Myricitrin versus EGCG in the Treatment of Obesity: Target Mining and Molecular Mechanism Exploring based on Network Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Myricitrin is a flavonol glycoside possessing beneficial effects on obesity, a rising global health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. However, the involving target and mechanism remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the anti-obesity targets and molecular mechanisms of Myricitrin, along with another flavanol Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were explored through network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and molecular docking. METHODS: The potential targets for Myricitrin and EGCG were obtained from Pharmmaper, SwissTargetPrediction, TargetNet, SEA, Super-PRED, TCMSP, and STICH databases. Meanwhile, DEG targets were retrieved from GEO datasets, and obesity targets were collected from DrugBank, TTD, DisGeNet, OMIM, GeneCards, PharmGKB, and CTD databases. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were conducted through Metascape online tool. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were also constructed for compound, DEG, and obesity targets to screen the core targets through MCODE analysis. The further screened-out key targets were finally verified through the compound-target-pathway-disease network, mRNA expression level, target-organ correlation, and molecular docking analyses. RESULTS: In total, 538 and 660 targets were identified for Myricitrin and EGCG, respectively, and 725 DEG targets and 1880 obesity targets were retrieved. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that Myricitrin and EGCG targets were enriched in the pathways correlating with obesity, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the intersection core targets for Myricitrin and EGCG function mainly through the regulation of responses to hormones and involving pathways in cancer. Above all, androgen receptor (AR), cyclin D1 (CCND1), early growth response protein 1 (EGR1), and estrogen receptor (ERS1) were identified as key targets in the compound-target-pathway-disease network for both Myricitrin and EGCG, with significant different mRNA expression between weight loss and control groups. Target-organ correlation analysis exhibited that AR and CCND1 showed high expression in adipocytes. Molecular docking also revealed good binding abilities between Myricitrin and EGCG, and all four receptor proteins. CONCLUSION: The present research integrated network pharmacology and bioinformatics approach to reveal the key targets of Myricitrin and EGCG against obesity. The results provided novel insights into the molecular mechanism of Myricitrin and EGCG in obesity prevention and treatment and laid the foundations for the exploitation of flavonoid-containing herbal resources.

Nerve function restoration following targeted muscle reinnervation after varying delayed periods.

Targeted muscle reinnervation has been proposed for reconstruction of neuromuscular function in amputees. However, it is unknown whether performing delayed targeted muscle reinnervation after nerve injury will affect restoration of function. In this rat nerve injury study, the median and musculocutaneous nerves of the forelimb were transected. The proximal median nerve stump was sutured to the distal musculocutaneous nerve stump immediately and 2 and 4 weeks after surgery to reinnervate the biceps brachii. After targeted muscle reinnervation, intramuscular myoelectric signals from the biceps brachii were recorded. Signal amplitude gradually increased with time. Biceps brachii myoelectric signals and muscle fiber morphology and grooming behavior did not significantly differ among rats subjected to delayed target muscle innervation for different periods. Targeted muscle reinnervation delayed for 4 weeks can acquire the same nerve function restoration effect as that of immediate reinnervation.

Lifestyle and Social Factors Exacerbated on the Prevalence of Mood Disorders and Functional Dyspepsia Among Neonatal Nurses in China.

Background: Nursing is a high-stress occupation that can have an impact on mental health, particularly for neonatal nurses. Job-related stress factors and work-related behaviors have played a critical role in nurses' mental health. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of mood disorders and the impact of social factors, lifestyle on mood disorders among neonatal nurses. Methods: A total of 260 participants comprising neonatal nurses and nurses who work in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) were recruited. Data were collected using a validated generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire, patient health questionnaire-9, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and social factors and lifestyle assessments. Results: In total, 49.23% of neonatal nurses exhibited mood disorders, particularly a combination of depression and anxiety. Female, poor interpersonal relationships and unhappy marital status, preference for smoking, alcohol, irregular diet, and poor sleep were common in neonatology nurses who exhibited mood disorders; preference for coffee and tea were lower in neonatology nurses without mood disorders (all P < 0.05). Interpersonal relationships, marital status, irregular diet, and poor sleep were independent factors associated with mood disorders among neonatal nurses (all P < 0.05). Mood disorders presented as functional dyspepsia (FD) among 50.78% of the participants (P < 0.05). Poor sleep and preference for smoking were common among neonatal nurses who had FD with mood disorders (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, the preference for sugary beverages was lower in participants with FD and mood disorders (P < 0.05). Poor sleep was independently associated with FD with mood disorders in neonatology nurses (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of anxiety and depression was higher among neonatal nurses. Furthermore, most cases of mood disorders presented as FD. Thus, social factors and lifestyle have an impact on mood disorders which can manifest through somatic symptoms.

