1.The role of brevican regulation in the antidepressant effects of electroacupuncture in a chronic stress rat model
Cong Gai ; Zhenyu Guo ; Kai Guo ; Shixin Yang ; Yi Zhang ; Huimin Zhu ; Feifei Kan ; Hongmei Sun ; Die Hu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(4):513-521
Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) for treating depression and to explore the role of brevican in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in modulating stress susceptibility and the antidepressant effects of EA in rats.
Methods:
Twenty-four Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were equally divided into three groups: green fluorescent protein (GFP) + control, GFP + chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS), and short-hairpin RNA targeting on brevican (shBcan) + CUMS. Another 24 SD rats were equally divided into CUMS + GFP, CUMS + GFP + EA, and CUMS + shBcan + EA groups. Behavioral tests were conducted to assess depression-like behavior. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the expression of brevican, aggrecan, GLuA1, and PSD95 in mPFC subregions.
Results:
Behavioral parameter evaluation show that rats in the shBcan + CUMS group exhibited a significantly reduced sucrose preference (P = .0002) and increased immobility time (P = .0011) compared to those in rats in the GFP + CUMS group. Western blotting showed that brevican expression was significantly downregulated in the PrL of the shBcan + CUMS group compared with that in the GFP + CUMS group (P = .0192). Furthermore, compared to the CUMS + GFP + EA group, the CUMS + shBcan + EA group exhibited a significantly decreased sucrose preference (P = .0334), increased immobility time (P = .0465), and increased latency to food (P = .0261). In the CUMS + shBcan + EA group, the EA-induced brevican and PSD95 overexpression was reversed, compared with that in the CUMS + GFP + EA group (P = .0454 and P = .0198, respectively).
Conclusion
EA exerts its antidepressant effects through the modulation of brevican expression in rats. Our findings highlight the important role for brevican in stress susceptibility, which could be a potential target for treating depression.
2.The potentially inappropriate medications among elderly patients with chronic diseases in Shanghai communities and its influence factors
Chenyi ZHANG ; Zhigang PAN ; Shi CHEN ; Liu CHENG ; Lihua XU ; Yongfeng YANG ; Wei QIN ; Hongmei GAI
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2020;19(4):324-328
Objective:To investigate the potentially inappropriate medication(PIM)among elderly patients with chronic diseases in Shanghai communities and related influence factors.Method:Six community Health service Centers were choosen using stratified sampling. Total 968 elderly patients with chronic diseases who visited to the outpatient clinic of Shanghai Community Health Service Centers from July to August 2018 were included in the study. The PIM was investigated according to the 2015 Beers criteria. The χ 2 test and multivariate logistic regression model were used to analyze factors related to the PIM. Results:The survey showed that 317 elderly patients had PIM with 412 person-doses. In 134 person-doses, the PIM was unrelated to the disease; in 18 person-doses, PIM was caused by interaction of drug with disease/symptoms; in 259 person-doses PIM was related to the drugs that should be cautiously used for elderly; only in 1 person-dose the PIM was caused by the interaction between drugs. The drugs with the highest proportion of PIM were diuretics, benzodiazepines and aspirin. There were significant differences in age, kinds of diseases, kinds of drugs and times of visiting community health service centers between elderly patients with PIM and those without PIM (χ 2=42.28, 35.51, 46.47, 38.46; all P<0.05). The main PIM-related factors were age, kinds of diseases, kinds of drugs and times of visiting community health service centers. Conclusion:The study shows that the prevalence of PIM among elderly chronic diseases patients in Shanghai communities is relatively high, which is associated with the age, kinds of diseases, kinds of drugs and times of visiting community health service centers.
3.Clinical and genetic analysis of a child with ZTTK syndrome due to heterozygous variant of SON gene.
Hongmei XIN ; Jianshe ZHAO ; Yuqiang LYU ; Yanan YANG ; Zilong LI ; Zhongtao GAI ; Yi LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2022;39(3):316-320
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genetic etiology of a small-for-date infant with gastrointestinal bleeding, developmental delay and thrombocytopenia (Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim syndrome).
METHODS:
Clinical and laboratory examinations were carried out for the patient. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect potential variant associated with the disease. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of the child and her parents.
RESULTS:
NGS revealed that the child has carried a heterozygous c.5751_5754del variant of the SON gene, which resulted in a frameshift p.V1918Efs*87. The same variant was detected in neither parent.
CONCLUSION
The heterozygous variant of SON gene probably underlay the ZTTK syndrome in this child. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the SON gene and provides a basis for genetic counseling and clinical decision-making.
