Research progress on the mechanism of TCM regulating intestinal microbiota in the treatment of DM mellitus.

In recent years, with the improvement of people's living standards, the incidence of DM has increased year by year in China. DM is a common metabolic syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia caused by genetic, environmental and other factors. At the same time, long-term suffering from DM will also have an impact on the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves, and associated serious diseases. The human body has a large and complex gut microbiota, which has a significant impact on the body's metabolism. Research shows that the occurrence and development of DM and its complications are closely related to intestinal microbiota. At present, western medicine generally treats DM with drugs. The hypoglycemic effect is fast and strong, but it can have a series of side effects on the human body. Compared with western medicine, Chinese medicine has its unique views and methods in treating DM. TCM can improve symptoms and treat complications by improving the imbalance of microbiota in patients with DM. Its characteristics of health, safety, and reliability are widely accepted by the general public. This article reviews the relationship between intestinal microbiota and DM, as well as the mechanism of TCM intervention in DM by regulating intestinal microbiota.

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vitamin D dietary supplementation and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among adults with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between vitamin D status and mortality among adults with hypertension remains unclear. METHODS: This prospective cohort study involved a sample of 19,500 adults with hypertension who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2018. We utilized a weighted COX proportional hazard model to assess the association between vitamin D status and mortality. This statistical model calculates hazard ratios (HR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: The study indicated that lower serum 25(OH)D concentration was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality among individuals with hypertension. Specially. Those with concentrations between 25.0 and 49.9 nmol/L (HR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.22-2.40) and less than 25.0 nmol/L (HR = 1.97, 95%CI = 1.15-3.39) had higher hazard ratios for all-cause mortality. Individuals with hypertension who took vitamin D supplements had a lower risk of all-cause mortality, but not the risk of CVD mortality (HR 0.75, 95%CI 0.54-1.03), compared to those who did not supplement (HR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.61-0.94). Subgroup analysis further revealed that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality among individuals without diabetes (HR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.52-0.81) and individuals without CVD (HR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.58-0.97), and a decreased risk of CVD mortality among individuals without diabetes (HR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.45-0.88) and without CVD (HR = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.40-0.92). Furthermore, higher-dose vitamin D supplementation was also associated with a greater reduction in all-cause mortality among hypertensive individuals, and there was the potential synergistic effect of combining normal-dose calcium and vitamin D supplementation, showing a superior effect on mortality compared to low-dose supplementation in adults with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective cohort study demonstrated a significant association between lower serum 25 (OH)D concentration and increased all-cause mortality among adults with hypertension. Furthermore, the study found that vitamin D supplementation had a strong and significantly positive correlation with reduced all-cause and CVD mortality among hypertensive individuals without diabetes or CVD. This positive correlation suggests that vitamin D supplementation could potentially be an effective strategy to reduce the risk of mortality in this specific group of people.

Genomics of predictive radiation mutagenesis in oilseed rape: modifying seed oil composition.

Rapeseed is a crop of global importance but there is a need to broaden the genetic diversity available to address breeding objectives. Radiation mutagenesis, supported by genomics, has the potential to supersede genome editing for both gene knockout and copy number increase, but detailed knowledge of the molecular outcomes of radiation treatment is lacking. To address this, we produced a genome re-sequenced panel of 1133 M2 generation rapeseed plants and analysed large-scale deletions, single nucleotide variants and small insertion-deletion variants affecting gene open reading frames. We show that high radiation doses (2000 Gy) are tolerated, gamma radiation and fast neutron radiation have similar impacts and that segments deleted from the genomes of some plants are inherited as additional copies by their siblings, enabling gene dosage decrease. Of relevance for species with larger genomes, we showed that these large-scale impacts can also be detected using transcriptome re-sequencing. To test the utility of the approach for predictive alteration of oil fatty acid composition, we produced lines with both decreased and increased copy numbers of Bna.FAE1 and confirmed the anticipated impacts on erucic acid content. We detected and tested a 21-base deletion expected to abolish function of Bna.FAD2.A5, for which we confirmed the predicted reduction in seed oil polyunsaturated fatty acid content. Our improved understanding of the molecular effects of radiation mutagenesis will underpin genomics-led approaches to more efficient introduction of novel genetic variation into the breeding of this crop and provides an exemplar for the predictive improvement of other crops.

