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Modern dietary habits and other factors have led to a global rise in chronic diseases, posing significant threats to daily life. Among the most valuable fruits worldwide, mulberry has been extensively studied for its diverse health benefits and economic potential. Mulberries are not only rich in nutrients and active compounds but also demonstrate antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and anticancer pharmacological effects. Despite these promising attributes, there is a lack of systematic evaluations of mulberry's bioactive substances and their pharmacological impacts. Additionally, the increasing focus on developing mulberry derivatives is crucial for enhancing its economic value. This systematic review, complemented by bibliometric analysis, aggregates relevant information from databases such as PubMed and Web of Science to explore research trends and hotspots. Through comprehensive analysis, this review elucidates the nutritional value of mulberry, its unique mechanisms in preventing and treating chronic diseases, and its potential applications in developing functional foods and biomaterials. The latest research findings are summarized to provide a robust scientific foundation for the future research, development, and utilization of mulberry and its derivatives, thereby expanding and deepening its applications in health promotion and disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of Yunkang oral liquid (YK) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: PCOS model rats were prepared by injecting exogenous androgen dehydroepiandrosterone, and YK was administered simultaneously for 28 days during modeling. The morphology of ovaries and uterus was observed using H&E staining, and serum levels of testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Additionally, serum lipids (TG, HDL-c), blood glucose (GLU), and aminotransferase (AST, ALT) levels were detected. The expression of androgen receptor (AR) protein was determined by Western blotting. Results: YK treatment resulted in reduced serum levels of T, LH and FSH, ameliorated ovarian polycystic-like pathological changes and uterine morphology in PCOS rats, and decreased serum TG, GLU, AST and ALT levels, elevated serum HDL-c levels, and improved abnormalities of glycolipid metabolism accompanying PCOS. Moreover, YK decreased the expression of ovarian AR in PCOS rats. Conclusions: This study indicates that YK may protect the ovaries by inhibiting the expression of AR, which could be a potential treatment for PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effect of STAT3 silence on SNX-2112-induced apoptosis of esophageal cancer stem cells. Methods shSTAT3 lentiviral vector was designed and constructed. Esophageal cancer stem cells were transfected with shSTAT3 vector and then these cells were treated by Hsp90 inhibitor SNX-2112. CCK8 assay and soft agar plate assay were employed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of shSTAT3 and SNX-2112 on the viability and proliferation of esophageal cancer stem cells. Flow cytometry assay was used to detect the induction effect of shSTAT3 and SNX-2112 on the apoptosis of esophageal cancer stem cells. The expression levels of Bcl2 and Bax in esophageal cancer stem cells were analyzed by Western blot. Results shSTAT3 significantly silenced the expression of STAT3 at mRNA(P < 0.05) and protein(P < 0.01) levels. shSTAT3 and different concentrations (0.015625, 0.03125, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 μmol/L) of SNX-2112 inhibited notably the viability of cancer stem cells after 24h. And the IC50 value was (0.28±0.01) μmol/L. The colony formation efficiency was decreased after cancer stem cells were treated by shSTAT3 and SNX-2112(P < 0.01). The apoptotic cells and the percentage of subG1 were increased significantly by shSTAT3 and SNX-2112(both P < 0.01). Bcl2 expression was decreased while Bax expression was increased by shSTAT3 and SNX-2112(both P < 0.05). Conclusion Silence of STAT3 enhances SNX-2112-induced apoptosis of esophageal cancer stem cells.

