Analysis of Pharmacodynamic Substance Basis of Fufang Changtai in Treating Colorectal Cancer by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Combined with Network Pharmacology

[Objectives] To systematically study the main active components of Fufang Changtai(FFCT) in the treatment of colorectal cancer(CRC), and to explore its mechanism of action. [Methods] The main chemical components of FFCT were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with automatic analysis platform, and the main pharmacodynamic substances of FFCT were studied by network pharmacology method and its mechanism of action was explored. The binding degree between the active components and the core targets were verified by molecular docking technology. [Results] A total of 86 compounds were identified from FFCT, among which 26 compounds were Ginsenoside Rg3, Ginsenoside Rb1, Astragaloside III, etc. The key target pathway enrichment analysis showed that FFCT played its role in the treatment of CRC mainly through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. [Conclusions] This study comprehensively identified the FFCT components. Supplemented by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, it is expected to provide a scientific theoretical basis and an important reference for FFCT therapeutic components identification, key target verification and mechanism of action in the treatment of CRC.

J-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and the risk of cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals

Background The prospective association of dietary thiamine intake with the risk of cognitive decline among the general older adults remains uncertain.Aims To investigate the association between dietary thiamine intake and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals.Methods The study included a total of 3106 participants capable of completing repeated cognitive function tests.Dietary nutrient intake information was collected through 3-day dietary recalls and using a 3-day food-weighed method to assess cooking oil and condiment consumption.Cognitive decline was defined as the 5-year decline rate in global or composite cognitive scores based on a subset of items from the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified.Results The median follow-up duration was 5.9 years.There was a J-shaped relationship between dietary thiamine intake and the 5-year decline rate in global and composite cognitive scores,with an inflection point of 0.68 mg/day(95%confidence interval(Cl):0.56 to 0.80)and a minimal risk at 0.60-1.00 mg/day of dietary thiamine intake.Before the inflection point,thiamine intake was not significantly associated with cognitive decline.Beyond the inflection point,each unit increase in thiamine intake(mg/day)was associated with a significant decrease of 4.24(95%Cl:2.22 to 6.27)points in the global score and 0.49(95%Cl:0.23 to 0.76)standard units in the composite score within 5 years.A stronger positive association between thiamine intake and cognitive decline was observed in those with hypertension,obesity and those who were non-smokers(all p<0.05).Conclusions This study revealed a J-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals,with an inflection point at 0.68 mg/day and a minimal risk at 0.60-1.00 mg/day of dietary thiamine intake.

Humanity in Monstrosity: Monsters in Frankenstein and The Island of Doctor Moreau

Monsters are commonly stereotyped as horrible and grotesque creatures. But in Frankenstein and The Island of Doctor Moreau, Shelly and Wells both delineate some complicated but meaningful monster characters. These monsters’ features and natures represent their creator’s intention and purpose. In both texts, monsters are ugly but benevolent, while their creators are eccentric and monstrous. The relationship between men and monsters allows us to view the definition of humanity from a more critical and objective perspective.

Self-sustainable and recyclable ternary Au@Cu2O–Ag nanocomposites:application in ultrasensitive SERS detection and highly efficient photocatalysis of organic dyes under visible light

Ternary noble metal–semiconductor nanocomposites(NCs)with core–shell–satellite nanostructures have received widespread attention due to their outstanding performance in detecting pollutants through surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)and photodegradation of organic pollutants.In this work,ternary Au@Cu2O–Ag NCs were designed and prepared by a galvanic replacement method.The effect of different amounts of Ag nanocrystals adsorbed on the surfaces of Au@Cu2O on the SERS activity was investigated based on the SERS detection of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid(4-MBA)reporter molecules.Based on electromagnetic field simulations and photoluminescence(PL)results,a possible SERS enhancement mechanism was proposed and discussed.Moreover,Au@Cu2O–Ag NCs served as SERS substrates,and highly sensitive SERS detection of malachite green(MG)with a detection limit as low as 10−9 M was achieved.In addition,Au@Cu2O–Ag NCs were recycled due to their superior self-cleaning ability and could catalyze the degradation of MG driven by visible light.This work demonstrates a wide range of possibilities for the integration of recyclable SERS detection and photodegradation of organic dyes and promotes the development of green testing techniques.