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Polysaccharide alleviates depression in CUMS mice by inhibiting the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 signaling pathway and affecting the composition of their intestinal flora.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PL) has been commonly used to de-stressing the liver and relieve depression in traditional Chinese medicine for over a thousand years. Recently, it has been widely used in studies on anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and regulation of intestinal flora. However, the polysaccharide component has received less attention than the saponin component of PL. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of Paeonia lactiflora polysaccharide (PLP) on depressive behavior in mice in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model and its possible action mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A model of chronic depression induced by the CUMS approach. Behavioral experiments were used to assess the success of the CUMS model and the therapeutic impact of PLP. Then the extent of damage to the colonic mucosa was assessed by H&E staining; the extent of neuronal damage was assessed by Nissler staining. Inflammatory factor expression was assessed at different sites in the mouse by enzyme-linked immunoassay (Elisa). The alterations of faecal microflora were detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In the colonic tissues, NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA and protein levels detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot(WB). RUSULTS: PLP can improve depressive behavior in CUMS mice, and colonic mucosal and neuronal damage. Elisa assay showed that PLP could reduce interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and increase 5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) levels in CUMS mice. 16S sequencing analysis showed that PLP could regulate the intestinal flora of CUMS mice and increase their species richness. In addition, PLP significantly inhibited NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 signalling pathways activation in the colonic tissues of CUMS mice. CONCLUSIONS: PLP modulates depression-related intestinal ecological dysregulation, increases species richness, and inhibits inflammatory factors levels and NLRP3 inflammasome activation to reduce colonic mucosal and neurons damage, thereby improving depression-like behavior and neurotransmitter release in CUMS mice.

Pharmacodynamic structure of deer antler base protein and its mammary gland hyperplasia inhibition mechanism by mediating Raf-1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway activation.

Mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) is a common mammary disease whose main pathogenesis is the disruption of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) secretion, thereby causing overproliferation of mammary epithelial cells and mammary gland tissue hyperplasia. Deer antler base is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for many years to treat MGH. However, its pharmacological mechanism and pharmacodynamic material basis are unclear. In this study, we for the first time used the graded salting method to classify deer antler base protein (CNCP) as CNCP-A, CNCP-B, and CNCP-C and explored the pharmacological mechanism of the anti-MGH properties of CNCP. We found that CNCP could regulate the hormonal levels of E2, P, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and improve the histopathological condition. The potential mechanism might be related to the recombinant C-Raf proto oncogene serine/threonine protein kinase/mitogen-activated protein/extracellular regulated protein kinase (Raf-1/MEK/ERK) signaling pathway. By upregulating the protein expression of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibited the activation of the downstream Raf-1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, which in turn inhibited the proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. We analyzed the physicochemical properties of CNCP-A, CNCP-B, and CNCP-C and obtained CNCP-C-I by column chromatographic purification of the best pharmacophore protein CNCP. Using high-performance liquid gel filtration chromatography (HPGFC), we determined the molecular weight of CNCP-C-I and identified it by high-performance liquid tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to obtain the first match for a high confidence protein KRT1. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of effective traditional Chinese medicines with low toxicity levels for the prevention and treatment of mammary gland diseases.

Seeds of Ginkgo biloba L. inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation induced by cigarette smoke in COPD rats through the Nrf2 pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: As a traditional medicine, seeds of Ginkgo biloba L. (Gbs) have been used to treat cough or asthma for a long time. It is commonly used in clinic for lung diseases. However, its mechanism of lung protection is not completely clear. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This research was designed to explore the protective effects of Gbs on antioxidant and inflammation during the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathological process provoked by cigarette smoking (CS) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six random groups including control group, CS model group, Gbs intervention groups (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg) and aminophylline group were composed of forty-eight rats. Smoking and intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to establish the COPD rat model. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for quantifying the inflammatory factors such as IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-α. Western blotting were used for detecting the protein expressions of Nrf2, Keap1 and HO-1 in the lung tissues. RESULTS: Gbs inhibits lung histological changes and decreased the inflammatory factors in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of CS-exposed rats, including IL-10, IL-17, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. Gbs also inhibited the MDA level, increased SOD and GSH-PX activity in serum and changed expressions of Nrf2, Keap1 and HO-1 in the lung tissues. CONCLUSION: Gbs inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation induced by cigarette smoke in COPD rats through the Nrf2 Pathway.

Multi-View Random-Walk Graph Regularization Low-Rank Representation for Cancer Clustering and Differentially Expressed Gene Selection.

Cancer genome data generally consists of multiple views from different sources. These views provide different levels of information about gene activity, as well as more comprehensive cancer information. The low-rank representation (LRR) method, as a powerful subspace clustering method, has been extended and applied in cancer data research. Although the multi-view learning methods based on low rank representation have achieved good results in cancer multi-omics analysis because they fully consider the consistency and complementarity between views, these methods have some shortcomings in mining the potential local geometry of data. In view of this, this paper proposes a new method named Multi-view Random-walk Graph regularization Low-Rank Representation (MRGLRR) to comprehensively analyze multi-view genomics data. This method uses multi-view model to find the common centroid of view. By constructing a joint affinity matrix to learn the low-rank subspace representation of multiple sets of data, the hidden information of each view is fully obtained. In addition, this method introduces random walk graph regularization constraint to obtain more accurate similarity between samples. Different from the traditional graph regularization constraint, after constructing the KNN graph, we use the random walk algorithm to obtain the weight matrix. The random walk algorithm can retain more local geometric information and better learn the topological structure of the data. What's more, a feature gene selection strategy suitable for multi-view model is proposed to find more differentially expressed genes with research value. Experimental results show that our method is better than other representative methods in terms of clustering and feature gene selection for cancer multi-omics data.

Effect and neural mechanisms of the transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for relapse prevention in patients with remitted major depressive disorder: protocol for a longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: After the first episode, patients with remitted major depressive disorder (MDD) have a 60% chance of experiencing a second episode. There are currently no accepted, effective methods to prevent the recurrence of MDD in remission. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive, safe and economical approach based on the efficacy of VNS in improving clinical depression symptoms. This clinical trial will study the efficacy of taVNS in preventing MDD relapse and investigate the underlying mechanisms of this. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a multicentre, randomised, patient-blinded and evaluators double-blinded trial. We will randomise 90 eligible participants with recurrent MDD in remission in a 1:1 ratio into a real or sham taVNS group. All participants will be given six biopsychosocial assessments: proinflammatory cytokines, serum monoamine neurotransmitters, cognition, affective neuropsychology, multimodal neuroimaging and endocrinology. After the baseline measurements, all participants will be given corresponding interference for 6 months and then complete a 1-year follow-up. The assessments will be performed three times: at baseline, post-treatment and at the end of 1-year follow-up (except for multimodal MRI scanning, which will be conducted at the first two assessments only). Change in 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores for MDD is the primary outcome parameter. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine on 18 January 2019 (2018BL-076). The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1900022618.

Application Effect and Evaluation of Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging on Myocardial Damage in Patients with Malignant Lymphoma Treated with Anthracyclines.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to study the monitoring effect and application value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) on myocardial function in patients with malignant lymphoma after treatment with anthracyclines. METHODS: 50 patients with malignant lymphoma treated in our hospital from June 2017 to December 2019 were randomly selected and were treated with anthracyclines to compare the cardiac global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), global circumferential strain (GCS), left ventricular twist (LVtw), GLS × LVtw, and changes of atrioventricular inner diameters before and after 3 cycles of treatment. According to the pathological examination results, the accuracy of 2D-STI in the detection of changes in myocardial function of patients was also clarified. RESULTS: The absolute values of GLS, GRS and GCS after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The LVtw and GLS × LVtw after 3 cycles of treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the atrioventricular inner diameters of patients before and after treatment, with no statistical significance (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the monitoring results of 2D-STI and the pathological examination results, with no statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Anthracyclines can cause some myocardial damage in patients with malignant lymphoma. The application of 2D-STI to monitor the changes in myocardial function of patients can give more accurate monitoring results, facilitating the early implementation of appropriate treatment.

