A precise and accurate acupoint location obtained on the face using consistency matrix pointwise fusion method.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a more precise and accurate method, and identified a procedure to measure whether an acupoint had been correctly located. METHODS: On the face, we used an acupoint location from different acupuncture experts and obtained the most precise and accurate values of acupoint location based on the consistency information fusion algorithm, through a virtual simulation of the facial orientation coordinate system. RESULTS: Because of inconsistencies in each acupuncture expert's original data, the system error the general weight calculation. First, we corrected each expert of acupoint location system error itself, to obtain a rational quantification for each expert of acupuncture and moxibustion acupoint location consistent support degree, to obtain pointwise variable precision fusion results, to put every expert's acupuncture acupoint location fusion error enhanced to pointwise variable precision. Then, we more effectively used the measured characteristics of different acupuncture expert's acupoint location, to improve the measurement information utilization efficiency and acupuncture acupoint location precision and accuracy. CONCLUSION: Based on using the consistency matrix pointwise fusion method on the acupuncture experts' acupoint location values, each expert's acupoint location information could be calculated, and the most precise and accurate values of each expert's acupoint location could be obtained.

Data mining-based study on sub-mentally healthy state among residents in eight provinces and cities in China.

OBJECTIVE: To apply data mining methods to research on the state of sub-mental health among residents in eight provinces and cities in China and to mine latent knowledge about many conditions through data mining and analysis of data on 3970 sub-mentally healthy individuals selected from 13385 relevant questionnaires. METHODS: The strategic tree algorithm was used to identify the main manifestations of the state of sub-mental health. The back propogation artificial neural network was used to analyze the main manifestations of sub-healthy mental states of three different degrees. A sub-mental health evaluation model was then established to achieve predictive evaluation results. RESULTS: Using classifications from the Scale of Chinese Sub-healthy State, the main manifestations of sub-mental health selected using the strategic tree were F1101 (Do you lack peace of mind?), F1102 (Are you easily nervous when something comes up?), and F1002 (Do you often sigh?). The relative intensity of manifestations of sub-mental health was highest for F1101, followed by F1102, and then F1002. Through study of the neural network, better differentiation could be made between moderate and severe and between mild and severe states of sub-mental health. The differentiation between mild and moderate sub-mental health states was less apparent. Additionally, the sub-mental health state evaluation model, which could be used to predict states of sub-mental health of different individuals, was established using F1101, F1102, F1002, and the mental self-assessment total score. CONCLUSION: The main manifestations of the state of sub-mental health can be discovered using data mining methods to research and analyze the latent laws and knowledge hidden in research evidence on the state of sub-mental health. The state of sub-mental health of different individuals can be rapidly predicted using the model established here. This can provide a basis for assessment and intervention for sub-mental health. It can also replace the relatively outdated approaches to research on sub-health in the technical era of information and digitization by combining the study of states of sub-mental health with information techniques and by further quantifying the relevant information.

MiRNA-766-3p inhibits gastric cancer via targeting COL1A1 and regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective MiRNA-766-3p has been shown to be associated with a variety of cancers. However, few studies have been done in gastric cancer (GC). This study explores the mechanism of miR-766-3p in GC. Methods The potential targets of microRNA (miRNA) were predicted using Tarbase and Targetscan databases. The results are intersected with differential genes (DEGs) (fold change > 1.5, P < 0.05) in gastric cancer to obtain potential core targets. The hub targets screened by constructing PPI networks (degree > 5, expression > 0.5). Validating the differential expression and expression in immunohistochemistry of these targets through the database. And the binding sites between miRNAs and mRNAs were verified using dual-luciferase Assay. Finally, qRT-PCR and Western Blot experiments were conducted to validate the hub targets and signal pathways. Results The potential hub targets from the PPI network were THBS2, COL1A1, FGG, FGB, and PLAU. Combining database, luciferase Assay and experimental validation, miR-766-3p can sponge COL1A1 and it plays the most important role in gastric cancer progression. In GC, COL1A1 was upregulated and the enrichment analysis revealed that COL1A1 regulates PI3K/AKT signal pathway, and AKT is also highly expressed in gastric cancer. Conclusion The miR-766-3p can inhibit the progression of gastric cancer by targeting COL1A1 and regulating the PI3K/AKT signal pathway. It could be a potential therapy option for the GC.

