1.Exploration on the integration of red doctor resources into ideological and political education:based on the study of the history of Xi’an Medical College
Xin LIU ; Lie SANG ; Fan HUA ; Yujie LUO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(7):867-873
The red doctor spirit is the red gene formed and developed in the process of the Communist Party of China (CPC) leading the revolution and construction, and in pioneering and developing the people’s health undertakings. It is also the embodiment of the spiritual lineage of the Chinese Communists in the field of healthcare. The red doctor resources is a valuable resource for medical colleges and universities to conduct ideological and political education, playing a vital role in the cultivation of medical talents and the construction of Chinese-style modernization in health and well-being. Combining with the macro-historical background and adopting the method of “university founding background, typical figures, typical cases, and group portrayal,” the university history research team at Xi’an Medical University has excavated representative cases that demonstrate the connotation of the spirit of red medicine, namely “political firmness and excellent technology,” from the university’s history of arduous struggle in its establishment and development. This exploration shows the historical value and practical significance of the red doctor spirit as reflected in university history. On these foundations, the research team explored and carried out ideological and political theory courses and campus culture construction activities with the characteristics of medical universities, thereby enhancing the affinity and persuasiveness of ideological and political theory courses, promoting the in-depth dissemination of the red doctor spirit, and assisting in the construction of health and well-being culture.
2.Risk Factor and Risk Prediction Modeling of Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Liang XIE ; Chang LIU ; Jianhua LI ; Jianhui LI ; Xin HAO ; Haiyang HUA
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(7):598-604
Objective To analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (RNETs) and construct a risk prediction model. Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent electronic colonoscopy were collected. The clinical information on patients with and without RNETs were compared, and potential risk factors for RNETs were identified. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the relevant risk factors and construct a risk prediction model. Results Among 164 patients, 66 were diagnosed with RNETs, and 98 who did not have such a condition were randomly selected. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, fatty liver, anxiety and depression, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were significant factors influencing the occurrence of RNETs (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age (P=0.015), anxiety and depression (P=0.031), cholesterol level (P=0.009), fatty liver (P=0.001), and CEA (P<0.001) as independent risk factors for RNETs. The participants were randomly divided into training and test sets at a 7:3 ratio. The training set was used to construct a nomogram-based risk prediction model, and the testing set was used for internal validation. The area under the curve values for the training and testing sets were 0.843 and 0.772, respectively (P>0.05). These findings indicate a good discriminative performance. The calibration curves for the training and testing sets were in good agreement with the 45° standard line, which suggests that the predicted probabilities were consistent with the actual outcomes. Decision curve analysis showed that the model provided a high net benefit within a threshold range of 0.2 to 0.7 for clinical decision making. Conclusion Young age, fatty liver, high CEA levels, high cholesterol levels, and anxiety and depression are independent risk factors for RNETs. The nomogram model constructed based on these risk factors exhibits a strong capability to predict the occurrence of RNETs, and clinical intervention can be considered based on the predicted probability values.
