Background Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease in China. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can serve as the "breath fingerprint" of internal pathological processes, which provides a theoretical basis for exhaled VOCs to be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Objective To screen out the characteristic VOCs and important characteristic VOCs of exhaled air in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and to explore the potential of these VOCs as biomarkers for early non-invasive diagnosis of the disease. Methods In this study, 27 VOCs in the exhaled breath of 22 patients with stage I coal workers' pneumoconiosis, 77 workers exposed to dust, and 92 healthy controls were quantitatively detected by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Substances with P<0.05 in univariate analysis and variable importance projection (VIP) >1 in supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model were selected as the characteristic VOCs for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Age was included in the LASSO regression model as a covariate to screen out important characteristic VOCs, and the diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman correlation was further used to explore the correlation between important characteristic VOCs and clinical lung function indicators. Results Through univariate analysis and OPLS-DA modeling, 8 VOCs were selected, including 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, n-heptane, methylcyclohexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, in exhaled breath of patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. The concentrations of 4 VOCs, including 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, showed a decreasing trend with the increase of dust exposure years. By LASSO regression, the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the dust exposure group were n-hexane, methylcyclohexane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the healthy group were 2-methyl-pentane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were 0.969, 0.909, and 0.956, respectively, and the AUC of combined diagnosis was 0.988 and its Youden index was 0.961, suggesting that these results can serve as a valuable reference for further research on early diagnosis. The Correlation analysis found that there was a positive correlation between n-hexane and lung function indicators in the important characteristic VOCs, indicating that it could indirectly reflect the obstruction of lung function ventilation, further proving that important characteristic VOCs have the potential to monitor lung function decline. Conclusion Three important characteristic VOCs selected in this study have the potential to be used as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and are worthy of further study and verification.

Panax ginseng(PG)and Panax notoginseng(PN)are highly valuable Chinese medicines(CM).Although both CMs have similar active constituents,their clinical applications are clearly different.Over the past decade,RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)analysis has been employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of extracts or monomers.However,owing to the limited number of samples in standard RNA-seq,few studies have systematically compared the effects of PG and PN spanning multiple conditions at the transcriptomic level.Here,we developed an approach that simultaneously profiles transcriptome changes for multiplexed samples using RNA-seq(TCM-seq),a high-throughput,low-cost workflow to molecularly evaluate CM perturbations.A species-mixing experiment was conducted to illustrate the accuracy of sample multiplexing in TCM-seq.Transcriptomes from repeated samples were used to verify the robustness of TCM-seq.We then focused on the primary active components,Panax notoginseng sa-ponins(PNS)and Panax ginseng saponins(PGS)extracted from PN and PG,respectively.We also char-acterized the transcriptome changes of 10 cell lines,treated with four different doses of PNS and PGS,using TCM-seq to compare the differences in their perturbing effects on genes,functional pathways,gene modules,and molecular networks.The results of transcriptional data analysis showed that the tran-scriptional patterns of various cell lines were significantly distinct.PGS exhibited a stronger regulatory effect on genes involved in cardiovascular disease,whereas PNS resulted in a greater coagulation effect on vascular endothelial cells.This study proposes a paradigm to comprehensively explore the differences in mechanisms of action between CMs based on transcriptome readouts.

Objective:To investigate the effects of abdominal Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)on behavioral function,5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor(5-HT1AR),and synapsin-1(Syn1)in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries(HIBI). Methods:Forty healthy neonatal rats,born of 5 specific pathogen-free healthy pregnant rats,were randomly divided into a group for modeling(n=28)and a sham operation group(n=12)on the 7th day of birth.In the group for modeling,24 neonatal rats with HIBI successfully established by the Rice method were randomly divided into a model group(n=12)and an abdominal Tuina group(n=12).The abdominal Tuina group was given abdominal Tuina for 28 d from 24 h after modeling,and the other groups were put under the same conditions but without any treatments.Rats in each group were subjected to suspension tests on the 7th,14th,21st,and 28th days of intervention.After the intervention,the rat hippocampal tissue was collected and stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe the pathological changes in the rat hippocampal CA1 region.The 5-HT1AR expression in rat hippocampal CA1 region was detected by immune-histochemistry.The Syn1 expression in rat hippocampus was measured by Western blotting method. Results:The cells were disordered,and edema and necrosis appeared in the hippocampal CA1 region of the model group.Cell arrangement was clear,and edema was improved obviously in the hippocampal CA1 region of the abdominal Tuina group.Compared with the sham operation group,the suspension test scores,the number of 5-HT1AR positive cells,and Syn1 protein expression in the hippocampus decreased significantly in the model group after 21 d and 28 d of interventions(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the suspension test scores,the number of 5-HT1AR positive cells,and Syn1 protein expression increased significantly in the abdominal Tuina group after 21 d and 28 d of interventions(P<0.05). Conclusion:Abdominal Tuina improves the behavioral function of upper limbs and up-regulates the expression levels of 5-HT1AR and Syn1 in the hippocampus of neonatal HIBI rats.