ATG7-mediated autophagy involves in miR-138-5p regulated self-renewal and invasion of lung cancer stem-like cells derived from A549 cells.

Activation and proliferation of cancer stem cells exert an important role in the invasion, metastasis, and recurrence of malignant tumors, including lung cancer. Therefore, exploring molecular targets related to self-renewal and mobility of lung cancer stem cells has important clinical significance. In our present study, we aimed to explore the effects of miR-138-5p on lung cancer stem-like cells and associated regulatory mechanism. In our present study, enhanced self-renewal capacity and elevated expression of cancer stem cells markers CD133, CD44, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 of lung cancer stem-like cells derived from A549 cells were firstly verified. Then, obviously enhanced autophagy was found in lung cancer stem-like cells compared with parental cells A549. Besides, we found that enhanced autophagy induced by rapamycin promoted self-renewal and cell mobility of lung cancer stem-like cells and suppression of autophagy by 3-methyladenine exerted just opposite effects. In addition, miR-138-5p was found to be downregulated in lung cancer stem-like cells compared with that in parental cell A549. At the same time, overexpression of miR-138-5p by transfected with miR-138-5p mimic was found to effectively suppress self-renewal and invasion of lung cancer stem-like cells. Further study revealed that ATG7 was a target of miR-138-5p and overexpressed miR-138-5p suppressed ATG7-mediated autophagy. In addition, specific small interference RNA-ATG7 strengthened the inhibiting effect of miR-138-5p mimic on self-renewal and invasion of lung cancer stem-like cells. Taken together, we found that autophagy helped to maintain self-renewal and invasion ability of lung cancer stem-like cells and overexpressed miR-138-5p exerted anti-tumor effects by blocking the self-renewal and invasion of lung cancer stem-like cells through suppressing ATG7-mediated autophagy.

Transmission dynamics and control methodology of COVID-19: A modeling study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has grown up to be a pandemic within a short span of time. To investigate transmission dynamics and then determine control methodology, we took epidemic in Wuhan as a study case. Unfortunately, to our best knowledge, the existing models are based on the common assumption that the total population follows a homogeneous spatial distribution, which is not the case for the prevalence occurred both in the community and in hospital due to the difference in the contact rate. To solve this problem, we propose a novel epidemic model called SEIR-HC, which is a model with two different social circles (i.e., individuals in hospital and community). Using the model alongside the exclusive optimization algorithm, the spread process of COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan city is reproduced and then the propagation characteristics and unknown data are estimated. The basic reproduction number of COVID-19 is estimated to be 7.9, which is far higher than that of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Furthermore, the control measures implemented in Wuhan are assessed and the control methodology of COVID-19 is discussed to provide guidance for limiting the epidemic spread.

The lncRNA MIR4435-2HG promotes lung cancer progression by activating ß-catenin signalling.

Recently, emerging evidence has suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have crucial roles in cancer progression. Here, we demonstrated that the lncRNA MIR4435-2HG was highly expressed in lung cancer tissues and correlated with histological grades and lymph node metastasis. Phenotypic analysis indicated that MIR4435-2HG knockdown inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Notably, MIR4435-2HG knockdown suppressed the EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) process and cancer stem cell traits of lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, MIR4435-2HG knockdown decreased the transactivation of ß-catenin. MIR4435-2HG interacted with ß-catenin and thus prevented its degradation by the proteasome system. Our findings highlight the important roles and mechanisms of MIR4435-2HG in lung cancer progression. High expression of lncRNA MIR4435-2HG correlates with lung cancer progression MIR4435-2HG promotes lung cancer cells proliferation and invasion MIR4435-2HG knockdown suppresses the EMT process and cancer stem cell traits MIR4435-2HG knockdown inhibits the ß-catenin signalling.

The miR-101/RUNX1 feedback regulatory loop modulates chemo-sensitivity and invasion in human lung cancer.

The deregulation of miR-101 has been implicated in multiple cancer types including lung cancer, but the exact role, mechanisms and how silencing of miR-101 remain elusive. Here we confirmed miR-101 downregulation in lung cancer cell lines and patient tissues. Restored miR-101 expression remarkably sensitized lung cancer cells to chemotherapy and inhibited invasion. Mechanistically, we indicated that miR-101 inversely correlated with RUNX1 expression, and identified RUNX1 as a novel target of miR-101. RUNX1 impaired the effects of miR-101 on chemotherapeutic sensitization and invasion inhibition. Moreover, RUNX1 knockdown resulted into increase of miR-101 expression and elevation of luciferase activity driven by miR-101 promoter in lung cancer cells, suggesting RUNX1 negatively transcriptionally regulated miR-101 expression via physically binding to miR-101 promoter. These findings support that miR-101 downregulation accelerates the progression of lung cancer via RUNX1 dependent manner and suggest that miR-101/RUNX1 feedback axis may have therapeutic value in treating refractory lung cancer.

