1.Quality Evaluation of Black Panacis Quinquefolii Radix Based on Neuroprotective Spectrum-effect Relationship
Yuting YANG ; Shuyun LIANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yulong YANG ; Ziqi YANG ; Guangzhi CAI ; Liru ZHAO ; Jiyu GONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):149-156
ObjectiveTo clarify the neuroprotective effect of black Panacis Quinquefolii Radix(PQR) and explore its active ingredients, with the aim of establishing an activity-oriented quality evaluation method. MethodsTransgenic Tg(HuC∶EGFP) zebrafish was used to establish a neuronal injury model by aluminum chloride immersion. Different doses(10, 20 mg·L-1) of PQR and black PQR ethanol extracts were administered. The neuroprotective effects of PQR and black PQR were compared by analyzing the fluorescent area and intensity of zebrafish neurons. Based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC), a fingerprint profile of black PQR was established, followed by principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA). Differential components were screened using the criteria of variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05. The neuroprotective activity of 14 batches of black PQR was assessed, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to identify saponins related to neuroprotective activity, which were then validated. Based on the above results, active marker components were determined, and an UPLC method was established for their quantitation with clear content limits. ResultsPharmacological efficacy results showed that both PQR and black PQR at different doses could significantly improved neuronal damage in zebrafish. At a dose of 20 mg·L-1, black PQR demonstrated superior efficacy(P<0.05). The fingerprint similarities of 14 batches of black PQR were>0.94, with 26 common peaks identified. Through comparison with the reference standards, 8 components were confirmed, including peak 1(ginsenoside Rg1), peak 2(ginsenoside Re), peak 5(ginsenoside Rb1), peak 9(ginsenoside Rd), peak 16[ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3], peak 17[ginsenoside 20(R)-Rg3], peak 18(ginsenoside Rk1), and peak 19(ginsenoside Rg5). The results of PCA and OPLS-DA indicated that there were differences in saponins among black PQR samples from different origins, and 12 differential components were screened. All 14 batches of black PQR exhibited good protective effects on zebrafish neurons, with Shaanxi-produced black PQR showing superior protective effects compared to the other three production regions. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that a total of 11 components, including ginsenosides 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5, showed a significant positive correlation with the neuroprotective effect in zebrafish(P<0.05). The activity validation results indicated that ginsenosides 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 were the primary components responsible for the neuroprotective effects of black PQR. Quantitative analysis showed that the content of ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 in 14 batches of black PQR ranged from 0.17% to 0.52%, and the repair rate of neuronal damage ranged from 42.77% to 97.83%. ConclusionBased on the fingerprint and neuronal protective activity, the spectrum-effect related quality control model of black PQR was established, with ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 as the quality control index, and the neuronal damage repair rate≥60% as the evaluation standard, the minimum limit of ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 in black PQR should be≥0.20%.
