Brief discussion of the differences in the acupoint location between Meridians and Acupoints and Acupuncture and Moxibustion. / æµ è®®ã€Šç»ç»œè §ç©´å­¦ã€‹å’Œã€Šé’ˆç¸å­¦ã€‹"十四五"规划教材经穴定位差异.

There are the differences in the location of some acupoints between textbooks Meridians and Acupoints and Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Both of the textbooks are in the category of the "14th Five-Year Plan". The differences in acupoint location have brought some confusion for students, full-time teachers and researchers in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. In the paper, based on GB/T 12346-2021： Nomenclature and Location of Meridian Points, published in2021, and in reference with GB/T 12346-2006： Nomenclature and Location of Acupuncture Points, published in 2006, the discrepancy in the acupoint location was systematically collated in the aspects of the expression style and layout, text expression and potential difference of location between these two textbooks, published by China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, People's Medical Publishing House and China Science Publishing. Based on the historical evolution and the academic controversy of acupoint positioning, the reasons of the differences in acupoint location were analyzed, the potential influences on the teaching, examination, competition and research of Chinese medicine acupuncture were explored, and the suggestions for solution were proposed.

Effects of Baduanjin practice on emotional, attention and cognitive function in acupuncturists: protocol for a clinical randomized controlled neuroimaging trial.

Background: In Chinese medicine, the mental focus and emotional stability of acupuncturists are key to optimal clinical outcomes. Many renowned acupuncturists utilize Traditional Chinese Qigong practices to enhance their concentration and emotional regulation abilities. Nevertheless, the existing literature lacks comprehensive evidence addressing this matter. Methods: This study will enroll 99 acupuncturists and randomly allocate them to one of three groups: Baduanjin, aerobic exercise, or a waiting-list control. The Baduanjin group will undertake 24 weeks of training, with three one-hour sessions weekly. The aerobic group will engage in brisk walking for the same duration and frequency. The control group will not receive any specific training. Assessments of emotion regulation, attention, cognitive functions, finger sensation, and athletic ability will be conducted at baseline (-1 week), mid-intervention (12 weeks), and post-intervention (24 weeks). Additionally, 20 participants from each group will undergo fMRI scans before and after the intervention to explore brain functional and structural changes relating to emotion, attention, cognition, motor skills, and sensory perception. Discussion: This study aims to contribute valuable insights into the effectiveness of Qigong practice, specifically Baduanjin, in enhancing emotional regulation, attention, and cognitive functions in acupuncturists and to investigate the neuroimaging mechanisms behind these effects. Ethics and dissemination: Approved by the Sichuan Regional Ethics Review Committee on Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. 2023KL - 118) and adhering to the Declaration of Helsinki. Results will be shared through policy briefs, workshops, peer-reviewed journals, and conferences.Clinical trial registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2300076447.

Functional Identification of HhUGT74AG11-A Key Glycosyltransferase Involved in Biosynthesis of Oleanane-Type Saponins in Hedera helix.

Hedera helix is a traditional medicinal plant. Its primary active ingredients are oleanane-type saponins, which have extensive pharmacological effects such as gastric mucosal protection, autophagy regulation actions, and antiviral properties. However, the glycosylation-modifying enzymes responsible for catalyzing oleanane-type saponin biosynthesis remain unidentified. Through transcriptome, cluster analysis, and PSPG structural domain, this study preliminarily screened four candidate UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), including Unigene26859, Unigene31717, CL11391.Contig2, and CL144.Contig9. In in vitro enzymatic reactions, it has been observed that Unigene26859 (HhUGT74AG11) has the ability to facilitate the conversion of oleanolic acid, resulting in the production of oleanolic acid 28-O-glucopyranosyl ester. Moreover, HhUGT74AG11 exhibits extensive substrate hybridity and specific stereoselectivity and can transfer glycosyl donors to the C-28 site of various oleanane-type triterpenoids (hederagenin and calenduloside E) and the C-7 site of flavonoids (tectorigenin). Cluster analysis found that HhUGT74AG11 is clustered together with functionally identified genes AeUGT74AG6, CaUGT74AG2, and PgUGT74AE2, further verifying the possible reason for HhUGT74AG11 catalyzing substrate generalization. In this study, a novel glycosyltransferase, HhUGT74AG11, was characterized that plays a role in oleanane-type saponins biosynthesis in H. helix, providing a theoretical basis for the production of rare and valuable triterpenoid saponins.

