Elucidating the therapeutic mechanism of Cang Zhu and Huang Bai in rheumatoid arthritis: a comprehensive analysis integrating network pharmacology and GEO data

In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of Cang Zhu-Huang Bai (CZ-HB) against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and elucidated the associated mechanisms. The approach involved a systematic examination of the chemical ingredients of CZ-HB using TCMSP database. Subsequently, we predicted the targets corresponding to the active ingredients through the SwissTargetPrediction database. We constructed a comprehensive drug-ingredient-target network using Cytoscape (v 3.8.0), with the main ingredients of the drugs identified based on their degree values. We conducted a meticulous search across GEO, GeneCards, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and PharmGkb databases to identify target proteins associated with RA. The intersection of targets corresponding to the drugs' active ingredients and those associated with RA provided crucial insights. Functional analysis, including GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses, was performed on the intersecting targets using R (v 4.2.2). Additionally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the intersecting targets was constructed using the String platform. The resulting drug-ingredient-target-disease topology network was visualized using Cytoscape (v 3.8.0), and the Cytohubba plugin facilitated the identification of hub genes. The study revealed 35 active ingredients of CZ-HB and their corresponding 673 targets. We identified 14 major active ingredients crucial to the drug’s effects by focusing on the degree values. Furthermore, our investigation uncovered 784 targets associated with RA. Through the intersection of drug and disease targets, we pinpointed 34 active ingredients of CZ-HB capable of acting on 126 targets implicated in RA. The topological network analysis of the intersected genes identified five hub genes. The binding affinity of these hub genes to the 14 primary active ingredients of the drug was confirmed through molecular docking. The enrichment results of the intersecting genes suggested that CZ-HB exerted its anti-RA effects through a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway approach.

Relationship of Milk Line Position with Grain Weight and Mechanized Harvest of Summer Corn

To investigate the relationship of milk line position with grain weight and mechanized harvest of summer corn in Huang-Huai-Hai Region, 8 varieties （A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H） with large planting areas were selected to measure the grain filling rate, 100-grain weight, water content and milk line position, and the correlation was analyzed. Results showed that when the milk line position was 90%, the grain filling of all the 8 varieties finished and 100-grain weight reached the highest value, which was 43.02 g. The grain filling time was in positive correlation with 100-grain weight. However, when the milk line position completely disappeared, the 100-grain weight was reduced by 8.66% at most. There was no significant difference during the periods of grain weight rising, but in the periods of grain weight falling, the traits of D, E, H were significantly different with the other varieties, and water loss rate of C and A showed significant difference with the other six varieties. The water content of grain was negatively correlated with milk line position. When the milk line percentage was 90% , the grain water content was less than 30% . The key factor influencing the mechanized harvest of summer corn is harvesting time, rather than the varieties. Moreover, milk-line position of 90% is the best time for harvest; if the harvest is too late, the yield will be reduced with varying degrees.

滋肾丸方调控胆汁酸代谢改善糖尿病脑病作用机制研究

目的考察滋肾丸方对糖尿病脑病小鼠胆汁酸代谢的影响, 探讨其改善糖尿病脑病的作用机制。方法选用雄性C57BL/6J小鼠, 采用高脂饲料喂养联合单次腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(120 mg/kg)复制T2DM小鼠模型, 在高血糖持续刺激8周后采用Morris水迷宫实验筛选糖尿病脑病模型小鼠, 并将造模成功小鼠按随机数字表法分为模型组和滋肾丸方组, 每组12只, 另设12只为对照组。滋肾丸方组小鼠灌胃滋肾丸方粗提取物9.36 g/kg, 对照组和模型组灌胃等体积蒸馏水, 1次/d, 持续8周。采用Morris水迷宫实验检测小鼠认知功能, 采用甲酚紫染色检测海马区颗粒神经元数量, 采用液质联用技术检测血清及粪便胆汁酸含量, 采用荧光定量PCR实验检测肝脏胆汁酸合成酶胆固醇7α-羟化酶(CYP7a1)、甾醇-27-羟化酶(CYP27a1)、法尼醇X受体(FXR)、成纤维生长因子15(FGF15)、成纤维生长因子受体4(FGFR4), 回肠顶端钠依赖性胆汁酸转运蛋白(ABST)mRNA水平。结果与模型组比较, 滋肾丸方组小鼠逃避潜伏期缩短(P<0.05或P<0.01), 首次到达平台时间减少(P<0.01), 穿越平台次数增加(P<0.01), 海马区神经细胞损伤减轻;滋肾丸方组小鼠血清及粪便总胆汁酸含量降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);肝脏中CYP7a1、CYP27a1 mRNA水平增加(P<0.01), FXR、FGF15 mRNA水平降低(P<0.01);回肠ABST mRNA水平降低(P<0.01)。结论滋肾丸方可能调控胆汁酸代谢, 抑制FRX-FGF15/FGFR4信号和ABST表达从而促进新胆汁酸合成和结合型胆汁酸重吸收, 进而发挥改善糖尿病脑病小鼠认知功能的作用。

Highly efficient K-doped Mn-Ce catalysts with strong K-Mn-Ce interaction for toluene oxidation

In this study,K_(x)-Mn-Ce catalysts prepared by sol-gel method were investigated for toluene oxidation.Compared with Mn-Ce,the catalytic performance of K_(x)-Mn-Ce was further improved.X-ray diffraction(XRD),high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM)and Raman analyses demonstrate that K ions enter the lattice of CeO_(2) and disperse uniformly.The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),H_(2)-temperature programmed reduction(H_(2)-TPR).and O_(2)-temperature programmed desorption(O_(2)-TPD)analyses indicate that there is a strong interaction between K,Mn and Ce;the charge co mpensation effect would be induced when K ions enter the lattice of CeO_(2),which leads to more oxygen vacancies due to the generation of more Ce^(3+).Toluene-TPD shows that K-doping enhances the activation ability of toluene.Among all catalysts,K0.1-Mn-Ce shows the highest concentration of Mn^(4+),Ce^(3+),Osur,and redox ability,resulting in higher low-temperature catalytic activity.Additionally,the results of stability and water resistance also prove that K0.1-Mn-Ce catalyst possesses excellent stability and water resistance.

Synergistic effect of F and triggered oxygen vacancies over F-TiO_(2) on enhancing NO ozonation

Oxidation-absorption technology is a key step for NOxremoval from low-temperature gas.Under the condition of low O_(3)concentration(O_(3)/NO molar ratio = 0.6), F-TiO_(2)(F-TiO_(2)), which is cheap and environmentally friendly, has been prepared as ozonation catalysts for NO oxidation. Catalytic activity tests performed at 120℃showed that the NO oxidation efficiency of F-TiO_(2)samples was higher than that of TiO_(2)(about 43.7%), and the NO oxidation efficiency of F-TiO_(2)-0.15 was the highest, which was 65.3%. Combined with physicochemical characteristics of catalysts and the analysis of active species, it was found that there was a synergistic effect between F sites and oxygen vacancies on F-TiO_(2), which could accelerate the transformation of monomolecular O_(3)into multi-molecule singlet oxygen(1O_(2)), thus promoting the selective oxidation of NO to NO_(2). The oxidation reaction of NO on F-TiO_(2)-0.15 follows the Eley-Rideal mechanism, that is, gaseous NO reacts with adsorbed O_(3)and finally form NO_(2).

Essential roles of exosome and circRNA_101093 on ferroptosis desensitization in lung adenocarcinoma

Background:Resistance to ferroptosis,a regulated cell death caused by irondependent excessive accumulation of lipid peroxides,has recently been linked to lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).Intracellular antioxidant systems are required for protection against ferroptosis.The purpose of the present studywas to investigate whether and how extracellular system desensitizes LUAD cells to ferroptosis.Methods:Established human lung fibroblasts MRC-5,WI38,and human LUAD H1650,PC9,H1975,H358,A549,and H1299 cell lines,tumor and matched normal adjacent tissues of LUAD,and plasma from healthy individuals and LUAD patients were used in this study.Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to analyze protein expression,and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR was used to analyze mRNA expression.Cell viability,cell death,and the lipid reactive oxygen species generationwere measured to evaluate the responses to ferroptosis.Exosomes were observed using transmission electron microscope.The localization of arachidonic acid(AA)was detected using click chemistry labeling followed by confocal microscopy.Interactions between RNAs and proteins were detected using RNA pull-down,RNA immunoprecipitation and photoactivatable ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation methods.Proteomic analysis was used to investigate RNA-regulated proteins,and metabolomic analysis was performed to analyze metabolites.Cellderived xenograft,patient-derived xenograft,cell-implanted intrapulmonary LUAD mouse models and plasma/tissue specimens from LUAD patients were used to validate the molecular mechanism.Results:Plasma exosome from LUAD patients specifically reduced lipid peroxidation and desensitized LUAD cells to ferroptosis.A potential explanation is that exosomal circRNA_101093(cir93)maintained an elevation in intracellular cir93 in LUAD to modulate AA,a poly-unsaturated fatty acid critical for ferroptosisassociated increased peroxidation in the plasma membrane.Mechanistically,cir93 interacted with and increased fatty acid-binding protein 3(FABP3),which transported AA and facilitated its reaction with taurine.Thus,global AA was reduced,whereas N-arachidonoyl taurine(NAT,the product of AA and taurine)was induced.Notably,the role of NAT in suppressing AA incorporation into the plasma membrane was also revealed.In pre-clinical in vivo models,reducing exosome improved ferroptosis-based treatment.Conclusion:Exosome and cir93 are essential for desensitizing LUAD cells to ferroptosis,and blocking exosome may be helpful for future LUAD treatment.