ObjectiveThis study aims to develop a prediction model for the compatibility of Chinese medicinal pairs based on Graph Convolutional Networks （GCN）， named HC-GCN. The model integrates the properties of herbs with modern pharmacological mechanisms to predict pairs with specific therapeutic effects. It serves as a demonstration by applying the model to predict and validate the efficacy of blood-activating herb pairs. MethodsThe training dataset for herb pair prediction was constructed by systematically collecting commonly used herb pairs along with their characteristic data， including Qi， flavor， meridian tropism， and target genes. Integrating traditional characteristics of herb with modern bioinformatics， we developed an efficacy-oriented herb pair compatibility prediction model （HC-GCN） using graph convolutional networks （GCN）. This model leverages machine learning to capture the complex relationships in herb pair compatibility， weighted by efficacy features. The performance of the HC-GCN model was evaluated using accuracy （ACC）， recall， precision， F1 score （F1）， and area under the ROC curve （AUC）. Its predictive effectiveness was then compared to five other machine learning models： eXtreme Gradient Boosting （XGBoost）， logistic regression （LR）， Naive Bayes， K-nearest neighbor （KNN）， and support vector machine （SVM）. ResultsUsing herb pairs with blood-activating effects as a demonstration， a prediction model was constructed based on a foundational dataset of 46 blood-activating herb pairs， incorporating their Qi， flavor， meridian tropism， and target gene characteristics. The HC-GCN model outperforms other commonly used machine learning models in key performance metrics， including ACC， recall， precision， F1 score， and AUC. Through the predictive analysis of the HC-GCN model， 60 herb pairs with blood-activating effects were successfully identified. Among of these potential herb pairs， 44 include at least one herb with blood-activating effects. ConclusionIn this study， we established an efficacy-oriented compatibility prediction model for herb pairs based on GCN by integrating the unique characteristics of traditional herbs with modern pharmacological mechanisms. This model demonstrated high predictive performance， offering a novel approach for the intelligent screening and optimization of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions， as well as their clinical applications.

Background Arsenic is an environmentally harmful substance that causes hepatic insulin resistance and liver damage, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Objective To explore whether the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is involved in insulin resistance in HepG2 cells after arsenic exposure through the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) / glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) pathway. Methods Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and an appropriate NaAsO₂ infection dose was determined. A cellular arsenic exposure model of HepG2 cells was established by four concentrations of NaAsO₂ solution for 24 h (the experiment was divided into four groups: 0, 2, 4, and 8 μmol·L⁻¹); HepG2 cells were firstly treated with pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2 and pcDNA3.1-NC respectively for 6 h, then with 8 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ for 24 h to establish a IGF2BP2 overexpression cell model (the experiment was divided into 4 groups: control, NaAsO₂, NaAsO₂+pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2, and NaAsO₂+pcDNA3.1-NC); finally the cells were subject to 100 nmol·L⁻¹ insulin stimulation for 30 min. Glycogen and glucose in HepG2 cells were determined by glycogen and glucose assay kits; mRNA expression levels of IGF2BP2 were measured by quantitative real-time PCR; protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in HepG2 were detected by Western blot (WB); and the binding of IGF2BP2 to PPAR-γ and PPAR-γ to GLUT4 was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) experiment. Results The results of CCK8 experiment showed a dose-effect relationship between NaAsO₂ concentration and cell viability. When the concentration of NaAsO₂ was ≥4 μmol·L⁻¹ , the cell viabilities were lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). With the increasing dose of NaAsO₂ infection, reduced glucose consumption and glycogen levels in HepG2 cells were found in the 2, 4, and 8 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ treatment groups compared to the control group (P <0.05). The difference between the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 in the HepG2 cells treated with 4 or 8 μmol L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ and the control group was significant (P <0.05). In the IGF2BP2 overexpression cell model, compared with the control group, glucose consumption and glycogen levels were lowered in the NaAsO₂ group (P <0.05), the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 and the protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in the cell membrane were all decreased (P <0.05). Compared with the NaAsO₂ group, the glucose consumption and glycogen levels were increased in the NaAsO₂+pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2 group (P <0.05), and the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 and the protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in the cell membrane were all increased (P <0.05). The results of CO-IP experiments showed that IGF2BP2 interacted with PPAR-γ as well as PPAR-γ with GLUT4 protein. Conclusion IGF2BP2 is involved in arsenic exposure-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cells by acting on the PPAR-γ/GLUT4 pathway.

