Cells not only contain membrane-bound organelles (MBOs), but also membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed by condensation of many biomacromolecules. Examples include RNA-protein granules such as nucleoli and PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) in the nucleus, as well as stress granules and P-bodies in the cytoplasm. Phase separation is the basic organizing principle of the form of the condensates or membraneless organelles (MLOs) of biomacromolecules including proteins and nucleic acids. In particular, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) compartmentalises and concentrates biological macromolecules into liquid condensates. It has been found that phase separation of biomacromolecules requires some typical intrinsic characteristics, such as intrinsically disordered regions, modular domains and multivalent interactions. The phase separation of biomacromolecules plays a key role in many important cell activities. In recent years, the phase separation of biomacromolecules phase has become a focus of research in gene transcriptional regulation. Transcriptional regulatory elements such as RNA polymerases, transcription factors (TFs), and super enhancers (SEs) all play important roles through phase separation. Our group has previously reported for the first time that long-term inactivation or absence of assembly factors leads to the formation of condensates of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) subunits in the cytoplasm, and this process is reversible, suggesting a novel regulatory model of eukaryotic transcription machinery. The phase separation of biomacromolecules provides a biophysical understanding for the rapid transmission of transcriptional signals by a large number of TFs. Moreover, phase separation during transcriptional regulation is closely related to the occurrence of cancer. For example, the activation of oncogenes is usually associated with the formation of phase separation condensates at the SEs. In this review, the intrinsic characteristics of the formation of biomacromolecules phase separation and the important role of phase separation in transcriptional regulation are reviewed, which will provide reference for understanding basic cell activities and gene regulation in cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between depressive symptoms and the risks of rapid decline in renal function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in middle-aged and elderly with normal kidney function. METHODS: The residents aged 40- 75 years with eGFR≥60 mL·min^-1·1.73 m^-2 without proteinuria in Lanzhou region, who participated in the "REACTION" study carried out in 2011, were selected and followed up in 2014. A total of 4961 individuals with complete and qualified data from the two surveys were included in the subsequent analysis. Based on PHQ-9 questionnaire scores, the baseline population was divided into two groups with and without depressive symptoms. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to compare the incidences of rapid renal function decline and CKD between the two groups and study the association of depressive symptoms with the risk of these renal conditions. RESULTS: PHQ-9 questionnaire scores were not found to correlate with baseline SCr, ALB, UACR or eGFR levels among the participarts (P>0.05). After a mean follow-up time of 3.4±0.6 years, 33.9% of the participants with depressive symptoms at baseline experienced a rapid decline in renal function and 3.6% progressed to CKD. During the follow-up, the incidence of rapid decline in renal function and the risk of developing CKD were not found to correlate with depressive symptoms in these participants (P>0.05) regardless of the type of the depressive syndromes. CONCLUSION Depressive symptoms are not associated with the risks of rapid renal function decline or progression to CKD in middle-aged and elderly with normal kidney function.
Aged ; Middle Aged ; Humans ; Cohort Studies ; Depression ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Disease Progression ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Kidney/physiology* ; Risk Factors

Tigliane type macrocyclic diterpenoids with special structures and diverse bioactivities are mainly extracted from plants of Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae. According to the different functional groups, they can be classified into types of phorbol esters, C-4 deoxyphorbol esters, C-12 deoxyphorbol esters, C-16 or C-17 substituted phorbol esters and others. Most of them present promising antiviral activities and cytotoxic activities and are expected to be developed as candidates for anti-AIDS, anti-tuberculosis, and anti-tumor clinical trials, demonstrating great potential for the application in healthcare. This paper reviews 115 novel tigliane-type diterpenoids discovered since 2013 and summarize their chemical structures and bioactivities, aiming to lay a foundation for further development and utilization of these compounds and provide new ideas for the development of clinical drugs.
Phorbols ; Molecular Structure ; Diterpenes/chemistry* ; Antiviral Agents ; Phorbol Esters

Objective:Bibliometric analysis of SCI papers in Shanghai tertiary obstetrics and gynecology specialized hospitals from 2017 to 2021 was conducted to provide reference for further improving management measures and optimizing the quality of SCI papers in specialized hospitals.Methods:The Web of Science database was used to retrieve SCI papers published by tertiary obstetrics and gynecology specialized hospitals in Shanghai from 2017 to 2021. Based on bibliometric methods VOSviwer 1.6.17 and Scimago Graphica 1.0.23 was adopted to analyze the number, journals, domestic and international cooperation, and hot research areas.Results:2 721 papers were published by Shanghai Tertiary A obstetrics and Gynecology hospitals from 2017 to 2021. These papers published in 765 journals. The number of papers published and publication journals increased year by year. The number of papers and journals with an impact factor of 3~5 is the largest, accounting for 37.96% and 35.95% of the total number of papers and journals respectively. However, papers and journals with more than 10 points accounted for only 7.98% and 10.20% respectively. Scientific Reports, a comprehensive journal, published the largest number of papers. International cooperation is concentrated in the United States. Domestic cooperation is concentrated in universities and research institutions in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. The hot research areas focused on Oncology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Genetics, Reproductive Biology and other basic medical fields.Conclusions:The number of papers published by Shanghai's tertiary obstetrics and gynecology specialized hospitals has increased year by year, but there are fewer highly influential journals. Domestic and international scientific research cooperation is limited to several institutions. The achievements in the field of basic research are far more than those in clinical research.

Humans ; Heart Failure/therapy* ; Stroke Volume ; Consensus ; Ventricular Function, Left

Humans ; Heart Failure/therapy* ; Stroke Volume ; Consensus ; Ventricular Function, Left

Chinese medicine dispensing granules, the result of the efforts to transform Chinese medicinal decoction pieces in China, features portability and ease of storage. Thus, it is destined to be an indispensible dosage form in the modernization drive of Chinese medicine. The Announcement on Ending the Pilot Project of Chinese Medicine Dispensing Granules was released in February 2021 and relevant regulations went into force in November 2021, which marks the a new journey for the development of Chinese medicine dispensing granules and the beginning of the "post-pilot era". However, it faces the challenges in quality and standard. This study reviewed the history of Chinese medicine dispensing granules, analyzed the technical progress, market, and main problems in development, and proposed suggestions and prospects for its development in the "post-pilot era", which is expected to serve as a reference for its industry development and rational use.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Industrial Development ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pilot Projects

ObjectiveTo observe the regulatory effect of Xiao Qinglongtang and its ingredients on lung water transport-related proteins， and to explain the biological connotation of lung governing water movement， based on which the regulatory mechanism of Xiao Qinglongtang will be explored. MethodAccording to the composition rules of classical formula， Xiao Qinglongtang （11.22 g·kg^-1）， Guizhi Gancao （2.70 g·kg^-1）， Shaoyao Gancao （2.70 g·kg^-1）， Jiangxinwei （3.90 g·kg^-1）and Banxia Muahuang （0.032 7 g·kg^-1） were prepared. The pathological model of syndrome of cold fluid accumulated in lung of rats was established by the "coldness of body + drinking cold + cold bath" method， and Xiao Qinglongtang and its ingredients were administrated to intervene with the model rats. Lung function parameters of forced vital capacity （FVC）， functional residual capacity （FRC）， mean mid-expiratory flow （MMEF）， inspiratory time （tI）， and inspiratory time （tE） were determined by lung function analyzer. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the changes in pathological morphology. The expression of aquaporin （AQP）1， AQP5， epithelial sodium channel α subunit（α-ENaC） and Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase in lung tissues of rats， the content of tumor necrosis factor -α（TNF-α）， the mRNA expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， protein kinase A （PKA） and cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB）， and the protein expression of cAMP， PKA， CREB， and phosphorylated-CREB （p-CREB） were detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with normal group， functions of FVC， FRC and MMEF in model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01)， and the time of tI and tE was significantly prolonged （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The content of TNF-α in lung tissue was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of cAMP， PKA and CREB in lung tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The expression of AQP5 and α-ENAC in lung tissue decreased significantly. The alveolar cavity of rats was filled with edema fluid， surrounding tissue hyperemia， inflammatory cell infiltration, bronchial mucosa epithelial adhesion. Compared with model group， Xiao Qinglongtang and its fangyuan group could significantly enhance the FVC, FRC and MMEF functions of model rats （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and tI and tE time were shortened （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The content of TNF-α in lung tissues of Xiao Qinglongtang group， Guizhi Gancao group and Banxia Mahuang group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expressions of cAMP， PKA and CREB in Xiao Qinglongtang group were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， and the mRNA expressions of cAMP and PKA in Guizhi Gancao， Jiangxinwei and Banxia Mahuang groups were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of cAMP， PKA and CREB in Xiao Qinglongtang group， Guizhi Gancao group， Jiangxinwei group and Banxia Mahuang group were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， and the protein expression of CREB in Shaoyao Gancao group was significantly up-regulated（P<0.05）. Xiao Qinglongtang could up-regulate the positive expression of AQP5 and α-ENAC， and Guizhi Gancao group could up-regulate the positive expression of α-ENAC. Xiao Qinglongtang and its fangyuan can reduce the lung edema， inflammatory cell infiltration and bronchial mucosal adhesion of model rats. ConclusionXiao Qinglongtang and its ingredients can reduce lung edema and inhibit inflammation by improving the expression of lung water transport-related proteins AQP1， AQP5， and α-ENaC through cAMP/PKA pathway， thereby restoring the lung functions in rats with syndrome of cold fluid accumulated in lung. Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase may play an auxiliary role in the regulation of lung water transport. This provides a certain objective basis for preliminarily elucidating the connotation of lung governing water movement from the perspective of lung water transport-related proteins.

Interaction exists in lung cancer and microbiota. Lung microecological homeostasis can improve the immune tolerance, enhance immune suppression, and inhibit inflammatory responses, to reduce the lung cancer; while lung cancer can lead to pulmonary microecological imbalance, change the lung environment, and promote tumor cell proliferation. Therefore, modulating microbial flora and microecological immunotherapy may be a potential and preventive treatment for lung cancer, to restore tumor immunosuppression and improve patient survival. However, the individual differences in the lung microecology, because of different genetics, ethnic characteristics, and dietary habits, increasing the difficulty of precise diagnosis and treatment, which is also the current bottleneck in the application of microecological immunotherapy. Otherwise, the effectiveness of regulatory measures such as probiotics, prebiotics or antimicrobials is questionable. The research on microbial flora is still in its infancy, and further exploration is needed to form a standardized, effective, and precise treatment plan. So, standardized, effective, and precise microbial flora treatment strategies need to be further explored.
Humans ; Probiotics ; Prebiotics ; Microbiota ; Lung Neoplasms

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of tendon-regulating and bone-setting manipulation combined with endurance resistance exercises in treating female with chronic neck pain, and explore the mechanism. Methods: A total of 57 female patients with chronic neck pain who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a manipulation group (29 cases) and a medium-frequency electrotherapy group (28 cases). Patients in both groups received the same endurance exercise therapy, while those in the manipulation group received additional tendon-regulating and bone-setting manipulation, and those in the medium-frequency electrotherapy group received additional medium-frequency electrotherapy. Both groups were treated for 5 weeks. Before and after treatment, the neck function of patients was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS), Analgesy-Meter, Northwick Park questionnaire (NPQ), root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) of surface electromyography of sternocleidomastoid muscle and posterior cervical extensor muscle, and the patients were followed up at a month after treatment. Results: All patients completed the treatment and were followed up. Compared with the same group before treatment, the VAS scores of both groups decreased, the tenderness values increased, the RMS and MF values increased, and the NPQ scores decreased after treatment (all P<0.05). The improvement of manipulation group was more notable than that of medium-frequency electrotherapy group (all P<0.05). At one-month follow-up, the VAS and NPQ scores of the manipulation group were lower than those before and after treatment, and the VAS and NPQ scores of the medium-frequency electrotherapy group were only lower than those before treatment; the two scores of the manipulation group were lower than those of the medium-frequency electrotherapy group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Tendon-regulating and bone-setting manipulation combined with endurance resistance exercises can relieve neck pain and cervical dysfunction in female patients with chronic neck pain. The efficacy of this method is more durable and better than that of medium-frequency electrotherapy combined with endurance exercises.