Search

Background Experiential effective prescription optimized Kuijie decoction can effectively improve the quality of life of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), promote the intestinal mucosal healing and clinical remission, but its mechanism remains unclear now. Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of optimized Kuijie decoction in UC rats with TCM syndrome differentiation of Qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods From September to October 2023, 70 SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank-control, model, salicylazosulfapyridine, low-dose, standard-dose, Qi-enhancing and Blood-activating groups, with 10 rats in each group. UC model with TCM syndrome differentiation of Qi stagnation and blood stasis was established by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) /ethanol secondary inflammation combined with restraint method. Rats in the blank-control group were enucleated with 0.9% sodium chloride solution at the time of modeling and were grasped and fixed synchronously with the rats in the other groups, and were given an equal volume of water by gavage once per day after the establishing for 14 days; rats in the model group were given an equal volume of water by gavage once per day after the establishing for 14 days; rats in the salicylazosulfapyridine, low-dose, standard-dose, Qi-enhancing and Blood-activating groups were given intragastric administration with salicylazosulfapyridine suspension (0.54 g/kg), low-dose optimized Kuijie decoction (0.837 g/kg), standard-dose optimized Kuijie decoction (1.674 g/kg), Astragalus suspension (1.8 g/kg) and Safflower suspension (0.9 g/kg) once per day after the establishing for 14 days, respectively. High-precision transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructural changes in the colonic tissues of the seven groups of rats after intervention, the expression levels of CXCR4, VEGFA, and TAK1 were compared among the seven groups of rats after intervention. Results The ultrastructure of colonic tissue of rats in the low-dose and standard-dose groups tended to be normal after intervention. The gray ratios of proteins and relative mRNA expression quality of CXCR4, VEGFA and TAK1 in colonic tissues of rats in the model group were higher than the blank-control after intervention (P

Introduction: Fertilizer application above plant nitrogen (N) requirements, leading to N use inefficiency, has become the primary source of N surplus, posing nonpoint pollution threats. Chao Lake has received N loadings, primarily from the agroecosystem that surrounds it. Based on 10 years of field monitoring and experiment, this study used optimum fertilizer rates (30% N reduction) to evaluate nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and N export in the Chao Lake watershed of paddy rice-wheat rotational farming.Methods: Five treatments were tested, namely, the Blank Treatment (CK), Conventional Fertilization Treatment (CFT), High Fertilization Treatment (HFT), Reduced Fertilization Treatment (CFT), Reduced Fertilization Treatment plus Straw addition (RFTS). The parameters employed to measure NUE were 1) by calculating NUE indicators; Agronomic efficiency (kg kg-1), recovery efficiency (%), and partial factor productivity (kg kg-1) 2) using the European Union NUE framework as a comparison tool. N export was measured using N export parameters, namely, nitrogen loading (kg ha-1yr-1), nitrogen runoff loss ratio (%), and net nitrogen runoff loss ratio (%).Results and discussion: Results revealed that optimum N fertilizer input levels maintained high crop and biomass yields. The empirical model of y = y0 + a * exp (−0.5 * (x-x0)/b2) explains the relationships between input N fertilizer and corresponding yield returns. Low yield responses to increased N input beyond certain limits were observed, which may lead to N accumulations. N export was much lower from the reduced fertilization treatments than other treatments. N export increased in 10 years for both paddy rice and wheat seasons. Runoff volume influenced N export more than any other environmental factor studied.Conclusion: Overall, optimal fertilizer levels produced high NUE, maintained high economic yield, and produced lesser N exports; NUE was in the order of reduced > high > conventional fertilization treatments, while it decreased in 10 years (2008–2018) across all treatments. Such strategies that further reduce fertilizer levels by accounting for excess supplies are vital for consolidating effective N control measures.

Background: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a significant cereal crop that plays a vital role in global food production. To expedite the breeding of wheat cultivars with high protein quality, it is necessary to genetically analyze the traits related to quality. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to identify the genomic regions responsible for protein quality traits in winter wheat. Results: Six protein quality traits were evaluated across two locations and two years for a total of 341 wheat accessions. Utilizing the wheat 40 K SNP array, GWAS identified 97 significantly stable SNPs at 43 loci for five out of six protein quality traits using a linear mixed model. The 43 loci distribution was four for grain protein content, two for flour protein content, one for wet gluten content, four for gluten index, and thirty-two for Zeleny sedimentation value. The most significant associations were identified on chromosomes 1 A, 1B, and 1D. Haplotype analysis of loci associated with the gluten index in the 412–416 Mb interval on chromosome 1D identified three blocks. Accessions with superior haplotypes showed a significantly higher gluten index than those with inferior haplotypes. Six KASP markers were successfully developed for the gluten index, while five KASP markers were developed for the Zeleny sedimentation value. Additionally, eight candidate genes were identified that may affect protein accumulation during grain development. Conclusions: Our study identified 97 SNPs significantly associated with protein quality traits; developed 6 KASP markers for gluten index, and 5 KASP markers for Zeleny sedimentation values; screened 8 candidate genes that may be related to protein quality during grain development. Thise research will offer valuable insights for wheat breeding programs in China and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA), particularly in the knee and hip, poses a significant global health challenge due to limited therapeutic options. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of OA and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, we utilized genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and cis-miRNA expression quantitative trait loci (cis-miR-eQTL) datasets to identify miRNAs associated with OA, revealing 16 that were linked to knee OA and 21 to hip OA. Among these, hsa-miR-1303 was significantly upregulated in both knee and hip OA (IVW: p = 6.8164 × 10 − 36 and 4.7919 × 10 − 2 respectively, OR > 1) and identified as a key factor in disease progression. Hsa-miR-1303 potentially regulates 30 genes involved in critical signaling pathways, such as the neurotrophin signaling pathway, and interacts with competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) like circ_0041843 and LINC01338, thereby influencing key regulatory proteins such as SUMO2 and PARP1. Pharmacologically, hsa-miR-1303 targets nine druggable genes, including NRAS, H2AZ1, and RPS3, which have implications for drugs like cantharidin and diindolylmethane, potentially critical for developing novel OA treatments. Conversely, hsa-miR-125a-5p and hsa-miR-125b-5p, which are downregulated in both knee and hip OA, are associated with pathways such as HIF-1 and JAK-STAT, which modulate apoptotic signaling and transcriptional regulation. These miRNAs also interact with ceRNAs such as circ_0000254 and SPACA6P-AS, impacting proteins like STAT3, MCL1, and TRAF6. A drug interaction analysis identified 47 potential treatments, including Resveratrol and Acetaminophen, suggesting new therapeutic possibilities for OA management. This study not only highlights the role of miRNAs like hsa-miR-1303 and hsa-miR-125 in OA but also opens avenues for miRNA-based therapeutic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disorder that severely impacts quality of life due to pain and disability. Although the pathophysiology of OA remains incompletely understood, recent research highlights the role of synovial inflammation in OA onset and progression, driven primarily by inflammatory infiltrates, especially macrophages, in the synovium. These macrophages respond to the local microenvironment, polarizing into either pro‐inflammatory (M1) or anti‐inflammatory (M2) subtypes. This review focuses on the role of macrophage polarization in OA pathogenesis and treatment, emphasizing how M1/M2 polarization is influenced by pathways such as STAT, NF‐κB, caspase, and MAPK. These pathways induce low‐grade inflammation within OA‐affected joints, altering chondrocyte metabolism, inhibiting cartilage repair, and impairing mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis, thereby contributing to OA progression. Additionally, this review discusses potential therapies targeting macrophage polarization, encompassing compounds, proteins, cells, and microRNAs, to offer insights into novel treatment strategies for OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Research on the distribution of and the variation in coronal plane alignment of the knee (CPAK) in the Chinese osteoarthritis population is limited. We aimed to establish the CPAK classification based on the characteristics of lower limb alignment in the Chinese osteoarthritis population. We also investigated variations in lower limb alignment parameters and CPAK phenotypes based on gender, body mass index (BMI), and age. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a total of 944 knees diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 479 patients from January 2017 to December 2023. A scatterplot was used to describe the distribution of the CPAK classification, and the differences in lower limb alignment parameters and the CPAK classification were compared across genders (male, female), ages (middle‐aged/<65 years, elderly/≥65 years), and BMI categories (normal/<25 kg/m2, overweight and obese/≥25 kg/m2) using the chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test. Results: The average arithmetic hip‐knee‐ankle angle and joint line obliquity (JLO) were −3.03° ± 5.69° and 174.45° ± 4.29°, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of constitutional varus alignment in males and the overweight or obese group, while constitutional valgus alignment was more common in females and the normal BMI group (p < 0.05). Additionally, females had a greater apex distal JLO than males (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in lower limb alignment parameters among different age groups (p > 0.05). Although there were variations in alignment parameters across different genders and BMI categories in the knee osteoarthritis population, the predominant CPAK classifications were type I (38.03%), followed by type II (20.02%) and type IV (17.06%). Conclusion: The most common CPAK types were I, II, and IV, and they were not influenced by gender, BMI, or age, indicating that the CPAK classification can reliably reflect constitutional alignment. A better understanding of native alignment variability can aid in providing patient‐specific recommendations when considering orthopedic alignment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface engineering is a promising strategy for controlling the Curie temperature (Tc) and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in magnetic 2D van der Waals (2D vdWs)‐based heterostructures. However, establishing high‐quality interface structures in magnetic 2D vdWs/metal stacks, crucial for maximizing interface effects, remains a significant challenge. Here, a Fe5‐xGeTe2/Pt (F5GT/Pt) prototype with a superior interface quality is achieved using a low‐power physical vapor deposition technique. The magnetic properties of the F5GT/Pt heterostructures are strongly influenced by employing the specific physical deposition method. Stable ferromagnetism at 400 K is observed when depositing Pt atoms with relatively high energy, despite the Tc of pristine F5GT being below 300 K. This unexpected high‐temperature ferromagnetism is attributed to the formation of a ferromagnetic alloy at the interface, commonly present in vdWs‐based stacks fabricated through physical deposition but often overlooked. The deposit of Pt atoms with ultralow energy leads to the formation of a unique Fe5‐xGeTe2/Fe3‐xGeTe2 heterojunction at the interface, significantly enhancing the PMA. This work emphasizes the importance of interface structures in vdWs‐based devices, suggesting that controlling the growth process offers an effective approach to construct and engineer vdWs heterostructures, thus improving the performance and introducing new functionalities to spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease caused by various factors such as aging, obesity, trauma, and genetics. It is a challenging condition faced by orthopedic doctors in clinical practice and places a heavy burden on patients and their families. Currently, the treatment of OA primarily focuses on symptomatic relief and lacks ideal therapeutic methods. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and in recent years, it has gained attention as a candidate drug for OA treatment. This article provides an overview of the research status on the role and mechanisms of resveratrol in treating OA. It has been found that resveratrol can prevent the development of OA by inhibiting inflammatory responses, protecting chondrocytes, maintaining cartilage homeostasis, promoting autophagy, and has shown certain therapeutic effects. This process may be related to the regulation of signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1). We summarize the current molecular mechanisms of resveratrol in treating OA, hoping to provide a reference for further research and application of resveratrol in OA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Due to the technical challenges associated with femoral reconstruction in total hip arthroplasty for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), the exact indications for using femoral modular stems, despite their satisfactory clinical outcomes, remain poorly investigated. This study sought to assess the morphology of the femur and acetabulum, and to investigate the discriminative ability of femoral anteversion (FA), acetabular anteversion (AA), and combined anteversion (CA) on the selection of femoral modular stem in dysplastic hips. Methods: Retrospective data were collected from multiple centers on a total of 230 cases who underwent THA due to DDH from January 1, 2020, to March 1, 2023. There were 46 males and 184 females, with an average age of 51.57 ± 14.87. Patients were stratified according to Crowe and Eftekhar classifications. FA, AA, and CA were measured using computed tomography (CT). The distribution of these indices in different grades of dysplastic hips was compared, and the correlation between these indices and the selection of femoral modular stem was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and likelihood statistics were performed to investigate the discriminating and predictive value of each index in selecting modular stem. Results: Two hundred and thirty hips were included in the study. FA increased as the subluxation percentage increased: type I, 21.5°; type II, 28.6°; type III, 34.9°; and type IV, 39.7°. AA was smaller in type I (16.9°) and higher in types II, III, and IV (18.9–22.6°). The area under the curve for the modular stem was 0.87 for FA, 0.86 for CA, and 0.65 for AA. The optimal cutoff values were FA > 32.6°, CA > 50.7°, and AA > 23.3°. Conclusion: Excessive AA and femoral anteversion FA were observed in Crowe types II, III, and IV cases. FA and CA demonstrated strong discriminative ability and predictive value in the selection of a modular stem. The best cutoff values were ≥32.6° for FA and ≥50.7° for CA in discriminating the use of modular stem. Surgeons may contemplate the use of a modular stem when the preoperative evaluation approaches the cutoff value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]