Objective To explore the normal reference range of perchlorate content in the urine of primary school students, and compare whether there are differences in their urine perchlorate contents among different populations, and to provide reference for the health care of primary school students. Methods A total of 441 primary school students aged 6 to 15 years old in a certain city were selected, and their urine samples were collected. The contents of perchlorate in the urine were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and the measurement data was statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results There was no significant gender difference in the content of perchlorate in the urine of primary school students, but there was an age difference. The normal reference range for the content of perchlorate in the urine of primary school students aged 6-9 years old was 0-99.09 μg/L, and the normal reference range for the content of perchlorate in the urine of primary school students aged 10-15 years old was 0-74.56 μg/L. Conclusion Through the measurement and analysis of a large number of samples, a normal reference range for the content of urinary perchlorate in primary school students have been recommended.

Peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals targeting integrin α5β1 show promise for precise tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, current peptide-based radioligands that target α5β1 demonstrate inadequate in vivo performance owing to limited tumor retention. The use of PEGylation to enhance the tumor retention of radiopharmaceuticals by prolonging blood circulation time poses a risk of increased blood toxicity. Therefore, a PEGylation strategy that boosts tumor retention while minimizing blood circulation time is urgently needed. Here, we developed a PEGylation-enabled peptide multidisplay platform (PEGibody) for PR_b, an α5β1 targeting peptide. PEGibody generation involved PEGylation and self-assembly. [⁶⁴Cu]QM-2303 PEGibodies displayed spherical nanoparticles ranging from 100 to 200 nm in diameter. Compared with non-PEGylated radioligands, [⁶⁴Cu]QM-2303 demonstrated enhanced tumor retention time due to increased binding affinity and stability. Importantly, the biodistribution analysis confirmed rapid clearance of [⁶⁴Cu]QM-2303 from the bloodstream. Administration of a single dose of [¹⁷⁷Lu]QM-2303 led to robust antitumor efficacy. Furthermore, [⁶⁴Cu]/[¹⁷⁷Lu]QM-2303 exhibited low hematological and organ toxicity in both healthy and tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, this study presents a PEGibody-based radiotheranostic approach that enhances tumor retention time and provides long-lasting antitumor effects without prolonging blood circulation lifetime. The PEGibody-based radiopharmaceutical [⁶⁴Cu]/[¹⁷⁷Lu]QM-2303 shows great potential for positron emission tomography imaging-guided targeted radionuclide therapy for α5β1-overexpressing tumors.

Cerebral edema is characterized by fluid accumulation, and the glymphatic system (GS) plays a pivotal role in regulating fluid transport. Using the Tenecteplase system, magnesium salt of salvianolic acid B/ginsenoside Rg1 (SalB/Rg1) was injected intravenously into mice 4.5 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion and once every 24 h for the following 72 h. GS function was assessed by Evans blue imaging, near-infrared fluorescence region II (NIR-II) imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SalB/Rg1 had significant effects on reducing the infarct volume and hemorrhagic transformation score, improving neurobehavioral function, and protecting tissue structure, especially inhibiting cerebral edema. Meanwhile, the influx/efflux drainage of GS was enhanced by SalB/Rg1 according to NIR-II imaging and MRI. SalB/Rg1 inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, reduced cleaved β-dystroglycan (β-DG), and stabilized aquaporin-4 (AQP4) polarity, which was verified by colocalization with CD31. Our findings indicated that SalB/Rg1 treatment enhances GS function and attenuates cerebral edema, accompanying the regulation of the MMP9/β-DG/AQP4 pathway.
Animals ; Ginsenosides/administration & dosage* ; Brain Edema/etiology* ; Male ; Benzofurans/administration & dosage* ; Glymphatic System/diagnostic imaging* ; Mice ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/drug therapy* ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Depsides

Atrial fibrillation(AF)is one of the most common arrhythmias in clinical practice,with a high rate of death and disability.In recent years,with the help of catheter ablation and other techniques,some patients can maintain sinus rhythm,achieving the goal of eradicating AF.However,the recurrence rate of atrial arrhythmias after the first radiofrequency ablation is still around 20%to 30%at present,and the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for AF has not yet reached the expected level.Exploring the risk factors for recurrence after ablation,inter-vening and continuously and improving the catheter ablation procedure are extremely important for reducing the risk of recurrence.This article reviews the latest research progress on the recurrence of atrial arrhythmias after catheter ablation for AF.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2),a histone methyltransferase,in regula-ting the biological behavior of ovarian cancer(OC)and provide the experimental support for finding new therapeutic targets in the treat-ment of OC.Methods The small interfered RNAs(siRNAs)of EZH2 were used to knock down EZH2 in different OC cell lines,and the interfering efficiency of siEZH2 mRNAs and protein were evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot.The cell proliferation,migra-tion,invasion ability and apoptosis of OC cells before and after EZH2 interference were evaluated by the CCK-8,wound healing,Tran-swell and flow cytometry.The expression levels of early growth response 1(EGR1)and H3K27me3 proteins after EZH2 interference were determined by Western blot.Meanwhile,the mechanism of EZH2 regulating the biological behavior of OC cells was explored.Re-sults The expression levels of EZH2 mRNA in OC cells transfected with siEZH2 were significantly lower than that in the negative con-trol group(P＜0.05)and the expression levels of EZH2 protein in A2780 cells were also significantly downregulated(P＜0.05).The results of Western blot showed that the expression levels of EGR1 and H3K27me3 proteins were reduced to varying degrees.After trans-fection with siEZH2-1,the proliferation ability of A2780 cells in the transfected group was significantly lower than that in the negative control group(P＜0.05).The results of the cell scratch test and Transwell test showed that the migration and invasion ability of OC cells transfected with siEZH2-1 were significantly weakened(P＜0.05).The results of flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis of OC cells transfected with siEZH2-1 was significantly enhanced(P＜0.05).Conclusion EZH2 is highly expressed in OC cells and can promote the proliferation,migration,invasion and anti-apoptosis of A2780 cells.However,EZH2 affects the biological behavior of ovar-ian cancer not by regulating the expression of EGR1 through its H3K27me3 transferase activity.

BACKGROUND:High-methionine diet can cause liver injury in Cbs+/-mice,and hyperhomocystinemia is related to the occurrence and progression of various liver-related diseases,such as hepatic steatosis,autoimmune hepatitis,and alcoholic fatty liver disease.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are involved in various cellular processes including cell survival,differentiation and autophagy,which are of great significance. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the critical role of miR-144-3p on Cbs+/-mouse hepatocyte autophagy induced by high methionine die. METHODS:(1)Ten male cystathione-β-synthase normal(Cbs+/+)mice and another 10 male mice with single gene knockout(Cbs+/-)of similar body mass,4 weeks of age,were fed a high-methionine diet and executed after 12 weeks to take liver tissue.(2)Human hepatocytes(HL-7702)were cultured in vitro and divided into control[0 μmol/L homocysteine(Hcy)],Hcy(100 μmol/L Hcy),mimic-NC(transfected with mimic-NC),mimic-NC + Hcy(mimic-NC transfecton+100 μmol/L Hcy),miR-144-3p mimic(transfected with miR-144-3p mimic),and miR-144-3p mimic + Hcy(miR-144-3p mimic transfection+100 μ mol/L Hcy),inhibitor-NC(transfected with inhibitor-NC),inhibitor-NC + Hcy(inhibitor-NC transfection + 100 μmol/L Hcy),miR-144-3p inhibitor(transfected with miR-144-3p inhibitor),and miR-144-3p inhibitor + Hcy(miR-144-3p inhibitor transfection + 100 μmol/L Hcy).Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-144-3p in liver tissue and hepatocytes.After transfection of miR-144-3p mimic or inhibitor,quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to detect the transfection efficiency of miR-144-3p and its effect on the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3B and p62.The levels of alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase in hepatocyte supernatants were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between the expression of miR-144-3 in hepatocyte and the levels of alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase in hepatocyte supernatants were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the Cbs+/+ group and control group,the expression of miR-144-3p in the liver tissue of the Cbs+/-group and in hepatocytes of the Hcy group was decreased(P<0.01).The expression of LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰ was decreased in hepatocyte after transfection of miR-144-3p mimic,while the protein expression of p62 was increased(P<0.01).The opposite results were obtained after transfection of miR-144-3p inhibitor(P<0.01).Compared with the mimic-NC group,the levels of alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase were decreased in the miR-144-3p mimic group(P<0.01),while the opposite results were obtained in the inhibitor-NC group(P<0.01).The expression of miR-144-3p in hepatocytes was negatively correlated with the levels of alanine transferase(P<0.01,r=-0.887 6)and aspartate aminotransferase(P<0.01,r=-0.829 9)in the supernatant of hepatocytes.To conclude,Hcy promotes hepatocyte autophagy by inhibiting the expression of miR-144-3p,which subsequently aggravates liver injury.

