ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mucin 1 (MUC1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its regulatory mechanism. MethodsThe 60 NPC and paired para-cancer normal tissues were collected from October 2020 to July 2021 in Quanzhou First Hospital. The expression of MUC1 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the patients with PNC. The 5-8F and HNE1 cells were transfected with siRNA control (si-control) or siRNA targeting MUC1 (si-MUC1). Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis in the 5-8F and HNE1 cells. The qPCR and ELISA were executed to analyze the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of MUC1, NF-кB and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). ResultsThe expression of MUC1 was up-regulated in the NPC tissues, and NPC patients with the high MUC1 expression were inclined to EBV infection, growth and metastasis of NPC. Loss of MUC1 restrained malignant features, including the proliferation and apoptosis, downregulated the expression of p-IкB、p-P65 and Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of Bax in the NPC cells. ConclusionDownregulation of MUC1 restrained biological characteristics of malignancy, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, by inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway in NPC.

The toxic pathogen theory, an important part of the theories of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), began in the Qin and Han dynasties, formed in the Jin, Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, developed rapidly in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and conti-nued to develop in contemporary times based on the achievements of its predecessors. The continuous exploration, practice, and inheri-tance of many medical practitioners over the generations have facilitated the enrichment of its connotation. The toxic pathogen is violent, fierce, dangerous, prolonged, rapid in transmission, easy to hurt the internal organs, hidden, and latent, with many changes, and it is closely related to the development of tumor diseases. TCM has a history of thousands of years in the prevention and treatment of tumor diseases. It is gradually realized that the etiology of tumor is mainly attributed to the deficiency of healthy Qi and excess of to-xic pathogen, and the struggle between healthy Qi and toxic pathogen runs through the whole course of tumor, with the deficiency of healthy Qi as the prerequisite and the invasion of toxic pathogen as the root of the occurrence. The toxic pathogen has a strong carcinogenic effect and is involved in the whole process of tumor development, which is closely related to the malignant behaviors of tumors, including proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. This study discussed the historical origin and modern interpretation of the toxic pathogen theory in the prevention and treatment of tumors, with aims of sorting out the theoretical system based on the toxic pathogen theory in the treatment of tumor diseases, and illustrating the importance of the toxic pathogen theory in the treatment of tumors in the context of modern research on pharmacological mechanisms and the development and marketing of relevant anti-tumor Chinese medicinal preparations.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cell Movement ; China

In this study, the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) were searched comprehensively for the literature about the research on Polygalae Radix. After manual screening, 1 207 Chinese articles and 263 English articles were included in this study. Excel was used to draw the line chart of the annual number of relevant publications. CiteSpace 6.1.R3 was used for the visual analysis of author cooperation, publishing institutions, keyword co-occurrence, keyword clustering, and bursts in the research on Polygalae Radix. The results showed that the number of articles published in Chinese and English increased linearly, which indicated the rising research popularity of Polygalae Radix. WANG J and LIU X were the authors publishing the most articles in Chinese and English, respectively. Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were the research institutions with the largest number of Chinese and English publications in this field, respectively. The institutions publishing the relevant articles in English formed a system with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences as the core. According to the keywords, the research hotspots of Polygalae Radix included variety selection and breeding, quality standard, extraction and identification of active chemical components, prescription compatibility, processing, clinical medication rules, and pharmacological mechanism. The research frontiers were the molecular mechanisms of Polygalae Radix and its active components in exerting the protective effect on brain nerve, regulating receptor pathways, alleviating anxiety and Alzheimer's disease, as well as data mining and clinical medication summary. This study has reference significance for the topic selection and frontier identification of the future research on Polygalae Radix.
Plant Breeding ; China ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Brain ; Publications

Abstract: Objective　To explore the spatial epidemiological characteristics of severe cases hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Guangxi, China, from 2014 to 2018, and to provide a basis for identifying the high-risk regions as well as the prevention and control of severe cases of HFMD in Guangxi. Methods　Spatial-temporal scanning analysis, global and local spatial autocorrelation analysis were used to analyze the spatial clustering of HFMD. The trend surface analysis was used to evaluate the spatial distribution trend of HFMD. Results　From 2014 to 2018, the incidence and severe case fatality rates of HFMD were 3.89/100 000 and 4.23%, respectively. Monte Carlo scanning analysis showed that the first cluster region was Cenxi City, the second cluster was mainly concentrated in northwest of Guangxi, and the aggregation time was mainly concentrated in April to May and August to October. The global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the severe HFMD was significant clustering distribution, and the Moran's I coefficients of the sever cases, severe morbidity and severe case fatality rate were 0.088, 0.118, 0.197, respectively (P<0.05). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that hotspots of severe HFMD cases were concentrated in the southern Guangxi, mainly in Lingshan County. Anselin local Moran's I clustering and outlier analysis indicated that 5 high-high (H-H) clustering regions for fatality were Lingshan, Pubei, Zhongshan, Zhaoping and Pinggui County. There were 6 high-high (H-H) clustering regions for severe incidence rate, namely Lingshan, Qinnan, Lingyun, Youjiang, Bama Yao Autonomous and Pinggui County, and 1 high-low (H-L) clustering region, Cenxi County. The trend surface analysis showed that the overall number of severe cases of death decreased from east or west to the middle, and increased from north to middle, and then decreased to south. Conclusions　Severe HFMD cases in Guangxi have obvious spatial-temporal clustering, and the hop spots are mainly concentrated in southern Guangxi. The prevention and control of HFMD in areas with high incidence of severe cases should be strengthened to reduce the burden of HFMD cases.

Chronic heart failure is a serious heart disease with dyspnea and limited activity tolerance as the main clinical manifestations. Autophagy is a self-protection mechanism in eukaryotic cells and plays an important role in the development of heart failure. Appropriately increasing the level of autophagy during the compensated stage of heart failure and timely removal of necrotic myocardial organelles and other harmful garbage can inhibit myocardial hypertrophy to a certain extent，alleviate myocardial remodeling，and delay heart failure. The theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi is an important basic theory for explaining the occurrence of diseases，and struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi exists in the entire onset of chronic heart failure，which may lead to pathogenic Qi invasion and healthy Qi deficiency. The regulatory effect of autophagy on cardiomyocytes is similar to the theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Autophagy is the body's self-regulatory mechanism for healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in a dose-effect manner，Specifically，autophagy can only protect the body's cells to a certain extent，and healthy Qi can only take effect within a certain range and degree. To protect the body from external pathogenic factors，excessive or insufficient autophagy may destroy the stability of the body's environment. In this regard，we use the theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi as a starting point to clarify the function of autophagy in the development of chronic heart failure from a macro and micro perspective，and propose adjusting the balance of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in the body to regulate the autophagy of cardiomyocytes. The principle of prevention and treatment is expected to lay the foundation for modern research on the function of autophagy in the development of chronic heart failure in TCM，find novel therapy for chronic heart failure at different stages，and provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure.

The study aimed to explore the mechanism and targets of Shenfu Injection in the regulation of inflammatory injury in chronic heart failure rats based on the high mobility group box-1/Toll like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B(HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB) signaling pathway. The rat model of chronic heart failure was established using isoproterenol. The modeled rats were divided into three groups by random number table: the model group, Shenfu group and glycopyrrolate group, and the normal group was also set. The rats were administrated for 15 consecutive days, and on the following day after the last administration, they were sacrificed for sample collection. The cardiac mass index and left ventricular mass index of the rats in each group were measured, and the echocardiogram was used to analyze the cardiac function indices, and ELISA to test the inflammatory indices in rat serum. The pathological morphology and fibrosis status of rat heart tissues were observed by HE staining and Masson staining, respectively. The content of HMGB1 was determined by immunofluorescence staining. The protein and mRNA expression of HMGB1/TLR4/TLR4 signaling pathway was detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. The results showed that the chronic heart failure rat model was successfully prepared. The rats in the model group had reduced cardiac function, increased levels of HMGB1 and inflammatory factors(P<0.05), and elevated protein and mRNA expression of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB P65 in myocardial tissue(P<0.05), with fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration and severe fibrosis. Shenfu Injection improved cardiac function, decreased the levels of HMGB1 and inflammatory factors(P<0.05) and the protein and mRNA expression of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB P65 in myocardial tissue(P<0.05), ameliorated interstitial fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduced fibrosis. In conclusion, Shenfu Injection can reduce inflammatory damage and improve cardiac function in chronic heart failure rats by regulating the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Rats ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; HMGB1 Protein/pharmacology* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Hyperplasia ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; RNA, Messenger ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Fibrosis

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of tea consumption in adult twins recruited in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and provide clues to genetic and environmental influences on tea consumption. Methods: Enrolled in CNTR during 2010-2018, 25 264 twin pairs aged 18 years and above were included in subsequent analysis. Random effect models were used to estimate tea consumption in the population and regional distribution characteristics. The concordance rate of the behavior and difference in consumption volume of tea within pairs were also described. Results: The mean age of all subjects was (35.38±12.45) years old. The weekly tea consumers accounted for 17.0%, with an average tea consumption of (3.36±2.44) cups per day. The proportion of weekly tea consumers was higher among males, 50-59 years old, southern, urban, educated, and the first-born in the twin pair (P<0.05), and lower among unmarried individuals (P<0.001). Within-pair analysis showed that the concordance rate of tea consumption of monozygotic (MZ) twins was higher than that of dizygotic (DZ) twins and the overall heritability of tea consumption was 13.45% (11.38%-15.51%). Stratified by the characteristics mentioned above, only in males, the concordance rate of MZ showed a tendency to be greater than that of DZ (all P<0.05). The differences in consumption volume of tea within twin pairs were minor in MZ among males (P<0.05), while the differences were not significant in female twins. Conclusion: There were discrepancies in the distribution of tea consumption among twins of different demographic and regional characteristics. Tea consumption was mainly influenced by environmental factors and slightly influenced by genetic factors. The size of genetic factors varied with gender, age, and region, and gender was a potential modified factor.
Adult ; China ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tea ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic ; Young Adult

Actin-binding proteins (ABPs) are important components of the F-actin cytoskeleton and affect the dynamics of F-actin by promoting the polymerization and depolymerization of actin. Numerous studies have shown that F-actin and actin-binding proteins are involved in all stages of carcinogenesis. Our analysis of esophageal carcinoma proteomic data showed that the actin-binding protein EHD2 (E p s l 5 homology domain-containing protein 2) is expressed at low levels in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and patients with lower EHD2 expression had poorer prognosis. Previous studies have revealed that EHD2 is involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism, autophagy and tumor cell migration. However, the role and mechanism of EHD2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of EHD2 on the proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Immunofluorescence and cell fractionation analysis showed that EHD2 was not only localized in the cell membrane and cytoplasm, but also in the nucleus. Colony formation, EdU labeling and flow cytometry were used to determine the effect of EHD2 on the proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The results showed that overexpression of EHD2 and EHD2-3×NLS (nuclear localization signal) inhibited proliferation, cell cycle G

Rubi Fructus is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. The origin of Rubi Fructus is the dried fruit of Rubus chingii, a plant of the family Rosaceae, according to the 2015 edition of Chinese pharmacopoeia. There are some differences in the plant origin of Rubi Fructus in ancient herbal literature, to trace back its sources, we conducted a textual research on its origin, producing areas, quality evaluation, processing and concocting, properties, tastes and efficacy etc. based on the records of ancient herbal literatures and combined with plant morphology and related investigation. RESULTS:: showed that the variety of Rubi Fructus was more complex among ancient herbal literature, including R. coreanus, R. hirsutus, R. corchorifolius, R. foliolosus and other mixed varieties. Most scholars believe that the R. chingii has not been recorded in ancient herbal literature, while R. chingii was recorded as early as the Ming Dynasty in Compendium of materia medica through our textual research. Ancient Chinese herbs recorded that Rubi Fructus was mostly produced in Hubei, Shandong, Shanxi and Jiangsu provinces, while R. chingii mainly produced in Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian and other provinces nowadays. Also, it was recorded that Rubi Fructus harvested in wheat field during May were the best. Besides, R. chingii with big, full, grain integrate, firm, yellow and green color, sour taste and impurity free possess the best quality in the contemporary. The ancient records of processing and concocting, properties, tastes and efficacy were basically the same as modern ones.These results provide the basis for the correct utilization and further development of Rubi Fructus.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Fruit ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rubus

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease involving multiple joints bilaterally with symmetrical polyarthritis as the main symptom. The high disability rate of this disease seriously affects the quality of life of patients and even threatens their lives. The establishment of a good animal model is of great significance for the diagnosis and clinical prevention of RA. Based on the clinical characteristics of RA in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, the common animal models of RA were summarized, including drug-induced, gene-related, and syndrome and disease combined models. Joint swelling, pain, redness, nodules, and joint deformity are the main criteria for model evaluation, which have certain differences from the clinical diagnostic criteria of RA. From the perspective of syndrome differentiation, the animal model combining syndrome and disease only simulates the syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine and has no direct causal relationship with the formation of RA. In this paper, we analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of animal models of RA and the coincidence degree of the models with the clinical characteristics and then put forward the corresponding recommendations for the evaluation and improvement of these models, aiming to make the animal models of RA closer to the clinical symptoms and play an important role in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of RA.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; China ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality of Life