Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of TCM syndrome differentiation-guided herbal intervention for patients with five constitutions during the high-risk window period of acute exacerbation of chronic obstruct...Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of TCM syndrome differentiation-guided herbal intervention for patients with five constitutions during the high-risk window period of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)based on TCM constitution theory.Methods:A total of 300 AECOPD patients in the high-risk window period(54-66 cases for each constitution)were randomly divided into two groups(150 cases each).The control group received fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol inhalation therapy,while the experimental group was additionally given constitution-specific TCM decoctions(e.g.,Erchen Decoction combined with Sanzi Yangqin Decoction for Phlegm-Dampness constitution).The treatment course was 8 weeks with a 6-month follow-up.CAT score,TCM syndrome score,pulmonary function,6-minute walking distance(6MWD),and levels of CRP and IL-6 were observed.Recurrence and safety indicators were recorded.Results:After treatment,all indicators improved significantly in both groups(p<0.05),with the experimental group showing superior improvements in CAT score,TCM syndrome score,FEV1,6MWD,and inflammatory indicators(p<0.01).The recurrence rate was lower in the experimental group during follow-up(p<0.05).No severe adverse reactions or abnormalities in liver/kidney function were observed in either group.Conclusion:TCM syndrome differentiation treatment guided by constitution theory can improve symptoms,quality of life,and pulmonary function,reduce inflammatory levels and recurrence rate in AECOPD patients during the high-risk window period,with good safety.展开更多
Objective To address the dual challenges of long-tail distribution and feature sparsity in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome differentiation within real clinical settings,we propose a data-efficient learning f...Objective To address the dual challenges of long-tail distribution and feature sparsity in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome differentiation within real clinical settings,we propose a data-efficient learning framework enhanced by knowledge graphs.Methods We developed Agent-GNN,a three-stage decoupled learning framework,and validated it on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Diagnosis(TCM-SD)dataset containing 54152 clinical records across 148 syndrome categories.First,we constructed a comprehensive medical knowledge graph encoding the complete TCM reasoning system.Second,we proposed a Functional Patient Profiling(FPP)method that utilizes large language models(LLMs)combined with Graph Retrieval-Augmented Generation(RAG)to extract structured symptom-etiology-pathogenesis subgraphs from medical records.Third,we employed heterogeneous graph neural networks to learn structured combination patterns explicitly.We compared our method against multiple baselines including BERT,ZY-BERT,ZY-BERT+Know,GAT,and GPT-4 Few-shot,using macro-F1 score as the primary evaluation metric.Additionally,ablation experiments were conducted to validate the contribution of each key component to model performance.Results Agent-GNN achieved an overall macro-F1 score of 72.4%,representing an 8.7 percentage points improvement over ZY-BERT+Know(63.7%),the strongest baseline among traditional methods.For long-tail syndromes with fewer than 10 samples,Agent-GNN reached a macro-F1 score of 58.6%,compared with 39.3%for ZY-BERT+Know and 41.2%for GPT-4 Few-shot,representing relative improvements of 49.2%and 42.2%,respectively.Ablation experiments confirmed that the explicit modeling of etiology-pathogenesis nodes contributed 12.4 percentage points to this enhanced long-tail syndrome performance.Conclusion This study proposes Agent-GNN,a knowledge graph-enhanced framework that effectively addresses the long-tail distribution challenge in TCM syndrome differentiation.By explicitly modeling manifestation-mechanism-essence patterns through structured knowledge graphs,our approach achieves superior performance in data-scarce scenarios while providing interpretable reasoning paths for TCM intelligent diagnosis.展开更多
Objectives Therapeutic strategies for enhancing bone regeneration and combating osteoporosis remain a significant unmet medical need.This study aims to elucidate Lithospermic acid(LA)’s regulatory effects on osteobla...Objectives Therapeutic strategies for enhancing bone regeneration and combating osteoporosis remain a significant unmet medical need.This study aims to elucidate Lithospermic acid(LA)’s regulatory effects on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation,investigating its viability as a bone-healing agent.Methods This study employed various cellular and molecular biology experiments to assess the effects of LA on the viability,proliferation,cell cycle,apoptosis,differentiation,mineralization,and migration of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were conducted to detect the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,investigating the regulatory mechanisms by which LA promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.Additionally,Wnt inhibitor dickkopf-1(DKK-1)andβ-catenin-silenced cell models were used to further validate the role of LA in modulating this signaling pathway.Results LA significantly promoted osteoblast proliferation without apparent cytotoxicity.Flow cytometry showed that LA regulated the cell cycle by reducing G0/G1 phase arrest and promoting G2/M phase progression.Western blot results indicated that LA upregulated the expression of proteins associated with cell proliferation and enhanced osteoblast differentiation and mineralization.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses further confirmed that LA markedly increased the expression of Wnt andβ-catenin,facilitatingβ-catenin nuclear translocation.Treatment with the DKK-1 inhibitor significantly diminished the proliferative and differentiation-promoting effects of LA,confirming the critical role of this pathway.β-catenin knockdown experiments further substantiated its central role in LA-mediated regulation.Conclusion This study confirms that LA promotes osteoblast proliferation,differentiation,mineralization,and migration by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.展开更多
BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and treatment-resistant disorder requiring potent therapeutics that are effective and safe.Cedrol(CE)is a bioactive natural product present in many traditional Chinese med...BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and treatment-resistant disorder requiring potent therapeutics that are effective and safe.Cedrol(CE)is a bioactive natural product present in many traditional Chinese medicines.It is known for its suppression of inflammation and mitigation of oxidative stress.Its therapeutic efficacy and mechanistic underpinnings in UC remain uncharacterized.AIM To investigate the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of CE in UC.METHODS The anti-inflammatory activity and intestinal barrier-repairing effects of CE were assessed in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine colitis model.Network pharmacology was employed to predict potential targets and pathways.Then molecular docking and dynamics simulations were utilized to confirm a stable interaction between CE and the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2(MD2)complex.The anti-inflammatory mechanisms were further verified using in vitro assays.Additionally,the gut microbiota composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing.RESULTS CE significantly alleviated colitis symptoms,mitigated histopathological damage,and suppressed inflammation.Moreover,CE restored intestinal barrier integrity by enhancing mucus secretion and upregulating tight junction proteins(zonula occludens 1,occludin,claudin-1).Mechanistically,CE stably bound to MD2,inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 signaling in RAW264.7 cells.This led to suppression of the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways,downregulating the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.Gut microbiota analysis revealed that CE reversed dextran sulfate sodium-induced dysbiosis with significant enrichment of butyrogenic Christensenella minuta.CONCLUSION CE acted on MD2 to suppress proinflammatory cascades,promoting mucosal barrier reconstitution and microbiota remodeling and supporting its therapeutic use in UC.展开更多
Vestibular hair cells(HCs)in the inner ear,crucial for balance and spatial orientation,are classified into type I and type II subtypes,but the mechanisms regulating their differentiation remain unclear.In this study,w...Vestibular hair cells(HCs)in the inner ear,crucial for balance and spatial orientation,are classified into type I and type II subtypes,but the mechanisms regulating their differentiation remain unclear.In this study,we examined the role of Pou4f3,an important transcription factor,in vestibular HC differentiation using Pou4f3^(DTR/DTR)(deficient)and Pou4f3CreER/CreER(knockout)mouse models.In Pou4f3-deficient mice,the HC number decreased,and immature HCs failed to develop type I characteristics,indicating a developmental arrest.While type II HCs differentiated normally,Pou4f3 deficiency disrupted HC bundle formation and cell polarity.Findings from knockout models further confirmed the essential role of Pou4f3 in vestibular HC subtype specification.This study underscores the critical role of Pou4f3 in determining vestibular HC subtypes and offers insights into potential strategies for restoring vestibular function through HC regeneration.展开更多
