Effectiveness and Safety of Shengmai San for Viral Myocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Shengmai San (SMS) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used for supplementing and and can mitigate symptoms related to malignant arrhythmia and heart failure. This systematic review aimed at exploring the effectiveness and safety of SMS for viral myocarditis (VMC). Eight databases from their inception to June 2023 were searched to identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on SMS for VMC.

Prognostic Relevance of Immunosuppressive CD155/TIGIT Signaling in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients With Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

Background/aim: The CD155/TIGIT axis has recently emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic target in several malignancies. However, its prognostic relevance within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who have received neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) remains unclarified.

Materials And Methods: The levels of tumor CD155 and TIGIT T cells in pair-matched pre-neoCRT biopsies and post-neoCRT surgical tissues were evaluated in 110 LARC tissues using immunohistochemistry.

Sulforaphane potentiates the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in glioblastoma by selectively targeting thioredoxin reductase 1.

Chemoradiotherapy is a conventional treatment modality for patients with glioblastoma (GBM). However, the efficacy of this approach is significantly hindered by the development of therapeutic resistance. The thioredoxin system, which plays a crucial role in maintaining redox homeostasis, confers protection to cancer cells against apoptosis induced by chemoradiotherapy.

Carbon dioxide suppresses filamentous growth in the human fungal pathogen Candida tropicalis.

A striking characteristic of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is its ability to switch between budding yeast morphology and the filamentous form, facilitating its adaptation to changing host environments. The filamentous growth of C. albicans is mediated by various environmental factors, such as carbon dioxide (CO), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), serum, and high temperature.

Post-harvest processing methods have critical roles on the contents of active metabolites and pharmacological effects of .

Background: Processing methods of traditional Chinese medicinal materials are critical in influencing the active metabolites and pharmacological effects. The fresh processing method effectively prevents the loss and degradation of metabolites, common in traditional drying and softening processes, while also reducing production costs. (AR), a leguminous botanical drug, is widely utilized in clinical practice and functional foods.

Joint Analysis of Multiple Omics to Describe the Biological Characteristics of Resistant Hypertension.

Resistant hypertension (RH) may cause severe target organ damage and poses significant challenges in the field of hypertension prevention and treatment. Mining biological characteristics is crucial for exploring the pathogenesis of RH and for early diagnosis and treatment. Although several single-omics studies have been conducted on RH, its complex pathogenesis has only been partially elucidated.

Monitoring Pulmonary Nodule Progression Using Micro-Computed Tomography and Blood Sampling in a Mouse Model.

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a real-time, intuitive, sensitive, and minimally invasive technique for monitoring changes from pulmonary nodules (PN) to lung cancer (LC). The integration of submandibular vein blood sampling enables rapid, stable, and straightforward detection of imaging and key target alterations during the progression of PN to LC. In this study, we administered a dosage of 100 mg/kg of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in A/J mice to develop a lung adenocarcinoma model.

Discovery and biological evaluation of potent 2-trifluoromethyl acrylamide warhead-containing inhibitors of protein disulfide isomerase.

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) regulates multiple protein functions by catalyzing the oxidation, reduction, and isomerization of disulfide bonds. The enzyme is considered a potential target for treating thrombosis. We previously developed a potent PDI inhibitor, CPD, which contains the propiolamide as a warhead targeting cysteine residue in PDI.

Serum Galectin-9 mirrors immune-evasive microenvironment and predicts early recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The precise role of Galectin-9, an immune checkpoint protein involved in immune responses, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. Importantly, the prognostic value of serum Galectin-9 has not been clarified, and its association with infiltrating immune characteristics was unclear.

Methods: The association between serum Galectin-9 concentration and HCC recurrence was analyzed in two cohorts of HCC patients (training 133; validation 97) who received curative resection during 2018 and 2019.

The first attempt in synthesis, identification, and evaluation of SEPT9 inhibitors on human oral squamous carcinomas.

Septin 9 (SEPT9), a GTPase, known as the fourth cytoskeleton, is widely expressed in various cells and tissues. The functions of SEPT9 are partly similar to other cytoskeletons as a structure protein. Further, SEPT9 can interact with other cytoskeletons, participating in actin dynamics and microtubule regulation.

Alpha-Synuclein Inhibition Promotes Erythropoiesis by Affecting Methylation Modifications of Fructose and Mannose Metabolism.

Ninety-nine percent of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the human body is distributed in erythrocytes. However, the role that α-syn plays in erythropoiesis remains unclear. To determine the effect of α-syn on erythroid differentiation, the erythroid cells, derived from human CD34+ progenitors in the umbilical cord, were cultured in a system composed of a series of cytokines and harvested after 6 days.

Hendersines J-M: Isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis hendersonii Hemsl. with cardiomyocyte protective and NO production inhibitory effects.

Six isoquinoline alkaloids were identified from the alkaloid-rich fraction of Corydalis hendersonii Hemsl, including five previously undescribed isoquinoline alkaloids hendersines J-M (1a, 1b, and 2-4) and isobicuculline (5), a compound reported for the first time from a natural source. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic analysis of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, X-ray diffraction, and ECD. Compounds 1a and 1b represent a pair of rare three-nitrogen isoquinoline alkaloid enantiomers, while 2 and 3 are isoquinoline alkaloids featuring a benzo-fused N-heterocycle.

