Mobile-Delivered Mindfulness Intervention on Anxiety Level Among College Athletes: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: College athletes are a group often affected by anxiety. Few interventional studies have been conducted to address the anxiety issues in this population. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a mobile-delivered mindfulness intervention among college athletes to study its feasibility and efficacy in lowering their anxiety level and improving their mindfulness (measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire [FFMQ]). METHODS: In April 2019, we recruited 290 college athletes from a public university in Shanghai, China, and 288 of them were randomized into an intervention group and a control group (closed trial), with the former (n=150) receiving a therapist-guided, smartphone-delivered mindfulness-based intervention and the latter receiving mental health promotion messages (n=138). We offered in-person instructions during the orientation session for the intervention group in a classroom, with the therapist interacting with the participants on the smartphone platform later during the intervention. We used generalized linear modeling and the intent-to-treat approach to compare the 2 groups' outcomes in dispositional anxiety, precompetition anxiety, and anxiety during competition, plus the 5 dimensions of mindfulness (measured by the FFMQ). RESULTS: Our intent-to-treat analysis and generalized linear modeling found no significant difference in dispositional anxiety, precompetition anxiety, or anxiety during competition. Only the "observation" facet of mindfulness measures had a notable difference between the changes experienced by the 2 groups, whereby the intervention group had a net gain of .214 yet fell short of reaching statistical significance (P=.09). Participants who specialized in group sports had a higher level of anxiety (ß=.19; SE=.08), a lower level of "nonjudgemental inner experience" in FFMQ (ß=-.07; SE=.03), and a lower level of "nonreactivity" (ß=-.138; SE=.052) than those specializing in individual sports. CONCLUSIONS: No significant reduction in anxiety was detected in this study. Based on the participant feedback, the time availability for mindfulness practice and session attendance for these student athletes in an elite college could have compromised the intervention's effectiveness. Future interventions among this population could explore a more student-friendly time schedule (eg, avoid final exam time) or attempt to improve cognitive and scholastic outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900024449; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=40865.

Sustained silencing peanut allergy by xanthopurpurin is associated with suppression of peripheral and bone marrow IgE-producing B cell.

Introduction: Peanut allergy is an immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated food allergy. Rubia cordifolia L. (R. cordifolia), a Chinese herbal medicine, protects against peanut-induced anaphylaxis by suppressing IgE production in vivo. This study aims to identify IgE-inhibitory compounds from the water extract of R. cordifolia and investigate the underlying mechanisms using in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: Compounds were isolated from R. cordifolia water extract and their bioactivity on IgE production was assessed using a human myeloma U266 cell line. The purified active compound, xanthopurpurin (XPP), was identified by LC-MS and NMR. Peanut-allergic C3H/HeJ mice were orally administered with or without XPP at 200µg or 400µg per mouse per day for 4 weeks. Serum peanut-specific IgE levels, symptom scores, body temperatures, and plasma histamine levels were measured at challenge. Cytokines in splenocyte cultures were determined by ELISA, and IgE + B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity were evaluated. IL-4 promoter DNA methylation, RNA-Seq, and qPCR analysis were performed to determine the regulatory mechanisms of XPP. Results: XPP significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the IgE production in U266 cells. XPP significantly reduced peanut-specific IgE (>80%, p <0.01), and plasma histamine levels and protected the mice against peanut-allergic reactions in both early and late treatment experiments (p < 0.05, n=9). XPP showed a strong protective effect even 5 weeks after discontinuing the treatment. XPP significantly reduced the IL-4 level without affecting IgG or IgA and IFN-γ production. Flow cytometry data showed that XPP reduced peripheral and bone marrow IgE + B cells compared to the untreated group. XPP increased IL-4 promoter methylation. RNA-Seq and RT-PCR experiments revealed that XPP regulated the gene expression of CCND1, DUSP4, SDC1, ETS1, PTPRC, and IL6R, which are related to plasma cell IgE production. All safety testing results were in the normal range. Conclusions: XPP successfully protected peanut-allergic mice against peanut anaphylaxis by suppressing IgE production. XPP suppresses murine IgE-producing B cell numbers and inhibits IgE production and associated genes in human plasma cells. XPP may be a potential therapy for IgE-mediated food allergy.

