Objective To study the cGAS/STING signaling pathway and investigate the potential effect of emodin(EMD)on autophagy of human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast synovial cells(MH7A).Methods CCK-8 method was used to detect MH7A cell proliferation,and the experimental concentration of EMD was screened according to cell survival rate.Then,autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was added to further verify the effect of EMD on autophagy.Autophagy of MH7A cells was detected via the monodansylcadaverine staining method.Protein expression levels of cGAS,STING,p-STING,LC3-Ⅰ,LC3-Ⅱ,P62 and Beclin-1 were detected by Western blot.Results Monodansylcadaverine staining indicated that EMD enhanced the autophagy of MH7A cells.Western blot indicated that EMD decreased the expression of autophagy related proteins cGAS,STING,p-STING and P62,and increased that of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 in MH7A cells.After addition of the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,the expression of P62 protein in MH7A cells increased,while that of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 decreased.Conclusions EMD may accelerate autophagy and inhibit MH7A cell proliferation by down-regulating cGAS/STING signaling pathway proteins.

Objective To analyze the effects of miR-181a-5p overexpression on metabolites in the small intestines of mice with subcutaneous oral cancer by detecting changes in metabolites and metabolic pathways.Methods Three groups were included in study:Control group,negative control and miR-181a-5p overexpression group.To establish a subcutaneous oral cancer model in mice,variously treated cell suspensions were subcutaneously injected into the upper right of the groin in female M-NSG severely immunodeficient mice.Changes in pathology and small intestinal tissues were assessed by HE staining.Changes in mouse body weight were also assessed.Tandem orbitrap mass spectrometry and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry,were used to examine metabolites in the small intestines.By pre-analyzing the original data and quality rating sample data,XCMS was able to assess which metabolites were different among the groups.To identify unique metabolic pathways,KEGG enrichment analysis was used.Results A total of 170 distinct metabolites were found in the small intestinal tissues of Control and NC groups.Choline metabolism,alanine,aspartate,and glutamate metabolism,GABA synaptic metabolism,glycerophospholipid metabolism,cAMP signaling route,cancer center carbon metabolism,and niacin and niacin amine metabolic pathways were important signaling pathways for metabolite enrichment.In the NC group,16 distinct metabolites with VIP values larger than 2 were found in the small intestines compared with the OE group overexpressing miR-181a-5p.Glycerin phosphorylcholine,palmitic acid,3-hydroxybutyl carnitine,and β-hydroxybutyric acid were among the metabolites that significantly varied.The primary enhanced metabolic pathway was the choline pathway.Conclusions Mouse small intestines underwent slight changes from subcutaneous oral cancer with the greatest effect on metabolites critical for energy metabolism.The choline metabolic pathway was the pathway that selected absolutely metabolites in mouse small intestines with subcutaneous grafts of oral cancer.

Objective To evaluate the quality of animal studies into acupuncture for glaucoma using SYRCLE's risk of bias tool,ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines,and the GSPC checklist.Methods Databases from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang,Sinomed,PubMed,Web of Science,Embase and Cochrane Library were searched to find animal research articles on acupuncture for glaucoma.Risk of bias was assessed for the included studies using the SYRCLE's tool,and reporting quality was evaluated using the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines and GSPC checklist.Statistical analysis was performed by Excel and SPSS software.Results Thirty articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis.Six of the 10 items of the SYRCLE's tool had a low-risk rate of＜50％,and the non-low-risk items focused on selectivity bias,implementation bias and measurement bias.Twelve of the 22 essential sub-items of the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines had a low-risk rate of＜50％;9 of the 16 recommended sub-items had a low-risk rate of＜50％;and 12 of the 19 subentries of the GSPC list had a low-risk rate of＜50％.Randomization,blinding,ethical statements,housing and husbandry,animal care and monitoring,and protocol registration were the non-low-risk items in the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines and GSPC list.Conclusions The quality of the methodology and experimental reporting of animal studies into acupuncture for glaucoma are generally low,and the description of several items is not yet complete,which affects the readers'judgment on whether the result of animal studies can be translated to clinical studies.It is advisable to further promote the use of SYRCLE's tool and reporting guidelines for animal experiments to enhance the design,performance,and reporting of animal experiments;ensure the reproducibility of experiments and result;and provide reliable evidence for the translation of result to the clinic.