[Application of Ion Torrent PGM™ System in Detection of Fetal DNA in Maternal Plasma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of detecting of Y-STR of fetal DNA in maternal plasma using Ion Torrent PGM™ System. METHODS: A total of 16 fetal DNA samples from maternal plasmas (8 cases from 38 weeks gestational age and 8 ones from 12 weeks) were prepared and a multiplex assay with 7 STR loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS393, DYS438, DYS437, DYS456, DYS635) was designed for multiplex-PCR amplification. Using Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the results of Y-STR sequences and capillary electrophoresis were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Y-STR specific alleles were detected in the maternal plasma of all the pregnant women having male babies of second and third trimester, which were higher than that detected by capillary electrophoresis. Consistent Y-STR genotypes were observed between fetal DNA from maternal plasma and genomic DNA from the newborn babies. CONCLUSION: Based on Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the prenatal Y-STR detection method may provide a high-sensitive and high-throughput choice for prenatal STR detection in forensic testing.

[AS-PCR assay for 20 mtDNA SNP typing and haplotype frequency].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a multiplex allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) assay with three-color fluorescence labeling for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) SNP typing. METHODS: Based on the principle of AS-PCR, the primer sets were designed for 20 SNP located on the coding region of mtDNA and divided into 2 groups labeled with FAM and HEX fluorescence, respectively. A primer set included two forward (reverse) allelic specific primers with different sizes and a generic reverse (forward) primer. Blood samples from 200 unrelated individuals were analyzed by AS-PCR and capillary electrophoresis. Three random samples at least for each SNP site were examined and verified by direct sequencing. The haplotype frequency was investigated. RESULTS: Distinct electropherograms of 200 blood samples were obtained successfully. The typing results of direct sequencing were identical to those obtained from AS-PCR. The minimum detectable DNA concentration was 0.2 pg under the system of 10 microL. The sensitivity of the DNA concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 5 pg. The 200 individuals were assigned into 15 haplotype, and the haplotype diversity was 0.906 0. CONCLUSION: AS-PCR is a simple, rapid and efficient method for mtDNA SNP typing, and can be applied to forensic practice.

[Determination of the biological attribute of evidence at the scene using reverse transcription PCR and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of biological method to identify the biological attribute of samples at crime scene. METHODS: Thirty samples of ten blood stains, ten saliva stains and ten semen stains were selected, and all the samples were processed by the routine method and biomolecular method, respectively. Both RNA and DNA were isolated using DNA-RNA co-extraction technology and the mRNA was converted into cDNA using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Three pairs of specific primers were designed for blood stain, saliva stain and semen stain based on the different target genes in three specific tissues and the primers were amplified using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The differences in these biological samples were evaluated by melting temperature (Tm) values and the size of the amplification fragment. RESULTS: The Tm values of blood stain, saliva stain and semen stain were (84.5 +/- 0.2) degrees C, (76.9 +/- 0.3) degrees C and (88.5 +/- 0.2) degrees C, respectively. The length of PCR fragments of them was 177bp, 134bp and 294bp, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with the routine method, RT-PCR with real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR is highly specific, sensitive and reliable to identify the biological attribute of evidence, and can be potentially applied to determine evidence attribute in forensic practice.

[Research status and prospects of DNA test on difficult specimens].

This paper reviews the advances of DNA detection on three types of difficult biological specimens including degraded samples, trace evidences and mixed samples. The source of different samples, processing methods and announcements were analyzed. New methods such as mitochondrial test system, changing the original experimental conditions, low-volume PCR amplification and new technologies such as whole genome amplification techniques, laser capture micro-dissection, and mini-STR technology in recent years are introduced.

New cell separation technique for the isolation and analysis of cells from biological mixtures in forensic caseworks.

AIM: To isolate mucosal cells of the perpetrator in a sexual assault case from a complex mixture of his mucosal cells and the victim's skin by micromanipulation prior to genomic analysis. METHODS: To capture and analyze mucosal cells we used the micromanipulation with on-chip low volume polymerase chain reaction (LV-PCR). Consensus DNA profiles were generated from 5 replicate experiments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We validated the use of micromanipulation with on-chip LV-PCR for genomic analysis of complex biological mixtures in a fatal rape case. The perpetrator's mucosal cells were captured from nipple swabs of the victim, and a single-source DNA profile was generated from cell mixtures. These data suggest that micromanipulation with on-chip LV-PCR is an effective forensic tool for the analysis of specific cells from complex samples.

