Chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of Flueggea virosa (Phyllanthaceae).

Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle, an evergreen shrub and small tree in the Phyllanthaceae family, holds significant potential in garden landscaping and pharmacological applications. However, the lack of genomic data has hindered further scientific understanding of its horticultural and medicinal values. In this study, we have assembled a haplotype-resolved genome of F. virosa for the first time. The two haploid genomes, named haplotype A genome and haplotype B genome, are 487.33 Mb and 477.53 Mb in size, respectively, with contig N50 lengths of 31.45 Mb and 32.81 Mb. More than 99% of the assembled sequences were anchored to 13 pairs of pseudo-chromosomes. Furthermore, 21,587 and 21,533 protein-coding genes were predicted in haplotype A and haplotype B genomes, respectively. The availability of this chromosome-level genome fills the gap in genomic data for F. virosa and provides valuable resources for molecular studies of this species, supporting future research on speciation, functional genomics, and comparative genomics within the Phyllanthaceae family.

Chromosome-level and haplotype-resolved genome assembly of Dracaena cambodiana (Asparagaceae).

Dracaena cambodiana Pierre ex Gagn. (Asparagaceae) is the source plant of Dragon's blood and has high ornamental values in gardening. Currently, this species is classified as the second-class state-protected species in the National Key Protected Wild Plants (NKPWP) of China. However, limited genomic data has hindered a more comprehensive scientific understanding of the processes involved in the production of Dragon's blood and the related conservation genomics research. In this study, we assembled a haplotype-resolved genome of D. cambodiana. The haploid genomes, haplotype A and haplotype B, are 1,015.22 Mb and 1,003.13 Mb in size, respectively. The completeness of haplotype A and haplotype B genomes was 98.60% and 98.20%, respectively, using the "embryophyta_10" dataset. Haplotype A and haplotype B genomes contained 27,361 and 27,066 protein-coding genes, respectively, with nearly all being functionally annotated. These findings provide new insights into the genomic characteristics of D. cambodiana and will offer additional genomic resources for studying the biosynthesis mechanism of Dragon's blood and the horticultural application of Dragon trees.

Chromosome-level assembly of Lindenbergia philippensis and comparative genomic analyses shed light on genome evolution in Lamiales.

Lamiales, comprising over 23,755 species across 24 families, stands as a highly diverse and prolific plant group, playing a significant role in the cultivation of horticultural, ornamental, and medicinal plant varieties. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) and its subsequent post-polyploid diploidization (PPD) process represent the most drastic type of karyotype evolution, injecting significant potential for promoting the diversity of this lineage. However, polyploidization histories, as well as genome and subgenome fractionation following WGD events in Lamiales species, are still not well investigated. In this study, we constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly of Lindenbergia philippensis (Orobanchaceae) and conducted comparative genomic analyses with 14 other Lamiales species. L. philippensis is positioned closest to the parasitic lineage within Orobanchaceae and has a conserved karyotype. Through a combination of Ks analysis and syntenic depth analysis, we reconstructed and validated polyploidization histories of Lamiales species. Our results indicated that Primulina huaijiensis underwent three rounds of diploidization events following the γ-WGT event, rather than two rounds as reported. Besides, we reconfirmed that most Lamiales species shared a common diploidization event (L-WGD). Subsequently, we constructed the Lamiales Ancestral Karyotype (LAK), comprising 11 proto-chromosomes, and elucidated its evolutionary trajectory, highlighting the highly flexible reshuffling of the Lamiales paleogenome. We identified biased fractionation of subgenomes following the L-WGD event across eight species, and highlighted the positive impacts of non-WGD genes on gene family expansion. This study provides novel genomic resources and insights into polyploidy and karyotype remodeling of Lamiales species, essential for advancing our understanding of species diversification and genome evolution.

Coagulation and fibrinolytic markers offer utility when distinguishing between benign and malignant gallbladder tumors: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic or proliferative abnormalities that are characteristic of tumor cells can lead to abnormal fibrinolysis or coagulation system activity, with certain tumors exhibiting hypercoagulability or existing in a fibrinolytic state. However, the utility of biomarkers of coagulation and fibrinolysis when seeking to differentiate between benign gallbladder disease and malignant gallbladder tumors remains uncertain. METHODS: This study included a total of 81 patients with benign gallbladder polyps and 94 patients with malignant gallbladder tumors. Pre-biopsy or pretreatment levels of PT, APTT, FIB, D-dimer, FDP, PLT, PIC, TAT, TM, and t-PAIC from these patients were compared using Mann-Whitney tests. The baseline data of the patients were analyzed using chi-square tests, and the diagnostic utility of these biomarkers in distinguishing between benign and malignant gallbladder lesions was evaluated using ROC curves, and Spearman correlation analysis was employed to assess the correlation between these indicators and tumor parameters. RESULTS: The average age of malignant gallbladder tumor group was higher than benign gallbladder polyp group. And the base line analysis showed that there was a statistic difference in age, history of smoking, drinking, biliary tract disease, BMI of over weight between these two groups. In patients with malignant gallbladder tumors, FIB, D-dimer, FDP, PIC, TAT, TM, and t-PAIC levels were significantly elevated relative to those in patients affected by benign gallbladder polyp. The AUC for FIB, D-dimer, and FDP was 0.8469, 0.6514, 0.5950, while for PIC, TAT, TM, t-PAIC and four biomarker combined diagnosed was 0.8455, 0.6554, 0.7130, 0.6806, and 0.8859. Among these, TM was associated with the vascular invasion of tumor patients; TAT and t-PAIC were associated with neural invasion; D-dimer and FDP were related to the maximum tumor diameter; and FDP had a certain correlation with the tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS: In gallbladder tumor patients, conventional coagulation metrics like FIB, D-dimer, and FDP, as well as newer thrombotic indicators such as PIC, TAT, TM, and t-PAIC, were obviously increased. Correlations with tumor parameters suggested their potential as biomarkers to distinguish benign from malignant gallbladder growths.

Effect of Bushen Huoxue Prescription on Cognitive Dysfunction of KK-Ay Type 2 Diabetic Mice.

Diabetic cognitive impairment is one of the common complications of type 2 diabetes, which can cause neurological and microvascular damage in the brain. Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHX), a compound Chinese medicine, has been used clinically to treat diabetes-induced cognitive impairment. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, KK-Ay diabetic model mouse was administered BSHX daily for 12 weeks. Bodyweight, random blood glucose (RBG), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured every 4 weeks. Triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting serum insulin (FINS), and Morris water maze were tested after 12 weeks of administration. On the day of sacrifice, the hippocampus was collected for pathological staining and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) analysis to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of BSHX. Our results showed that BSHX treatment significantly ameliorated the T2DM related insults, including the increased bodyweight, blood glucose, TG, insulin levels, AGEs, the reduced HDL-C, the impaired spatial memory, and the neurological impairment. Moreover, Western blot analysis showed that increased expression of receptors of AGEs (RAGEs), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the hippocampus were significantly inhibited by BSHX treatment. These results indicate that BSHX can significantly ameliorate glucose and lipid metabolism dysfunction, reduce the morphological changes in hippocampus tissues, and improve the cognitive function of KK-Ay mice. These protective effects of BSHX may involve regulation of the AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Resibufogenin inhibited colorectal cancer cell growth and tumorigenesis through triggering ferroptosis and ROS production mediated by GPX4 inactivation.

Resibufogenin (RB) has been used for cancer treatment, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RB treatment on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, and to determine the underlying mechanisms. The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to determine cell viability. Cell morphology was observed under light microscopy, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Intracellular ferrous iron (Fe2+ ), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species levels were detected by using commercial iron assay kit, MDA assay kit, GSH assay kit, and 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probes, respectively. The protein expressions were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RB inhibited cell viability in the CRC cell lines (HT29 and SW480) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and caused cytotoxicity to the normal colonic epithelial cell line (NCM460) at high dose. Similarly, RB induced morphological changes in CRC cells from normal to round shape, and promoted cell death. Of note, RB triggered oxidative stress and ferroptotic cell death in CRC cells, and only ferroptosis inhibitors (deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1), instead of inhibitors for other types of cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis), reversed the inhibitory effects of RB on CRC cell proliferation. Furthermore, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was inactivated by RB treatment, and overexpression of GPX4 alleviated RB-induced oxidative cell death in CRC cells. Consistently, the in vivo experiments validated that RB also triggered oxidative stress, and inhibited CRC cells growth and tumorigenicity in mice models. RB can inhibit CRC cells growth and tumorigenesis by triggering ferroptotic cell death in a GPX4 inactivation-dependent manner.

