1.Antidepressant effects of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extract on depressive-like behaviors in sleep deprivation rats based on integrated serum metabolomics and gut microbiota.
Liang-Lei SONG ; Ya-Yu SUN ; Ze-Jia NIU ; Jia-Ying LIU ; Xiang-Ping PEI ; Yan YAN ; Chen-Hui DU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4510-4524
Based on serum metabolomics and gut microbiota technology, this study explores the effects and mechanisms of the water extract of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen(SZRW) and the petroleum ether extract of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen(SZRO) in improving depressive-like behaviors induced by sleep deprivation. A modified multi-platform water environment method was employed to establish a rat model of sleep deprivation. Depressive-like behaviors in rats were assessed through the sucrose preference test and forced swim test. The expression of barrier proteins, such as Occludin, in the colon was determined by immunofluorescence. UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS was utilized to analyze the serum metabolic profiles of sleep-deprived rats, screen for differential metabolites, and analyze metabolic pathways. The diversity of the gut microbiota was detected using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Spearman correlation coefficient analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between differential metabolites and gut microbiota. The results indicated that SZRO significantly increased the sucrose preference index and decreased the immobility time in the forced swim test in rats. A total of 34 differential metabolites were identified through serum metabolomics. SZRW and SZRO shared five metabolic pathways, including phenylalanine metabolism. SZRW uniquely featured taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, while SZRO uniquely featured linoleic acid metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. Correlation analysis revealed that SZRW could upregulate the abundance of Bilophila, promoting the production of indole-3-propionic acid and subsequently upregulating the expression levels of intestinal tight junction proteins such as ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1. SZRO could indirectly influence metabolic pathways such as arginine metabolism and linoleic acid metabolism by upregulating the abundance of gut microbiota such as Coprococcus and Eubacterium species. Both SZRW and SZRO can regulate endogenous metabolism, including amino acids, energy, and lipids, alter the gut microbiota microecology, and improve depressive-like behaviors. SZRO demonstrated superior effects in regulating metabolic pathways and gut microbiota structure compared to SZRW. The findings of this study provide a scientific basis for elucidating the pharmacodynamic material basis of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen.
Animals
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Rats
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Male
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Metabolomics
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Depression/blood*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Sleep Deprivation/complications*
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Ziziphus/chemistry*
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Antidepressive Agents/administration & dosage*
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Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
;
Humans
2.Epidemiological characteristics of human metapneumovirus and risk factors for severe pneumonia in hospitalized children.
Yi-Xuan WANG ; Su-Kun LU ; Kun-Ling HUANG ; Li-Jie CAO ; Ya-Juan CHU ; Bo NIU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(10):1205-1211
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and the risk factors for severe pneumonia in hospitalized children.
METHODS:
The epidemiological characteristics of hMPV in hospitalized children at Hebei Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data of hospitalized children with hMPV infection from April to December 2023 were included, and independent risk factors for severe pneumonia were identified through logistic regression.
RESULTS:
A total of 44 092 children were tested, with an hMPV positive rate of 7.30% (3 220/44 092). Children aged 3-6 years constituted the largest proportion (40.93%, 1 318/3 220) among hMPV-positive cases. The detection rate varied significantly by year (P<0.001), peaking in 2022 (12.35%, 978/7 919). The peak season of the epidemic was winter and spring from 2019 to 2021, but shifted to spring and summer from 2022 to 2023. The proportion of co-infection was 38.70% (1 246/3 220), primarily with rhinovirus (600/1 246, 48.15%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (217/1 246, 17.42%), and respiratory syncytial virus (182/1 246, 14.61%). The main manifestations of hMPV pneumonia were cough, expectoration, and fever. Children with severe pneumonia were significantly younger (P<0.05). Wheezing, underlying diseases, co-infection, and younger age were identified as independent risk factors for severe pneumonia (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
There are significant annual and seasonal differences in the epidemiological characteristics of hMPV in hospitalized children. Young age, underlying diseases, wheezing, and co-infection are independent risk factors for severe pneumonia.
