1.The role of microglia activated by the deletion of immune checkpoint receptor CD200R1 gene in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.
Jia-Li GUO ; Tao-Ying HUANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Kun NIU ; Xarbat GONGBIKAI ; Xiao-Li GONG ; Xiao-Min WANG ; Ting ZHANG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(1):13-24
The study aimed to investigate the effect of the CD200R1 gene deletion on microglia activation and nigrostriatal dopamine neuron loss in the Parkinson's disease (PD) process. The CRISPR-Cas9 technology was applied to construct the CD200R1-/- mice. The primary microglia cells of wild-type and CD200R1-/- mice were cultured and treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Microglia phagocytosis level was assessed by a fluorescent microsphere phagocytosis assay. PD mouse model was prepared by nigral stereotaxic injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus vector carrying human α-synuclein (α-syn). The changes in the motor behavior of the mice with both genotypes were evaluated by cylinder test, open field test, and rotarod test. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the loss of dopamine neurons in substantia nigra. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression level of CD68 (a key molecule involved in phagocytosis) in microglia. The results showed that CD200R1 deletion markedly enhanced LPS-induced phagocytosis in vitro by the microglial cells. In the mouse model of PD, CD200R1 deletion exacerbated motor behavior impairment and dopamine neuron loss in substantia nigra. Fluorescence intensity analysis results revealed a significant increase in CD68 expression in microglia located in the substantia nigra of CD200R1-/- mice. The above results suggest that CD200R1 deletion may further activates microglia by promoting microglial phagocytosis, leading to increased loss of the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in the PD model mice. Therefore, targeting CD200R1 could potentially serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of early-stage PD.
Animals
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Microglia/physiology*
;
Mice
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Phagocytosis
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Parkinson Disease/genetics*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology*
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Dopaminergic Neurons/pathology*
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Antigens, CD/metabolism*
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Gene Deletion
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Substantia Nigra
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Cells, Cultured
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Male
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alpha-Synuclein
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CD68 Molecule
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Orexin Receptors
2.Effects of different processing methods on traits and chemical constituents of Forsythiae Fructus.
Rong-Rong XU ; Rui LI ; Chu-Han ZHANG ; Wei TIAN ; Xin-Guo WANG ; Li-Ying NIU ; Wei FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(2):465-471
This study aims to investigate the correlations of the appearance traits, total antioxidant capacity, and component content of Forsythiae Fructus processed by different methods, explore the effects of different processing methods on the abovementioned three aspects of Forsythiae Fructus, and screen out the internal and external indicators that have important effects on its quality. It determined the length, diameter, stem length, chroma value L~*, a~*, b~*, and other appearance indexes and antioxidant activity of Forsythiae Fructus processed by different methods. The content of forsythiaside A, rutin, forsythin, pinoresinol, and phillygenin was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). Correlation analysis, principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and independent sample t-test analysis were performed on the appearance indexes and the component content. The correlation analysis showed that there were differences in the appearance traits and the component content. L~* and E~* had highly significant negative correlations with pinoresinol and phillygenin(P<0.01) and significant positive correlations with forsythiaside A(P<0.05). There were a highly significant negative correlation between a~* and forsythiaside A(P<0.01) and highly significant positive correlations of a~* with pinoresinol and phillygenin(P<0.01). There were a highly significant positive correlation between b~* and forsythiaside A(P<0.01) and highly significant negative correlations of b~* with pinoresinol and phillygenin(P<0.01). The total antioxidant capacity had highly significant negative correlations with pinoresinol and phillygenin(P<0.01). The PCA results showed that there were differences among Forsythiae Fructus samples processed by different methods. OPLS-DA marked five important indicators, which were forsythiaside A, stem length, E~*, L~*, and b~*. The results of independent sample t-test showed that the content of forsythiaside A, pinoresinol, and phillygenin, the total antioxidant capacity, and the appearance traits such as L~*, a~*, b~*, and E~* were significantly different between the Forsythiae Fructus samples processed by steaming and boiling(P<0.05). According to content determination and a related biological activity analysis, steaming is a good choice from the perspective of improving the stability of chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of Forsythiae Fructus. From the point of view of improving the stability of chemical constituents and anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of Forsythiae Fructus, it is recommended to use boiling as the processing method. Based on the above analysis methods, the main indexes for the appearance traits of Forsythiae Fructus processed by different methods are powder chroma value(L~*, a~*, b~*, E~*), stem length, and total antioxidant capacity, and those for chemical constituents are the content of forsythiaside A, pinoresinol, and phillygenin. This study provides reference for seeking scientific processing methods of Forsythiae Fructus.
