The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is increasing rapidly worldwide.Because of the limited success of generic interventions,the focus of the disease study has shifted toward personalized strategies,particu...The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is increasing rapidly worldwide.Because of the limited success of generic interventions,the focus of the disease study has shifted toward personalized strategies,particularly in the early stages of the disease.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is based on a systems view combined with personalized strategies and has improved our knowledge of personalized diagnostics.From a systems biology perspective,the understanding of personalized diagnostics can be improved to yield a biochemical basis for such strategies;for example,metabolomics can be used in combination with other system-based diagnostic methods such as ultra-weak photon emission(UPE).In this study,we investigated the feasibility of using plasma metabolomics obtained from 44 pre-T2DM subjects to stratify the following TCM-based subtypes:Qi-Yin deficiency,Qi-Yin deficiency with dampness,and Qi-Yin deficiency with stagnation.We studied the relationship between plasma metabolomics and UPE with respect to TCM-based subtyping in order to obtain biochemical information for further interpreting disease subtypes.Principal component analysis of plasma metabolites revealed differences among the TCM-based pre-T2DM subtypes.Relatively high levels of lipids(e.g.,cholesterol esters and triglycerides)were important discriminators of two of the three subtypes and may be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.Plasma metabolomics data indicate that the lipid profile is an essential component captured by UPE with respect to stratifying subtypes of T2DM.The results suggest that metabolic differences exist among different TCM-based subtypes of pre-T2DM,and profiling plasma metabolites can be used to discriminate among these subtypes.Plasma metabolomics thus provides biochemical insights into system-based UPE measurements.展开更多
Heterosis is a biological phenomenon whereby the offspring from two parents show improved and superior performance than either inbred parental lines. Hybrid rice is one of the most successful apotheoses in crops utili...Heterosis is a biological phenomenon whereby the offspring from two parents show improved and superior performance than either inbred parental lines. Hybrid rice is one of the most successful apotheoses in crops utilizing heterosis. Transcriptional profiling of F1 super-hybrid rice Liangyou-2186 and its parents by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) revealed 1183 differentially expressed genes (DGs), among which DGs were found significantly enriched in pathways such as photosynthesis and carbon-fixation, and most of the key genes involved in the carbon-fixation pathway exhibited up-regulated expression in F1 hybrid rice. Moreover, increased catabolic activity of corresponding enzymes and photosynthetic efficiency were also detected, which combined to indicate that carbon fixation is enhanced in F1 hybrid, and might probably be associated with the yield vigor and heterosis in super-hybrid rice. By correlating DGs with yield-related quantitative trait loci (QTL), a potential relationship between differential gene expression and phenotypic changes was also found. In addition, a regulatory network involving circadian-rhythms and light signaling pathways was also found, as previously reported in Arabidopsis, which suggest that such a network might also be related with heterosis in hybrid rice. Altogether, the present study provides another view for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying heterosis in rice.展开更多
Western science has been strong in measuring details of biological systems such as gene expression levels and metabolite concentrations, and has generally followed a bottom up approach with regard to explaining biolog...Western science has been strong in measuring details of biological systems such as gene expression levels and metabolite concentrations, and has generally followed a bottom up approach with regard to explaining biological phenomena. Chinese medicine in contrast has evolved as a top down approach in which body and mind is seen as a whole, a phenomenological approach based on the organization and dynamics of symptom patterns. Western and Chinese perspectives are developing towards a ‘middle out' approach. Chinese medicine diagnosis, we will argue, allows bridging the gap between biologists and psychologists and offers new opportunities for the development of health monitoring tools and health promotion strategies.In this paper, health, resilience and stress concepts are explored from an integrated systems biology perspective. This is followed by a discussion about measuring aspects of health and resilience. Then the issue of how to integrate different types of data is discussed. Semi-quantitative modeling appears to be very suitable and looks promising for building integrated health models. The challenge for the future lies in applying those models in developing personalized health monitoring and advice systems that will tempt people to lead more healthy lives.展开更多
