The complex roles of m^(6)A modifications in neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal and implications for memory and neurodegenerative diseases

N6-methyladenosine(m^(6)A), the most prevalent and conserved RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, profoundly influences virtually all aspects of mRNA metabolism. mRNA plays crucial roles in neural stem cell genesis and neural regeneration, where it is highly concentrated and actively involved in these processes. Changes in m^(6)A modification levels and the expression levels of related enzymatic proteins can lead to neurological dysfunction and contribute to the development of neurological diseases. Furthermore, the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, as well as nerve regeneration, are intimately linked to memory function and neurodegenerative diseases. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the roles of m^(6)A in neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal, as well as its implications in memory and neurodegenerative diseases. m^(6)A has demonstrated divergent effects on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. These observed contradictions may arise from the time-specific nature of m^(6)A and its differential impact on neural stem cells across various stages of development. Similarly, the diverse effects of m^(6)A on distinct types of memory could be attributed to the involvement of specific brain regions in memory formation and recall. Inconsistencies in m^(6)A levels across different models of neurodegenerative disease, particularly Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, suggest that these disparities are linked to variations in the affected brain regions. Notably, the opposing changes in m^(6)A levels observed in Parkinson's disease models exposed to manganese compared to normal Parkinson's disease models further underscore the complexity of m^(6)A's role in neurodegenerative processes. The roles of m^(6)A in neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal, and its implications in memory and neurodegenerative diseases, appear contradictory. These inconsistencies may be attributed to the timespecific nature of m^(6)A and its varying effects on distinct brain regions and in different environments.

Herb pair of Huangqi-Danggui exerts anti-tumor immunity to breast cancer by upregulating PIK3R1

Background:According to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),drugs supplementing the vital energy,Qi,can eliminate tumors by restoring host immunity.The objective of this study is to investigate the underlying immune mechanisms of anti-tumor activity associated with Qi-supplementing herbs,specifically the paired use of Huangqi and Danggui.Methods:Analysis of compatibility regularity was conducted to screen the combination of Qi-supplementing TCMs.Using the MTT assay and a transplanted tumor mice model,the anti-tumor effects of combination TCMs were investigated in vitro and in vivo.High content analysis and flow cytometry were then used to evaluate cellular immunity,followed by network pharmacology and molecular docking to dissect the significant active compounds and potential mechanisms.Finally,the anti-tumor activity and the mechanism of the active ingredients were verified by molecular experiments.Results:There is an optimal combination of Huangqi and Danggui that,administered as an aqueous extract,can activate immunity to suppress tumor and is more effective than each drug on its own in vitro and in vivo.Based on network pharmacology analysis,PIK3R1 is the core target for the anti-tumor immunity activity of combined Huangqi and Danggui.Molecular docking analysis shows 6 components of the combined Danggui and Huangqi extract(quercetin,jaranol,isorhamnetin,kaempferol,calycosin,and suchilactone)that bind to PIK3R1.Jaranol is the most important component against breast cancer.The suchilactone/jaranol combination and,especially,the suchilactone/kaempferol combination are key for immunity enhancement and the anti-tumor effects of the extract.Conclusions:The combination of Huangqi and Danggui can activate immunity to suppress breast cancer and is more effective than the individual drugs alone.

Effects of dietary olive oil, camellia seed oil and soybean oil on serum lipid composition in women with a high risk of cardiovascular disease: a lipidomic analysis

Numerous studies currently compare the lipid metabolism in patients with cardiovascular disease(CVD)and healthy individuals to identify lipid markers for predicting CVD.In this study,multidimensional mass spectrometry-based shotgun lipidomics was used to examine the serum lipidomics of participants in a clinical randomized controlled feeding trial undergoing olive oil(OO),camellia seed oil(CSO),and soybean oil(SO)dietary interventions.189 lipid molecules are identified,including 14 species of phosphatidylinositol,45 species of ethanolamine glycerols(PE),47 species of choline glycerophospholipids(PC),39 species of triacylglycerols(TAG),18 species of lysophosphatidylcholine,and 26 species of sphingomyelin.After screening,10 lipid markers are found,among which 18:2 fatty acid(FA),16:1 FA,C54:4/C55:11,C54:3/C55:10,and C52:3/C53:10 in TAG pool,p18:0/20:0 and a18:0/18:1 in PC pool,and p18:1/20:4 in PE pool have differential regulation in the SO group compared to OO and CSO.The d16:0/18:1 in PC pool and C52:2/C53:9 in TAG pool are differentially regulated by OO and CSO.The C52:2/C53:9 in TAG pool has a significant negative correlation with aspartate aminotransferase(r=-0.363,P=0.048)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(r=-0.519,P<0.01).This study provides a reference for researching the effect of dietary fat on blood lipid metabolism.

Structural characterization and prebiotic potential of polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum

Polygonatum sibiricum has been widely used due to its excellent biological activities.We prepared a novel polysaccharide from P.sibiricum(PSP)in this study.According a monosaccharide composition analysis,PSP was mainly composed of fructose and glucose with a molar percentage of 93.81:5.12.The main linkage types were identified asα-D-Glcp-1→and→2-β-D-Fruf-1→.The molecular weight of PSP showed no significant change after simulated salivary and gastrointestinal digestion.However,PSP could be broken down by intestinal bacteria.Our findings revealed that PSP administration increased the abundance of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium.Furthermore,the results showed that gut microbes could utilize PSP to produce short-chain fatty acids including acetic acid,propionic acid,and butyric acid.Also,the PSP fermentation broth displayed an excellent scavenging effect on free radicals,including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical,superoxide radical,and hydroxyl radical.In summary,this study will help to promote the application of PSP as prebiotics in functional food and the medical industry.

Model informed precision medicine of Chinese herbal medicines formulas-A multi-scale mechanistic intelligent model

Recent trends suggest that Chinese herbal medicine formulas(CHM formulas)are promising treatments for complex diseases.To characterize the precise syndromes,precise diseases and precise targets of the precise targets between complex diseases and CHM formulas,we developed an artificial intelligence-based quantitative predictive algorithm(DeepTCM).DeepTCM has gone through multilevel model calibration and validation against a comprehensive set of herb and disease data so that it accurately captures the complex cellular signaling,molecular and theoretical levels of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).As an example,our model simulated the optimal CHM formulas for the treatment of coronary heart disease(CHD)with depression,and through model sensitivity analysis,we calculated the balanced scoring of the formulas.Furthermore,we constructed a biological knowledge graph representing interactions by associating herb-target and gene-disease interactions.Finally,we experimentally confirmed the therapeutic effect and pharmacological mechanism of a novel model-predicted intervention in humans and mice.This novel multiscale model opened up a new avenue to combine“disease syndrome”and“macro micro”system modeling to facilitate translational research in CHM formulas.

Revealing the role of honokiol in human glioma cells by RNA-seq analysis

Background:Glioma is a kind of tumor that easily deteriorates and originates from glial cells in nerve tissue.Honokiol is a bisphenol compound that is an essential monomeric compound extracted from the roots and bark of Magnoliaceae plants.It also has anti-infection,antitumor,and immunomodulatory effects.In this study,we found that honokiol induces cell apoptosis in the human glioma cell lines U87-MG and U251-MG.However,the mechanism through which honokiol regulates glioma cell apoptosis is still unknown.Methods:We performed RNA-seq analysis of U251-MG cells treated with honokiol and control cells.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed,and the 10 top hub unigenes were examined via real-time quantitative PCR.Furthermore,MAPK signaling and ferroptosis were detected via western blotting.Results:332 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were found,comprising 163 increased and 169 decreased genes.Analysis of the DEGs revealed that various biological processes were enriched,including‘response to hypoxia’,‘cerebellum development cellular response to hypoxia,’‘iron ion binding,’‘oxygen transporter activity,’‘oxygen binding,’‘ferric iron binding,’and‘structural constituent of cytoskeleton.’Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis revealed that the DEGs were enriched in the following pathways:‘mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)’,‘Hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1)’,‘ferroptosis,’‘Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR),’‘Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(Akt),’and‘phagosome.’Among these pathways,the MAPK signaling pathway and ferroptosis were verified.Conclusion:This study revealed the potential mechanism by which honokiol induces apoptosis and provided a comprehensive analysis of DEGs in honokiol-treated U251-MG cells and the associated signaling pathways.These data could lead to new ideas for future research and therapy for patients with glioma.

Mechanisms of liver injuries caused by traditional Chinese medicines

Drug-induced liver injury(DILI)is a common adverse drug reaction,which can even result in liver failure[1,2].The Chinese Medical Association issued the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of DILI based on the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method(RUCAM)in 2015[3].A previous study reported that traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs),herbal and dietary supplements,and antituberculosis drugs were the main causes of DILI in China[4].Herb-induced liver injury(HILI)refers to liver injury caused by TCMs,natural drugs,and their related preparations[5].

Mesenchymal stem cells and their derived exosomes for the treatment of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is an acute respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).SARS-CoV-2 infection typically presents with fever and respiratory symptoms,which can progress to severe respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure.In severe cases,these complications may even lead to death.One of the causes of COVID-19 deaths is the cytokine storm caused by an overactive immune response.Therefore,suppressing the overactive immune response may be an effective strategy for treating COVID-19.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)and their derived exosomes(MSCs-Exo)have potent homing abilities,immunomodulatory functions,regenerative repair,and antifibrotic effects,promising an effective tool in treating COVID-19.In this paper,we review the main mechanisms and potential roles of MSCs and MSCs-Exo in treating COVID-19.We also summarize relevant recent clinical trials,including the source of cells,the dosage and the efficacy,and the clinical value and problems in this field,providing more theoretical references for the clinical use of MSCs and MSCs-Exo in the treatment of COVID-19.

The role of FMO3 in metabolic diseases

Flavin containing monooxygenase 3(FMO3)is a member of the flavin monooxygenase family,which can oxidize the precursor Trimethylamine(TMA)provided from food to produce Trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO).The autosomal recessive inherited disease caused by partial functional loss of Fmo3 gene,which leads to excessive excretion of TMA in body fluids and emits fishy odor,is called Fish Odor Syndrome or Trimethylaminuria.This disease has been documented for 3,000 years ago and was first reported in the case report in 1970.FMO3 mainly exists in the liver and can participate in the TMA-TMAO metabolic balance in intestinal microorganisms,liver,and kidneys,closely related to insulin resistance,diabetes,cholesterol metabolism,and cardiovascular disease.Due to its wide range of catalytic substrates and low susceptibility to metabolite accumulation,its role in drug metabolism,new drug development,and discovery of new drug targets are increasingly valued.This review will summarize the research progress on the metabolic process and localization of FMO3,congenital genetic defects,metabolic diseases,and its related possible mechanisms.

Research Progress of Aromatic Bed Curtains for Aiding Sleep Based on Lavender Microcapsule Technique

In this paper, the preparation technique of lavender essential oil microcapsules and the construction method of aromatic textiles were expounded, and the research status of bed curtains and lavender microcapsules at home and abroad was analyzed and studied from the perspective of application in textiles. The application of lavender essential oil to bed curtains through the microcapsule technique was put forward to allow lavender essential oil to play its role of helping sleep in bed curtains. This paper expounded the material selection and preparation technique of lavender microcapsule agents, and put forward the preparation method of microcapsules with mixed solutions of pure Chinese medicine extracts and natural essences as core material and high-viscosity epoxy resin as wall materials. The post-processing techniques and the spray ironing method for clothing were studied and developed, and these techniques and methods were applied to bed curtains, and good results were obtained.

Unveiling the dynamic role of innate and adaptive immune cells in COPD pathogenesis induced by cigarette smoke

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a multifaceted syndrome characterized by a dysregulated inflammatory cascade within the respiratory system,primarily triggered by exposure to harmful particles and gases,notably from cigarette smoke.This inflammatory response is orchestrated by innate immune cells like macrophages and epithelial cells,which recognize danger signals released from damaged cells.Prolonged inflammation prompts an adaptive immune reaction mediated by dendritic cells,culminating in the formation of lymphoid follicles and involving a complex interplay of T and B cells,as well as cytotoxic activity.Additionally,both viral and bacterial infections exacerbate COPD by further igniting inflammatory pathways,perpetuating the chronic inflammatory state.This comprehensive review encapsulates the intricate interplay between innate and adaptive immunity in COPD,with a particular focus on the role of cigarette smoke in its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

Expression of Bmi-1 and PAI-1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To determine the correlation between invasiveness, migration and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and expression of the B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1 (Bmi-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1).

Effects of Fujian tablet on Nogo-A mRNA expression and plasticity of the corticospinal tract in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia

The present study investigated the effects of Fujian tablet, a Chinese medicine compound that can nourish liver and kidney, on corticospinal tract plasticity and cervical cord microenvironment in rats with focal cerebral ischemia. Results showed that motor function of rats with right proximal middle cerebral artery occlusion was significantly improved following treatment with Fujian tablet, 9 g crude drug/kg. Anterograde tracing revealed significantly increased biotinylated dextran amine expression in the denervated （left） side of the cervical cord （C4-6） following Fujian tablet treatment, and significantly decreased Nogo-A mRNA expression was detected in the denervated side of the cervical cord （C4-6） using in situ hybridization. Pearson＇s correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between biotinylated dextran amine and Nogo-A mRNA expression （r = -0.943, P 〈 0.01）. Results demonstrated that Fujian tablet can promote corticospinal tract plasticity possibly through the inhibitory effect on Nogo-A mRNA expression in the cervical spinal cord, thereby improving motor dysfunction.

PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors in proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial cells

AIM: To determine whether the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is activated in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in homo-sapiens. METHODS: The retina of controls and patients with PVR were collected and their levels of PI3K, phospho-AKT, phospho-mTOR, phospho-p70S6k and phospho-4EBP-1 were determined by Western blot. The cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cell line D407 was treated with a specific mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (RAPA) or a PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, of various concentrations and durations. Cell morphology was observed by phase contrast microscopy and the proliferation and apoptosis of treated cells were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Levels of PI3K, phospho-AKT, phospho-mTOR, phospho-P70S6K and phospho-4EBP1 was increased in the retina in PVR (P <0.05). In D407 cells, both RAPA and LY294002 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and promoted apoptosis (P <0.05); morphologically, the cells became smaller. Both RAPA and LY294002 reduced levels of phospho-AKT, phospho-mTOR, phospho-p70S6k and phospho-4EBP1 expression (P <0.05). RAPA, but not LY294002, had no significant effect on PI3K expression. CONCLUSION: PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is highly activated in the retinal pigment epithelial cells of PVR. The inhibitors of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, RAPA and LY294002, could inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by reducing the levels of phosphorylation of mTOR pathway components.

Neural cell injury microenvironment induces neural differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells

This study aimed to investigate the neural differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （hUCMSCs） under the induction of injured neural cells. After in vitro isolation and culture, passage 5 hUCMSCs were used for experimentation, hUCMSCs were co-cultured with normal or AI31.4o-injured PC12 cells, PC12 cell supernatant or PC12 cell lysate in a Transwell co-culture system. Western blot analysis and flow cytometry results showed that choline acetyltransferase and microtubule-associated protein 2, a specific marker for neural cells, were expressed in hUCMSCs under various culture conditions, and highest expression was observed in the hUCMSCs co-cultured with injured PC12 cells. Choline acetyltransferase and microtubule-associated protein 2 were not expressed in hUCMSCs cultured alone （no treatment）. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay results showed that hUCMSCs under co-culture conditions promoted the proliferation of injured PC12 cells. These findings suggest that the microenvironment during neural tissue injury can effectively induce neural cell differentiation of hUCMSCs. These differentiated hUCMSCs likely accelerate the repair of injured neural ceils.

Effect of lead on ERK activity and the protective function of bFGF in rat primary culture astroglia

Objective： To observe the effects of lead on levels ofphosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase （p-ERK） in the cytoplasm of primary cultures of rat astroglial cells and the possible protective effect of basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF） on lead-induced effects. Methods： The primary astroglia cells from 1-6 d old Wistar rats were cultured. The cells pretreated with the MEK1 （mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1） inhibitor PD98059 and bFGF, respectively, were exposed to Pb acetate of different concentrations for different times. Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） methods were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of ERK. Results： mRNA expression for ERK peaked 15 min after initiation of lead exposure （P〈0.05） and protein expression of p-ERK peaked at 30 min （P〈0.05）. ERK mRNA levels and p-ERK protein levels returned to baseline after 60 and 120 min of lead exposure, respectively （P〉0.05）. The increase in p-ERK levels in lead-treated cells could be inhibited by PD098059. Activation of ERK in the cells by lead was prevented by pretreatment with bFGF. Total ERK protein levels did not change under the same experimental conditions （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： Low-level lead exposure resulted in transient activation of ERK through the MEK pathway, which then returned to basal levels in the continued presence of lead. Exogenous bFGF protected ERK signaling components in astroglia from lead poisoning.

Association between SLC2A9 Genetic Variants and Risk of Hyperuricemia in a Uygur Population

This study aimed to test the effects of five single nucleotide polymorphisms within SLC2A9 on uric acid level in a special ethnic population,the Uygurs in Xinjiang,China.According to our inclusion and exclusion criteria,Uygur adults from Xinjiang constituted the study population.There were 1053 Uygur adults with hyperuricemia and 1373 normal Uygur adults who served as controls.Five single nucleotide polymorphisms within SLC2A9(rs938557,rs7679916,rs7349721,rsl3101785,and rs 13137343)were selected with the HapMap dataset and TaqMan assays.We found that,in normouricemia group,rs938557 was significantly correlated with uric acid(β=11.39±3.74,P=0.0024)adjusting for age,gender and BMI;rs7679916 and rsl3137343 were marginally associated with uric acid concentration(β=5.77±3.O9,P=0.0626;p=-5.99±3.08,P=0.0520).In the hyperuricemia group,no SNP was found to possibly influence uric acid concentration.None of these SNPs showed significant association with hyperuricemia after controlling for age,gender and BMI.There were significant or marginal correlations between certain single nucleotide polymorphisms in the SLC2A9 region and uric acid concentration in Uygur normouricemia samples.In turn,some of these single nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC2A9 may increase the risk of hyperuricemia.