Forsythia/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
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Fruit/chemistry*
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Antioxidants/analysis*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Glycosides/analysis*
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Principal Component Analysis
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Furans
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Lignans
3.Phenylpropanoids from roots of Berberis polyantha.
Dong-Mei SHA ; Shuai-Cong NI ; Li-Niu SHA-MA ; Hai-Xiao-Lin-Mo MA ; Xiao-Yong HE ; Bin HE ; Shao-Shan ZHANG ; Ying LI ; Jing WEN ; Yuan LIU ; Xin-Jia YAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1564-1568
The chemical constituents were systematically separated from the roots of Berberis polyantha by various chromatographic methods, including silica gel column chromatography, HP20 column chromatography, polyamide column chromatography, reversed-phase C_(18) column chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic techniques(1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, MS, and CD). Four phenylpropanoids were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of B. polyantha, and they were identified as(2R)-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), methyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate(2),(+)-syringaresinol(3), and syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(4). Compound 1 was a new compound, and other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated based on the release of nitric oxide(NO) in the culture of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. At a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), all the four compounds inhibited the LPS-induced release of NO in RAW264.7 cells, demonstrating potential anti-inflammatory properties.
Plant Roots/chemistry*
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Animals
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Mice
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Berberis/chemistry*
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RAW 264.7 Cells
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Macrophages/immunology*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
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Nitric Oxide/metabolism*
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Molecular Structure
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification*
4.Risk factors and development of a predictive model for myocardial injury in children with rotavirus-induced diarrhea.
Li-Ping FENG ; Xiao-Gang WANG ; Wen-Si NIU ; Jin-Jin SHI ; Hong-Ying WANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(6):709-715
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the incidence of myocardial injury in children with rotavirus-induced diarrhea, analyze its risk factors, and develop a predictive model for myocardial injury.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 203 children diagnosed with rotavirus infection at the Suzhou Wujiang District Children's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023. The children were divided into groups based on the presence or absence of myocardial injury. Basic information and laboratory indicators at admission were collected and compared between the two groups. LASSO regression was used to screen potential risk factors, followed by multivariate logistic regression to evaluate independent factors. A nomogram model was established and validated.
RESULTS:
Out of 203 children with rotavirus infection, 53 cases (26.1%) showed myocardial injury. Age, severe dehydration, metabolic acidosis, red cell distribution width, and blood sodium were closely associated with myocardial injury in children with rotavirus-induced diarrhea (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the predictive model of myocardial injury was 0.841 (95%CI: 0.777-0.905), with a sensitivity of 73.6% and specificity of 85.3%. The model curve closely fit the ideal diagonal line. Decision curve analysis showed that using the model for prediction resulted in the highest net benefit when the probability threshold was 0.18-0.98.
CONCLUSIONS
The model developed in this study can predict the risk of myocardial injury in children with rotavirus-induced diarrhea.
Humans
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Rotavirus Infections/complications*
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Diarrhea/etiology*
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Male
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Female
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Infant
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Retrospective Studies
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Risk Factors
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Child, Preschool
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Logistic Models
;
Child
5.Effect of high ligation of spermatic vein on leukocytes in expressed prostate secretion of patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele.
Ji-Yang DING ; Peng ZHANG ; Chun-Hua NIU ; Hai-Yong LI ; Wen-Zhu XU ; Ying-Chen ZHANG ; Gang MA
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(4):319-322
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of laparoscopic high ligation of spermatic cord vein in patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele prostatitis.
METHODS:
A total of 90 varicocele patients were selected from January 2016 to December 2020, including 33 patients with chronic prostatitis. Changes of white blood cell count, National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) score and serum testosterone level in the expressed prostate secretion (EPS) were observed before and after the operation of laparoscopic high ligation of spermatic vein.
RESULTS:
All patients were followed up three months after the surgery. There was no significant difference in the white blood cell counts in EPS, NIH-CPSI score, and serum testosterone level in patients with varicocele-only who underwent high ligation surgery after the operation. However, the white blood cell count in the EPS of patients with chronic prostatitis was lower than that before 3 months of operation ( [12.39±4.23]×109/L vs [21.36±5.05]×109/L). The NIH-CPSI score was significantly lower than that before operation ( [12.71±6.21] vs [26.76±8.43]). And the serum testosterone level was higher than that before operation ([4.34±1.77]ng/ml vs [2.36±1.05]ng/ml).
CONCLUSION
Laparoscopic high ligation of the spermatic vein in patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele could effectively reduce the number of white blood cells in the EPS, boost the level of serum testosterone and improves symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Male
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Humans
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Varicocele/surgery*
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Prostatitis/blood*
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Ligation
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Spermatic Cord/blood supply*
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Testosterone/blood*
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Chronic Disease
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Prostate/metabolism*
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Veins/surgery*
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Leukocyte Count
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Leukocytes
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Laparoscopy
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Adult
6.Progress and challenges of functionalized bacterial encapsulation: A novel biotechnology for next-generation biotherapeutics.
Ying ZHANG ; Yuwei WU ; Xinyu ZHAO ; Qinghua YE ; Lulu CAO ; Ming LIU ; Bao GAO ; Qinya NIU ; Nuo CHEN ; Zixuan DUAN ; Yu DING ; Juan WANG ; Moutong CHEN ; Ying LI ; Qingping WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5167-5191
The disturbance of the human microbiota influences the occurrence and progression of many diseases. Live therapeutic bacteria, with their genetic manipulability, anaerobic tendencies, and immunomodulatory properties, are emerging as promising therapeutic agents. However, their clinical applications face challenges in maintaining activity and achieving precise spatiotemporal release, particularly in the harsh gastrointestinal environment. This review highlights the innovative bacterial functionalized encapsulation strategies developed through advances in physicochemical and biological techniques. We comprehensively review how bacterial encapsulation strategies can be used to provide physical barriers and enhanced adhesion properties to live microorganisms, while introducing superior material properties to live bacteria. In addition, this review outlines how bacterial surface coating can facilitate targeted delivery and precise spatiotemporal release of live bacteria. Furthermore, it elucidates their potential applications for treating different diseases, along with critical perspectives on challenges in clinical translation. This review comprehensively analyzes the connection between functionalized bacterial encapsulation and innovative biomedical applications, providing a theoretical reference for the development of next-generation bacterial therapies.
7.Diverse Subtypes of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Evaluated by Novel PREVENT Associated with Different Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites.
Ye XIN ; Yu Cheng SUN ; Lin CHEN ; Feng Tao CUI ; Ying Ge DUAN ; Han Yun WANG ; Li CHEN ; Tian CHEN ; Pi Ye NIU ; Jun Xiang MA
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1217-1229
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the association of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites with diverse subtypes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
METHODS:
A novel predicting risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs PREVENT equation was used to estimate the 10-year diverse subtypes of CVD risk, and their associations with PAH metabolites were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models, the weighted quantile sum (WQS) model, the quantile g-computation (qgcomp) model, and a stratified analysis of subgroups.
RESULTS:
For this study, six thousand seven hundred and forty-five participants were selected, and significant positive associations were observed between PAHs, naphthalene (NAP), and fluorene (FLU), and the risks of total CVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and heart failure (HF). NAP and FLU were the primary contributors to the effects of PAH mixtures, and their associations with total CVD, ASCVD, and HF risk were significant in younger participants (30 ≤ age < 50 years); however, the associations of phenanthrene (PHEN) with ASCVD, HF, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke were dominant in aging participants (age ≥ 50 years). Notably, pyrene (PYR) was negatively associated with the risk of ASCVD, HF, CHD, and stroke. Similarly, negative associations of PYR with the four CVD subtypes were noticeable in aging participants.
CONCLUSION
Different PAHs metabolites had different impacts on each CVD subtype among different age groups. Notably, the protective effects of PYR on ASCVD, HF, CHD, and stroke were noticeable in aging individuals.
Humans
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Cardiovascular Diseases/chemically induced*
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Middle Aged
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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/metabolism*
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Male
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Female
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Adult
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Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
China/epidemiology*
8.Analysis for clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of patients with meibomian gland carcinoma
Man NIU ; Ying ZHAO ; Fengmei CAI ; Yuanpeng LI ; Wei QIAN ; Huifang WANG
International Eye Science 2024;24(11):1842-1845
AIM: To explore the clinicopathological and immunohistochemistry(IHC)characteristics of meibomian gland carcinoma(MGC).METHODS: Patients who were pathologically diagnosed as MGC from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020 in our hospital were enrolled, and their clinicopathological information was retrospectively analyzed. Cancer tissues from all the cases were IHC stained. En Vision two-step method, DAB staining, as well as hematoxylin re-staining were applied in the IHC assay.RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with 21 males and 29 females(1:1.38)were enrolled in the study, ranging from 26 to 80 years old, with a median age of 60 years. The upper eyelid, which was the predilection site, accounting for 66%(33/50). Histopathologically, moderately or poorly differentiated was in the majority(35/50, 70%). The expression rates of IHC parameters of MGC patients were as follows: GATA-3(49/50, 98%), EMA(49/50, 98%), CAM5.2(42/50, 84%), AR(41/50, 82%), MSH2(50/50, 100%), MSH6(50/50, 100%), MLH1(50/50, 100%), PMS2(50/50, 100%), Ki67(positive, 50%-90%). All the patients were followed up for 12 to 72 mo, with 5 cases of recurrence and 0 deaths.CONCLUSION: Pathological diagnosis of MGC should focus on observing cancer cells' cytoplasm to find relevant clues for cortical gland differentiation. Comprehensive analysis of multiple indicators is required when using IHC to assist diagnosis. For most MGC cancer cells, positive expressions of GATA-3, EMA, AR, CAM5.2 and a high Ki67 proliferation index could be always found. In addition, screening for Muir-Torre syndrome related IHC indicators could be also performed in diagnosing MGC simultaneously.
9.Ganmai Dazao Tang Treats Breast Cancer-related Depression via MAPK/NF-κB Signling Pathway
Jieyuan LIU ; Yanli WANG ; Delian NIU ; Mengting LI ; Lijinchuan DONG ; Xinmin LIU ; Hongping HOU ; Guangping ZHANG ; Ying CHEN ; Bo PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):170-178
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Ganmai Dazao Tang on breast cancer-related depression and explore the mechanism of the decoction in regulating immune inflammation and neurotransmitters via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. MethodBALB/c mice were randomized into control, model, fluoxetine (5 mg·kg-1·d-1), and low- and high-dose (crude drug 20 and 40 g·kg-1, respectively) Ganmai Dazao Tang groups (n=10). The mouse model of 4T1 orthotopic transplantation-induced breast cancer-related depression-like behavior was established. The depression-like behavior of mice was assessed by the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test. RT-qPCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-17A, forkhead box P3 (FoxP3),IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cerebral cortex. Flow cytometry was employed to measure the proportions of immune cell subsets in the spleen and thymus. HPLC-MS/MS was employed to measure neurotransmitter levels in the cerebral cortex. Western blotting was employed to detect the activation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway. ResultCompared with the model group, administration of Ganmai Dazao Tang at a dose of 40 g crude drug·kg-1 continuously for 4 weeks shortened the immobility time of modeled mice in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests (P<0.05), down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-17A, and TNF-α (P<0.05), increased the proportions of T cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells, helper T 17 (Th17) cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells, and reduced the proportion of CD8+ T cells (P<0.05). Furthermore, it lowered the levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and kynurenine (Kyn), decreased the kynurenine/tryptophan (Kyn/Trp) ratio (P<0.05), increased the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and down-regulated the protein levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), phosphorylated p38 MAPK, and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 (P<0.05). ConclusionGanmai Dazao Tang can down-regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-17A, and TNF-α, restore 5-HT metabolism and Kyn/Trp balance, increase the 5-HT content, and reduce the activation of p38 MAPK, ERK, and the MAPK-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce neuroinflammation in the treatment of cancer-related depression.
10.Correlation between related carotid ultrasound parameters and severity of coronary atherosclerosis
Ying XU ; Yin-Ling NIU ; Xia LI
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2024;33(1):75-79
Objective:To study correlation between related carotid ultrasound parameters and severity of coronary atherosclerosis(AS).Methods:According to number of diseased coronary arteries,a total of 116 patients with cor-onary heart disease diagnosed by coronary angiography in our hospital were divided into single vessel coronary dis-ease group(n=38,single group),double vessel coronary disease group(n=39,double group)and ≥3 vessel coro-nary disease group(n=39,multiple group).Another 41 healthy subjects were simultaneously regarded as healthy control group.General clinical data and carotid ultrasound parameters were compared among all groups,and corre-lation among them and AS severity was analyzed.Results:Compared with healthy control group,there were signifi-cant rise in levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)and Crouse score in single,double and multiple groups,and significant re-ductions in plaque echo gray-scale median(GSM)in double and multiple groups.Compared with single group,there were significant rise in levels of TG and LDL-C,Gensini score and Crouse score in double and multiple groups and TC level in multiple group,and significant reduction in plaque echo GSM in multiple group.Compared with double group,there were significant rise in TC level,Gensini score and Crouse score,and significant reduction in plaque echo GSM in multiple group(P<0.05 or<0.01).Pearson correlation analysis indicated that Gensini score was significant positively correlated with Crouse score in these patients(r=0.580,P=0.001).Spearman correla-tion analysis indicated that IMT was significant positively correlated with number of diseased coronary arteries(r=0.582,P=0.001),and plaque echo GSM was significant inversely correlated with it(r=-0.518,P=0.001)in these patients.Conclusion:Related carotid ultrasound parameters are significantly correlated with severity of coro-nary atherosclerosis.

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