From biomaterials to biotherapy: cuttlefish ink with protoporphyrin IX nanoconjugates for synergistic sonodynamic-photothermal therapy.

Biologically produced nanomaterials capable of therapeutic purposes have received increasing interest in tumor therapy because of their intrinsic biocompatibility. In this study, we made cuttlefish ink (extracted from cuttlefish) and protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) nanoconjugates (CIPs) where PpIX was an endogenous organic compound. In the case of CIPs, PpIX could be triggered by ultrasound (US) for sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and the cuttlefish ink could be excited by a near-infrared laser for photothermal therapy (PTT). Thereafter, tumor growth was greatly inhibited through synergistic SDT-PTT in comparison to single SDT or PTT. In addition, in vivo administration of CIPs showed no noticeable side effects for mouse blood and chief organs, providing an effective strategy for developing biologically produced biomaterials and using them for biotherapy.

Responses of root-associated fungal community structure of mycorrhizal plants to nitrogen and/or phosphorus addition in a subtropical forest.

Root-associated fungi play a vital role in maintaining nutrient absorption and health of host plants. To compare the responses of root-associated fungal community structures to nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) additions across differential mycorrhizal types, we collected roots of nine plant species belonging to three mycorrhizal types (arbuscular mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza, and ericoid mycorrhiza) under control and N and/or P addition treatments from a subtropical forest, and detected the diversity and community composition of fungi inhabiting roots through the high-throughput sequencing technique. The results showed that root-associated fungal communities of all nine plant species were mainly composed of Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. The relative abundance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota was significantly lower and higher under the P addition than that under control, respectively. The relative abundance of Ascomycota of ericoid mycorrhizal trees was significantly higher than those of arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal trees, while the relative abundance of Basidiomycota was significantly lower than the other two mycorrhizal types. Compared with the control, P addition significantly reduced the α-diversity and changed community composition of root-associated fungi across different mycorrhizal plant types, while no effect of N addition or mycorrhizal type was observed. Compared with the control and N addition treatments, NP addition caused root-associated fungal communities of all plants becoming integrally divergent. In addition, the fungal communities of ectomycorrhizal mycorrhizal trees became apparently convergent in comparison with those of arbuscular and ericoid mycorrhizal trees under the NP addition. Collectively, our results highlighted that P was a critical factor influencing community structures of tree root-associated fungi in subtropical forest soils. This study would enhance our understanding of the responses and maintenance mechanisms of plant root-associated fungal diversity under global environmental changes in the subtropical region.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD axis and neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemic reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the rats with cerebral ischemic reperfusion and the potential mechanism of microglia pyroptosis. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group and an EA group, with 20 rats in each group. The Zea Longa method was employed to establish the rat model of the middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MACO/R) in the left brain. In the EA group, since the 2nd day of modeling, EA was given at "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) of right side with disperse-dense wave, 4 Hz/20 Hz in frequency and 0.2 mA in current intensity, 30 min each time, once a day for lasting 7 consecutive days. The reduction rate of cerebral blood flow was measured with laser Doppler flowmetry during operation. The neurological function of rats was observed using Zea Longa neurobehavioral score. The cerebral infarction volume was detected by TTC staining method. The microglia positive expression in the ischemic side of the cortex was detected with the immunofluorescence method. Under transmission electron microscope, the ultrastructure of cell in the ischemic cortex was observed. The mRNA expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in the ischemic cortex were detected using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, in the model group, the reduction rate of cerebral blood flow was increased during operation (P<0.001); Zea Longa neurobehavional score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume were increased (P<0.001), the numbers of M1-type microglia marked by CD68+ and M2-type microglia marked by TMEM119+ were elevated in the ischemic cortex (P<0.001), the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01); the cytomembrane structure was destroyed, with more cell membrane pores formed in the ischemic cortex. Compared with the model group, after intervention, Zea Longa neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume were reduced (P<0.05), the number of M1-type microglia marked by CD68+ was reduced (P<0.05) and the number of M2-type microglia marked by TMEM119+ was increased (P<0.05); and the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the EA group. Even though the cytomembrane structure was incomplete, there were less membrane pores presented in the ischemic cortex in the EA group after intervention. CONCLUSION: The intervention with EA attenuates the neurological dysfunction and reduces the volume of cerebral infarction in the rats with cerebral ischemic reperfusion. The underlying mechanism is related to the inhibition of microglia pyroptosis through modulating NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD axis.

Reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk is associated with the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea: A multi-center observational study in Shanghai, China.

OBJECTIVE: Omicron, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant, is responsible for numerous infections in China. This study investigates the association between the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea (SFHT) and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection to develop precise and differentiated strategies for control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This case-control study was conducted at shelter hospitals and quarantine hotels in China. A total of 5348 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled between April 1 and May 31, 2022, while 2190 uninfected individuals served as healthy controls. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographics, underlying diseases, vaccination status, and use of SFHT. Patients were propensity-score-matched using 1:1 nearest-neighbor matching of the logit of the propensity score. Subsequently, a conditional logistic regression model was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 7538 eligible subjects were recruited, with an average age of [45.54 ± 16.94] years. The age of COVID-19 patients was significantly higher than that of uninfected individuals ([48.25 ± 17.48] years vs [38.92 ± 13.41] years; t = 22.437, P < 0.001). A total of 2190 COVID-19 cases were matched with uninfected individuals at a 1:1 ratio. The use of SFHT (odds ratio = 0.753, 95% confidence interval: 0.692, 0.820) was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to untreated individuals. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that taking SFHT reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is a useful study in the larger picture of COVID-19 management, but data from large-sample multi-center, randomized clinical trial are warranted to confirm the finding. Please cite this article as: Zhang SX, Chen XX, Zheng Y, Cai BH, Shi W, Ru M, Li H, Zhang DD, Tian Y, Chen YL. Reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk is associated with the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea: A multi-center observational study in Shanghai, China. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4):369-376.

Role of in vitamin D in irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting 10%-22% of adults. Its development is closely related to the gut microbiota, and the inflammatory and immune responses triggered by the gut microbiota can lead to IBS. Vitamin D (VD) effectively treats IBS with fewer side effects by improving gut microbiota, immune regulation, and anti-inflammatory effects. In the future, it is necessary to carry out epidemiological studies on the relationship between VD and IBS, clinical studies on the efficacy of supplementing VD to improve IBS, and animal studies on the mechanism of VD improving IBS. Therefore, this paper discussed the relationship between VD and IBS.

Identification of Radix Bupleuri From Different Geographic Origins Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Support Vector Machine Algorithm.

BACKGROUND: The geographic origin of Radix bupleuri is an important factor affecting its efficacy, which needs to be effectively identified. OBJECTIVE: The goal is to enrich and develop the intelligent recognition technology applicable to the identification of the origin of traditional Chinese medicine. METHOD: This article establishes an identification method of Radix bupleuri geographic origin based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. The Euclidean distance method is used to measure the similarity between Radix bupleuri samples, and the quality control chart method is applied to quantitatively describe their quality fluctuation. RESULTS: It is found that the samples from the same origin are relatively similar and mainly fluctuate within the control limit, but the fluctuation range is large, and it is impossible to distinguish the samples from different origins. The SVM algorithm can effectively eliminate the impact of intensity fluctuations and huge data dimensions by combining the normalization of MALDI-TOF MS data and the dimensionality reduction of principal components, and finally achieve efficient identification of the origin of Radix bupleuri, with an average recognition rate of 98.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This newly established approach for identification of the geographic origin of Radix bupleuri has been realized, and it has the advantages of objectivity and intelligence, which can be used as a reference for other medical and food-related research. HIGHLIGHTS: A new intelligent recognition method of medicinal material origin based on MALDI-TOF MS and SVM has been established.

