Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4⁺ IL-17A⁺ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals ; Th17 Cells/immunology* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Andrographis paniculata/chemistry* ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-17/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Carbamate pesticides, a new type of broad-spectrum pesticides for controlling pests, mites, and weeds, are developed to address the shortcomings of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. Their widespread use and slow degradation have led to environmental pollution, causing damage to ecosystems and human health. Managing pesticide residues is a pressing issue in the current environmental protection. This study aims to investigate the expression of SyEst870, a member of the SGNH/GDSL hydrolase family in Sphingobium yanoikuyae, in a prokaryotic system and evaluate the ability of the recombinant protein to degrade carbamate pesticides. The prokaryotic expression vector pET-32a-SyEst870 was constructed and transformed into the Escherichia coli BL21 for heterologous expression. The purified protein was studied in terms of enzyme activity and effects of temperature, pH, and metal ions on the enzyme activity, with p-nitrophenol acetate as the substrate and based on the standard curve of p-nitrophenol. LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) was employed to examine the degradation effects of SyEst870 on carbaryl, metolcarb, and isoprocarb. GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) was employed to detect the degradation products of SyEst870 for the three pesticides. The soluble protein SyEst870 was successfully obtained through the heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, which yielded an enzyme with the activity of 677.5 U after affinity chromatography. SyEst870 exhibited degradation rates of 82.34%, 84.43%, and 92.87% for carbaryl, metolcarb, and isoprocarb, respectively, at an initial concentration of 100 mg/L within 24 h at 30 ℃ and pH 7.0. The primary degradation products of carbaryl were identified as α-naphthol and methyl isocyanate. Metolcarb was mainly degraded into m-cresol and methyl isocyanate, and isoprocarb was mainly degraded into 2-isopropylphenol and methyl isocyanate. Compared with the half-life of carbamate pesticides in the natural environment, which ranges from a few days to several weeks, the recombinant protein SyEst870 can rapidly eliminate the residues of carbamate pesticides. This study lays a foundation for addressing pesticide residues in the environment and in fruits and vegetables.
Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Sphingomonadaceae/genetics* ; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism* ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Esterases/metabolism* ; Pesticides/isolation & purification* ; Carbamates/isolation & purification*

Objective:To establish a quality standard system for Descurainiae Semen under the requirements of German Pharmaceutical Codex (DPC); To compare the similarities and differences between DPC and the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China regarding the establishment of a quality standard system for TCM medicinal materials. Methods:Based on the requirements of DPC, and referring to the relevant methods of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, the quality of 30 batches of Descurainiae Semen samples were assessed by observing the appearance and microscopic characteristics and determining their loss on drying, total ash content, and ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid. A TLC identification method was established based on a silica gel G TLC plate, using a developing agent composed of ethyl acetate, formic acid, and water in the ratio of 7:1.5:2.5 ( V/ V/ V). The method utilized rutin and quercetin as indicators for the System Suitability Test (SST), and took quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucose-7-O-β-D-gentiobioside and isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-glucose-7-O-β-D-gentiobioside as the index. Based on the content determination method for Descurainiae Semen in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, a content determination method was established with quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucose-7-O-β- D-gentiobioside as the index. Results:The loss on drying for the 30 batches of samples ranged from 6.15% to 12.0%, with the total ash content ranged from 3.17% to 9.44%, and the ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid content ranged from 0.14% to 4.82%. The resolution of rutin and quercetin met the DPC's requirements for the SST criteria in TLC identification, and all batches of samples showed good separation of the index components. This method could effectively distinguish Descurainiae Semen from Lepidii Semen. Using modern chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, the structure of the chromatographic peak adjacent to the component of the index (quercetin-3-O-β- D-glucoside-7-O-β-D-gentiobioside) was identified as descuraic anhydride B. The resolution between the two components in all batches of samples was greater than 3.1, which met the DPC's requirements for the SST criteria in content determination. The results of the methodological investigations met the requirements for content determination. The content of quercetin-3-O-β- D-glucose-7-O-β-D-gentiobioside in 30 batches of samples ranged from 0.062%-0.125%.Conclusion:The established quality standard system for Descurainiae Semen in this article is comprehensive, and meets the requirements of the DPC, which can be used for the quality control of Descurainiae Semen.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of Kanglaite injection assisted with camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. METHODS A total of 192 patients with advanced NSCLC and hospitalized in the TCM oncology department of our hospital from January 1st， 2018 to December 1st， 2022 were retrospectively selected as the study objects， and were divided into observation group （additional use， n＝104） and control group （without additional use， n＝88） according to whether the patients additionally received Kanglaite injection based on camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy （carboplatin+pemetrexed）. The short-term therapeutic effects of 2，4 and 6 cycles were compared between the two groups. The levels of peripheral blood immune function indexes and serum tumor markers were compared before treatment， after 3 cycles of treatment and after treatment. The long-term therapeutic effects as well as the occurrence of adverse drug reaction（ADR） during hospitalization were compared between the two groups. RESULTS After 3 treatment cycles and at the end of treatment， the CD4+ T lymphocyte ratio and CD4+/CD8+ in the observation group were notably greater than the control group （P＜0.05）； the levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen and cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1 were significantly lower than those in the control group （P＜0.05）. The overall survival of the observation group was significantly longer than that of the control group （P＜0.05）， and the median overall survival was （185.27±38.21） d and （132.11±34.23） d， respectively. There were no significant differences in the whole ADR and grade ≥3 ADR between the two groups during hospitalization（P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Based on camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy， the addition of Kanglaite injection can enhance immunological response and prolong overall survival in advanced NSCLC patients.

Background/Aims: Existing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prediction models are derived mainly from pretreatment or early on-treatment parameters. We reassessed the dynamic changes in the performance of 17 HCC models in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during long-term antiviral therapy (AVT). Methods: Among 987 CHB patients administered long-term entecavir therapy, 660 patients had 8 years of follow-up data. Model scores were calculated using on-treatment values at 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5 years of AVT to predict threeyear HCC occurrence. Model performance was assessed with the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). The original model cutoffs to distinguish different levels of HCC risk were evaluated by the log-rank test. Results: The AUROCs of the 17 HCC models varied from 0.51 to 0.78 when using on-treatment scores from years 2.5 to 5. Models with a cirrhosis variable showed numerically higher AUROCs (pooled at 0.65–0.73 for treated, untreated, or mixed treatment models) than models without (treated or mixed models: 0.61–0.68; untreated models: 0.51–0.59). Stratification into low, intermediate, and high-risk levels using the original cutoff values could no longer reflect the true HCC incidence using scores after 3.5 years of AVT for models without cirrhosis and after 4 years of AVT for models with cirrhosis. Conclusions The performance of existing HCC prediction models, especially models without the cirrhosis variable, decreased in CHB patients on long-term AVT. The optimization of existing models or the development of novel models for better HCC prediction during long-term AVT is warranted.

Pain permeates the entire process of cancer,and its mechanism is complex,involving tumor microenvironment,cancer-related bone pain,cancer-related visceral pain,cancer-related neuro-pathic pain,and surgery and radiotherapy-related factors.Studies have indicated that lidocaine can al-leviate intractable cancer pain for opioids,and its mechanism of action in treating various types of cancer pain may also be different,involving the regulation of acid-sensing ion channels(ASICS),transient receptor potential channels(TRP),voltage-gated sodium channels(VGSCs),nerve growth factor(NGF),glutamate and its receptors,inflammatory cells and cytokines,microglia,astrocytes,and high mobility group box 1 protein(HMGB1).This paper reviewed the mechanisms of cancer pain,the mechanisms of lidocaine in treating different types of cancer pain as well as its clinical appli-cations.

