1.Erchentang Ameliorates SiO2-induced Lung Injury by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Disorders via Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
Jun LU ; Xinyi ZHU ; Ziyi LIU ; Jixia HU ; Jialu CHEN ; Rong XIAO ; Zhibin WANG ; Chang LIU ; Fangguo LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):32-42
ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of Erchentang (ECT) on SiO2-induced lung injury in rats and to explore its underlying mechanism. MethodsA rat model of lung injury was established by a single intratracheal instillation of 50 mg·mL-1 SiO2 suspension. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control, model, low and high-dose (4.5 g·kg-1·d-1 and 9 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) ECT, and dexamethasone (0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1). All the groups were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. Histopathological alterations in the lung tissue were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the lung tissue were measured through biochemical assays. The expression of key molecules in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway was determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence assay. The primary active components of ECT were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and their binding affinity to Nrf2/HO-1 was assessed by molecular docking. Untargeted metabolomics of the lung tissue was performed based on UPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), and correlation analysis was performed to identify differential metabolites and parameters closely associated with the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a reduction in body weight gain, an increase in lung index, increased MDA content, weakened SOD and GSH-Px activities in the lung tissue, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and protein levels of HO-1 and GPX4, and an up-regulated protein level of Keap1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Treatment with ECT attenuated the SiO2-induced decline in body weight (P<0.05), alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and silicotic nodule formation in alveoli, and reduced the MDA content and enhanced the SOD and GSH-Px activities in the lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). UPLC-MS/MS and molecular docking revealed that core components of ECT, such as hesperidin and glycyrrhizic acid, displayed strong binding affinity to Nrf2/HO-1. Molecular biological experiments demonstrated that ECT promoted nuclear translocation of Nrf2, up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of HO-1 and GPX4, and down-regulated Keap1 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomic analysis indicated that ECT reversed the SiO2-induced aberrant expression of metabolites, including linoleic acid and glutamine (P<0.05, P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that Nrf2 and HO-1 were positively correlated with SOD and GSH-Px (P<0.05, P<0.01), but negatively correlated with glutamine and serine (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionECT may activate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway through its core active components, thereby regulating oxidative stress and metabolic disorders to ameliorate SiO2-induced lung injury in rats. This study provides experimental evidence for ECT in the prevention and treatment of occupational lung injury.
2.Mechanism of action of Qiangxin decoction in regulating the IκBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway-mediated M1 macrophage polarization for the treatment of chronic heart failure
Weiqi SHI ; Jianqi LU ; Zhide ZHU ; Meiling TANG ; Xiang XIAO ; Shanyun ZOU ; Yarou TU ; Lihui HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1966-1973
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Qiangxin decoction in the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) by regulating the inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB alpha/nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit (IκBα/NF-κB p65) signaling pathway-mediated M1 macrophage polarization. METHODS In animal experiments, mice were used as research subjects, and the CHF model was established via coronary artery ligation. Model mice were treated with Qiangxin decoction (21.69 g/kg) for 28 days. After intervention, pathological morphological changes of myocardial tissues and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were observed. Serum levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), myocardial injury marker troponin I3 (TNNI3), and macrophage-related markers F4/80 and cluster of differentiation 80 (CD80) were detected. In cell experiments, monocyte-macrophage leukemia RAW264.7 cells were induced to undergo M1 polarization by 10 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide combined with 10 ng/mL interferon-γ, followed by 48 h intervention with 10% drug-containing serum of Qiangxin decoction. After intervention, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p50 was observed. The positive rate of CD80 in cells was measured. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 isoform 2 (CCR7-2), as well as the expression levels of proteins related to the IκBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway were detected. RESULTS Animal experimental results showed that Qiangxin decoction alleviated myocardial fibrosis in mice, and significantly reduced the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, as well as the protein expression of TNNI3, F4/80 and CD80 in myocardial tissues (P<0.05). Cell experimental results indicated that Qiangxin decoction significantly suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p50 (P<0.05). It significantly decreased the CD80 positive rate, mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α, iNOS, COX2 and CCR7-2, total and nuclear expression of NF-κB p65, total, nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65, total expression of phosphorylated IκBα (P<0.05). Meanwhile, it significantly elevated the total expression of IκBα and cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB p65 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can inhibit the activity of the IκBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway, reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors, thereby restraining M1 macrophage polarization, mitigating myocardial fibrosis, and ultimately exerting therapeutic effects against CHF.
3.Design, Implementation, and Multidimensional Evaluation of the "Rapid Recognition and Response for Critically Ill Patients" Course
Xiao SONG ; Yuyin GENG ; Hong WANG ; Xiaoyun HU ; Meishan LU ; Shicheng MA ; Yihang WANG ; Jihai LIU ; Jiangshan WANG ; Huadong ZHU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(5):1265-1271
To evaluate the design and implementation effects of the "Rapid Recognition and Management of Critically Ill Patients" course, and to provide a reference for the improvement of situational simulation teaching in emergency and critical care settings. All medical staff who participated in thiscourse training in June 2025 were enrolled as study subjects. The course adopted a blended teaching method combining online theoretical selfstudy with offline situational simulation. Multi-dimensional evaluation was conducted through theoretical assessments, skill assessments, and satisfaction surveys regarding the course and instructors. A total of 142 trainees were enrolled, including 103 clinical postdoctoral fellows (72.5%), 24 standardized training nurses (16.9%), and 15 standardized training resident physicians (10.6%). The mean theoretical examination score was 93.27±6.95, with statistically significant differences among different trainee categories (η2=0.346, 95% CI: 0.241-1.000, The course achieved preliminary and favorable training outcomes. Theoretical examination scores, skill assessment scores, and course evaluation ratings were mutually independent, reflecting distinct dimensions of competence and learning experience. It is recommended that theoretical and skill assessments be set as independent passing thresholds, and that targeted training be strengthened in the areas of arrhythmia recognition and ventricular fibrillation management.
4.Youguiwan Promotes Localization and Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells in Mouse Ovaries via Akt/mTOR/4EBP1/P70S6K Signaling Pathway
Xiang HU ; Mingya ZHU ; Qin ZHOU ; Jiayi SUN ; Zimo LI ; Xiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):51-60
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Youguiwan on the localization and differentiation of embryonic stem cells transplanted into ovaries,and to preliminarily explore whether its mechanism is related to the protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1)/p70S6 kinase (P70S6K) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 81 healthy adult female C57BL/6 mice that had received ovarian transplantation of GFP-labeled embryonic stem cells were randomly allocated into a control group,a Youguiwan group,and a positive control group. The control group received normal saline via gavage,the Youguiwan group was administered Youguiwan decoction at a clinical equivalent dose of 17.1 g·kg-1,and the positive control group received human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) injections every 48 h. Ovarian tissue samples were collected on days 7,14,and 21 post-administration. Frozen sections were prepared to observe stem cell localization. The immunofluorescence assay was used to detect growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and mTOR expression. real time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA levels of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR). Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression and phosphorylation levels of Akt,mTOR,4EBP1,and P70S6K. ResultsFluorescence microscopy revealed that the transplanted embryonic stem cells were predominantly localized within the granular cell layer,the cell layer of the follicular structure,and the stroma. After 14 days of drug intervention,compared with the control group,the Youguiwan group showed upregulated mRNA levels of FSHR and LHR in the ovarian tissue (P<0.01),as well as elevated phosphorylation/protein ratios of Akt,mTOR,4EBP1,and P70S6K (P<0.05). After 21 days of drug intervention,compared with the control group,the Youguiwan group exhibited enhanced expression of GDF9 and mTOR in the ovarian tissue as detected by immunofluorescence (P<0.05),along with elevated mRNA levels of FSHR and LHR (P<0.01) and phosphorylation/protein ratios of Akt and 4EBP1 (P<0.05). ConclusionYouguiwan can promote the localization and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells within the ovary and enhance the expression of GDF9,FSHR,and LHR mRNA in the ovarian tissue by influencing the Akt/mTOR/4EBP1/P70S6K pathway.
5.Real-world efficacy and safety of azvudine in hospitalized older patients with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in China: A retrospective cohort study.
Yuanchao ZHU ; Fei ZHAO ; Yubing ZHU ; Xingang LI ; Deshi DONG ; Bolin ZHU ; Jianchun LI ; Xin HU ; Zinan ZHAO ; Wenfeng XU ; Yang JV ; Dandan WANG ; Yingming ZHENG ; Yiwen DONG ; Lu LI ; Shilei YANG ; Zhiyuan TENG ; Ling LU ; Jingwei ZHU ; Linzhe DU ; Yunxin LIU ; Lechuan JIA ; Qiujv ZHANG ; Hui MA ; Ana ZHAO ; Hongliu JIANG ; Xin XU ; Jinli WANG ; Xuping QIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Tingting ZHENG ; Chunxia YANG ; Xuguang CHEN ; Kun LIU ; Huanhuan JIANG ; Dongxiang QU ; Jia SONG ; Hua CHENG ; Wenfang SUN ; Hanqiu ZHAN ; Xiao LI ; Yafeng WANG ; Aixia WANG ; Li LIU ; Lihua YANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Shumin CHEN ; Jingjing MA ; Wei LIU ; Xiaoxiang DU ; Meiqin ZHENG ; Liyan WAN ; Guangqing DU ; Hangmei LIU ; Pengfei JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):123-132
Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T NANC), time to symptom improvement (T SI), and time of hospital stay (T HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.
6.Perturbation response scanning of drug-target networks: Drug repurposing for multiple sclerosis.
Yitan LU ; Ziyun ZHOU ; Qi LI ; Bin YANG ; Xing XU ; Yu ZHU ; Mengjun XIE ; Yuwan QI ; Fei XIAO ; Wenying YAN ; Zhongjie LIANG ; Qifei CONG ; Guang HU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101295-101295
Combined with elastic network model (ENM), the perturbation response scanning (PRS) has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins. Here, we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks (DTNs), which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine. We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework, for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis (MS). First, the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes. Then, based on topological analysis and functional annotation, the neurotransmission module was identified as the "therapeutic module" of MS. Further, perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis, giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS. Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of serotonin 2B receptor (HTR2B). Finally, we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex. These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS. As a useful systematic method, our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.
7.Associations between Pesticide Metabolites and Decreased Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Among Solar Greenhouse Workers: A Specialized Farmer Group.
Teng Long YAN ; Xin SONG ; Xiao Dong LIU ; Wu LIU ; Yong Lan CHEN ; Xiao Mei ZHANG ; Xiang Juan MENG ; Bin Shuo HU ; Zhen Xia KOU ; Tian CHEN ; Xiao Jun ZHU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):265-269
8.Multidisciplinary expert consensus on weight management for overweight and obese children and adolescents based on healthy lifestyle
HONG Ping, MA Yuguo, TAO Fangbiao, XU Yajun, ZHANG Qian, HU Liang, WEI Gaoxia, YANG Yuexin, QIAN Junwei, HOU Xiao, ZHANG Yimin, SUN Tingting, XI Bo, DONG Xiaosheng, MA Jun, SONG Yi, WANG Haijun, HE Gang, CHEN Runsen, LIU Jingmin, HUANG Zhijian, HU Guopeng, QIAN Jinghua, BAO Ke, LI Xuemei, ZHU Dan, FENG Junpeng, SHA Mo, Chinese Association for Student Nutrition & ; Health Promotion, Key Laboratory of Sports and Physical Fitness of the Ministry of Education,〖JZ〗 Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Key Core Technical Integration System and Equipment,〖JZ〗 Key Laboratory of Exercise Rehabilitation Science of the Ministry of Education
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(12):1673-1680
Abstract
In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen rapidly, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health. To provide scientific, systematic, and standardized weight management guidance for overweight and obese children and adolescents, the study focuses on the core concept of healthy lifestyle intervention, integrates multidisciplinary expert opinions and research findings,and proposes a comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention framework covering scientific exercise intervention, precise nutrition and diet, optimized sleep management, and standardized psychological support. It calls for the establishment of a multi agent collaborative management mechanism led by the government, implemented by families, fostered by schools, initiated by individuals, optimized by communities, reinforced by healthcare, and coordinated by multiple stakeholders. Emphasizing a child and adolescent centered approach, the consensus advocates for comprehensive, multi level, and personalized guidance strategies to promote the internalization and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It serves as a reference and provides recommendations for the effective prevention and control of overweight and obesity, and enhancing the health level of children and adolescents.
9.Correlation between serum zinc level and prognosis of patients with sepsis
Xiao-Gang WANG ; Jia-Jun MA ; Rui-Xin ZHU ; Li-Bing ZHOU ; Sai-Hu HUANG ; Shui-Yan WU ; Wen-Si NIU ; Jie HUANG ; Zhen-Jiang BAI
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(5):278-282
Objective:To investigate the differences in clinical outcomes of septic children with varying serum zinc levels,and to analyze the relationship between reduced serum zinc levels and organ dysfunction as well as 28-day mortality in septic children.Methods:This study conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data from pediatric patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock in the Department of critical care medicine of the children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2017 and December 2022.Clinical characteristics,organ dysfunction,and prognosis were compared between two groups:children with low serum zinc levels and those with normal zinc levels.Results:The serum zinc level of septic children within 24 hours of admission was 9.60(5.52,13.80)μmol/L,with 50.54%(94/186)of the children exhibiting low serum zinc levels(<10.07 μmol/L).Compared to the normal serum zinc group,the low serum zinc group had a significantly lower Pediatric Critical Illness Score(PCIS)[(78.71±9.35)vs.(85.12±8.51),P=0.005]and higher 28-day mortality(46.80%vs.14.13%,P<0.001).The low serum zinc group also had a higher proportion of invasive mechanical ventilation(64.89%vs.47.82%,P=0.019),renal replacement therapy(15.59%vs.3.26%,P=0.003),and use of vasoactive drugs(56.38%vs.30.43%,P<0.001).The rate of underlying conditions in the low serum zinc group was significantly higher than that in the normal serum zinc group(57.44%vs.36.95%,P=0.005).Additionally,the low serum zinc group had a higher incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,shock,and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)compared to the normal serum zinc group(P<0.05).Serum zinc levels had predictive value for 28-day mortality in septic children(AUC=0.813;95%CI:0.725~0.902;P<0.001).A serum zinc level of less than 6.950 μmol/L predicted the death of septic children with a sensitivity of 0.618 and a specificity of 0.902.Conclusion:Sepsis in children is commonly associated with low serum zinc levels,especially in those with underlying conditions such as hematologic and oncologic disorders.Sepsis patients hypozincemia with a higher incidence of DIC,respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,shock,and MODS.A serum zinc level below 6.95 μmol/L serves as a significant predictor of 28-day mortality in children with severe sepsis.
10.Validation and Forensic Application of a Domestic Human DNA Quantitative De-tection Kit
Jing CHEN ; Ya-Ping WANG ; Yun-Peng FENG ; Xiao-Xin HU ; Zhen-Jun JIA ; Hong-Di LIU ; An-Xin YAN ; Yong-Jiu LI ; Zhu PENG ; Zhi-Fang LIU ; Jian-Gang CHEN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(3):252-259
Objective To verify the efficacy of a domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in detecting the total human DNA concentration,male DNA concen-tration in mixed male/female DNA samples,the degree of DNA degradation and inhibitor tolerance.Methods Samples with different concentrations,different male/female ratios,different concentrations of inhibitors,and different degradation degrees were tested using the domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.This kit was compared with a similar product on the market and was applied to the detection of DNA from real cases.Results This human DNA quan-tification kit can effectively detect human DNA as low as 0.001 65 ng/μL,and 6.25 pg/μL of male DNA in mixed samples with a male-to-female ratio of 1∶15 000.Even when the sample contains as high as 400 ng/μL of humic acid or 1 000 μmol/L of hemin alone,the DNA concentration can still be accurately detected.The degradation index can effectively characterize the degradation degree of the sample.This kit has been successfully applied in forensic practice.Conclusion This human DNA quan-tification kit is accurate and reliable in detection.It can accurately reflect the degradation of DNA and inhibitor tolerance.It has good performance in quantitative accuracy,determination of the male/female ratio in mixed samples,and inhibitor tolerance.It has application potential in forensic case examination.


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