Dry needling on latent and active myofascial trigger points versus oral diclofenac in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Latent and active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in knee-associated muscles may play a key role in pain management among patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dry needling treatment on pain intensity, disability, and range of motion (ROM) in patients with KOA. METHODS: This randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial was carried out for 6 weeks of treatment and 6-month follow-up. A total of 98 patients met the entry criteria and were randomly assigned to the dry needling latent and active myofascial trigger point (MTrPs) with the stretching group or the oral diclofenacwith the stretching group. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and ROM were statistically analyzed before and after treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients in the dry needling group (DNG) and 35 patients in the diclofenac group (DG), respectively, completed the study, and there was no significant difference in the general data between the two groups. After treatments, both the groups showed a good effect in knee pain, function, and ROM, However, the DNG showed a significantly better result than the DG. Especially in the results of the 6-month follow-up, the DNG showed much better results than the DG. CONCLUSIONS: Dry needling on latent and active MTrPs combined with stretching and oral diclofenac combined with stretching can effectively relieve pain, improve function, and restore knee ROM affected by KOA. However, the effects of dry needling and stretching are better and longer lasting than those of oral diclofenac and stretching for at least 6 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ) in 17/11/2017 with the following code: ChiCTR-INR-17013432.

Extracellular zinc regulates contextual fear memory formation in male rats through MMP-BDNF-TrkB pathway in dorsal hippocampus and basolateral amygdala.

Large amount of zinc (100 µM even up to 300 µM) is released from the nerve terminals in response to high frequency neuronal stimulation in certain brain regions including hippocampus and amygdala. However, its precise pharmacological effect is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of extracellular zinc (endogenous zinc) and exogenous zinc in memory formation using contextual fear conditioning (CFC) model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were trained for fear conditioning followed by in vivo microdialysis for collection of microdialysate samples from CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus and basolateral amygdala (BLA). Extracellular zinc chelator CaEDTA, BDNF scavenger TrkB-Fc, exogenous 7,8-DHF and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) inhibitor were infused into the CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus and BLA after CFC. Different doses of exogenous zinc hydroaspartate were administered intraperitoneally immediately after CFC. We found that CFC increased the level of extracellular zinc in the hippocampus and BLA. Infusing the CaEDTA, TrkB-Fc and MMP inhibitor into the CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus and BLA disrupted the fear memory formation. Furthermore, administration of TrKB agonist 7,8-DHF reversed the inhibitory effect of CaEDTA on fear memory formation, suggesting that extracellular zinc may regulate fear memory formation via the BDNF-TrKB pathway. We also found that high dose of exogenous zinc hydroaspartate supplementation increased extracellular zinc levels in brain and enhanced fear memory formation. Altogether, these findings indicate that extracellular zinc may participate in formation of contextual fear memory through MMP-BDNF-TrkB pathway in the hippocampus and BLA.

Paeoniflorin Ameliorates Colonic Fibrosis in Rats with Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Inhibiting the Leptin/LepRb Pathway.

Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder associated with immune dysregulation and depression- and anxiety-like behaviors. Through traditional medicine, the active ingredient of Paeoniae Radix called paeoniflorin (PF) was previously found to prevent the symptoms of PI-IBS. However, there is limited information on the effects of PF on intestinal function and depression- and anxiety-like symptoms in PI-IBS animal models. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of PF treatment on the symptoms of PI-IBS in a rat model. The PI-IBS rat model was established via early postnatal sibling deprivation (EPSD), trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS), and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) stimulation and then treated with different dosages of PF (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and leptin (1 and 10 mg/kg). The fecal water content and body weight were measured to evaluate the intestinal function, while the two-bottle test for sucrose intake, open field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze test (EMT) were performed to assess behavioral changes. The serum leptin levels were also measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the expressions of leptin and its receptor, LepRb, were detected in colonic mucosal tissues through an immunohistochemical assay. The activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also detected via western blotting. After the experimental period, the PI-IBS rats presented decreased body weight and increased fecal water content, which coincided with elevated leptin levels and heightened depression- and anxiety-like behaviors (e.g., low sucrose intake, less frequency in the center areas during OFT, and fewer activities in the open arms during EMT). However, the PF treatment ameliorated these observed symptoms. Furthermore, PF not only inhibited leptin/LepRb expression but also reduced the PI3K/AKT phosphorylation and BDNF expression in PI-IBS rats. Notably, cotreatment with leptin (10 mg/kg) reduced the effects of PF (20 mg/kg) on colonic fibrosis, leptin/LepRb expression, and PI3K/AKT activation. Therefore, our findings suggest that leptin is targeted by PF via the leptin/LepRb pathway, consequently ameliorating the symptoms of PI-IBS. Our study also contributes novel insights for elucidating the pharmacological action of PF on gastrointestinal disorders and may be used for the clinical treatment of PI-IBS in the future.