2.Effect of tritiated water on the immune system of zebrafish and mechanism analysis
Xiaofang GENG ; Chang LIU ; Yinyin YANG ; Yang ZHANG ; Le ZHAO ; Bingqing ZENG ; Chen WANG ; Pengyu LIN ; Yulong LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):354-362
Objective To investigate the effect of tritiated water on the immune system of zebrafish and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods Zebrafish embryos (2.5 to 3 hours post-fertilization [hpf]) were exposed to 3.7 × 104 Bq/mL tritiated water (tritiated water group), and those exposed to E3 culture medium were used as the control group. The mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, heart rate, body length, yolk sac area, neutrophil count in the tail, immune-related gene expression, and immune-related protein expression of zebrafish in the two groups were determined. Then transcriptome technology was used to further analyze the possible mechanism of tritiated water affecting the immune system of zebrafish. Results Compared with the control group, zebrafish at 72 hpf in the tritiated water group had no significant changes in the mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, body length, and yolk sac area((t = 0.9045, 0.5000, 1.0000, 0.7238, 0.0337, P = 0.4169, 0.6433, 0.3739, 0.4785, 0.9735), but had significantly increased heart rate(t = 4.575,P = 0.002). At 4 days post-fertilization (dpf), the neutrophil count in the tail of zebrafish in the tritiated water group was significantly increased(t = 2.563,P = 0.0196), the mRNA expression of TNF-α was significantly decreased(t = 2.891, P = 0.045), the protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was significantly increased(t = 3.848, P = 0.018), and the protein expression of NLRP3 was significantly decreased(t = 14.98, P = 0.001). At 7 dpf, the neutrophil count in the tail and the protein expression levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, and interleukin-1β were significantly decreased(t = 3.772, 7.048, 15.620, 4.423, P = 0.014, 0.002, 0.0001, 0.012). Transcriptome sequencing revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the “neutrophil activation” and “platelet activation pathways” at 4 dpf and in the “neutrophil apoptosis”, “ferroptosis”, and “necroptosis” pathways at 7 dpf. Conclusion Tritiated water exposure induces a temporally dynamic immune response in zebrafish, potentially affecting immune homeostasis by regulating neutrophil activation and apoptosis, as well as the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3.
3.Consistency Evaluation of Processing of Black Panacis Quinquefolii Radix Decoction Pieces Based on "Chromaticity-chemistry-activity"
Yulong YANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yuting YANG ; Ziqi YANG ; Guangzhi CAI ; Liru ZHAO ; Jiyu GONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):195-203
ObjectiveTo assess the quality consistency of black Panacis Quinquefolii Radix(bPQR) decoction pieces prepared by atmospheric and pressurized steaming processes based on chromaticity-chemical composition-vasoactive inhibition. The ultimate goal was to screen the pressurized steaming process yielding quality equivalent to atmospheric steaming, and optimize the processing technology of bPQR. MethodsThe bPQR decoction pieces were prepared using both atmospheric and pressurized steaming processes, and the chromaticity values[lightness value(L*), red/green chromaticity value(a*), yellow/blue chromaticity value(b*), total chromaticity value(E*ab)] were measured. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was employed to establish fingerprint profiles for the decoction pieces, and cluster analysis was conducted on chromaticity values and the common peak areas in fingerprint profiles to elucidate the quality relationships between the decoction pieces processed by different methods. The optimal atmospheric steaming of bPQR decoction pieces was determined through zebrafish angiogenesis inhibition experiments. The contents of ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, 20(S)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 in the decoction pieces were quantified, and Spearman correlation analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between saponin content, chromaticity, and angiogenesis inhibition activity during the steaming process. By integrating the consistency of chromaticity, saponin components and angiogenesis inhibition activity, pressurized steaming conditions with quality equivalent to the atmospheric pressure method were selected. ResultsCompared with the atmospheric steaming method, pressurized steaming resulted in faster color darkening and higher conversion rates of ginsenosides in bPQR decoction pieces. Moreover, the neovascularization inhibitory activity of bPQR decoction pieces continued to increase with the deepening of processing. Based on the effectiveness and safety, the optimal process for preparing bPQR decoction pieces with neovascularization inhibitory activity was determined to be atmospheric steaming for 21 h. All six ginsenosides tested exhibited strong to extremely strong correlations with both the chromaticity values of the decoction pieces and their neovascularization inhibitory activities. Among them, ginsenosides Rg1, Re and Rb1 exhibited positive correlations with chromaticity values and negative correlations with zebrafish angiogenesis inhibition activity. Conversely, ginsenosides 20(S)-Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 showed negative correlations with chromaticity values and positive correlations with zebrafish angiogenesis inhibition activity. By integrating chromaticity values, cluster analysis results, as well as the results of activity, it was determined that the quality of bPQR decoction pieces steamed under pressurized conditions of 110 ℃(0.045 MPa) for 5 h and 115 ℃(0.07 MPa) for 3 h was highly consistent with that obtained by atmospheric steaming for 21 h. ConclusionThe preparation of bPQR decoction pieces by pressurized steaming has the advantages of short preparation time, low energy consumption, and rapid saponin conversion rate, making it a viable alternative to atmospheric steaming for preparing bPQR decoction pieces. Meanwhile, the evaluation method based on chromaticity-chemical composition-activity can provide a more scientific and effective explanation of change rules in the quality during traditional Chinese medicine processing, and offer a new model for optimizing processing technology and enhancing quality control.