Objective To investigate the effect of 5-Aza-CdR on Notch1 pathway and neural regeneration and to explore the effects of 5-Aza-CdR on learning memory ability in mice by exploring active avoidance behavior.Methods Sixty 6～8-week-old SPF-grade ICR male mice were divided into two groups.5-Aza-CdR was administered to one group of mice via lateral ventricular injection,while the control group was injected with bovine serum albumin.Notch1 and HES1 mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot 24 hours after injection;5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells were observed by laser confocal microscopy,and Notch1 expression in hippocampal dentate gyrus was viewed with laser confocal microscopy.Notch1 methylation changes were detected by ethylation-specific PCR,and learning and memory behaviors of mice were assessed by passive avoidance tests and shuttle avoidance assays.Results Injection of 5-Aza-CdR increased hippocampal Notch1 pathway activity,promoted neuronal regeneration in the DG region,decreased methylation levels in the Notch1 promoter region,and enhanced the ability of mice to perform active avoidance behavior.Conclusions The effect of 5-Aza-CdR on active avoidance behavior may be related to the influence of hippocampal neural regeneration through the Notch 1 pathway.

Objective Explore differences in the cognitive abilities of socially different Labradors.Methods The dog mentality assessment(DMA)test created by the Swedish Working Dog Association was modified to employ 12 behavioral variables from five subtests of the DMA test,social contact,play Ⅰ,distance-play,ghosts and play Ⅱ,to assess sociability of the dogs.In accordance with the scoring criteria,49 labradors provided by the China Guide Dog Training Centre in Dalian were scored on the social behavioral variables and classified into high(n=15)and low(n=34)sociability groups by cluster analysis.A new system to test canine cognitive ability was developed using the dog cognitive development battery,which tests various domains of cognitive ability such as social cue use,unsolvable task,inhibitory control,cognitive flexibility,working memory,and multistep problem solving task.The dogs'behavioral performance and duration of the test were also recorded.Statistical analysis was performed to determine assess differences in the cognitive abilities of socially diverse dogs.Results Dogs in the high and low social subgroups differed significantly in behavioral variables of the unsolvable task,inhibitory control test,and multistep problem solving task.In the unsolvable task,dogs in the high social group looked at people for significantly longer than dogs in the low social grouping(P=0.008)and looked at people with significantly less latency time than dogs in the low social group(P=0.0001).In the inhibitory control,dogs in the high social group chose significantly more correctly than dogs in the low social group(P=0.034)and chose for significantly less time than dogs in the low social group(P=0.039).In the multistep problem solving task,for dogs in the high social group.successfully completed number of stakes was significantly higher than for dogs in the low social group(P=0.044).The percentage of operation pale time was significantly lower than for dogs in the low social group(P=0.05).The average latency time to solve the bone task was significantly higher than for dogs in the low social group(P=0.037).Moreover,the percentage of operation bone time was significantly lower than for dogs in the low social group(P=0.038).In tests involving a manipulable apparatus,dogs in the high social group spent more time looking at people than dogs in the low social group and less time manipulating the apparatus than dogs in the low subgroup,but no statistically significant differences were observed(P＞0.05).Conclusions Highly sociable labradors have a greater cognitive ability,they are more able to suppress impulses during tests,more able to complete the multistep problem solving task,and more inclined to change strategies to seek new cues from people rather than obsessing over manipulating the apparatus when they are unable to solve a problem.

