[Transcriptome data mining combined with clinical and animal experiments for identification of syndrome element marker genes during entire course of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head].

A research strategy combining transcriptome data mining and experimental verification was adopted to identify the marker genes characterizing the syndrome elements of phlegm, stasis, and deficiency in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head(SONFH). Firstly, the common differentially expressed gene sets of SONFH with the syndromes of phlegm-stasis obstructing collaterals, vessel obstruction, and liver-kidney deficiency were obtained from the clinical transcriptomic analysis of a previous study. The differential expression trend analysis and functional gene mining were then employed to predict the candidate marker gene sets representing phlegm, stasis, and deficiency. The whole blood samples from SONFH patients, whole blood samples from SONFH rats, and affected femoral head tissue samples were collected for qPCR, which aimed to determine the expression levels of the candidate marker genes mentioned above. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) was established to objectively evaluate the syndrome differentiation effectiveness of the candidate marker genes mentioned above. The transcriptome data analysis results showed that the candidate marker genes for phlegm was ELOVL fatty acid elongase 6(ELOVL6), and those for stasis were ankyrin 1(ANK1), glycophorin A/B(GYPA/B), and Rh-associated glycoprotein(RHAG). The candidate marker genes for deficiency were solute carrier family 2 member 1(SLC2A1) and stomatin(STOM). The qPCR results showed that compared with that in the non-SONFH group, ELOVL6 had the lowest expression level in the peripheral blood of the SONFH patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis obstructing collaterals(P<0.05). Compared with that in the normal control group, ELOVL6 had the lowest expression level in the peripheral blood and affected femoral head tissue of SONFH rats modeled for 4 weeks(P<0.01), and it showed better syndrome differentiation effectiveness of rats modeled for 4 weeks(AUC=0.850, P=0.006) than at other modeling time points(8, 12, 16, and 21 weeks, AUC of 0.689, 0.766, 0.588, and 0.662, respectively). Compared with that in the non-SONFH group, the expression levels of ANK1, GYPA, and RHAG were the lowest in the peripheral blood of SONFH patients with the vessel obstruction syndrome(P<0.05). The expression levels of the three genes were the lowest in the peripheral blood and affected femoral head tissue of SONFH rats modeled for 12 weeks(P<0.05, P<0.01), and their syndrome differentiation effectiveness in the rats modeled for 12 weeks(GYPA: AUC=0.861, P=0.012; ANK1: AUC=0.855, P=0.006; RHAG: AUC=0.854, P=0.009) was superior to that for 4, 8, 16, and 21 weeks(GYPA: AUC=0.646, 0.573, 0.691, and 0.617, respectively; ANK: AUC1=0.630, 0.658, 0.657, and 0.585, respectively; RHAG: AUC=0.592, 0.511, 0.515, and 0.536, respectively). Compared with the non-SONFH group, both SLC2A1 and STOM had the lowest expression levels in the peripheral blood of patients with the syndrome of liver and kidney deficiency(P<0.05). Compared with the normal control group, their expression levels were the lowest in the peripheral blood and affected femoral head tissue of SONFH rats modeled for 21 weeks(P<0.05, except STOM in the peripheral blood of rats). Moreover, the syndrome differentiation effectiveness of SLC2A1 in the rats modeled for 21 weeks(AUC=0.806, P=0.009) was superior to that for 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks(AUC=0.520, 0.580, 0.741, 0.774, respectively), and STOM was meaningless in syndrome differentiation. In summary, the candidate marker gene for phlegm in SONFH is ELOVL6; the candidate marker genes for stasis are GYPA, RHAG, and ANK1; the candidate marker gene for deficiency is SLC2A1. The results help to reveal the biological connotations of phlegm, stasis, and deficiency in SONFH at the genetic level.

Modulation of fried spring roll wrapper quality upon treatment of batter with maltogenic amylase, transglutaminase and bromelain.

BACKGROUND: Fried foods are favored for their unique crispiness, golden color and flavor, but they also face great challenge because of their high oil content, high calories and the existence of compounds such as acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term consumption of fried foods may adversely affect health. Therefore, it is necessary to explore fried foods with lower oil contents and a high quality to meet the demand. RESULTS: A method of enzyme treatment was explored to investigate the effects of maltogenic amylase (MA), transglutaminase (TG) and bromelain (BRO) on the physicochemical properties of the batter and the quality of fried spring roll wrapper (FSRW). The results showed that the MA-, TG- or BRO-treated batters had a significant shear-thinning behavior, especially with an increase in viscosity upon increasing TG contents. FSRW enhanced its fracturability from 419.19 g (Control) to 616.50 g (MA-6 U g-1), 623.49 g (TG-0.75 U g-1) and 644.96 g (BRO-10 U g-1). Meanwhile, in comparison with BRO and MA, TG-0.5 U g-1 endowed batter with the highest density and thermal stability. MA-15 U g-1 and TG-0.5 U g-1 displayed FSRW with uniform and dense pores, and significantly reduced its oil content by 18.05% and 25.02%, respectively. Moreover, compared to MA and TG, BRO-50 U g-1 improved the flavor of FSRW. CONCLUSION: MA, TG or BRO played a key role in affecting the physicochemical properties of the batter and the quality of FSRW. TG-0.5 U g-1 remarkly reduced the oil content of FSRW with a great potential in practical application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A thalamic circuit facilitates stress susceptibility via melanocortin 4 receptor-mediated activation of nucleus accumbens shell.