4.Immune Checkpoints Mediate Tumor Immune Regulation through Metabolic Pathways.
Weiguang DU ; Xiyang TANG ; Yulong ZHOU ; Mengchao LI ; Ze JIN ; Jiaqi DOU ; Jinbo ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(3):213-220
Immune checkpoints include a series of receptor-ligand pairs that play a key role in the proliferation, activation, and immune regulatory responses of immune cells. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) have achieved good therapeutic effects in clinical practice, some patients still experience ineffective treatment and immune resistance. A large amount of evidence has shown that immune checkpoint proteins are related to cell metabolism during immune regulation. On the one hand, immune checkpoints connect to alter the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells to compete for nutrients required by immune cells. On the other hand, immune checkpoints regulate the metabolic pathways of immune cells, such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) to affect the activation of immune cells. Based on a review of the literature, this article reviews the mechanisms by which PD-1, CTLA-4, T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3), cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) regulate cell metabolic reprogramming, and looks forward to whether targeting the ligand-receptor pairs of immune checkpoints in a "dual regulation" manner and inhibiting metabolic pathways can effectively solve the problem of tumor immune resistance.
.
Humans
;
Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Metabolic Networks and Pathways/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology*
5.Research progress on the impact of public health and social measures on influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic
Zhourong LI ; Yong ZHAO ; Tingting LI ; Ke JIANG ; Yulong YANG ; Yu XIONG ; Qin LI ; Li QI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(6):924-930
Public health and social measures (PHSMs) are one of the most important measures in the prevention and control of COVID-19 and have also been effective in suppressing the spread of influenza viruses, but their effectiveness has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to review the progress of research on the impact of PHSMs on influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the latest evidence of the effectiveness of various PHSMs in controlling transmission of influenza viruses, to provide scientific evidence for optimizing influenza prevention and control strategies.
6.Visual analysis of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation research
Jie YAN ; Jing ZHOU ; Jingpu ZHAO ; Qingfang ZHANG ; Mingchao ZHOU ; Yulong WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(32):5110-5115
BACKGROUND:In recent years,High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation(HD-tDCS)has garnered significant attention due to its potential non-invasive modulation of brain function.However,there is still a lack of visual analysis in the literature regarding this technique. OBJECTIVE:To perform a visual analysis of HD-tDCS-related research so as to explore the current status and trends in this field. METHODS:English literature related to HD-tDCS was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database covering the period from January 1,2010 to May 6,2023.The VOSviewer software was used to visualize and analyze the source journals,countries/regions,authors,institutions,cited references,and keywords of the included literature,creating a knowledge map to uncover the research landscape and hotspots. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 336 articles were included,showing a consistent increase in the annual publication count of HD-tDCS research.Among these,the United States contributed the highest number of publications(141 articles)with 4 221 citations,followed by China with 70 articles and 401 citations.Brain Stimulation was the most prolific journal(28 articles),Marom Bikson was the most productive author(37 articles),and The City College of New York was the most active institution(35 articles).The most frequently mentioned keywords in the field included motor cortex,regulation,working memory,excitability,and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.Notable recent keywords in the last 5 years include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,brain networks,and stimulation intensity.Currently,the volume of HD-tDCS research is relatively limited,but is on an upward trajectory,indicating substantial research potential.It is expected that future studies in this domain will continue to focus on the application of HD-tDCS in cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders,while also exploring its therapeutic mechanisms targeting the motor cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex based on brain network analysis.