Aptamers are DNA or RNA fragments that can specifically bind to target substances.Because of the excellent properties such as strong binding force,high specificity,small physical size,chemical synthesis and modification,good biocompatibility,and low immunogenicity aptamers show wide application propects in biomedical researches.Aptamers can also bind specifically to receptors on the surface of cell membranes,and mediate the endocytosis of nanoparticles into cells,making them ideal drug targeting ligands.Organic nanomaterials have excellent application value in nanodrug delivery system because of their good biocompatibility and degradability.In this paper,the recent research progress of aptamers and organic nanomaterials drug delivery systems was reviewed.

Objective To establish ovarian cancer cell line SKVO3 that can stably express human ADP ribosylation factor-4 (ARF4). Methods A eukaryotic expression vector pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 was constructed and transfected into SKOV3 cells after verifying by DNA sequencing. The expression of ARF4 mRNA was verified by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, the recombinant plasmid with lentiviral packaging plasmids were co-transfected into SKOV3 cells for packaging. The recombinant lentiviral particles LV-ARF4 were collected and transfected into SKOV3 cells, and the stable transfected SKOV3 cell line was screening by culture with puromycin. The expression of ARF4 gene was detected by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. Results A eukaryotic expression vector pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 was successfully constructed. The vector could significantly up-regulate the expression of ARF4 mRNA in SKOV3 cells and be successfully packaged into recombinant lentiviral particles in HEK-293T cells. Compared with the control group, the relative expression level of ARF4 mRNA and protein in SKOV3 cells was significantly increased after the infection with LV-ARF4 (all P<0.001). Conclusion The recombinant plasmid pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 and lentiviral vector LV-ARF4 were successfully constructed. The establishment of stably infected SKOV3 cell line with LV-ARF4 provides an experimental foundation for further studies on the biological function of ARF4 in ovarian cancer.

Objective To investigate the potential roles of nucleotide -binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor in the pathogenesis of asthma.Methods Through rat asthma model,24 rats were randomly divided into three groups on average,named asthma group,control group and dexamethasone group.Expression levels of NOD1 and NOD2 mRNA were detected by Real -time PCR in lung tissues.Results The expression levels of NOD1 mRNA in the asthma group,control group and dexamethasone group were (0.62 ±0.34)RQ value,(1 .00 ± 0.00)RQ value,(0.65 ±0.33 )RQ value respectively.The levels of NOD1 mRNA in the asthma group was significantly lower than that in the control group(F =4.75,P <0.05 ),while there was no statistically significant difference of NOD1 mRNA level between the dexamethasone group and asthma group(P >0.05).Moreover,expression levels of NOD2 mRNA in the asthma group,control group and dexamethasone group were (0.92 ±0.32)RQ value, (1 .00 ±0.00)RQ value,(1 .50 ±0.56)RQ value,respectively.There was no statistically significant difference of NOD2 mRNA level between the asthma group and control group (P >0.05 ),but level of NOD2 mRNA in the dexamethasone group was significantly higher than that in the asthma group(F =5.64,P <0.01 ).And there was no significant correlation between level of NOD1 and NOD2 mRNA(r =0.1 5,P >0.05).Conclusion Expression of NOD -like receptor subtype was not at the same level,and their reaction to dexamethasone were different either.