The functional regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex is pivotal for tooth preservation,yet the molecular mechanisms governing odontoblast differentiation remain poorly understood.In the current study,we revealed a d...The functional regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex is pivotal for tooth preservation,yet the molecular mechanisms governing odontoblast differentiation remain poorly understood.In the current study,we revealed a distinct NKD1^(+) subpopulation exhibiting secretory odontoblast characteristics,which was specifically induced in dental pulp stem cells(DPSCs) by Wnt3a,but not by Wnt5a or Wnt10a through single-cell transcriptomic profiling.We then found that the NKD1^(+) subpopulation was functional conservation,which were consistently identified in the odontoblast layers of developing tooth germs in both murine and miniature pig models,as well as within the apical open area in human molars.This conserved spatial distribution and co-localization with DSPP strongly indicates that NKD1^(+) cells were active dentin-secreting odontoblasts.Analysis of gene regulatory networks using SCENIC identified MSX1 as a key transcription factor regulating the specification of NKD1^(+) lineage.Mechanistically,Wnt3a orchestrates a tripartite cascade:upregulating NKD1/MSX1 expression,triggering NKD1 membrane detachment,and facilitating direct NKD1-MSX1interaction to promote MSX1 nuclear translocation.CUT&Tag analysis demonstrated MSX1 occupancy at promoters of odontogenic regulato rs,esta blishing its necessity for odontogenic gene activation.Murine pulp exposure models validated that Wnt3a-activated NKD1-MSX1 signaling significantly enhances reparative dentin formation.This study delineates an evolutionarily conserved Wnt3aNKD1-MSX1 axis that resolves stem cell heterogeneity into functional odontoblast commitment,providing both mechanistic insights into dentin-pulp regeneration and a foundation for targeted regenerative therapies.展开更多
Objectives Dysregulated osteoclast function contributes to skeletal diseases.However,the specific ubiquitination regulators of the osteoclastogenesis repressor MafB,particularly at the post-translational level,remain ...Objectives Dysregulated osteoclast function contributes to skeletal diseases.However,the specific ubiquitination regulators of the osteoclastogenesis repressor MafB,particularly at the post-translational level,remain undefined.This study aims to identify ubiquitin-specific proteases(USPs)that deubiquitinate MafB and enhance its stability.Methods We constructed a MafB-conjugated luciferase and overexpressed 40 individual USPs,measuring changes in luciferase activity.The identified USP was overexpressed in human CD14^(+) peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)to evaluate its effect.Osteoclast differentiation was assessed through osteoclast marker Integrin alpha-V(CD51)staining and Western blot analysis.Co-immunoprecipitation(co-IP)was performed to assess the interplay.The influence on MafB ubiquitination and degradation was evaluated via immunoprecipitation and Western blot.Finally,MafB was knocked down in the USP-overexpressing PBMCs to analyze its effect on osteoclast differentiation.Results Overexpression of ubiquitin-specific protease 29(USP29)significantly increased MafB expression by approximately 75%(p<0.0001).Elevated USP29 levels strongly inhibited osteoclastic differentiation in CD14^(+) PBMCs(p<0.0001).USP29 was found to interact with MafB,markedly reducing its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation in PBMCs(p<0.001).Knocking down MafB in USP29-overexpressing PBMCs alleviated the inhibitory effect of USP29 on osteoclastogenesis.Conclusion USP29 acts as a potent stabilizer of MafB,inhibiting osteoclastogenesis in human CD14^(+) PBMCs,at least in part,by enhancing MafB stability.These findings expand our understanding of USP29’s role and the post-translational regulation of MafB.Furthermore,USP29 serves as a vital factor that controls osteoclast differentiation,and its regulatory function is at least partially mediated by deubiquitinating and stabilizing MafB.展开更多
Objectives The discovery of novel molecular targets to enhance the osteogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(H-BMSCs)represents a promising strategy for preventing and treating osteoporosis.Thus...Objectives The discovery of novel molecular targets to enhance the osteogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(H-BMSCs)represents a promising strategy for preventing and treating osteoporosis.Thus,the primary objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanisms by which long non-coding RNA FOXD2-AS1(lncRNA FOXD2-AS1)regulates early osteogenic differentiation in H-BMSCs,thereby identifying potential therapeutic targets.Methods Lentivirus-mediated vectors were constructed to either overexpress or silence FOXD2-AS1 in H-BMSCs.The effects of FOXD2-AS1 on osteogenesis were subsequently assessed by analyzing osteogenic marker expression and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining.To clarify the role of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(JAK2/STAT3)pathway in this process,AG490 inhibitor(a JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor)and knockdown of STAT3 were used to investigate the mechanisms of FOXD2-AS1.Results FOXD2-AS1 overexpression increased ALP activity and osteogenic marker expression,while its knockdown had the opposite effects.From a mechanistic perspective,FOXD2-AS1 overexpression promoted JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation,whereas its suppression attenuated their activation.Also,the osteogenic increase induced by FOXD2-AS1 overexpression was reversed by AG490 treatment or STAT3 silencing,indicating that the pathway plays a role in this process.Conclusion FOXD2-AS1 was identified as a novel genetic switch driving osteogenic commitment via JAK2/STAT3 activation,revealing a new regulatory mechanism and a potential therapeutic target for osteoporosis.展开更多
Objective: to study the relationship between TCM constitution type and TCM syndrome differentiation of knee arthritis. Methods: a total of 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis collected in our department from April 2...Objective: to study the relationship between TCM constitution type and TCM syndrome differentiation of knee arthritis. Methods: a total of 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis collected in our department from April 2019 to April 2020 were selected for in-depth analysis of the distribution of TCM constitution types and TCM syndrome differentiation and classification, and the correlation was analyzed. Results: (1) in the dialectical classification of TCM, the deficiency of liver and kidney was correlated with the constitution types of Yang deficiency, Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. (2) In the syndrome differentiation and classification of TCM, the syndrome of cold and dampness obstruction is correlated with the constitution type of TCM, which is Qi deficiency. (3) In the syndrome differentiation and classification of TCM, the syndrome of weakness of Qi and blood is correlated with the constitution types of TCM including Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency and Yin deficiency. (4) In TCM syndrome differentiation and classification, the syndrome of Qi stagnation and blood stasis is correlated with the constitution type of Yang deficiency. Conclusion: There is a certain correlation between TCM syndrome differentiation and TCM constitution type. Based on this, further exploration of the correlation between diseases and TCM constitution can provide corresponding diagnostic basis for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.展开更多
Macrocycle-based glycoclusters, on account of their promising anti-adhesive properties against bacteria,are potential therapeutic alternatives to classic antibiotics through the much less explored anti-adhesive strate...Macrocycle-based glycoclusters, on account of their promising anti-adhesive properties against bacteria,are potential therapeutic alternatives to classic antibiotics through the much less explored anti-adhesive strategy. In this study, a series of constitutionally-pure pentavalent glycoclusters was prepared by conjugating assorted azido-carbohydrates onto a penta-propargyl rim-differentiated pillar[5]arene(RD-P[5])scaffold through Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition “click” reactions. Their binding towards therapeutically relevant bacterial lectins, such as Lec A and Lec B from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and concanavalin A(Con A), were evaluated subsequently by isothermal titration calorimetric studies. Most of these isomerfree RD-P[5] pentavalent glycoclusters, except the fucosylated ones, display good affinities to lectins.Nonetheless, the dissociation constants observed are similar to those displayed by an analogous pentavalent glycocluster consisting of four P[5] constitutional isomers, in which the RD-P[5] component merely accounts for 7% in the mixture. Our results revealed that high constitutional purity is not essential for achieving effective multivalent interactions between P[5]-based glycoclusters and lectins, presumably as a result of the conformationally labile nature of the P[5] scaffold. This information provides valuable design principles for low-cost and facile syntheses of glycosylated P[5]s for biomedical applications.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the difference in gut microbiota between population with damp-heat constitution(DHC)and balanced constitution(BC).METHODS:A multi-centered cross-sectional casecontrol study was conducted,which...OBJECTIVE:To investigate the difference in gut microbiota between population with damp-heat constitution(DHC)and balanced constitution(BC).METHODS:A multi-centered cross-sectional casecontrol study was conducted,which included 249 participants with damp-heat constitution or balanced constitution.Baseline information of participants was collected,and stool samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis.Principal coordinate analysis,linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis,receiver operating characteristic,random forest model,and phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states methods were used to reveal the relationship between gut microbiota and the damp-heat constitution.RESULTS:Compared to those in the BC group,the richness and diversity of the microbiota,specifically those of several short-chain fatty acid producing genera such as Barnesiella,Coprobacter,and Butyricimonas,were significantly decreased in the DHC group.Regarding biological functions,flavonoid biosynthesis,propanoate metabolism,and nucleotide sugar metabolism were suppressed,while arachidonic acid metabolism and glutathione metabolism were enriched in the DHC group.Finally,a classifier based on the microbiota was constructed to discriminate between the DHC and BC populations.CONCLUSION:The gut microbiota of the DHC population exhibits significantly reduced diversity and is closely related to inflammation,metabolic disorders,and liver steatosis,which is consistent with clinical observations,thus serving as a potential diagnostic tool for traditional Chinese medicine constitution discrimination.展开更多