The crosstalks between vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and adventitial fibroblasts in vascular remodeling.

Pathological vascular remodeling (VR) is characterized by structural and functional alterations in the vascular wall resulting from injury, which significantly contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The vascular wall consists primarily of endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and adventitial fibroblasts (AFs), whose interactions are crucial for both the formation of the vascular system and the maintenance of mature blood vessels. Disruptions in the communication between these cell types have been implicated in the progression of VR.

Effectiveness and Safety of Shenxiong Huanglian Detoxification Granule Combined with Donepezil for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: Study Protocol for a Multicenter, Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative condition that causes patients to experience progressive memory decline and a significant decline in overall cognitive ability at any given moment. The increase in the elderly population has resulted in a notable surge in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, as has the global impact of the disease. Significant clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in combination with Western medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease has been demonstrated in previous studies.

Supervised Screening of EGFR Inhibitors Validated through Computational Structural Biology Approaches.

One of the prominent challenges in breast cancer (BC) treatment is human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression, which facilitates tumor proliferation and presents a viable target for anticancer therapies. This study integrates multiomics data to pinpoint promising therapeutic compounds and employs a machine learning (ML)-based similarity search to identify effective alternatives. We used BC cell line data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) databases and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) information that established afatinib as an efficacious candidate demonstrating superior IC values.

Exploring the Synergistic Effects of Erinacines on Microglial Regulation and Alzheimer's Pathology Under Metabolic Stress.

Background: Hericium erinaceus mycelium and its constituents, erinacines A and S, have shown neuroprotective effects in APP/PS1 transgenic mice; however, the precise mechanisms by which they modulate microglial phenotypes remain unclear. Our study is the first to explore the effect of erinacines on microglia morphology and the underlying mechanisms using a novel primary mixed glia cell model and advanced bioinformatic tools. Furthermore, we emphasize the clinical relevance by evaluating erinacines in a metabolically stressed APP/PS1 mouse model, which more accurately reflects the complexities of human Alzheimer's disease (AD), where metabolic syndrome is a common comorbidity.

Bidirectional association between rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prevalent and incapacitating conditions, sharing common pathogenic pathways such as tobacco use and pulmonary inflammation. The influence of respiratory conditions including COPD on RA has been observed, meanwhile RA may constituting one of the risk factors for COPD. It unclear that whether a bidirectional associate between RA and COPD.

Ameliorative Effect of Ginsenoside Rc on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Chemotherapeutic Intestinal Mucositis via the PI3K-AKT/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluations.

5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used to treat various cancers, which causes intestinal mucositis as a common side effect. Ginsenoside Rc, an active compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antitumor properties, has protective effects against chemotherapy-induced mucositis caused by 5-Fu. This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of Rc on 5-Fu-induced chemotherapy-related mucositis and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms.

The Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D on COVID-19 Induced Glioblastoma Recurrence via the PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway.

Glioma is a highly invasive brain cancer that is difficult to treat due to its complex molecular characteristics and poor prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced additional clinical challenges for cancer patients, especially those with glioma. This study explored the molecular interactions between glioma and COVID-19 using integrated bioinformatics methods, including enrichment analysis, survival analysis, and molecular docking, focusing on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the immunomodulatory role of vitamin D.

Twelve Shugan Lidan Granules from traditional Chinese medicine can improve liver function in patients with postoperative hepatolithiasis by inhibiting the Hippo signaling pathway.

Introduction: Hepatolithiasis (HL) is a complex liver and biliary disorder characterized by high rates of recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Twelve Shugan Lidan Granules (TSLG), a compound herbal traditional Chinese formulation, in the treatment of HL, as well as to investigate its underlying mechanism.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 157 patients diagnosed with HL, who were divided into two groups: the control group and the research group.

hPSCs-derived brain organoids for disease modeling, toxicity testing and drug evaluation.

Due to the differences and variances in genetic background, in vitro and animal models cannot meet the modern medical exploration of real human brain structure and function. Recently, brain organoids generated by human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can mimic the structure and physiological function of human brain, being widely used in medical research. Brain organoids generated from normal hPSCs or patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells offer a more promising approach for the study of diverse human brain diseases.

Herbal Multiomics Provide Insights into Gene Discovery and Bioproduction of Triterpenoids by Engineered Microbes.

Triterpenoids are natural products found in plants that exhibit industrial and agricultural importance. Triterpenoids are typically synthesized through two main pathways: the mevalonate (MVA) and methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathways. They then undergo structural diversification with the help of squalene cyclases (OSCs), cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), UDP glycosyltransferases (UGTs), and acyltransferases (ATs).

Exploring the therapeutic potential of lupeol: A review of its mechanisms, clinical applications, and advances in bioavailability enhancement.

Lupeol, a naturally occurring triterpenoid, has garnered significant attention for its diverse range of biological activities and potential therapeutic applications. This comprehensive review delves into the various aspects of lupeol, including its sources, extraction methods, chemical characteristics, pharmacokinetics, safety evaluation, mechanisms of action, and applications in disease treatment. We highlight the compound's unique carbon skeleton and its role in inflammation regulation, antioxidant activity, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects.