Genomic and co-expression network analyses reveal candidate genes for oil accumulation based on an introgression population in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

KEY MESSAGE: Integrated QTL mapping and WGCNA condense the potential gene regulatory network involved in oil accumulation. A glycosyl hydrolases gene (GhHSD1) for oil biosynthesis was confirmed in Arabidopsis, which will provide useful knowledge to understand the functional mechanism of oil biosynthesis in cotton. Cotton is an economical source of edible oil for the food industry. The genetic mechanism that regulates oil biosynthesis in cottonseeds is essential for the genetic enhancement of oil content (OC). To explore the functional genomics of OC, this study utilized an interspecific backcross inbred line population to dissect the quantitative trait locus (QTL) interlinked with OC. In total, nine OC QTLs were identified, four of which were novel, and each QTL explained 3.62-34.73% of the phenotypic variation of OC. The comprehensive transcript profiling of developing cottonseeds revealed 3,646 core genes differentially expressed in both inbred parents. Functional enrichment analysis determined 43 genes were annotated with oil biosynthesis processes. Implementation of weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed that 803 differential genes had a significant correlation with the OC phenotype. Further integrated analysis identified seven important genes located in OC QTLs. Of which, the GhHSD1 gene located in stable QTL qOC-Dt3-1 exhibited the highest functional linkages with the other network genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed significant evolutionary differences in the HSD1 sequences between oilseed- and starch- crops. Furthermore, the overexpression of GhHSD1 in Arabidopsis yielded almost 6.78% higher seed oil. This study not only uncovers important genetic loci for oil accumulation in cottonseed, but also provides a set of new candidate genes that potentially influence the oil biosynthesis pathway in cottonseed.

Nontargeted metabolomic analysis of four different parts of Actinidia arguta by UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE.

Actinidia arguta, an edible berry plant with high nutritional values, has been widely used in Asian countries as a food and traditional medicinal herb. The well-recognized health-promoting properties of A. arguta were associated with its bioactive components in its different botanical parts. To rapidly screen and identify chemical components and simultaneously determine the potential metabolites from different parts of A. arguta, UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE coupled with UNIFI platform and multivariate statistical analysis approach was established in this study. As a result, a total of 107 components were identified from the four different parts of A. arguta, in which 31 characteristic chemical markers were discovered among them, including 12, 8, 6, and 5 compounds from the fruits, leaves, roots, and stems, respectively. These results suggested that the combination of UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE and metabolomic analysis is a powerful method to rapidly screen characteristic markers for the quality control of A. arguta.

Periconception Red Blood Cell Folate and Offspring Congenital Heart Disease : Nested Case-Control and Mendelian Randomization Studies.

BACKGROUND: Periconception folic acid supplementation has been suggested to protect against congenital heart disease (CHD), but the association between maternal red blood cell (RBC) folate, the gold-standard biomarker of folate exposure, and subsequent offspring CHD risk is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association between periconception maternal RBC folate and offspring CHD risk. DESIGN: Prospective, nested, case-control study and 1-sample Mendelian randomization. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02737644). SETTING: 29 maternity institutions in 12 districts of Greater Shanghai, China. PARTICIPANTS: All 197 mothers of offspring with CHD and 788 individually matched mothers of unaffected offspring from the SPCC (Shanghai Preconception Cohort). MEASUREMENTS: Maternal RBC folate was measured before or at early pregnancy. Odds ratios [ORs] were estimated using conditional logistic regression after adjustment for covariates. Mendelian randomization was done using the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T as the genetic instrument. RESULTS: Case patients had lower median maternal RBC folate concentrations than control participants (714 nmol/L [interquartile range, 482 to 1008 nmol/L] vs. 788 nmol/L [557 to 1094 nmol/L]). Maternal RBC folate concentrations were inversely associated with offspring CHD (adjusted OR per 100 nmol/L, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.89 to 0.99]). The adjusted OR for mothers with periconception RBC folate of 906 nmol/L or more (vs. <906 nmol/L) was 0.61 (CI, 0.40 to 0.93). Mendelian randomization showed that each 100-nmol increase in maternal RBC folate concentrations was significantly associated with reduced offspring CHD risk (OR, 0.75 [CI, 0.61 to 0.92]). LIMITATION: Potential confounding due to unmeasured covariates in the nested case-control study. CONCLUSION: Higher maternal RBC folate is associated with reduced offspring CHD risk. For primary CHD prevention, higher target RBC folate levels than currently recommended for neural tube defect prevention may be needed and warrant further study. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences.