Efficacy of Bushen Huatan Decoction combined with Baduanjin in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance (IR-PCOS), kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disease in women. Insulin resistance (IR) has emerged as a central contributor to the pathogenesis of this disease. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), kidney deficiency is the main syndrome of PCOS. The deficiency of the kidney cannot vaporize water-dampness, and the retention of water-dampness accumulates into phlegm dampness stagnation, resulting in visceral dysfunction and metabolic disorder. TCM involving syndrome differentiation and treatment is widely used to adjust women's menstrual cycles. Our patented formula Bushen Huatan Decoction (BSHTD) has been proven to be effective in the clinical treatment of IR-PCOS. Baduanjin also plays an important role in improving metabolic syndrome through lifestyle intervention. This study investigates the clinical efficacy of Bushen Huatan Decoction combined with Baduanjin in IR-PCOS, to form a specific TCM-behaviour intervention plan in the treatment of IR-PCOS. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a randomized controlled trial involving 190 participants diagnosed with IR-PCOS. All participants will be randomly allocated into 5 groups: group A will receive metformin; group B, BSHTD; group C, Baduanjin; group D, BSHTD combined with metformin; and group E, BSHTD combined with Baduanjin. One course of treatment lasts 3 months, a total of two courses. The primary outcomes are changes in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and improvements in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin-releasing test (INS). The secondary outcomes are improvements in the menstrual cycle, ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, basic serum sex hormone levels, free androgen index (FAI), Ferriman-Gallwey scores, body mass index (BMI) and TCM syndrome scores. The related observation indexes will be collected at baseline, during the process of treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. Simultaneously, close monitoring of possible adverse events will be performed throughout the trial process. DISCUSSION: This trial will investigate the efficacy of the comprehensive intervention program of Bushen Huatan Decoction combined with Baduanjin on the adjustment of the menstrual cycle, improvement of insulin resistance and correction of glucose metabolism disorder in IR-PCOS patients. It is expected to form an alternative treatment of TCM-behaviour intervention therapy for IR-PCOS and promote the Chinese fitness Qigong Baduanjin in the application of lifestyle diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100043415 . Registered on 15 February 2021.

Plantaginis Semen polysaccharides ameliorate renal damage through regulating NLRP3 inflammasome in gouty nephropathy rats.

Gouty nephropathy (GN) is considered to be a prevalent renal disease and is an inflammatory event mainly induced by MSU crystals. Plantaginis Semen is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used in the treatment of gout, gouty arthritis and GN, but the mechanism and ingredients have been unclear. In this study, we explored and evaluated the preliminary structural characterizations of Plantaginis Semen polysaccharides (PSPs) and the activity of protecting against renal damage in GN rats. Three polysaccharide fractions, PSP-D, PSP-H and PSP-S, were sequentially extracted by different processes from the seed of Plantago asiatica L. The Fourier transform infrared spectral (FTIR) results showed that there were significant differences between PSP-S and the other two polysaccharides (PSP-D and PSP-H). PSP-D and PSP-H have pyrene monomers and linkages of ß-glycosides in their structures, and PSP-S has furanoside in the molecular structure. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of three polysaccharides showed that PSP-D has a smooth surface and a small curve, PSP-H is block-like and uneven in magnitude, whereas PSP-S is sea-tent-like and its surface is very distinct from the others. Main components and molar ratios are also different. Rats were randomly divided into six groups (n1/6 8 per group): the control group, model group, positive group, and three treatment groups (PSP-D, PSP-H and PSP-S). For all groups except the control group, rats were intragastrically administered the adenine suspension (50 mg kg-1 d-1) and fed with a high-yeast diet (15 g kg-1 d-1) for 28 days. On the 9th day, the control group and the model group were administered normal saline at the same time. Treatment groups were individually given corresponding drugs for 20 days. We found that PSPs could prevent renal damage, including decreasing the inflammatory response and regulating the (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) protein in renal tissue. The underlying mechanism was related to NLRP3 inflammasome signal pathways, and it could take effect through the down-regulation of the protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 and inhibit the release of downstream inflammatory factors. PSPs are promising polysaccharides that could protect against renal injury through ameliorating renal inflammation in GN rats. Plantaginis Semen polysaccharides are potential functional food ingredients or pharmacological agents for treating GN in clinical practice.

Shenmai Injection Improves Energy Metabolism in Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the application of Shenmai (SM) injection, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), to treat heart failure (HF) has been gradually accepted in China. However, whether SM improves energy metabolism in patients with HF has not been determined due to the lack of high-quality studies. We aimed to investigate the influence of SM on energy metabolism in patients with HF. METHODS: This single-blind, controlled study randomly assigned 120 eligible patients equally into three groups receiving SM, trimetazidine (TMZ), or control in addition to standard medical treatment for HF for 7 days. The primary endpoints were changes in free fatty acids (FFAs), glucose, lactic acid (LA), pyroracemic acid (pyruvate, PA) and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) in serum. The secondary outcomes included the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, TCM syndrome score (TCM-s), left ventricular injection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular internal diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular internal dimension systole (LVIDs), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). RESULTS: After treatment for 1 week, the NYHA functional classification, TCM-s, and BNP level gradually decreased in the patients in all three groups, but these metrics were significantly increased in the patients in the SM group compared with those in the patients in the TMZ and control groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, energy metabolism was improved in the NYHA III-IV patients in the SM group compared with those in the patients in the TMZ and control groups as evidenced by changes in the serum levels of FFA, LA, PA, and BCAA. CONCLUSIONS: Integrative treatment with SM in addition to standard medical treatment for HF was associated with improved cardiac function compared to standard medical treatment alone. The benefit of SM in HF may be related to an improvement in energy metabolism, which seems to be more remarkable than that following treatment with TMZ.

Clinical effects of Shou-Wu Jiang-Qi Decoction combined acupuncture on the treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome with kidney deficiency, phlegm and blood stasisness: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT Compliant).

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a female endocrine disease with a high incidence. At present, drug treatment is still the main therapeutic strategy for PCOS. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history in the treatment of menstrual disorders. Shouwu Jiangqi Decoction (SWJQD) is a traditional herbal medicine prescribed in a clinical setting as a remedy for PCOS. Acupuncture also plays an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle and treating PCOS. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of the combination of SWJQD and acupuncture in the treatment of PCOS. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial will be conducted with a total of 81 participants diagnosed with PCOS. The participants will be randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: group A will receive SWJQD combined with acupuncture; group B, SWJQD combined with sham acupuncture; and group C, metformin. Each treatment will last 3 months. The primary outcomes include the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index and the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. The secondary outcome measures include sex hormone levels, body mass index, ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and complete genome sequencing data. Adverse events will be recorded during the intervention and follow-up. RESULTS: This study will investigate whether the combination of SWJQD and acupuncture can alleviate the clinical symptoms and improve insulin resistance in patients with PCOS. The results of this study are expected to provide clinical evidence for the application of the combination of SWJQD and acupuncture in patients with PCOS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900028106, ChiMCT1900002826 (registered on December 12, 2019).

Identification of the Active Constituents and Significant Pathways of Cangfu Daotan Decoction for the Treatment of PCOS Based on Network Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disease. Cangfu Daotan Decoction (CDD) can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of PCOS patients. METHODS: To explore the active ingredients and related pathways of CDD for treating PCOS, a network pharmacology-based analysis was carried out. The active ingredients of CDD and their potential targets were obtained from the TCM system pharmacology analysis platform. The obtained PCOS-related genes from OMIM and GeneCards were imported to establish protein-protein interaction networks in STRING. Finally, GO analysis and significant pathway analysis were conducted with the RStudio (Bioconductor) database. RESULTS: A total of 111 active compounds were obtained from 1433 ingredients present in the CDD, related to 118 protein targets. In addition, 736 genes were found to be closely related to PCOS, of which 44 overlapped with CDD and were thus considered therapeutically relevant. Pathway enrichment analysis identified the AGE-RAGE signalling pathway in diabetic complications, endocrine resistance, the IL-17 signalling pathway, the prolactin signalling pathway, and the HIF-1 signalling pathway. Moreover, PI3K-Akt, insulin resistance, Toll-like receptor, MAPK, and AGE-RAGE were related to PCOS and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: CDD can effectively improve the symptoms of PCOS, and our network pharmacological analysis lays the foundation for future clinical research.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction can alleviate cancer- related fatigue: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to critically evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on cancer-related fatigue (CRF). METHODS: A systematic search of eight databases (Web of Science, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Spring link, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM) was performed, to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to January 2019. Using Cochrane Collaboration criteria, two reviewers critically and independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted correlated data using the designed form. All analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: In all, fifteen RCTs were included in the systematic review, fourteen of which, consisting of 3008 patients (MBSR, 1502; control, 1506), were included in the meta-analysis. MBSR had a significant effect on fatigue in cancer patients, particularly among lung cancer patients. The meta-analysis also indicated that MBSR could significantly mitigate CRF compared with usual care or no intervention. 8 weeks of MBSR, supervised by experts, had a large effect on CRF. CONCLUSIONS: MBSR is effective for CRF management and can be recommended as a beneficial complementary therapy for CRF patients.

Fighting against fast speckle decorrelation for light focusing inside live tissue by photon frequency shifting.

Focusing light inside live tissue by digital optical phase conjugation (DOPC) has been intensively investigated due to its potential biomedical applications in deep-tissue imaging, optogenetics, microsurgery, and phototherapy. However, fast physiological motions in a live animal, such as blood flow and respiratory motions, produce undesired photon perturbation and thus inevitably deteriorate the performance of light focusing. Here, we develop a photon-frequency-shifting DOPC method to fight against fast physiological motions by switching the states of a guide star at a distinctive frequency. Therefore, the photons tagged by the guide star are well detected at the specific frequency, separating them from the photons perturbed by fast motions. Light focusing was demonstrated in both phantoms in vitro and mice in vivo with substantially improved focusing contrast. This work puts a new perspective on light focusing inside live tissue and promises wide biomedical applications.

The impact of reducing fatty acid desaturation on the composition and thermal stability of rapeseed oil.

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is the third largest source of vegetable oil globally. In addition to food uses, there are industrial applications that exploit the ability of the species to accumulate the very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) erucic acid in its seed oil, controlled by orthologues of FATTY ACID ELONGASE 1 (Bna.FAE1.A8 and Bna.FAE1.C3). The proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in rapeseed oil is predicted to affect its thermal stability and is controlled by orthologues of FATTY ACID DESATURASE 2, particularly Bna.FAD2.C5. Our aim was to develop rapeseed lines combining high erucic and low PUFA characters and to assess the impact on thermal stability of the oil they produce. The new type of rapeseed oil (high erucic low polyunsaturate; HELP) contained a substantially greater proportion of erucic acid (54%) compared with high erucic rapeseed oil (46%). Although the total VLCFA content was greater in oil from HELP lines (64%) than from high erucic rapeseed (57%), analysis of triacylglycerol composition showed negligible incorporation of VLCFAs into the sn-2 position. Rancimat analysis showed that the thermal stability of rapeseed oil was improved greatly as a consequence of reduction of PUFA content, from 3.8 and 4.2 h in conventional low erucic and high erucic rapeseed oils, respectively, to 11.3 and 16.4 h in high oleic low PUFA (HOLP) and HELP oils, respectively. Our results demonstrate that engineering of the lipid biosynthetic pathway of rapeseed, using traditional approaches, enables the production of renewable industrial oils with novel composition and properties.

[Genome survey analysis and SSR loci mining of Bupleurum falcatum].

