1.Effect of Acupuncture with the Method of Soothing the Liver and Regulating the Mind on the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway in the Hippocampus of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depression Model Mice
Bingxin WU ; Yi ZHOU ; Sibo HAN ; Xichang HUANG ; Junye MA ; Baile NING ; Shanze WANG ; Wenbin FU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):526-531
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of acupuncture with the method of soothing the liver and regulating the mind in improving depressive disorder. MethodsEighteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, and acupuncture group, with 6 mice in each group. The model group and the acupuncture group were subjected to depression induction by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while the blank group received an equal volume of normal saline once daily for seven consecutive days. Concurrently, the acupuncture group received "soothing the liver and regulating the mind" acupuncture intervention starting from the first day of modeling, once daily for 14 days; whereas the blank group and the model group were only restrained without acupuncture. The sucrose preference test was used to assess sucrose preference rate, the open-field test to measure center stay time and total travel distance, and the forced swim test to evaluate immobility time. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe hippocampal morphological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in hippocampal tissue. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared to the blank group, the model group showed a significant reduction in sucrose preference rate, center stay time, and total travel distance, along with a significant increase in immobility time in the forced swim test, hippocampal IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, as well as TLR4 and NF-κB protein expression (P<0.01), and the histological examination revealed blurred hippocampal neuronal boundaries, loose arrangement, and some neurons exhibiting nuclear pyknosis and deep staining. Compared to the model group, the acupuncture group demonstrated a significant increase in sucrose preference rate, center stay time, and total travel distance, along with a significant reduction in immobility time in the forced swim test, hippocampal IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, and TLR4 and NF-κB protein expression (P<0.01), and the histological analysis showed that hippocampal neurons in the acupuncture group were more tightly arranged, with reduced nuclear pyknosis and deep staining. ConclusionAcupuncture with the "soothing the liver and regulating the mind" method can significantly improve depression-like behavior, potentially by inhibiting the hippocampal TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and alleviating inflammatory responses.
2.Prediction of pN Staging of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Using Ultrasonography Radiomics and Deep Neural Networks
Jieli ZHOU ; Linjuan WU ; Pengtian ZHANG ; Yanxia PENG ; Dong HAN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(2):151-155
Objective To assess the accuracy of pN staging prediction in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) using ultrasound radiomics and deep neural networks (DNN). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 375 patients with pathologically confirmed PTC, comprising 261 cases in the training set and 114 in the test set. Staging was categorized as pN0 (no cervical lymph node metastasis), pN1a (central neck lymph node metastasis), and pN1b (lateral neck lymph node metastasis). An ultrasound physician manually segmented the regions of interest (ROIs) for PTC, extracting
3.Protective Effect of Taohong Siwutang on Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Based on A1/A2 Phenotype Transformation of Astrocytes Mediated by JAK2/STAT3 Pathway
Huifang WANG ; Xinru CHEN ; Mengyuan CHEN ; Xian ZHOU ; Lan HAN ; Weidong CHEN ; Zhaojie JI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):25-34
ObjectiveTo investigate whether the effect of Taohong Siwutang on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIRI) injury in rats is related to the regulation of astrocyte polarization and explore the related mechanism. MethodsEighty-four male SD rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: A sham operation group, a model group, Taohong Siwutang treatment groups (low dose, medium dose, and high dose), ligustrazine phosphate tablet (LPT) group, and AG490 group. All groups, except for the sham operation group, underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) modeling and were treated for seven days. The neurological impairment was evaluated using the Longa score. The volume of cerebral infarction was assessed through 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot analyses were performed to analyze the mRNA and protein expression levels of cortical complement 3 (C3), S100 calcium-binding protein A10 (S100A10), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Additionally, protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were assessed, and the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were evaluated. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and C3, S100A10 and Co-localization was detected via immunofluorescence double staining. Lastly, VEGF expression levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed a significant increase in cerebral infarction volume and neurological impairment (P<0.01). C3 protein levels were elevated, while S100A10 levels were decreased. Pathway-related markers were significantly upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and VEGF-A protein levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors was significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Co-localization analysis showed significantly increased GFAP and C3 fluorescence intensity (P<0.01) and greatly decreased GFAP and S100A10 fluorescence intensity (P<0.01). Additionally, VEGF content was significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, medium- and high-dose Taohong Siwutang and LPT groups exhibited a significant reduction in cerebral infarction volume and neurological impairment (P<0.01). Groups treated with low, medium, and high doses of Taohong Siwutang and LPT group exhibited a decrease in C3 protein expression levels and an increase in S100A10 expression levels (P<0.01). In the high-dose Taohong Siwutang and AG490 groups, both protein and mRNA expression of C3 and pathway-related markers were significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while S100A10 expression and VEGF-A protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The co-localization fluorescence intensity of GFAP and C3 significantly decreased (P<0.01), while that of GFAP and S100A10 greatly increased (P<0.01). Furthermore, VEGF content exhibited a marked elevation (P<0.01). ConclusionTaohong Siwutang exerts a protective effect in rats with cerebral CIRI injury. The underlying mechanism is associated with the downregulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, promotion of A2-type astrocyte polarization, reduction of inflammatory factor release, and enhancement of VEGF production.
