The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Dec 2022
Unraveling the Mechanism of Zhibaidihuang Decoction against IgA Nephropathy Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analyses.
Zhibaidihuang Decoction (ZBDHD) is a traditional Chinese medicine with immense potential to treat IgA nephropathy. However, its core ingredients and representative mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we uncovered the key component and underlying mechanisms of ZBDHD for IgA nephropathy by applying network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches. ⋯ The top five hub genes in the PPI network were AKT1, ILB1, IL-6, TNF, and TP53. Molecular docking results could demonstrate that there was high affinity among active compounds and the core targets, while quercetin may possibly be the key compound of ZBDHD. We first identified the positive compound and the candidate molecular mechanisms of ZBDHD in an IgA nephropathy treatment and discovered that quercetin might be the core compound of ZBDHD in the treatment of IgA nephropathy.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Dec 2022
LncRNA MHENCR Predicts Poor Outcomes in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma and Modulates Tumorigenesis by Impairing Mir-532-3p.
The long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely involved in the progression of various malignant tumors. The current study investigated the role and mechanism of lncRNA melanoma highly expressed noncoding RNA (MHENCR) in colorectal carcinoma. The expression of MHENCR was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). ⋯ Interfering of MHENCR suppressed cellular activities while the silence of miR-532-3p diminished the decreased cellular behaviors in colorectal carcinoma cells. Interfering with MHENCR expression represses colorectal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating miR-532-3p. MHENCR may act as a novel prognostic marker in colorectal carcinoma and MHENCR/miR-532-3p may serve as a potential target for treating colorectal carcinoma.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Dec 2022
Listening to J.S. Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major" May Suppress the Sympathetic Nervous Activity.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Sonata for two pianos in D major, K448" and Johann Sebastian Bach's "Brandenburg concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV1049" on the heart rate, blood pressure, and autonomic nervous activity. Seventeen healthy young adults were recruited as participants. All participants underwent a 10-minute rest, a 10-minute load test, and a triplicate 8-minute music listening process. ⋯ Further, the LF/HF ratio significantly decreased after listening to BWV1049. Nevertheless, HF did not change after listening to either music. In conclusion, this study suggests that listening to K448 does not affect the heart rate, blood pressure, or autonomic nervous activity, whereas listening to BWV1049 may suppress the sympathetic nervous activity in healthy adults.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Dec 2022
Diagnosing Drowning in Postmortem CT Images Using Artificial Intelligence.
Imaging features of the lung in postmortem computed tomography (CT) scans have been reported in drowning cases. However, it is difficult for forensic pathologists with limited experience to distinguish subtle differences in CT images. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) with deep learning capability was used to diagnose drowning in postmortem CT images, and its performance was evaluated. ⋯ Notably, the accuracy was 81% (62/77) for cases in which resuscitation was performed, and 92% (216/236) for cases in which resuscitation was not attempted. Therefore, the proposed AI method should not be used to diagnose the cause of death when aggressive cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed. Additionally, because honeycomb lungs are likely to exhibit different morphologies, emphysema cases should also be treated with caution when the proposed AI method is used to diagnose drowning.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Dec 2022
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Alleviated Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Obese Rats.
This study aimed to investigate whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) provides protection for stroke injury in obese patients. Rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks and subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After FMT for 30 days, body weight, serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, neurological score, brain water content, and cerebral infarction volume were measured. ⋯ Moreover, oxidative stress was enhanced in obese rats following MCAO, but FMT attenuated oxidative stress. Brain Bcl-2 level was lower while Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels were higher in obese rats following MCAO, but FMT increased brain Bcl-2 level and decreased Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels. In conclusion, FMT attenuated cerebral ischemic injury in obese rats and the beneficial effects of FMT may be mediated by the attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brain.