Child
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Family
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Female
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Genetic Testing
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Heterozygote
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Humans
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Infant
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Intellectual Disability/genetics*
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Mutation
4.Analysis of PRX gene variants in a child with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4F
Ya′nan YANG ; Shuxin YE ; Yuqiang LYU ; Hongmei XIN ; Min GAO ; Jian MA ; Dong WANG ; Zhongtao GAI ; Yi LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2022;39(7):749-753
Objective:To explore the genetic etiology of a child suspected for peroneal muscular atrophy.Methods:The child and his parents were analyzed by using next generation sequencing.Results:The child was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of c. 52G>T (p.Glu18X) and c. 1390C>T (p.Arg464X) of the PRX gene, which were inherited from his father and mother, respectively. Among these, the c. 52G>T variant was previously unreported. Based on the standards and guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2+ PM3, PVS1+ PM3-Strong+ PM2+ BS2). Conclusion:The compound heterozygous variants of the PRX gene probably underlay the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4F in this child. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the PRX gene.
5.Protective effects of Buyinqianzheng Formula on mitochondrial morphology by PINK1/Parkin pathway in SH-SY5Y cells induced by MPP+
Ma HAOJIE ; Guo ZHENYU ; Gai CONG ; Cheng CUICUI ; Zhang JINKUN ; Zhang YUXIN ; Yang LUPING ; Feng WANDI ; Gao YUSHAN ; Sun HONGMEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2020;7(3):274-282
Objective: Buyinqianzheng Formula (BYQZF) is clinically employed in traditional Chinese medicine to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) by improving mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanisms by which BYQZF affects mitochondrial morphology remain unknown. Therefore, we observed the effects of BYQZF on mitochondria from the perspective of the PINK1/Parkin pathway. Methods: Cell survival rates were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Expression levels of PINK1 and Parkin mRNA were examined by qRT-PCR. Protein expression levels of PINK1, PINK1-Ser228, Parkin, Parkin-Ser65, Drp1, and Drp1-Ser637 were examined by western blotting. PINK1, Parkin, and Mito-Tracker? Red CMXRos (MTR) were stained by triple-labeled immunofluorescence, and observed under laser confocal microscopy. Results: Cell survival rate, mitochondrial form factor, mean length and number of mitochondrial network branches, mitochondrial activity, mRNA expression levels of PINK1 and Parkin, and protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and Drp1-Ser637 were reduced after 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) intervention. In contrast, Pearson's correlation coefficients between PINK1 and Parkin, and between Parkin and MTR, as well as protein expression levels of PINK1-Ser228, Parkin-Ser65, and Drp1 increased significantly after MPP+intervention. Treatment with BYQZF increased cell survival rate, mitochondrial form factor, mean length and number of mitochondrial network branches, mitochondrial activity, mRNA expression levels of PINK1 and Parkin, and expression of PINK1, Parkin, and Drp1-Ser637 proteins. Pearson's correlation coefficients between PINK1 and Parkin, and between Parkin and MTR, as well as protein expression levels of PINK1-Ser228, Parkin-Ser65, and Drp1 decreased after BYQZF treatment. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that BYQZF has a protective effect on mitochondrial molecular mechanisms in the PD cell model, and the mechanism is related to the PINK1/Parkin pathway.
6.Mechanism of mitochondrial protection by the Buyin Qianzheng formula in a Parkin overexpression cell model
Cheng CUICUI ; Gao YUSHAN ; Gai CONG ; Feng WANDI ; Ma HAOJIE ; Feng JING ; Guo ZHENYU ; Zhang SHUJING ; Wu JIE ; Sun HONGMEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2022;9(1):59-68
Objective:To identify the molecular mechanisms of the effects of the Buyin Qianzheng formula (BYQZF)on the mitochondrial dynamics in a Parkin overexpression Parkinson's disease (PD) cell model.Methods:First,a stable Parkin overexpression cell model was constructed using plasmid transfection.Then,we examined the protective effect of BYQZF on the mitochondrial dysfunction of the Parkin overexpression PD cell model induced by neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+).The mRNA expression level of Parkin was evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR.The cell survival rate was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay.We evaluated the cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP)levels using luciferase assays.A laser scanning confocal microscope was used to observe the mito-chondrial morphology,activity,and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm).Western blot was con-ducted to evaluate the levels of the fusion proteins mitofusin1,mitofusin2,optic atrophy 1,dynamin-related protein 1,and mitochondrial fission protein 1.Results:Parkin overexpression attenuated MPP+-induced mitochondrial damage,increased mitochon-drial activity and AΨm.BYQZF increased the survival of MPP+-induced cells that overexpressed Parkin and upregulated the mitochondrial form factor and activity.It also inhibited a decrease in the ΔΨm and ATP levels.These findings suggested that BYQZF protected against MPP+-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and enhanced the protective effect of Parkin overexpression.Furthermore,the formula upregulated the expression of the fusion proteins mitofusin1,mitofusin2,and optic atrophy 1 (closely related to mitochondrial quality remodeling),and reduced the expression of the fission protein dynamic-related protein 1,as well as mitochondrial fission protein 1.Conclusion:The mechanism by which BYQZF increased the mitochondrial protective effect of Parkin gene overexpression in MPP+-induced cells may be related to improving mitochondrial function and regulating the balance of mitochondrial division and fusion proteins.
7.Influence of acupuncture combining madopar on dopaminergic neurons and Akt expressions in mice with Parkinson's disease
Wandi FENG ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Cong GAI ; Haojie MA ; Hongmei SUN ; Jing FENG ; Yushan GAO ; Shujing ZHANG ; Hong XU ; Zhenyu GUO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2017;40(3):241-246
Objective To investigate the protective effect of acupuncture combining madopar on dopaminergic neurons and possible mechanism through observation on the influence of acupuncture in chorea-tremble controlled zone combining madopar on cerebral protein kinase B (Akt) expressions in mice with Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, madopar group, acupuncture group (A group) and acupuncture combining madopar group (A+M group).The mouse model of PD was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), and madopar group, A group and A+M group were given different therapies.All mice survived for 28 d after modeling.The ethnology of mice was observed by using pole climbing method.The lost of nigra dopaminergic neurons and Akt expressions were detected by using immunohistochemistry technique.Results The time of pole climbing were significantly shorter in madopar group, A group and A+M group than that in model group (P<0.05).After modeling, the expression of nigra dopaminergic neurons decreased in madopar group, A group and A+M group than that in normal group (P<0.05), and increased in A+M group than that in model group and madopar group (P<0.05).The expression of Akt in nigra compacta increased significantly in A+M group than that in other groups (P<0.05).The expressions of Akt at zones of CA1, CA3 and CA4 in hippocampal part increased significantly in A+M group than those in model group and madopar group (P<0.05), and the expressions at zones of CA1 and CA4 increased significantly than those in A group (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture in chorea-tremble controlled zone, especially combining madopar then, can get a therapeutic effect on PD through possibly regulating PI3K/Akt pathway.
8.Clinical and genetic analysis of a child with Canavan disease due to compound heterozygous variants of ASPA gene
Shasha NIU ; Yanyan MA ; Yuqiang LYU ; Hongmei XIN ; Dong WANG ; Yanxin WANG ; Ya′nan YANG ; Zilong LI ; Yi LIU ; Zhongtao GAI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(2):225-229
Objective:To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics for a child with Canavan disease.Methods:A child who was admitted to the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University on April 9, 2021 for inability to uphold his head for 2 months and increased muscle tone for one week was subjected to whole exome sequencing, and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:Genetic testing revealed that the child has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the ASPA gene, including a paternally derived c. 556_559dupGTTC (p. L187Rfs*5) and a maternally derived c.919delA (p. S307Vfs*24). Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3). Conclusion:The c. 556_559dupGTTC (p.L187Rfs*5) and c. 919delA (p.S307Vfs*24) compound heterozygous variants of the ASPA gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of Canavan disease in this child.
9.Practice and thinking of smart hospital construction under the background of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control
Bingqian WANG ; Xiaoye REN ; Xiaohong GAI ; Xu XU ; Hongmei YAO
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2022;43(5):653-657
【Objective】 To establish a three-in-one smart hospital characterized with smart service, smart medical care and smart management to improve the hospital’s ability to prevent and control and respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 【Methods】 Combined with the core needs of normalized prevention and control of the epidemic, the overall structure of the smart hospital was established. Emerging technologies were used as the means to strengthen system integration and security as the basis, and the interconnection and electronic medical record project were the starting point to carry out 31 projects of information system construction and integration. 【Results】 Through the construction of smart service, a service mechanism that integrates online and offline services and covers the whole process of diagnosis and treatment has been realized. Through the construction of integrated physician workstations, smart nursing, medical quality control and other platforms with electronic medical records as the core, the clinical diagnosis and treatment capabilities have been improved. Through the improvement and optimization of the information system, the capacity of the hospital's emergency management of the epidemic has been effectively improved. 【Conclusion】 The construction of smart hospitals can provide a solid guarantee for the prevention and control of COVID-19, but it also faces many problems. The construction of smart service needs the strong support of the competent government departments, the integration of smart medical care needs to be further strengthened, and smart management needs to be further strengthened.