This study identified 8 members including NjBIN2 of the GSK3 family in Nardostachys jatamansi by bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, the phylogenetic tree revealed that the GKS3 family members of N. jatamansi had a close relationship with those of Arabidopsis. RT-qPCR results showed that NjBIN2 presented a tissue-specific expression pattern with the highest expression in roots, suggesting that NjBIN2 played a role in root growth and development. In addition, the application of epibrassinolide or the brassinosteroid(BR) synthesis inhibitor(brassinazole) altered the expression pattern of NjBIN2 and influenced the photomorphogenesis(cotyledon opening) and root development of N. jatamansi, which provided direct evidence about the functions of NjBIN2. In conclusion, this study highlights the roles of BIN2 in regulating the growth and development of N. jatamansi by analyzing the expression pattern and biological function of NjBIN2. It not only enriches the understanding about the regulatory mechanism of the growth and development of N. jatamansi but also provides a theoretical basis and potential gene targets for molecular breeding of N. jatamansi with improved quality in the future.
Brassinosteroids/metabolism* ; Steroids, Heterocyclic/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Nardostachys/metabolism* ; Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology* ; Plant Roots/drug effects*

This study aimed to investigate the effect of saltwater stir-fried Plantaginis Semen(SPS) on renal fibrosis in rats and decipher the underlying mechanism. Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into control, model, losartan potassium, and low-, medium-, and high-dose(15, 30, and 60 g·kg~(-1), respectively) SPS groups. Rats in other groups except the control group were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) to induce renal fibrosis, and the modeling and gavage lasted for 14 days. After 14 consecutive days of treatment, the levels of serum creatinine(Scr) and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) in rats of each group were determined by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining were used to evaluate pathological changes in the renal tissue. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were conducted to determine the protein levels of fibronectin(FN), collagen Ⅰ, vimentin, and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) in the renal tissue. The mRNA levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-associated transcription factors including twist family bHLH transcription factor 1(TWIST1), snail family transcriptional repressor 1(SNAI1), and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1(ZEB1), as well as inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), were determined by RT-qPCR. Human renal proximal tubular epithelial(HK2) cells exposed to transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) for the modeling of renal fibrosis were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of SPS on EMT. Network pharmacology and Western blot were employed to explore the molecular mechanism of SPS in alleviating renal fibrosis. The results showed that SPS significantly reduced Scr and BUN levels and alleviated renal injury and collagen deposition in UUO rats. Moreover, SPS notably down-regulated the protein levels of FN, collagen Ⅰ, vimentin, and α-SMA as well as the mRNA levels of SNAI1, ZEB1, TWIST1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the kidneys of UUO rats and TGF-β-treated HK-2 cells. In addition, compared with Plantaginis Semen without stir-frying with saltwater, SPS showed increased content of specific compounds, which were mainly enriched in the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway. SPS significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) and p38 MAPK in the kidneys of UUO rats and TGF-β-treated HK2 cells. In conclusion, SPS can alleviate renal fibrosis by attenuating EMT through inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway.
Animals ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Fibrosis/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Kidney Diseases/pathology* ; Kidney Tubules/pathology* ; Humans

The chemical constituents were systematically separated from the roots of Berberis polyantha by various chromatographic methods, including silica gel column chromatography, HP20 column chromatography, polyamide column chromatography, reversed-phase C_(18) column chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic techniques(1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, MS, and CD). Four phenylpropanoids were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of B. polyantha, and they were identified as(2R)-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), methyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate(2),(+)-syringaresinol(3), and syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(4). Compound 1 was a new compound, and other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated based on the release of nitric oxide(NO) in the culture of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. At a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), all the four compounds inhibited the LPS-induced release of NO in RAW264.7 cells, demonstrating potential anti-inflammatory properties.
Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Animals ; Mice ; Berberis/chemistry* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Molecular Structure ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification*

OBJECTIVE: Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VD); however, these findings are inconsistent. It remains unclear whether these associations are causal. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis by systematically searching for observational studies on the association between IBD and dementia. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on summary genome-wide association studies (GWASs) was performed. Genetic correlation and Bayesian co-localization analyses were used to provide robust genetic evidence. RESULTS: Ten observational studies involving 80,565,688 participants were included in this meta-analysis. IBD was significantly associated with dementia (risk ratio [ RR] =1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.78; I ² = 84.8%) and VD ( RR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.18-5.70; only one study), but not with AD ( RR = 2.00, 95% CI = 0.96-4.13; I ² = 99.8%). MR analyses did not supported significant causal associations of IBD with dementia (dementia: odds ratio [ OR] = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.98-1.03; AD: OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.01; VD: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.97-1.07). In addition, genetic correlation and co-localization analyses did not reveal any genetic associations between IBD and dementia. CONCLUSION Our study did not provide genetic evidence for a causal association between IBD and dementia risk. The increased risk of dementia observed in observational studies may be attributed to unobserved confounding factors or detection bias.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications* ; Dementia/etiology* ; Observational Studies as Topic ; Genome-Wide Association Study

Objective To establish a rapid screening method for 34 emerging contaminants in surface water by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS).Methods The pretreatment conditions of solid phase extraction(SPE)were op-timized by orthogonal experimental design and the surface water samples were concentrated and ex-tracted by Oasis? HLB and Oasis? MCX SPE columns in series.The extracts were separated by Kine-tex? EVO C18 column,with gradient elution of 0.1%formic acid aqueous solution and 0.1%formic acid methanol solution.Q-TOF-MS'fullscan'and'targeted MS/MS'modes were used to detect 34 emerging contaminants and to establish a database with 34 emerging contaminants precursor ion,prod-uct ion and retention times.Results The 34 emerging contaminants exhibited good linearity in the con-centration range respectively and the correlation coefficients(r)were higher than 0.97.The limit of de-tection was 0.2-10 ng/L and the recoveries were 81.2%-119.2%.The intra-day precision was 0.78%-18.70%.The method was applied to analyze multiple surface water samples and 6 emerging contaminants were detected,with a concentration range of 1.93-157.71 ng/L.Conclusion The method is simple and rapid for screening various emerging contaminants at the trace level in surface water.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Ziyin Liangxue formula combined with prednisone on immune function and the ST2/IL-33 pathway in mice with immune thrombocytopenia.Methods:In 40 BALB/c mice,32 were constructed as immune thrombocytopenia mouse models by antiplatelet serum injection.After successful modeling,the mice were randomly divided into model group,Ziyin Liangxue formula group(0.2 ml/10 g),prednisone group(0.2 ml/10 g),and Ziyin Liangxue formula+prednisone group(0.2 ml/10 g),8 mice in each group,and the other 8 mice were set as control group.The drugs were administered by gavage at the dose,and the model group and control group were given equal amounts of saline by gavage once a day for 2 weeks of continuous intervention.Blood samples and spleen tissues were collected,the peripheral platelet count was measured by automatic hematology analyzer,the pathological changes in spleen tissue was observed by HE staining,the levels of serum transforming growth factor(TGF)-β,interleukin(IL)-17,and peripheral blood thrombopoietin(TPO)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),the expression of IL-33,sST2,and ST2 in spleen tissue was detected by Western blot,and the cell counts of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg were detected by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with the control group,the number of platelets,the level of TPO,TGF-β,and Treg cells were significantly decreased(P＜().05),while the level of IL-17,Thl7 cells,and the expression of IL-33,sST2,and ST2 protein were significantly increased in the model group(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the number of platelets,the level of TPO,TGF-β,and Treg cells were significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the level of IL-17,Th17 cells,and the expression of IL-33,sST2,and ST2 protein were significantly decreased in the Ziyin Liangxue formula+prednisone group(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Ziyin Liangxue formula+prednisone can effectively regulate Th17/Treg balance,thus effectively improve immune thrombocytopenia,and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of ST2/IL-33 signaling pathway.

Aim To study the molecular mechanism of pterostilbene(PTS)inhibiting the growth of esophage-al squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods Soft agar assay was used to detect the effect of PTS on the anchored independent growth of KYSE150.TMT-la-beled quantitative proteomics analysis was used to ana-lyze the influence of PTS on the proteome of KYSE150.Then the differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)enrichment was analyzed by GO and KEGG,and signaling pathway interactions were analyzed by STRING database.The molecular docking model of PTS and PPARα was established by computer.Trans-mission electron microscopy was used to observe the in-fluence of PTS on the morphology change of KYSE150.Western blot analysis the effects of PTS on PPARα sig-naling pathway and ferroptosis related proteins expres-sion.Results PTS inhibited the anchorage-independ-ent growth capability of KYSE150.A total of 249 DEPs were identified by proteomic analysis,including 175 up-regulated proteins and 74 down-regulated pro-teins.The DEPs enrichment analysis showed that PPAR signaling pathway was related to unsaturated fat-ty acid synthesis,pyruvate metabolism and other meta-bolic signaling pathways.PTS caused the reduction of mitochondrial volume and mitochondrial cristae of KYSE150.PTS inhibited the expression of PPARα sig-naling pathway and ferroptosis related proteins.Con-clusion PTS induced the ferroptosis of ESCC by in-hibiting PPARα signaling pathway.

Objective To summarize the distribution characteristics of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)after esophageal cancer surgery,analyze the relevant risk factors for HAI,provide reference for reducing HAI after esophageal cancer surgery,and improve patients'life quality.Methods Clinical data of patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgery in a hospital from January to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.Postope-rative HAI sites and distribution were summarized.Chi-square test,univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were adopted to conduct correlation analysis on the basic characteristics,surgery-related influencing factors,antimi-crobial use,risk factors and the occurrence of HAI in patients during hospitalization period.Results A total of 404 patients underwent esophageal cancer surgery were included in the analysis,among which 102 cases had 118 epi-sodes of HAI,leading to an incidence and a case incidence of HAI of 25.25％and 29.21％respectively.The major infection sites were lower respiratory tract(n=57,48.31％),pleural cavity(n=31,26.27％),and organ space(n=16,13.56％).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥60 years(OR=2.115,95％CI:1.150-3.890),length of hospital stay ≥25 days(OR=8.388,95％CI:4.491-15.667)and duration of postope-rative antimicrobial use ≥10 days(OR=2.885,95％CI:1.506-5.527)were independent risk factors for the oc-currence of postoperative HAI(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The major HAI in patients after esophageal cancer sur-gery is lower respiratory tract infection,and is caused by multiple factors.Patients aged ≥60 years,with a length of hospital stay ≥25 days,and duration of postoperative antimicrobial use ≥10 days are more likely to develop postope-rative HAI.In order to improve the life quality of patients underwent esophageal cancer surgery,it is rec-ommended to further strengthen perioperative management,optimize the nursing quality for patients during hospi-talization,and use antimicrobial agents rationally to reduce the occurrence of HAI.

Objective To study the effects of different doses of vancomycin bone cement on serum inflammatory factors and joint function in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.Methods A total of 128 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty admitted to Handan First Hospital from August 2021 to January 2023 were selected as the study subjects.They were divided into group A(acrylic bone cement without vancomycin),group B(0.5 g vancomycin per 40 g acrylic bone cement),group C(1.0 g vancomycin per 40 g acrylic bone cement)and group D(2.0 g vancomycin per 40 g acrylic bone cement)by random number table method,with 32 patients in each group.High performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the concentration of vancomycin in drainage fluid at different time points after operation of patients in group B,group C,and group D.Immune scattering turbidimetry and Westergren method were used to detect the levels of serum C-reactive protein(CRP)and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)of patients in the four groups before operation,7 days and 6 months after operation.Hospital for special surgery knee score(HSS)was used to evaluate the knee joint function of patients in the four groups before operation and 6 months after operation.Results The concentration of vancomycin in drainage fluid of patients in group B,group C,and group D increased with the increase of dose(P<0.05),and decreased with the extension of time(P<0.05).The postoperative serum CRP and ESR levels in the four groups increasing first and then decreased with time(P<0.05).The levels of serum CRP and ESR 7 days and 6 months after operation of patients in group B,group C,and group D were significantly lower than those in group A(P<0.05).The levels of serum CRP and ESR 7 days and 6 months after operation of patients in group C and group D were significantly lower than those in group B(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in serum CRP and ESR levels between group C and group D(P>0.05).The HSS scores 6 months after operation of patients in the four groups obviously improved(P<0.05);the HSS scores 6 months after operation of patients in group B,group C and group D were higher than those in group A(P<0.05);the HSS scores 6 months after operation of patients in group C and group D were obviously higher than those in group B(P<0.05),while there was no obvious difference in the HSS scores 6 months after operation between group C and group D(P>0.05).Conclusion The use of bone cement containing vancomycin can obviously reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors CRP and ESR in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty,prevent postoperative infection,and improve joint function of patients.The degree of action of different doses of vancomycin also varies,and it is recommended to use 1.0 g of vancomycin in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of the common pathogens isolated from urine from 2015 to 2021 in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program.Methods The bacterial strains were isolated from urine and identified routinely in 51 hospitals across China in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2015 to 2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by Kirby-Bauer method,automatic microbiological analysis system and E-test according to the unified protocol.Results A total of 261 893 nonduplicate strains were isolated from urine specimen from 2015 to 2021,of which gram-positive bacteria accounted for 23.8％(62 219/261 893),and gram-negative bacteria 76.2％(199 674/261 893).The most common species were E.coli(46.7％),E.faecium(10.4％),K.pneumoniae(9.8％),E.faecalis(8.7％),P.mirabilis(3.5％),P.aeruginosa(3.4％),SS.agalactiae(2.6％),and E.cloacae(2.1％).The strains were more frequently isolated from inpatients versus outpatients and emergency patients,from females versus males,and from adults versus children.The prevalence of ESBLs-producing strains in E.coli,K.pneumoniae and P.mirabilis was 53.2％,52.8％and 37.0％,respectively.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant strains in E.coli,K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa and A.baumannii was 1.7％,18.5％,16.4％,and 40.3％,respectively.Lower than 10％of the E.faecalis isolates were resistant to ampicillin,nitrofurantoin,linezolid,vancomycin,teicoplanin and fosfomycin.More than 90％of the E.faecium isolates were ressitant to ampicillin,levofloxacin and erythromycin.The percentage of strains resistant to vancomycin,linezolid or teicoplanin was＜2％.The E.coli,K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa and A.baumannii strains isolated from ICU inpatients showed significantly higher resistance rates than the corresponding strains isolated from outpatients and non-ICU inpatients.Conclusions E.coli,Enterococcus and K.pneumoniae are the most common pathogens in urinary tract infection.The bacterial species and antimicrobial resistance of urinary isolates vary with different populations.More attention should be paid to antimicrobial resistance surveillance and reduce the irrational use of antimicrobial agents.