4.Protective Effect of Taohong Siwutang on Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Based on A1/A2 Phenotype Transformation of Astrocytes Mediated by JAK2/STAT3 Pathway
Huifang WANG ; Xinru CHEN ; Mengyuan CHEN ; Xian ZHOU ; Lan HAN ; Weidong CHEN ; Zhaojie JI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):25-34
ObjectiveTo investigate whether the effect of Taohong Siwutang on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIRI) injury in rats is related to the regulation of astrocyte polarization and explore the related mechanism. MethodsEighty-four male SD rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: A sham operation group, a model group, Taohong Siwutang treatment groups (low dose, medium dose, and high dose), ligustrazine phosphate tablet (LPT) group, and AG490 group. All groups, except for the sham operation group, underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) modeling and were treated for seven days. The neurological impairment was evaluated using the Longa score. The volume of cerebral infarction was assessed through 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot analyses were performed to analyze the mRNA and protein expression levels of cortical complement 3 (C3), S100 calcium-binding protein A10 (S100A10), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Additionally, protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were assessed, and the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were evaluated. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and C3, S100A10 and Co-localization was detected via immunofluorescence double staining. Lastly, VEGF expression levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed a significant increase in cerebral infarction volume and neurological impairment (P<0.01). C3 protein levels were elevated, while S100A10 levels were decreased. Pathway-related markers were significantly upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and VEGF-A protein levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors was significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Co-localization analysis showed significantly increased GFAP and C3 fluorescence intensity (P<0.01) and greatly decreased GFAP and S100A10 fluorescence intensity (P<0.01). Additionally, VEGF content was significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, medium- and high-dose Taohong Siwutang and LPT groups exhibited a significant reduction in cerebral infarction volume and neurological impairment (P<0.01). Groups treated with low, medium, and high doses of Taohong Siwutang and LPT group exhibited a decrease in C3 protein expression levels and an increase in S100A10 expression levels (P<0.01). In the high-dose Taohong Siwutang and AG490 groups, both protein and mRNA expression of C3 and pathway-related markers were significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while S100A10 expression and VEGF-A protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.01). Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The co-localization fluorescence intensity of GFAP and C3 significantly decreased (P<0.01), while that of GFAP and S100A10 greatly increased (P<0.01). Furthermore, VEGF content exhibited a marked elevation (P<0.01). ConclusionTaohong Siwutang exerts a protective effect in rats with cerebral CIRI injury. The underlying mechanism is associated with the downregulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, promotion of A2-type astrocyte polarization, reduction of inflammatory factor release, and enhancement of VEGF production.
5.Mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet
Haiyang ZHU ; Jingshu CUI ; Liu YANG ; Mengting ZHOU ; Jian TONG ; Hongmei HAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):254-262
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in the liver, the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as well as the mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation. MethodsAfter 1 week of adaptive feeding, 24 specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group [choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet], normal+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CSAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], model group [choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet (CDAA) diet], and model+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CDAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], with 6 rats in each group. The dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 was 5 μg/kg for intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 12 weeks. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured, liver histopathology was observed, and SAF score was assessed. M1 hepatic macrophages and M2 hepatic macrophages were measured to analyze in the change in the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in liver tissue, and qPCR was used to measure the mRNA level of PPAR-γ. The two-factor analysis of variance was use for comparison between groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison; the Pearson method was used for correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model rats with CDAA diet-induced NASH had significant increases in the serum levels of AST and ALT (P=0.019 and P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), as well as a significant increase in the level of TNF-α (P<0.001) and a significant reduction in the level of IL-4 in liver tissue (P=0.025). The 1,25(OH)2D3 group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT (P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.001), the level of IL-1β (P<0.001) and a significant increase in the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.017), the level of IL-10 (P=0.039), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001), the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.016). There were significant interactions between CDAA diet-induced NASH model and 1,25(OH)2D3 in serum the levels of AST and ALT (P=0.007 and P=0.008), the SAF scores of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.008), the ratio of M1 and M2 of hepatic macrophages (P=0.005), the level of TNF-α (P<0.001), the level of IL-10 (P=0.038), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001) and the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.009). The correlation analysis showed that PPAR-γ was negatively correlated with the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (r=-0.415, P=0.044) and was positively correlated with M2 hepatic macrophages (r=0.435, P=0.033), IL-10 (r=0.433, P=0.035), and IL-4 (r=0.532, P=0.007). ConclusionThis study shows that 1,25(OH)2D3 improves liver inflammation in NASH by activating PPAR-γ to regulate the phenotypic transformation of hepatic macrophages.
6.A three-party evolutionary game analysis of patient privacy protection in live surgery
Han TIAN ; Jinping WU ; Yan ZHANG ; Jianyu ZHOU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(1):123-130
With the rapid development of network technology, live surgery has become the new way of surgery teaching. However, the issue of patient privacy protection caused by live surgery has received widespread attention. Based on the evolutionary game theory, this paper constructed an evolutionary game model from the three-party perspectives of doctors, patients, and government and analyzed the game behaviors of the three parties in the process of live surgery. Matlab software was utilized to conduct dynamic simulation and numerical simulation analysis. It was found that the factors affecting the choice of doctors’ strategies included protection costs, the cost of privacy leakage, the benefits of protection, high-traffic benefits, and other aspects; the factors affecting the choice of patient strategies encompassed surgical costs, the risk of privacy leakage, additional benefits, and other aspects; the factors affecting the choice of government strategies embodied regulatory costs and the improvement of credibility. To realize a win-win situation among doctors, patients, and the government, the three parties need to work together to ensure that patient privacy is not violated and find a balance between expanding the influence of medical education and protecting patient privacy.
7.Chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonate impairs proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells via oxidative stress
Yaxin HAN ; Longfei FENG ; Zhijun ZHOU ; Xiuli CHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(6):684-690
Background Chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonate Cl-PFAES, trade name F-53B, a novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), has been shown to induce multi-organ toxicity in humans and cross the blood-brain barrier. However, its toxic effects and underlying mechanisms on neural stem cells (NSCs) remain unclear. Objective To investigate the impact of F-53B on NSCs proliferation and differentiation through oxidative stress and explore its potential molecular mechanisms in associations with mitochondrial function damage and the expression of autophagy-related gene (PINK1/Parkin). Methods Primary NSCs isolated from neonatal C57BL/6 mice were used as a model and exposed to F-53B at concentrations of 0, 33, or 100 μmol·L−1 for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, while proliferation was evaluated by the 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe differentiation phenotypes. Intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified using dihydroethidium (DHE) and MitoSOX probes, respectively. Mitochondrial morphology was observed using MitoTracker Green. ATP level was measured with a commercial kit. Additionally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to quantify the expression of PINK1 and Parkin genes. Results Exposure to 100 μmol·L⁻¹ F-53B significantly reduced cell viability to 93.6% of the control group (P<0.01), and decreased the proportion of EdU⁺ cells (P<0.01), indicating proliferation inhibition. The differentiation analysis showed a reduction in neuronal generation, axonal shortening, and an increase in astrocytes. The 100 μmol·L−1 F-53B exposure elevated intracellular ROS to 122% (P<0.01) and mitochondrial ROS (MitoROS) to 135% (P<0.001) of the control levels, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation. The ATP levels after the F-53B exposure decreased to 62.4% relative to the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of PINK1 and Par after the F-53B exposure were notably reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion F-53B may induce oxidative stress, thereby disrupting mitochondrial morphology and function while inhibiting the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway, ultimately leading to impaired neural stem cell proliferation and abnormal differentiation. This study provides new insights into the neurotoxicity mechanisms of F-53B.
8.An excerpt of ACG clinical guideline: Malnutrition and nutritional recommendations in liver disease (2025)
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1053-1055
Malnutrition is a common complication in patients with liver disease, particularly in the advanced stage of disease, and it significantly affects the prognosis of patients. In 2025, the American College of Gastroenterology released Clinical Guideline: Malnutrition and Nutritional Recommendations in Liver Disease, which covers the definition, causes, nutritional assessment methods, and intervention strategies for malnutrition associated with liver disease, which provides evidence-based recommendations for nutritional management in liver disease. This article makes an excerpt of the recommendations and key concept statements from the guideline.
9.Construction of Multidimensional Evaluation System for Health Status in Modern China's Ideal Life
Rui XU ; Han ZHOU ; Zhong WANG ; Yongyan WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):657-662
The evolving health demands of contemporary society urgently call for adaptive adjustments in health policies and a comprehensive enhancement of perspectives, horizons, and viewpoints. Grounded in the solid foundation of traditional Chinese culture, this paper proposed a multidimensional evaluation system for assessing the health status of modern China's ideal life. Drawing upon the philosophical insights of Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism, and their subsequent developments, as well as core cultural values such as harmony (和), happiness (福), and joy (乐), this system established a fundamental framework for evaluating health in modern ideal life. The framework consists of eight indices, i.e. harmony index, diligence index, peace of mind index, happiness index, compassion index, innovation index, fulfillment index, and adaptability index. The purpose of constructing this system is to comprehensively and deeply reflect the physical and mental characteristics and behavioral patterns of the Chinese population, and to provide a holistic evaluation framework for advancing the foundation of health in modern ideal life, offering solid scientific support for formulating health policies that align with China's national context.
10.Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Ermiao Situ Decoction in Modulating JAK/STAT Pathway in Rats with Damp-heat Eczema
Kangning HAN ; Junjie HU ; Juan LI ; Min ZHANG ; Xian ZHOU ; Songlin LIU ; Xin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):37-47
ObjectiveUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with network pharmacology and molecular docking was utilized to explore the efficacy and mechanism of action of Ermiao Situ decoction on rats with damp-heat eczema. MethodsA rat model of damp-heat eczema was established by artificial climate chamber intervention combined with sensitization induction by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and it was randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the medium- and high-dose groups of Ermiao Situ decoction (3.40 g·kg-1 and 6.80 g·kg-1), and the prednisone acetate group (2.51 mg·kg-1), with eight rats in each group, totalling 46 rats, of which six rats were tested with the drug-containing serum. The chemical analysis of drug-containing serum from rats was carried out by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, combined with network pharmacology for the prediction of key components, core targets, and signaling pathways, and molecular docking experiments were performed by CB-Dock2 online website. The pharmacological effects of Ermiao Situ decoction in the treatment of damp-heat eczema were investigated by epitaxial indexes combined with the pathologic tissue staining method. The serum levels of gastrin (GAS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), phosphorylated (p)-JAK1, signal transduction and activation of transcription factor 3 (STAT3), and p-STAT3 protein expression level was determined by Western bolt. ResultsA total of 19 active ingredients were detected in drug-containing serum samples of rats, which were predicted to act on 198 targets for the treatment of damp-heat eczema, among which the key ingredients included rhodopsin, huangpai alkaloids, and quercetin, and the main core targets included STAT3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6, which were mainly involved in the cancer signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase (Akt) signaling pathway, T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation signaling pathway, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The molecular docking results suggested that the key components had strong binding activities with the core targets IL-6, JAK1, and STAT3 in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with those in the normal group, rats in the model group were depressed. They had loose hair, loose stools, epidermal oozing, vesiculation, and generation of thick scabs in the form of scales, decreased body weight, increased anus temperature and water intake, and increased indexes of the spleen, thymus gland, and stomach (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the lesion tissue could be seen to be hyperkeratotic, with the aggregation of inflammatory cells and nonsignificant separation of epidermis and dermis. The gastric mucosa was thinned, deficient, and structurally disorganized, and obvious inflammatory cell aggregation was seen. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 in serum were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the lesion tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, rats in each administration group had stable mental states, formed feces, a clean perianal area, and basically normal epidermis. Only a small amount of scaly scabs existed, and the rats had body weight increased, with decreased anal temperature and water intake, as well as decreased spleen, thymus, and gastric indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). Epidermal thickness was decreased, and epidermal and dermal separation boundaries were obvious, but hyperkeratotic and accumulation of inflammatory cells could still be seen. The thickness of gastric mucosa increased, and the structure was restored to varying degrees. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 content in the serum of rats were increased to varying degrees, and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the dermal lesion tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionErmiao Situ decoction may exert therapeutic effects on rats with damp-heat eczema by modulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail