Triplet-triplet annihilation photon upconversion-mediated photochemical reactions.

Photon upconversion is a method for harnessing high-energy excited states from low-energy photons. Such photons, particularly in the red and near-infrared wavelength ranges, can penetrate tissue deeply and undergo less competitive absorption in coloured reaction media, enhancing the efficiency of large-scale reactions and in vivo phototherapy. Among various upconversion methodologies, the organic-based triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) stands out - demonstrating high upconversion efficiencies, requiring low excitation power densities and featuring tunable absorption and emission wavelengths. These factors contribute to improved photochemical reactions for fields such as photoredox catalysis, photoactivation, 3D printing and immunotherapy. In this Review, we explore concepts and design principles of organic TTA-UC-mediated photochemical reactions, highlighting notable advancements in the field, as well as identify challenges and propose potential solutions. This Review sheds light on the potential of organic TTA-UC to advance beyond the traditional photochemical reactions and paves the way for research in various fields and clinical applications.

A Mendelian randomization study on the causal relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption, and the development of myopia and astigmatism.

The influence of environmental factors like smoking and alcohol on myopia and astigmatism is controversial. However, due to ethical concerns, alternative study designs are urgently needed to assess causal inference, as mandatory exposure to cigarettes and alcohol is unethical. Following comprehensive screenings, 326 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to myopia and astigmatism were included in the dataset. To validate the causal association between exposures such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee intake, and outcomes namely astigmatism and myopia, five regression models were employed. These models encompassed MR-Egger regression, random-effects inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median estimator (WME), weighted model, and simple model. The instrumental variables utilized in these analyses were the aforementioned SNPs. Apply Cochran's Q test to determine heterogeneity of SNPs; if heterogeneity exists, focus on IVW model results. The IVW model showed a 1.379-fold increase in the risk of astigmatism (OR = 1.379, 95%CI 0.822~2.313, P = 0.224) and a 0.963-fold increase in the risk of myopia (OR = 0.963, 95%CI 0.666~1.393, P = 0.841) for each unit increase in smoking. For each unit increase in coffee intake, the risk of astigmatism increased 1.610-fold (OR = 1.610, 95%CI 0.444~5.835, P = 0.469) and the risk of myopia increased 0.788-fold (OR = 0.788, 95%CI 0.340~1.824, P = 0.578). For each additional unit of alcohol consumption, the risk of astigmatism increased by 0.763-fold (OR = 0.763, 95%CI 0.380~1.530, P = 0.446), and none of the differences were statistically significant. However, for each unit of alcohol consumption, the risk of myopia increased by 1.597 times, and the difference was statistically significant (OR = 1.597, 95%CI 1.023~2.493, P = 0.039). The findings indicate that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for myopia but smoking and coffee intake do not affect its development. Additionally, there is no association between smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee intake, and the risk of astigmatism.

Effects of traditional Chinese culture-based bibliotherapy on the spiritual health of patients with liver cancer.

BACKGROUND: Liver cancer is a serious global health problem and is associated with poor spiritual health. Bibliotherapy is beneficial in improving health outcomes in cancer patients, yet there is a lack of empirical evidence of its effect on the spiritual health of liver cancer patients in China. The study aimed to investigate the effects of bibliotherapy based on Chinese traditional culture on the spiritual health of patients with liver cancer in China. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hunan Normal University School of Medicine and registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration (No: 2021260), which registration in June 30th 2021. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with liver cancer were divided into the intervention group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30) through WeChat. The intervention group received bibliotherapy therapy based on traditional Chinese culture, while the control group received routine care. Spiritual health was assessed using the Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List (SAIL) and compared before and after the intervention between the two groups. The chi-square test and t-test were used to analyze the intervention effects. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in all baseline characteristics including the SAIL score. After 5 weeks of intervention, the score of SAIL increased significantly from 96.76 ± 15.08 to 106.93 ± 13.82 in the intervention group (t = - 29.380, p < 0.001), while no significant difference in SAIL score was observed in the control group (from 95.27 ± 16.40 to 95.31 ± 16.24, t = - 0.189, p = 0.852). Similar patterns were also observed in its three dimensions of connecting with oneself, connecting with the environment, and connecting with transcendence. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that bibliotherapy based on traditional Chinese culture using the WeChat platform can greatly improve the spiritual health of patients with liver cancer and has the potential to be widely applied to cancer patients to improve their well-being.

Fucoxanthin, a marine derived carotenoid, attenuates surgery-induced cognitive impairments via activating Akt and ERK pathways in aged mice.

BACKGROUND: Fucoxanthin is the most abundant marine carotenoid derived from brown seaweeds, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, and might be benefit for the treatment of neurological disorders. Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a neurological symptom with learning and memory impairments, mainly affecting the elderly after surgery. However, there is no effective treatments for this symptom. PURPOSES: In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of fucoxanthin against POCD in aged mice after surgery. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The animal model of POCD was established in 12 - 14 month aged mice with a laparotomy. Curcumin was used as a positive control. The beneficial effects of fucoxanthin on POCD was analyzed by behavioral tests. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). And the expressions of key proteins in the Akt and ERK signaling pathways were analyzed by Western blotting analysis. The morphology of microglial cells and astrocytes was explored by immunohistochemical staining. The activity of antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured by anti-oxidative enzyme activity assays. RESULTS: Fucoxanthin at 100 - 200 mg/kg significantly attenuated cognitive dysfunction, with a similar potency as curcumin, in aged mice after surgery. In addition, fucoxanthin and curcumin significantly increased the expression of pAkt, prevented the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes, and inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory interleukin-1ß (IL - 1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Furthermore, fucoxanthin and curcumin elevated the ERK pathway and potently increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Most importantly, U0126, an inhibitor of the ERK pathway, and wortmannin, an inhibitor of the Akt pathway, significantly abolished the cognitive-enhancing effects, as well as the inhibition of neuroinflammation and the reduction of oxidative stress, induced by fucoxanthin in aged mice after surgery. CONCLUSION: Fucoxanthin might be developed as a functional food or drug for the treatment of POCD by inhibiting neuroinflammation and enhancing antioxidant capacity via the activation of the Akt and ERK signaling pathways.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) plus systemic chemotherapy versus systemic chemotherapy alone in locally advanced gastric cancer after D2 radical resection: a randomized-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is a lack of an effective strategy for the prevention of peritoneal metastasis (PM) from locally advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This randomized-controlled study aimed to evaluate the outcome of D2 radical resection with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) plus systemic chemotherapy versus systemic chemotherapy alone in locally AGC patients. METHODS: All enrolled patients were randomly assigned to receive HIPEC plus systemic chemotherapy (HIPEC group) or systemic chemotherapy alone (non-HIPEC group) after radical gastrectomy. HIPEC was performed intraperitoneally with cisplatin (40 mg/m2) within 72 h after surgery, while systemic chemotherapy based on the SOX regimen (S-1 combined with oxaliplatin) was administered 4-6 weeks after radical surgery. Patterns of recurrence, adverse events, 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients were enrolled in the present study. The 3-year DFS rate was 73.8% in the HIPEC group, which was significantly higher than that in the non-HIPEC group (61.2%, P = 0.031). The 3-year OS rate was 73.9% in the HIPEC group and 77.6% in the non-HIPEC group, with no significant difference (P = 0.737). PM was the most common distant metastasis in both groups. The occurrence rate of PM in the HIPEC group was statistically lower than that in the non-HIPEC group (20.9% vs. 40.3%, P = 0.015). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 19 (14.2%) patients, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Radical surgery followed by HIPEC combined with systemic chemotherapy is a safe and feasible strategy for locally AGC patients and could effectively improve DFS and reduce the occurrence of PM. However, more prospective randomized studies with a large sample size are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with www.medresman.org.cn as ChiCTR2200055966 on 10/12/2016.

Eucommia lignans alleviate the progression of diabetic nephropathy through mediating the AR/Nrf2/HO-1/AMPK axis in vivo and in vitro.

