With the rapid development of sequencing technologies, the detection of alternative polyadenylation (APA) in mammals has become more precise. APA precisely regulates gene expression by altering the length and position of the poly(A) tail, and is involved in various biological processes such as disease occurrence and embryonic development. The research on APA in mammals mainly focuses on the following aspects:(1) identifying APA based on transcriptome data and elucidating their characteristics; (2) investigating the relationship between APA and gene expression regulation to reveal its important role in life regulation;(3) exploring the intrinsic connections between APA and disease occurrence, embryonic development, differentiation, and other life processes to provide new perspectives and methods for disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as uncovering embryonic development regulatory mechanisms. In this review, the classification, mechanisms and functions of APA were elaborated in detail and the methods for APA identifying and APA data resources based on various transcriptome data were systematically summarized. Moreover, we epitomized and provided an outlook on research on APA, emphasizing the role of sequencing technologies in driving studies on APA in mammals. In the future, with the further development of sequencing technology, the regulatory mechanisms of APA in mammals will become clearer.

BACKGROUND: Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death caused by acute ocular hypertension is an important characteristic of acute glaucoma. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) that mediates necroptosis is a potential therapeutic target for RGC death. However, the current understanding of the targeting agents and mechanisms of RIPK3 in the treatment of glaucoma remains limited. Notably, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have significantly advanced drug discovery. This study aimed to discover RIPK3 inhibitor with AI assistance. METHODS: An acute ocular hypertension model was used to simulate pathological ocular hypertension in vivo . We employed a series of AI methods, including large language and graph neural network models, to identify the target compounds of RIPK3. Subsequently, these target candidates were validated using molecular simulations (molecular docking, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity [ADMET] prediction, and molecular dynamics simulations) and biological experiments (Western blotting and fluorescence staining) in vitro and in vivo . RESULTS: AI-driven drug screening techniques have the potential to greatly accelerate drug development. A compound called HG9-91-01, identified using AI methods, exerted neuroprotective effects in acute glaucoma. Our research indicates that all five candidates recommended by AI were able to protect the morphological integrity of RGC cells when exposed to hypoxia and glucose deficiency, and HG9-91-01 showed a higher cell survival rate compared to the other candidates. Furthermore, HG9-91-01 was found to protect the retinal structure and reduce the loss of retinal layers in an acute glaucoma model. It was also observed that the neuroprotective effects of HG9-91-01 were highly correlated with the inhibition of PANoptosis (apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis). Finally, we found that HG9-91-01 can regulate key proteins related to PANoptosis, indicating that this compound exerts neuroprotective effects in the retina by inhibiting the expression of proteins related to apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis. CONCLUSION AI-enabled drug discovery revealed that HG9-91-01 could serve as a potential treatment for acute glaucoma.
Animals ; Glaucoma/metabolism* ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male

Objective To explore the targets and pathways of Cynanchum wilfordii for treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods UPLC-QE-MS was used to identify the components of Cynanchum wilfordii ethanol extract,and their targets were screened using public databases for construction of the core protein-protein interaction(PPI)network and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Forty male C57 mice were randomized into normal control group,model group,mesalazine group and Cynanchum wilfordii group(n=10),and in the latter 3 groups,mouse UC models were established by treatment with 2.5%DSS and the latter 2 groups drug interventions by gavage.The therapeutic effect was evaluated by recording body weight changes and DAI score.Pathological changes of the colon tissue were observed with HE and AB-PAS staining,and JAK2 and STAT3 protein expressions were detected with Western blotting.The metabolites and metabolic pathways were identified by metabonomics analysis.Results We identified 240 chemical components in Cynanchum wilfordii alcoholic extracts,including 19 steroids.A total of 177 Cynanchum wilfordii targets,5406 UC genes,and 117 intersection genes were obtained.JAK2 and STAT3 were the core targets and significantly enriched in lipid and atherosclerosis pathways.Cynanchum wilfordii treatment significantly increased the body weight and decreased DAI score of UC mice(P<0.05),alleviated intestinal pathologies,and decreased JAK2 and STAT3 protein expressions in the colon tissues.Most of the 83 intersecting differential metabolites between the control,model and Cynanchum wilfordii groups were identified as glycerophospholipids,arachidonic acid,and amino acids involving glycerophospholipid metabolism and other pathways.Correlation analysis suggested that the core targets of Cynanchum wilfordii for UC participated in regulation of the metabolites.Conclusion Cynanchum wilfordii alleviates lipid and amino acid metabolism disorders to lessen UC in mice by regulating the core targets including JAK2 and STAT3 and the levels of endogenous metabolites.