AIMS: Central melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) has been reported to induce anhedonia via eliciting dysfunction of excitatory synapses. It is evident that metabolic signals are closely related to chronic stress-induced depression. Here, we investigated that a neural circuit is involved in melanocortin signaling contributing to susceptibility to stress. METHODS: Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) was used to develop depressive-like behavior. Electrophysiologic and chemogenetic approaches were performed to evaluate the role of paraventricular thalamus (PVT) glutamatergic to nucleus accumbens shell (NAcsh) circuit in stress susceptibility. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations were applied to investigate the molecular mechanisms of melanocortin signaling in the circuit. RESULTS: CSDS increases the excitatory neurotransmission in NAcsh through MC4R signaling. The enhanced excitatory synaptic input in NAcsh is projected from PVT glutamatergic neurons. Moreover, chemogenetic manipulation of PVTGlu -NAcsh projection mediates the susceptibility to stress, which is dependent on MC4R signaling. Overall, these results reveal that the strengthened excitatory neurotransmission in NAcsh originates from PVT glutamatergic neurons, facilitating the susceptibility to stress through melanocortin signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our results make a strong case for harnessing a thalamic circuit to reorganize excitatory synaptic transmission in relieving stress susceptibility and provide insights gained on metabolic underpinnings of protection against stress-induced depressive-like behavior.

Efficacy and safety of the Chaihuguizhiganjiang-suanzaoren granule on primary insomnia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia is a highly prevalent, often debilitating and economically burdensome sleep disorder with limited effective therapies. Few data are available to understand which of the therapeutic alternatives is the most effective for patients with insomnia, especially for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Chinese herbal medicine, as a typical TCM, is one of the most popular complementary and alternative therapies for insomnia. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Chaihuguizhiganjiang-suanzaoren granule (CSG), a Chinese herbal medicine treatment, in patients with primary insomnia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomised controlled clinical trial. A total of 258 participants are randomly allocated to two groups: the intervention group or the placebo group. The intervention group receives CSG and the placebo group receives a placebo granule. The patients receive either CSG or placebo two times daily for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Secondary outcomes include the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Total Sleep Time (TST) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The assessment is performed at baseline (before randomisation), 4, 8 and 12 weeks after randomisation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol has been approved by the Research Ethical Committee of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University (reference: 2014BL-003-01). The trial will be helpful in identifying the efficacy and safety of CSG in patients with primary insomnia. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN22001145; Pre-results.

Combination of targeted PDT and anti-VEGF therapy for rat CNV by RGD-modified liposomal photocyanine and sorafenib.

PURPOSE: To achieve a combination therapy of targeted PDT and anti-VEGF for choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-modified liposomes encapsulating photocyanine and sorafenib (RGD-SSL-[P]-[S]) were prepared and characterized. Drug concentration in RGD-SSL-[P]-[S] and irradiation time were optimized on ARPE-19 and HUVEC cells in vitro. A laser-induced CNV rat model was used to assess the efficacy of this targeted combinational system. The effect of RGD-SSL-[P]-[S] on the retinal structure of BN rats was also examined. RESULTS: The particle size of RGD-SSL-[P]-[S] was approximately 100 nm, with a encapsulation efficiency more than 90% for both photocyanine and sorafenib. From RGD-SSL-[P]-[S], the release rate of photocyanine was approximately 22%, whereas that of sorafeinb was approximately 40% at 48 hours. With the optimal drug concentration and irradiation time, RGD-SSL-[P]-[S] exhibited cytotoxicity only to HUVEC without obvious damage to normal ARPE-19 cells. Rats treated with RGD-SSL-[P]-[S] showed the least CNV area and fluorescein leakage in fluorescein fundus angiography. RGD-SSL-[P]-[S] was also found safe to the rat retina. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of targeted PDT and anti-VEGF might be an effective therapy for CNV.

[Clinical observations on the effect of Tuigua manipulation combined with quadriceps exercise for the treatment of degenerative gonarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tuigua manipulation combined with quadriceps exercise for treating degenerative gonarthritis. METHODS: In the study, 48 patients (60 knees) meeting diagnostic criteria of degenerative gonarthritis were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group and control group. The patients in the treatment group were treated with Tuigua manipulation combined with quadriceps exercise; while the patients in the control group were treated with manipulation for osteoarthritis in Tuina Xue. All the patient in the control and treatment group were treated for 3 courses of treatment, and 10 days were one course of treatment. The index such as pain, joint range of motion, function and muscle power were observed and compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, in the treatment group, 7 knees were cured, 21 knees got a good result and 2 knees had no effect; while in the control group, the above data were 8, 19, 3 respectively. There was no statistically differences between the therapeutic effects of the two groups. Both methods were effective to improve clinical symptoms of degenerative gonarthritis, and the index such as the pain, joint range of motion, function and muscle power of the patients in two groups were improved after the treatment (P < 0.05). Comparison between the two groups, the improvement of knee function and quadriceps muscle power of patients in treatment group was better than that of control group (P < 0.05); but the improvement of pain and joint range of motion in two groups had no statistically differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The method of Tuigua manipulation combined with quadriceps exercise is effective to improve clinical signs and symptoms of patients with degenerative gonarthritis, to improve quality of life of patients, slow down degenerative of arthrodial cartilage, prevent the disease aggravating,which is worth spreading.