Lignans derived from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (Eucommia lignans) inhibit the progression of inflammatory diseases, while their effect on the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) remained unclear. This work was designed to assess the function of Eucommia lignans in DN. The major constituents of Eucommia lignans were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The binding between Eucommia lignans and aldose reductase (AR) was predicted by molecular docking. Eucommia lignans (200, 100, and 50 mg·kg-1) were used in model animals to evaluate their renal function changes. Rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1) were transfected with sh-AR, sh-AMPK, and oe-AR in the presence of high glucose (HG) or HG combined with Eucommia lignans to evaluate whether Eucommia lignans affected HG-induced cell injury and mitochondrial dysfunction through the AR/Nrf2/HO-1/AMPK axis. Eucommia lignans significantly attenuated the progression of DN in vivo. Eucommia lignans notably reversed HG-induced upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and mitochondrial injury, while downregulating the levels of Cyto c, caspase 9, AR, and NOX4 in HBZY-1 cells. In contrast, HG-induced downregulation of Nrf2, HO-1 and p-AMPKα levels were abolished by Eucommia lignans. Meanwhile, knockdown of AR exerted similar therapeutic effect of Eucommia lignans on DN progression, and AR overexpression reversed the effect of Eucommia lignans. Eucommia lignans alleviated renal injury through the AR/Nrf2/HO-1/AMPK axis. Thus, these findings might provide evidence for the use of Eucommia lignans in treating DN.

Electroacupuncture for weight loss by regulating microglial polarization in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Electroacupuncture (EA) has a weight loss effect, but the underlying molecular mechanisms of weight loss with EA have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of EA on the phenotype of hypothalamic microglia in obese mice. A total of 50 male C57BL/6J mice were used in this study. There were three groups in this experiment: The conventional diet group (Chow group), the high-fat diet group (HFD group), and the EA intervention group (HFD + EA group). EA was applied at "Tianshu (ST25)", "Guanyuan (RN4)", "Zusanli (ST36)" and "Zhongwan (RN12)" every day for 10 min. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemical staining, and real-time PCR were applied in this study. The results showed that EA intervention was associated with a decrease in body weight, food intake, adipose tissue weight, and adipocyte size. At the same time, EA induced microglia to exhibit an M2 phenotype, representing reduced iNOS/TNF-α and increased Arg-1/IL-10/BDNF, which may be due to the promotion of TREM2 expression. EA also reduced microglia enrichment in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and declined TLR4 and IL-6, inhibiting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. In addition, EA treatment promoted POMC expression, which may be associated with reduced food intake and weight loss in obese mice. This work provides novel evidence of EA against obesity. However, further study is necessary of EA as a therapy for obesity.

Cellulose nanofiber/MXene/luffa aerogel for all-weather and high-efficiency cleanup of crude oil spills.

The remediation of heavy crude oil spills is a global challenge because frequent crude oil spills cause long-term damage to local living beings and marine ecosystems. Herein, a solar-driven and Joule-driven self-heated aerogel were developed as an all-weather adsorbent to efficiently absorb crude oil by obviously decreasing the viscosity of crude oil. The cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/MXene/luffa (CML) aerogel was fabricated via a simple freeze-drying method using CNF, MXene, and luffa as raw materials, and then coated with a layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to make it hydrophobic and further increase oil-water selectivity. The aerogel can quickly reach 98 °C under 1 sun (1.0 kW/m2), which remains saturated temperature after 5 times photothermal heating/cooling cycles, indicating that the aerogel has great photothermal conversation capability and stability. Meanwhile, the aerogel can also rapidly rise to 110.8 °C with a voltage of 12 V. More importantly, the aerogel achieved the highest temperature of 87.2 °C under outdoor natural sunlight, providing a possibility for promising applications in practical situations. The remarkable heating capability enables the aerogel to decrease the viscosity of crude oil substantially and increase the absorption rate of crude oil by the physical capillary action. The proposed all-weather aerogel design provides a sustainable and promising solution for cleaning up crude oil spills.

Effect of an Herbal-Based Injection on 28-Day Mortality in Patients With Sepsis: The EXIT-SEP Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Previous research has suggested that Xuebijing injection (XBJ), an herbal-based intravenous preparation, may reduce mortality among patients with sepsis. Objective: To determine the effect of XBJ vs placebo on 28-day mortality among patients with sepsis. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Efficacy of Xuebijing Injection in Patients With Sepsis (EXIT-SEP) trial was a multicenter, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in intensive care units at 45 sites and included 1817 randomized patients with sepsis (sepsis 3.0) present for less than 48 hours. Patients aged 18 to 75 years with a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of 2 to 13 were enrolled. The study was conducted from October 2017 to June 2019. The final date of follow-up was July 26, 2019. Data analysis was performed from January 2020 to August 2022. Interventions: The patients were randomized to receive either intravenous infusion of XBJ (100 mL, n = 911) or volume-matched saline placebo (n = 906) every 12 hours for 5 days. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Results: Among the 1817 patients who were randomized (mean [SD] age, 56.5 [13.5] years; 1199 [66.0%] men), 1760 (96.9%) completed the trial. In these patients, the 28-day mortality rate was significantly different between the placebo group and the XBJ group (230 of 882 patients [26.1%] vs 165 of 878 patients [18.8%], respectively; P < .001). The absolute risk difference was 7.3 (95% CI, 3.4-11.2) percentage points. The incidence of adverse events was 222 of 878 patients (25.3%) in the placebo group and 200 of 872 patients (22.9%) in the XBJ group. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial among patients with sepsis, the administration of XBJ reduced 28-day mortality compared with placebo. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03238742.

Microbiological diagnostic performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing compared with conventional culture for patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an extraordinarily heterogeneous illness, both in the range of responsible pathogens and the host response. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a promising technology for pathogen detection. However, the clinical application of mNGS for pathogen detection remains challenging. Methods: A total of 205 patients with CAP admitted to the intensive care unit were recruited, and broncho alveolar lavage fluids (BALFs) from 83 patients, sputum samples from 33 cases, and blood from 89 cases were collected for pathogen detection by mNGS. At the same time, multiple samples of each patient were tested by culture. The diagnostic performance was compared between mNGS and culture for pathogen detection. Results: The positive rate of pathogen detection by mNGS in BALF and sputum samples was 89.2% and 97.0%, which was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that (67.4%) of blood samples. The positive rate of mNGS was significantly higher than that of culture (81.0% vs. 56.1%, P = 1.052e-07). A group of pathogens including Mycobacterium abscessus, Chlamydia psittaci, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Orientia tsutsugamushi, and all viruses were only detected by mNGS. Based on mNGS results, Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen (15/61, 24.59%) of non-severe patients with CAP, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was the most common pathogen (21/144, 14.58%) leading to severe pneumonia. Pneumocystis jirovecii was the most common pathogen (26.09%) in severe CAP patients with an immunocompromised status, which was all detected by mNGS only. Conclusion: mNGS has higher overall sensitivity for pathogen detection than culture, BALF, and sputum mNGS are more sensitive than blood mNGS. mNGS is a necessary supplement of conventional microbiological tests for the pathogen detection of pulmonary infection.

Redox ferrocenylseleno compounds modulate longitudinal and transverse relaxation times of FNPs-Gd MRI contrast agents for multimodal imaging and photo-Fenton therapy.

Developing a feasible way to feature longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation performance of contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Improved accessibility to water molecule is essential for accelerating the relaxation rate of water protons around the contrast agents. Ferrocenyl compounds have reversible redox property for modulating the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of assemblies. Thus, they could be the candidates that can change water accessibility to the contrast agent surface. Herein, we incorporated ferrocenylseleno compound (FcSe) with Gd3+-based paramagnetic UCNPs, to obtain FNPs-Gd nanocomposites using T1-T2 MR/UCL trimodal imaging and simultaneous photo-Fenton therapy. When the surface of NaGdF4:Yb,Tm UNCPs was ligated by FcSe, the hydrogen bonding between hydrophilic selenium and surrounding water molecules accelerated their proton exchange to initially endow FNPs-Gd with high r1 relaxivity. Then, hydrogen nuclei from FcSe disrupted the homogeneity of the magnetic field around the water molecules. This facilitated T2 relaxation and resulted in enhanced r2 relaxivity. Notably, upon the near-infrared light-promoted Fenton-like reaction in the tumor microenvironment, hydrophobic ferrocene(II) of FcSe was oxidized into hydrophilic ferrocenium(III), which further increased the relaxation rate of water protons to obtain r1 = 1.90±0.12 mM-1 s-1 and r2 = 12.80±0.60 mM-1 s-1. With an ideal relaxivity ratio (r2/r1) of 6.74, FNPs-Gd exhibited high contrast potential of T1-T2 dual-mode MRI in vitro and in vivo. This work confirms that ferrocene and selenium are effective boosters that enhance the T1-T2 relaxivities of MRI contrast agents, which could provide a new strategy for multimodal imaging-guided photo-Fenton therapy of tumors. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: T1-T2 dual-mode MRI nanoplatform with tumor-microenvironment-responsive features has been an attractive prospect. Herein, we designed redox ferrocenylseleno compound (FcSe) modified paramagnetic Gd3+-based UCNPs, to modulate T1-T2 relaxation time for multimodal imaging and H2O2-responsive photo-Fenton therapy. Selenium-hydrogen bond of FcSe with surrounding water molecules facilitated water accessibility for fast T1 relaxation. Hydrogen nucleus in FcSe perturbed the phase coherence of water molecules in an inhomogeneous magnetic field and thus accelerated T2 relaxation. In tumor microenvironment, FcSe was oxidized into hydrophilic ferrocenium via NIR light-promoted Fenton-like reaction which further increased both T1 and T2 relaxation rates; Meanwhile, the released toxic •OH performed on-demand cancer therapy. This work confirms that FcSe is an effective redox mediate for multimodal imaging-guided cancer therapy.

Green Tea Epigallocatechin Gallate Inhibits Preadipocyte Growth via the microRNA-let-7a/HMGA2 Signaling Pathway.

SCOPE: This study investigates the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on white and beige preadipocyte growth and explores the involvement of the miR-let-7a/HMGA2 pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS: 3T3-L1 and D12 cells are treated with EGCG. The effect of EGCG on cell proliferation and viability is evaluated, as well as microRNA (miRNA)-related signaling pathways. EGCG inhibits 3T3-L1 and D12 preadipocyte growth, upregulates miR-let-7a expression, and downregulates high-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, overexpression of miR-let-7a significantly inhibits the growth of 3T3-L1 and D12 cells and decreases HMGA2 mRNA and protein levels. MiR-let-7a inhibitor antagonizes the inhibitory effects of EGCG on the number and viability of 3T3-L1 and D12 cells. Furthermore, miR-let-7a inhibitor reverses the EGCG-induced increase in miR-let-7a expression levels and decrease in HMGA2 mRNA and protein levels. HMGA2 overexpression induces an increase in cell number and viability and antagonizes EGCG-suppressed cell growth and HMGA2 expression in 3T3-L1 and D12 preadipocytes. CONCLUSION: EGCG inhibits the growth of 3T3-L1 and D12 preadipocytes by modulating the miR-let-7a and HMGA2 pathways.

[Acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-stroke depression: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of Shugan Tiaoshen (soothing liver and regulating mind) acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD), and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Ninety patients of PSD were randomly divided into an acupuncture+rTMS combination group (30 cases), a rTMS combination group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a western medication group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off). The western medication group was treated with escitalopram oxalate tablets, 10 mg orally each time, once a day; on the basis of the treatment in the western medication group, the rTMS combination group was additionally given rTMS, and the frequency was 20 Hz, 20 min each time, once a day, 5 times a week; on the basis of the treatment in the rTMS combination group, the acupuncture+rTMS combination group was additionally treated with Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Yintang (GV 24+), Shenting (GV 24), etc. for 40 min each time, once a day, weekly 5 times, and each group was treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were observed, and serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were detected in each group. RESULTS: After treatment, the HAMD-17 scores in the three groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01), and the PSQI scores in the acupuncture+rTMS combination group and the rTMS combination group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01); the above indexes in the acupuncture+rTMS combination group and the rTMS combination group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05), and the PSQI score in the acupuncture+rTMS combination group was lower than that in the rTMS combination group (P<0.05). After treatment, the MoCA scores and serum BDNF levels in the acupuncture+rTMS combination group and the rTMS combination group were higher than those before treatment (P<0.01), and the serum 5-HT levels in the three groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.01); and the above indexes in the acupuncture+rTMS combination group and the rTMS combination group were higher than those in the western medication group (P<0.05), and which in the acupuncture+rTMS combination group were higher than those in the rTMS combination group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: On the basis of western medication escitalopram oxalate, the addition of Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture combined with rTMS therapy can effectively improve cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with PSD, and the effect is better than that of western medication alone or rTMS combined with western medication. Its mechanism of action may be related to the increase of peripheral serum 5-HT and BDNF levels.

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses identify the intersection genes and mechanism of Huang Bai for recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) are complex inflammatory diseases caused by multi-factors, which severely impact patient quality of life. However, there is still no effective treatment method for RAS without side effects. Traditionally, Cortex Phellodendri known as "Huang Bai" was used to treat RAS for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in China. Network pharmacology methods and bioinformatics analysis were utilized to search and fish incorporating target. Network analysis and silico validation were used to discover the pharmacological mechanisms of "Huang Bai" for the treatment of RAS. A total of 25 active ingredients in HB, 200 drug targets, and 578 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and normal samples were obtained. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that the immune response was the most significantly enriched term within the DEGs. The KEGG pathway analysis identified 60 significant pathways, most of which involved in the inhibition of inflammation and regulation of immunological response. The functions are dependent on a multi-pathway, particularly the TNF signaling pathway and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. We identified six hub genes in the PPI network, most of which were validated as highly expressed in oral ulcers by DiseaseMeth databases. In addition, molecular docking displayed that the primary molecule combined well with the key targets. "Huang Bai" contains potential anti-RAS active compounds. This study reflects the multi-component multi-target multi-pathway action characteristics of "Huang Bai." Our study provides potential biomarkers or treatment targets for further research.

Protective Effect of the Chinese Herb Draba Scabra on the Sepsis Myocarditis in Molecular Mechanism.

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the efficacy and mechanism of Draba scabra in sepsis myocarditis. Methods: The efficacy and pathways of action of Draba scabra on septic myocarditis were evaluated by making a rat model of sepsis with appendix perforation, using Draba scabra for pharmacological intervention, and measuring serum inflammatory factors, cardiac function indexes and parameters, and P38 protein expression in each group of rats, respectively. Results: The inflammatory factor level, apoptotic index of cardiomyocytes, and P38-MARK protein were significantly higher, while the cardiac function index and hemodynamic index were significantly decreased in group B, while the opposite was true in group E. The treatment was also found to be dose-dependent. Conclusion: Draba scabra pretreatment effectively reduces the inflammatory response and improves hemodynamic indexes in septic rats. The mechanism may be via the P38-MARK pathway to protect the myocardium.

Dye Doped Metal-Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Phototherapy.

Phototherapy is a noninvasive cancer treatment that relies on the interaction between light and photoactive agents. These photoactive agents are typically organic dyes, but their hydrophobic nature and self-aggregation tendency in biological media greatly restricts the development of highly effective phototherapeutic systems. In the past decade, functional dye-doped metal-organic framework (MOF)-based phototherapy has attracted enormous interest because organic dyes can be encapsulated and isolated within the MOF structure to show superior treatment efficacy. In addition to incorporating the reported phototherapeutic dyes into MOF as the ligand or the guest in the pores, the construction of an MOF-based phototherapy agent can also be extended to these dye units that are previously inactive for phototherapy. Thus, this review focuses on the emerging development of phototherapeutic MOFs that exhibited better performance than the involving dye units due to the controlled dye aggregation within the MOF. The related mechanisms and some emerging future directions of dye-doped MOF-based phototherapy are also discussed and summarized.

Green tea epigallocatechin gallate suppresses 3T3-L1 cell growth via microRNA-143/MAPK7 pathways.

Green tea epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and microRNA (miRNA) molecules modulate obesity. Nevertheless, it is still unknown whether EGCG modulates fat cell growth via miRNA-related signaling. In this study, white preadipocytes were used to examine whether the antimitogenic effect of EGCG on fat cells is regulated by the miR-143/MAPK7 pathway. We showed that EGCG upregulated the levels of miR-143, but not miR-155, in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Moreover, EGCG downregulated MAPK7 mRNA and protein levels time- and dose-dependently. MAPK7 expression increased during 3T3-L1 cell proliferation. miR-143 overexpression in the absence of EGCG mimicked the effects of EGCG to suppress preadipocyte growth and MAPK7 expression, whereas knockdown of miR-143 antagonized the EGCG-altered levels of miR-143, MAPK7, and pERK1/2 and reversed the EGCG-inhibited cell growth. These findings suggest that EGCG inhibits 3T3-L1 cell growth via miR-143/MAPK7 pathway.

Huaier Inhibits Gastric Cancer Growth and Hepatic Metastasis by Reducing Syntenin Expression and STAT3 Phosphorylation.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide and poses a serious threat to human health. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Huaier (Trametes robiniophila Murr.) has been used in the clinical treatment of GC. However, the mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of Huaier remains poorly understood. In this study, we used in vivo imaging technology to determine the anticancer effect of the Huaier n-butanol extract (HBE) on orthotopic and hepatic metastasis of GC mouse models. We found that HBE suppressed tumor growth and metastasis without causing apparent host toxicity. Proteomic analysis of GC cells before and after HBE intervention revealed syntenin to be one of the most significantly downregulated proteins after HBE intervention. We further demonstrated that HBE suppressed the growth and metastasis of GC by reducing the expression of syntenin and the phosphorylation of STAT3 at Y705 and reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, we confirmed that syntenin was highly expressed in GC tissue and correlated with metastasis and poor prognosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that Huaier, a clinically used anticancer drug, may inhibit the growth and liver metastasis of GC by inhibiting the syntenin/STAT3 signaling pathway and reversing EMT.

Trametes robiniophila Murr Sensitizes Gastric Cancer Cells to 5-Fluorouracil by Modulating Tumor Microenvironment.

Trametes robiniophila Murr (TRM) is a traditional Chinese medicine which has been used in clinics for enhancing immunity and improving the efficacy of chemotherapy. However, the mechanisms of action of TRM are unknown. In the previous study, we found that the Trametes robiniophila Murr n-butanol extract (TRMBE) comprises the major bioactive components of TRM. In the present study, we aimed to assess the combinational effects of TRMBE and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the treatment of gastric cancer (GC) and explore its mechanism of action. It was found that TRMBE significantly potentiated the anticancer activity of 5-FU and prolonged the survival time of mice bearing Mouse Forestomach Carcinoma (MFC) xenograft tumors. We observed that the combination of TRMBE and 5-FU decreased the risk of liver metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, the combination of TRMBE and 5-FU reduced the levels of immune cytokines IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-ß and increased the level of IFN-γ in peripheral blood. This combination therapy also significantly decreased the levels of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) and PD-1-positive CD8+ T cells and increased the levels of NK cells in tumor microenvironment (TME). However, TRMBE treatment was unable to enhance the chemosensitivity of GC to 5-FU in vivo after the depletion of CD8+ T and NK cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate that TRMBE can reshape the TME of GC by regulating PMN-MDSCs, CD8+ T cells, and NK cells, therefore improving the therapeutic effects of 5-FU. This study suggests that the combination of TRMBE and 5-FU could enhance immunity and could be a promising approach for GC treatment.

Intestinal Flora: A Potential Mechanism by Which Yinlai Decoction Treats Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Pneumonia.

Background: We intended to explore the mechanism of Yinlai decoction in the treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pneumonia from the perspective of intestinal flora. Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the blank control group (N), the pneumonia group (P), and the Yinlai decoction group (PT). The rat pneumonia model was established using LPS inhalation (0.5 mg/mL, 5 mL, 30 min/day, 3 days). Yinlai decoction was administered intragastrically (2 mL/100 g, 3 days). Lung tissue pathology, organ indexes, serum inflammatory factors, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and intestinal flora changes were measured. Results: Lung tissue inflammation was prevented by Yinlai decoction. IL-6 levels showed a higher tendency to be higher, and IL-12 and TNF-α were significantly higher in the PT group than in the P group. The structure of the intestinal flora in the P differed from that in the N. The relative abundance of 10 out of 12 microflora was significantly higher in the P group than in the N and PT groups. In the PT group, the structure and the distribution of microbial groups were like those of the N group. Conclusions: Yinlai decoction inhibited LPS-induced lung and systemic inflammation in rats and may help the intestinal flora restore equilibrium by inhibiting the colonization of pathogenic bacteria and adjusting the ratio between probiotics and pathogenic bacteria. Intestinal flora may serve as a mediator of Yinlai decoction's effect on LPS-induced pneumonia.