ObjectiveBased on the conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome， the key genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway of Lonicera macranthoides were explored， which provided a basis for further exploring the synthesis and regulation mechanism of phenylpropanoid compounds in "Xianglei" L. macranthoides. MethodsThe stem， leaves， and three flowering flowers of "Xianglei" L. macranthoides were selected as experimental materials to construct transcriptome and metabolome. The transcriptome and metabolomics were conjointly analyzed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） database and weighted correlation network analysis （WGCNA）， and the key genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway of L. macranthoides were explored. ResultsIn this study， 77 differential phenylpropanoids and 315 differential genes were found. Through the joint analysis of transcription and metabolism， nine key differential metabolites and four key genes related to them were finally discovered. Among them， cinnamic acid， 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid，sinapyl alcohol， and chlorogenic acid were higher in flowers， and the content of the iconic effective component， namely chlorogenic acid，decreased sharply during the withering period. Caffeic acid，ferulic acid， 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde，p-coumaryl alcohol， and syringin were higher in leaves. These four key genes belong to the cinnamic alcohol dehydrogenase （CAD） family， 4-coumaric acid： Coenzyme A （4CL） family， hydroxycinnamyl transferase （HCT） family， and L-phenylalanine ammonlyase （PAL） family genes. ConclusionAmong the four key genes excavated from L. macranthoides， TRINITY_DN42767_c0_g6 is related to the synthesis of p-coumaryl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. TRINITY_DN43525_c4_g1 uses caffeic acid，ferulic acid，and cinnamic acid as substrates to catalyze the next reaction. TRINITY_DN47958_c3_g4 correlates with the synthesis of 3-p-coumaroyl quinic acid and caffeoyl-CoA， and TRINITY_DN52595_c1_g2 correlates with cinnamic acid synthesis. These findings provide a basis for further exploring the synthesis and regulation mechanism of phenylpropanoids in "Xianglei" L. macranthoides.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the improvement effect of electroacupuncture (EA) based on Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture (acupuncture for regaining consciousness and opening orifices) on cognitive impairment in mice with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to explore its regulatory mechanisms on the kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A)/mitochondrial Rho GTPase 1 (Miro1) pathway and mitophagy in prefrontal cortical neurons. METHODS: A total of 70 male C57BL/6J mice of clean grade were randomly divided into a normal group (12 mice), a sham operation group (12 mice), and a model pre-screening group (46 mice). Unilateral stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle was adopted to establish the PD model in the model pre-screening group. Twenty-four mice after successful modeling were randomly selected and divided into a model group and an EA group, 12 mice in each one. In the EA group, acupuncture was applied at "Shuigou" (GV26) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Neiguan" (PC6), ipsilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Neiguan" (PC6) were connected to EA respectively, with disperse-dense wave, 5 Hz/20 Hz in frequency, 0.5 mA in current intensity, 20 min a time, 6 times a week for 30 days. Cognitive function was assessed by Y-maze and Morris water maze tests; morphology of prefrontal cortex was observed by H.E. staining; reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in prefrontal cortex was detected by fluorescence probe method; mitochondrial morphology and autophagosome ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy; the mRNA expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was detected by quantitative real-time PCR; the protein expression of TH, KIF5A, Miro1, p62, Parkin and PTEN induced kinase 1 (PINK1) was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, both the model group and the EA group exhibited increased rotation number of per minute (P<0.001). Compared with the sham operation group, in the model group, the novel arm exploration time of Y-maze test was shortened (P<0.001), the escape latency of Morris water maze test was prolonged (P<0.05) and the platform crossing number of Morris water maze test was reduced (P<0.01); in the prefrontal cortex, the number of cellular vacuole and neurons with karyopyknosis was increased (P<0.001), and mitochondrial autophagosomes could be observed; in the prefrontal cortex, the relative expression of ROS was increased (P<0.001), the protein and mRNA expression of TH was decreased (P<0.001), the protein expression of Miro1, PINK1, Parkin was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01), the protein expression of KIF5A and p62 was decreased (P<0.001). Compared with the model group, in the EA group, the novel arm exploration time of Y-maze test was prolonged (P<0.01), the escape latency of Morris water maze test was shortened (P<0.05) and the platform crossing number of Morris water maze test was increased (P<0.05); in the prefrontal cortex, the number of cellular vacuole and neurons with karyopyknosis was decreased (P<0.001), and the number of mitochondrial autophagosomes reduced and the mitochondrial morphology was improved; in the prefrontal cortex, the relative expression of ROS was decreased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression of TH was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01), the protein expression of Miro1, PINK1, Parkin was decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05), the protein expression of KIF5A and p62 was increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Xingnao Kaiqiao electroacupuncture effectively alleviates cognitive impairment and damage of neuronal function in PD mice, its mechanism may be related to the regulation of KIF5A/Miro1 pathway, hence reducing the mitophagy in prefrontal cortical neurons.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Mice ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology* ; Kinesins/genetics* ; Humans ; Mitophagy ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Mitochondria/genetics* ; Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism*