Photoaffinity Labeling-Based Chemoproteomic Strategy Reveals RBBP4 as a Cellular Target of Protopanaxadiol against Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Protopanaxadiol (PPD), a main ginseng metabolite, exerts powerful anticancer effects against multiple types of cancer; however, its cellular targets remain elusive. Here, we synthesized a cell-permeable PPD probe via introducing a bifunctional alkyne-containing diazirine photo-crosslinker and performed a photoaffinity labeling-based chemoproteomic study. We identified retinoblastoma binding protein 4 (RBBP4), a chromatin remodeling factor, as an essential cellular target of PPD in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. PPD significantly decreased RBBP4-dependent trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3), a crucial epigenetic marker that correlates with histologic signs of colorectal cancer aggressiveness, and PPD inhibition of proliferation and migration of HCT116 cells was antagonized by RBBP4 RNA silencing. Collectively, our study highlights a previously undisclosed anti-colorectal cancer cellular target of the ginseng metabolite and advances the fundamental understanding of RBBP4 functions via a chemical biology strategy.

Real-Time Visual Biofeedback via Wearable Ultrasound Imaging Can Enhance the Muscle Contraction Training Outcome of Young Adults.

ABSTRACT: Huang, Z-H, Ma, CZ-H, Wang, L-K, Wang, X-Y, Fu, S-N, and Zheng, Y-P. Real-time visual biofeedback via wearable ultrasound imaging can enhance the muscle contraction training outcome of young adults. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 941-947, 2022-Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) can serve as visual biofeedback to train deep muscle contraction in clinical rehabilitative settings. However, its effectiveness in resistance training in sports/fitness fields remains unexplored. This article introduced a newly developed wearable RUSI system that provided visual biofeedback of muscle thickening and movement and reported its effectiveness in improving the training outcomes of muscle thickness change (%) during dynamic contraction. Twenty-five healthy young men participated and performed pec fly exercise both with and without RUSI biofeedback. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the reliability of the measurements and the immediate effects of (a) RUSI biofeedback of muscle contraction and (b) training intensity (50 vs. 80% of 1-repetition maximum [1RM]) on the pectoralis major (PMaj) thickness change measured by ultrasound images. In addition to significantly high inter-contraction reliability (ICC3,1 > 0.97), we observed significantly increased PMaj thickness change for both training intensities upon receiving biofeedback in subjects, compared with without biofeedback (p < 0.001). We also observed significantly larger PMaj thickness change at 80% of 1RM compared with 50% of 1RM (p = 0.023). The provision of visual biofeedback using RUSI significantly enlarged the magnitude of PMaj thickness change during pec fly exercises, potentially indicating that RUSI biofeedback could improve the ability of targeted muscle contraction of PMaj in healthy young adults. To our knowledge, this study has pioneered in applying RUSI as a form of biofeedback during weight training and observed positive effectiveness. Future iterations of the technique will benefit more subject groups, such as athletes and patients with neuromuscular disorders.