Neural EGFL-like 2(NELL2)is a secreted protein known for its regulatory functions in the nervous and reproductive systems,yet its role in bone biology remains unexplored.In this study,we observed that NELL2 was dimini...Neural EGFL-like 2(NELL2)is a secreted protein known for its regulatory functions in the nervous and reproductive systems,yet its role in bone biology remains unexplored.In this study,we observed that NELL2 was diminished in the bone of aged and ovariectomized(OVX)mice,as well as in the serum of osteopenia and osteoporosis patients.In vitro loss-of-function and gain-offunction studies revealed that NELL2 facilitated osteoblast differentiation and impeded adipocyte differentiation from stromal progenitor cells.In vivo studies further demonstrated that the deletion of NELL2 in preosteoblasts resulted in decreased cancellous bone mass in mice.Mechanistically,NELL2 interacted with the FNI-type domain located at the C-terminus of Fibronectin 1(Fn1).Moreover,we found that NELL2 activated the focal adhesion kinase(FAK)/AKT signaling pathway through Fn1/integrinβ1(ITGB1),leading to the promotion of osteogenesis and the inhibition of adipogenesis.Notably,administration of NELL2-AAV was found to ameliorate bone loss in OVX mice.These findings underscore the significant role of NELL2 in osteoblast differentiation and bone homeostasis,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for managing osteoporosis.展开更多
The rare earth elements(REEs)extraction by chemical leaching from ion-adsorption type rare earth ores(IAREO)has led to serious ecological and environmental risks.Conversely,demand for bioleaching is on the rise with t...The rare earth elements(REEs)extraction by chemical leaching from ion-adsorption type rare earth ores(IAREO)has led to serious ecological and environmental risks.Conversely,demand for bioleaching is on the rise with the advantage of being environmental-friendly.As one of the organic acids produced by biological metabolism,citric acid was used to leach REEs and explore the performance and process.The results demonstrate that citric acid exhibits higher leaching efficiency(96.00%)for REEs at a relatively low concentration of 0.01 mol/L compared with(NH_(4))_(2)SO_(4)(84.29%,0.1 mol/L)and MgSO_(4)(83.99%,0.1 mol/L).Citric acid shows a preference for leaching heavy rare earth elements,with 99%leaching efficiency in IAREO,which shows higher capacity than(NH_(4))_(2)SO_(4)and MgSO_(4)(as inorganic leaching agents).Kinetic analysis indicates that the leaching process of REEs with citric acid is controlled by both the internal diffusion kinetics and chemical reaction kinetics,which is different from inorganic leaching agents.Visual Minteq calculations confirm that RE-Citrate is the main constituent of the extract solution in the leaching process of the IAREO,thereby enhancing the leaching efficiency of REEs from the IAREO.It suggests that citric acid may be used as a promising organic leaching agent for the environmentalfriendly extraction of REEs from IAREO.展开更多
The delicate balance between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts maintains bone homeostasis.Nuclear receptors(NRs)are now understood to be crucial in bone physiology and pathology.However,...The delicate balance between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts maintains bone homeostasis.Nuclear receptors(NRs)are now understood to be crucial in bone physiology and pathology.However,the function of the Farnesoid X receptor(FXR),a member of the NR family,in regulating bone homeostasis remains incompletely understood.In this study,in vitro and in vivo models revealed delayed bone development and an osteoporosis phenotype in mice lacking FXR in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)and osteoblasts due to impaired osteoblast differentiation.Mechanistically,FXR could stabilize RUNX2 by inhibiting Thoc6-mediated ubiquitination,thereby promoting osteogenic activity in BMSCs.Moreover,activated FXR could directly bind to the Thoc6 promoter,suppressing its expression.The interaction between RUNX2 and Thoc6 was mediated by the Runt domain of RUNX2 and the WD repeat of Thoc6.Additionally,Obeticholic acid(OCA),an orally available FXR agonist,could ameliorate bone loss in an ovariectomy(OVX)-induced osteoporotic mouse model.Taken together,our findings suggest that FXR plays pivotal roles in osteoblast differentiation by regulating RUNX2 stability and that targeting FXR may be a promising therapeutic approach for osteoporosis.展开更多
Andrographolide sulfonate(AS)is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata(Burm.f.)Nees,and has been approved for several decades in China.The present study aimed to investigate ...Andrographolide sulfonate(AS)is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata(Burm.f.)Nees,and has been approved for several decades in China.The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling,improved body weights,and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.Additionally,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced.Bioinformatics analysis,along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels,suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions.In vitro,AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation,as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4^(+)IL-17A^(+)T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt,IL-17A,IL-17F,IL-21,and IL-22,without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis.This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis,as indicated by metabolomics analysis,reduced glucose uptake,and p H measurements.Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2(HK2)to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)or pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2),and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation.Furthermore,AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)signals in vivo and in vitro,which was abolished by the addition of lactate.In conclusion,AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis(AIA)in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.展开更多
Current organoid-generation strategies rely predominantly on intricate in vitro manipulations of dissociated stem cells,including isolation,expansion,and genetic modification.However,these approaches present significa...Current organoid-generation strategies rely predominantly on intricate in vitro manipulations of dissociated stem cells,including isolation,expansion,and genetic modification.However,these approaches present significant challenges in terms of safety and scalability for clinical applications.An alternative strategy involves the direct generation of organoids from readily available tissues.Herein,we report the generation of functional organoids representing all three germ layers from human adult adipose tissue without single-cell processing steps.Specifically,by employing a specialized suspension culture system,we have developed reaggregated microfat(RMF)tissues,which differentiated into mesodermal bone marrow organoids capable of reconstituting human normal hematopoiesis in immunodeficient mice,endodermal insulin-producing organoids that reversed hyperglycemia in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice,and ectodermal nervous-like tissues resembling neurons and neuroglial cells.These findings therefore highlight the potential of human adipose tissue as a safe,scalable,and clinically viable source for organoid-based regenerative therapies.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:Yang-deficiency constitution(YADC)is a common unbalanced constitution that predisposes individuals to certain diseases.However,not all people with YADC manifest develop diseases.This calls for delineation of...OBJECTIVE:Yang-deficiency constitution(YADC)is a common unbalanced constitution that predisposes individuals to certain diseases.However,not all people with YADC manifest develop diseases.This calls for delineation of the underlying molecular mechanisms.Previous studies suggested that the gut microbiota and gene differential expression should be considered.METHODS:In the present study,we compared profiles of gut microbiota between four healthy YADC individuals and those of five healthy balanced constitution(BC)counterparts,based on 16 S r RNA gene sequence analysis.Furthermore,YADC relevant genes identified by comparing 62 healthy YADC and 58 healthy BC individuals in total to perform intersection analysis,functional clustering and pathway enrichment analyses.RESULTS:The levels of harmful gut microbiota(Prevotellaceae,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0141)and beneficial gut microbiota(Ruminococcaceae,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0025,Faecalibacterium,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0484)were both elevated in healthy YADC individuals.Also,we found that the specific metabolic pathway with 2,6-Dichloro-p-hydroquinone 1,2-Dioxygenase(Pcp A)as the core in gut microbiota and the glutathione transferase activity has been enriched by YADC relevant genes in healthy YADC individuals were both responsible for the detoxification of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon substances.CONCLUSIONS:Both beneficial and harmful factors had been detected in healthy YADC individuals,functionally,they may have triggered homeostasis to maintain the health of individuals with YADC.The homeostasis may be maintained by beneficial and harmful factors from gut flora and genes.Future studies are expected to focus on halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and their detoxification processes.展开更多
