ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of rhizosphere organic acids secreted by the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza on continuous cropping obstacles. MethodsThe mixed solution of organic acids in the rhizosphere of S. miltiorrhiza in continuous cropping and rotation cropping was added to the hairy roots subcultured for 21 days， and samples were collected on days 0， 2， 4， 6， 8， and 10. The changes of biomass， effective components， primary metabolites， secondary metabolites， antioxidant enzymes， and hormones in hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza were observed and determined. ResultsCompared with the rotation cropping group and the blank control group， the simulation of organic acid secretion from the roots of S. miltiorrhiza had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of hairy roots and decreased the content of effective components as well as total sugar and total protein in primary metabolites. Compared with the blank control group， the rotation cropping group and the continuous cropping group showed total sugar and total protein content decreases of 33.9% and 5.1%， respectively. On the other hand， the secretion of organic acids from S. miltiorrhiza roots significantly promoted the accumulation of total phenolic acids and total tanshinone， which showed increases of 14.6% and 1.6%， respectively， in continuous cropping group and rotation cropping group compared with the blank control group. ConclusionThe organic acid environment under continuous cropping significantly inhibited the growth of hairy roots and the accumulation of primary metabolites， while promoting the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites of S. miltiorrhiza.

Combined with elastic network model (ENM), the perturbation response scanning (PRS) has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins. Here, we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks (DTNs), which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine. We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework, for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis (MS). First, the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes. Then, based on topological analysis and functional annotation, the neurotransmission module was identified as the "therapeutic module" of MS. Further, perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis, giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS. Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of serotonin 2B receptor (HTR2B). Finally, we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex. These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS. As a useful systematic method, our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.

Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases, especially cancers, making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline, which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction (CPI) prediction models, cascade molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays. Among the identified compounds, Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 5.41 nM) than that of tubastatin A (TubA) (IC₅₀ = 15.11 nM), along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile (selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1), which was further verified by the Western blot analysis. Additionally, Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells, exerting desirable antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ = 2.59 μM). Furthermore, based on long-term MD simulation trajectory, the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis, thereby elucidating its binding mechanism. Moreover, the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation, thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.

Diabetic retinopathy, a prevalent and vision-threatening microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is the leading cause of blindness among middle-aged and elderly individuals. Natural diterpenoids isolated from Siegesbeckia pubescens demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to identify novel bioactive diterpenoids from S. pubescens and investigate their effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in diabetic retinopathy, both in vitro and in vivo. Three new ent-pimarane-type diterpenoids (1-3) and six known compounds (4-9) were isolated from the aerial parts of S. pubescens. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic data interpretation, and absolute configurations were determined by comparing calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Among these compounds, 14β,16-epoxy-ent-3β,15α,19-trihydroxypimar-7-ene (5) exhibited the most potent protective effect against high glucose and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-stimulated human retinal endothelial cells. Mechanistically, compound 5 promoted endothelial cell survival while ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammatory response in diabetic retinopathy, both in vivo and in vitro. These findings not only suggest that diterpenoids such as compound 5 are important anti-inflammatory constituents in S. pubescens, but also indicate that compound 5 may serve as a lead compound for preventing or treating vascular complications associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy/metabolism* ; Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Animals ; Diterpenes, Kaurane/administration & dosage* ; Asteraceae/chemistry* ; Male ; Endothelial Cells/drug effects* ; Abietanes/administration & dosage* ; Molecular Structure ; Mice ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Buyang huanwu decoction on red blood cells in hyperlipidemia model mice. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet to prepare a hyperlipidemia model. Successfully modeled mice were randomly assigned to the model group， atorvastatin calcium group （0.26 g/kg）， fenofibrate group （1.3 mg/kg）， and high-， medium-， and low- dose groups of Buyang huanwu decoction （18.6， 9.3， 4.6 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Additionally， 10 mice fed with regular chow served as the normal group. Each group of mice received intragastric administration with the corresponding drug or normal saline once daily for 21 consecutive days. After the last administration， the body weight of the mice in each group was measured， and blood glucose， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TAG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels were measured. Red blood cell morphology changes were observed， and the expression levels of glucose transporter type 1 （GLUT1）， erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.2 （protein 4.2）， caveolin-1， and flotillin-1 in erythrocyte membrane were determined. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the body weight and levels of TC， TAG， HDL-C， LDL-C， and the expression levels of GLUT1， caveolin-1 and flotillin-1 in the Buyang huanwu decoction groups were significantly decreased， while blood glucose levels and the expression levels of protein 4.2 were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. The red blood cell morphology in the low- and medium-dose groups of Buyang huanwu decoction was significantly promoted. CONCLUSIONS Buyang huanwu decoction can reduce blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemia model mice and strengthen the morphology and function of red blood cells in a hyperlipidemic environment， which has the potential to be used for preventing hyperlipidemia complications such as atherosclerosis.