Objective A model for studying oral ulcers induced by betel nut-extract was constructed in rats.Changes in the structure and diversity of oral flora were observed to explore the involvement of oral flora and local inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of oral ulcers induced by betel nut-extract and to provide theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of oral ulcers in the clinic.Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into normal,model and intervention groups(Guilin watermelon cream,8 mg/d for 7 days),with 10 rats/group.The oral mucosa of rats was subcutaneously injected with 10 g/mL of betel nut-extract to generate an oral ulcer model.The histomorphological changes were observed,and ulcer area and ulcer scores were assessed.Local oral tissue tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-2 and IL-8 levels were determined.Oral mucosal tissues were sampled for HE staining and analyzed for the structural distribution of oral flora and the diversity of microbial communities using high-throughput sequencing method.Results Compared with rats in the normal group,those in the model group had an increased ulcer area,significantly increased ulcer scores(P＜0.01),and significantly increased levels of TNF-α,IL-2 and IL-8 in the oral mucosal tissues(P＜0.01).The amount Streptococcus(P＜0.05)and Veillonella(P＜0.001)in the oral saliva of the model group rats was significantly reduced.The model group rats showed oral mucosal epithelial cell hyperplasia or focal necrosis,mucosal lamina propria edema,and hemorrhage accompanied by mass neutrophil and monocyte infiltration.Compared with the model group rats,the intervention group rats had significantly reduced ulcerated area(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and ulcer scores(P＜0.05).And oral mucosal tissue levels of TNF-α(P＜0.01),IL-2(P＜0.05)and IL-8(P＜0.05),as well as significantly increased Streptococcus(P＜0.001)and Veillonella(P＜0.01)and significantly reduced Staphylococcus(P＜0.01)in the oral saliva.The degree of lesions in the oral mucosal tissues was significantly improved in the intervention group.Conclusions Betel nut-extract can be used to successfully reproduce a rat model of oral ulcer,and it is speculated that the development of oral ulcers after exposure to betel nut-extract may be related to an imbalance in the oral flora and local tissue inflammatory mediators.

Objective To explore the effect of compound active tea of Lithocarpus litseifolius on uric acid levels and kidney function of mice with hyperuricemia nephropathy and to provide an experimental basis for the development of hyperuricemia nephropathy drugs and functional food.Methods A mouse model of hyperuricemia nephropathy was established by administering potassium oxazinate with adenine.Mice were randomly divided into common,model,positive drug(10 mg/(kg·d))and compound active tea of Lithocarpus litseifolius high-,middle-and low-dose groups(10 g/(kg ·d),3.33 g/(kg·d)and 1.11g/(kg·d),respectively).One hour after the last gavage,urine protein(UP)was measured by CBB method,urea nitrogen(UUN)was measured by urease method.Orbital blood pampling,blood was collected for uric acid(UA)analysis by enzyme ratio method,urea nitrogen(BUN)was measured by urease method.The serum contents of interleukin 6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)were measured by ELISA.Take kidney tissue,levels of urate transporter 1(URAT1)and glucose transporter 9(GLUT9)were measured by quantitative fluorescence,kidney histopathological changes were observed by HE stainning.Results Compared with the control group,the model group's levels of UP,UUN,UA,BUN,IL-6,URAT1,ULUT9 and TNF-α were significantly increased(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),and the renal tissue structure was normal.Compared with the model group,the positive group's levels of UP,UUN,UA,BUN,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),there was little glomerular atrophy or deformation in the kidneys,kidney tubular dilatation was occasionally seen,but there was no inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with the model group,the high-dose compound active tea of Lithocarpus litseifolius group's UP,UUN,UA,BUN,IL-6,URAT1,TNF-α and GLUT9 levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).The middle-dose compound active tea of Lithocarpus litseifolius group's UP,UUN,UA content,IL-6,URAT 1,GLUT9,BUN and TNF-αwere significantly decreased(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).The low-dose compound active tea of Lithocarpus litseifolius group's UP,UUN,UA,IL-6,URAT1,BUN,TNF-α and GLUT9 levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusions Compound active tea of Lithocarpus litseifolius can reduce uric acid in mice with hyperuricemia nephropathy and has a certain protective effect on the kidneys.The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of uric acid reabsorption,and the specific mechanistic details should be further investigated.