Precision medicine for cancer patients aims to adopt the most suitable treatment options during diagnosis and treatment of individuals.Detecting circulating tumor cell (CTC) or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma or serum could serve as liquid biopsy,which would be useful for numerous diagnostic applications.Liquid biopsies can help clinicians screen and detect cancer early,stratify patients to the most suitable treatment and real-time monitoring of treatment response and resistance mechanisms in the tumor,evaluate the risk for metastatic relapse,and estimate prognosis.We summarized the advantages and disadvantages of tissue and liquid biopsies.We also further compared and analyzed the advantages and limitations of detecting CTCs,ctDNAs,and exosomes.Furthermore,we reviewed the literature related with the application of serum or plasma CTCs,ctDNAs,and exosomes for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.We also analyzed their opportunities and challenges as future biomarkers.In the future,liquid biopsies could be used to guide cancer treatment.They could also provide the ideal scheme to personalize treatment in precision medicine.

Detection of circulating tumor DNAs (ctDNAs) in cancer patients is an important com-ponent of cancer precision medicine ctDNAs. Compared to the traditional physical and biochemical methods, blood-based ctDNA detection offers a non-invasive and easily accessible way for cancer diagnosis, prognostic determination, and guidance for treatment. While studies on this topic are currently underway, clinical translation of ctDNA detection in various types of cancers has been attracting much attention, due to the great potential of ctDNA as blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment of cancers. ctDNAs are detected and tracked primarily based on tumor-related genetic and epigenetic alterations. In this article, we reviewed the available studies on ctDNA detection and described the representative methods. We also discussed the current understanding of ctDNAs in cancer patients and their availability as potential biomarkers for clin-ical purposes. Considering the progress made and challenges involved in accurate detection of speci-fic cell-free nucleic acids, ctDNAs hold promise to serve as biomarkers for cancer patients, and further validation is needed prior to their broad clinical use.

Objective:To investigate the effects of moxibustion on the serum metabolism in healthy human body based on the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) metabolomics technology, and to find the differences in metabolites, as well as to elucidate the effects of moxibustion on healthy human body from the viewpoint of global metabolism. Methods:Sixty subjects of healthy young men from the enrolled students were randomly divided into a moxibustion group and a control group using random number table, with 30 cases in each group. Subjects in the moxibustion group accepted mild moxibustion on the right Zusanli (ST 36), once a day, 15 min for each time, and continuous treatment for 10 d; those in the control group did not receive any intervention. There were 28 cases in the moxibustion group and 23 cases in the control group after interventions. On the 1st day, 5th day and 10th day of the intervention, serum samples were collected from subjects of the two groups, and metabolic spectra were obtained by the1H NMR technology. Results: Before and after the intervention, serum1H NMR of the moxibustion group was significantly different, while the difference was insignificant in the control group. Metabolite changes in the moxibustion group were mainly in low density lipoprotein (LDL)/very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), valine, isoleucine, leucine, lactic acid, glutamine, citric acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, creatine, glycine, glycerol, glucose, tyrosine, histidine, formic acid, alanine, lysine, acetic acid, and glutamic acid. Conclusion:Moxibustion can cause changes of serum metabolic patterns in healthy human by influencing the concentrations of branched-chain amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and other metabolites to strengthen body's metabolisms of amino acids and fatty acid.

Matteuccia struthiopteris is a nature plant, which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we investigated the effect of polysaccharides extracted from Matteuccia struthiopteris on lupus-like syndrome induced by Campylobacter jejuni CJ-S131 in BALB/c mice. Mice were randomly divided into normal, model control, SLE model (vehicle treated), Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides treated (30 and 15 mg x kg(-1)) groups and prednisone 5 mg x kg(-1) treated groups. The effect of Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides (Ms) on weight and organ index of BALB/c mice was detected. Autoantibodies and total IgG production were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Proteinuria was measured and kidneys were examined by light microscopy. Compared with SLE model group, treatment with Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides 30 and 15 mg x kg(-1) reduced weight loss and Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides 15 mg x kg(-1) reduced spleen swelling (P < 0.05). The increased production of autoantibodies and total immunoglobulin G (IgG) were also significantly inhibited. Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides protected kidney against glomerular injury in BALB/c mice with reduced immunoglobulin deposition and lowered proteinuria (P < 0.01). Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides had a protective effect on lupus-like syndrome induced by CJ-S131 in BALB/c mice.