3.Threshold of kurtosis on occupational hearing loss associated with non-steady noise
Yang LI ; Haiying LIU ; Linjie WU ; Jinzhe LI ; Jiarui XIN ; Hua ZOU ; Xin SUN ; Wei QIU ; Changyan YU ; Meibian ZHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(7):779-785
Background Kurtosis reflecting noise's temporal structure is an effective metric for evaluating noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and its threshold is still unclear. Objective To explore the energy range of kurtosis and the threshold of NIHL induced by kurtosis in this energy rangeMethods Using cross-sectional design,
4.Roles of A- and C-weighted kurtosis adjustment for equivalent sound level in evaluating occupational hearing loss
Haiying LIU ; Linjie WU ; Yang LI ; Jinzhe LI ; Jiarui XIN ; Hua ZOU ; Wei QIU ; Tong SHEN ; Meibian ZHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(7):793-799
Background Temporal kurtosis (without frequency weighting, i.e., Z-weighted kurtosis) can evaluate noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, few studies have considered the function of frequency weighting (A- or C-weighted) kurtosis on NIHL. Objective To study the significance of A- and C-weighted kurtosis adjustment for equivalent sound level (L'EX,8 h) in evaluating occupational hearing loss. Methods A cross-sectional survey was used to select 973 noise-exposed workers in seven industries as the subjects. The noise exposure of all workers was assessed by distributions of A-, C-, and Z-weighted kurtosis (e.g., KA, KC, and KZ) and respective adjusted equivalent sound level (e.g., L'EX,8 h-KA, L'EX,8 h-KC, and L'EX,8 h-KZ). The significance of A- and C-weighted kurtosis in evaluating NIHL was evaluated by correlations between three types of L'EX,8 h and NIHL, and improvement of noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) underestimation predicted by the ISO prediction model (Acoustics—Estimation of noise-induced hearing loss, ISO 1999-2013). Results The median KA, KC, and KZ were 68.33, 28.22, and 19.82, respectively. The binary logistic regression showed that LEX, 8 h-KA, LEX, 8 h-KC, and L'EX, 8 h-KZ were risk factors for NIHL (OR>1, P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that when the outcome variable was noise-induced hearing impairment (NIHI), the areas under the curves corresponding to L'EX,8 h-KA, L'EX,8 h-KC, and L'EX,8 h-KZ were 0.625, 0.628, and 0.625, respectively. When the outcome variable was high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL), the areas under the curves corresponding to L'EX,8 h-KA, L'EX, 8 h-KC, and L'EX,8 h-KZ were 0.624, 0.623, and 0.622, respectively (P<0.05). The order of underestimation improvement values predicted by L'EX,8 h for NIPTS1234 was: L'EX,8 h-KA (4.68 dB HL)>L'EX,8 h-KC (4.38 dB HL)>L'EX,8 h-KZ (4.28 dB HL) (P<0.001). The order of underestimation improvement values predicted by L'EX,8 h-K for NIPTS346 was: L'EX,8 h-KA (7.20 dB HL)>L'EX,8 h-KC (6.83 dB HL)>L'EX,8 h-KZ (6.71 dB HL) (P<0.001). Conclusion The adjustment of A- and C-weighted kurtosis to equivalent sound level LEX,8 h can effectively improve the accuracy of the ISO 1999 prediction model in NIPTS prediction, and compared with the C-weighted, the A-weighted kurtosis can improve the result of the ISO 1999 prediction model in terms of underestimating NIPTS.
5.The Regulatory Mechanisms of Dopamine Homeostasis in Behavioral Functions Under Microgravity
Xin YANG ; Ke LI ; Ran LIU ; Xu-Dong ZHAO ; Hua-Lin WANG ; Lan-Qun MAO ; Li-Juan HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2087-2102
As China accelerates its efforts in deep space exploration and long-duration space missions, including the operationalization of the Tiangong Space Station and the development of manned lunar missions, safeguarding astronauts’ physiological and cognitive functions under extreme space conditions becomes a pressing scientific imperative. Among the multifactorial stressors of spaceflight, microgravity emerges as a particularly potent disruptor of neurobehavioral homeostasis. Dopamine (DA) plays a central role in regulating behavior under space microgravity by influencing reward processing, motivation, executive function and sensorimotor integration. Changes in gravity disrupt dopaminergic signaling at multiple levels, leading to impairments in motor coordination, cognitive flexibility, and emotional stability. Microgravity exposure induces a cascade of neurobiological changes that challenge dopaminergic stability at multiple levels: from the transcriptional regulation of DA synthesis enzymes and the excitability of DA neurons, to receptor distribution dynamics and the efficiency of downstream signaling pathways. These changes involve downregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra, reduced phosphorylation of DA receptors, and alterations in vesicular monoamine transporter expression, all of which compromise synaptic DA availability. Experimental findings from space analog studies and simulated microgravity models suggest that gravitational unloading alters striatal and mesocorticolimbic DA circuitry, resulting in diminished motor coordination, impaired vestibular compensation, and decreased cognitive flexibility. These alterations not only compromise astronauts’ operational performance but also elevate the risk of mood disturbances and motivational deficits during prolonged missions. The review systematically synthesizes current findings across multiple domains: molecular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, and gravitational physiology. It highlights that maintaining DA homeostasis is pivotal in preserving neuroplasticity, particularly within brain regions critical to adaptation, such as the basal