Objective To explore the targets and pathways of Cynanchum wilfordii for treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods UPLC-QE-MS was used to identify the components of Cynanchum wilfordii ethanol extract,and their targets were screened using public databases for construction of the core protein-protein interaction(PPI)network and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Forty male C57 mice were randomized into normal control group,model group,mesalazine group and Cynanchum wilfordii group(n=10),and in the latter 3 groups,mouse UC models were established by treatment with 2.5%DSS and the latter 2 groups drug interventions by gavage.The therapeutic effect was evaluated by recording body weight changes and DAI score.Pathological changes of the colon tissue were observed with HE and AB-PAS staining,and JAK2 and STAT3 protein expressions were detected with Western blotting.The metabolites and metabolic pathways were identified by metabonomics analysis.Results We identified 240 chemical components in Cynanchum wilfordii alcoholic extracts,including 19 steroids.A total of 177 Cynanchum wilfordii targets,5406 UC genes,and 117 intersection genes were obtained.JAK2 and STAT3 were the core targets and significantly enriched in lipid and atherosclerosis pathways.Cynanchum wilfordii treatment significantly increased the body weight and decreased DAI score of UC mice(P<0.05),alleviated intestinal pathologies,and decreased JAK2 and STAT3 protein expressions in the colon tissues.Most of the 83 intersecting differential metabolites between the control,model and Cynanchum wilfordii groups were identified as glycerophospholipids,arachidonic acid,and amino acids involving glycerophospholipid metabolism and other pathways.Correlation analysis suggested that the core targets of Cynanchum wilfordii for UC participated in regulation of the metabolites.Conclusion Cynanchum wilfordii alleviates lipid and amino acid metabolism disorders to lessen UC in mice by regulating the core targets including JAK2 and STAT3 and the levels of endogenous metabolites.

This study utilized a chiral liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-guided isolation strategy to accurately capture angular-type pyranocoumarins (APs) in Peucedani Radix (Chinese name: Qianhu). Sixteen APs were successfully purified from the ethyl acetate extract of Peucedani Radix through deploying various techniques such as silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and achiral (chiral) semi-preparative liquid chromatography. After extensive structural measurements, such as ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, their structures were identified as (3′S)-3′-(2-methyl-butyroyl)-4′-oxo-3′,4′-dihydroseselin (1A), (3′R)-3′-(2-methyl-butyroyl)-4′-oxo-3′,4′-dihydroseselin (1B), (3′S)-3′-isovaleryl-4′-oxo-lomatin (2A), (3′R)-3′-isovaleryl-4′-oxo-lomatin (2B), (3′S)-3′-angeloyloxy-4′-oxo-3′,4′-dihydroseselin (3A), (3′R)-3′-angeloyloxy-4′-oxo-3′,4′-dihydroseselin (3B), (3′S,4′S)-praeruptorin B (4A), (3′R,4′R)-praeruptorin B (4B), (3′S,4′S)-praeruptorin E (5A), (3′R,4′R)-praeruptorin E (5B), 3′-isovaleryl-4′-angeloyl-cis-khellactone (6), 3′-angeloyl-4′-(2-methyl-butyroyl)-cis-khellactone (7), (3′S,4′S)-praeruptorin A (8A), (3′R,4′R)-praeruptorin A (8B), (3′S,4′S)-khellactone (9A), and (3′R,4′R)-khellactone (9B), respectively. Thereof, compounds 1A and 1B were new compounds, while compound 2A represents a new configuration for a known planar structure. Compounds 2A and 2B were isolated for the first time from Peucedani Radix. Above all, chiral LC-MS-guided isolation strategy is advantageous at rapid capturing new compounds from herbal medicines, providing an effective means for the separation of novel structures, especially new enantiomers.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

The peeled stems of Syringa pinnatifolia(SP) is a representative Mongolian folk medicine with the effects of anti-depression, heat clearance, pain relief, and respiration improvement. It has been clinically used for the treatment of coronary heart disease, insomnia, asthma, and other cardiopulmonary diseases. As part of the systematic study on pharmacological substances of SP, 11 new sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the terpene-containing fractions of the ethanol extract of SP by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance(~1H-NMR) guided isolation methods. The planar structures of the sesquiterpenoids were identified by MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR data analysis, and were named pinnatanoids C and D(1 and 2), and alashanoids T-ZI(3-11), respectively. The structure types of the sesquiterpenoids included pinnatane, humulane, seco-humulane, guaiane, carryophyllane, seco-erimolphane, isodaucane, and other types. However, limited to the low content of compounds, the existence of multiple chiral centers, the flexibility of the structure, or lack of ultraviolet absorption, the stereoscopic configuration remained unresolved. The discovery of various sesquiterpenoids enriches the understanding of the chemical composition of the genus and species and provides references for further analysis of pharmacological substances of SP.
Syringa ; Sesquiterpenes ; Terpenes ; Asthma ; Chromatography, Liquid

Attributed to the miniaturized body size and active mobility, micro- and nanomotors (MNMs) have demonstrated tremendous potential for medical applications. However, from bench to bedside, massive efforts are needed to address critical issues, such as cost-effective fabrication, on-demand integration of multiple functions, biocompatibility, biodegradability, controlled propulsion and in vivo navigation. Herein, we summarize the advances of biomedical MNMs reported in the past two decades, with particular emphasis on the design, fabrication, propulsion, navigation, and the abilities of biological barriers penetration, biosensing, diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery and targeted cargo delivery. Future perspectives and challenges are discussed as well. This review can lay the foundation for the future direction of medical MNMs, pushing one step forward on the road to achieving practical theranostics using MNMs.

OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effects and mechanisms of Tujia medicine musk needle therapy on cognitive dysfunction in ischemic stroke model rats. METHODS Totally 44 rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， musk needle treatment group and ordinary acupuncture group， with 11 rats in each group. Except for the sham operation group， ischemic stroke model was induced by modified suture method in other groups. After modeling， musk needle treatment group and the ordinary acupuncture group were treated with Tujia musk needle （containing 3 mg of artificial musk） and traditional filiform needle respectively to intervene in the muscle layer of the contralateral scalp motor area， with an intervention duration of 3 courses. The sham operation group and model group were not given any treatment. The neurological deficits score in rats were recorded and Morris water maze behavioral tests were conducted. The morphology of neurons in the cortical area of rats was observed， and the expression of DCX/BrdU and NeuN/BrdU co-labeled cells in the ischemic subependymal area was observed. The plasma levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） and vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） in rats were tested. RESULTS Compared with sham operation group， neurological deficit score of model group was increased significantly， escape latency prolonged significantly， and the times of crossing platform significantly reduced （P＜0.05）； the neuronal structure was significantly damaged， and the number of surrounding Nissl bodies decreased； the number of DCX/BrdU and NeuN/BrdU co- labeled cells in the ischemic subependymal area were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； the levels of HIF-1α and VEGF in plasma were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， neurological deficits score， escape latency， the times of crossing platform were all reversed significantly in musk needle treatment group and ordinary acupuncture group （P＜0.05）； the neuronal structure was improved， and the number of Nissl bodies increased； the number of DCX/BrdU and NeuN/BrdU co-labeled cells in the ischemic subependymal area were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； the plasma levels of HIF-1α and VEGF were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with ordinary acupuncture group， the plasma level of HIF-1α was reduced （the difference was not statistically significant）， while the level of VEGF was significantly increased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Tujia medicine musk needle therapy can significantly improve the cognitive dysfunction in ischemic stroke model rats， and its mechanism of action may be associated with promoting migration and differentiation of neural stem cell in ischemic subependymal area， preventing the excessive release of HIF-1α and increasing the expression of VEGF.

AIM: To investigate the influence of the duration of orthokeratology lens cessation on patients' refractive status and corneal endothelial cells.METHODS: Adolescent myopia patients who wore orthokeratology lens from July 2019 to July 2020 and recently planned to stop wearing the lens were divided into mild group and severe group according to spherical equivalent. Refractive status, corneal morphology, corneal endothelial cells, and visual quality were measured at cessation and 1, 2 and 3mo after cessation.RESULTS: The corneal flat K values, steep K values and mean K values in the two groups were lower at cessation than those before wearing lenses. These values returned to the level before wearing lenses at 2mo after cessation(P>0.05). The corneal astigmatism, surface regularity index and surface asymmetry index in each group showed no statistically significant difference before wearing lenses and at 1, 2 and 3mo after cessation(P>0.05). There was no significant change in corneal endothelial cell density of the two groups at 1, 2 and 3mo after cessation compared with those before wearing lenses(P>0.05). The proportion of hexagonal cells in the two groups was lower at cessation than that before wearing lenses, and it returned to the level before wearing lenses at 1mo after cessation(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Corneal morphology and corneal endothelial cells can be restored to the level before wearing orthokeratology lens at 3mo after cessation.