherosclerosis/immunology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Apolipoproteins E/genetics* ; Tablets ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Knockout

Near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)analysis technology has become an important process analysis tool in industrial and agricultural production,and has been widely used for qualitative and quantitative analysis in the fields of tobacco,agriculture,and pharmaceuticals.To address issues such as poor generalization ability and low prediction accuracy in NIRS modeling,a two-dimensional convolutional neural network(2DCNN)quantitative analysis model based on competitive adaptive reweighted sampling(CARS)and Gramian angular difference field(GADF)(CARS-GADF-2DCNN)was proposed.CARS-GADF-2DCNN used the CARS method to select an optimal wavelength set from the full spectrum,then employed GADF to encode the selection results into two-dimensional images,and finally used 2DCNN for prediction analysis.The 2DCNN model consisted of convolutional layers,parallel convolution modules,flattening layer,and fully connected layers.Simulation experiments were conducted on three public near-infrared(NIR)spectral datasets encompassing soil,tablet,and grain datasets to evaluate the CARS-GADF-2DCNN model.The results demonstrated that,compared to the one-dimensional convolutional neural network(1DCNN),the GADF-2DCNN model achieved 16.74％,23.40％,and 7.13％improvement in prediction accuracy for the soil,tablet,and grain datasets,respectively.Compared to GADF-2DCNN,VCPA-GADF-2DCNN,and IRIV-GADF-2DCNN models,the CARS-GADF-2DCNN model further improved prediction accuracy.For the soil dataset,prediction accuracy improved by 39.00％,30.78％and 4.13％;for the tablet dataset,the improvements were 9.52％,6.94％and 2.56％;for the grain dataset,the improvements were 20.57％,9.85％and 15.66％.In conclusion,CARS-GADF-2DCNN effectively selected the optimal wavelength subset from near infrared spectra,and revealed the latent features between different wavelengths.CARS-GADF-2DCNN addresses the issues of high complexity in prediction models and low prediction accuracy in near infrared spectral modeling,and could be effectively applied to near infrared spectral prediction analysis of different substances.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and genetic risk and their combined effects on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 318,085 biobank participants from the UK. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-genetic-risk groups based on their polygenic risk scores. Multivariate Cox regression models and multiplicative interaction analyses were used. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 13 years, 9,209 participants were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For low genetic risk, compared to low physical activity, the hazard ratios ( HRs) for moderate and high physical activity were 0.853 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.748-0.972) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.727-0.950), respectively. For intermediate genetic risk, the HRs were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.758-0.905) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.764-0.914), respectively. For participants with high genetic risk, the HRs were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.746-0.877) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.754-0.888), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between genetic risk and physical activity. CONCLUSION Moderate or high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across all genetic risk groups, highlighting the need to tailor activity interventions for genetically susceptible individuals.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Exercise ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Risk Factors ; United Kingdom/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Adult

Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of Changpu Yujin Tang(CPYJT)on the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1/Gasdermin D(NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD)signaling pathway-mediated neuroinflammation in rats with Tourette syndrome(TS).Methods SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into the Control and TS groups.After successful modeling in the TS group,the rats were randomly divided into the Model,Tiapride,and CPYJT groups,and were treated with the corresponding drugs for 4 weeks.After the treatment,the rats' behavior was scored,H & E staining was used to observe pathological changes in the striatum,ELISA was used to measure the content of IL-1β and IL-18,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of NLRP3 and ASC mRNA,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins.Results Compared with the Control group,the Model group showed increased scores of stereotyped and motor behaviors(P＜0.01),pathological changes in the striatal tissue,increased content of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),and upregulated