Anti-Inflammatory Salicin Derivatives from the Barks of Salix tetrasperma.

The genus Salix L. is traditionally used in folk medicine to alleviate pain caused by various kinds of inflammation. In the present study, 10 undescribed salicin derivatives along with 5 known congeners were isolated from the barks of Salix tetrasperma, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and chemical conversions. Compounds 4-6 significantly inhibited NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, and the most active 4 obviously suppressed the production of IL-1ß and IL-6 and decreased iNOS and COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Further Western blotting analysis revealed that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of 4 is possibly mediated through the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Glutamine supplementation improves the activity and immunosuppressive action of induced regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine is crucial for the activation and efficacy of T cells, and may play a role in regulating the immune environment. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of glutamine in the activation and proliferation of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs). METHODS: CD4+CD45RA+T cells were sorted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cultured to analyze iTreg differentiation. Glutamine was then added to the culture system to evaluate the effects of glutamine on iTregs by determining oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), apoptosis, and cytokine secretion. Additionally, a humanized murine graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) model was constructed to confirm the efficacy of glutamine-treated iTregs in vivo. RESULTS: After being cultured in vitro, glutamine significantly enhanced the levels of Foxp3, CTLA-4, CD39, CD69, IL-10, TGF-ß, and Ki67 (CTLA-4, IL-10, TGF-ß are immunosuppressive markers of iTregs) compared with that of the control iTregs (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the growth curve showed that the proliferative ability of glutamine-treated iTregs was better than that of the control iTregs (P < 0.01). Compared with the control iTregs, glutamine supplementation significantly increased oxygen consumption rates and ATP production (P < 0.05), significantly downregulated Annexin V and Caspase 3, and upregulated BCL2 (P < 0.05). However, GPNA significantly reversed the effects of glutamine (P < 0.05). Finally, a xeno-GVHD mouse model was successfully established to confirm that glutamine-treated iTregs increased the mice survival rate, delayed weight loss, and alleviated colon injury. CONCLUSION: Glutamine supplementation can improve the activity and immunosuppressive action of iTregs, and the possible mechanisms by which this occurs are related to cell proliferation, apoptosis, and OXPHOS.

Assessing Diagnostic Significance of White Blood Cell Count, Serum C-Reactive Protein, and Procalcitonin in Neonatal Pneumonia: A Comparative Analysis.

Objective: This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic implications of white blood cell (WBC) count, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) in neonatal pneumonia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, and a total of 30 neonates diagnosed with pneumonia were recruited from Shenzhen Longgang Central Hospital between March 2020 and March 2021. Patients were categorized into three groups: bacterial infection, viral infection, and mycoplasma infection, with 30 cases in each group. Additionally, 30 healthy neonates with normal physical indicators were included as controls. The study assessed WBC counts, serum CRP, and PCT levels. Diagnostic efficiency was investigated, including concentration alterations, sensitivity, and specificity. Results: Infections resulted in a substantial increase in WBC counts and serum concentrations of CRP and PCT. Bacterial infections displayed the most notable alterations, followed by viral and mycoplasma infections (P < .05). Stand-alone PCT testing exhibited superior diagnostic efficiency, followed by WBC and CRP, as evidenced by heightened sensitivity and specificity (P < .05). However, the disparity in diagnostic efficiency between WBC and CRP alone did not attain statistical significance (P > .05). The WBC, CRP, and PCT hybrid assay demonstrated markedly superior sensitivity and specificity compared to stand-alone tests (P < .05). Conclusions: The combined detection of WBC, CRP, and PCT yields a superior diagnostic outcome for neonatal pneumonia compared to individual tests. This approach enhances the potential for early interventions and contributes significantly to improving patient prognosis. The findings underscore the importance of adopting a multi-marker approach in diagnosing neonatal pneumonia.

Adsorption Characteristics of Ball Milling-Modified Chinese Medicine Residue Biochar Toward Quercetin.

Using traditional Chinese medicine residues as raw materials, different biochars (BC) were prepared through oxygen-limited pyrolysis at 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C, and BC was ball-milled to produce ball-milled biochar (BMC). Using these adsorbents to adsorb the allelopathic autotoxic substance quercetin. The physical and chemical properties of various biochars derived from traditional Chinese medicine residues were characterized using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller-N2 surface areas (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy (Raman). The study investigated the effects of the initial pH value, different humic acid concentrations, and multiple adsorption-desorption experiments on the removal of quercetin from the solution. The article discusses the adsorption mechanism of quercetin in solution by biochar from a traditional Chinese medicine residue, based on the results of adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm fitting. The findings indicate that increasing the pyrolysis temperature reduces the oxygen-containing functional groups of BC, enhances the aromaticity, and stabilizes the carbon structure. The pore structure of BMC becomes more complex after ball milling, which increases the number of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface. Among the samples tested, BMC700 exhibits the best adsorption performance, with an adsorption capacity of 293.3 mg·g-1 at 318 K. The adsorption process of quercetin by BMC700 follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. The process is primarily a form of multimolecular layer adsorption. Its mechanism involves the pore-filling effect, hydrogen-bonding interaction, electrostatic interaction, and π-π coexistence, as well as the yoke effect. Additionally, they are highly recyclable and show promise in addressing continuous cropping issues.

Protective effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy attenuates autophagy and apoptosis in osteoporotic osteoarthritis model rats by activating PPARγ.

Osteoporotic osteoarthritis (OPOA) is a specific phenotype of OA with high incidence and severe cartilage damage. This study aimed to explore the protective efficacy of PEMF on the progression of OPOA and observed the effects of PEMF on PPARγ, autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins in OPOA rats. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, OPOA group, and PEMF group (n = 6). One week after surgery, the rats in PEMF group were subjected to PEMF (3.82 mT, 8 Hz, 40 min/day and 5 day/week) for 12 weeks. Results showed that PEMF retarded cartilage degeneration and bone loss, as evidenced by pathological staining image, decreased MMP-13 expression and increased bone mineral density. PEMF inhibited the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, and the expressions of caspase-3 and caspase-8, while upregulated the expression of PPARγ. Moreover, PEMF significantly improved the autophagy disorders, represented by decrease expressions of Beclin-1, P62, and LC3B. The research demonstrates that PEMF can effectively prevent cartilage and subchondral bone destruction in OPOA rats. The potential mechanism may be related to upregulation of PPARγ, inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis and inflammation, and improvement of autophagy disorder. PEMF therapy thus shows promising application prospects in the treatment of postmenopausal OA.

Osteoporotic osteoarthritis (OPOA) is a very common combination disease, that characterized by chronic pain, swollen joints and susceptibility to fractures. It is particularly common in postmenopausal women. At present, drug therapy is the main treatment method, but the adverse reactions are serious and can not stop the progression of the disease. PEMF is a safe physical therapy that has been shown to increase bone density, reduce pain, and improve joints mobility. In this study, we aimed to explore the protective effect and potential mechanism of PEMF on OPOA. We found that PEMF significantly inhibited the inflammatory response, ameliorated the damaged cartilage and subchondral bone in OPOA rats, that maybe related to the regulation of chondrocyte autophagy and apoptosis. This study provided a new vision for PEMF' treatment on OPOA and has positive significance for the clinical promotion of PEMF.

Single-Atom Cu Nanozyme-Loaded Bone Scaffolds for Ferroptosis-Synergized Mild Photothermal Therapy in Osteosarcoma Treatment.

The rapid multiplication of residual tumor cells and poor reconstruction quality of new bone are considered the major challenges in the postoperative treatment of osteosarcoma. It is a promising candidate for composite bone scaffold which combines photothermal therapy (PTT) and bone regeneration induction for the local treatment of osteosarcoma. However, it is inevitable to damage the normal tissues around the tumor due to the hyperthermia of PTT, while mild heat therapy shows a limited effect on antitumor treatment as the damage can be easily repaired by stress-induced heat shock proteins (HSP). This study reports a new type of single-atom Cu nanozyme-loaded bone scaffolds, which exhibit exceptional photothermal conversion properties as well as peroxidase and glutathione oxidase mimicking activities in vitro experiments. This leads to lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) upregulation, ultimately causing ferroptosis. The accumulation of LPO and ROS also contributes to HSP70 inactivation, maximizing PTT efficiency against tumors at an appropriate therapeutic temperature and minimizing the damage to surrounding normal tissues. Further, the bone scaffold promotes bone regeneration via a continuous release of bioactive ions (Ca2+ , P5+ , Si4+ , and Cu2+ ). The results of in vivo experiments reveal that scaffolds inhibit tumor growth and promote bone repair.

Comprehensive metabolome characterization and comparison between two sources of Dragon's blood by integrating liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and chemometrics.

Dragon's Blood (DB) serves as a precious Chinese medicine facilitating blood circulation and stasis dispersion. Daemonorops draco (D. draco; Qi-Lin-Jie) and Dracaena cochinchinensis (D. cochinchinenesis; Long-Xue-Jie) are two reputable plant sources for preparing DB. This work was designed to comprehensively characterize and compare the metabolome differences between D. draco and D. cochinchinenesis, by integrating liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and untargeted metabolomics analysis. Offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography/ion mobility-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (2D-LC/IM-QTOF-MS), by utilizing a powerful hybrid scan approach, was elaborated for multicomponent characterization. Configuration of an XBridge Amide column and an HSS T3 column in offline mode exhibited high orthogonality (A0 0.80) in separating the complex components in DB. Particularly, the hybrid high-definition MSE-high definition data-dependent acquisition (HDMSE-HDDDA) in both positive and negative ion modes was applied for data acquisition. Streamlined intelligent data processing facilitated by the UNIFI™ (Waters) bioinformatics platform and searching against an in-house chemical library (recording 223 known compounds) enabled efficient structural elucidation. We could characterize 285 components, including 143 from D. draco and 174 from D. cochinchinensis. Holistic comparison of the metabolomes among 21 batches of DB samples by the untargeted metabolomics workflows unveiled 43 significantly differential components. Separately, four and three components were considered as the marker compounds for identifying D. draco and D. cochinchinenesis, respectively. Conclusively, the chemical composition and metabolomic differences of two DB resources were investigated by a dimension-enhanced analytical approach, with the results being beneficial to quality control and the differentiated clinical application of DB.

Selection and Verification of Standardized Reference Genes of Angelica dahurica under Various Abiotic Stresses by Real-Time Quantitative PCR.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Angelica dahurica is a valuable herb with numerous therapeutic applications for a range of ailments. There have not yet been any articles on the methodical assessment and choice of the best reference genes for A. dahurica gene expression studies. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is widely employed as the predominant method for investigating gene expression. In order to ensure the precise determination of target gene expression outcomes in RT-qPCR analysis, it is imperative to employ stable reference genes. In this study, a total of 11 candidate reference genes including SAND family protein (SAND), polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTBP), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT), TIP41-like protein (TIP41), cyclophilin 2 (CYP2), elongation factor 1 α (EF1α), ubiquitin-protein ligase 9 (UBC9), tubulin ß-6 (TUB6), thioredoxin-like protein YLS8 (YLS8), and tubulin-α (TUBA) were selected from the transcriptome of A. dahurica. Subsequently, three statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) were employed to assess the stability of their expression patterns across seven distinct stimulus treatments. The outcomes obtained from these analyses were subsequently amalgamated into a comprehensive ranking using RefFinder. Additionally, one target gene, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), was used to confirm the effectiveness of the selected reference genes. According to the findings of this study, the two most stable reference genes for normalizing the expression of genes in A. dahurica are TIP41 and UBC9. Overall, our research has determined the appropriate reference genes for RT-qPCR in A. dahurica and provides a crucial foundation for gene screening and identifying genes associated with the biosynthesis of active ingredients in A. dahurica.

Advances of Photothermal Agents with Fluorescence Imaging/Enhancement Ability in the Field of Photothermal Therapy and Diagnosis.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an effective cancer treatment method. Due to its easy focusing and tunability of the irradiation light, direct and accurate local treatment can be performed in a noninvasive manner by PTT. This treatment strategy requires the use of photothermal agents to convert light energy into heat energy, thereby achieving local heating and triggering biochemical processes to kill tumor cells. As a key factor in PTT, the photothermal conversion ability of photothermal agents directly determines the efficacy of PTT. In addition, photothermal agents generally have photothermal imaging (PTI) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) functions, which can not only guide the optimization of irradiation conditions but also achieve the integration of disease diagnosis. If the photothermal agents have function of fluorescence imaging (FLI) or fluorescence enhancement, they can not only further improve the accuracy in disease diagnosis but also accurately determine the tumor location through multimodal imaging for corresponding treatment. In this paper, we summarize recent advances in photothermal agents with FLI or fluorescence enhancement functions for PTT and tumor diagnosis. According to the different recognition sites, the application of specific targeting photothermal agents is introduced. Finally, limitations and challenges of photothermal agents with fluorescence imaging/enhancement in the field of PTT and tumor diagnosis are prospected.

Berberine decreases S100B generation to regulate gut vascular barrier permeability in mice with burn injury.

Context: Berberine (BBR) can regulate enteric glial cells (EGCs) and the gut vascular barrier (GVB).Objective: To explore whether BBR regulates GVB permeability via the S100B pathway.Materials and methods: GVB hyperpermeability in C57BL/6J mice was induced by burns or S100B enema. BBR (25 or 50 mg/kg/d, 3 d) was gavaged preburn. S100B monoclonal antibody (S100BmAb) was i.v. injected postburn. Mouse intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (MIMECs) were treated with S100B, S100B plus BBR, or Z-IETD-FMK. GVB permeability was assayed by FITC-dextran, S100B by ELISA, caspase-8, ß-catenin, occludin and PV-1 by immunoblot.Results: Burns elevated S100B in serum and in colonic mucosa to a peak (147.00 ± 4.95 ng/mL and 160.30 ± 8.50 ng/mg, respectively) at 36 h postburn, but BBR decreased burns-induced S100B in serum (126.20 ± 6.30 or 90.60 ± 3.78 ng/mL) and in mucosa (125.80 ± 12.40 or 91.20 ± 8.54 ng/mg). Burns raised GVB permeability (serum FITC-dextran 111.40 ± 8.56 pg/mL) at 48 h postburn, but BBR reduced GVB permeability (serum FITC-dextran 89.20 ± 6.98 or 68.60 ± 5.50 ng/mL). S100B enema (1 µM) aggravated burns-raised GVB permeability (142.80 ± 8.07 pg/mL) and PV-1, but the effect of S100B was antagonized by BBR. Z-IETD-FMK (5 µM) increased S100B-induced permeability to FITC-dextran (205.80 ± 9.70 to 263.80 ± 11.04 AUs) while reducing ß-catenin in MIMECs. BBR (5 µM) reduced S100B-induced permeability (104.20 ± 9.65 AUs) and increased caspase-8, ß-catenin and occludin.Discussion and conclusion: BBR decreases burns-induced GVB hyperpermeability via modulating S100B/caspase-8/ß-catenin pathway and may involve EGCs.

Vitamin D status and the risk of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency with autoimmune diseases, and recent research has found low vitamin D levels in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients. We aimed to determine the variances in serum 25(OH)D levels between NMOSD patients and healthy controls. METHODS: We searched English and Chinese databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Med, VIP) for observational studies related to serum 25(OH)D levels in NMOSD patients published up to August 24, 2023. We included studies with healthy controls and compared serum 25(OH)D levels between NMOSD patients and controls. We computed the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous variables to evaluate serum 25(OH)D levels and combined odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for dichotomized 25(OH)D data. RESULTS: Six papers were selected for meta-analysis, including 794 participants (347 in the NMOSD group and 447 in the healthy control group). Meta-analysis showed significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels in the NMOSD group (MD: -7.83, 95 % CI: -10.99 to -4.68). The risk of 25(OH)D deficiency was 23.36 times higher in the NMOSD group (OR: 23.36, 95 % CI: 0.85 to 640.76, p = 0.06>0.05), with a 94 % occurrence rate. There was no significant difference in the risk of having sufficient 25(OH)D between the groups (p = 0.12>0.05). CONCLUSION: NMOSD patients have lower serum 25(OH)D levels than healthy controls. However, the current research results do not provide evidence for a causal relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and the onset of NMOSD. Routine vitamin D supplementation may be advantageous for patients with NMOSD.

Comparison of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolates from the gut of mice supplemented with different types of nutrients: a genomic and metabolomic study.

Many studies have focused on the influence of dietary supplements on gut microbiota composition, but limited research have reported their effects on specific bacterial species in the gut. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is one of the most widely studied probiotics, with a wide range of sources and good environmental adaptability. In this study, in order to elucidate the adaptation strategies of L. plantarum to the gut of mice supplemented with carbohydrates, peptides and minerals, whole genome resequencing and intracellular metabolites detection were performed, and high-frequency mutant genes and differential metabolites were screened. The results suggested different types of dietary supplements do have different effects on L. plantarum from the gut of mice. Additionally, KEGG annotation unveiled that the effects of these dietary supplements on the gene level of L. plantarum primarily pertained to environmental information processing, while the differential metabolites were predominantly associated with metabolism. This study provided new perspectives on the adaptive mechanism of L. plantarum in response to the host's gut environment, suggesting that the diversity of the genome and metabolome of L. plantarum was correlated with dietary supplements. Furthermore, this study offered useful guidance in the effective utilization of dietary supplements.

Network pharmacology­based investigation of potential targets of triptonodiol acting on non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Triptonodiol is a very promising antitumor drug candidate extracted from the Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F., and related studies are underway. METHODS: To explore the mechanism of triptonodiol for lung cancer treatment, we used network pharmacology, molecular docking, and ultimately protein validation. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed through the David database. Molecular docking was performed using PyMoL2.3.0 and AutoDock Vina software. After screening, the major targets of triptonodiol were identified for the treatment of lung cancer. Target networks were established, Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network topology was analyzed, then KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed. Useful proteins were screened by survival analysis, and Western blot analysis was performed. RESULTS: Triptonodiol may regulate cell proliferation, drug resistance, metastasis, anti-apoptosis, etc., by acting on glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), protein kinase C (PKC), p21-activated kinase (PAK), and other processes. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these targets were associated with tumor, erythroblastic oncogene B (ErbB) signaling, protein phosphorylation, kinase activity, etc. Molecular docking showed that the target protein GSK has good binding activity to the main active component of triptonodiol. The protein abundance of GSK3B was significantly downregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer cells H1299 and A549 treated with triptonodiol for 24 h. CONCLUSION: The cellular-level studies combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches provide new ideas for the development and therapeutic application of triptonodiol, and identify it as a potential GSK inhibitor.

Paeoniflorin, the Main Monomer Component of Paeonia lactiflora, Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Properties in Osteoarthritis Synovial Inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of paeoniflorin (PF) on osteoarthritis (OA) synovial inflammation from network pharmacology to experimental pharmacology. METHODS: Targets of OA were constructed by detecting the database of network database platforms (Therapeutic Target database, DrugBank and GeneCards), and the targets of PF were constructed by PubChem and Herbal Ingredients' Targets database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of these co-targeted genes were conducted via Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were conducted via the search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes (STRING) database. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to assess the potential toxicity of PF on human OA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot were used to verify the potential mechanism of PF in synovial inflammation. RESULTS: Twenty-six co-targeted genes were identified. GO enrichment results showed that these co-targeted genes were most likely localized in the cytoplasm, and the biological processes mainly involved 'cellular response to hypoxia' 'lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated signaling pathway' and 'positive regulation of gene expression'. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these co-targeted genes may function through pathways associated with 'hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway' and 'tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway'. The PPI network showed that the top 3 hub genes were TP53, TNF, and CASP3. Molecular docking results showed that PF was well docking with TNF. CCK-8 showed no potential toxicity of 10, 20 and 50 µmol/L PF on human OA FLS. And PF significantly decreased the expression levels of interleukin-1 ß, interleukin-6, TNF-α matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) and TNF-α in LPS-induced OA FLS. CONCLUSION: PF exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effect in OA synovial inflammation.

[Heixiaoyao Powder interferes with microglia polarization in AD model mice by regulating NOX2/ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway].

The effect and mechanism of Heixiaoyao Powder on the polarization of microglia(MG) in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were explored based on NADPH oxidase 2(NOX2)/reactive oxygen species(ROS)/nuclear factor kappaB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. Fifty 4-month-old male APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into a model group, an MCC950 group(10 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-, medium-, and high-dose Heixiaoyao Powder groups(6.45, 12.89, and 25.78 g·kg~(-1)). Thirty male C57BL/6J mice of the same age and strain were randomly divided into a blank group, a blank + intragastric intervention group, and a blank + intraperitoneal injection group. Drug intervention lasted 90 days. Morris water maze test was used to detect learning and cognitive ability. Nissl staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the pathological morphology and ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the positive expression of M1-type marker CD16/32~+/Iba-1~+, M2-type marker CD206~+/Iba-1~+ of MG and the expression of hippocampal ROS. The colorimetric method was used to detect the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the hippocampus. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of ß-amyloid protein(Aß), Iba-1, CD16/32, CD206, NOX2, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, NF-κB inhibitor alpha(IκBα), and p-IKBα in the hippocampus. The results showed that as compared with the blank group, the model group showed prolonged target quadrant movement distance and escape latency(P<0.01), shortened target quadrant retention time and percentage(P<0.01), disorganized neuronal cells with swelling, nuclear disappearance or bias, reduced number of cells, dissolved or absent Nissl bodies, and a clear area in the cytoplasm, damaged and shrunk cell membrane with abnormal cell morphology, few organelles in the cytoplasm, reduced and swollen mitochondria, increased MG M1-type marker CD16/32~+/Iba-1~+(P<0.01), decreased M2-type marker CD206~+/Iba-1~+(P<0.01), increased ROS activity and MDA content(P<0.01), decreased SOD level(P<0.01), elevated inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α(P<0.01), up-regulated protein expression and phosphorylation of Aß, CD16/32, Iba-1, NOX2, NF-κB, and IKBα(P<0.01), and down-regulated CD206(P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the blank group, the blank + intragastric intervention group, and the blank + intraperitoneal injection group. After the intervention of Heixiaoyao Powder, the Heixiaoyao Powder groups showed shortened target quadrant movement distance and escape latency(P<0.01), prolonged target quadrant retention time and percentage(P<0.01), increased and neatly arranged cells with relieved swelling, increased Nissl bodies, regular cell morphology, and intact cell membrane, relieved swelling of mitochondria, slightly expanded endoplasmic reticulum, decreased CD16/32~+/Iba-1~+(P<0.05 or P<0.01), increased CD206~+/Iba-1~+(P<0.01), decreased ROS activity and MDA content(P<0.01), increased SOD level(P<0.01), decreased content of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α(P<0.01), down-regulated protein expression and phosphorylation of Aß, CD16/32, Iba-1, NOX2, NF-κB, and IKBα(P<0.01), and up-regulated CD206(P<0.01). In conclusion, Heixiaoyao Powder can alleviate neuronal damage and improve the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 mice. The mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of NOX2/ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway, regulating the polarization of MG, increasing the expression of M2 type, inhibiting the expression of M1 type, and reducing the release of inflammatory factor.

An Analysis of Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Designated Hospitals that Treat COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The present investigation aims to conduct a comprehensive examination of the infection prevention and control efforts in hospitals of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps designated for COVID-19 treatment. Methods: By searching the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Chinese Academic Journal, Full Text Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), VIP Chinese Scientific, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database (CECDB), and using Review Manager 5.2 software, the quality assessment, data extraction, and meta-analysis were carried out for the included literature. Results: Between both the experimental and the control groups, there was a statistically significant difference in the level of public awareness of COVID-19 prevention and control [OR = 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.31, 1.99), P < .00001, I2 = 32%, Z = 4]; public concern about COVID-19 prevention and control [OR = 1.56, 95% CI (1.28, 1.90), P < .0001, I2 = 0%, Z = 4.35]; public anxiety on COVID-19 prevention and control [OR = 1.67, 95% CI (1.37, 2.03), P < .00001, I2 = 32%, Z = 5.13]. Conclusion: Chinese prophylaxis and controlling measures for COVID-19 are mainly to protect vulnerable populations, cut off transmission routes, and control the source of infection. Therefore, we must also do our best to prevent and control novel coronavirus pneumonia to protect our health and reduce the burden on our country.

Patients' expectancy scale of acupuncture: Development and clinical performance test.

PURPOSE: This study aims to develop and validate a concise tool for evaluating acupuncture expectancy that is easy to understand and conforms to acupuncture characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A draft was created using the Delphi consensus method. Reliability, validity, discrimination, and feasibility tests were conducted at the item and scale levels. RESULTS: The scale themes were defined as disease-related, treatment-related, process-related, and outcome-related. After two rounds of Delphi surveys with good experts' reliability (authority coefficients of experts were 0.86 and 0.87 in the two rounds) and agreement (Kendall's concordance coefficient of the participants were 0.33 and 0.15 in the two rounds, P < 0.05), 11 items (the mean score for item importance, full mark ratios, and coefficient of variation of items were ≥3.5, ≥25%, and ≤0.30, respectively) were included in the draft. A total of 145 individuals were recruited to test the draft. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's α coefficient (0.90), split-half reliability coefficient (0.89), and test-retest reliability (Pearson's coefficient = 0.74, P < 0.05). Content validity was assessed by the content validity index (Item-CVI ≥ 0.78 and Scale-CVI/Ave = 0.92), and a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess the construct validity. The discrimination of scale items was evaluated by the critical ratio (CR > 3.00) and the homogeneity test (item-total correlations >0.40). Feasibility was assessed through the acceptance rate (recovery rate = 98.60%, response rate = 100%), completion rate (100%), and completion time (4.99 ± 6.80 min). CONCLUSION: The patients' expectancy scale of acupuncture (PESA) consists of 11 items with four themes, disease-related, treatment-related, process-related, and outcome-related. It has great reliability, validity, discrimination, and feasibility and has the potential to evaluate acupuncture expectancy in clinical trials.