Objective To explore the correlation between serum glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),lym-phocyte activation gene-3(LAG-3)and thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 120 T2DM patients with thyroid nodules admitted to the Third Hospital of Hebei Medi-cal University from July 2021 to July 2022 were included as the study group,and 100 simple T2DM patients(without thyroid nodules)were included as the control group during the same period.According to the patho-logical examination results of thyroid nodules,the study group was grouped into a benign nodule group(85 ca-ses)and a malignant nodule group(35 cases).Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the serum LAG-3 level of all study subjects.Fully automated glycated hemoglobin analyzer was applied to detect HbA1c level in all study subjects.Spearman method was applied to analyze the correlation between serum HbA1c,LAG-3,and thyroid imaging report and data system(TI-RADS)scores in patients with T2DM and thyroid nodules.Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of T2DM with thyroid nodules.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of HbA1c and LAG-3 levels in T2DM with thyroid nodules.Results Compared with the control group,the level of HbA1c in the study group was obviously higher(P<0.05),while the level of LAG-3 was obviously lower(P<0.05).Compared with the benign nodule group,the serum LAG-3 level in the malignant nodule group was obviously lower(P<0.05),while the level of LAG-3 was obviously lower(P<0.05).Spearman analysis showed a positive correlation between HbA1c level and TI-RADS score in T2DM patients with thyroid nod-ules(r=0.378,P<0.001),while the serum LAG-3 level was negatively correlated with TI-RADS score(r=-0.472,P<0.001).The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that HbA1c was a risk factor for the occurrence of thyroid nodules in T2DM patients(P<0.05),and LAG-3 was a protective factor for the occurrence of thyroid nodules in T2DM patients(P<0.05).The combination of HbA1c and LAG-3 in the diagnosis of T2DM with thyroid nodules was superior to their individual diagnosis(Zcombination-HbA1c=2.542,P=0.011;Zcombination-LAG-3=3.098,P=0.002).Conclusion Patients with T2DM combined with thyroid nodules have obviously lower serum LAG-3 level and higher HbA1c level,and the two are related to the malignancy of thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVE To conduct rapid health technology assessment （HTA） of ulinastatin （UTI）， and to evaluate the efficacy， safety and cost-effectiveness of UTI in the treatment of acute pancreatitis （AP）. METHODS Retrieved from PubMed， Embase， the Cochrane Library， CNKI， Wanfang database， CBM and official websites of HTA institutions， the systematic review （SR）/meta-analysis， economic evaluation and HTA reports of UTI in the treatment of AP were collected from the inception to Apr. 2024. Two researchers independently conducted screening， quality evaluation and data extraction according to the admission and exclusion criteria， and descriptive analysis was adopted to analyze and summarize the data. RESULTS A total of 19 studies were included， involving 15 SR/meta-analysis and 4 economic studies， and no HTA report was retrieved. In the treatment of AP， UTI showed clear advantages over conventional treatment alone in terms of improving the overall effective rate， shortening the recovery time of amylase， reducing the time required to relieve abdominal pain and distension， lowering the mortality rate， and decreasing the average hospital stay. Compared to other positive drugs （carbendate mesylate， octreotide， somatostatin， etc.）， its efficacy is similar， with a favorable safety profile. As far as the current research was concerned， UTI had obvious economic advantages over other positive drugs. CONCLUSIONS UTI is safe and effective in the treatment of AP， and has economic advantages.

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of autologous serum eye drops on persistent corneal epithelial defect caused by neurotrophic keratopathy (NK).Methods:An observational case series study was performed.Twenty patients (20 eyes) diagnosed with NK and persistent corneal epithelial defect were enrolled in Beijing Tongren Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021.The affected eyes were graded according to the severity of the lesion and received individualized comprehensive treatment with domestic autologous serum eye drops as the main therapy.The healing time of the corneal epithelial defect after treatment was recorded.The diameter and area of the defect were marked by corneal fluorescein staining.Changes in the diameter and area of the defect before treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment were observed by slit lamp microscopy at 10×.Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) visual acuity was recorded with a standard logarithmic visual chart before treatment and at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment.Changes in corneal nerve fiber distribution and silk length of corneal perception were assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry, respectively, before treatment and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment.Influences of corneal defect characteristics on the healing time were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University (No.TRECKY2021-110). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The corneal epithelial defect was 5.00 (4.00, 5.75) mm in diameter and 15.50 (12.00, 20.00) mm 2 in area before treatment.There were 45% (9/20) with corneal stroma edema and 35% (7/20) with endothelial fold.One diabetic patient with uveitis had a corneal epithelial defect area greater than 8 mm×6 mm and accepted additional corneal clearance and amniotic membrane transplantation after 2 weeks of autologous serum eye drops application.The other 19 patients received autologous serum eye drops therapy.All eyes showed complete recovery.The pretreatment duration of autologous serum eye drops ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months, with a mean of (39.55±25.34) days.The repair time of corneal epithelium ranged from 12 to 42 days, with a mean of (19.68±9.25) days.There were statistically significant differences in corneal defect diameter and area between before and after treatment ( χ2=43.130, 28.265; both at P<0.001). Corneal defect area and diameter decreased at various time points after treatment compared to before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in LogMAR visual acuity between before and after treatment ( χ2=84.229, P<0.001). LogMAR visual acuity improved at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment compared to pretreatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in silk length of corneal perception between before and after treatment ( χ2=55.295, P<0.001). Silk length of corneal perception improved at 4, 12 and 24 weeks compared to pretreatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Baseline corneal defect severity grade was positively correlated with healing time ( β=10.55, P=0.032). Corneal defect diameter and area had no influence on the healing time ( β=-2.02, P=0.501; β=0.49, P=0.199). Conclusions:Autologous serum eye drop therapy is safe and effective for persistent corneal defects caused by NK.Re-application of autologous serum eye drops is still effective in individual patients with recurrent corneal defects after discontinuation of serum treatment.It can be combined with surgery for intractable cases.

OBJECTIVE To establish a rapid analytical method to identify the chemical components in Xitong preparations for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled triple time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS). METHODS The analysis was performed on an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 (2.1 mm×150 mm, 1.8 μm) column with the mobile phase consisting of water containing 0.1% formic acid(A) and acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid(B) in gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min−1. Data acquisition was carried out under positive and negative ion modes. The processed data was analyzed by Peakview software and compound database. The chemical components were determined by comparison with standard products, combining with the characteristic fragments in secondary MS, and those in the related literatures. RESULTS Seventy-eight compounds were identified including 20 phenylpropanoids, 33 terpenes, 19 flavonoids, 6 oxylipins, two of which might be new compounds. CONCLUSION The method can be used for rapid identification of chemical compositions in Xitong preparations, which provides basis for quality control and elucidation of phamarcodynamic material basis of Xitong pills and capsules .

Objective:To assess the value of serum tumor specific protein 70 (SP70) for prognostic stratification in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:A cohort study design was adopted. 129 newly diagnosed AML patients from September 2022 to January 2024 at the Hematology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included, as well as a control group consisted of 120 healthy individuals and 7 cases with benign hematologic diseases during the same period (total 127 cases). Clinical data were collected from Electronic Medical Records. According to the 2023 edition of the Chinese Leukemia Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines, AML patients with good or moderate prognosis were categorized as low-to-intermediate risk, while those with poor prognosis were high-risk group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify variables significantly associated with AML prognostic risk. ROC analysis was used to evaluate diagnostic performance. A nomogram for predicting patient prognostic risk was constructed by R 4.0.2 software, and the internal validation was performed using bootstrapping.Results:Among 129 AML patients, there were 71 males (55.0%) and 58 females (45.0%), with 42 (32.6%) classified as high-risk and 87 (67.4%) as low-intermediate risk. The high-risk group had a significantly higher median age [62 (48, 67) years] compared to the low-intermediate risk group [50 (35, 63) years, Z=-2.381, P=0.017], and a significantly higher proportion of males (30 patients, 71.4%) compared to the low-intermediate risk group (41 patients, 47.1%, χ 2=6.760, P=0.009). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that serum SP70 ( OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.68-3.84, P<0.001), hemoglobin (HB) ( OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, P<0.05), and bone marrow blast (BM blast) ( OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13, P<0.05) were independent risk factors for high-risk prognosis in AML patients. ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for SP70 predicting high-risk patients was 0.908 (cut-off value of 5.74 ng/ml, 95% CI: 0.845-0.952, sensitivity 90.5%, specificity 82.8%). The combined model of serum SP70, HB, and BM blasts had an AUC of 0.931 (95% CI: 0.890-0.973); C-index=0.925 (95% CI: 0.876-0.963),with no statistically significant difference compared to serum SP70 alone ( Z=1.693, P>0.05). Conclusion:Serum SP70 may be a promising non-invasive molecular biomarker for prognostic stratification in AML.