A hyaluronic acid granular hydrogel nerve guidance conduit promotes regeneration and functional recovery of injured sciatic nerves in rats

A hyaluronic acid granular hydrogel can promote neuronal and astrocyte colony formation and axonal extension in vitro,suggesting that the hydrogel can simulate an extracellular matrix structure to promote neural regeneration.However,in vivo experiments have not been conducted.In this study,we transplanted a hyaluronic acid granular hydrogel nerve guidance conduit to repair a 10-mm long sciatic nerve gap.The Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale,sciatic nerve compound muscle action potential recording,Fluoro-Gold retrograde tracing,growth related protein 43/S100 immunofluorescence staining,transmission electron microscopy,gastrocnemius muscle dry/wet weight ratio,and Masson’s trichrome staining results showed that the nerve guidance conduit exhibited similar regeneration of sciatic nerve axons and myelin sheath,and recovery of the electrophysiological function and motor function as autologous nerve transplantation.The conduit results were superior to those of a bulk hydrogel or silicone tube transplant.These findings suggest that tissue-engineered nerve conduits containing hyaluronic acid granular hydrogels effectively promote the morphological and functional recovery of the injured sciatic nerve.The nerve conduits have the potential as a material for repairing peripheral nerve defects.

Effects of seawater acidification on the early development of sea urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis

In this study, we evaluated the effects of CO_2-induced seawater acidification on fertilization, embryogenesis and early larval development in the sea urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis, that inhabits subtidal coastal areas in northern China. The range in seawater p H used in experiments was based on the projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC), to the year 2100. A natural seawater treatment(p H_(nbs) =7.98±0.03) and three laboratory-controlled acidified treatments(OA_1, ΔpH_(nbs) =-0.3 units; OA_2, ΔpH_(nbs) =-0.4 units; OA_3, ΔpH_(nbs) =-0.5 units) were used in experiments. Results show that:(1) there was a negative effect of seawater acidification on fertilization and on the percentage of abnormal fertilized eggs;(2) the size of early cleavage stage embryos decreased in a dose-dependent manner with decreasing p H;(3) both the hatching rate of blastulae and the survival rate of four-armed pluteus larvae decreased as pH declined;(4) larval abnormalities including asymmetrical development, changes in the length of skeletal elements, and corroded spicules were observed in all seawater acidified-treatments compared with the control. These data indicate that seawater acidification has a negative impact on the early development of G. crenularis, and supports the hypothesis that the response of echinoderms to ocean acidification(OA) varies among species. Further research is required to clarify the specific cellular mechanisms involved.

Nucleus Transfer Efficiency of Ear Fibroblast Cells Isolated from Bama Miniature Pigs at Various Ages

Summary： Somatic cell nucleus transfer （SCNT） has been considered the most effective method for conserving endangered animals and expanding the quantity of adult animal models. Bama miniature pigs are genetically stable and share similar biological features to humans. These pigs have been used to establish animal models for human diseases, and for many other applications. However, there is a pan- city of studies on the effect of ear fibroblasts derived from different age of adult Bama miniature pigs on nucleus transfer （NT）. The present study examined the NT efficiency of ear fibroblasts from fetal, new- born, 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 12-month-old miniature pigs by using trypan blue staining, flow cytometry and NT technique, etc., and the cell biological function and SCNT efficiency were compared between groups. The results showed that ear fibroblasts grew well after passage in each group. Spindle-shaped cells ini- tially predominated, and gradually declined with increase of culture time and replaced by polygonal cells. Irregular cell growth occurred in the 2-month-old group and the elder groups. The growth curves of the ear fibroblasts were ＂S-shaped＂ in different age groups. The cell proliferation of postnatal ear fi- broblasts, especially those from 2-, 4-, 6-, 12-month-old miniature pigs was significantly different from that of fetus ear fibroblasts （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Two-month- and 4-month-old ear fibroblasts had a sig- nificantly higher proportion of G1 stage cells （85% to 91%） than those at 6 and 12 months （66% to 74%, P〈0.01）. The blastocyst rate of reconstructed embryos originating from newborn, 1-, 2-, 4-month-old donor pigs was 6.06% to 7.69% with no significant difference from that in fetus fibroblast group （8.06%）. It was concluded that 〈4-month-old adult Bama miniature pigs represent a better donor cell resource than elder pigs.