7.Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional deformity indexes of the first metatarsal bone after osteotomy and orthosis for hallux valgus deformity
Xiaoliang ZHAO ; Meilan SUN ; Tianyuan YAN ; Shizhe ZHANG ; Guochang NIU ; Yulong GUAN ; Hua LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;33(33):5302-5307
BACKGROUND:The displacement change parameters of the bone structure of the first metatarsal bone at the two-dimensional level of hallux valgus deformity are of great significance for clinical diagnosis and treatment,while the quantitative analysis of the three-dimensional deformity index may have some influences on the postoperative efficacy. OBJECTIVE:To explore the quantitative change of the three-dimensional deformity index of the first metatarsal bone after routine osteotomy and orthosis for hallux valgus deformity and to provide reference for clinical work. METHODS:100 patients with hallux valgus deformity(foot)in Hengshui People's Hospital from October 2020 to April 2023 were selected and all of them underwent conventional osteotomy and orthosis.Foot function was assessed by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale 6 months after surgery.Anterolateral X-rays of the foot in weight-bearing position and CT images in simulated weight-bearing position were taken before surgery and 6 months after surgery.The three-dimensional deformity indexes of the first metatarsal bone before and after surgery were quantitatively analyzed in patients with different ages,genders and therapeutic effects,including first-second intermetatarsal angle,hallux valgus angle,distal metatarsal articular angle,tibial sesamaid position,and first metatarsal rotation α angle.The value of the difference of three-dimensional deformity indexes of the first metatarsal bone before and after operation in evaluating the curative effect was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Six months after operation,the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 75-98(88.25±4.14)points,among which 56 cases were excellent,28 cases were good,14 cases were average,and 2 cases were poor.The excellent and good rate was 84%(84/100).(2)Compared with the preoperative results,first-second intermetatarsal angle,hallux valgus angle,distal metatarsal articular angle,tibial sesamaid position,and first metatarsal rotation α angle were significantly improved in patients of different ages and genders 6 months after surgery(P<0.05).First-second intermetatarsal angle,hallux valgus angle,distal metatarsal articular angle,tibial sesamaid position,and first metatarsal rotation α angle were all lower in patients with good curative effect 6 months after surgery than those with poor curative effect,and the difference before and after surgery was greater than those with poor curative effect(P<0.05).(3)The area under the curve of the difference evaluation of the first metatarsal three-dimensional deformity index before and after surgery was above 0.7,and the area under the curve of the combined evaluation of all indexes was the largest(0.902),which was significantly greater than the first metatarsal rotation α angle and distal metatarsal articular angle(P<0.05).(4)The quantitative analysis of the three-dimensional deformity index of the first metatarsal in patients with hallux valgus deformity is related to the postoperative effect,which has important guiding significance for improving the accuracy and comprehensiveness of preoperative evaluation and improving the treatment plan.
8.Value of salivary gland imaging based on deep learning and Delta radiomics in evaluation of salivary gland injury following 131I therapy post thyroid cancer surgery
Yulong ZENG ; Zhao GE ; Weixia CHONG ; Jie QIN ; Biyun MO ; Wei FU
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2024;44(2):68-73
Objective:To explore the value of salivary gland imaging based on deep learning and Delta radiomics in assessing salivary gland injury after 131I treatment in post-thyroidectomy thyroid cancer patients. Methods:A retrospective analysis on 223 patients (46 males, 177 females, age(47.7±14.0) years ) with papillary thyroid cancer, who underwent total thyroidectomy and 131I treatment in Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University between December 2019 and January 2022, was conducted. All patients underwent salivary gland 99Tc mO 4- imaging before and after 131I therapy. The patients were categorized according to salivary gland function based on 99Tc mO 4- imaging results (normal salivary gland vs salivary gland injury), and divided into training and test sets in a ratio of 7∶3. A ResNet-34 neural network model was trained using images at the time of maximum salivary gland radioactivity and those based on background radioactivity counts for structured image feature data. The Delta radiomics approach was then used to subtract the image feature values of the two periods, followed by feature selection through t-test, correlation analysis, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator( LASSO) algorithm, to develop logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) predictive models. The diagnostic performance of 3 models for salivary gland function on the test set was compared with that of the manual interpretation. The AUCs of the 3 models on the test set were compared (Delong test). Results:Among the 67 cases of the test set, the diagnostic accuracy of 3 physicians were 89.6%(60/67), 83.6%(56/67), and 82.1%(55/67) respectively, with the time required for diagnosis of 56, 74 and 55 min, respectively. The accuracies of LR, SVM, and KNN models were 91.0%(61/67), 86.6%(58/67), and 82.1%(55/67), with the required times of 12.5, 15.3 and 17.9 s, respectively. All 3 radiomics models demonstrated good classification and predictive capabilities, with AUC values for the training set of 0.972, 0.965, and 0.943, and for the test set of 0.954, 0.913, and 0.791, respectively. There were no significant differences among the AUC values for the test set ( z values: 0.72, 1.18, 1.82, all P>0.05). Conclusion:The models based on deep learning and Delta radiomics possess high predictive value in assessing salivary gland injury following 131I treatment after surgery in patients with thyroid cancer.
9.Research progress on the impact of public health and social measures on influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic
Zhourong LI ; Yong ZHAO ; Tingting LI ; Ke JIANG ; Yulong YANG ; Yu XIONG ; Qin LI ; Li QI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(6):924-930
Public health and social measures (PHSMs) are one of the most important measures in the prevention and control of COVID-19 and have also been effective in suppressing the spread of influenza viruses, but their effectiveness has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to review the progress of research on the impact of PHSMs on influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the latest evidence of the effectiveness of various PHSMs in controlling transmission of influenza viruses, to provide scientific evidence for optimizing influenza prevention and control strategies.
10.18F-FDG PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters for predicting clinical stage Ⅰa—Ⅲa lung adenocarcinoma spreading through air spaces
Zhenzhen WANG ; Xiaotian LI ; Xingyu MU ; Yulong ZENG ; Weixia CHONG ; Jie QIN ; Zuguo LI ; Xueqin ZHAO ; Yang WU ; Cuiping XU ; Wei FU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(5):735-739
Objective To observe the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters for predicting spread through air spaces(STAS)of clinical stage Ⅰa—Ⅲa lung adenocarcinoma.Methods Data of 85 patients with clinical stage Ⅰa—Ⅲ a lung adenocarcinoma who underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into positive group(n=23)or negative group(n=62)according to whether pathology showed STAS or not.Clinical and PET/CT data were compared between groups,and logistic analysis was performed to explore the efficacy of each parameter for predicting STAS.Results Significant differences of gender,carcinoma embryonic antigen,clinical stage,pathological grade,micropapillary growth and proportion were found between groups(all P<0.05).The maximum,the mean,the peak standard uptake value(SUVmax,SUVmean,SUVpeak),as well as the maximum,the mean and the peak standard uptake value normalized by lean body mass(SULmax,SULmean,SULpeak),also the total lesion glycolysis(TLG)in positive group were all significantly higher than those in negative group(all P<0.05).Patients'gender,proportion of micropapillary growth,SUVmax and SULmax were all independent risk factors of STAS of clinical stage Ⅰa—Ⅲa lung adenocarcinoma.The area under the curve(AUC)of the above parameters for predicting STAS was 0.666,0.912,0.839 and 0.842,respectively,and of the combination was 0.957.Conclusion 18 F-FDG PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters SUVmax and SULmax were helpful for predicting STAS of clinical stage Ⅰa—Ⅲ a lung adenocarcinoma,and further combination of gender and proportion of micropapillary growth could improve diagnostic efficacy.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail