1.Mechanism of Mingshi Prescription in Regulating Opn4-dopamine Axis to Inhibit Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Delay Myopia Progression
Baohua LI ; Zefeng KANG ; Lulu WANG ; Xin YAN ; Jianquan WANG ; Xinyue HOU ; Bobiao NING ; Shanshan YE ; Mengyu LIU ; Yipeng SHI ; Danyu LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):58-67
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Mingshi prescription regulates the retinal melanopsin-dopamine (Opn4-DA) axis in myopic mice to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the retina and sclera, thereby delaying axial elongation associated with myopia. MethodsSixty 4-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a form-deprived myopia group (FDM group), an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells ablation group (ipRGCs group), a Mingshi Prescription group (MSF group, 5.2 g·kg-1), and an ipRGCs + MSF group (5.2 g·kg-1). Except for the normal group, all other groups underwent FDM modeling. Additionally, the ipRGCs and ipRGCs + MSF groups received retinal ipRGC ablation. Three weeks after modeling, the MSF and ipRGCs + MSF groups were administered Mingshi prescription via continuous gavage for six weeks. After refraction and axial length were measured in all mice, eyeballs were collected along with retinal and scleral tissues. Pathological and morphological changes in the retina, choroid, and sclera were observed using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Western blot was employed to detect the relative protein expression levels of dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in the retina, and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of Opn4, CHOP, and GRP78 in the retina, and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Immunofluorescence staining (IF) was performed to detect the expression of Opn4 and DRD1 in retinal tissues. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the FDM group showed a significant myopic shift in refraction (P<0.05) and a significant increase in axial length (P<0.05). The retinal layers were thinner, the number of ganglion cells was reduced, and collagen fibers in the sclera were loosely arranged with evident gaps. Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retinal and scleral tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the FDM group, the ipRGCs group exhibited further increases in myopic refraction and axial length (P<0.05), more pronounced thinning and looseness in the retinal, choroidal, and scleral layers, lower expression of Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA in the retina (P<0.05), and higher expression of CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA in the retina and sclera (P<0.05). Compared with the FDM group, the MSF group showed significantly reduced refractive error and axial length (P<0.05), with improved cellular number, arrangement, and thickness in ocular tissues, increased Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina (P<0.05), and reduced CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retina and sclera (P<0.05). Similarly, the ipRGCs + MSF group showed significant improvements in terms of the above items compared with the ipRGCs group (P<0.05). ConclusionMingshi Prescription delays myopic axial elongation and refractive progression by regulating the Opn4-DA axis in the retina of myopic mice, thereby inhibiting ER stress in the retina and sclera. This intervention promotes Qi and blood nourishment of the eyes, softens the fascia, and restores ocular rhythm.
2.Visualization of nasal powder distribution using biomimetic human nasal cavity model.
Jiawen SU ; Yan LIU ; Hongyu SUN ; Abid NAEEM ; Huipeng XU ; Yue QU ; Caifen WANG ; Zeru LI ; Jianhua LU ; Lulu WANG ; Xiaofeng WANG ; Jie WU ; Lixin SUN ; Jiwen ZHANG ; Zhigang WANG ; Rui YANG ; Li WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):392-404
Nasal drug delivery efficiency is highly dependent on the position in which the drug is deposited in the nasal cavity. However, no reliable method is currently available to assess its impact on delivery performance. In this study, a biomimetic nasal model based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology was developed for visualizing the deposition of drug powders in the nasal cavity. The results showed significant differences in cavity area and volume and powder distribution in the anterior part of the biomimetic nasal model of Chinese males and females. The nasal cavity model was modified with dimethicone and validated to be suitable for the deposition test. The experimental device produced the most satisfactory results with five spray times. Furthermore, particle sizes and spray angles were found to significantly affect the experimental device's performance and alter drug distribution, respectively. Additionally, mometasone furoate (MF) nasal spray (NS) distribution patterns were investigated in a goat nasal cavity model and three male goat noses, confirming the in vitro and in vivo correlation. In conclusion, the developed human nasal structure biomimetic device has the potential to be a valuable tool for assessing nasal drug delivery system deposition and distribution.
3.Expert consensus on the rational use of psychotropic drugs related to intensive care medicine
Shenglin SHE ; Zhen SONG ; Tongwen SUN ; Jingguo ZHAI ; Yan YU ; Ningbo YANG ; Maosheng FANG ; Wenbin GUO ; Man WANG ; Guanglei XUN ; Lulu ZHANG ; Xijia XU ; Xiaoli WU ; Qinling WEI ; Fang LIU ; Huiping LI ; Xingrong SONG ; Youping WANG ; Yingjun ZHENG ; Xueqin SONG
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2024;50(9):513-524
Critical care medicine-related treatment is an interdisciplinary and multi-professional process,often leading to secondary or concomitant mental disorders in clinical practice.Currently,there is no consensus on the pharmacological treatment of related mental illnesses in China.The Chinese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine collaborated with the Critical Care Medicine expert group to form a consensus writing expert group.After a systematic review of relevant literature,summarizing published domestic and foreign literature,and extensive discussions,the consensus was developed.The consensus elaborates on the principles and processes of the standardized use of psychotropic drugs in critical care medicine,as well as the clinical indications,precautions,and specific drug selection of various psychiatric medications,providing feasible suggestions and guidance for the clinical application of psychiatric medications in the intensive care unit.
4.Model informed precision medicine of Chinese herbal medicines formulas-A multi-scale mechanistic intelligent model
Qian YUANYUAN ; Wang XITING ; Cai LULU ; Han JIANGXUE ; Huang ZHU ; Lou YAHUI ; Zhang BINGYUE ; Wang YANJIE ; Sun XIAONING ; Zhang YAN ; Zhu AISONG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(4):585-600
Recent trends suggest that Chinese herbal medicine formulas(CHM formulas)are promising treatments for complex diseases.To characterize the precise syndromes,precise diseases and precise targets of the precise targets between complex diseases and CHM formulas,we developed an artificial intelligence-based quantitative predictive algorithm(DeepTCM).DeepTCM has gone through multilevel model cali-bration and validation against a comprehensive set of herb and disease data so that it accurately captures the complex cellular signaling,molecular and theoretical levels of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).As an example,our model simulated the optimal CHM formulas for the treatment of coronary heart disease(CHD)with depression,and through model sensitivity analysis,we calculated the balanced scoring of the formulas.Furthermore,we constructed a biological knowledge graph representing interactions by associating herb-target and gene-disease interactions.Finally,we experimentally confirmed the thera-peutic effect and pharmacological mechanism of a novel model-predicted intervention in humans and mice.This novel multiscale model opened up a new avenue to combine"disease syndrome"and"macro micro"system modeling to facilitate translational research in CHM formulas.
5.Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for predicting differentiation degree of hepatocellular carcinoma
Youxiang REN ; Wenwu LING ; Yan LUO ; Lulu YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(8):1199-1203
Objective To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for predicting differentiation degree of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods Totally 86 HCC patients confirmed by postoperative pathology were retrospectively enrolled and divided into poorly differentiated,moderately differentiated and highly differentiated groups according to postoperative Edmondson-Steiner grading.Preoperative CEUS parameters were compared among groups,and binary logistic regression was used to analyze CEUS-related independent predictors of HCC with different differentiation.The receiver operating characteristic curves of parameters being significant different among groups were drawn,the areas under the curve(AUC)were calculated,and the efficacy for predicting HCC with different differentiation degree was evaluated.Results There were 29 cases in poorly differentiated group,37 in moderately differentiated group and 20 cases in highly differentiated group.The arrival time of contrast agent in poorly differentiated group was earlier than that in moderately and high differentiated groups(both P<0.05),while in moderately differentiated group was not significantly different with that in highly differentiated group(P>0.05).The washout grade were significantly different between each 2 groups(all P<0.05).The arrival time of contrast agent and washout grade were independent predictors of highly or poorly differentiated,moderately or poorly differentiated,moderate-highly or poorly differentiated HCC,and washout grade also was independent predictor of highly or moderately differentiated HCC(all P<0.05).The AUC of the arrival time of contrast agent for predicting highly or moderately differentiated,highly or poorly differentiated,moderately or poorly differentiated,moderate-highly or poorly differentiated HCC was 0.615,0.787,0.690 and 0.724,respectively,while of washout grade was 0.801,0.927,0.795 and 0.841,respectively.Conclusion CEUS could be used to effectively predict differentiation degree of HCC.
6.Value of quantitative parameters of double contrast-enhanced ultrasound in predicting lymphatic metastasis of gastric cancer
Xueliang YAN ; Zhiqi ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Ting WANG ; Lulu YANG ; Shaoqing YANG ; Fang NIE
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2024;33(8):712-717
Objective:To explore the feasibility of using quantitative parameters of double contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCUS) to noninvasively predict lymphatic metastasis in gastric cancer before operation.Methods:From December 2021 to October 2023, 119 patients undergoing gastrectomy at the Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, were enrolled retrospectively. Based on the pathological findings, they were divided into lymph node metastasis (N1, 94 cases) and non-lymph node metastasis (N0, 25 cases) groups. All patients underwent DCUS within 3 days before surgery. Previous to DCUS, lesions′ location and ultrasonic T-staging were recorded by conventional ultrasound. Quantitative parameters such as arrival time (AT), time to peak (TTP), baseline intensity (BI), peak intensity (PI) and wash-in slope (WIS) were obtained by the time-intensity curve (TIC) automatically, and then manually calculated enhanced intensity (ΔPI=PI–BI) and enhanced time (ΔTTP=TTP–AT). Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors for predicting lymph nodes metastasis in gastric cancer, and regression models were established.Results:Statistical tests revealed significant differences in ultrasonic T-staging ( P<0.001) and degree of differentiation ( P=0.015) between N1 and N0 group. Among DCUS quantitative parameters, statistical differences in PI, ΔPI and WIS were observed between the two groups (all P<0.05), while no significant differences were found in BI, AT, TTP and ΔTTP (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ultrasonic T-staging and WIS were independent risk factors for predicting lymphatic metastasis. The regression model built on the above two factors performed well in predicting lymph nodes metastasis, with an area under the curve of 0.905, accuracy of 93.3% (superior to the prediction model based on DCUS quantitative parameters alone, P<0.05), sensitivity of 95.7% and specificity of 84.0%. Conclusions:DCUS quantitative parameters may be helpful to evaluate lymphatic metastasis of gastric cancer prior to surgery, and the accuracy of prediction would be improved by combing with ultrasonic T-staging.
7.Therapeutic mechanism of aqueous extract of Semiliquidambar cathayensis Chang root for pancreatic cancer:the active components,therapeutic targets and pathways
Yan HUANG ; Lulu QIN ; Shaoxing GUAN ; Yanping GUANG ; Yuru WEI ; Ailing CAO ; Dongmei LI ; Guining WEI ; Qibiao SU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(7):1336-1344
Objective To explore the key targets and signaling pathways in the therapeutic mechanism of Semiliquidambar cathayensis Chang(SC)root against pancreatic cancer network pharmacology and molecular docking studies and cell experiments.Methods The targets of SC and pancreatic cancer were predicted using the network pharmacological database,the protein-protein interaction network was constructed,and pathways,functional enrichment and molecular docking analyses were performed.CCK-8 assay was used to test the inhibitory effect of the aqueous extract of SC root on 8 cancer cell lines,and its effects on invasion,migration,proliferation,and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells were evaluated.Western blotting was performed to verify the results of network pharmacology analysis.Results We identified a total of 18 active components in SC,which regulated 21 potential key targets in pancreatic cancer.GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses showed that these targets were involved mainly in the biological processes including protein phosphorylation,signal transduction,and apoptosis and participated in cancer signaling and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways.Among the 8 cancer cell lines,The aqueous extract of SC root produced the most obvious inhibitory effect in pancreatic cancer cells,and significantly inhibited the invasion,migration,and proliferation and promoted apoptosis of pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cells(P<0.05).Western blotting confirmed that SC significantly inhibited the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT in Panc-1 cells(P<0.001).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of SC root against pancreatic cancer effects is mediated by its multiple components that act on different targets and pathways including the PI3K-Akt pathway.
8.Clinical phenotype and genetic analysis of a fetus with Cardiac valvular dysplasia type 1
Lulu YAN ; Juan CAO ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Dongmei LI ; Yingwen LIU ; Xiangchun YANG ; Haibo LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(1):92-95
Objective:To explore the genetic basis for a fetus with Cardiac valvular dysplasia type 1 (CVDP1).Methods:A CVDP1 fetus identified at the Ningbo Women and Children′s Hospital on July 7, 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the fetus was collected. The fetus and its parents were subjected to trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES), and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:The fetus had exhibited generalized edema, complex cardiac malformation, abdominal effusion, and enhanced intestinal and renal parenchymal echoes. Trio-WES revealed that it has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the PLD1 gene, namely c. 2977C>T (p.R993*) and c. 1460G>A (p.W487*), which were respectively inherited from its father and mother. Neither variant was reported previously. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c. 2977C>T (p.R993*) variant was evaluated to be likely pathogenic (PVS1_Moderate+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3+ PP4), whilst the c. 1460G>A (p.W487*) variant was evaluated to be pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PP4). Conclusion:The c. 2977C>T (p.R993*) and c. 1460G>A (p.W487*) compound heterozygous variants of the PLD1 gene probably underlay the CVDP1 in the fetus. Above discovery has enriched the mutational spectrum of the PLD1 gene and provided a guidance for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in this family.
9.Association between short-term exposure to atmospheric fine particulate matter and ozone and inflammatory indicators in peripheral blood of patients with pneumonia
Lulu SONG ; Qi YU ; Nannan LIU ; Yuhui GAO ; Zeyu NIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Huiqiu ZHENG ; Jiayu TIAN ; Junxia LIU ; Lifang ZHAO ; Zhihong ZHANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(6):551-558
ObjectiveTo explore the association between short-term exposure to atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) and systemic inflammatory indicators in patients with pneumonia, and to identify the susceptible populations. MethodsFrom September 2018 to April 2020, data of 1 480 patients admitted for pneumonia was collected from a tertiary hospital in Taiyuan City. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to explore the associations between PM2.5 and O3 exposure and inflammatory indicators of patients with pneumonia; and to explore the susceptibility factors and susceptible populations to PM2.5 and O3 exposures through stratified analyses. ResultsThe short-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with changes in peripheral blood C-reation protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), easinophil (EOS), neutrophil (NEU) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with pneumonia, and there were different degrees of hysteresis effects, with the effect values reaching a maximum at lag03, lag03, lag0, lag03, lag03, respectively, which were 4.13% (95%CI: 0.43%‒7.84%), 3.10% (95%CI: 0.24%‒5.97%), 5.27% (95%CI: 3.12%‒7.42%), 1.85% (95%CI: 0.36%‒3.34%), and 2.53% (95%CI: 0.53%‒4.74%) for every 10 μg·m-3 of PM2.5. The changes in O3 concentration were associated with the elevation of peripheral blood PCT and ESR in patients with pneumonia, and their effect values all reached the maximum at lag01 d, every 1 μg·m-3 of O3 elevation increased by 0.38% (95%CI: 0.04%‒0.73%) and 0.47% (95%CI: 0.19%‒0.76%), respectively. Stratified analyses showed that the associations of PM2.5 with peripheral blood CRP, ESR, NEU, and NLR in pneumonia patients were more significant in males, the elderly, and those with onset in the cold season; the associations of O3 with peripheral blood PCT and ESR in pneumonia patients were more significant in the elderly and those with onset in the warm season, and the peripheral blood CRP and PCT in female patients with pneumonia were more susceptible to the changes of O3. ConclusionShort-term exposure to atmospheric PM2.5 and O3 are positively associated with changes in inflammatory indicators in patients with pneumonia, and the effects of PM2.5 on patients with pneumonia are more extensive than those of O3, with a longer lag effect. In addition, elderly patients with pneumonia are more sensitive to air pollution, male patients with pneumonia are more sensitive to PM2.5, and female patients with pneumonia are more sensitive to O3. Cold and warm seasons can exacerbate the effects of PM2.5 and O3 on inflammatory indicators in patients with pneumonia, respectively, and the patients must be protected well.
10.Finite element analysis of three-dimensional frame screws and minimally invasive plate for fixation of Sanders Ⅲ calcaneal fractures
Dewei KONG ; Chao SONG ; Liang WU ; Ming WU ; Lulu GONG ; Jiaqi WANG ; Hongyuan PAN ; Xinbin FAN ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;33(33):5289-5294
BACKGROUND:Satisfactory clinical results have been achieved in the treatment of Sanders Ⅲ calcaneal fractures by percutaneous compression fixation with three-dimensional frame screws.However,whether the stability of minimally invasive plate internal fixation can be achieved in terms of biomechanics,and the advantages and disadvantages after comparison are still unknown. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the fixation effect of different internal fixation devices on Sanders Ⅲ calcaneal fractures by finite element analysis. METHODS:A finite element model of Sanders Ⅲ calcaneal fracture was made based on CT data of a 26-year-old healthy male volunteer.The calcaneal fracture models were fixed by minimally invasive three-dimensional frame screws and minimally invasive Y-plate.The longitudinal loads of 350 and 700 N were applied respectively.The displacement and stress distribution of the two models were analyzed,and the stability of each model was compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The peak stress of bone block and implant in the minimally invasive three-dimensional frame screw model was significantly lower than that in the minimally invasive minimally invasive plate model.The average stress of bone block and implant in the three-dimensional frame screw model was also significantly lower than that in the minimally invasive plate model.(2)The maximum displacement of the two models was located at the medial side of the articular surface of the posterior talus,and the maximum displacement of the three-dimensional frame screw model was smaller than that of the minimally invasive plate model.(3)The longitudinal displacement between the anterior fragment and the medial fragment of the minimally invasive plate model was smaller,and the transverse and vertical displacement between the medial fragment and the middle fragment of the three-dimensional group screw model was smaller.(4)It is concluded that both of the two internal fixation models can provide satisfactory fixation effect.The three-dimensional frame screw model can provide better transverse and vertical stability with more uniform stress distribution and smaller comprehensive displacement of bone fragments,while the minimally invasive plate has more advantages in maintaining longitudinal stability.

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