Traditional Chinese medicine formulae: A complementary method for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent female endocrine condition that significantly affects women of all age groups and is characterized by metabolic dysfunction. The efficacy of existing pharmaceutical interventions for the treatment of PCOS remains inadequate. With a rich history and cultural significance spanning thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is extensively employed for treating a variety of ailments and can serve as a supplementary therapy for managing PCOS. Multiple clinical observations and laboratory tests have unequivocally demonstrated the substantial effectiveness and safety of TCM formulae in treating PCOS, and further investigations are currently in progress. AIM OF THE STUDY: To summarize the TCM formulae commonly employed in the clinical management of PCOS, examine their therapeutic benefits, investigate their mechanism of action, active constituents, and establish the correlation between efficacy, mechanism of action, and active constituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed, Web of Science, and China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) using the following keywords: "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome", "Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoctions", "Traditional Chinese Medicine formulae", "Traditional Chinese Medicine", "Clinical Observation", "Mechanism", "Treatment", "Pharmacology", and various combinations of these terms. From January 1, 2006 until October 7, 2023, (inclusive). RESULTS: This paper summarized the clinical effectiveness, mechanism of action, and active components of 8 TCM formulae for the treatment of PCOS. Our research indicates that TCM formulae can potentially treat PCOS by enhancing the levels of hyperandrogenism and other endocrine hormones, decreasing insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, and controlling chronic low-grade inflammation, among other modes of action. In addition, we found an association between epigenetics and TCM formulae for the treatment of PCOS. CONCLUSION: TCM formulae have specific advantages in the treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). They achieve therapeutic benefits by targeting several pathways and connections, attracting considerable interest and playing a vital role in the treatment of PCOS. TCM formulae can be used as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of PCOS.

Multifunctional Nanoplatform for NIR-II Imaging-Guided Synergistic Oncotherapy.

Tumors are a major public health issue of concern to humans, seriously threatening the safety of people's lives and property. With the increasing demand for early and accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment of tumors, noninvasive optical imaging (including fluorescence imaging and photoacoustic imaging) and tumor synergistic therapies (phototherapy synergistic with chemotherapy, phototherapy synergistic with immunotherapy, etc.) have received increasing attention. In particular, light in the near-infrared second region (NIR-II) has triggered great research interest due to its penetration depth, minimal tissue autofluorescence, and reduced tissue absorption and scattering. Nanomaterials with many advantages, such as high brightness, great photostability, tunable photophysical properties, and excellent biosafety offer unlimited possibilities and are being investigated for NIR-II tumor imaging-guided synergistic oncotherapy. In recent years, many researchers have tried various approaches to investigate nanomaterials, including gold nanomaterials, two-dimensional materials, metal sulfide oxides, polymers, carbon nanomaterials, NIR-II dyes, and other nanomaterials for tumor diagnostic and therapeutic integrated nanoplatform construction. In this paper, the application of multifunctional nanomaterials in tumor NIR-II imaging and collaborative therapy in the past three years is briefly reviewed, and the current research status is summarized and prospected, with a view to contributing to future tumor therapy.

Altitudinal Variation on Metabolites, Elements, and Antioxidant Activities of Medicinal Plant Asarum.