Pain permeates the entire process of cancer,and its mechanism is complex,involving tumor microenvironment,cancer-related bone pain,cancer-related visceral pain,cancer-related neuro-pathic pain,and surgery and radiotherapy-related factors.Studies have indicated that lidocaine can al-leviate intractable cancer pain for opioids,and its mechanism of action in treating various types of cancer pain may also be different,involving the regulation of acid-sensing ion channels(ASICS),transient receptor potential channels(TRP),voltage-gated sodium channels(VGSCs),nerve growth factor(NGF),glutamate and its receptors,inflammatory cells and cytokines,microglia,astrocytes,and high mobility group box 1 protein(HMGB1).This paper reviewed the mechanisms of cancer pain,the mechanisms of lidocaine in treating different types of cancer pain as well as its clinical appli-cations.

Abstract Children were vulnerable groups in major public health emergencies. In 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was widespread in the world. The mental health of school age children has become a worldwide concern. Herein, we conducted this review to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of general children and special children with a high risk of psychological problems, focusing on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder among school age children in different countries and regions during the COVID-19 epidemic. Considering the susceptibility between individuals and the accessibility of social resources, we further explored the child, family, and social related factors affecting the mental health of school age children. Finally, some suggestions on the construction of children s mental health service system in major public health emergencies were put forward at the national, school family community, and individual levels. Building a safe and reliable child mental health protection network required the joint efforts of all sectors of society.

Objective: To investigate the progression of depressive and anxiety symptoms of children, especially whose parents were frontline workers in the combat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to provide evidence for children s mental health promotion. Methods: In June and December 2020, two surveys were conducted among the children in a primary school in Qiaokou District, Wuhan. The questionnaire included demographic information, student learning conditions, and depressive/anxiety symptoms. Results: A total of 963 children completed both surveys. The detection rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms at follow up was significantly higher than that at the baseline survey (depressive symptoms: OR=1.45, 95%CI =1.16-1.83; anxiety symptoms: OR=1.79, 95%CI =1.41-2.28, P <0.01). There was no statistically significant change in depressive/anxiety symptoms among children whose parents were frontline workers compared with those whose parents were not( P >0.05). Girls, lower learning efficiency, and less interaction with teachers in class were risk factors for depressive or anxiety symptoms of children( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Mental health status of children requires continuous attention. Moreover, timely psychological protection should be given to prevent the occurrence of psychological problems and the further deterioration of psychological problems.

Objective:To explore the role of N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) and its regulator METTL3 in the non-coding RNA of endometrial cancer.Methods:The expression levels of m6A and METTL3 were quantified in 20 paired carcinoma and adjacent clinical tissue samples from patients at from Jul. 2016 to Dec. 2020. HEC-1-A cell lines were constructed with METTL3 overexpression and knockdown. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation levels of key molecules in METTL3 and Akt/mTOR. The quantitative detection of mRNA levels were used qRT-PCR. The binding level of m6A to its receptor DGCR8 was determined by RNA immunoprecipitation.Results:The results of the m6A RNA methylation quantification kit showed that m6A (1.0±0.15) vs (1.7±0.34) ( P<0.01) and METTL3 levels were elevated in endometrial cancer cells, and METTL3 (1.0±0.13) vs (2.5±0.45) ( P<0.05) levels were elevated in endometrial cancer cells. Western blot and qRT-PCR detection of miR-17-92 cell clusters overexpressing METTL3, METTL3 overexpression significantly increased m6A modification on pri-miR-17-92 ( P<0.05) . Phosphorylation levels of AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins were upregulated. In addition, RIP test results indicated that the binding of DGCR8 to pri-miR-17-92 was significantly facilitated. Conclusion:METTL3 modification of m6A facilitates the processing of pri-miR-1792 into the miR-17-92 clusters via m6A/DGCR8-dependent mechanism, which in turn activated the AKT/mTOR pathway.