Risk of birth defects increased in multiple births.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies inconsistently suggest that there may be an association between birth defects and multiple births. METHODS: Data were obtained from Zhejiang Hospital-Based Birth Defects Surveillance System during 2007 to 2009. There was a total of 545,018 pregnancies, including 537,593 singleton pregnancies, and 7425 multiple pregnancies (14,606 twins and 366 triplets). Odds ratio (OR)and confidence interval (CI) for birth defects were calculated for the singletons and multiple births. RESULTS: The rate of birth defects in multiple births was 444.16 per 10,000 births versus 266.97 per 10,000 births in singletons (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.57-1.84). A significant risk of birth defects was observed in 9 of 23 categories in multiple births. Both the multiple births and singletons with birth defects exhibited a similar proportion of single malformation, male children, and the mother living in a city. The multiple births with birth defects were delivered earlier (t = 7.90, p < 0.001) at a lower birth weight (t = 17.53, p < 0.001) compared to singletons with birth defects. The proportion of an antenatal diagnosis was higher in singletons compared with multiple births (p < 0.001). The multiple births with birth defects had a higher proportion of live birth and early neonatal death (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An increased risk of birth defects in multiple births compared with singletons was confirmed.

Dietary carotenoids and risk of breast cancer in Chinese women.

There has been considerable interest in the role of carotenoids in the chemoprevention of cancer. However, the protective effect of carotenoids on breast cancer has been inconclusive. To investigate whether intake of lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein/zeaxanthin is inversely associated with breast cancer risk, a case-control study was conducted in China during 2004-2005. The cases were 122 female patients aged 24-87 years with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer. 632 healthy women age-matched were randomly recruited from outpatient clinics. Habitual dietary intake and lifestyle were collected by face-to-face interview using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire. The USDA nutrient composition database was used to calculate intake of the specific carotenoids. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), accounting for age, locality, education, body mass index, smoking, passive smoking, physical activity, number of children breastfed, menopausal status, oral contraceptive use, biopsy-confirmed benign breast diseases, family history of breast cancer, and total energy intake. Compared with the highest versus lowest quartile of intake, the adjusted ORs were 0.26 (95% CI 0.14-0.46) for lycopene, 0.38 (95% CI 0.21-0.71) for beta-carotene, 0.43 (95% CI 0.23-0.82) for beta-cryptoxanthin, and 0.37 (95% CI 0.20-0.68) for total carotenoids, with statistically significant tests for trend. There was no association with breast cancer for alpha-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin. It is concluded that higher intake of lycopene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin is associated to a lower risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. More research to examine the relationship between carotenoids and breast cancer risk is warranted.

Green tea and the prevention of breast cancer: a case-control study in Southeast China.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Tea has anticarcinogenic effects against breast cancer in experimental studies. However, epidemiologic evidence that tea protects against breast cancer has been inconsistent. A case-control study was conducted in Southeast China between 2004 and 2005. The incidence cases were 1009 female patients aged 20-87 years with histologically confirmed breast cancer. The 1009 age-matched controls were healthy women randomly recruited from breast disease clinics. Information on duration, frequency, quantity, preparation, type of tea consumption, diet and lifestyle were collected by face-to-face interview using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals. Compared with non-tea drinkers, green tea drinkers tended to reside in urban, have better education and have higher consumption of coffee, alcohol, soy, vegetables and fruits. After adjusting established and potential confounders, green tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. The ORs were 0.87 (0.73-1.04) in women consuming 1-249 g of dried green tea leaves per annum, 0.68 (0.54-0.86) for 250-499 g per annum, 0.59 (0.45-0.77) for 500-749 g per annum and 0.61 (0.48-0.78) for >or=750 g per annum, with a statistically significant test for trend (P < 0.001). Similar dose-response relationships were observed for duration of drinking green tea, number of cups consumed and new batches prepared per day. We conclude that regular consumption of green tea can protect against breast cancer. More research to closely examine the relationship between tea consumption and breast cancer risk is warranted.

The depolarization - attenuated backscatter relation: CALIPSO lidar measurements vs. theory.

Using measurements obtained by the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite, relationships between layer-integrated depolarization ratio (delta) and layer-integrated attenuated backscatter (gamma) are established for moderately thick clouds of both ice and water. A new and simple form of the delta-gamma relation for spherical particles, developed from Monte Carlo simulations and suitable for both water clouds and spherical aerosol particles, is found to agree well with the observations. A high-backscatter, low-depolarization delta-gamma relationship observed for some ice clouds is shown to result primarily from horizontally oriented plates and implies a preferential lidar ratio - depolarization ratio relation in nature for ice cloud particles containing plates.