ganglia, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. The paper also discusses the dual-edged nature of DA plasticity: while adaptive remodeling of synapses and receptor sensitivity can serve as compensatory mechanisms under stress, chronic dopaminergic imbalance may lead to maladaptive outcomes, such as cognitive rigidity and motor dysregulation. Furthermore, we propose a conceptual framework that integrates homeostatic neuroregulation with the demands of space environmental adaptation. By drawing from interdisciplinary research, the review underscores the potential of multiple intervention strategies including pharmacological treatment, nutritional support, neural stimulation techniques, and most importantly, structured physical exercise. Recent rodent studies demonstrate that treadmill exercise upregulates DA transporter expression in the dorsal striatum, enhances tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and increases DA release during cognitive tasks, indicating both protective and restorative effects on dopaminergic networks. Thus, exercise is highlighted as a key approach because of its sustained effects on DA production, receptor function, and brain plasticity, making it a strong candidate for developing effective measures to support astronauts in maintaining cognitive and emotional stability during space missions. In conclusion, the paper not only underscores the centrality of DA homeostasis in space neuroscience but also reflects the authors’ broader academic viewpoint: understanding the neurochemical substrates of behavior under microgravity is fundamental to both space health and terrestrial neuroscience. By bridging basic neurobiology with applied space medicine, this work contributes to the emerging field of gravitational neurobiology and provides a foundation for future research into individualized performance optimization in extreme environments.
6.Analysis of T7 RNA Polymerase: From Structure-function Relationship to dsRNA Challenge and Biotechnological Applications
Wei-Chen NING ; Yu HUA ; Hui-Ling YOU ; Qiu-Shi LI ; Yao WU ; Yun-Long LIU ; Zhen-Xin HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2280-2294
T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is one of the simplest known RNA polymerases. Its unique structural features make it a critical model for studying the mechanisms of RNA synthesis. This review systematically examines the static crystal structure of T7 RNAP, beginning with an in-depth examination of its characteristic “thumb”, “palm”, and “finger” domains, which form the classic “right-hand-like” architecture. By detailing these structural elements, this review establishes a foundation for understanding the overall organization of T7 RNAP. This review systematically maps the functional roles of secondary structural elements and their subdomains in transcriptional catalysis, progressively elucidating the fundamental relationships between structure and function. Further, the intrinsic flexibility of T7 RNAP and its applications in research are also discussed. Additionally, the review presents the structural diagrams of the enzyme at different stages of the transcription process, and through these diagrams, it provides a detailed description of the complete transcription process of T7 RNAP. By integrating structural dynamics and kinetics analyses, the review constructs a comprehensive framework that bridges static structure to dynamic processes. Despite its advantages, T7 RNAP has a notable limitation: it generates double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a byproduct. The presence of dsRNA not only compromises the purity of mRNA products but also elicits nonspecific immune responses, which pose significant challenges for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The review provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms underlying dsRNA formation during T7 RNAP catalysis, reviews current strategies to mitigate this issue, and highlights recent progress in the field. A key focus is the semi-rational design of T7 RNAP mutants engineered to minimize dsRNA generation and enhance catalytic performance. Beyond its role in transcription, T7 RNAP exhibits rapid development and extensive application in fields, including gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccines. This review systematically examines the structure-function relationships of T7 RNAP, elucidates the mechanisms of dsRNA formation, and discusses engineering strategies to optimize its performance. It further explores the engineering optimization and functional expansion of T7 RNAP. Furthermore, this review also addresses the pressing issues that currently need resolution, discusses the major challenges in the practical application of T7 RNAP, and provides an outlook on potential future research directions. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of T7 RNAP, ranging from its structural architecture to cutting-edge applications. We systematically examine: (1) the characteristic right-hand domains (thumb, palm, fingers) that define its minimalistic structure; (2) the structure-function relationships underlying transcriptional catalysis; and (3) the dynamic transitions during the complete transcription cycle. While highlighting T7 RNAP’s versatility in gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccine production, we critically address its major limitation—dsRNA byproduct formation—and evaluate engineering solutions including semi-rationally designed mutants. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key challenges, this work aims to provide novel insights for the development and application of T7 RNAP and to foster further thought and progress in related fields.