Transcriptomics and systems network-based molecular mechanism of herbal formula Huosu-Yangwei inhibited gastric cancer in vivo.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The efficacy of the herbal formula Huosu-Yangwei (HSYW) in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer and chronic atrophic gastritis with precancerous lesions has been reported in clinical trials. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its inhibition of gastric tumor are not well-understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: Combined with transcriptomics and systems network-based molecular mechanism to explore the potential circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network of HSYW in the treatment of gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animal experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of HSYW on tumor growth in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was implemented to identify the differentially expressed (DE) genes. Predictive miRNA targets and mRNA were used to construct circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was utilized to verify the accuracy of the proposed circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. Additionally, the differentially expressed target proteins between gastric cancer (GC) and normal patients were assessed using data from the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and HPA (The Human Protein Atlas) databases. RESULTS: We demonstrate HSYW significantly inhibits tumor growth of N87 cell-bearing Balb/c mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the existence of 119 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs and 200 DE mRNAs between HSYW-treated and model mice. By associating predicted circRNA-miRNA pairs and miRNA-mRNA pairs, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA (CMM) network. Furthermore, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed using the differential expressed mRNAs. Consequently, the reconstructed core CMM network and qRT-PCR validation indicated that 4 circRNAs, 5 miRNAs and 6 mRNAs could potentially serve as biomarkers to assess the therapeutic effects of HSYW-treated N87-bearing Balb/c mice. The TCGA and HPA databases also demonstrated that mRNA KLF15 and PREX1 had substantial differences between gastric cancer (GC) and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: By combining the experimental and bioinformatics analysis, this study confirms that the circRNA_00240/hsa-miR-642a-5p/KLF15 and circRNA_07980/hsa-miR-766-3p/PREX1 pathways play critical roles in HSYW-treated gastric cancer.

Transcriptional profiling and network pharmacology analysis identify the potential biomarkers from Chinese herbal formula Huosu Yangwei Formula treated gastric cancer in vivo.

Huosu Yangwei (HSYW) Formula is a traditioanl Chinese herbal medicine that has been extensively used to treat chronic atrophic gastritis, precancerous lesions of gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer. However, the effective compounds of HSYW and its related anti-tumor mechanisms are not completely understood. In the current study, 160 ingredients of HSYW were identified and 64 effective compounds were screened by the ADMET evaluation. Furthermore, 64 effective compounds and 2579 potential targets were mapped based on public databases. Animal experiments demonstrated that HSYW significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Transcriptional profiles revealed that 81 mRNAs were differentially expressed in HSYW-treated N87-bearing Balb/c mice. Network pharmacology and PPI network showed that 12 core genes acted as potential markers to evaluate the curative effects of HSYW. Bioinformatics and qRT-PCR results suggested that HSYW might regulate the mRNA expression of DNAJB4, CALD, AKR1C1, CST1, CASP1, PREX1, SOCS3 and PRDM1 against tumor growth in N87-bearing Balb/c mice.

Molecule mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum treated hepatocellular carcinoma based on the transcriptional profiles and miRNA-target network.