Buplewrum falcatum is a traditional Chinese medicine,which is mainly used for the treatment of cold and liver protection. B. falcatum is dominantly cultivated in Japan as well as planted in China,Korea and other countries and regions. In order to determine the appropriate sequencing strategy,the genome survey before large-scale genome sequencing is needed. This survey can provide information about the size and complexity of the whole genome of the target species. In the present study,the next generation sequencing technology( Illumina Hiseq 2000) was used to analyze the genome size and complexity of B. falcatum. In addition,SSR loci were analyzed from the sequenced data. Primer 3 was used to design specific primers and 33 pairs of primers were randomly selected for PCR with template DNA of B. falcatum,and the PCR system and optimal annealing temperature were screened. A total of 288. 64 G genome sequence data was obtained,and the estimated genome size of B. falcatum was 2 119. 58 Mb. The measured genome data depth was138×; the rate of heterozygosity was 1. 84%; and the ratio of repeat sequence was 83. 89%. It is speculated that the genome of B. falcatum is complex. The preliminary assembly was performed with K-mer = 41,and the contig N50 was 224 bp,the total length 896. 97 Mb,the scaffold N50 313 bp,and the total length was 922. 67 Mb. A total of 91 377 SSR sequences were detected in the sequenced genome data which were distributed in 70 809 unigenes.The main type is dinucleotide repeats,with 49 680 sequences,accounting for70. 16%. Among the 33 pairs of primers randomly synthesized according to the obtained SSR sequences,21 pairs were successfully amplifying the target sequences. The results will be helpful for later large scale genome sequencing and SSR molecular markers development for germplasm identification and trait mapping.

Dynamic changes in thalamic connectivity following stress and its association with future depression severity.

INTRODUCTION: Tracking stress-induced brain activity and connectivity dynamically and examining activity/connectivity-associated recovery ability after stress might be an effective way of detecting stress vulnerability. METHODS: Using two widely used stress paradigms, a speech task (social stress) and a mathematical calculation task (mental loading stress), we examined common changes in regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC) before, during, and after the two stressful tasks in thirty-nine college students. A counting breath relaxation task was employed as a contrast task. ReHo and FC were compared between subjects with higher versus lower depression symptoms (assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory, BDI). We developed a recovery index (RI) based on dynamic changes of ReHo/FC to evaluate individuals' ability to recover from a stressful state. To assess RI's usefulness in predicting future depression severity, BDI was also measured at one-year follow-up. RESULTS: Our results revealed a ReHo decrease after both stressful tasks and a ReHo increase after the relaxation task in bilateral thalamus. The ReHo decrease after both stressful tasks was more significant in the higher BDI than the lower BDI group. Higher ReHo RI of the right thalamus in the higher BDI groups was significantly correlated with lower BDI severity at one-year follow-up. Bilateral thalamus also showed increased FC with the default mode network and decreased FC with the executive control network after the stressful tasks. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of tracking resting activity and connectivity of thalamus dynamically for detecting stress vulnerability.

Coriolus versicolor alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting cardiac fibrosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Coriolus versicolor (CV) is a traditional medicine and food mushroom. Our previous study demonstrated that CV extract exhibited anti-hyperglycemia and anti-insulin resistance effects. However, the effect of CV on cardiac function in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of CV on cardiac function in diabetes mellitus (DM) rats. We found that the cardiac dysfunction of DM rats was markedly improved by CV extract treatment. CV extract administration significantly attenuated cardiac fibrosis in DM rats, which was accompanied by suppressed transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1)/Smad signaling as indicated by decreased levels of TGF-ß1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 and increased Smad7 expression. Moreover, CV extract treatment significantly alleviated cardiac inflammation as shown by decreased levels of NLRP3 receptor, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18 in DM rats at least partly due to the inhibition of the NF-κB. In addition, high-glucose treatment induced cardiac fibrosis and increased cardiac inflammation in cardiac fibroblast cells, but these effects were ameliorated by CV extract treatment. Therefore, we conclude that the protective effect of CV on DCM is associated with the suppression of TGF-ß1/Smad signaling and attenuation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, suggesting that CV extract may be a potential therapeutic agent for DCM.