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Objective: To assess the effects of Yi Qi Jie Du Formula (YQJDF) combined with salinomycin (SAL) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma stem cells (NPC-SCs) and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Cell counting methods, the CCK-8 assay, transwell migration assay and JC-1 staining, were used to observe the effects of the combination on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of NPC stem cells, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the levels of protein in NPC-SCs. Results: YQJDF combined with SAL had a synergistic effect on the inhibition of proliferation and migration and induction of NPC-SC apoptosis. Mechanistically, YQJDF combined with SAL synergistically upregulated the levels of apoptotic proteins, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-7 and cleaved Caspase-9. Moreover, YQJDF combined with SAL synergistically decreased the levels of CD44, p-c-Src, Ras, p-PKCδ, p-MEK, p-c-Raf, p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT proteins. Conclusions: The combination of YQJDF and SAL has a synergistic effect on the inhibition of NPC-SC proliferation and migration and induction of apoptosis, which may be closely related to the downregulation of the CD44/Ras signaling pathway.

Objective: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is one of the most common gynaecological diseases. Here, this thesis aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Prunella vulgaris L. oil on the PID by using metabolomics based on gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to address this challenge. Methods: First, measurements of pro-inflammatory cytokines and histological analysis of the uterus were conducted to validate the successful generation of a PID rat model. Furthermore, the volatile oil from Prunella vulgaris L. was administered to treat PID rats. Serum samples were collected before and after treatment and analyzed by GC-MS to generate metabolite profiles for each sample. The information generated from the qualitative and quantitative analysis of these metabolites was applied to distinguish between the PID model and normal control groups. Results: Some metabolites, such as acetic acid, succinic acid, glyceric acid, (R*,S*)-3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid, 3-hydroxy- phenylacetic acid, D-ribose and myo-inositol showed a higher contribution in the classification model; thus, they can be considered as potential biomarkers. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of the volatile oil extracted from Prunella vulgaris L. could also be visualized using GC-MS-based metabolomics. Conclusions: The results show that metabolomics studies are invaluable for disease diagnosis and therapeutic effect estimation.

During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the identification of a SARS-CoV-2 infected case with untraceable epidemic origin has three values: (1) the region has community transmission of the virus; (2) a certain portion of population in the community is getting immunized and more individuals have already been immunized; (3) an unpredictable future risk exists for regions where there are no infected cases with untraceable epidemic origin. Minimizing or avoiding the aggregation infection through individuals with no clinical symptoms is crucial and possible as its occurrence is mainly attributed to the local environment as opposed to the super spreader with or without clinical symptoms. As infected cases are not necessarily positive with gene test by definition, proper application of gene test is crucial in the identification of asymptomatic cases. In the early stage of an outbreak of infectious disease, gene test can be used to identify asymptomatic cases but it should not be used to exclude cases with typical clinical symptoms and signs. In the middle or late stages of an outbreak gene test should be applied in evaluation of infection rate of the population of a region, in addition to be used in spreader identification and isolation. Although asymptomatic cases are attributed to the overwhelming effect of personalized defense against pathogens, they are still a source of infection. Asymptomatic cases are considered to be Qi deficiency and with lingering toxicity in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Treatment in such cases, typically, involves therapy focused on replenishing the Qi, tonifying the lung, clearing the fever, and detoxification in order to return to a normal health condition. The recommended Chinese medicines include Qing Fei Pai Du Decoction, Yi Qi Qu Du Decoction, Xuan Fei Bai Du Granule, Lian Hua Qing Wen Capsule (Granule), and Jin Hua Qing Gan Granule, etc.

Endothelial cells (ECs) form the inner linings of blood vessels, and are directly exposed to endogenous hazard signals and metabolites in the circulatory system. The senescence and death of ECs are not only adverse outcomes, but also causal contributors to endothelial dysfunction, an early risk marker of atherosclerosis. The pathophysiological process of EC senescence involves both structural and functional changes and has been linked to various factors, including oxidative stress, dysregulated cell cycle, hyperuricemia, vascular inflammation, and aberrant metabolite sensing and signaling. Multiple forms of EC death have been documented in atherosclerosis, including autophagic cell death, apoptosis, pyroptosis, NETosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. Despite this, the molecular mechanisms underlying EC senescence or death in atherogenesis are not fully understood. To provide a comprehensive update on the subject, this review examines the historic and latest findings on the molecular mechanisms and functional alterations associated with EC senescence and death in different stages of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]