Ganoderma lucidum has salutary effects on tumor treatment, including pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Ganoderma lucidum therapy is obscure. In this study, the Hepa1-6-bearing C57 BL/6 mouse model was utilized to explore the therapeutic efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE), documenting that it could effectively inhibit tumor growth. The microRNA (miRNA) profiles of GLE-treated and untreated mice were detected, and 25 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were determined, including 24 up-expressed and one down-expressed miRNAs. Using the ClusterOne algorithm, 8 hub miRNAs were isolated from the established miRNA-target network. The qRT-PCR assay demonstrated that these 8 miRNAs were up-expressed in the GLE treated tumor mice. Furthermore, the mRNA profiles showed that there are 76 DE mRNAs between GLE treated and model groups. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network shows that Cntn1, Irs1, Nfkbia, Rybp and Ywhaz playing important roles, and qRT-PCR further revealed they were down-expressed in GLE treated Hepa1-6-bearing C57 BL/6 mice. The rebuilt miRNA-target network was shown that these 5 mRNAs were regulated by mmu-mir-23a-5p, -3102-3p, -337-3p, and -467a-3p, respectively. This study suggested that these 4 interesting miRNAs were potential biomarkers for evaluation of GLE efficacy, which may down-regulate the expression of Cntn1, Irs1, Nfkbia, Rybp and Ywhaz, and mediate many signaling pathways occurring in tumor treatment.

Pharmacokinetic interaction between a Chinese herbal formula Huosu Yangwei oral liquid and apatinib in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Huosu Yangwei oral liquid (HSYW) on cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and to investigate whether this herbal medicine could modulate the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the co-administered CYP-substrate drug apatinib. METHODS: Cytochrome P450 enzymes inhibition assays were conducted in human liver microsomes (HLM) by a LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of the oxidative metabolites of eight probe substrates for hepatic CYPs. The modulatory effects of HSYW on the oxidative metabolism of apatinib were investigated in both HLM and rat liver microsomes (RLM). The influences of HSYW on the pharmacokinetic behaviour of apatinib were investigated in rats. KEY FINDINGS: Huosu Yangwei oral liquid inhibited all tested CYPs in human liver preparations, with the IC50 values ranged from 0.3148 to 2.642 mg/ml. HSYW could also inhibit the formation of two major oxidative metabolites of apatinib in liver microsomes from both human and rat. In-vivo assays demonstrated that HSYW could significantly prolong the plasma half-life of apatinib by 7.4-fold and increase the AUC0-inf (nm·h) of apatinib by 43%, when HSYW (10 ml/kg) was co-administered with apatinib (10 mg/kg) in rats. CONCLUSIONS: Huosu Yangwei oral liquid could inhibit mammalian CYPs and modulated the metabolic half-life of apatinib both in vitro and in vivo.

[Sub-health and the "treatment of pro-disease" in Chinese medicine].

The relationship between sub-health and " pro-disease" in Chinese medicine was clarified through analyzing the background of sub-health coming forth and its connotation, as well as the multiple meaning of "pro-disease" in Chinese medicine. The authors offered, thereupon, their clews and methods for treatment of "pro-disease" and intervention on sub-health.

Crude polysaccharide from an anti-UVB cell clone of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium protect HaCaT cells against UVB-induced oxidative stress.

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd has been found to have a wide range of immunopharmacologic functions. We isolated an anti-UVB B. scorzonerifolium cell clone and found elevated level of polysaccharides. In this study, we investigated the ability of crude polysaccharide (CP) from the anti-UVB B. scorzonerifolium cell clone to inhibit UVB-induced photodamage using a human skin keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. Cells were UVB irradiated and then incubated in presence of different concentrations of CP. MTT assay showed that the CP did not induce cytotoxic effect under 10 mg/mL and after UVB irradiation, CP can inhibit UVB-induced HaCaT cell death. Decreased reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation and increased superoxide dismutase activity showed that CP can act as a free radical scavenger. Furthermore, CP had a strong protective ability against UVB-induced DNA damage. These effects were compared to the crude polysaccharide (CP') from normal B. scorzonerifolium callus at concentration of 20 mg/mL. The portion of crude polysaccharide (CP) from the anti-UVB B. scorzonerifolium cell clone was more than 2.5-fold higher than crude polysaccharide (CP') from normal B. scorzonerifolium callus. Taken together, the protective mechanisms of crude polysaccharide from the anti-UVB B. scorzonerifolium cell clone against UVB-induced photodamage occur by the inhibition of UVB-induced reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage.