Self-supervised contrastive learning for EEG-based cross-subject motor imagery recognition.

Objective. The extensive application of electroencephalography (EEG) in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can be attributed to its non-invasive nature and capability to offer high-resolution data. The acquisition of EEG signals is a straightforward process, but the datasets associated with these signals frequently exhibit data scarcity and require substantial resources for proper labeling. Furthermore, there is a significant limitation in the generalization performance of EEG models due to the substantial inter-individual variability observed in EEG signals.Approach. To address these issues, we propose a novel self-supervised contrastive learning framework for decoding motor imagery (MI) signals in cross-subject scenarios. Specifically, we design an encoder combining convolutional neural network and attention mechanism. In the contrastive learning training stage, the network undergoes training with the pretext task of data augmentation to minimize the distance between pairs of homologous transformations while simultaneously maximizing the distance between pairs of heterologous transformations. It enhances the amount of data utilized for training and improves the network's ability to extract deep features from original signals without relying on the true labels of the data.Main results. To evaluate our framework's efficacy, we conduct extensive experiments on three public MI datasets: BCI IV IIa, BCI IV IIb, and HGD datasets. The proposed method achieves cross-subject classification accuracies of 67.32%, 82.34%, and 81.13%on the three datasets, demonstrating superior performance compared to existing methods.Significance. Therefore, this method has great promise for improving the performance of cross-subject transfer learning in MI-based BCI systems.

Advancing lifelong precision medicine for cardiovascular diseases through gut microbiota modulation.

The gut microbiome is known as the tenth system of the human body that plays a vital role in the intersection between health and disease. The considerable inter-individual variability in gut microbiota poses both challenges and great prospects in promoting precision medicine in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this review, based on the development, evolution, and influencing factors of gut microbiota in a full life circle, we summarized the recent advances on the characteristic alteration in gut microbiota in CVDs throughout different life stages, and depicted their pathological links in mechanism, as well as the highlight achievements of targeting gut microbiota in CVDs prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Personalized strategies could be tailored according to gut microbiota characteristics in different life stages, including gut microbiota-blood metabolites combined prediction and diagnosis, dietary interventions, lifestyle improvements, probiotic or prebiotic supplements. However, to fulfill the promise of a lifelong cardiovascular health, more mechanism studies should progress from correlation to causality and decipher novel mechanisms linking specific microbes and CVDs. It is also promising to use the burgeoning artificial intelligence and machine learning to target gut microbiota for developing diagnosis system and screening for new therapeutic interventions.

Circulating fatty acids, genetic risk, and incident coronary artery disease: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study.

The role of fatty acids (FAs) in primary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) is highly debated, and the modification effect by genetic risk profiles remains unclear. Here, we report the prospective associations of circulating FAs and genetic predisposition with CAD development in 101,367 U.K. Biobank participants. A total of 3719 CAD cases occurred during a mean follow-up of 11.5 years. Plasma monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) were positively associated with risk of CAD, whereas the risk was significantly lower with higher n-3 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) and more reductions in risk were detected among TT carriers of rs174547. Furthermore, increased plasma saturated FAs (SFAs) and linoleic acid were related to a significant increase in CAD risk among participants with high genetic risk (genetic risk score > 90%). These findings suggest that individuals with high genetic risk need to reduce plasma SFAs levels for CAD prevention. Supplementation of n-3 PUFAs for CAD prevention may consider individuals' genetic makeup.

Tea Polyphenols Reduce Inflammation of Orbital Fibroblasts in Graves' Ophthalmopathy via the NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effects of tea polyphenols (TP) on inflammation of orbital fibroblasts in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) and to provide new ideas for GO treatment. METHODS: Primary orbital fibroblasts were extracted from orbital adipose/connective tissues of patients with and without GO. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 in non-GO and GO orbital fibroblasts. The CCK-8 assay was used to determine the appropriate concentration of TP for subsequent experiments. RT-qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to investigate the effects of TP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of inflammatory cytokines. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression was measured using Western blotting analysis. NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) expression was detected using both Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: The mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1ß, and MCP-1 in GO orbital fibroblasts were significantly higher than those in non-GO cells. TP treatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of inflammatory factors, including IL-6, IL-1ß, and MCP-1. TP also inhibited the expression levels of NF-κB and NLRP3. Inflammation in the GO orbital fibroblasts was higher than that in non-GO cells. TP inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines in GO orbital fibroblasts in vitro through the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that TP may have a potential role in GO treatment.

Study on damage evolution and radon exhalation of uranium-bearing granite under high temperature.

Deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste is a feasible method for solving the problem of spent fuel storage in China. High-level radioactive waste releases heat during the decay process, which increases the temperature of the surrounding rock in the repository, resulting in a significant increase in radon concentration. In this study, the surrounding rock (granite) of a high-level radioactive waste repository was taken as the research object and, based on the similarity principle, an orthogonal test designed. Similar materials of uranium-containing granite were prepared in the laboratory and the physical and mechanical properties and cumulative radon concentration of granite samples assessed under different temperatures (25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 °C). The results showed that, with increased temperature, the compressive and tensile strengths of samples gradually increased and their pore volume gradually decreased. After heat treatment, the longitudinal wave velocity and thermal conductivity of samples decreased linearly with increased temperature. The radon exhalation rate first increased and then decreased, with the rate reaching a maximum at 100 °C. The radon exhalation rate of single-sided and double-sided samples was 0.00914 and 0.00460 Bq·m-2·s-1, respectively. When the temperature was 25-100 °C, the dominant stage was pore water. The radon exhalation rates of samples were positively correlated with compressive and tensile strengths and negatively correlated with pore volume, longitudinal wave velocity, and thermal conductivity. The temperature of 100-200 °C was range of the dominant stage of pore structure. The conclusions obtained in this study can provide theoretical support for radon reduction and radon control of granite in high temperature environments.

Limosilactobacillus reuteri FN041 prevents atopic dermatitis in pup mice by remodeling the ileal microbiota and regulating gene expression in Peyer's patches after vertical transmission.

Objectives: Limosilactobacillus reuteri FN041 is a potential probiotic bacterium isolated from breast milk in traditional farming and pastoral areas of China. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal intervention mode and potential mechanism of FN041 to prevent atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. Methods: In intervention mode I, FN041 was supplemented to dams during the late trimester and lactation and pups after weaning; in intervention mode II, FN041 was supplemented after pups were weaned. AD was induced in pups with MC903 plus ovalbumin on the ear after weaning. Results: The effect of intervention mode I in preventing AD was significantly better than that of intervention mode II. Compared with the model group, the inflammatory response of the pup's ears, the proportion of spleen regulatory T cells and the plasma IgE were significantly decreased in mice in intervention mode I. Furthermore, the intestinal mucosal barrier was enhanced, and the Shannon index of the ileal microbiota was significantly increased. The microbiota structure deviated from the AD controls and shifted toward the healthy controls according to the PCoA of unweighted UniFrac. The relative abundances of Limosilactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia in the ileum were significantly increased compared to the AD group. Based on RNA-seq analysis of pups' Peyer's patches (PPs), FN041 inhibits autoimmune pathways such as asthma and systemic lupus erythematosus and activates retinol metabolism and PPAR signaling pathways to reduce inflammatory responses. Intervention mode II also significantly reduced AD severity score, but the reduction was approximately 67% of that of intervention mode I. This may be related to its ineffective remodeling of the ileal microbiota. Conclusion: Prenatal and postnatal administration of FN041 is an effective way to prevent AD in offspring, and its mechanism is related to remodeling of ileal microbiota and PPs immune response.

Therapeutic Effect of Gypenosides on Antioxidant Stress Injury in Orbital Fibroblasts of Graves' Orbitopathy.

Purpose: To examine the impact of gypenosides (Gyps) on oxidative stress damage of orbital fibroblasts (OFs) from Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) patients. Methods: The relationship between Gyps and GO oxidative stress was understood by bioinformatics analysis. Orbital connective tissues of GO and non-GO patients were obtained for primary OF culture. The proliferation level of OFs was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 method, and the appropriate intervention concentration of Gyps and H2O2 was obtained. The expression of apoptosis-related protein mRNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR technique. ROS and SOD test suites were employed to detect the oxidative stress level in OFs. Flow cytometry apoptosis detection, TUNEL detection, and lactate dehydrogenase detection were used to analyze the level of apoptosis. Western blotting detection was utilized to examine the regulatory pathway of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy-related proteins. The changes of cell morphology, autophagosome, and autophagy lysosome were observed by transmission electron microscope. Results: The suitable intervention concentration of Gyps is 100 µg/mL, and the suitable intervention concentration of high concentration H2O2 is 350 µM. In comparison with the blank control group, the H2O2 intervention group enhanced the expression of apoptosis-related mRNA, the expression of ROS and SOD, the apoptosis rate, the expression of autophagy activation-related protein and Nrf2/ERK/HO-1 protein, and the number of autophagosomes and autophagy lysosomes. Compared with H2O2 intervention group, the expression of apoptosis-related mRNA decreased, ROS expression decreased, SOD expression increased, apoptosis rate decreased, autophagy activation-related protein expression decreased, Nrf2/ERK/HO-1 protein expression increased, and the quantity of autophagosomes and autophagy lysosomes decreased in H2O2 + Gyps intervention group. Conclusion: Gyps can decrease the oxidative stress level of OFs generated by H2O2, reduce cell autophagy, and reduce apoptosis. Gyps may regulate the oxidative stress response of OFs in GO patients via the Nrf2/ERK/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Upcycling Waste Pine nut Shell Membrane for Highly Efficient Separation of Crude Oil-in-Water Emulsion.

Discharge of oily sewage and frequent oil spills have caused serious harm to human production, life, and ecological environment. Due to the presence of a large number of surfactants in water, these oil-water mixtures are easy to form oil-in-water emulsion, which is difficult to separate by traditional methods. At the same time, the water-soluble pollutants such as dyes and heavy metal ions in oily wastewater also cause great harm to the human body and the environment. A pine nut shell is a kind of common domestic waste material. Herein, an underwater superoleophobic pine nut shell membrane (PNSM) was prepared by the simple pumping filtration method, which realized the separation of oil-in-water emulsion and adsorption of dyes and heavy metal ions. In addition, the filter membrane can be used for separating corrosive emulsions of strong acid, strong alkali, and 3.5% NaCl solutions (simulated seawater). Besides, the PNSM showed excellent toughness and flexibility. Due to the abovementioned performance, this cost-efficient and environmentally friendly membrane can be a promising candidate for multifunctional oily water remediation.

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids attenuate hyperglycemia through the microbiome-gut-organs axis in db/db mice.

BACKGROUND: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been suggested to prevent the development of metabolic disorders. However, their individual role in treating hyperglycemia and the mechanism of action regarding gut microbiome and metabolome in the context of diabetes remain unclear. RESULTS: Supplementation of DHA and EPA attenuated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance without changing body weight in db/db mice while the ameliorative effect appeared to be more pronounced for EPA. DHA/EPA supplementation reduced the abundance of the lipopolysaccharide-containing Enterobacteriaceae whereas elevated the family Coriobacteriaceae negatively correlated with glutamate level, genera Barnesiella and Clostridium XlVa associated with bile acids production, beneficial Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and SCFA-producing species. The gut microbiome alterations co-occurred with the shifts in the metabolome, including glutamate, bile acids, propionic/butyric acid, and lipopolysaccharide, which subsequently relieved ß cell apoptosis, suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis, and promoted GLP-1 secretion, white adipose beiging, and insulin signaling. All these changes appeared to be more evident for EPA. Furthermore, transplantation with DHA/EPA-mediated gut microbiota mimicked the ameliorative effect of DHA/EPA on glucose homeostasis in db/db mice, together with similar changes in gut metabolites. In vitro, DHA/EPA treatment directly inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (Family Enterobacteriaceae) while promoted Coriobacterium glomerans (Family Coriobacteriaceae), demonstrating a causal effect of DHA/EPA on featured gut microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: DHA and EPA dramatically attenuated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in db/db mice, which was mediated by alterations in gut microbiome and metabolites linking gut to adipose, liver and pancreas. These findings shed light into the gut-organs axis as a promising target for restoring glucose homeostasis and also suggest a better therapeutic effect of EPA for treating diabetes. Video abstract.

Pharmacological effects of Pugionium cornutum (L.) Gaertn. extracts on gastrointestinal motility are partially mediated by quercetin.

BACKGROUND: The majority of global population suffer from various functional gastrointestinal disorders. Pugionium cornutum (L.) Gaertn. (PCG) is used to relieve indigestive symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine. However, little is known about the effects of bioactive components from PCG extracts on gastrointestinal motility. METHODS: Crude ethanol extract of PCG (EEP) was prepared from Pugionium cornutum (L.) Gaertn. Different solvents were used to prepare fine extracts from EEP, including water extract of PCG (WEP), petroleum ether extract of PCG (PEEP), dichloromethane extract of PCG (DEP) and ethyl acetate extract of PCG (EAEP). Smooth muscle cell model and colonic smooth muscle stripe model were used to test the bioactive effects and mechanisms of different PCG extracts on contraction and relaxation. Diverse chromatographic methods were used to identify bioactive substances from PCG extracts. RESULTS: EEP was found to promote the relaxation of gastric smooth muscle cell and inhibit the contraction of colonic smooth muscle strip. Among the fractions of EEP, EAEP mainly mediated the relaxation effect by stimulating intracellular calcium influx. Further evidences revealed that EAEP was antagonistic to acetylcholine. In addition, COX and NO-GC-PKC pathways may be also involved in EAEP-mediated relaxation effect. Quercetin was identified as a bioactive compound from PCG extract for the relaxation effect. CONCLUSION: Our research supports the notion that PCG extracts promote relaxation and inhibits contraction of gastrointestinal smooth muscle at least partially through the effect from quercetin.

Mixed conjugated linoleic acid sex-dependently reverses high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance via the gut-adipose axis.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may prevent the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. However, the effects of CLA on inflammation and glucose metabolism are controversial. The underlying mechanisms governing the gut microbiota and sexual dimorphisms have also not been elucidated. The present study assessed the effect of CLA on glucose and lipid metabolism in established obesity and examined the mechanism of action based on gut microbiota. Four-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks to induce obesity. The diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were fed an HFD supplemented with mixed CLA (50% cis-9, trans-11 isomer and 50% trans-10, cis-12 isomers, 0.2% wt/wt) for 15 weeks. CLA supplementation remarkably reversed body weight in both sexes. CLA favored anti-inflammatory microbiota in male mice, mediating increased short-chain fatty acids and decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS) production, which alleviated global inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity via inhibition of the TLR4-NF-κB pathway in adipose tissue. CLA promoted the growth of hydrogen sulfide-producing Desulfovibrio and the release of LPS in female mice, which aggravated adipose inflammation and insulin resistance. Although CLA impaired glucose metabolism in females, brown adipose tissue was significantly activated with browning of white adipose tissue in both sexes, which led to enhanced energy expenditure. Fecal transplantation from CLA-treated mice to DIO mice mimicked the sex-dependent phenotype. In conclusion, CLA decreased body weight and increased energy expenditure but sex-dependently modulated insulin resistance via the gut-adipose axis.

Study on the action mechanism of Wuling Powder on treating osteoporosis based on network pharmacology.

Osteoporosis is a health problem to cause global concern. A lot of methods have been used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, but there is still a lack of effective treatment for osteoporosis owing to limited understanding of its mechanism. Therefore, the aim of this present study is to explore the underlying mechanism of Wuling Powder, a traditional Chinese medicine on treating osteoporosis. In this study, we firstly screened and identified the common targets between Wuling Powder and osteoporosis through the related databases, and then explored the relationships among these targets, Wuling Powder and osteoporosis by using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and network analyses. Subsequently, the molecular docking was performed by using systemsDock to evaluate the potential binding relationships between the active components of Wuling Powder and their related targets. The results showed that in total of 14 common targets including CREBBP, ADAM17, GOT1, GAPDH, USP8, ERBB2, EEF1A1, MTOR, RAC1, ETS1, DDX58, GCK, EGF and S100A8 were screened. EGF, ERBB2, MTOR and HIF-1 were the potential therapeutic targets for osteoporosis, and they were also the related targets for predicting active components in Wuling Powder. Taken together, we concluded that Wuling Powder might be used to treat osteoporosis through above these targets.

Gypenosides Protect Orbital Fibroblasts in Graves Ophthalmopathy via Anti-Inflammation and Anti-Fibrosis Effects.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Gypenosides (Gyps) on the inflammation and fibrosis in orbital fibroblasts (OFs) in Graves ophthalmopathy (GO). Methods: Bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify the enriched genes and signaling pathways related to Gyps function. For ex vivo experiments, OFs were cultured from orbital connective tissues from patients with GO. OF proliferation was estimated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Effects of Gyps treatment on interleukin (IL)-1ß-induced inflammation and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)-induced fibrosis were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blotting. OFs were treated with IL-1ß or TGF-ß1 in the absence or presence of Gyps pretreatment, and the levels of related mRNA or proteins were evaluated by RT-qPCR or ELISA. Results: Eight inflammation-related target genes and nine fibrosis-related target genes were screened out. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways corresponding to inflammation and fibrosis, respectively. IL-1ß-induced upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, and TGF-ß-induced upregulation of fibrotic mediators in OFs were downregulated by Gyps. Moreover, Gyps reduced the activation of Toll like receptors 4/nuclear factor-κ B signaling and TGF-ß1/SMAD2/SMAD4 signaling in GO OFs. Conclusions: Gyps could protect GO-derived OFs against IL-1ß-induced inflammation and TGF-ß1-induced fibrosis. Thus Gyps might have therapeutic potential on inflammation and fibrosis in GO.

Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids Differentially Alter Gut Microbiome and Reverse High-Fat Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance.

SCOPE: To assess the individual effects of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on insulin resistance (IR), gut microbiome, and gut metabolites in high-fat-diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: DIO mice are fed an either high-fat diet (HFD), EPA (1% w/w) enriched HFD, or DHA (1% wt/wt) enriched HFD for 15 weeks. Both EPA and DHA supplements reverse hyperglycemia and IR but do not affect body weight in DIO mice while DHA exhibits a more pronounced ameliorative effect in male mice. Both EPA- and DHA-enriched Lactobacillus and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing species from Lachnospiraceae while reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing Bilophila and Escherichia/Shigella. Compared with EPA, DHA-supplemented mice have more abundant propionic/butyric acid-producing bacteria, including Coprococcus, Butyricimonas synergistica, Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Intestinimonas, and less-abundant LPS-correlated species Streptococcus and p-75-a5. The shifts in gut microbiome co-occurred with the changes in levels of propionic/butyric acid, circulating LPS, and serotonin. Additionally, EPA/DHA supplementation attenuates adipose inflammation with upregulated glucose transporter 4 and Akt phosphorylation, indicating the improvement of insulin signaling. CONCLUSION: EPA and DHA differentially reverse IR and relieve adipose inflammation while modulating gut microbiome and SCFAs/LPS production, underscoring the gut-adipose axis as a primary target of EPA/DHA.

Medicinal Value and Potential Therapeutic Mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino and Its Derivatives: An Overview.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino (GpM) and its derivatives, especially gypenosides (Gyps), are widely used as safe and convenient natural herbal drugs for the treatment of many diseases for a long time, and Gyps have different oral bioavailability (OB) values and low ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The effects of GpM and isolates on fibrosis, inflammation, oxidation, proliferation and migration are proved. GpM shows bidirectional regulation effect on proliferation, oxidation and apoptosis in tumor and non-tumor cells. GpM and its extractions can resist proliferation, activate oxidation and apoptosis in tumor cells and have opposite effects on non-tumor cells. We succinctly present some current views of medicinal value and potential therapeutic mechanisms of GpM and its derivatives.

Caulis Spatholobi Ameliorates Obesity through Activating Brown Adipose Tissue and Modulating the Composition of Gut Microbiota.

Obesity is associated with disrupted energy homeostasis and intestinal dysbiosis. Caulis Spatholobi, traditional Chinese medicine for herbal therapy, contains a wide range of bioactive compounds and has a specific pharmacological function. However, its effects on obesity and related metabolic disorder have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we showed that the water extract of Caulis Spatholobi (WECS) has a significant effect in inhibiting body weight gain, decreasing adiposity, maintaining glucose homeostasis, reducing insulin resistance and improving hepatic steatosis in diet-introduced obesity (DIO) mice. Besides, the administration of WECS significantly increased the expression levels of genes involved in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation and thermogenesis in DIO mice. Also, the activation of BAT treated with WECS was also confirmed in BAT primary cells. Mechanisms, the improvement of glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance may be related to the upregulated MAPK and AMPK pathways in white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT. Notably, WECS also improved the obesity-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, which induced an increase of anti-obesity and anti-diabetes related bacteria genus. In conclusion, Caulis Spatholobi can ameliorate obesity through activating brown adipose tissue and modulating the composition of gut microbiota. Our findings provide a novel perspective on Chinese medicine applications and provide a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders.

Research on the Potential Mechanism of Gypenosides on Treating Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Based on Network Pharmacology.

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy is the commonest orbital disease in adults. However, shortcomings still exist in treatments. The aim of this study was to identify the efficacy and potential mechanism of gypenosides in the treatment of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was screened for active compounds of gypenosides, and targets were predicted using Swiss Target Prediction. The targets of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy were obtained from Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Comparative Toxicogenomic Database and GeneCards Human gene database. Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Reactome Pathways were determined based on the common targets. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to further understand of relationship among target genes, compounds and proteins. Molecular docking was performed to investigate the binding ability between gypenosides and hub genes. A total of 70 targets for gypenosides and 804 targets for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy were obtained with 8 common targets identified. GO analysis and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the hub genes were enriched in JAK-STAT, while Reactome pathways analysis indicated genes enriched in interleukin pathways. PPI network showed STAT1, STAT3, and STAT4 were at the center. Additionally, molecular docking indicated that STAT1 and STAT3 display good binding forces with gypenosides. This study indicates that target genes mainly enriched in JAK-STAT signaling pathway, particularly in STATs, which can be combined with gypenosides. This may suggest that gypenosides have curative effect on thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy via the JAK-STAT pathway.

[Research on the Anti-Pulmonary Fibrosis Effect of the Bletilla striata Polysaccharide in Rat Silicosis Model].

Objective: To investigate the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect and the possible molecular mechanism of the Bletilla striata polysaccharide. Methods: Polysaccharide was prepared by water reflux extraction plus ethanol precipitation method, and following deproteinization process by Sevage method. Rat silicosis model was established by invasive intratracheal instillation method. The effect and molecular mechanism of the polysaccharide was evaluated by lung indexes, lung pathological change, serum levels of SOD,MDA,NF-κB,IL-1ß,PDGF,TGF-ß1,TNF-α,HYP were detected, and the contents of CD3~+,CD4~+,CD8~+T lymph cells and CD4~+/ CD8~+ratio were detected by flow cytometry. Results: Both low( 100 mg / kg) and high( 400 mg / kg) dosage polysaccharide treatment could remarkably elevate the serum SOD level and reduce the MDA,NO level, and effectively reverse the CD4~+/ CD8~+ratio comparing with the model group( P < 0. 01). Except the TNF-α level was significantly lower in the high dosage treatment group, there was no other effect in inflammatory cytokines and HYP content in serum. HE pathological section confirmed that the Bletilla striata polysaccharide treatment group can not effectively prevent lung fibrosis. Conclusion: The Bletilla striata polysaccharide has remarkable regulation effect on antioxidation system and immune system, but can not effectively prevent lung fibrosis, more effort should be made to study the active antipulmonary fibrosis components of Bletilla striata.