Photobiomodulation,originally used red and near-infrared lasers,can alter cellular metabolism.It has been demonstrated that the visible spectrum at 451-540 nm does not necessarily increase cell proliferation,near-infr...Photobiomodulation,originally used red and near-infrared lasers,can alter cellular metabolism.It has been demonstrated that the visible spectrum at 451-540 nm does not necessarily increase cell proliferation,near-infrared light promotes adipose stem cell proliferation and affects adipose stem cell migration,which is necessary for the cells homing to the site of injury.In this in vitro study,we explored the potential of adipose-derived stem cells to differentiate into neurons for future translational regenerative treatments in neurodegenerative disorders and brain injuries.We investigated the effects of various biological and chemical inducers on trans-differentiation and evaluated the impact of photobiomodulation using 825 nm near-infrared and 525 nm green laser light at 5 J/cm2.As adipose-derived stem cells can be used in autologous grafting and photobiomodulation has been shown to have biostimulatory effects.Our findings reveal that adipose-derived stem cells can indeed trans-differentiate into neuronal cells when exposed to inducers,with pre-induced cells exhibiting higher rates of proliferation and trans-differentiation compared with the control group.Interestingly,green laser light stimulation led to notable morphological changes indicative of enhanced trans-differentiation,while near-infrared photobiomodulation notably increased the expression of neuronal markers.Through biochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays,we observed marked improvements in viability,proliferation,membrane permeability,and mitochondrial membrane potential,as well as increased protein levels of neuron-specific enolase and ciliary neurotrophic factor.Overall,our results demonstrate the efficacy of photobiomodulation in enhancing the trans-differentiation ability of adipose-derived stem cells,offering promising prospects for their use in regenerative medicine for neurodegenerative disorders and brain injuries.展开更多
Magnolol,a compound extracted from Magnolia officinalis,demonstrates potential efficacy in addressing metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.Its biological activities encompass anti-inflammatory,antioxidant...Magnolol,a compound extracted from Magnolia officinalis,demonstrates potential efficacy in addressing metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.Its biological activities encompass anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,anticoagulant,and anti-diabetic effects.Growth/differentiation factor-15(GDF-15),a member of the transforming growth factorβsuperfamily,is considered a potential therapeutic target for metabolic disorders.This study investigated the impact of magnolol on GDF-15 production and its underlying mechanism.The research examined the pharmacological effect of magnolol on GDF-15 expression in vitro and in vivo,and determined the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress signaling in this process.Luciferase reporter assays,chromatin immunoprecipitation,and in vitro DNA binding assays were employed to examine the regulation of GDF-15 by activating transcription factor 4(ATF4),CCAAT enhancer binding proteinγ(CEBPG),and CCCTC-binding factor(CTCF).The study also investigated the effect of magnolol and ATF4 on the activity of a putative enhancer located in the intron of the GDF-15 gene,as well as the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)on magnolol and ATF4-induced transcription activity.Results demonstrated that magnolol triggers GDF-15 production in endothelial cells(ECs),hepatoma cell line G2(HepG2)and hepatoma cell line 3B(Hep3B)cell lines,and primary mouse hepatocytes.The cooperative binding of ATF4 and CEBPG upstream of the GDF-15 gene or the E1944285 enhancer located in the intron led to full-power transcription of the GDF-15 gene.SNP alleles were found to impact the magnolol and ATF4-induced transcription activity of GDF-15.In high-fat diet ApoE^(-/-)mice,administration of magnolol induced GDF-15 production and partially suppressed appetite through GDF-15.These findings suggest that magnolol regulates GDF-15 expression through priming of promoter and enhancer activity,indicating its potential as a drug for the treatment of metabolic disorders.展开更多
Objective Cerebral palsy(CP)is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder acquired during the perinatal period,with periventricular white matter injury(PWMI)serving as its primary pathological hallmark.PWMI is characteri...Objective Cerebral palsy(CP)is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder acquired during the perinatal period,with periventricular white matter injury(PWMI)serving as its primary pathological hallmark.PWMI is characterized by the loss of oligodendrocytes(OLs)and the disintegration of myelin sheaths,leading to impaired neural connectivity and motor dysfunction.Neural stem cells(NSCs)represent a promising regenerative source for replenishing lost OLs;however,conventional twodimensional(2D)in vitro culture systems lack the three-dimensional(3D)physiological microenvironment.Microfluidic chip technology has emerged as a powerful tool to overcome this limitation by enabling precise spatial and temporal control over 3D microenvironmental conditions,including the establishment of stable concentration gradients of bioactive molecules.Catalpol,an iridoid glycoside derived from traditional medicinal plants,exhibits dual antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.Despite its therapeutic potential,the capacity of catalpol to drive NSC differentiation toward OLs under biomimetic 3D conditions,as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms,remains poorly understood.This study aims to develop a microfluidic-based 3D biomimetic platform to systematically investigate the concentration-dependent effects of catalpol on promoting NSCs-to-OLs differentiation and to elucidate the role of the caveolin-1(Cav-1)signaling pathway in this process.Methods We developed a novel multiplexed microfluidic device featuring parallel microchannels with integrated gradient generators capable of establishing and maintaining precise linear concentration gradients(0-3 g/L catalpol)across 3D NSCs cultures.This platform facilitated the continuous perfusion culture of NSC-derived 3D spheroids,mimicking the dynamic in vivo microenvironment.Real-time cell viability was assessed using Calcein-AM/propidium iodide(PI)dual staining,with fluorescence imaging quantifying live/dead cell ratios.Oligodendrocyte differentiation was evaluated through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)for MBP and SOX10 gene expression,complemented by immunofluorescence staining to visualize corresponding protein changes.To dissect the molecular mechanism,the Cav-1-specific pharmacological inhibitor methyl‑β‑cyclodextrin(MCD)was employed to perturb the pathway,and its effects on differentiation markers were analyzed.Results Catalpol demonstrated excellent biocompatibility,with cell viability exceeding 96%across the entire tested concentration range(0-3 g/L),confirming its non-cytotoxic nature.At the optimal concentration of 0-3 g/L,catalpol significantly upregulated both MBP and SOX10 expression(P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating robust promotion of oligodendroglial differentiation.Intriguingly,Cav-1 mRNA expression was progressively downregulated during NSC differentiation into OLs.Further inhibition of Cav-1 with MCD further enhanced this effect,leading to a statistically significant increase in OL-specific gene expression(P<0.05,P<0.01),suggesting Cav-1 acts as a negative regulator of OLs differentiation.Conclusion This study established an integrated microfluidic gradient chip-3D NSC spheroid culture system,which combines the advantages of precise chemical gradient control with physiologically relevant 3D cell culture.The findings demonstrate that 3 g/L catalpol effectively suppresses Cav-1 signaling to drive NSC differentiation into functional OLs.This work not only provides novel insights into the Cav-1-dependent mechanisms of myelination but also delivers a scalable technological platform for future research on remyelination therapies,with potential applications in cerebral palsy and other white matter disorders.The platform’s modular design permits adaptation for screening other neurogenic compounds or investigating additional signaling pathways involved in OLs maturation.展开更多
基金Longquan Yi District Health Bureau Project(Project No.:WJKY2023009)。
文摘Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of TCM syndrome differentiation-guided herbal intervention for patients with five constitutions during the high-risk window period of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)based on TCM constitution theory.Methods:A total of 300 AECOPD patients in the high-risk window period(54-66 cases for each constitution)were randomly divided into two groups(150 cases each).The control group received fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol inhalation therapy,while the experimental group was additionally given constitution-specific TCM decoctions(e.g.,Erchen Decoction combined with Sanzi Yangqin Decoction for Phlegm-Dampness constitution).The treatment course was 8 weeks with a 6-month follow-up.CAT score,TCM syndrome score,pulmonary function,6-minute walking distance(6MWD),and levels of CRP and IL-6 were observed.Recurrence and safety indicators were recorded.Results:After treatment,all indicators improved significantly in both groups(p<0.05),with the experimental group showing superior improvements in CAT score,TCM syndrome score,FEV1,6MWD,and inflammatory indicators(p<0.01).The recurrence rate was lower in the experimental group during follow-up(p<0.05).No severe adverse reactions or abnormalities in liver/kidney function were observed in either group.Conclusion:TCM syndrome differentiation treatment guided by constitution theory can improve symptoms,quality of life,and pulmonary function,reduce inflammatory levels and recurrence rate in AECOPD patients during the high-risk window period,with good safety.
基金Sichuan TCM Culture Coordinated Development Research Center Project(2023XT131)National Key Science and Technology Project of China(2023ZD0509405)National Natural Science Foundation of China(82174236).
文摘Objective To address the dual challenges of long-tail distribution and feature sparsity in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome differentiation within real clinical settings,we propose a data-efficient learning framework enhanced by knowledge graphs.Methods We developed Agent-GNN,a three-stage decoupled learning framework,and validated it on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Diagnosis(TCM-SD)dataset containing 54152 clinical records across 148 syndrome categories.First,we constructed a comprehensive medical knowledge graph encoding the complete TCM reasoning system.Second,we proposed a Functional Patient Profiling(FPP)method that utilizes large language models(LLMs)combined with Graph Retrieval-Augmented Generation(RAG)to extract structured symptom-etiology-pathogenesis subgraphs from medical records.Third,we employed heterogeneous graph neural networks to learn structured combination patterns explicitly.We compared our method against multiple baselines including BERT,ZY-BERT,ZY-BERT+Know,GAT,and GPT-4 Few-shot,using macro-F1 score as the primary evaluation metric.Additionally,ablation experiments were conducted to validate the contribution of each key component to model performance.Results Agent-GNN achieved an overall macro-F1 score of 72.4%,representing an 8.7 percentage points improvement over ZY-BERT+Know(63.7%),the strongest baseline among traditional methods.For long-tail syndromes with fewer than 10 samples,Agent-GNN reached a macro-F1 score of 58.6%,compared with 39.3%for ZY-BERT+Know and 41.2%for GPT-4 Few-shot,representing relative improvements of 49.2%and 42.2%,respectively.Ablation experiments confirmed that the explicit modeling of etiology-pathogenesis nodes contributed 12.4 percentage points to this enhanced long-tail syndrome performance.Conclusion This study proposes Agent-GNN,a knowledge graph-enhanced framework that effectively addresses the long-tail distribution challenge in TCM syndrome differentiation.By explicitly modeling manifestation-mechanism-essence patterns through structured knowledge graphs,our approach achieves superior performance in data-scarce scenarios while providing interpretable reasoning paths for TCM intelligent diagnosis.
基金funded by Zhejiang Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Plan Project(2023ZL128)Zhejiang Province Medical and Health Science and Technology Project(2022504276)Hangzhou Municipal Health and Family Planning Science and Technology Program General Project(A20210086).
文摘Objectives Therapeutic strategies for enhancing bone regeneration and combating osteoporosis remain a significant unmet medical need.This study aims to elucidate Lithospermic acid(LA)’s regulatory effects on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation,investigating its viability as a bone-healing agent.Methods This study employed various cellular and molecular biology experiments to assess the effects of LA on the viability,proliferation,cell cycle,apoptosis,differentiation,mineralization,and migration of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were conducted to detect the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,investigating the regulatory mechanisms by which LA promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.Additionally,Wnt inhibitor dickkopf-1(DKK-1)andβ-catenin-silenced cell models were used to further validate the role of LA in modulating this signaling pathway.Results LA significantly promoted osteoblast proliferation without apparent cytotoxicity.Flow cytometry showed that LA regulated the cell cycle by reducing G0/G1 phase arrest and promoting G2/M phase progression.Western blot results indicated that LA upregulated the expression of proteins associated with cell proliferation and enhanced osteoblast differentiation and mineralization.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses further confirmed that LA markedly increased the expression of Wnt andβ-catenin,facilitatingβ-catenin nuclear translocation.Treatment with the DKK-1 inhibitor significantly diminished the proliferative and differentiation-promoting effects of LA,confirming the critical role of this pathway.β-catenin knockdown experiments further substantiated its central role in LA-mediated regulation.Conclusion This study confirms that LA promotes osteoblast proliferation,differentiation,mineralization,and migration by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
基金Supported by the Provincial Key Cultivation Laboratory for Digestive Disease Research,No.2021SYS13Shanxi Province’s“Si Ge Yi Pi”Science and Technology Driven Medical Innovation Project,No.2021MX03Shanxi Provincial Basic Research Program,No.202403021222423.
文摘BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and treatment-resistant disorder requiring potent therapeutics that are effective and safe.Cedrol(CE)is a bioactive natural product present in many traditional Chinese medicines.It is known for its suppression of inflammation and mitigation of oxidative stress.Its therapeutic efficacy and mechanistic underpinnings in UC remain uncharacterized.AIM To investigate the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of CE in UC.METHODS The anti-inflammatory activity and intestinal barrier-repairing effects of CE were assessed in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine colitis model.Network pharmacology was employed to predict potential targets and pathways.Then molecular docking and dynamics simulations were utilized to confirm a stable interaction between CE and the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2(MD2)complex.The anti-inflammatory mechanisms were further verified using in vitro assays.Additionally,the gut microbiota composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing.RESULTS CE significantly alleviated colitis symptoms,mitigated histopathological damage,and suppressed inflammation.Moreover,CE restored intestinal barrier integrity by enhancing mucus secretion and upregulating tight junction proteins(zonula occludens 1,occludin,claudin-1).Mechanistically,CE stably bound to MD2,inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 signaling in RAW264.7 cells.This led to suppression of the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways,downregulating the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.Gut microbiota analysis revealed that CE reversed dextran sulfate sodium-induced dysbiosis with significant enrichment of butyrogenic Christensenella minuta.CONCLUSION CE acted on MD2 to suppress proinflammatory cascades,promoting mucosal barrier reconstitution and microbiota remodeling and supporting its therapeutic use in UC.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82271159,82071049,82425018,and 82101219)the STI2030-Major Projects(2022ZD0205400).
文摘Vestibular hair cells(HCs)in the inner ear,crucial for balance and spatial orientation,are classified into type I and type II subtypes,but the mechanisms regulating their differentiation remain unclear.In this study,we examined the role of Pou4f3,an important transcription factor,in vestibular HC differentiation using Pou4f3^(DTR/DTR)(deficient)and Pou4f3CreER/CreER(knockout)mouse models.In Pou4f3-deficient mice,the HC number decreased,and immature HCs failed to develop type I characteristics,indicating a developmental arrest.While type II HCs differentiated normally,Pou4f3 deficiency disrupted HC bundle formation and cell polarity.Findings from knockout models further confirmed the essential role of Pou4f3 in vestibular HC subtype specification.This study underscores the critical role of Pou4f3 in determining vestibular HC subtypes and offers insights into potential strategies for restoring vestibular function through HC regeneration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82170951,82470961)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7222079)+4 种基金the Beijing Hospital Authority"Dengfeng"Talent Training Plan (DFL 20221301)the Beijing Stomatological HospitalCapital Medical University Young Scientist Program (No.YSP202401)the Laboratory for Clinical Medicine and the Central Laboratory of Capital Medical University for their technical support and fundingthe Japan China Sasakawa Medical Fellowship for their generous support and funding。
文摘The functional regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex is pivotal for tooth preservation,yet the molecular mechanisms governing odontoblast differentiation remain poorly understood.In the current study,we revealed a distinct NKD1^(+) subpopulation exhibiting secretory odontoblast characteristics,which was specifically induced in dental pulp stem cells(DPSCs) by Wnt3a,but not by Wnt5a or Wnt10a through single-cell transcriptomic profiling.We then found that the NKD1^(+) subpopulation was functional conservation,which were consistently identified in the odontoblast layers of developing tooth germs in both murine and miniature pig models,as well as within the apical open area in human molars.This conserved spatial distribution and co-localization with DSPP strongly indicates that NKD1^(+) cells were active dentin-secreting odontoblasts.Analysis of gene regulatory networks using SCENIC identified MSX1 as a key transcription factor regulating the specification of NKD1^(+) lineage.Mechanistically,Wnt3a orchestrates a tripartite cascade:upregulating NKD1/MSX1 expression,triggering NKD1 membrane detachment,and facilitating direct NKD1-MSX1interaction to promote MSX1 nuclear translocation.CUT&Tag analysis demonstrated MSX1 occupancy at promoters of odontogenic regulato rs,esta blishing its necessity for odontogenic gene activation.Murine pulp exposure models validated that Wnt3a-activated NKD1-MSX1 signaling significantly enhances reparative dentin formation.This study delineates an evolutionarily conserved Wnt3aNKD1-MSX1 axis that resolves stem cell heterogeneity into functional odontoblast commitment,providing both mechanistic insights into dentin-pulp regeneration and a foundation for targeted regenerative therapies.
