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Objective: To explore the metabolic differences between dry eye patients with Qi-Yin deficiency and heat stagnation in liver meridian patterns, and clarify their metabolic characteristics. Methods: Patients with dry eye who were treated in the Ophthalmology Ward and Outpatient Department of the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from October 1, 2020, to October 30, 2021 were enrolled as the research participants in the study. They were assigned to two groups based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome types: heat stagnation in liver meridian pattern group and Qi-Yin deficiency pattern group. Healthy volunteers who underwent health check-ups in the Health Management Department were included as healthy group following the random number table method. The tears of the patients and the healthy volunteer participants were tested by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The differential metabolites were screened out by multivariate statistical analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment was performed on the differential metabolites. Finally, the association analysis of differential proteins and metabolites was conducted to verify and supplement the metabolites. Results: A total of 32 dry eye patients were enrolled, including 16 cases with heat stagnation in liver meridian pattern and 16 cases with Qi-Yin deficiency pattern. Fourteen healthy volunteers were included as healthy group. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics among the three groups (P > 0.05). A total of 412 biomarkers were determined in Qi-Yin deficiency pattern group, mainly including lipids, lipid-like molecules, organic acids and their derivatives, organic heterocyclic compounds, and nucleosides and their analogues. For heat stagnation in liver meridian pattern group, 112 metabolites were determined, mainly including organic acids and their derivatives, lipids, and lipid-like molecules. The KEGG enrichment results of pathways and the relative content analysis of differential markers demonstrate that purine metabolism and caffeine metabolism pathways are common metabolic characteristics of all dry eyes. Among them, deoxyinosine monophosphate (dIMP) and 2-(formamido)-N1-(5-phospha-D-ribosyl) acetamidine can serve as their biomarkers. The main characteristics of Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome pattern were the significant enhancement of metabolic pathways such as lysine degradation, ovarian steroidogenesis, cholesterol metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and bile secretion (P < 0.05). Dry eye associated with the heat stagnation in liver meridian pattern is mainly characterized by inhibition of the valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis pathways (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Metabolomics can be used as an effective basis for TCM syndrome classification. Different patterns of dry eye syndrome exhibit typical characteristics in the types and concentrations of metabolites, which correspond to the syndrome classification in TCM. This study initially confirms the rationality of TCM syndrome classification and provides significant reference for the mechanism of dry eye and drug development.

Objective: To predict the active components and action targets of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) based on network pharmacology, explore possible mechanisms of the treatment through animal experiments, and provide a scientific basis for clinical applications of Wuyao (Linderae Radix). Methods: Possible active components and targets of Wuyao (Linderae Radix) in the treatment of CPID were obtained applying network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. CPID rat models were established using the mixed Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Ureaplasma urealyticum plus the performance of mechanical injury. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was applied to observe the pathological changes in the uterus, fallopian tube, and spleens of rat models. The contents of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of rats were determined with the use of corresponding detection kits. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to measure the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in the serum of rat models. Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentage of CD4+ and CD8a+ T cells as well as CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the spleen of rat models. Results: A total of nine potential active components and four core therapeutic targets related to inflammatory response in Wuyao (Linderae Radix) were obtained. The animal experiments showed that Wuyao (Linderae Radix) markedly inhibited uterus swelling, regulated morphological changes in the fallopian tube and spleen, effectively reduced inflammatory infiltration and injuries in the uterus and fallopian tube, and improved spleen functions in CPID rats. Moreover, Wuyao (Linderae Radix) markedly reduced the levels of NO, IL-6, and MDA, and increased the levels of IL-10 and SOD in the serum of rats. Wuyao (Linderae Radix) also elevated the percentage of CD4+ T cells and the CD4+ T/CD8a+ T cell ratio, reduced the percentage of CD8a+ T cells, and raised the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs that had been abnormally decreased in rat models (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Wuyao (Linderae Radix) could have therapeutic effects on CPID rats by relieving oxidative stress, mitigating inflammatory levels, and regulating the immuno-function of T cell subgroups to improve the pathological changes in CPID rats. It is a medicinal herb worth being further explored for its clinical values.

The article discusses the demic diffusion of Han culture into the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau based on ancient genomes. It highlights the migration of Han populations from the Yellow River basin into southwest China over the past two millennia. The study of ancient individuals from the Songshan site in Guizhou province reveals a genetic makeup with major Yellow River-related ancestry shared in the Han population, supporting the demic-diffusion model of Han culture expansion. Additionally, the research explores the genetic contribution of Songshan populations to modern Tai-Kadai and Hmong-Mien speaking populations in Guizhou, shedding light on the genetic makeup of historical Guizhou populations. [Extracted from the article]

The multi-level modeling technology of Building Information Modeling (BIM), combined with Three-dimensional Geographic Information System (3DGIS) macro-scene visualization technology and location information, can realize the transmission of decentralized information from various disciplines to multi-disciplinary collaborative information sharing services. It can be applied independently for the whole life cycle, which plays a positive role in reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of engineering planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. In this paper, the data integration and function integration methods of 3DGIS and BIM are designed. In order to avoid the breaking problems caused by attribute information loss and excessive simplification in the process of BIM data integration, the attribute mapping between 3DGIS and BIM based on Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and City Geography Markup Language (CityGML) and the data simplification method considering the geometric characteristics of BIM are designed. By setting the relevant preconditions and thresholds of patch merging, on the premise of maintaining the structural characteristics of BIM data surface, reduce the amount of model data to improve the efficiency of BIM data loading, rendering and display effect in 3D geospatial scene. Through the data and function integration of 3DGIS and BIM, we can effectively manage the data of large-scale model, and calculate and obtain the geospatial location and direction of key parts of buildings through the coordinate transformation of BIM, which can effectively assist the rapid and accurate positioning of BIM in virtual 3D scene and expand the visualization ability of 3DGIS. By effectively integrating 3DGIS and BIM, this paper gives full play to the spatial management advantages of 3DGIS and the component management advantages of BIM. The rationality and operability of the method are verified by its application in the operation and maintenance management project of concealed facilities in actual buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crocin exhibits anti-depressant properties. However, its underlying mechanisms and its relationship with metabolomics remain unclear. This study elucidates the mechanism of action and potential targets of crocin in treating chronic unexpected mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats underwent 4 weeks of CUMS to establish the depression model. The normal control (distilled water), crocin (25 mg/kg), and fluoxetine (5.4 mg/kg) groups were orally administered for 4-weeks. Behavioural tests evaluated the effects of crocin, while liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics identified differential metabolites and their associated metabolic pathways. Subsequently, network pharmacology was utilized to predict the targets of crocin. Crocin significantly increased body weight (from 319.16 ± 4.84 g to 325.67 ± 2.84 g), sucrose preference (from 0.46 ± 0.09 to 0.70 ± 0.09), vertical activity (from 2.83 ± 1.94 to 8 ± 2.36), horizontal activity (from 1 ± 0.63 to 4.5 ± 3.08) and decreased immobilization time (from 13.16 ± 2.69 to 3.97 ± 3.00). Metabolomics analysis identified 7 metabolites and 5 associated metabolic pathways. From the combined analysis of network pharmacology and metabolomics, three targets (PRMT1, CYP3A4, and GLB1) are the overlapping targets and the two most important metabolic pathways are tryptophan metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism. This study provides insights into the antidepressant therapeutic effect of crocin and its underlying mechanisms. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic mechanism involved in the anti-depressant effect of crocin, establishing a strong foundation for future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To further detect the active components and functions of Solanum cathayanum, since previous research showed that it had relatively good antioxidant activity. [Methods] After extraction, isolation and structural identification, the antioxidant protection activity of scopolin from Solanum cathayanum to the damaged SH-SY5Y cells was researched, which was induced by H2O2. [Results] Far from the toxicity range, scopolin showed similar antioxidant activity like positive control VE; and the LDH leakage rate reduced significantly, showing that scopolin reduced the membrane damage. Besides, 0.1 [xmol/mL scopolin was helpful to enhance the contents of SOD and GSH. [Conclusions] Scopolin could be developed and used for the research on drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Copy number variants (CNVs) contribute significantly to normal and pathogenic genomic variations. Chromosome 17q12 microdeletion is implicated in structural or functional kidney and urethral abnormalities, MODY5 (type 5 diabetes), and neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorders. Conversely, microduplication of 17q12, though rare, elevates the risk of epilepsy and mental retardation., Case Presentation: This study focuses on a 33-year-old woman (gravida 1, para 0) who underwent amniocentesis at 22 weeks gestation due to bilateral hyperechogenic kidneys observed on prenatal ultrasound., Results: Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) unveiled a 1.46-Mb microdeletion on chromosome 17q12 in the fetus, spanning positions 35,802,057 to 37,261,945 (hg19). Trio whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed 17q12 microdeletion in the fetus and 17q12 microduplication in the father. Notably, at the 3-year follow-up, the baby exhibited a normal phenotype., Conclusions: This research provides a comprehensive description of the phenotype in a rare family featuring 17q12 microdeletion and microduplication. Employing a combination of karyotype analysis, CMA, WES, prenatal ultrasound, and genetic counseling proves helpful in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal microdeletions/microduplications.

Unbalanced chromosome abnormalities (UBCA) are large genomic region variations that often result in minimal clinical effects. Copy number variants (CNVs), such as microdeletions and microduplications in 15q11.2, have been linked to various health issues, making prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling challenging. Microdeletions and microduplications in the genomic region 15q11.2 are associated with congenital heart defects, autism, schizophrenia, epilepsy, mental retardation and developmental delay. The literature on this microduplication is confusing and extensive, which is a great difficulty for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling. A 35-year-old female undergoing amniocentesis at Week 19 due to advanced maternal age revealed a normal 46,XX karyotype through G-banding analysis. However, Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) on the same amniocytes detected a 550-Kb maternally inherited chromosomal microduplication in 15q11.2. An integrated approach combining karyotype analysis, CMA, genetic counseling, and prenatal ultrasound is crucial for the accurate prenatal diagnosis of UBCAs and CNVs.

Vanadium complexes are potent antidiabetic agents for therapeutical treatment of diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the hypolipidemic effect of V(IV)O(dipic-Cl)(H2O)2 (V4dipic-Cl) in liver of streptozotocin- (STZ-)-induced diabetic rats. We found that diabetic animals exhibited hepatic inflammatory infiltration and impaired liver function along with triglyceride (TG) accumulation in the liver. V4dipic-Cl treatment not only ameliorated liver pathological state but also reduced hepatic TG level. Moreover, the upregulation of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) mRNA (4.0-fold) and protein (8.2-fold) levels in the liver of diabetic rats were significantly reversed after V4dipic-Cl treatment. However, no significant effects of V4dipic-Cl on the mRNA expression of fatty acid metabolism-related fatty acid bounding protein 1 (FABP1) and fatty acid transporter 5 (FATP5) were observed. These results suggest that the modification of lipid metabolism-related FAT/CD36 in the liver of diabetic rats is likely involved in the hypolipidemic effects of V4dipic-Cl.

Objective: To develop an HPLC method for determination of tomatine in the dried Solanum cathayanum of China Hubei Enshi., Method: The analysis was performed on a YMC-Pack ODS-AA column (4. 6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitrile and water in gradient mode. The concentration of acetonitrile in the mobile phase changes from 20% to 100% within 60 minutes. The detection wavelength was set 203 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and column temperature was set at 30 degrees C., Result: The linear relationship of tomatine was determined within the range from 0.1-0.6 g x L(-1) (r = 0.999 7). The average recovery as 98.93% with RSD 1.2%., Conclusion: A convenient and reliable method was developed to determine the content of tomatine in the dried S. cathayanum.