Human immunodeficiency virus: The potential of medicinal plants as antiretroviral therapy.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is fast becoming widespread in the world with 37.7 million people living with HIV in 2020. Antiretroviral therapy involving chemical drugs has declined acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related mortality and improved the life quality of AIDS/HIV sufferers. However, the emergence of drug resistance and side effects are the main obstacles for the long-term use of these chemicals as antiretroviral therapy. Recently, a lot of emphasis is being put on finding naturally occurring drug candidates that show activity against HIV and can be potentially used as antiretroviral therapy. In this study, different medicinal plants, Pistacia khinjuk, Teucrium stocksianum, Uncaria tomentosa, Pistacia integerrima, Trigonella gharuensis, and Artocarpus lakoocha, were explored for their anti-HIV potential. Syncytium and p24 assays were performed to determine antiviral activity, while the MTT assay was used to determine cytotoxicity. Results showed that extracts from all six plants inhibited HIV replication in vitro. Also, extracts from Pistacia khinjuk, Teucrium stocksianum, Uncaria tomentosa, and Pistacia integerrima showed low cytotoxicity with a 50% cytotoxicity concentration value of >200 µM. Results of this study indicate that there is potential in these natural extracts to become candidate drugs to be used as complementary and alternative medicine for HIV infection.

An experimental study of tangzhouling on morphological changes of nissl bodies in the dorsal root ganglion of DM rats / Un estudio experimental de tangzhouling sobre los cambios morfológicos de los cuerpos de nissl en el ganglio de la raíz dorsal de ratas DM

SUMMARY: This study aims to investigate the effect of Tangzhouling on the morphological changes of Nissl bodies in the dorsal root ganglion of DM Rats. In this study, 69 rats were randomly divided into a control group (n = 10) and a model group (n = 59). The rats in the model group were randomly divided into a diabetic group (n = 11), a vitamin C group (n = 12), a low dose Tangzhouling group (n = 12), a medium dose Tangzhouling group (n = 12) and a high dose Tangzhouling group (n = 12). The dose of Tangzhouling in the low dose group was 5 times that of the adult dose, being 0.44g/kg/d. The dose of Tangzhouling in the medium dose group was 10 times that of the adult dose, being 0.88g/kg/d. The dose of Tangzhouling in the high dose group was 20 times that of the adult dose, being 1.75g/kg/d. All doses above are crude drug dosages. Rats in the vitamin C group were given 10 times the dose of an adult, being, 0.05 g/ kg/d. The diabetic group and the control group were given the same amount of distilled water. Drug delivery time is 16 weeks. The dorsal root ganglion was placed in a freezing tube at the end of the experiment. The morphological changes of Nissl bodies in the dorsal root ganglion were detected by HE and Nissl staining. The study results showed that vitamin C had no significant effect on the quantity, size and nucleolus. Tangzhouling can improvee the morphology, quantity and nucleolus of Nissl bodies to a certain extent, and the high dose is better than the lower dose. Tangzhouling capsules can improve the nerve function of DM rats through Nissl bodies.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el efecto de Tangzhouling en los cambios morfológicos de los cuerpos de Nissl en el ganglio de la raíz dorsal de las ratas DM. En este estudio, 69 ratas se dividieron aleatoriamente en un grupo control (n = 10) y un grupo modelo (n = 59). Las ratas del grupo modelo se dividieron aleatoriamente en un grupo diabéticos (n = 11), un grupo vitamina C (n = 12), un grupo de dosis baja de Tangzhouling (n = 12), un grupo de dosis media de Tangzhouling (n = 12) y un grupo de dosis alta de Tangzhouling (n = 12). La dosis de Tangzhouling en el grupo de dosis baja fue 5 veces mayor que la dosis del adulto, siendo 0,44 g/kg/d. La dosis de Tangzhouling en el grupo de dosis media fue 10 veces mayor que la dosis del adulto, siendo 0,88 g/kg/d. La dosis de Tangzhouling en el grupo de dosis alta fue 20 veces mayor que la dosis del adulto, siendo 1,75 g/kg/d. Todas las dosis anteriores son dosis de fármaco crudo. Se les administró 10 veces la dosis de un adulto a las ratas del grupo vitamina C, siendo 0,05 g/kg/d. El grupo de diabéticos y el grupo de control recibieron la misma cantidad de agua destilada. El tiempo de entrega del fármaco fue de 16 semanas. El ganglio de la raíz dorsal se colocó en un tubo de congelación al final del experimento. Los cambios morfológicos de los cuerpos de Nissl en el ganglio de la raíz dorsal se detectaron mediante tinción de HE y Nissl. Los resultados del estudio mostraron que la vitamina C no tuvo un efecto significativo sobre la cantidad, el tamaño y el nucléolo. Tangzhouling puede mejorar la morfología, la cantidad y el nucléolo de los cuerpos de Nissl hasta cierto punto, y es mejor la dosis alta que la dosis baja. Las cápsulas de Tangzhouling pueden mejorar la función nerviosa de las ratas DM a través de los cuerpos de Nissl.

Lyophyllin, a Mushroom Protein from the Peptidase M35 Superfamily Is an RNA N-Glycosidase.

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) hydrolyze the N-glycosidic bond and depurinate a specific adenine residue (A-4324 in rat 28S ribosomal RNA, rRNA) in the conserved α-sarcin/ricin loop (α-SRL) of rRNA. In this study, we have purified and characterized lyophyllin, an unconventional RIP from Lyophyllum shimeji, an edible mushroom. The protein resembles peptidase M35 domain of peptidyl-Lys metalloendopeptidases. Nevertheless, protein either from the mushroom or in recombinant form possessed N-glycosidase and protein synthesis inhibitory activities. A homology model of lyophyllin was constructed. It was found that the zinc binding pocket of this protein resembles the catalytic cleft of a classical RIP, with key amino acids that interact with the adenine substrate in the appropriate positions. Mutational studies showed that E122 may play a role in stabilizing the positively charged oxocarbenium ion and H121 for protonating N-3 of adenine. The tyrosine residues Y137 and Y104 may be used for stacking the target adenine ring. This work first shows a protein in the peptidase M35 superfamily based on conserved domain search possessing N-glycosidase activity.

Therapeutic effect of Qinglong tail-wagging acupuncture method in knee osteoarthritis and its influence on inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored and analyzed the healing effect of Qinglong tail-wagging acupuncture method in therapy of knee osteoarthritis and its influence on inflammatory factors. METHODS: 93 elderly patients with acute onset of knee osteoarthritis that hospitalized from March 2017 to June 2019 were admitted and randomly separated into observation group (n=48) and control group (n=45) in line with the method of random data form. The control group was given conventional electro-acupuncture, and the observation group was treated with the qinglong tail-waving acupuncture method. The clinical efficacy, pre- and post-VAS score, Lequesne and WOMAC indexes, and changes in serum inflammatory factor levels pre-and-post treatment were compared between the two sets of subjects. RESULTS: The overall response rate of clinical treatment in observation group was remarkably higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Besides, the VAS, Lequesne as well as WOMAC scores of two groups after treatment were significantly reduced than those in pre-treatment (P < 0.05), and the indexes in observation group were remarkably lower than those in control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum IL-6, NO and TNF-α concentration of the two sets of subjects in post-treatment reduced significantly than that in pre-treatment (P < 0.05), and the serum IL-6, NO and TNF-α concentration in observation group were remarkably decreased than those in control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupuncture method of Qinglong tail-wagging has good healing effect on remedy of elderly knee osteoarthritis. The curative method is able to improve the patients' function of knee joint and reduce the concentration of serum inflammatory factor in patients with knew osteoarthritis.

Integrating Network Analysis and Metabolomics to Reveal Mechanism of Huaganjian Decoction in Treatment of Cholestatic Hepatic Injury.