expression of NLRP3,ASC mRNA,and NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the Model group,the Tiapride group and the CPYJT group showed decreased scores of stereotyped and motor behaviors(P＜0.01),improved pathological damage in the striatal tissue,reduced content of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),and inhibited expression of NLRP3,ASC mRNA,and NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of CPYJT on TS is related to the inhibition of the neuroinflammatory response mediated by the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Aim To explore the effect of Trichinella spiralis(Ts)proteins on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory response in macrophage RAW264.7 cells.Methods The inflammation model was constructed by LPSstimulating macrophages in vitro,which were divided intothe control group,Ts group(Ts 2 mg·L-1),LPSgroup(LPS 1 mg·L-1),and Ts+LPS group(Ts 2 mg·L-1+LPS 1 mg·L-1).qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of molecular markers of macrophage polarization,inclu-ding iNOS and Arg1,and inflammatory factors,inclu-ding IL-1 β and IL-6.The protein levels of IL-1 β,IL-6 and BRD2 were detected by Western blot further.BRD2 localization was also validated by immunofluo-rescence.In order to explore whether Ts proteins played a role in inhibiting inflammation through BRD2,si-BRD2 were transfected into RAW 264.7 cells.Once a-gain,the expression levels of iNOS,Arg1,IL-1 β,and IL-6 were detected by qRT-PCR,and IL-1 β and IL-6 were also detected by Western blot.Results Com-pared with the control group,LPS promoted the expres-sion of iNOS,IL-1 β,IL-6,and BRD2,while Ts proteins intervention decreased the expression of iNOS,IL-1 β,IL-6,BRD2.After the knockdown of BRD2,Ts pro-teins further reduced the level of iNOS,while Arg1,IL-1 β and IL-6 levels were restored.Conclusion Ts pro-teins alleviate LPS-induced macrophage inflammation by regulating macrophage polarization and inhibiting BRD2.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of Changpu Yujin Tang(CPYJT)on the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1/Gasdermin D(NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD)signaling pathway-mediated neuroinflammation in rats with Tourette syndrome(TS).Methods SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into the Control and TS groups.After successful modeling in the TS group,the rats were randomly divided into the Model,Tiapride,and CPYJT groups,and were treated with the corresponding drugs for 4 weeks.After the treatment,the rats' behavior was scored,H & E staining was used to observe pathological changes in the striatum,ELISA was used to measure the content of IL-1β and IL-18,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of NLRP3 and ASC mRNA,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins.Results Compared with the Control group,the Model group showed increased scores of stereotyped and motor behaviors(P＜0.01),pathological changes in the striatal tissue,increased content of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),and upregulated expression of NLRP3,ASC mRNA,and NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the Model group,the Tiapride group and the CPYJT group showed decreased scores of stereotyped and motor behaviors(P＜0.01),improved pathological damage in the striatal tissue,reduced content of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),and inhibited expression of NLRP3,ASC mRNA,and NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of CPYJT on TS is related to the inhibition of the neuroinflammatory response mediated by the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Aim To explore the effect of Trichinella spiralis(Ts)proteins on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory response in macrophage RAW264.7 cells.Methods The inflammation model was constructed by LPSstimulating macrophages in vitro,which were divided intothe control group,Ts group(Ts 2 mg·L-1),LPSgroup(LPS 1 mg·L-1),and Ts+LPS group(Ts 2 mg·L-1+LPS 1 mg·L-1).qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of molecular markers of macrophage polarization,inclu-ding iNOS and Arg1,and inflammatory factors,inclu-ding IL-1 β and IL-6.The protein levels of IL-1 β,IL-6 and BRD2 were detected by Western blot further.BRD2 localization was also validated by immunofluo-rescence.In order to explore whether Ts proteins played a role in inhibiting inflammation through BRD2,si-BRD2 were transfected into RAW 264.7 cells.Once a-gain,the expression levels of iNOS,Arg1,IL-1 β,and IL-6 were detected by qRT-PCR,and IL-1 β and IL-6 were also detected by Western blot.Results Com-pared with the control group,LPS promoted the expres-sion of iNOS,IL-1 β,IL-6,and BRD2,while Ts proteins intervention decreased the expression of iNOS,IL-1 β,IL-6,BRD2.After the knockdown of BRD2,Ts pro-teins further reduced the level of iNOS,while Arg1,IL-1 β and IL-6 levels were restored.Conclusion Ts pro-teins alleviate LPS-induced macrophage inflammation by regulating macrophage polarization and inhibiting BRD2.