7.Sonogenetics and its application in military medicine
Ying-Tan ZHUANG ; Bo-Yu LUO ; Xiao-Dong ZHANG ; Tuo-Yu LIU ; Xin-Yue FAN ; Guo-Hua XIA ; Qing YUAN ; Bin ZHENG ; Yue TENG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(3):360-366
Sonogenetics is an emerging synthetic biology technique that uses sound waves to activate mechanosensitive ion channel proteins on the cell surface to regulate cell behavior and function.Due to the widespread presence of mechanically sensitive ion channel systems in cells and the advantages of non-invasion,strong penetrability,high safety and high accuracy of sonogenetics technology,it has great development potential in basic biomedical research and clinical applications,especially in neuronal regulation,tumor mechanism research,sonodynamic therapy and hearing impairment.This review discusses the basic principles of sonogenetics,the development status of sonogenetics and its application in the prevention and treatment of noise-induced hearing loss,summarizes and analyzes the current challenges and future development direction,thus providing a reference for further research and development of sonogenetics in the field of military medicine.
8.Effects of Zishui Qinggan Decoction on the hippocampal protein expressions of ERK,GSK3β,CREB and BDNF in a mouse model of depression induced by chronic restraint stress
Shan-Shan CAO ; Shi-Yu YUAN ; Lei-Lei SHI ; Rui-Hua ZHANG ; Yu-Han ZHANG ; Yong SHI ; Xin WANG ; Chao-Jun HAN ; Ji-Ping LIU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(1):87-93
AIM To explore the effects of Zishui Qinggan Decoction on the mouse model of depression induced by chronic restraint stress(CRS)via ERK/GSK3β/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.METHODS Except for those of the blank group,the mice of other groups were induced into depression models by CRS,and divided into the model group,the fluoxetine hydrochloride group(10 mg/kg)and the low,medium and high dose Zishui Qinggan Decoction groups(8.835,17.670 and 35.340 g/kg)for the corresponding drug intervention and simultanous CRS treatment.The mice had their sugar water preference experiment and behavior experiment on the 7th and 14th day after administration;the observation of the hippocampal morphological changes by HE staining,the detection of the superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)level in serum by kits,the detection of levels of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)by ELISA,the detection of the hippocampal mRNA expressions of BDNF,TNF-α and IL-1β by RT-qPCR method,and the detection of the hippocampal protein expressions of ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,GSK3β,p-GSK3β,CREB and BDNF by Western blot method 14 days after administration.RESULTS Compared with the model group,after 14 days of administration,both fluoxetine hydrochloride group and medium-dose Zishui Qinggan Decoction group displayed increased preference rate of sugar water(P<0.01),shortened immobility time of tail suspension and forced swimming(P<0.01),improved hippocampal damage of nerve cells,decreased levels of serum MDA,TNF-α and IL-1β(P<0.05,P<0.01),increased SOD activity and 5-HT level(P<0.05,P<0.01),decreased hippocampal mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β(P<0.01),and decreased expressions of BDNF mRNA and p-ERK1/2,p-GSK3β,CREB and BDNF proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Zishui Qinggan Decoction can improve the depression-like behaviors in mice exposed to CRS,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of hippocampal ERK/GSK3β/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.
9.Experimental Study on Regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 by Linalool to Inhibit Hepatic Injury Induced by Aflatoxin B1
Meng WANG ; Chunmiao XUE ; Xin HUANG ; Wenhui LIU ; Ruoyu GAO ; Xuehui BAI ; Guodong HUA ; Baochen ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):89-96
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of linalool against acute liver injury induced by aflatoxin B1(AFB1) in rats and explore its protective mechanism. MethodTwenty male SPF SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control (n=6), AFB1 (n=7), and linalool (n=7) groups. Linalool solution (200 mg·kg-1) was administered preventatively for 14 days, while the control and AFB1 groups intragastrically received an equivalent volume of double distilled water. After preventative administration of linalool, AFB1 solution (1 mg·kg-1, dissolved in saline) was intraperitoneally injected for two consecutive days to induce acute liver injury in rats. Samples were collected and processed 14 days after model establishment. Pathological changes in liver tissue of rats were observed using Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining. Biochemical detection was performed to measure the levels of alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), γ-glutamyl transferase(GGT), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), total bilirubin(TBil), direct bilirubin(DBil), indirect bilirubin(IBil), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxidedismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT) , glutathione(GSH), Fe3+, and Fe2+ in the liver tissue. Western blot was adopted to assess protein expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1). Molecular docking was performed to verify the binding between linalool and key proteins of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Molecular dynamics techniques were used to confirm the stability and affinity of linalool binding with key proteins of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. ResultPathological results showed that compared to that in the AFB1 group, the liver structure in the linalool group tended to be normal, with a significant decrease in blue collagen fibers. The linalool group exhibited significantly reduced levels of ALT, AST, GGT, LDH, ALP, TBil, DBil, and IBil (P<0.01), Fe3+ and Fe2+ content, and oxidative stress marker MDA (P<0.01). The levels of antioxidants SOD, CAT, and GSH significantly increased (P<0.01). Molecular docking showed a molecular docking energy between linalool and Nrf2 and HO-1 targets of -5.495 6 and -5.199 4 kcal·mol-1(1 cal≈4.186 J), respectively. Molecular dynamics results indicated strong affinity in the binding of linalool with Nrf2 and HO-1. Western blot revealed a significant increase in Nrf2 protein expression (P<0.05) and a decrease in HO-1 protein expression (P<0.01) in the linalool group. ConclusionLinalool may protect against AFB1-induced acute liver injury by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1 ferroptosis signaling pathway to inhibit liver cell ferroptosis and regulate hepatic oxidative stress levels.
10.Investigation on Preventive Effect of Total Saponins of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma on Aspirin-induced Small Intestine Injury Based on Serum Metabolomics
Wenhui LIU ; Guodong HUA ; Baochen ZHU ; Ruoyu GAO ; Xin HUANG ; Meng WANG ; Zheng LIU ; Jiaojiao CHENG ; Zhibin SONG ; Jingui WANG ; Chunmiao XUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):196-203
ObjectiveMetabolomics was utilized to investigate the preventive effect of notoginseng total saponins(NTS) on aspirin(acetyl salicylic acid, ASA)-induced small bowel injury in rats. MethodFifty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal and model groups, NTS high-dose and low-dose groups(62.5, 31.25 mg·kg-1), and positive drug group(omeprazole 2.08 mg·kg-1+rebamipide 31.25 mg·kg-1), with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, rats in other groups were given ASA enteric-coated pellets 10.41 mg·kg-1 daily to establish a small intestine injury model. On this basis, each medication group was gavaged daily with the corresponding dose of drug, and the normal group and the model group were gavaged with an equal amount of drinking water. Changes in body mass and fecal characteristics of rats were recorded and scored during the period. After 14 weeks of administration, small intestinal tissues of each group were taken for hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, scanning electron microscopy to observe the damage, and the apparent damage of small intestine was scored. Serum from rats in the normal group, the model group, and the NTS high-dose group was taken and analyzed for metabolomics by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), and the data were processed by multivariate statistical analysis, the potential biomarkers were screened by variable importance in the projection(VIP) value≥1.0, fold change(FC)≥1.5 or ≤0.6 and t-test P<0.05, and pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites was performed in conjunction with Human Metabolome Database(HMDB) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). ResultAfter 14 weeks of administration, the average body mass gain of the model group was lower than that of the normal group, and the NTS high-dose group was close to that of the normal group. Compared with the normal group, the fecal character score of rats in the model group was significantly increased(P<0.05), and compared with the model group, the scores of the positive drug group and the NTS high-dose group were reduced, but the difference was not statistically significant. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that NTS could significantly improve ASA-induced small intestinal injury, compared with the normal group, the small bowel injury score of the model group was significantly increased(P<0.01), compared with the model group, the small bowel injury scores of the NTS low and high dose groups were significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum metabolomics screened a total of 75 differential metabolites between the normal group and the model group, of which 55 were up-regulated and 20 were down-regulated, 76 differential metabolites between the model group and the NTS groups, of which 14 were up-regulated and 62 were down-regulated. NTS could modulate three differential metabolites(salicylic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid), which were involved in 3 metabolic pathways, namely, the bile secretion, the biosynthesis of folic acid, and the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. ConclusionNTS can prevent ASA-induced small bowel injury, and the underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of bile secretion and amino acid metabolic pathways in rats.

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