Objective To explore the action mechanism of tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA)promoting intracellular clearance of Burkholderia pseudomallei(B.pseudomallei)in RAW264.7 macrophages.Methods After TUDCA of different concentrations were used to treat RAW264.7 cells pre-infected with B.pseudomallei for 8 h or not,flow cytometry was applied to detect the apoptosis of the infected and control cells.In addition,another endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)inhibitor 4-PBA was used to detect the apoptosis and proliferation of host cells after B.pseudomallei infection with Annexin-V/PI double staining and MTT cell proliferation assay.Furthermore,after transfected with CHOP siRNA,Western blotting and flow cytometry were employed to detect the effect of TUDCA on the expression levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 and the changes in apoptotic rate after B.pseudomallei infection,respectively.Finally,the effect of TUDCA on intracellular multiplication of infected RAW264.7 cells were observed to estimate the CFU value in the presence and absence of CHOP siRNA.Results Under different concentrations of TUDCA,100 or 200 μmol/L TUDCA significantly reduced B.pseudomallei-induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,both TUDCA and 4-PBA treatment could decrease the apoptosis induced by B.pseudomallei infection by ERS(P＜0.05).Further,the expression levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 were obviously increased after B.pseudomallei infection compared with uninfected groups,but their expression levels in the siCHOP group was significantly lower than that in the siC group.Besides,flow cytometry also showed that TUDCA could reduce apoptosis induced by B.pseudomallei infection(P＜0.05),but no significant effect of TUDCA on apoptosis was observed under CHOP knockdown.Finally,intracellular CFU assay indicated that TUDCA treatment promoted the host cell clearance of B.pseudomallei(P＜0.05),but no such effect was observed in siCHOP group.Conclusion In B.pseudomallei infected RAW264.7 cells,TUDCA promotes the intracellular clearance of the bacteria by inhibiting ERS-induced apoptosis.

Background Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can disrupt the metabolic homeostasis of the liver and accelerate the progression of liver diseases, but there are few studies on the effects of sub-chronic PM_2.5 exposure on the liver metabolome. Objectives To investigate the effects of sub-chronic exposure to concentrated PM_2.5 on hepatic metabolomics in mice by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and to identify potentially affected metabolites and metabolic pathways. Methods Twelve male C57BL/6J (6 weeks old) mice were randomly divided into two groups: a concentrated PM_2.5 exposure group and a clean air exposure group. The mice were exposed to concentrated PM_2.5 using the "Shanghai Meteorological and Environmental Animal Exposure System" at Fudan University. The exposure duration was 8 h per day, 6 d per week, for a total of 8 weeks. The mice's liver tissues were collected 24 h after the completion of exposure. LC-MS was performed to assess changes in the hepatic metabolome. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and t-test were employed to identify differentially regulated metabolites between the two groups under the conditions of variable important in projection (VIP)≥1.0 and P<0.05. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 software and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Results A total of 297 differentially regulated metabolites were identified between the concentrated PM_2.5 exposure group and the clean air group. Among these metabolites, 142 were upregulated and 155 were downregulated. A total of 38 metabolic pathways were altered, with 7 pathways showing significant perturbation (P<0.05). These pathways involved amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, as well as cofactor and vitamin metabolism. The 7 significant metabolic pathways were pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis; purine metabolism; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; and fructose and mannose metabolism. Conclusion The results from metabolomics analysis suggest that sub-chronic exposure to PM_2.5 may disrupt hepatic energy metabolism and induce oxidative stress damage. Aspartic acid, succinic acid, ornithine, fumaric acid, as well as purine and xanthine derivatives, were identified as potential early biomarkers of hepatic response to sub-chronic PM_2.5 exposure.