文摘Objectives Dysregulated osteoclast function contributes to skeletal diseases.However,the specific ubiquitination regulators of the osteoclastogenesis repressor MafB,particularly at the post-translational level,remain undefined.This study aims to identify ubiquitin-specific proteases(USPs)that deubiquitinate MafB and enhance its stability.Methods We constructed a MafB-conjugated luciferase and overexpressed 40 individual USPs,measuring changes in luciferase activity.The identified USP was overexpressed in human CD14^(+) peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)to evaluate its effect.Osteoclast differentiation was assessed through osteoclast marker Integrin alpha-V(CD51)staining and Western blot analysis.Co-immunoprecipitation(co-IP)was performed to assess the interplay.The influence on MafB ubiquitination and degradation was evaluated via immunoprecipitation and Western blot.Finally,MafB was knocked down in the USP-overexpressing PBMCs to analyze its effect on osteoclast differentiation.Results Overexpression of ubiquitin-specific protease 29(USP29)significantly increased MafB expression by approximately 75%(p<0.0001).Elevated USP29 levels strongly inhibited osteoclastic differentiation in CD14^(+) PBMCs(p<0.0001).USP29 was found to interact with MafB,markedly reducing its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation in PBMCs(p<0.001).Knocking down MafB in USP29-overexpressing PBMCs alleviated the inhibitory effect of USP29 on osteoclastogenesis.Conclusion USP29 acts as a potent stabilizer of MafB,inhibiting osteoclastogenesis in human CD14^(+) PBMCs,at least in part,by enhancing MafB stability.These findings expand our understanding of USP29’s role and the post-translational regulation of MafB.Furthermore,USP29 serves as a vital factor that controls osteoclast differentiation,and its regulatory function is at least partially mediated by deubiquitinating and stabilizing MafB.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province of China(Grant No.2023AFB671)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.82360177 and 82560182)+1 种基金the Key Project of Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.20224ACB206011)“Xuncheng Talents”Project in Jiujiang City,Jiangxi Province(Grant No.JJXC2023071).
文摘Objectives The discovery of novel molecular targets to enhance the osteogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(H-BMSCs)represents a promising strategy for preventing and treating osteoporosis.Thus,the primary objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanisms by which long non-coding RNA FOXD2-AS1(lncRNA FOXD2-AS1)regulates early osteogenic differentiation in H-BMSCs,thereby identifying potential therapeutic targets.Methods Lentivirus-mediated vectors were constructed to either overexpress or silence FOXD2-AS1 in H-BMSCs.The effects of FOXD2-AS1 on osteogenesis were subsequently assessed by analyzing osteogenic marker expression and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining.To clarify the role of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(JAK2/STAT3)pathway in this process,AG490 inhibitor(a JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor)and knockdown of STAT3 were used to investigate the mechanisms of FOXD2-AS1.Results FOXD2-AS1 overexpression increased ALP activity and osteogenic marker expression,while its knockdown had the opposite effects.From a mechanistic perspective,FOXD2-AS1 overexpression promoted JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation,whereas its suppression attenuated their activation.Also,the osteogenic increase induced by FOXD2-AS1 overexpression was reversed by AG490 treatment or STAT3 silencing,indicating that the pathway plays a role in this process.Conclusion FOXD2-AS1 was identified as a novel genetic switch driving osteogenic commitment via JAK2/STAT3 activation,revealing a new regulatory mechanism and a potential therapeutic target for osteoporosis.
文摘Objective: to study the relationship between TCM constitution type and TCM syndrome differentiation of knee arthritis. Methods: a total of 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis collected in our department from April 2019 to April 2020 were selected for in-depth analysis of the distribution of TCM constitution types and TCM syndrome differentiation and classification, and the correlation was analyzed. Results: (1) in the dialectical classification of TCM, the deficiency of liver and kidney was correlated with the constitution types of Yang deficiency, Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. (2) In the syndrome differentiation and classification of TCM, the syndrome of cold and dampness obstruction is correlated with the constitution type of TCM, which is Qi deficiency. (3) In the syndrome differentiation and classification of TCM, the syndrome of weakness of Qi and blood is correlated with the constitution types of TCM including Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency and Yin deficiency. (4) In TCM syndrome differentiation and classification, the syndrome of Qi stagnation and blood stasis is correlated with the constitution type of Yang deficiency. Conclusion: There is a certain correlation between TCM syndrome differentiation and TCM constitution type. Based on this, further exploration of the correlation between diseases and TCM constitution can provide corresponding diagnostic basis for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
基金Financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21801184)the Tianjin Municipal Applied Basic and Key Research Scheme of China (No. 18JCQNJC06400)+3 种基金Xiamen University, Starry Night Science Fund of Zhejiang University Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study (No. SN-ZJU-SIAS-006)Université de Lyon, the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche (Dyna Sweet, ANR-08-BLAN-0305)Glyco@Alps (ANR-15-IDEX-02)Labex Arcane/CBH-EUR-GS (ANR-17-EURE-0003) are gratefully acknowledged。
文摘Macrocycle-based glycoclusters, on account of their promising anti-adhesive properties against bacteria,are potential therapeutic alternatives to classic antibiotics through the much less explored anti-adhesive strategy. In this study, a series of constitutionally-pure pentavalent glycoclusters was prepared by conjugating assorted azido-carbohydrates onto a penta-propargyl rim-differentiated pillar[5]arene(RD-P[5])scaffold through Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition “click” reactions. Their binding towards therapeutically relevant bacterial lectins, such as Lec A and Lec B from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and concanavalin A(Con A), were evaluated subsequently by isothermal titration calorimetric studies. Most of these isomerfree RD-P[5] pentavalent glycoclusters, except the fucosylated ones, display good affinities to lectins.Nonetheless, the dissociation constants observed are similar to those displayed by an analogous pentavalent glycocluster consisting of four P[5] constitutional isomers, in which the RD-P[5] component merely accounts for 7% in the mixture. Our results revealed that high constitutional purity is not essential for achieving effective multivalent interactions between P[5]-based glycoclusters and lectins, presumably as a result of the conformationally labile nature of the P[5] scaffold. This information provides valuable design principles for low-cost and facile syntheses of glycosylated P[5]s for biomedical applications.
基金National Nonprofit Institute Research Grant for the Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences:Mechanism of Regulating Phlegm-Dampness Constitution to Prevent Metabolic Diseases based on Gut Microbiota-host DNA Methylation(No.YZ-202151)。
文摘OBJECTIVE:To investigate the difference in gut microbiota between population with damp-heat constitution(DHC)and balanced constitution(BC).METHODS:A multi-centered cross-sectional casecontrol study was conducted,which included 249 participants with damp-heat constitution or balanced constitution.Baseline information of participants was collected,and stool samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis.Principal coordinate analysis,linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis,receiver operating characteristic,random forest model,and phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states methods were used to reveal the relationship between gut microbiota and the damp-heat constitution.RESULTS:Compared to those in the BC group,the richness and diversity of the microbiota,specifically those of several short-chain fatty acid producing genera such as Barnesiella,Coprobacter,and Butyricimonas,were significantly decreased in the DHC group.Regarding biological functions,flavonoid biosynthesis,propanoate metabolism,and nucleotide sugar metabolism were suppressed,while arachidonic acid metabolism and glutathione metabolism were enriched in the DHC group.Finally,a classifier based on the microbiota was constructed to discriminate between the DHC and BC populations.CONCLUSION:The gut microbiota of the DHC population exhibits significantly reduced diversity and is closely related to inflammation,metabolic disorders,and liver steatosis,which is consistent with clinical observations,thus serving as a potential diagnostic tool for traditional Chinese medicine constitution discrimination.
基金supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China(82272444,81972031,81972033)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M722382)Tianjin Key Medical Discipline(Specialty)Construction Project(TJYXZDXK-032A)。
文摘Neural EGFL-like 2(NELL2)is a secreted protein known for its regulatory functions in the nervous and reproductive systems,yet its role in bone biology remains unexplored.In this study,we observed that NELL2 was diminished in the bone of aged and ovariectomized(OVX)mice,as well as in the serum of osteopenia and osteoporosis patients.In vitro loss-of-function and gain-offunction studies revealed that NELL2 facilitated osteoblast differentiation and impeded adipocyte differentiation from stromal progenitor cells.In vivo studies further demonstrated that the deletion of NELL2 in preosteoblasts resulted in decreased cancellous bone mass in mice.Mechanistically,NELL2 interacted with the FNI-type domain located at the C-terminus of Fibronectin 1(Fn1).Moreover,we found that NELL2 activated the focal adhesion kinase(FAK)/AKT signaling pathway through Fn1/integrinβ1(ITGB1),leading to the promotion of osteogenesis and the inhibition of adipogenesis.Notably,administration of NELL2-AAV was found to ameliorate bone loss in OVX mice.These findings underscore the significant role of NELL2 in osteoblast differentiation and bone homeostasis,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for managing osteoporosis.
基金Project supported by the Thousand Talents Program of Jiangxi Province,China(JXSQ2023201003)National Natural Science Foundation of China(42107254)+4 种基金Science and Technology Major Program of Ordos City(2022EEDSKJZDZX014-2)Technological Innovation Guidance Program of Jiangxi Province(20212BDH81029)Rare Earth Industry Fund(IAGM2020DB06)Selfdeployed Projects of Ganjiang Innovation Academy,Chinese Academy of Sciences(E055A01)the Key Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(ZDRW-CN-2021-3-3)。
文摘The rare earth elements(REEs)extraction by chemical leaching from ion-adsorption type rare earth ores(IAREO)has led to serious ecological and environmental risks.Conversely,demand for bioleaching is on the rise with the advantage of being environmental-friendly.As one of the organic acids produced by biological metabolism,citric acid was used to leach REEs and explore the performance and process.The results demonstrate that citric acid exhibits higher leaching efficiency(96.00%)for REEs at a relatively low concentration of 0.01 mol/L compared with(NH_(4))_(2)SO_(4)(84.29%,0.1 mol/L)and MgSO_(4)(83.99%,0.1 mol/L).Citric acid shows a preference for leaching heavy rare earth elements,with 99%leaching efficiency in IAREO,which shows higher capacity than(NH_(4))_(2)SO_(4)and MgSO_(4)(as inorganic leaching agents).Kinetic analysis indicates that the leaching process of REEs with citric acid is controlled by both the internal diffusion kinetics and chemical reaction kinetics,which is different from inorganic leaching agents.Visual Minteq calculations confirm that RE-Citrate is the main constituent of the extract solution in the leaching process of the IAREO,thereby enhancing the leaching efficiency of REEs from the IAREO.It suggests that citric acid may be used as a promising organic leaching agent for the environmentalfriendly extraction of REEs from IAREO.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers 82072523 to Zhiyong Hou)Postdoctoral program of Clinical medicine of Hebei Medical University(grant numbers PD2023012 to Sujuan Xu)+2 种基金Excellent postdoctoral research funding project of Hebei Province(grant numbers B2023005011 to Sujuan Xu)The 16th special grant of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(grant numbers 2023T160182 to Sujuan Xu)Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province,China(grant numbers H2023206230 to Yingchao Yin,H2024206186 to Sujuan Xu).
文摘The delicate balance between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts maintains bone homeostasis.Nuclear receptors(NRs)are now understood to be crucial in bone physiology and pathology.However,the function of the Farnesoid X receptor(FXR),a member of the NR family,in regulating bone homeostasis remains incompletely understood.In this study,in vitro and in vivo models revealed delayed bone development and an osteoporosis phenotype in mice lacking FXR in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)and osteoblasts due to impaired osteoblast differentiation.Mechanistically,FXR could stabilize RUNX2 by inhibiting Thoc6-mediated ubiquitination,thereby promoting osteogenic activity in BMSCs.Moreover,activated FXR could directly bind to the Thoc6 promoter,suppressing its expression.The interaction between RUNX2 and Thoc6 was mediated by the Runt domain of RUNX2 and the WD repeat of Thoc6.Additionally,Obeticholic acid(OCA),an orally available FXR agonist,could ameliorate bone loss in an ovariectomy(OVX)-induced osteoporotic mouse model.Taken together,our findings suggest that FXR plays pivotal roles in osteoblast differentiation by regulating RUNX2 stability and that targeting FXR may be a promising therapeutic approach for osteoporosis.
基金supported by the project of Central Funds Guiding the Local Science and Technology Development(No.20212ZDD02010)。
文摘Andrographolide sulfonate(AS)is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata(Burm.f.)Nees,and has been approved for several decades in China.The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling,improved body weights,and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.Additionally,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced.Bioinformatics analysis,along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels,suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions.In vitro,AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation,as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4^(+)IL-17A^(+)T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt,IL-17A,IL-17F,IL-21,and IL-22,without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis.This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis,as indicated by metabolomics analysis,reduced glucose uptake,and p H measurements.Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2(HK2)to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)or pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2),and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation.Furthermore,AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)signals in vivo and in vitro,which was abolished by the addition of lactate.In conclusion,AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis(AIA)in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82372535 to Ru-Lin Huang and 82361138568 to Qingfeng Li)the Shanghai Clinical Research Center of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery supported by Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(22MC1940300)the Shanghai Plastic Surgery Research Center of Shanghai Priority Research Center(2023ZZ02023)。
文摘Current organoid-generation strategies rely predominantly on intricate in vitro manipulations of dissociated stem cells,including isolation,expansion,and genetic modification.However,these approaches present significant challenges in terms of safety and scalability for clinical applications.An alternative strategy involves the direct generation of organoids from readily available tissues.Herein,we report the generation of functional organoids representing all three germ layers from human adult adipose tissue without single-cell processing steps.Specifically,by employing a specialized suspension culture system,we have developed reaggregated microfat(RMF)tissues,which differentiated into mesodermal bone marrow organoids capable of reconstituting human normal hematopoiesis in immunodeficient mice,endodermal insulin-producing organoids that reversed hyperglycemia in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice,and ectodermal nervous-like tissues resembling neurons and neuroglial cells.These findings therefore highlight the potential of human adipose tissue as a safe,scalable,and clinically viable source for organoid-based regenerative therapies.
基金Supported by the Applied Basic Research Foundation of Yunnan Province(202101AY070001-050,2019FE001(-026))the Open Foundation(2019KF003)of State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan,Yunnan University+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81860255,81760869)the Scientific Research Foundation of Yunnan Provincial Department of Education(2018JS159)。
文摘OBJECTIVE:Yang-deficiency constitution(YADC)is a common unbalanced constitution that predisposes individuals to certain diseases.However,not all people with YADC manifest develop diseases.This calls for delineation of the underlying molecular mechanisms.Previous studies suggested that the gut microbiota and gene differential expression should be considered.METHODS:In the present study,we compared profiles of gut microbiota between four healthy YADC individuals and those of five healthy balanced constitution(BC)counterparts,based on 16 S r RNA gene sequence analysis.Furthermore,YADC relevant genes identified by comparing 62 healthy YADC and 58 healthy BC individuals in total to perform intersection analysis,functional clustering and pathway enrichment analyses.RESULTS:The levels of harmful gut microbiota(Prevotellaceae,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0141)and beneficial gut microbiota(Ruminococcaceae,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0025,Faecalibacterium,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0484)were both elevated in healthy YADC individuals.Also,we found that the specific metabolic pathway with 2,6-Dichloro-p-hydroquinone 1,2-Dioxygenase(Pcp A)as the core in gut microbiota and the glutathione transferase activity has been enriched by YADC relevant genes in healthy YADC individuals were both responsible for the detoxification of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon substances.CONCLUSIONS:Both beneficial and harmful factors had been detected in healthy YADC individuals,functionally,they may have triggered homeostasis to maintain the health of individuals with YADC.The homeostasis may be maintained by beneficial and harmful factors from gut flora and genes.Future studies are expected to focus on halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and their detoxification processes.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation(NRF)S&F-Scarce Skills Postdoctoral Fellowship,No.120752(to AC)the Global Excellence and Stature,Fourth Industrial Revolution(GES 4.0)Postgraduate Scholarship(to MJR)the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation of South Africa(SARChI/NRF-DST),No.146290(to DDS and HA).
文摘Photobiomodulation,originally used red and near-infrared lasers,can alter cellular metabolism.It has been demonstrated that the visible spectrum at 451-540 nm does not necessarily increase cell proliferation,near-infrared light promotes adipose stem cell proliferation and affects adipose stem cell migration,which is necessary for the cells homing to the site of injury.In this in vitro study,we explored the potential of adipose-derived stem cells to differentiate into neurons for future translational regenerative treatments in neurodegenerative disorders and brain injuries.We investigated the effects of various biological and chemical inducers on trans-differentiation and evaluated the impact of photobiomodulation using 825 nm near-infrared and 525 nm green laser light at 5 J/cm2.As adipose-derived stem cells can be used in autologous grafting and photobiomodulation has been shown to have biostimulatory effects.Our findings reveal that adipose-derived stem cells can indeed trans-differentiate into neuronal cells when exposed to inducers,with pre-induced cells exhibiting higher rates of proliferation and trans-differentiation compared with the control group.Interestingly,green laser light stimulation led to notable morphological changes indicative of enhanced trans-differentiation,while near-infrared photobiomodulation notably increased the expression of neuronal markers.Through biochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays,we observed marked improvements in viability,proliferation,membrane permeability,and mitochondrial membrane potential,as well as increased protein levels of neuron-specific enolase and ciliary neurotrophic factor.Overall,our results demonstrate the efficacy of photobiomodulation in enhancing the trans-differentiation ability of adipose-derived stem cells,offering promising prospects for their use in regenerative medicine for neurodegenerative disorders and brain injuries.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82171552 and 82170479)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai Ctiy(No.21ZR1457500)the Science and Technology Bureau of Shanghai Putuo District(No.ptkwws202102).
文摘Magnolol,a compound extracted from Magnolia officinalis,demonstrates potential efficacy in addressing metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.Its biological activities encompass anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,anticoagulant,and anti-diabetic effects.Growth/differentiation factor-15(GDF-15),a member of the transforming growth factorβsuperfamily,is considered a potential therapeutic target for metabolic disorders.This study investigated the impact of magnolol on GDF-15 production and its underlying mechanism.The research examined the pharmacological effect of magnolol on GDF-15 expression in vitro and in vivo,and determined the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress signaling in this process.Luciferase reporter assays,chromatin immunoprecipitation,and in vitro DNA binding assays were employed to examine the regulation of GDF-15 by activating transcription factor 4(ATF4),CCAAT enhancer binding proteinγ(CEBPG),and CCCTC-binding factor(CTCF).The study also investigated the effect of magnolol and ATF4 on the activity of a putative enhancer located in the intron of the GDF-15 gene,as well as the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)on magnolol and ATF4-induced transcription activity.Results demonstrated that magnolol triggers GDF-15 production in endothelial cells(ECs),hepatoma cell line G2(HepG2)and hepatoma cell line 3B(Hep3B)cell lines,and primary mouse hepatocytes.The cooperative binding of ATF4 and CEBPG upstream of the GDF-15 gene or the E1944285 enhancer located in the intron led to full-power transcription of the GDF-15 gene.SNP alleles were found to impact the magnolol and ATF4-induced transcription activity of GDF-15.In high-fat diet ApoE^(-/-)mice,administration of magnolol induced GDF-15 production and partially suppressed appetite through GDF-15.These findings suggest that magnolol regulates GDF-15 expression through priming of promoter and enhancer activity,indicating its potential as a drug for the treatment of metabolic disorders.
基金supported by grants from the Liaoning Province Excellent Talent Program Project(XLYC1902031)Dalian Science and Technology Talent Innovation Plan Grant(2022RG18)Basic Research Project of the Department of Education of Liaoning Province(LJKQZ20222395)。
文摘Objective Cerebral palsy(CP)is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder acquired during the perinatal period,with periventricular white matter injury(PWMI)serving as its primary pathological hallmark.PWMI is characterized by the loss of oligodendrocytes(OLs)and the disintegration of myelin sheaths,leading to impaired neural connectivity and motor dysfunction.Neural stem cells(NSCs)represent a promising regenerative source for replenishing lost OLs;however,conventional twodimensional(2D)in vitro culture systems lack the three-dimensional(3D)physiological microenvironment.Microfluidic chip technology has emerged as a powerful tool to overcome this limitation by enabling precise spatial and temporal control over 3D microenvironmental conditions,including the establishment of stable concentration gradients of bioactive molecules.Catalpol,an iridoid glycoside derived from traditional medicinal plants,exhibits dual antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.Despite its therapeutic potential,the capacity of catalpol to drive NSC differentiation toward OLs under biomimetic 3D conditions,as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms,remains poorly understood.This study aims to develop a microfluidic-based 3D biomimetic platform to systematically investigate the concentration-dependent effects of catalpol on promoting NSCs-to-OLs differentiation and to elucidate the role of the caveolin-1(Cav-1)signaling pathway in this process.Methods We developed a novel multiplexed microfluidic device featuring parallel microchannels with integrated gradient generators capable of establishing and maintaining precise linear concentration gradients(0-3 g/L catalpol)across 3D NSCs cultures.This platform facilitated the continuous perfusion culture of NSC-derived 3D spheroids,mimicking the dynamic in vivo microenvironment.Real-time cell viability was assessed using Calcein-AM/propidium iodide(PI)dual staining,with fluorescence imaging quantifying live/dead cell ratios.Oligodendrocyte differentiation was evaluated through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)for MBP and SOX10 gene expression,complemented by immunofluorescence staining to visualize corresponding protein changes.To dissect the molecular mechanism,the Cav-1-specific pharmacological inhibitor methyl‑β‑cyclodextrin(MCD)was employed to perturb the pathway,and its effects on differentiation markers were analyzed.Results Catalpol demonstrated excellent biocompatibility,with cell viability exceeding 96%across the entire tested concentration range(0-3 g/L),confirming its non-cytotoxic nature.At the optimal concentration of 0-3 g/L,catalpol significantly upregulated both MBP and SOX10 expression(P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating robust promotion of oligodendroglial differentiation.Intriguingly,Cav-1 mRNA expression was progressively downregulated during NSC differentiation into OLs.Further inhibition of Cav-1 with MCD further enhanced this effect,leading to a statistically significant increase in OL-specific gene expression(P<0.05,P<0.01),suggesting Cav-1 acts as a negative regulator of OLs differentiation.Conclusion This study established an integrated microfluidic gradient chip-3D NSC spheroid culture system,which combines the advantages of precise chemical gradient control with physiologically relevant 3D cell culture.The findings demonstrate that 3 g/L catalpol effectively suppresses Cav-1 signaling to drive NSC differentiation into functional OLs.This work not only provides novel insights into the Cav-1-dependent mechanisms of myelination but also delivers a scalable technological platform for future research on remyelination therapies,with potential applications in cerebral palsy and other white matter disorders.The platform’s modular design permits adaptation for screening other neurogenic compounds or investigating additional signaling pathways involved in OLs maturation.