Objective: To explore the effects of two Rehmanniae Radix formulae in patients with metabolic syndrome(Met S), a randomized controlled study was conducted.Methods: Met S patients were randomly assigned to receive eith...Objective: To explore the effects of two Rehmanniae Radix formulae in patients with metabolic syndrome(Met S), a randomized controlled study was conducted.Methods: Met S patients were randomly assigned to receive either a classic Rehmanniae Six Formula(R6, or ‘Liu Wei Di Huang Wan') or a novel multi-herbal Rehmanniae Radix containing formula SUB889 for 8 weeks. Western medicine related clinical parameters, Chinese medicine defined symptoms and syndromes as well as metabolomic profiles were evaluated at different time points.Results: R6(n = 20) and SUB889(n = 20) showed similar effects on Met S regarding the improvement of clinical parameters(waist circumference, body mass index, LDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure) and Qi/Yin deficiency(p < 0.05). Decreased levels of cholesteryl esters, phosphatidylcholines, triglycerides and sphingomyelins were found in the R6 group, while SUB889 formula resulted in increased levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle and glucose metabolism intermediates(malate, fumarate and pyruvate).Conclusions: R6 and SUB889 have similar effects on the treatment of Met S by improving Chinese medicine and Western medicine defined clinical outcomes. R6 is more effective in improving lipid profiles compared to SUB889. The exact mechanisms of the two formulae on Met S remain to be elucidated.展开更多
Objective: Digoxin is a therapeutic cardenolide widely used to treat various heart conditions such as atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and heart failure in both Western as well as Chinese medicine. Digoxin is extra...Objective: Digoxin is a therapeutic cardenolide widely used to treat various heart conditions such as atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and heart failure in both Western as well as Chinese medicine. Digoxin is extracted from cultivated Digitalis lanata Ehrh. plants, known as Mao Hua Yang Di Huang in Chinese medicine. This manuscript presents two studies that were conducted to optimize the cultivation conditions for digoxin production in the TCM Mao Hua Yan Di Huang in a greenhouse under GAP conditions.Methods: Two experiments were designed in which 4 growth conditions were compared. Levels of digoxin, gitoxin, digitoxin, α-acetyldigoxin, β-acetyl-digoxin were measured using HPLC-UV and compared between the conditions.Results: Normal soil, no CO_2 enrichment combined with a cold shock was found to be the optimal condition for producing digoxin in the first experiment. Gitoxin content was significantly lower in plants grown in this condition. Mechanical stress as well as the time of harvesting showed no statistically significant differences in the production of cardenolides. In the second experiment the optimal condition was found to be a combination of cold nights, sun screen, fertilizer use and no milled soil.Conclusion: This study shows that digoxin production can be increased by controlling the growth conditions of D. lanata Ehrh. The effect of cold was important in both experiments for improving digoxin production. Cultivating Chinese herbal medicines in optimized greenhouse conditions might be an economically attractive alternative to regular open air cultivation.展开更多
Key for worldwide acceptance of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)is the ability to provide scientific evidence combined with a quality control system based on the bioactive ingredients.Modern scientific technology too...Key for worldwide acceptance of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)is the ability to provide scientific evidence combined with a quality control system based on the bioactive ingredients.Modern scientific technology tools are now available to accomplish standardization of TCM products in order to achieve a high level of efficacy and safety,enhancing the introduction into the展开更多
文摘The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is increasing rapidly worldwide.Because of the limited success of generic interventions,the focus of the disease study has shifted toward personalized strategies,particularly in the early stages of the disease.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is based on a systems view combined with personalized strategies and has improved our knowledge of personalized diagnostics.From a systems biology perspective,the understanding of personalized diagnostics can be improved to yield a biochemical basis for such strategies;for example,metabolomics can be used in combination with other system-based diagnostic methods such as ultra-weak photon emission(UPE).In this study,we investigated the feasibility of using plasma metabolomics obtained from 44 pre-T2DM subjects to stratify the following TCM-based subtypes:Qi-Yin deficiency,Qi-Yin deficiency with dampness,and Qi-Yin deficiency with stagnation.We studied the relationship between plasma metabolomics and UPE with respect to TCM-based subtyping in order to obtain biochemical information for further interpreting disease subtypes.Principal component analysis of plasma metabolites revealed differences among the TCM-based pre-T2DM subtypes.Relatively high levels of lipids(e.g.,cholesterol esters and triglycerides)were important discriminators of two of the three subtypes and may be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.Plasma metabolomics data indicate that the lipid profile is an essential component captured by UPE with respect to stratifying subtypes of T2DM.The results suggest that metabolic differences exist among different TCM-based subtypes of pre-T2DM,and profiling plasma metabolites can be used to discriminate among these subtypes.Plasma metabolomics thus provides biochemical insights into system-based UPE measurements.
文摘Heterosis is a biological phenomenon whereby the offspring from two parents show improved and superior performance than either inbred parental lines. Hybrid rice is one of the most successful apotheoses in crops utilizing heterosis. Transcriptional profiling of F1 super-hybrid rice Liangyou-2186 and its parents by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) revealed 1183 differentially expressed genes (DGs), among which DGs were found significantly enriched in pathways such as photosynthesis and carbon-fixation, and most of the key genes involved in the carbon-fixation pathway exhibited up-regulated expression in F1 hybrid rice. Moreover, increased catabolic activity of corresponding enzymes and photosynthetic efficiency were also detected, which combined to indicate that carbon fixation is enhanced in F1 hybrid, and might probably be associated with the yield vigor and heterosis in super-hybrid rice. By correlating DGs with yield-related quantitative trait loci (QTL), a potential relationship between differential gene expression and phenotypic changes was also found. In addition, a regulatory network involving circadian-rhythms and light signaling pathways was also found, as previously reported in Arabidopsis, which suggest that such a network might also be related with heterosis in hybrid rice. Altogether, the present study provides another view for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying heterosis in rice.
基金funded by a Dutch government grant(ETSB)for early research at TNO
文摘Western science has been strong in measuring details of biological systems such as gene expression levels and metabolite concentrations, and has generally followed a bottom up approach with regard to explaining biological phenomena. Chinese medicine in contrast has evolved as a top down approach in which body and mind is seen as a whole, a phenomenological approach based on the organization and dynamics of symptom patterns. Western and Chinese perspectives are developing towards a ‘middle out' approach. Chinese medicine diagnosis, we will argue, allows bridging the gap between biologists and psychologists and offers new opportunities for the development of health monitoring tools and health promotion strategies.In this paper, health, resilience and stress concepts are explored from an integrated systems biology perspective. This is followed by a discussion about measuring aspects of health and resilience. Then the issue of how to integrate different types of data is discussed. Semi-quantitative modeling appears to be very suitable and looks promising for building integrated health models. The challenge for the future lies in applying those models in developing personalized health monitoring and advice systems that will tempt people to lead more healthy lives.
文摘Objective: To explore the effects of two Rehmanniae Radix formulae in patients with metabolic syndrome(Met S), a randomized controlled study was conducted.Methods: Met S patients were randomly assigned to receive either a classic Rehmanniae Six Formula(R6, or ‘Liu Wei Di Huang Wan') or a novel multi-herbal Rehmanniae Radix containing formula SUB889 for 8 weeks. Western medicine related clinical parameters, Chinese medicine defined symptoms and syndromes as well as metabolomic profiles were evaluated at different time points.Results: R6(n = 20) and SUB889(n = 20) showed similar effects on Met S regarding the improvement of clinical parameters(waist circumference, body mass index, LDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure) and Qi/Yin deficiency(p < 0.05). Decreased levels of cholesteryl esters, phosphatidylcholines, triglycerides and sphingomyelins were found in the R6 group, while SUB889 formula resulted in increased levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle and glucose metabolism intermediates(malate, fumarate and pyruvate).Conclusions: R6 and SUB889 have similar effects on the treatment of Met S by improving Chinese medicine and Western medicine defined clinical outcomes. R6 is more effective in improving lipid profiles compared to SUB889. The exact mechanisms of the two formulae on Met S remain to be elucidated.
基金the city of Emmen, the province Drenthe (KEI program)"Kenniscentrum plantenstoffen"+1 种基金"LTO Noord Projecten" in the Netherlandspartly funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma Gmb H & Co.KG
文摘Objective: Digoxin is a therapeutic cardenolide widely used to treat various heart conditions such as atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and heart failure in both Western as well as Chinese medicine. Digoxin is extracted from cultivated Digitalis lanata Ehrh. plants, known as Mao Hua Yang Di Huang in Chinese medicine. This manuscript presents two studies that were conducted to optimize the cultivation conditions for digoxin production in the TCM Mao Hua Yan Di Huang in a greenhouse under GAP conditions.Methods: Two experiments were designed in which 4 growth conditions were compared. Levels of digoxin, gitoxin, digitoxin, α-acetyldigoxin, β-acetyl-digoxin were measured using HPLC-UV and compared between the conditions.Results: Normal soil, no CO_2 enrichment combined with a cold shock was found to be the optimal condition for producing digoxin in the first experiment. Gitoxin content was significantly lower in plants grown in this condition. Mechanical stress as well as the time of harvesting showed no statistically significant differences in the production of cardenolides. In the second experiment the optimal condition was found to be a combination of cold nights, sun screen, fertilizer use and no milled soil.Conclusion: This study shows that digoxin production can be increased by controlling the growth conditions of D. lanata Ehrh. The effect of cold was important in both experiments for improving digoxin production. Cultivating Chinese herbal medicines in optimized greenhouse conditions might be an economically attractive alternative to regular open air cultivation.
文摘Key for worldwide acceptance of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)is the ability to provide scientific evidence combined with a quality control system based on the bioactive ingredients.Modern scientific technology tools are now available to accomplish standardization of TCM products in order to achieve a high level of efficacy and safety,enhancing the introduction into the