Asarum (Asarum sieboldii Miq. f. seoulense (Nakai) C. Y. Cheng et C. S. Yang) is a medicinal plant that contains asarinin and sesamin, which possess extensive medicinal value. The adaptation and distribution of Asarum's plant growth are significantly affected by altitude. Although most studies on Asarum have concentrated on its pharmacological activities, little is known about its growth and metabolites with respect to altitude. In this study, the physiology, ionomics, and metabolomics were investigated and conducted on the leaves and roots of Asarum along an altitude gradient, and the content of its medicinal components was determined. The results showed that soil pH and temperature both decreased along the altitude, which restricts the growth of Asarum. The accumulation of TOC, Cu, Mg, and other mineral elements enhanced the photosynthetic capacity and leaf plasticity of Asarum in high-altitude areas. A metabolomics analysis revealed that, at high altitude, nitrogen metabolism in leaves was enhanced, while carbon metabolism in roots was enhanced. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of some phenolic substances, including syringic acid, vanillic acid, and ferulic acid, were altered to enhance the metabolism of organic acids. The study uncovered the growth and metabolic responses of Asarum to varying altitudes, providing a theoretical foundation for the utilization and cultivation of Asarum.

Root distribution characteristics of monoculture and mixture of Pinus tabuliformis and Robinia pseudoacacia plantation.

In this study, we analyzed the vertical distribution characteristics of root biomass density, root length density, root surface area density in monoculture and mixture of Pinus tabuliformis and Robinia pseudoacacia plantations in Caijiachuan small watershed of Jixian County, Shanxi. We examined their relationships with soil physical and chemical properties in different stand types. The results showed that the total root biomass density of P. tabuliformis and R. pseudoacacia in mixture was more than 75% higher than that in monoculture. Root system of P. tabuli-formis mainly distributed in shallow layer (0-40 cm), while that of R. pseudoacacia was deeper (40-80 cm). Fine roots were predominant in different diameter classes. Length density and surface area density of fine roots were in the order of R. pseudoacacia in mixture > P. tabuliformis in mixture > R. pseudoacacia stand > P. tabuliformis stand. Root biomass density of fine roots was in the order of P. tabuliformis in mixture ＞ R. pseudoacacia in mixture ＞ P. tabuliformis stand ＞ R. pseudoacacia stand. In vertical profile, the total root and fine root biomass, root length and root surface area density of P. tabuliformis stand, R. pseudoacacia stand, P. tabuliformis in mixture and R. pseudoacacia in mixture showed a rule of decreasing with the increases of soil depth. Under different stand types, fine root length density, root biomass density and total root length density were positively correlated with soil total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, and soil water contents. Total root surface area density was significantly positively correlated with soil organic carbon, soil water content, and soil total nitrogen. The distribution of roots in pure and mixed stands of P. tabuliformis and R. pseudoacacia showed different patterns. Compared with the pure stand, the mixed stand had higher root biomass, soil nutrient contents, and soil water content.

Review on pharmacological effects of gastrodin.

Gastrodia elata Blume is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that is mainly used to treat diseases related to the nervous system, such as stroke, epilepsy, and headache. Gastrodin is the main bioactive component of Gastrodia elata Blume, and studies have shown that it has extensive pharmacological activity. This narrative review aims to systematically review relevant studies on the pharmacological effects of gastrodin to provide researchers with the latest and most useful information. Studies have shown that gastrodin has prominent neuroprotective effects and can treat or improve epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, emotional disorders, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, cognitive impairment, and neuropathic pain. Gastrodin can also improve myocardial hypertrophy, hypertension, and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, gastrodin can mitigate liver, kidney, and bone tissue damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. In short, gastrodin is expected to treat many diseases, and it is worth investing more effort in research on this compound.

Serum metabolomics probes the molecular mechanism of action of acupuncture on metabolic pathways related to glucose metabolism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome-related obesity.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine syndrome, and obesity is the most common clinical manifestation. Acupuncture is effective in treating PCOS, but the differences in the biological mechanisms of acupuncture therapy and Western medicine treatment have not been determined. Thus, the purpose of this study was to find glucose metabolism-related pathways in acupuncture treatment and differentiate them from Western medical treatment. Sixty patients with PCOS-related obesity were randomly distributed into three groups: patients receiving (1) acupuncture treatment alone, (2) conventional Western medicine treatment, and (3) acupuncture combined with Western medicine treatment. A targeted metabolomics approach was used to identify small molecules and metabolites related to glucose metabolism in the serum of each group, and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze different metabolic fractions. The results showed acupuncture treatment modulates the activity of citric and succinic acids in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, regulates glycolytic and gluconeogenesis pathways, and improves the levels of sex hormones and energy metabolism. The intervention effects on the metabolic pathways were different between patients receiving combination therapy and patients receiving acupuncture therapy alone, suggesting that the dominant modulatory effect of Western drugs may largely conceal the efficacy of acupuncture intervention.

Dual-Targeting Biomimetic Nanomaterials for Photo-/Chemo-/Antiangiogenic Synergistic Therapy.

Avoiding the low specificity of phototheranostic reagents at the tumor site is a major challenge in cancer phototherapy. Meanwhile, angiogenesis in the tumor is not only the premise of tumor occurrence but also the basis of tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis, making it an ideal strategy for tumor therapy. Herein, biomimetic cancer cell membrane-coated nanodrugs (mBPP NPs) have been prepared by integrating (i) homotypic cancer cell membranes for evading immune cell phagocytosis to increase drug accumulation, (ii) protocatechuic acid for tumor vascular targeting along with chemotherapy effect, and (iii) near-infrared phototherapeutic agent diketopyrrolopyrrole derivative for photodynamic/photothermal synergetic therapy. The mBPP NPs exhibit high biocompatibility, superb phototoxicity, excellent antiangiogenic ability, and double-trigging cancer cell apoptosis in vitro. More significantly, mBPP NPs could specifically bind to tumor cells and vasculature after intravenous injection, inducing fluorescence and photothermal imaging-guided tumor ablation without recurrence and side effects in vivo. The biomimetic mBPP NPs could cause drug accumulation at the tumor site, inhibit tumor neovascularization, and improve phototherapy efficiency, providing a novel avenue for cancer treatment.

L-carnitine alleviates synovitis in knee osteoarthritis by regulating lipid accumulation and mitochondrial function through the AMPK-ACC-CPT1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a disability-associated condition that is rapidly growing with the increase in obesity rates worldwide. There is a pressing need for precise management and timely intervention in the development of KOA. L-carnitine has been frequently recommended as a supplement to increase physical activity in obese individuals due to its role in fatty acid metabolism, immune disorders, and in maintaining the mitochondrial acetyl-CoA/CoA ratio. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of L-carnitine on KOA and delineate a potential molecular mechanism. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated primary rat fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were treated with an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor or siRNA and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) siRNA to examine the synovial protective effects of L-carnitine. An anterior cruciate ligament transection model of rats was treated with an AMPK agonist (metformin) and CPT1 inhibitor (etomoxir) to define the therapeutic effects of L-carnitine. RESULTS: L-carnitine displayed a protective effect against synovitis of KOA in vitro and in vivo experiments. Specifically, L-carnitine treatment can reduce synovitis by inhibiting AMPK-ACC-CPT1 pathway activation and showed an increase in fatty acid ß-oxidation, a lower lipid accumulation, and a noticeable improvement in mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that L-carnitine can mitigate synovitis in FLS and synovial tissue, and the underlying mechanism may be related to improving mitochondrial function and reducing lipid accumulation via the AMPK-ACC-CPT1 signaling pathway. Therefore, L-carnitine may be a potential treatment strategy for KOA.

Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of E-B-FAHF-2 in Combination With Omalizumab-Facilitated Multiallergen Oral Immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is limited by adverse events, and most patients require continued treatment to maintain their increased threshold. Adjunctive treatments have been explored to increase the safety and efficacy of OIT. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of enhanced, butanol purified Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2 (E-B-FAHF-2) for inducing remission in subjects undergoing omalizumab-facilitated multiallergen OIT (multi-OIT). METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive either E-B-FAHF-2 or placebo, starting 2 months before OIT and continuing throughout OIT. All subjects received a 4-month course of omalizumab, starting 2 months before OIT through the 2-month OIT build-up phase. After 24 months of multi-OIT (maintenance dose of 1000 mg of each allergen), desensitization and remission were assessed. The primary objective was to determine if subjects in the E-B-FAHF-2 group (EOIT) were more likely than the placebo group (OIT) to develop remission to all 3 allergens treated with multi-OIT, as defined by the absence of dose-limiting symptoms to a cumulative dose of 4444 mg of protein after discontinuing treatment for 3 months. RESULTS: Thirty-three subjects were randomized. A total of 63.6% were desensitized to 4444 mg of protein for each allergen at 26 months, and 24.2% met the primary outcome of remission at 29 months, with no difference between the treatment groups. There was good adherence (>85%) with study medications, with no difference between the treatment groups. There was no difference in reported overall adverse events between the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Omalizumab-facilitated multifood OIT was safe and effective, and remission was achieved in about a quarter of subjects. However, outcomes were not improved by the addition of E-B-FAHF-2.

Clinical efficacy of weight loss herbal intervention therapy and lifestyle modifications on obesity and its association with distinct gut microbiome: A randomized double-blind phase 2 study.

Goals: To assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese Medicine Prescription "W-LHIT" in subjects with simple obesity, and to explore its potential mechanism of action. Methods: Thirty-seven patients aged 18 to 60 from Wei-En hospital (Weifang City, Shandong, China), participated in a double blinded, placebo-controlled study. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups, 18 in treatment and 19 in placebo group. The treatment group took the "W-LHIT" capsules for two months, while the control group received placebo capsules. Both groups accepted healthy lifestyle education materials. After a 2-month treatment, the placebo group transferred to open-label treatment after unblinding. Results: 72.22% participants in the treatment group lost more than 5% of their body weight, compared with 36.84% in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Body weight loss and body mass index reduction of the treatment group were also significantly higher than those of the placebo group (p < 0.05). These changes were accompanied by increased abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Enterococcus faecium, and decreased abundance of Proteobacteria in gut microbiota. Furthermore, the treatment group also showed improvement in obesity-related comorbidities such as hypertension and elevation of liver enzymes. No serious adverse reactions were found during the study period. Weight did not rebound at a follow-up visit 2 months after treatment. Conclusion: W-LHIT significantly improved body weight and comorbid conditions without obvious adverse reaction or rebound weight gain. These effects were associated with increased abundance of probiotics in gut microbiota. W-LHIT may have a potential for treating obesity in conjunction with healthy lifestyle modifications.

Isolation and identification of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from Tartary buckwheat albumin.

BACKGROUND: Tartary buckwheat protein peptides have been shown to be able to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), but the exact protein type has been less studied for ACE activity inhibition, and only a few types of ACE inhibitory peptides have been reported. In this study, we purified and identified ACE inhibitory peptides from albumin hydrolysate (AH). RESULTS: Albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin were extracted from Tartary buckwheat, and their ACE active peptides were obtained by a pepsin-trypsin sequential hydrolysis process. All four hydrolysates exhibited ACE inhibitory activity, and AH displayed the strongest ACE inhibition activity and the highest peptide yield (82.28%). At 0.2 mg mL-1 , the inhibition rate of AH was 79.89%, followed by globulin hydrolysate at 71.84%, while prolamin hydrolysate and glutelin hydrolysate showed lower inhibition rates. The peptides with the highest inhibition rate were then isolated from AH using gel filtration chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and identified using nanoscale high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. After isolation and purification, 42 ACE inhibitory peptides were identified in the fraction with the highest inhibition rate, 14 of which were completely novel discoveries in this study. These 14 peptides showed potent ACE inhibitory effects through computer analysis. CONCLUSION: Tartary buckwheat albumin can be used as a good source of ACE inhibitory peptides and can be further developed and utilized as edible supplements or drugs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Increased low frequency fluctuation in the brain after acupuncture treatment in CSVDCI patients: A randomized control trial study.

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is one of two cognition-impairing diseases. Acupuncture (Acu) is a flexible treatment with few adverse effects and is thus widely used to treat neurological problems. Methods: We recruited a total of 60 patients and assigned them to two groups (n = 30 each group). During the study, some participants were excluded by quality control, and a total of 44 subjects (25 Acu and 19 controls) were completed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture on CSVD cognitive impairment (CSVDCI). The following demographic and clinical variables were compared between the two groups: gender, age, education, smoking, alcohol, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), symbol digit modalities test (SDMT), verbal fluency test (VFT), digit span task (DST), Boston naming test (BNT) scores, and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) under the typical band (0.01-0.08 Hz). Mixed effect analysis was utilized to test for differences between the two groups before and after the treatment. Results: Following acupuncture treatment, the Acu group scored higher on MoCA, SDMT, VFT, DST, and BNT compared to controls (P < 0.05). The brain regions showing substantially greater ALFF values in the Acu group were the right inferior temporal gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, left superior occipital gyrus, left insula, bilateral postcentral gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, right cerebellum, right precuneus, and right precentral gyrus (P < 0.005, no correction). The ALFF values in the right inferior temporal gyrus (P = 0.027), left middle occipital gyrus (P = 0.005), left superior occipital gyrus (P = 0.011), and right superior parietal gyrus (P = 0.043) were positively associated with MoCA. Conclusion: We found that acupuncture modulates the functional activity of temporal, occipital, and parietal regions of the brain in CSVDCI patients.

Comprehensive Investigation on Associations between Dietary Intake and Blood Levels of Fatty Acids and Colorectal Cancer Risk.

BACKGROUND: Increasingly, studies have discovered that different fatty acids (Fas) are linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. METHODS: We systematically searched Embase and Medline databases to identify eligible studies that examined the associations of different types of Fas with CRC risk. The effect estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (Cis) were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of the study findings. RESULTS: This study evaluated the associations of 28 dietary and 18 blood Fas with CRC risk by summarizing the most updated evidence from 54 observational and four Mendelian Randomization (MR) studies. The present findings suggested that high dietary intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) are related to low risk of CRC, while the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio and trans-FA are related to high risk of CRC. The summary of all cohort studies found that a high intake of SFA and DHA was a protective factor for CRC, and a high intake of the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was a risk factor for CRC. In the subgroup analysis of cancer subsites, we found that the dietary intake of linoleic acid (LA) and trans-FA are risk factors, while DPA is a protective factor for colon cancer. High dietary DHA intake was associated with a lower risk of rectal cancer, while the dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was associated with a higher risk of rectal cancer. Meta-analysis of blood FA levels showed a significant reverse association between blood pentadecanoic acid and CRC risk, whilst other blood Fas showed no significant association with CRC risk. All included MR studies showed that high plasma arachidonic acid (AA) is associated with increased CRC risk. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence on the dietary intake and blood levels of Fas in relation to CRC risk is less consistent. Future studies are needed to investigate how the metabolism of Fas contributes to CRC development.

Effects of EZH2 on Invasion and Migration of Endometrial Stromal Cells in Endometriosis Patients by Regulating PCDH10 Gene H3K27 Methylation.