Objective To investigate prokaryotic expression of the antigen sequence (amino acids 59-145) of mouse leukemia-related protein 16 (LRP16) protein and preparation of rabbit anti-mouse LRP16 polyclonal antibody. Methods The prokaryotic expression plasmid pLS962-LRP16 was constructed by the molecular cloning method and transferred into E.coli Rosetta to express LRP16 protein induced by IPTG. The recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA affinity columns followed by gel filtration chromatography. New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with the purified antigen to generate polyclonal antiserum, with antibody titer quantified by ELISA. Antigen-specific IgG was affinity-purified using Sepharose-coupled LRP16 and validated through Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Results SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed insoluble expression of the LRP16 fusion protein as inclusion bodies. ELISA demonstrated exceptional antiserum titer (1:256 000). Western blot and immunofluorescence verified that the polyclonal antibody could specifically recognize endogenous LRP16 in murine tissues. Conclusion The prokaryotic expression of the LRP16 gene is successfully achieved, and the rabbit anti-mouse LRP16 polyclonal antibody exhibiting high specificity is prepared. This lays the foundation for further studies on the function of the LRP16 gene.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Mice ; Antibodies/immunology* ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Blotting, Western ; Antibody Specificity

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the predominant cause of subfertility in reproductive-aged women; however, its pathophysiology remains unknown. Neurotensin (NTS) is a member of the gut-brain peptide family and is involved in ovulation; its relationship with PCOS is unclear. Here, we found that NTS expression in ovarian granulosa cells and follicular fluids was markedly decreased in patients with PCOS. In the in vitro culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes, the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) antagonist SR48692 blocked cumulus expansion and oocyte meiotic maturation by inhibiting metabolic cooperation and damaging the mitochondrial structure in oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells. Furthermore, the ERK1/2-early growth response 1 pathway was found to be a key downstream mediator of NTS/NTSR1 in the ovulatory process. Animal studies showed that in vivo injection of SR48692 in mice reduced ovulation efficiency and contributed to irregular estrus cycles and polycystic ovary morphology. By contrast, NTS partially ameliorated the ovarian abnormalities in mice with dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS. Our findings highlighted the critical role of NTS reduction and consequent abnormal NTSR1 signaling in the ovulatory dysfunction of PCOS, suggesting a potential strategy for PCOS treatment.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology* ; Female ; Animals ; Neurotensin/metabolism* ; Receptors, Neurotensin/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Mice ; Ovulation/drug effects* ; Humans ; Granulosa Cells/metabolism* ; Adult ; Oocytes/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Signal Transduction ; Follicular Fluid/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/analogs & derivatives*

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of the extract of Liuwei Dihuangwan （LW） on mitochondrial damage in the Alzheimer's disease （AD） model of Caenorhabditis elegans （C. elegans）. MethodC. elegans transfected with human β-amyloid protein （Aβ） _1-42 gene was used as an AD model. The rats were divided into blank group， model group， metformin group （50 mmol·L^-1）， and low， medium， and high dose （1.04， 2.08， 4.16 g·kg^-1） LW groups. Behavioral methods were used to observe the sensitivity of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in nematodes. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Aβ in nematodes. Total ATP content in nematodes was detected by the adenine nucleoside triphosphate （ATP） kit， and mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by the JC-1 method. In addition， the mRNA expression of Aβ expression gene （Amy-1）， superoxide dismutase-1 （SOD-1）， mitochondrial transcription factor A homologous gene-5 （HMG-5）， mitochondrial power-associated protein 1 （DRP1）， and mitochondrial mitoprotein 1 （FIS1） was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. ResultThe extract of LW could reduce the hypersensitivity of the AD model of nematodes to exogenous 5-HT （P<0.05） and delay the AD-like pathological characteristics of hypersensitivity to exogenous 5-HT caused by toxicity from overexpression of Aβ in neurons of the AD model of nematodes. Compared with the blank group， in the model group， the mRNA expression of Aβ protein and Amy-1 increased （P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression of SOD-1 and HMG-5 decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of DRP1 and FIS1 increased （P<0.01）， and the level of mitochondrial membrane potential decreased （P<0.05）. The content of ATP decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， in the positive medicine group and medium and high dose LW groups， the mRNA expression of Aβ protein and Amy-1 decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression of SOD-1 and HMG-5 increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of DRP1 decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and that of FIS1 decreased （P<0.01）. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential increased （P<0.01）， and the content of ATP increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe extract of LW may enhance the antioxidant ability of mitochondria， protect mitochondrial DNA， reduce the fragmentation of mitochondrial division， repair the damaged mitochondria， adjust the mitochondrial membrane potential， restore the level of neuronal ATP， and reduce the neuronal damage caused by Aβ deposition.

Objective To investigate the reversal effect and mechanism of cinobufagin(CBG)on cisplatin resist-ance in human ovarian cancer cells.Methods A2780 cell line and its cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780/DDP are common ovarian cancer cells in clinic,so these two cell lines were selected as the research objects.The cell viabil-ity was detected by cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and the cell proliferation ability was detected by plate clo-ning and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)assay.Hoechst staining was used to observe cell apoptosis.Cell scratch test and Transwell test were used to evaluate cell migration and invasion ability.Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR)were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of phosphatidylinosi-tol 3-kinase/protein kinase(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Re-sults Compared with A2780 cells,the drug resistance indexes of A2780/DDP cells were 5.636,5.864,5.695,respectively.After treatment of A2780/DDP cells with CBG(2,4,6 mg/ml),the reversal resistance indexes were 1.617,2.570,3.461,respectively.CBG treatment significantly increased the level of apoptosis and inhibi-ted the proliferation,migration and invasion of the cells in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05).Western blot results showed that compared with A2780 cells,the relative ratio of P-PI3K/PI3K and P-AKT/AKT protein levels,as well as the protein expression of N-cadherin,Vimentin,and Snail were higher in the control group(A2780/DDP)cells,while the protein expression of E-cadherin was lower(tP-PI3K/PI3K=8.115,tP-AKT/AKT=17.62,tN-cadherin=6.126,tVimentin=4.001,tSnail=17.333,tE-cadherin=4.620,P<0.01);As the dose of CBG increased,the protein expression levels of P-PI3K,P-AKT,N-cadherin,Vimentin,and Snail in drug-resistant cells de-creased,while the protein expression level of E-cadherin increased(FP-PI3K=268.5,FP-AKT=190.5,FN-cadherin=24.02,FVimentin=57.65,FSnail=87.24,FE-cadherin=135.8,P<0.05).qRT-PCR results showed that with the in-crease of CBG concentration,the mRNA expression levels of PI3K,AKT,N-cadherin,Vimentin and Snail de-creased,while the mRNA expression level of E-cadherin gradually increased(FPI3K=101.1,FAKT=558.3,FN-cadherin=86.97,FVimentin=105.9,FSnail=85.71,FE-cadherin=80.96,P<0.01).Conclusion CBG can reverse cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer A2780/DDP cell line,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and inhibition of EMT by CBG.

