Network pharmacology-based exploration of molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of Jianpi Huatan Quyu recipe on chronic heart failure with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome

BACKGROUND Chronic heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome.The Chinese herbal compound preparation Jianpi Huatan Quyu recipe has been used to treat chronic heart failure;however,the underlying molecular mechanism is still not clear.AIM To identify the effective active ingredients of Jianpi Huatan Quyu recipe and explore its molecular mechanism in the treatment of chronic heart failure.METHODS The effective active ingredients of eight herbs composing Jianpi Huatan Quyu recipe were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform.The target genes of chronic heart failure were searched in the Genecards database.The target proteins of active ingredients were mapped to chronic heart failure target genes to obtain the common drugdisease targets,which were then used to construct a key chemical componenttarget network using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software.The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the String database.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed through the Metascape database.Finally,our previously published relevant articles were searched to verify the results obtained via network pharmacology.RESULTS A total of 227 effective active ingredients for Jianpi Huatan Quyu recipe were identified,of which quercetin,kaempferol,7-methoxy-2-methyl isoflavone,formononetin,and isorhamnetin may be key active ingredients and involved in the therapeutic effects of TCM by acting on STAT3,MAPK3,AKT1,JUN,MAPK1,TP53,TNF,HSP90AA1,p65,MAPK8,MAPK14,IL6,EGFR,EDN1,FOS,and other proteins.The pathways identified by KEGG enrichment analysis include pathways in cancer,IL-17 signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,calcium signaling pathway,cAMP signaling pathway,NF-kappaB signaling pathway,AMPK signaling pathway,etc.Previous studies on Jianpi Huatan Quyu recipe suggested that this Chinese compound preparation can regulate the TNF-α,IL-6,MAPK,cAMP,and AMPK pathways to affect the mitochondrial structure of myocardial cells,oxidative stress,and energy metabolism,thus achieving the therapeutic effects on chronic heart failure.CONCLUSION The Chinese medicine compound preparation Jianpi Huatan Quyu recipe exerts therapeutic effects on chronic heart failure possibly by influencing the mitochondrial structure of cardiomyocytes,oxidative stress,energy metabolism,and other processes.Future studies are warranted to investigate the role of the IL-17 signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,and other pathways in mediating the therapeutic effects of Jianpi Huatan Quyu recipe on chronic heart failure.

Effects of O_(2)adsorption on secondary electron emission properties

The surface adsorption of gas molecules is a key factor limiting the secondary electron yield(SEY)of a material in many areas of applied physics.The influence of O_(2)adsorption on the SEY of metallic Ag is investigated in this work.To account for the particle distribution,we propose a BET theory based on multilayer O_(2)physisorption model.Furthermore,based on the phenomenological model of secondary electron(SE)emission and by taking into account the different scattering processes between electrons and particles in the adsorbed layer,we develop a numerical model of SEY in the adsorbed state using Monte Carlo simulations.The relationships among O_(2)adsorption,adsorption layer thickness,and SEY variation characteristics are then examined through a series of experiments.After 12-h exposure to O_(2),the clean samples increases12%-19%of the maximum value of SEY and 2.3 nm in thickness of the adsorbed layer.Experimental results are also compared with the results from the MC model to determine whether the model is accurate.

Carbon peak and carbon neutrality in China:Goals,implementation path and prospects

Climate change is a common problem in human society.The Chinese government promises to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and strives to achieve carbon neutralization by 2060.The proposal of the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization has led China into the era of climate economy and set off a green change with both opportunities and challenges.On the basis of expounding the objectives and specific connotation of China’s carbon peak and carbon neutralization,this paper systematically discusses the main implementation path and the prospect of China’s carbon peak and carbon neutralization.China’s path to realizing carbon neutralization includes four directions:(1)in terms of carbon dioxide emission control:energy transformation path,energy conservation,and emission reduction path;(2)for increasing carbon sink:carbon capture,utilization,and storage path,ecological governance,and land greening path;(3)in key technology development:zero-carbon utilization,coal new energy coupling,carbon capture utilization and storage(CCUS),energy storage technology and other key technology paths required to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutralization;(4)from the angle of policy development:Formulate legal guarantees for the government to promote the carbon trading market;Formulate carbon emission standards for enterprises and increase publicity and education for individuals and society.Based on practicing the goal and path of carbon peak and carbon neutralization,China will vigorously develop low carbon and circular economy and promote green and high-quality economic development;speed up to enter the era of fossil resources and promoting energy transformation;accelerate the integrated innovation of green and low-carbon technologies and promote carbon neutrality.

Major contribution to carbon neutrality by China’s geosciences and geological technologies

In the context of global climate change,geosciences provide an important geological solution to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality,China’s geosciences and geological technologies can play an important role in solving the problem of carbon neutrality.This paper discusses the main problems,opportunities,and challenges that can be solved by the participation of geosciences in carbon neutrality,as well as China’s response to them.The main scientific problems involved and the geological work carried out mainly fall into three categories:(1)Carbon emission reduction technology(natural gas hydrate,geothermal,hot dry rock,nuclear energy,hydropower,wind energy,solar energy,hydrogen energy);(2)carbon sequestration technology(carbon capture and storage,underground space utilization);(3)key minerals needed to support carbon neutralization(raw materials for energy transformation,carbon reduction technology).Therefore,geosciences and geological technologies are needed:First,actively participate in the development of green energy such as natural gas,geothermal energy,hydropower,hot dry rock,and key energy minerals,and develop exploration and exploitation technologies such as geothermal energy and natural gas;the second is to do a good job in geological support for new energy site selection,carry out an in-depth study on geotechnical feasibility and mitigation measures,and form the basis of relevant economic decisions to reduce costs and prevent geological disasters;the third is to develop and coordinate relevant departments of geosciences,organize and carry out strategic research on natural resources,carry out theoretical system research on global climate change and other issues under the guidance of earth system science theory,and coordinate frontier scientific information and advanced technological tools of various disciplines.The goal of carbon neutrality provides new opportunities and challenges for geosciences research.In the future,it is necessary to provide theoretical and technical support from various aspects,enhance the ability of climate adaptation,and support the realization of the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

Current treatment for male infertility:an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

This umbrella review aimed to summarize and provide a general evaluation of the effectiveness of current treatments for male infertility and assess the quality of evidence and possible biases.An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses available in PubMed,Web of Science,and Scopus,covering studies published up to October 2023,was conducted.Sperm concentration,morphology,and motility were used as endpoints to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments.Of 2998 studies,18 published meta-analyses were extracted,yielding 90 summary effects on sperm concentration(n=36),sperm morphology(n=26),and sperm motility(n=28)on 28 interventions.None of the meta-analyses were classified as having low methodological quality,whereas 12(66.7%)and 6(33.3%)had high and moderate quality,respectively.Of the 90 summary effects,none were rated high-evidence quality,whereas 53.3%(n=48),25.6%(n=23),and 21.1%(n=19)were rated moderate,low,and very low,respectively.Significant improvements in sperm concentration,morphology,and motility were observed with pharmacological interventions(N-acetyl-cysteine,antioxidant therapy,aromatase inhibitors,selective estrogen receptor modulators,hormones,supplements,and alpha-lipoic acid)and nonpharmacological interventions(varicocele repair and redo varicocelectomy).In addition,vitamin supplementation had no significant positive effects on sperm concentration,motility,or morphology.Treatments for male infertility are increasingly diverse;however,the current evidence is poor because of the limited number of patients.Further well-designed studies on single treatment and high-quality meta-analysis of intertreatment comparisons are recommended.

Theoretical Exploration of Alloying Effects on Stabilities and Mechanical Properties ofγʹPhase in Novel Co–Al–Nb-Base Superalloys

The new developedγ/γʹCo–Al–Nb-base alloys show great potentials as high-temperature materials.However,finding appropriate compositions to improve performance of alloys still poses a great challenge to the development of Co–Al–Nb-base alloys.Motivated by the lack of alloying effects on fundamental properties of criticalγʹphase,we systematically performed a theoretical investigation on the effect of alloying elements TM(TM:Ti,V,Cr,Zr,Mo,Ta,W,Re,and Ru)on phase stabilities and mechanical properties of L1_(2)-typeγʹ(Co,Ni)_(3)(Al,Nb).By analyzing the stability ofγʹphase with respect to its competitive B2 and D0_(19) phases,the results shown that Ti,V,and Cr enhance the L1_(2) stability and widen the L1_(2)–D0_(19) energy barrier,in which V yields the maximum influence.The analysis of electronic structure indicated that the alternation of valence electrons at fermi level would be the atomic origin for doping TM inγʹphase.The calculated results of mechanical properties shown that V and Cr are expected to be optimal dopant for enhancing the strength and the ductility ofγʹphase.The addition of Ta is also beneficial for enhancing the strength at the slight expense of ductility ofγʹphase.By drawing the mechanical maps,the preferred composition range for the phases with desired properties is roughly demarcated in theory for the multi-addition of V/Cr and V/Ta inγʹphase.The findings would be useful for optimizing the performance of novelγ/γʹCo–Al–Nb-base superalloys.

The effect of bladder function on the efficacy of transurethral prostatectomy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia:a retrospective,single-center study

We investigated the impact and predictive value of bladder function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)on the efficacy of transurethral prostatectomy.Symptomatic,imaging,and urodynamic data of patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy at West China Hospital of Sichuan University(Chengdu,China)from July 2019 to December 2021 were collected.Follow-up data included the quality of life(QoL),International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS),and IPSS storage and voiding(IPSS-s and IPSS-v).Moreover,urinary creatinine(Cr),nerve growth factor(NGF),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),and prostaglandin estradiol(PGE2)were measured in 30 patients with BPH and 30 healthy participants.Perioperative indicators were determined by subgroup analyses and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Among the 313 patients with BPH included,patients with severe micturition problems had more improvements but higher micturition grades postoperatively than those with moderate symptoms.Similarly,good bladder sensation,compliance,and detrusor contractility(Dc)were predictors of low postoperative IPSS and QoL.The urinary concentrations of BDNF/Cr,NGF/Cr,and PGE2/Cr in patients were significantly higher than those in healthy participants(all P<O.oo1).After evaluation,only DC was significantly related to both urinary indicators and postoperative recovery of patients.Patients with good DC,as predicted by urinary indicators,had lower IPSS and IPSS-v than those with reduced DC at the 1st month postoperatively(both P<0.05).In summary,patients with impaired bladder function had poor recovery.The combined levels of urinary BDNF/Cr,NGF/Cr,and PGE2/Cr in patients with BPH may be valid predictors of preoperative bladderfunction and postoperative recovery.