Natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates for the development of a new generation of antimicrobials to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. They have found extensive applications in the fields of medicine, food, and agriculture. However, efficiently screening AMPs from natural sources poses several challenges, including low efficiency and high antibiotic resistance. This review focuses on the action mechanisms of AMPs, both through membrane and non-membrane routes. We thoroughly examine various highly efficient AMP screening methods, including whole-bacterial adsorption binding, cell membrane chromatography (CMC), phospholipid membrane chromatography binding, membrane-mediated capillary electrophoresis (CE), colorimetric assays, thin layer chromatography (TLC), fluorescence-based screening, genetic sequencing-based analysis, computational mining of AMP databases, and virtual screening methods. Additionally, we discuss potential developmental applications for enhancing the efficiency of AMP discovery. This review provides a comprehensive framework for identifying AMPs within complex natural product systems.

Natural antimicrobial peptides(AMPs)are promising candidates for the development of a new gener-ation of antimicrobials to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.They have found extensive applications in the fields of medicine,food,and agriculture.However,efficiently screening AMPs from natural sources poses several challenges,including low efficiency and high antibiotic resistance.This review focuses on the action mechanisms of AMPs,both through membrane and non-membrane routes.We thoroughly examine various highly efficient AMP screening methods,including whole-bacterial adsorption binding,cell membrane chromatography(CMC),phospholipid membrane chromatography binding,membrane-mediated capillary electrophoresis(CE),colorimetric assays,thin layer chromatography(TLC),fluorescence-based screening,genetic sequencing-based analysis,computational mining of AMP data-bases,and virtual screening methods.Additionally,we discuss potential developmental applications for enhancing the efficiency of AMP discovery.This review provides a comprehensive framework for identifying AMPs within complex natural product systems.

Objective To screen antidepressant-active compounds from Polygonati Rhizoma and explore their effects and possible mechanisms against depression induced by simulated weightlessness.Methods A systems pharmacology approach was used to screen potential antidepressant-active compounds and their targets from Polygonati Rhizoma.The hindlimb unloading(HLU)rat model was employed for the study.Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group(administered 0.5%carboxymethylcellulose by gavage),HLU group(hindlimb unloading),and HLU+treatment group(hindlimb unloading+active compound gavage),with 8 rats in each group.After 28 days of hindlimb unloading,depressive-like behaviors in rats were evaluated using the forced swimming test and tail suspension test.Hippocampal morphology was examined with H&E staining,and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted on the targets of active compounds.Results A total of 38 active compounds were screened from Polygonati Rhizoma,among which apigenin had an oral bioavailability of 23.06%and a drug-likeness score of 0.21.Compound-target network analysis indicated that apigenin had the highest degree and betweenness centrality values,suggesting it might be the key active component with antidepressant potential in Polygonati Rhizoma.In the forced swimming and tail suspension tests,rats in the HLU group showed a significant increase in immobility time compared to the control group,indicating successful establishment of the depression model.However,compared to the HLU group,rats in the HLU plus apigenin group exhibited significantly reduced immobility time.The H&E staining results of hippocampal tissue showed a significant reduction in the number of hippocampal neurons,along with numerous shrunken neurons and small vacuoles in nerve fibers in the HLU group.In contrast,the treatment group exhibited an increased number of hippocampal neurons,with improved cellular morphology.Target enrichment analysis indicated that apigenin targets were mainly involved in the regulation of apoptosis and cancer-related signaling pathways.Conclusion Apigenin significantly improved depressive-like behaviors in rats subjected to hindlimb unloading,and it has a protective effect on hippocampal tissue.It may provide a new natural active compound for the treatment of depression caused by spaceflight-induced weightlessness.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary malignant tumor of the liver, characterized by high lethality and poor prognosis. Among the three subtypes of ICC, the intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma (IMCC) is the most prevalent. In recent years, the incidence of IMCC has been continuously rising, and its differential diagnosis and prognostic prediction have received widespread attention. Multimodal functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) integrates the advantages of various imaging modalities, capable of monitoring tumor hemodynamic changes, cellular metabolism, and other factors. Radiomics, with MRI as its basis, utilizes high-throughput extraction of imaging features to non-invasively acquire information on intra-tumor heterogeneity, subsequently assisting in the diagnosis of liver tumors. This article mainly summarizes the advancements in the application of multimodal functional MRI and MRI-based radiomics in the differential diagnosis and prognostic prediction of IMCC.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary malignant tumor of the liver, characterized by high lethality and poor prognosis. Among the three subtypes of ICC, the intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma (IMCC) is the most prevalent. In recent years, the incidence of IMCC has been continuously rising, and its differential diagnosis and prognostic prediction have received widespread attention. Multimodal functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) integrates the advantages of various imaging modalities, capable of monitoring tumor hemodynamic changes, cellular metabolism, and other factors. Radiomics, with MRI as its basis, utilizes high-throughput extraction of imaging features to non-invasively acquire information on intra-tumor heterogeneity, subsequently assisting in the diagnosis of liver tumors. This article mainly summarizes the advancements in the application of multimodal functional MRI and MRI-based radiomics in the differential diagnosis and prognostic prediction of IMCC.