Objective Because of the poor prognosis of colon adenocarcinoma(COAD),it is necessary to screen prognosis-related genes in COAD patients and establish a new prognostic risk assessment model.Methods COAD-related data from the cancer genome atlas(TCGA)and gene expression omnibus(GEO)were used as training and validation sets,respectively.Weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),a Cox regression model and least absolute selection and shrinkage operator(LASSO)regression analysis were used to screen prognosis-related genes of COAD and establish a prognostic model.A receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was combined with a survival curve to verify the model accuracy,and a nomogram was constructed.Patients were divided into two groups by the median risk score.The immune cell proportion score(IPS)was used to evaluate the immunotherapy response of the two groups.Results A total of 15 feature genes were screened.The area under the ROC curve in the predictive model of COAD patients was＞0.6,and the survival rate of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group(P＜0.05),suggesting a good distinguishing ability for high-and low-risk COAD patients.Patients in the low-risk group had a higher IPS(P=0.026),indicating a better response to immunotherapy.Conclusions The model developed for COAD in this study has a good ability to predict the survival of patients at high and low risk of COAD.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of licorice zinc on melasma.Methods Thirty-six BALB/c mice were equally divided into blank group,model group,licorzinc low-dose group,licorzine medium-dose group,licorzinc high-dose group and tranexamic acid group.Melasma was induced by 100 mJ/cm2 UVB irradiation combined with 15 mg/kg progesterone injection.Mice were treated with tranexamic acid(0.065 g/kg)and low(0.65 g/kg),medium(1.3 g/kg),or high(2.6 g/kg)doses of zinc licorice for 14 days.Skin was taken for HE and Masson-Fontana staining and measurement of SOD,MDA,GSP-Px,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,plasma protein Nrf-2,nuclear protein Nrf-2 and HO-1 expression levels.Results Compared with model group,high-dose licorice zinc group showed decreased melanocyte formation,collagen cell necrosis,and inflammatory infiltration(P＜0.01);decreased MDA,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α and plasma protein Nrf-2 expression(P＜0.01);and increased GSP-Px,SOD and nuclear protein Nrf-2 and HO-1 expression(P＜0.01).Conclusions Zinc licorice activates the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway to initiate high expression of HO-1,SOD and GSP-Px and fight oxidative stress,thereby reducing melanogenesis.

Objective To explore the effects of different types of drinking water on the growth and fecal flora of mice.Methods Specific pathogen-free NIH mice were randomly divided into five groups,32 mice each group,with half males and half females in each group.The group were given either purified water(control group),acidified water,alkalized water,weakly acidic water or solid water.Diet and body weight were monitored continuously for 20 days.After the experiment,animal fecal samples were collected,and the V3-V4 region was amplified with bacterial 16S rDNA universal primers.An Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencing platform was used for high-throughput sequencing,and microbial community,α diversity and β diversity were analyzed by bioinformatics method.Results The body weight of female mice given different pH values of weakly acidic water was higher,while the weight of the other groups was lower,than that of the control group(P＞0.05).The body weight of male mice in the acidified water group was higher,while that of other groups was lower,than that of control group,but there was no statistical difference between the groups(P＞0.05).The body weights of male and female mice in the solid water group were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The food and water intake of the female animals in the alkaline water group and the water intake of female animals in the solid water group were lower than those of the other groups.OTU clustering analysis showed that the data volume of the sequencing was reasonable,and the fecal flora species of NIH mice were divided into five phyla,among which Bacteroides and Firmicutes were dominant.Unclassified Pseudopurpuromonas,Lactobacillus and Alistipes were the main genera.There were differences in fecal flora abundance and diversity among the mice given the five drinking water types.α analysis showed that the acidified water group had the highest flora abundance and diversity,while the solid water group had the lowest flora diversity.β analysis showed that the fecal flora composition in the solid water group was the closest to that of the control group,followed by the alkalized water group,acidified water group and weakly acidic water group.Conclusions Through an exploration of the effects of consuming different forms of water,this study revealed that solid water consumption had the greatest effects on body weight,feed intake,water consumption,and fecal flora of mice.The abundance and diversity of fecal flora in mice were affected by different pH values of drinking water,especially acidified water.