Background Schizophrenia patients often face high level of stigma and low level of self-esteem,significantly hindering their recovery.Mindfulness-based intervention has proven be effective in reducing stigma and improving self-esteem.However,traditional mindfulness intervention typically involve high costs and require long-term professional involvement.Objective To explore the effects of blended mindfulness interventions on stigma and self-esteem in patients with stable schizophrenia,so as to provide references for reducing stigma,enhancing self-esteem and promoting recovery.Methods Patients receiving outpatient treatment at the Third Hospital of Daqing from June 2022 to January 2023,who met the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia in the International Classification of Diseases,tenth edition(ICD-10)and were in a stable phase,were recruited for the study(n=84).According to the random number table method,participants were randomly assigned to study group and control group,with 42 cases in each group.Both groups received treatment with the second-generation antipsychotic medications,while the study group additionally received blended mindfulness intervention for 8 weeks,with sessions lasting 45～60 minutes,three times a week.Both groups were evaluated with Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire(FFMQ),Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory(ISMI)and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale(RSES)at baseline and after 8-week intervention.Covariance analysis was used to compare the FFMQ,ISMI and SES scores between two groups after 8-week intervention.Results After 8-week intervention,there were statistically significant differences between two groups in total FFMQ scores,as well as in the observation,acting with awareness,non-judgment and non-reactivity subscale scores(F=50.680,12.952,13.567,22.799,14.043,P<0.01).Statistically significant differences were observed in total ISMI scores,and in the alienation,stereotype endorsement,discrimination experience,stigma resistance and social withdrawal subscale scores(F=513.125,148.990,125.055,75.996,154.850,54.125,P<0.01).The difference in RSES scores between two groups was also statistically significant(F=19.478,P<0.01).Conclusion Blended mindfulness intervention may help improve the mindfulness and self-esteem in stable schizophrenia patients while reducing stigma.

In this study,structural optimization of borneol was carried out to improve their solubility and promote their further application in stroke therapy.BP-3,a prodrug of borneol,was designed and synthesized based on the principle of phosphate modification.The solubility of BP-3 was determined by evaporative light scattering detector(ELSD),and the degree and speed of drug release were tested in mouse plasma,and the neuroprotective effect of BP-3 was evaluated in mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion(tMCAO).According to the results,BP-3 was completely soluble in saline at 20 mg/mL;in mouse plasma,approximately 40%of the borneol were released within 2 h;in the tMCAO mouse model,TTC staining showed that BP-3 was effective in reducing the infarct area;Nissl staining showed that BP-3 ameliorated the neuronal injury;the grip and grasping strength tests elucidated that BP-3 reduced the damage of sports ability caused by injury;and the rotating rod test proved that BP-3 could promote the recovery of motor ability in mice.BP-3 has good water solubility,suitable drug release rate and excellent neuroprotective effects,and has broad prospects for drug development.

Objective To develop a highly sensitive and rapid nucleic acid detection method for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2). Methods We designed,developed,and manufactured an integrated disposable device for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction and detection.The precision of the liquid transfer and temperature control was tested.A comparison between our device and a commercial kit for SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid extraction was performed using real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The entire process,from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction to amplification,was evaluated. Results The precision of the syringe transfer volume was 19.2±1.9 μL(set value was 20),32.2±1.6(set value was 30),and 57.2±3.5(set value was 60).Temperature control in the amplification tube was measured at 60.0±0.0 ℃(set value was 60)and 95.1±0.2 ℃(set value was 95)respectively.SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid extraction yield through the device was 7.10×106 copies/mL,while a commercial kit yielded 2.98×106 copies/mL.The mean time to complete the entire assay,from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction to amplification detection,was 36 min and 45 s.The detection limit for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was 250 copies/mL. Conclusion The integrated disposable devices may be used for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care test(POCT).