Objective To investigate the changes of blood lipid and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in obese type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients and their relationship with insulin resistance (Homa-IR). Methods A total of 120 cases of T2DM newly diagnosed in Motuo County, Tibet from February to October 2022 were selected as the observation group. According to BMI, the patients were divided into diabetes normal weight group (46 cases), overweight group (43 cases) and obesity group (31 cases); 145 healthy subjects were selected as the control group. The levels of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were detected in the study subjects, and Homa-IR and Homa-β indices were calculated. The height, weight, and abdominal circumference were measured. The differences in the levels of the above indicators between the observation group patients and the control group, as well as among various subgroups within the observation group were compared. The influencing factors of Homa-IR in obese T2DM patients were analyzed. Results Compared with the control group, a significant increase in BMI, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, HbA1c, FBG, FINS, TC, TG, LDL-C, UA, visceral fat area, and the levels of Home-IR and Home-β was found in the observation group (all P<0.05). There were significant differences in BMI, abdominal circumference, and the levels of FINS, Homa IR, Homa-β, and HbA1c in diabetes patients with different BMI (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that TG levels in obese T2DM patients in the observation group were significantly correlated with HbA1c (r=0.396, P=0.027), Homa-IR (r=0.405, P=0.024), and Home-β (r=-0.401, P=0.025); LDL-C was significantly correlated with Homa-IR (r=0.411, P=0.022) and Homa-β (r=-0.412, P=0.021); HbA1c was significantly positively correlated with BMI (r=0.371, P=0.040). Conclusion Insulin resistance is closely related to TG, LDL-C, and BMI in obese T2DM patients from the Motuo ethnic minority of Tibet, suggesting that these factors may play a role in the occurrence of T2DM.

Bone remodeling and bone regeneration are essential for preserving skeletal integrity and maintaining mineral homeostasis.T cells,as key members of adaptive immunity,play a pivotal role in bone remodeling and bone regeneration by producing a range of cytokines and growth factors.In the physiological state,T cells are involved in the maintenance of bone homeostasis through interactions with mesenchymal stem cells,osteoblasts,and osteoclasts.In pathological states,T cells participate in the pathological process of different types of osteoporosis through interaction with estrogen,glucocorticoids,and parathyroid hormone.During fracture healing for post-injury repair,T cells play different roles during the inflammatory hematoma phase,the bone callus formation phase and the bone remodeling phase.Targeting T cells thus emerges as a potential strategy for regulating bone homeostasis.This article reviews the research progress on related mechanisms of T cells immunity involved in bone remodeling and bone regeneration,with a view to providing a scientific basis for targeting T cells to regulate bone remodeling and bone regeneration.

Objective To unravel the possible mechanism of the role of recombinant human high mobility group box 1 (rhHMGB1) protein in regulating the angiogenesis of endothelial cells. Methods Endothelial cells were divided into the control group, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) supernatant group and rhHMGB1 group. The proliferation and survival of endothelial cells were detected by cell counting kit(CCK)-8 assay. The relative expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Yes-associated protein (YAP), CD31 and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α proteins were determined by Western blot. The relative expression levels of VEGF, YAP, CD31 and HIF-1α messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The migration ability of endothelial cells was assessed by Transwell chamber test. The localization of YAP was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Results Compared with the control group, the migration rate of endothelial cells was increased in the rhHMGB1 group (P < 0.05), and the cell migration rate was enhanced over time. Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of VEGF and p-YAP proteins were up-regulated in the MSC supernatant group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of VEGF and HIF-1α proteins, VEGF and CD31 mRNA and YAP and p-YAP proteins were up-regulated, and YAP/p-YAP ratio was increased in the rhHMGB1 group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the MSC supernatant group, the relative expression levels of CD31 mRNA and YAP protein were up-regulated, and the YAP/p-YAP ratio was increased in the rhHMGB1 group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Exogenous high-concentration rhHMGB1 may promote the migration ability of endothelial cells and up-regulate the expression levels of angiogenesis-related proteins by regulating the recruitment of YAP to the nucleus.

OBJECTIVE To study the moderation effect of water extract of Farfarae Flos on blood lipid and glucose regulation in obese mice. METHODS Chemical method was used to identify the components of the water extract of Farfarae Flos. The contents of total terpenes in the water extract of the Farfarae Flos were determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. The mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, orlistat group, and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of water extract of Farfarae Flos. The blank group was fed with ordinary diet, while the other groups were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet to establish an obese animal model, and they were administration while molding for 45 d. At the end of the experiment, the contents of serum triglyceride(TG), cholesterol(CHO), high-density lipoprotein-C(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-C(LDL-C), glucose(GLU), and glycosylated serum protein(GSP) were detected. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and oil red O staining were used to observe the morphological changes and lipid droplet distribution of liver tissue in mice. RESULTS There were flavonoids and terpenoids in the water extract of the flower. Compared with the blank group, the levels of TG, CHO, LDL-C, GLU and GSP in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01), HDL-C was significantly decreased(P<0.05), and the area of lipid droplets in the liver was significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TG, LDL-C, CHO, GLU and GSP levels in the Farfarae Flos water extract groups were significantly decreased, HDL-C was increased, and lipid droplet accumulation were reduced. Compared with the model group, the blood lipid and blood glucose levels in the treatment groups were significantly decreased, among them, the high-dose group of the water extract of Farfarae Flos had the best effect. CONCLUSION The water extract of farfara can improve glucose and lipid metabolism in obese mice by reducing blood lipids, CHO, and improving the pathological morphology of liver tissue.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of calycosin on microgravity-induced muscle atrophy by using real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE).Methods:The potential key active compound calycosin of anti-muscular atrophy in Astragali Radix was screened by systematic pharmacology. Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group [0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose-Na (CMC-Na) gavage], the hind limb unloading (HLU)+CMC-Na group (HLU+0.5% CMC-Na gavage), and the HLU+calycosin group (HLU+calycosin gavage) according to the method of random number table, with 6 rats in each group. After 28 d of continuous administration, the organ index, the toxicity of liver and kidney, the wet weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight was measured, respectively. The non-invasive RT-SWE was used to evaluate the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris in each group and the one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences among groups.Results:There was no significant difference in organ index, liver and kidney toxicity among different groups of rats (all P>0.05). There were significant differences in the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight among different groups of rats ( F=60.66, 56.44, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight in the HLU+calycosin group increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). The thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris of rats in different groups were significantly different ( F=35.47, 14.68, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the muscle thickness and elastic modulus of rats in HLU+calycosin group were increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). Conclusions:The treatment of calycosin has no side effects on rats. It can improve the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris, and effectively prevent microgravity-induced muscle atrophy, which may provide a new candidate drug for astronaut muscular atrophy.