Alopecines A-E, five chloro-containing matrine-type alkaloids with immunosuppressive activities from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides.

Alopecines A-E (1-5), five unusual matrine-type alkaloids featuring with an additional dichlorocyclopropane (1-3) or a di/tri-chloromethyl (4/5) attached on the D ring, were isolated from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic techniques, and X-ray diffraction analyses or time-dependent density functional theory-based electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations. Alkaloid 4 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the proliferation of ConA-induced T lymphocytes or LPS-induced B cells with IC50 value of 3.98 or 3.74 µM, respectively.

[Yiqi Tongluo Particles improve Qi-deficiency and blood stasis in multiple cerebral infarction rats by promoting angiogenesis].

This research was aimed to evaluate the protective effect and potential mechanism of Yiqi Tongluo Particles(YQTLs).Firstly,an animal model of multiple cerebral infarction(MCI) with Qi deficiency and blood stasis was established.Rats were randomly divided into six groups:SHAM group,Vehicle group,Buyang Huanwu decoction original group(BYHWO),EGb761 group,high and low dose of YQTLs group.Rats underwent sleep deprivation after one week of MCI and the tongues and pulses of rats after six weeks of sleep deprivation were detected,followed by collecting blood to analysis the blood coagulation.Differential expression of angiogenesis associated proteins was examined using proteomic research and verified by immunohistochemical.RESULTS: showed that neurological function score was obviously declined,G and B value of tongue surface was increased significantly and the pulse distension,the activated partial thromboplatin time(APTT) as well as prothrombin time(PT) were recovered following YQTLs 7.56 g·kg-1 treatment.Furthermore,G value of tongue surface,APTT and PT were also improved by YQTLs 3.78 g·kg-1.The results of proteomic technology showed that proteins associated with angiogenesis were reversed compared with Vehicle group.Moreover,the expression of VEGFR2 from immunohistochemical was promoted after YQTLs treatment.The MCI with Qi deficiency and blood stasis was alleviated obviously following YQTLs treatment and the possible mechanism was that YQTLs may enhance angiogenesis during cerebral ischemia.

[Effects of sleep deprivation induced blood stasis syndrome on platelet activation in rats].

Blood stasis syndrome is the pre-state of thrombotic disease. The model of blood stasis syndrome in rats was induced by sleep deprivation to study on effects of blood stasis syndrome on platelet activation. The weight, the color of tongue and hemorheology for the blood stasis syndrome of Chinese medicine were measured after modeling. The release of platelet granules and platelet activation factors in plasma were detected by ELISA kit related indicators to provide experimental basis for platelet function evaluation and related drug effects in syndrome research. The results showed that the weight of the model group rats was significantly lower than that of the normal group (P<0.01). The tongue showed a dark purple blood stasis pattern, and the R, G and B values of the tongue surface in model group were significantly lower than those of the normal group (P<0.01). The hemorheological parameters including high shear, middle shear and low shear viscosity in whole blood were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). But plasma viscosity did not change significantly. The release levels of platelet α particles (GMP-140, ß-TG, PF4) and dense particles (ADP, 5-HT) were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). The levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α in plasma were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). The ratios of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF2α were also significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). The levels of PAF in plasma in model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). It was concluded that platelet functions could be changed induced by sleep deprivationin rats with blood stasis syndrome, and there might be inflammation and endothelial cell dysfunction.

[Preliminary study on two analytical methods for evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes model in rats with blood stasis due to sleep deprivation].

The comparison on evaluating blood stasis syndrome in sleep deprived rats was carried out by using R, G, B image analysis of Tongue and palm as well as auricle, palm surface laser Doppler flow perfusion. The experiment was performed by means of a small platform on the water environment for sleep deprivation. The rats were weekly weighed at fixed time, and their macroscopic signs were observed; and their tongue and palm images of the control and model group were respectively collected by the SLR camera at the 2nd, 4th and 6th week. Then the color saturation analysis was performed by means of proofreading with the standard colorimetric card. At the same time, the laser dopper flowmetry was used to analyze the perfusion of auricle and foot flow in rats. It turned out that there was no significant difference in the R,G,B value of the tongue and palm in rats between normal group and model group at the first stage(at the 2nd week), so were the perfusion of auricle and foot flow in rats. But at the second stage (at the 4th week), the R value of tongue in model group rats was obviously lower than that in normal group(P<0.01), and the other value (G,B) of tongue in module rats had a decease tendency, but there was no statistical significance. However, the perfusion of left and right auricle flow in model group rats were dramatically decreased as compared with the normal group(P<0.01); there was still no significant difference in the perfusion of the palm between two groups. It was found that R,G,B value in model group had a lower trend as compared with the control group of the tongue and palm images at the third stage (at the 6th week), but no statistically significant difference. The perfusion of left and right auricle flow in model group was constantly decreased as compared with the normal group(P<0.01).Right and left foot blood flow was lower than the normal group, but no statistically significant difference. We can safely conclude that the results of the R, G, B values of the tongue in rats could objectively reflect the characteristics of the rats with blood stasis syndrome, which were consistent with the diagnosis of clinical tongue image. As a method of microcirculation evaluation, the surface laser doppler perfusion of auricle can exhibit the characteristics of blood stasis in model rats, but also was more objective and reproducible. Therefore, the combination of R, G, B value of tongue as well as auricle laser doppler blood flow is more beneficial to the objective evaluation of index in the later study of traditional Chinese medicine blood stasis syndrome model.

Red blood cell distribution width and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio are correlated with disease activity of dermatomyositis and polymyositis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicated that both red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were useful indices in assessing the disease activity of autoimmune diseases. However, the evidence for the association between RDW, NLR and dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) is limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the disease activity of PM/DM and both RDW and NLR. METHODS: Medical records of 114 PM/DM patients and 114 healthy controls were retrospectively reviewed, and their RDW, NLR and myositis disease activity assessment visual analogue scale (MYOACT) on admission were extracted. The correlations between RDW, NLR and MYOACT were analyzed using the Spearman approach and multivariable model. RESULTS: PM/DM patients had significantly higher RDW and NLR. Increased RDW in PM/DM patients was not completely attributed to decreased hemoglobin or therapeutic agents. Both RDW and NLR are independently and positively correlated MYOACT. CONCLUSION: Both RDW and NLR are useful indices in assessing the disease activity of PM/DM.

Direct Evidence for Neutral N-Pyrazolyl Radicals: Paddlewheel Dibismuthanes Bearing Pyrazolato Ligands with Very Short Bi-Bi Single Bonds.

Neutral N-pyrazolyl radicals [3,5-R2pz]• as reactive intermediates were generated by one-electron oxidization of the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted pyrazolato anions [3,5-R2pz]- (R = tBu, Ph) with BiCl3 and trapped by the use of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide as a spin trap, which was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectral analysis. With dimerization of the postulated pyrazolato low-valent BiII radical species, two novel paddlewheel pyrazolatodibismuthanes [L2(Bi-Bi)L2] [L = η1,η1-3,5-R2pz; R = tBu (5α, 5ß, and 5γ), Ph (6)] were isolated and structurally characterized.

Mussel oligopeptides protect human fibroblasts from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced premature senescence.

Mussel bioactive peptides have been viewed as mediators to maximize the high quality of life. In this study, the anti-aging activities of mussel oligopeptides were evaluated using H2O2-induced prematurely senescent MRC-5 fibroblasts. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry displayed that exposure to H2O2 led to the loss of cell viability and cell cycle arrest. In addition, H2O2 caused the elevation of senescence-associated-ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) activity and formation of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF). It was found that pretreatment with mussel oligopeptides could significantly attenuate these properties associated with cellular senescence. Mussel oligopeptides also led to the increase of glutathione (GSH) level and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm) recovery. In addition, mussel oligopeptides resulted in an improvement in transcriptional activity of peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1), nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). This study revealed that mussel oligopeptides could protect against cellular senescence induced by H2O2, and the effects were closely associated with redox cycle modulating and potentiating the SIRT1 pathway. These findings provide new insights into the beneficial role of mussel bioactive peptides on retarding senescence process.