CircMEMO1 modulates the promoter methylation and expression of TCF21 to regulate hepatocellular carcinoma progression and sorafenib treatment sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis is a recognized risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Few studies have reported the expression profile of circRNAs in HCC samples compared to paratumour dysplastic nodule (DN) samples. METHODS: The Arraystar Human circRNA Array combined with laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to analyse the expression profile of circRNAs in HCC samples compared to paratumour DN samples. Then, both in vitro and in vivo HCC models were used to determine the role and mechanism of key circRNA in HCC progression and treatment sensitivity. RESULTS: We found that circMEMO1 was significantly downregulated in HCC samples and that the level of circMEMO1 was closely related to the OS and disease-free survival (DFS) of HCC patients. Mechanistic analysis revealed that circMEMO1 can modulate the promoter methylation and gene expression of TCF21 to regulate HCC progression by acting as a sponge for miR-106b-5p, which targets the TET family of genes and increases the 5hmC level. More importantly, circMEMO1 can increase the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study determined that circMEMO1 can promote the demethylation and expression of TCF21 and can be considered a crucial epigenetic modifier in HCC progression.

Effect of Mashao Pingchuan Decoction on Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Cold Asthma of Bronchial Asthma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Mashao Pingchuan decoction on traditional Chinese medicine <bold>（</bold>TCM<bold>）</bold> symptoms， quality of life， peripheral blood eosinophils （Eos） and serum inflammatory factors interleukin-6 （IL-6） and interleukin-8 （IL-8） in patients with cold asthma syndrome of bronchial asthma. Method:A total of 67 patients with cold asthma who attended the Respiratory Clinic of Anhui Provincial Hospital of TCM from January 2018 to December 2019 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group. The control group was given basic treatments such as budesonide formoterol powder inhalation， and the observation group was given Mashao Pingchuan decoction on the basis of the control group. Both groups intervened for 7 consecutive days. Observe and record the general condition， TCM symptom score， asthma control questionnaire （ACQ）-7 score， Marks-asthma quality of life questionnaire （Marks-AQLQ） score of the two groups of asthma patients， the peripheral blood Eos count was measured by hematology analyzer， and the serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels of the subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Result:The total effective rate of TCM symptoms in the two groups was 100%（30/30）， and the effect in the observation group was more obvious （<italic>Z</italic>=-2.169，<italic>P</italic><0.05<italic>）</italic>. After treatment， the scores of TCM symptoms in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The scores of phlegm in the throat， expectoration， cough， and chills in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. After treatment， the ACQ-7 scores and Marks-AQLQ scores of the two groups were significantly lower than before treatment （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference between the observation group and the ACQ-7 scores and Marks-AQLQ scores. After treatment， the peripheral blood Eos counts and serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the two groups were significantly lower than before treatment （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Peripheral blood Eos count and serum IL-6 and IL-8 contents in observation group were lower than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:Mashao Pingchuan decoction combined with budesonide formoterol powder inhalation can effectively improve the clinical effectiveness of asthma （cold asthma）， improve the symptoms of asthma in TCM， ACQ-7 score， Marks-AQLQ score， peripheral blood Eos count， serum inflammatory factor content.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Analysis of CIPK Gene Family in Two Cultivated Allopolyploid Cotton Species: Sequence Variation, Association with Seed Oil Content, and the Role of GhCIPK6.

Calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs), as key regulators, play an important role in plant growth and development and the response to various stresses. In the present study, we identified 80 and 78 CIPK genes in the Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense, respectively. The phylogenetic and gene structure analysis divided the cotton CIPK genes into five groups which were classified into an exon-rich clade and an exon-poor clade. A synteny analysis showed that segmental duplication contributed to the expansion of Gossypium CIPK gene family, and purifying selection played a major role in the evolution of the gene family in cotton. Analyses of expression profiles showed that GhCIPK genes had temporal and spatial specificity and could be induced by various abiotic stresses. Fourteen GhCIPK genes were found to contain 17 non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and co-localized with oil or protein content quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Additionally, five SNPs from four GhCIPKs were found to be significantly associated with oil content in one of the three field tests. Although most GhCIPK genes were not associated with natural variations in cotton oil content, the overexpression of the GhCIPK6 gene reduced the oil content and increased C18:1 and C18:1+C18:1d6 in transgenic cotton as compared to wild-type plants. In addition, we predicted the potential molecular regulatory mechanisms of the GhCIPK genes. In brief, these results enhance our understanding of the roles of CIPK genes in oil synthesis and stress responses.

Research on Treatment of Chronic Cough Based on Cluster Analysis and Factor Analysis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To summarize medication law of prescription and clinical experience on the treatment of chronic cough through data mining technology. Method:The formula information of 650 cases of chronic cough cases diagnosed and treated by professor HAN Ming-xiang was processed with data mining technology, and system cluster analysis and factor analysis were conducted by SPSS Statistics 22.0. Result:High-frequency medicines of professor HAN Ming-xiang for treating chronic cough were Stemonae Radix, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Asteris Radix et Rhizoma and other 37 herbs, their frequency of occurrence accounted for 80.52%. According to the efficacy, the medicines could be classified into 10 categories, such as expectorant cough antiasthmatic drugs, tonifying deficiency drugs, and diaphoretic drugs. Cluster analysis showed 5 combinations of drugs. Factor analysis yielded 13 common factors, such as Stemonae Radix-Asteris Radix et Rhizoma-Farfarae Flos-Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma et Radix, Asari Radix et Rhizoma-Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus-Zingiberis Rhizoma-Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus. Conclusion:Combined with clinical experience, it can be concluded that clinical treatment of professor HAN Ming-xiang for chronic cough attaches great importance to the pathogenesis of wind-evil, Yang deficiency and cold phlegm underlying lung, phlegm and blood stasis and Qi stagnation. The treatment mainly starts from the lung and spleen, with the method of warm and moist, or with some traditional Chinese medicines with the function of removing phlegm by warming the lung, dispersing cold by thinning the surface, strengthening the spleen and resolving phlegm, strengthening the lung and fixing the surface, and relieving spasmolysis by wind.

Simulation of crop growth curve and analysis of interspecific interaction in wheat and faba bean intercropping system.

Interspecific interactions are closely related to the intercropping yield advantage. Little attention was paid to the dynamic changes of interspecific interactions. In this study, the growth curves of wheat and faba bean under different planting patterns (wheat monocropped, faba bean monocropped, and wheat and faba bean intercropping) and phosphorus (P) fertilization levels [P0, 0 kg P2O5·hm-2(the control); P1, 45 kg P2O5·hm-2; P2, 90 kg P2O5·hm-2, repetitively] were simulated by Logistic analysis in a two-year field experiment. The dynamics of interspecific interaction were analyzed. The results showed that wheat yield was increased by 10.5%-18.6% when wheat was intercropped with faba bean as compared to monocropped wheat (MW). The yield of intercropping faba bean (IF) was decreased by 4.8%-12.3% relative to monocropped faba bean (MF). However, wheat and faba bean intercropping still showed yield advantage, with the values of land equivalent ratio (LER) and relative crowding coefficient (K) being 1.01-1.15 and 1.12-3.20, respectively. Both the yields and key growth parameters for wheat and faba bean were regulated by P level, but LER and K were not affected by P level. The maximum growth rate (Rmax) and the initial growth rate (r) of wheat were increased by 21.8%-38.7% and 20.8%-38.9% when wheat was intercropped with faba bean as compared to corresponding MW, respectively. The planting pattern had no effect on the key growth parameters of faba bean. No difference in growth curve between monocropping and intercropping crop was found under different P fertilization levels during the early growth stages. The interspecific competition was dominant in wheat and faba bean intercropping system during the early growth stages, without any intercroping biomass advantage (LER<1, K<1). Increased growth rate and decreased intraspecific competitive pressure for wheat were observed when faba bean attaining its maximum growth rate (Tmax) in intercropping system, with both intercropping biomass and yield advantage (LER>1, K>1). In conclusion, the interaction between wheat and faba bean varied with growth stages. Wheat and faba bean intercropping stimulated the growth rate of wheat during the middle and late growth stages, which was a foundation for intercropping advantage.

Additive Benefits of Twice Forest Bathing Trips in Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

Chronic heart failure (CHF), a clinical syndrome resulting from the consequences of various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is increasingly becoming a global cause of morbidity and mortality. We had earlier demonstrated that a 4-day forest bathing trip can provide an adjunctive therapeutic influence on patients with CHF. To further investigate the duration of the impact and the optimal frequency of forest bathing trips in patients with CHF, we recruited those subjects who had experienced the first forest bathing trip again after 4 weeks and randomly categorized them into two groups, namely, the urban control group (city) and the forest bathing group (forest). After a second 4-day forest bathing trip, we observed a steady decline in the brain natriuretic peptide levels, a biomarker of heart failure, and an attenuated inflammatory response as well as oxidative stress. Thus, this exploratory study demonstrated the additive benefits of twice forest bathing trips in elderly patients with CHF, which could further pave the way for analyzing the effects of such interventions in CVDs.

Qiyusanlong decoction suppresses lung cancer in mice via Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Lung cancer is one of the most fatal cancers due to its high metastatic rate. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used in cancer patients for decades to improve quality of life and prolong survival time. The present study used a novel Qiyusanlong (QYSL) decoction composed of 10 kinds of Chinese medicine including astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), polygonatumod oratum (yuzu), scolopendra (tianlong), pberetima (dilong), solanum nigrum (longkui), herbahedyotis (baihushecao), semen coicis (yiyiren), euphorbia helioscopia (zeqi), curcuma longa (eshu) and tendril-leaved fritillary bulb (chuanbei). The effects and function of the QYSL decoction remain to be elucidated. The present study established a mouse xenograft model using Lewis lung carcinoma cell injection and administered different doses of QYSL decoction to the mice. It was demonstrated that the chemotherapy drug Cisplatin (DDP) and QYSL decoction repressed lung tumor growth, and the inhibitory effect of DDP was more significant. Furthermore, QYSL decoction and DDP modulated the expression of regulatory proteins in the Wnt/ß­catenin pathway, including Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt5a and glycogen synthase kinase 3ß, detected by western blotting, and affected the signals of cluster of differentiation 44 variation 6 and Survivin in tumor tissues, examined via immunohistochemistry. The combination of QYSL decoction and DDP enhanced the inhibitory effect. These data demonstrated that the QYSL decoction repressed lung tumor development via the Wnt/ß­catenin pathway. The therapeutic effect of QYSL decoction alone was milder compared with DDP, however the combination of QYSL decoction and chemotherapy exhibited an increased the rapeutic effect compared with the treatments administered alone. These findings revealed the function of QYSL decoction as a lung cancer treatment and provided insight for a novel lung cancer therapy.

Flavonoids from the roots of Artocarpus heterophyllus.

Four new flavonoids, artoheteroids A-D (1-4), together with six known ones (5-10), were isolated from the roots of Artocarpus heterophyllus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, CD, and HR-ESI-MS. All isolated compounds were screened for their inhibitory abilities against cathepsin K (CatK). Among them, compounds 1-2, 4-6, and 10 were found to have suppression capabilities against CatK with IC50 values ranging from 1.4 to 93.9µM.

Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis by photoimmunotherapy targeting tumor-associated macrophage in a sorafenib-resistant tumor model.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play essential roles in tumor invasion and metastasis, and contribute to drug resistance. Clinical evidence suggests that TAM levels are correlated with local tumor relapse, distant metastasis, and poor prognosis in patients. In this study, we synthesized a TAM-targeted probe (IRD-αCD206) by conjugating a monoclonal anti-CD206 antibody with a near-infrared phthalocyanine dye. We then investigated the potential application of the IRD-αCD206 probe to near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging and photoimmunotherapy (PIT) of tumors resistant to treatment with the kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Sorafenib treatment had no effect on tumor growth in a 4T1 mouse model of breast cancer, but induced M2 macrophage polarization in tumors. M2 macrophage recruitment by sorafenib-treated 4T1 tumors was noninvasively visualized by in vivo NIRF imaging of IRD-αCD206. Small-animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT and intratumoral microdistribution analysis indicated TAM-specific localization of the IRD-αCD206 probe in 4T1 tumors after several rounds of sorafenib treatment. Upon light irradiation, IRD-αCD206 suppressed the growth of sorafenib-resistant tumors. In vivo CT imaging and ex vivo histological analysis confirmed the inhibition of lung metastasis in mice by IRD-αCD206 PIT. These results demonstrate the utility of the IRD-αCD206 probe for TAM-targeted diagnostic imaging and treatment of tumors that are resistant to conventional therapeutics.

A near-infrared phthalocyanine dye-labeled agent for integrin αvß6-targeted theranostics of pancreatic cancer.

Integrin αvß6 is widely upregulated in variant malignant cancers but is undetectable in normal organs, making it a promising target for cancer diagnostic imaging and therapy. Using streptavidin-biotin chemistry, we synthesized an integrin αvß6-targeted near-infrared phthalocyanine dye-labeled agent, termed Dye-SA-B-HK, and investigated whether it could be used for cancer imaging, optical imaging-guided surgery, and phototherapy in pancreatic cancer mouse models. Dye-SA-B-HK specifically bound to integrin αvß6 in vitro and in vivo with high receptor binding affinity. Using small-animal optical imaging, we detected subcutaneous and orthotopic BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer xenografts in vivo. Upon optical image-guidance, the orthotopically growing pancreatic cancer lesions could be successfully removed by surgery. Using light irradiation, Dye-SA-B-HK manifested remarkable antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. (18)F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and ex vivo fluorescence staining validated the observed decrease in proliferation of treated tumors by Dye-DA-B-HK phototherapy. Tissue microarray results revealed overexpression of integrin αvß6 in over 95% cases of human pancreatic cancer, indicating that theranostic application of Dye-DA-B-HK has clear translational potential. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that integrin αvß6-specific Dye-SA-B-HK is a promising theranostic agent for the management of pancreatic cancer.

[Chemical Constitutes from Root of Artocarpus styracifolius].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from root of Artocarpus styracifolius. METHODS: Tne constituents were isolated from the root of Artocarpus styracifolius by column chromatography over silica gel, RP-18 silica gel, MCI GEL CHP-20P, macroporous resin HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40C and by preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of physical and chemical properties and spectral data. RESULTS: Nine compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as p-hydroxy benzoic acid (1), syringic acid (2), 2,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde (3), (+)-lyoniresinol (4), 5,5'-dimethoxysecoisolariciresinol (5), (+)- syringaresinol (6), scopoletin (7), xylarolide (8) and trans-oxyresveratrol (9). CONCLUSION: Compounds 2, 5, 6 and 8 are isolated from Moraceae for the first time. Compounds 1, 4 and 7 are firstly characterized in the genus Artocarpus, compounds 3 and 9 are characterized in Artocarpus styracifolius for the first time.

Inhibitory effects of phenolic compounds from Artocarpus styracifolius on respiratory burst of rat neutrophils.

CONTEXT: Searching for polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) respiratory burst inhibitors is an important topic in the treatment of human diseases associated with inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effects of phenolics isolated from Artocarpus styracifolius Pierre (Moraceae) on respiratory burst induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-respiratory burst activities of eight phenolics (20 µM) were assessed by determining luminol-dependent chemiluminiscence in rat PMNs. Cytotoxicity of active compounds (1-1000 µM) was assayed by Trypan blue dye exclusion method. Cell-free models were employed to evaluate scavenging capacity of active compounds (20 µM) against reactive oxygen species. RESULTS: The PMA-induced respiratory burst was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) by six isoprenylated phenolics (AS1-6) at the concentration of 20 µM (below the toxic concentration) with the inhibition rate ranging from 25.0 to 99.6%. The inhibitory potency estimated by IC50 was in the order of AS1 (3.1 µM) >AS6 (5.9 µM) >AS2 (9.1 µM) >AS3 (10.0 µM) >AS5 (29.7 µM) >AS4 (57.7 µM). AS1-4, four isoprenylated flavones, potently quenched superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide at the concentration of 20 µM with their scavenging rates in the range of 30.1-78.1%, 35.4-69.7%, and 65.5-86.3%, respectively. In contrast, AS5-6, two isoprenylated 2-arylbenzofurans, showed less effect than that exhibited by AS1-4. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The isoprenylated phenolics from A. styracifolius can potently inhibit PMA-induced respiratory burst in rat neutrophils without showing cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of these isoprenylated phenolics on the respiratory burst might depend on their different types of structure.

Anthelmintic activity of the crude extracts, fractions, and osthole from Radix angelicae pubescentis against Dactylogyrus intermedius in goldfish (Carassius auratus) in vivo.

A bioassay-guided fractionation was performed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the crude extract fractions and osthole from Radix angelicae pubescentis against Dactylogyrus intermedius in goldfish (Carassius auratus) in vivo. Among four extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, and ethanol), only ethanol extract exhibited the best anthelmintic efficacy with 100% mortality of Dactylogyrus and no death of fish at the optimal anthelminthic concentration of 120 mg/L. Therefore, ethanol extract was subjected to column chromatography to obtain sixteen fractions. The activity was found in fraction F with 100% mortality of Dactylogyrus and no toxicity to fish at dose of 2.0 mg/L. A white crystal was isolated from fraction F and identified as osthole which exhibited the optimal activity with 100% mortality of Dactylogyrus at 1.6 mg/L had and no toxicity to fish at dose up to 6.2 mg/L. This is the first report on the isolation and identification of anthelmintic active compound from R. angelicae pubescentis against D. intermedius in goldfish (C. auratus) in vivo.

[Preliminary study on differential expressed genes in T lymphocyte of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with Fei-qi deficiency syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study T lymphocyte related genes with differential expression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of Fei-qi deficiency (FQD) syndrome type by gene chips. METHODS: Lymphocytes in peripheral blood were isolated by Ficoll technique from blood samples collected from COPD patients of FQD syndrome type, Fei-yin deficiency (FYD) syndrome type, and also from healthy subjects for control. They were sorted and purified by flow cytometry, and the different expressed genes were screened from them by gene chip technique. RESULTS: There were 15 genes with high differential expression between patients of FQD type and those of FYD syndrome type, and between patients of FQD type and healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Gene chip technique could be used for studying the gene expression profiles of TCM syndrome, and the T-lymphocyte related genes with differential expression in COPD patients with FQD were screened preliminarily.

Preliminary study on differential expressed genes in T lymphocyte of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with Fei-qi deficiency syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study T lymphocyte related genes with differential expression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of Fei-qi deficiency (FQD) syndrome type by gene chips.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lymphocytes in peripheral blood were isolated by Ficoll technique from blood samples collected from COPD patients of FQD syndrome type, Fei-yin deficiency (FYD) syndrome type, and also from healthy subjects for control. They were sorted and purified by flow cytometry, and the different expressed genes were screened from them by gene chip technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 15 genes with high differential expression between patients of FQD type and those of FYD syndrome type, and between patients of FQD type and healthy subjects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gene chip technique could be used for studying the gene expression profiles of TCM syndrome, and the T-lymphocyte related genes with differential expression in COPD patients with FQD were screened preliminarily.</p>