Background: Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM). Understanding their prognostic significance and clinical implications is imperative for the development of personalized treatment strategies. Methods: A total of 1466 PCD‐related genes were analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)‐SKCM cohort (n = 353). Prognostic cell death index (CDI) was established and validated through survival analysis and predictive modeling. Functional enrichment, protein‐protein interaction (PPI), consensus clustering, and tumor microenvironment assessment and drug sensitivity analysis were performed to elucidate the biological and clinical relevance of CDI. Results: CDI effectively stratified SKCM patients into high and low‐risk groups, demonstrating significant differences in survival outcomes. It exhibited predictive value for survival at 1, 3, and 5 years. The concordance index (C‐index) was 0.794 in the training set, and 0.792 and 0.821 in the internal and external validation sets, respectively. The corresponding area under curve (AUC) was all above 0.75 in these data sets. Functional enrichment analysis revealed significant associations with immune response and inflammatory processes. PPI analysis identified key molecular modules associated with apoptosis and chemokine signaling. Consensus clustering unveiled three discernible subtypes demonstrating notable disparities in survival outcomes based on CDI expression profiles. Assessment of the tumor microenvironment highlighted correlations with immune cell infiltration such as M1 macrophages and T cells. Drug sensitivity analysis indicated tight correlations between CDI levels and response to immunotherapy. Conclusion: Our comprehensive analysis establishes the prognostic significance of PCD‐related genes in SKCM. CDI emerges as a promising prognostic biomarker, offering insights into tumor biology and potential implications for personalized treatment strategies. Further validation and clinical integration of CDI are warranted to improve SKCM management and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We modified Baoyuan Decoction (ginseng, milkvetch root, liquorice root, cassia bark, and rose-boot) based on the original formula and explored its alleviating effect on physical fatigue. Methods Modified Baoyuan Decoction (MBYD) were analyzed by using HPLC. Altogether 160 ICR mice with SPF grade were divided into 4 parts (n = 40 mice per part), in which were divided into the blank control group (purifed water in the same volume), the modified Baoyuan Decoction low-, mid-, and high-dose groups (1.9, 2., and 2.3 g/kg). All the groups were administered intragatrically once a day for 30 days. The mice were sacrificed and sampled after the last administration. (1) 40 mice were used to get the behavioral indicators. After 21 days of administration, grip strength, back temperature, times of locomotor activity, and fatigue time of rotating rod was measured; while time of weight-loading swimming was measured at the 30th day. (2) 40 mice were used to get liver/muscle glycogen levels. (3) 40 mice were used to get the content of blood lactic acid (BLA) and its area under the curve (AUC). (4) 40 mice were used to get (I) the levels of the metabolic products (blood urea nitrogen, BUN; lactate dehydrogenase, LDH; BLA) ; (II ) activity of the oxidative stress-related enzymes (malondialdehyde, MDA; superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT) in the skeletal muscle and the heart; (III) blood oxygen transport capacity (red blood cell, RBC ; hemoglobin, HGB ; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, MCHC) ; (IV) activity of ATP-related enzymes (Na+-K+-ATPase; Ca2+-Mg2+- ATPase; succinate dehydrogenase, SDH; creatine kinase, CK) ; (V) protein expression of phosphorylation alpha-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), slient mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator-1β (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Results The contents of ginsenoside Rg1 ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1, salideoside and calycosin in MBYD were 8.15,3. 82,1. 07,0. 41 and 0. 067 g/L. MBYD can significantly improve the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase, SDH, CAT, and SOD in the heart and skeletal muscles (all P<0.05) ; reduce the MDA levels in the heart and skeletal muscles (both P<0.05) ; reduce the levels of CK and LDH in serum (both P<0.05) ; increase liver glycogen and muscle glycogen reserves(both P < 0.05) ; reduce the BUN level and the AUC of BLA (all P < 0. 05) ; increase the numbers of RBC, HGB, and MCHC in whole blood (all P<0.05) ; and increase the protein expression levels of p-AMPK, SIRT1, PGC-1α, and TFAM in skeletal muscle and heart (all P<0.05). Conclusion Modified Baoyuan Decoction may activate the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway in skeletal muscle and heart, enhance mitochondrial capacity, reduce the accumulation of metabolic products in the body, inhibit oxidative stress, and increase blood oxygen transport capacity, thereby alleviating fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the West, institutions are considered the worst environment for rearing young children. It was thus surprising to discover on the 2002 Fulbright Travel Seminar to China that boarding schools for children two years of age and older were popular among affluent parents. This article uses observations of the first author in China, cultural knowledge of the second author (a Chinese woman living in the United States and trained as a school psychologist), recent Chinese history relative to family and educational policy, and attachment theory to explore developmental implications of boarding toddlers, and the cultural context supporting it, and to suggest directions for future research.