Huaganjian decoction (HGJD) was first recorded in the classic "Jing Yue Quan Shu" during the Ming dynasty, and it has been extensively applied in clinical practice to treat liver diseases for over 300 years in China. However, its bioactive constituents and relevant pharmacological mechanism are still unclear. In this study, a strategy integrating network analysis and metabolomics was applied to reveal mechanism of HGJD in treating cholestatic hepatic injury (CHI). Firstly, we observed the therapeutic effect of HGJD against CHI with an alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) induced CHI rat model. Then, we utilized UPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS method to analyze the serum migrant compounds of HGJD in CHI rats. Based on these compounds, network analysis was conducted to screen for potential active components, and key signaling pathways interrelated to therapeutic effect of HGJD. Meanwhile, serum metabolomics was utilized to investigate the underlying metabolic mechanism of HGJD against CHI. Finally, the predicted key pathway was verified by western blot and biochemical analysis using rat liver tissue from in vivo efficacy experiment. Our results showed that HGJD significantly alleviated ANIT induced CHI. Totally, 31 compounds originated from HGJD have been identified in the serum sample. PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway related to GSH synthesis was demonstrated as one of the major pathways interrelated to therapeutic effect of HGJD against CHI. This research supplied a helpful strategy to determine the potential bioactive compounds and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.

Application of Ultrasound Biofeedback to the Learning of the Mendelsohn Maneuver in Non-dysphagic Adults: A Pilot Study.

This study aimed to investigate the application of ultrasound to the learning of swallowing maneuver. Forty non-dysphagic adults of both genders who were naïve to the Mendelsohn maneuver participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound or surface electromyography (sEMG) as biofeedback when acquiring the Mendelsohn maneuver. Thirty-eight subjects (n = 19) completed the Learning phase. Accuracy of executing the Mendelsohn maneuver was measured immediately (Post-training percentage accuracy) and one week post-training (Retention percentage accuracy). Whereas comparable numbers of training blocks were completed by the two groups (t(31.51) = 3.68, p = 0.330), the Ultrasound group attained significantly higher percentage accuracies than the sEMG group at both Post-training (t(28.88) = 4.04, p < 0.001, d = 1.309) and Retention (t(30.78) = 2.13, p = 0.042, d = 0.690). Ultrasound is a more effective biofeedback than sEMG in the acquisition of the Mendelsohn maneuver and may be adopted to the rehabilitative treatment for dysphagic individuals. Non-specificity of sEMG as biofeedback should be emphasized when it is employed in the training and learning of swallowing maneuvers. Findings from the present study suggest that ultrasound is preferable to sEMG as biofeedback in the learning of the Mendelsohn maneuver.

Degradation and Detoxification of Aflatoxin B1 by Tea-Derived Aspergillus niger RAF106.

Microbial degradation is an effective and attractive method for eliminating aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which is severely toxic to humans and animals. In this study, Aspergillus niger RAF106 could effectively degrade AFB1 when cultivated in Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB) with contents of AFB1 ranging from 0.1 to 4 µg/mL. Treatment with yeast extract as a nitrogen source stimulated the degradation, but treatment with NaNO3 and NaNO2 as nitrogen sources and lactose and sucrose as carbon sources suppressed the degradation. Moreover, A. niger RAF106 still degraded AFB1 at initial pH values that ranged from 4 to 10 and at cultivation temperatures that ranged from 25 to 45 °C. In addition, intracellular enzymes or proteins with excellent thermotolerance were verified as being able to degrade AFB1 into metabolites with low or no mutagenicity. Furthermore, genomic sequence analysis indicated that the fungus was considered to be safe owing to the absence of virulence genes and the gene clusters for the synthesis of mycotoxins. These results indicate that A. niger RAF106 and its intracellular enzymes or proteins have a promising potential to be applied commercially in the processing and industry of food and feed to detoxify AFB1.

Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling on Neuromuscular Performance and Pain of Individuals Affected by Patellofemoral Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of trigger point dry needling (TrP-DN) on exercise-induced patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind, parallel-group trial, 50 patients with PFPS were randomly allocated to the following two groups: the TrP-DN group (n = 25) and the Sham needling group (n = 25). Patients in both groups were asked to perform a stretching exercise of the quadriceps daily after needling. The needling group received a single session of TrP-DN to trigger points (TrPs) in the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris muscles (once a week for 6 weeks), and the Sham group received placebo needling. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain intensity and Kujala questionnaire for the functional status were assessed before treatment, 3 and 6 weeks after treatment, and at the 3-month follow-up. The ratio of the myoelectric amplitude of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis muscles (VMO/VL) was assessed before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the general data between the two groups. The VAS scores and Kujala scores in the TrP-DN group were significantly improved and increased at the 3-week treatment visit, 6-week treatment visit, and 3-month follow-up compared to the scores before treatment; and the scores in the Sham group were only significantly improved at the 3-week treatment visit, and 6-week treatment visit. VAS scores in the TrP-DN group were significantly lower and Kujala scores were significantly higher at the 6-week treatment visit and the 3-month follow-up compared to those in the Sham group. The VMO/VL ratio in the TrP-DN group was significantly increased at the 6-week treatment visit compared to that before treatment. CONCLUSION: TrP-DN at the quadriceps combined with stretch can reduce the pain, and improves the clinical symptoms and function, the VMO/VL ratio, and the coordination of VMO and VL in patients with PFPS.

Effects of Jian Pi Qu Shi Formula on intestinal bacterial flora in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) has recently increased remarkably. Immune dysfunction caused by disordered intestinal flora might be an important factor affecting IMN. The Jian Pi Qu Shi Formula (JPQSF) shows promise in treating IMN. Here, we sequenced 16S rRNA genes to compare intestinal flora between patients with IMN and healthy persons. We also conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial to further compare the intestinal flora of patients with IMN treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine (WM). METHODS: Among 40 patients with IMN treated at Department of Nephrology in Xiyuan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine between July 2016 and December 2018, we compared 30 of them with 10 healthy persons (controls). The IMN group was randomly assigned to receive JPQSF (TCM) or immunosuppressant WM therapy in (n = 15 per group) for 6 months. Intestinal microbiota diversity was analyzed using alpha diversity and beta diversity. Intestinal flora that significantly differed between the groups was analyzed using MetaStat. The effects and safety of the therapies were determined based on the values for plasma albumin, 24-h urine protein excretion, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), complete blood count, and liver enzymes. All data were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 statistical software. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the IMN and healthy groups, or the TCM and WM groups. After six months of treatment, 24-h urinary protein significantly declined in the TCM and WM groups (before and after treatment: 3.24 ± 1.74 vs. 1.73 ± 1.85 g, P < 0.05 and 3.94 ± 1.05 vs. 1.91 ± 1.18 g, P < 0.05, respectively). Plasma albumin was significantly increased in the TCM group (before vs. after treatment: 32.44 ± 9.04 vs. 39.99 ± 7.03 g/L, P < 0.05), but did not significantly change in the WM group (31.55 ± 4.23 vs. 34.83 ± 9.14 g/L, P > 0.05). Values for urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and eGFR did not significantly change in either group. The alpha diversity index for intestinal flora differed between the IMN and healthy groups, and the TCM and WM groups. Comparisons of multiple samples (beta diversity) revealed differences in intestinal flora between the IMN and healthy groups, and the TCM and WM groups. The Metastat analysis findings showed that the main genera that differed between the IMN group before treatment and the healthy group were Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Bifidobacterium (77), Dorea, Escherichia-Shigella, Parabacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Coprococcus_3. After TCM therapy, the main differential genera were Butyricimonas, Bacteroides, Alistipes, and Lachnospira, and after WM therapy, these were Ruminococcus_2, Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group, Lachnospira, Bifidobacterium, Alistipes, and [Eubacterium]_ventriosum_group. CONCLUSION: Patients with IMN might have disordered intestinal flora, and JPQSF can regulate intestinal flora in patients with IMN.