Context: Endometriosis refers to the appearance of ectopic endometrioid tissue outside the uterus. Low PCDH10 expression has been associated with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which catalyzes histone 3 (H3K27me3). H3K27me3 is an epigenetic marker associated with endometriosis. Objective: The study intended to explore the influence of protocadherin 10 (PCDH10) on the invasion and migration of endometrial stromal cells in endometriosis as well as its mechanism. Design: The research team designed a laboratory study using endometrial tissue. Setting: The study took place in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at South University of Science and Technology Hospital in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Participants: Participants were 10 patients with ovarian endometriosis (ovarian chocolate cysts) who were undergoing surgical treatment at the hospital between January and December 2019. The endometrial tissue of those participants became the endometriosis group. Other participants with normal endometrial tissue became the controls (n=10). Outcome Measures: The research team collected tissues from participants and used immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and Western blot assay to determine the expression levels of PCDH10, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), and histone H3 (H3K27me3). The team cultured endometrial stromal cells from participants primarily to detect the effects of silencing EZH2 on PCDH10 and H3K27me3 expression. The team used a Transwell assay and scratch test to examine the influence of silencing EZH2 on invasion and migration of endometrial stromal cells and applied chromatin immunoprecipitation to determine H3K27me3 enrichment in the PCDH10 gene promoter region. Results: PCDH10 in heterotopic endometrial tissues of endometriosis patients had low expression, while EZH2 and H3K27me3 were highly expressed. Silencing EZH2 inhibited EZH2 protein expression, increased PCDH10 expression, and inhibited invasion and migration of endometrial stromal cells by increasing PCDH10 expression. Silencing EZH2 also reduced H3K27me3 enrichment in PCDH10 promoter region. Conclusions: Low PCDH10 expression may be associated with high EZH2 expression and H3K27me3 enrichment in endometriosis patients, which promotes the migration and invasion of endometrial stromal cells. This connection provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of endometriosis.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the TCM "Yupingfeng Granules" in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbations of COPD Based on a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is becoming increasingly important as it provides further options for treating many diseases worldwide. The TCM "Yupingfeng" has been used in China for over 800 years, and its clinical efficacy and safety for COPD treatment have been proven in previous studies. The objective of this study was to compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of Yupingfeng granules and the current conventional treatment for COPD patients in China. Methods: A Markov model was constructed from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system using TreeAge Pro 2011. The model cycle length was 12 months, and the cycle time was set to 10 years. Data from a randomized controlled trial were used to generate the number of acute exacerbations, COPD assessment test (CAT) score and actual medication used. The state transition probabilities, costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were derived from available sources. A threshold of 72,447 yuan per QALY gained was used as a cost-effectiveness criterion. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to verify the model. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of a 35-year cycle was evaluated as a scenario analysis. Results: In the basic-case analysis, the ICER of adding Yupingfeng granules to the current conventional treatment drugs was ¥2123.04 per QALY, which was less than the threshold (one-time per capita GDP).Sensitivity analyses showed the results to be robust. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of the ICER being less than the one-time per capita GDP threshold was 100%. In the scenario analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness was ¥12,051.27 per QALY which was also under the one-time per capita GDP. Conclusion: By reducing the number of acute exacerbations of COPD, thereby correspondingly reducing the follow-up treatment cost, Yupingfeng granules combined with conventional treatment were found to provide a cost-effective therapeutic strategy for COPD.

GCTOF-MS Combined LC-QTRAP-MS/MS Reveals Metabolic Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Osteoporotic Osteoarthritis and the Intervention Effect of Erxian Decoction.

Purpose: OP and OA are chronic bone diseases with high incidence in the middle-aged and elderly populations. The latest research shows that the pathological environment of OP may be involved in the aggravation of the pathological process of OA, and the pathological state of OP plays an important role in the aggravation of OA pathology. EXD is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction that has been used to treat osteoporosis. Therefore, we further study whether OA will be aggravated in the OP environment and whether EXD can alleviate OA by intervening in the OP environment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of OP on OA metabolites by using metabolomic methods and to explore the intervention mechanism of EXD on osteoporotic OA. Method: Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, OA group, OP-OA group, and EXD group. EXD was administered by gavage. Histopathological evaluation of cartilage tissue was performed using Saffron fast green and HE staining. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression levels of chondrogenesis genes SOX9, COL2A1, and COMP in cartilage tissue. GC-TOFMS and LC-QTRAP-MS/MS metabolomics methods were used to analyze the changes of metabolites in serum samples of rats in each group. Result: The slice results showed that the cartilage damage in the OP-OA group was more serious than that in the OA group, which was significantly relieved after EXD intervention, indicating that the cartilage damage in the OP-OA group was more severe than that in the OA group and further reduced the protein and gene expressions of cartilage markers SOX9, COL2A1, and COMP. Thirty-seven substances were identified, and gentiopicroside, emodin, quercetin, and diosmetin were analyzed as possible active components of EXD. EXD treatment significantly reduced cartilage damage and reversed the expression of these markers. Metabolomics showed that EXD attenuated cartilage destruction by modulating the expression of cystine, chenodeoxycholate, and D-Turanose, involving glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pantothenate, and CoA biosynthesis metabolic pathways. Conclusion: The OP environment may promote the progression of OA through metabolic factors. The benign intervention of EXD in osteoporotic OA involves cystine, chenodeoxycholate, and D-Turanose, and their associated glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pantothenate, and CoA biosynthesis metabolic pathways. Therefore, we have a deep understanding of the metabolic-related intervention of EXD in osteoporotic OA and are eager to better understand the mechanism of multi-targeted intervention of EXD in bone metabolic lesions.

Shumian Capsule Improves the Sleep Disorder and Mental Symptoms Through Melatonin Receptors in Sleep-Deprived Mice.

Healthy sleep is vital to maintaining the body's homeostasis. With the development of modern society, sleep disorder has gradually become one of the most epidemic health problems worldwide. Shumian capsule (SMC), a kind of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commonly used for insomnia, exhibits antidepressant and sedative effects in clinical practice. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully clarified. With the aid of a network pharmacology approach and function enrichment analysis, we identified the involvement of melatonin receptors in the antidepressant and sedative effects of SMC. In sleep-deprived mice, SMC treatment significantly alleviated insomnia and relevant mental alterations by improving both sleep latency and sleep duration. However, ramelteon, a selective melatonin receptor agonist that has been approved for the treatment of insomnia, only improved sleep latency. Additionally, SMC exhibited comparable effects on mental alterations with ramelteon as determined by an open-field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST). Mechanistically, we revealed that the melatonin receptor MT1 and MT2 signaling pathways involved the therapeutic effects of SMC. In addition to the single effect of traditional melatonin receptor agonists on treating sleep onset insomnia, SMC had therapeutic potential for various sleep disorders, such as sleep onset insomnia and sleep maintenance insomnia. Convergingly, our findings provide theoretical support for the clinical application of SMC.

Ginsenoside Rc Promotes Bone Formation in Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis In Vivo and Osteogenic Differentiation In Vitro.

Ginsenoside Rc is one of the active components used in traditional Chinese medicine. We aim to explore how ginsenoside Rc can be used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Micro-CT demonstrated that the treatment of ovariectomized (OVX) mice with ginsenoside Rc significantly inhibited the decrease in bone mineral density, bone volumetric fraction, and trabecular number, and the increase in trabecular separation. Histological staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blot demonstrated that ginsenoside Rc enhances the microstructure of trabecular bone, and promotes the expression of bone formation-related genes. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, Alizarin Red staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting demonstrated that ginsenoside Rc dose-dependently promoted the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. A ginsenoside Rc-induced increase in the expression of ß-catenin, p-GSK-3ß, collagen-1, ALP, and RUNX-2 family transcription factor-2 was significantly attenuated upon 10 µM XAV-939 treatment, while the decrease in the expression of GSK-3ß and p-ß-catenin was significantly enhanced. Ginsenoside Rc promotes bone formation in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in vivo and promotes osteogenic differentiation in vitro via the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.