Humans
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Risk Factors
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Metapneumovirus
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Child, Preschool
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Child
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Male
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Female
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Paramyxoviridae Infections/complications*
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Pneumonia/epidemiology*
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Retrospective Studies
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Child, Hospitalized
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Infant
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Logistic Models
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Seasons
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Hospitalization
3.Exploring the risk "time interval window" of sequential medication of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection based on the correlation between biochemical indexes and metabolomics characteristics
Ming-liang ZHANG ; Yu-long CHEN ; Xiao-yan WANG ; Xiao-fei CHEN ; Hui ZHANG ; Ya-li WU ; Liu-qing YANG ; Shu-qi ZHANG ; Lu NIU ; Ke-ran FENG ; Wei-xia LI ; Jin-fa TANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(7):2098-2107
Exploring the risk "time interval window" of sequential medication of Reduning injection (RDN) and penicillin G injection (PG) by detecting the correlation between serum biochemical indexes and plasma metabonomic characteristics, in order to reduce the risk of adverse reactions caused by the combination of RDN and PG. All animal experiments and welfare are in accordance with the requirements of the First Affiliated Experimental Animal Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: YFYDW2020002). The changes of biochemical indexes in serum of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was determined that RDN combined with PG could cause pseudo-allergic reactions (PARs) activated by complement pathway. Further investigation was carried out at different time intervals (1.5, 2, 3.5, 4, 6, and 8 h PG+RDN). It was found that sequential administration within 3.5 h could cause significant PARs. However, PARs were significantly reduced after administration interval of more than 4 h. LC-MS was used for plasma metabolomics analysis, and the levels of serum biochemical indicators and plasma metabolic profile characteristics were compared in parallel. 22 differential metabolites showed similar or opposite trends to biochemical indicators before and after 3.5 h. And enriched to 10 PARs-related pathways such as arachidonic acid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. In conclusion, there is a risk "time interval window" phenomenon in the adverse drug reactions caused by the sequential use of RDN and PG, and the interval medication after the "time interval window" can significantly reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
5.Study on the potential allergen and mechanism of pseudo-allergic reactions induced by combined using of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection based on metabolomics and bioinformatics
Yu-long CHEN ; You ZHAI ; Xiao-yan WANG ; Wei-xia LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Ya-li WU ; Liu-qing YANG ; Xiao-fei CHEN ; Shu-qi ZHANG ; Lu NIU ; Ke-ran FENG ; Kun LI ; Jin-fa TANG ; Ming-liang ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):382-394
Based on the strategy of metabolomics combined with bioinformatics, this study analyzed the potential allergens and mechanism of pseudo-allergic reactions (PARs) induced by the combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. All animal experiments and welfare are in accordance with the requirements of the First Affiliated Experimental Animal Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: YFYDW2020002). Based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology combined with UNIFI software, a total of 21 compounds were identified in Reduning and penicillin G mixed injection. Based on molecular docking technology, 10 potential allergens with strong binding activity to MrgprX2 agonist sites were further screened. Metabolomics analysis using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology revealed that 34 differential metabolites such as arachidonic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes were endogenous differential metabolites of PARs caused by combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. Through the analysis of the "potential allergen-target-endogenous differential metabolite" interaction network, the chlorogenic acids (such as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and isochlorogenic acid A) and
6.Circulating Tumor DNA Detection Technology and Its Application Value in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Jie-Jie ZHANG ; Chun-Yan NIU ; Lian-Hua DONG ; Yi YANG ; Hui-Jie LI ; Jing-Ya YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(2):345-354
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) comes from tumor, reflecting the genetic information of the tumor well, and will change with the progress of tumor. In recent years, the unique capabilities of ctDNA have attracted much attention and been widely studied. In this paper, based on the summary of the source, properties and sample processing of ctDNA, its detection technology and application in cancer diagnosis and treatment are reviewed. The roles and importance of ctDNA reference material in second-generation sequencing are described. The urgency of establishing uniform standards and specifications of ctDNA in various processes, such as samples collection, storage, quantitative testing and data analysis, has been pointed out.
7.Improvement of Core Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder Mice by 8-Week Aerobic Exercise
Niu LIU ; Ya-Qi XUE ; Shi-Jiao WANG ; Zhi-Ping ZHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(9):2168-2181
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise on the improvement of core behaviors of male and female autistic mice induced by valproic acid (VPA). MethodsExperimental mice were randomly divided into the control group (CTL), VPA-induced autism group (VPA) and VPA+aerobic exercise group (VEX), with 10 mice in each group. The pregnant mice were injected with VPA intraperitoneally at E12.5, and their offspring were used as autistic mice. Pups were weaned 28 d after birth and began an 8-week aerobic exercise intervention. The day after exercise, mice were tested in behavioral experiments to detect exploratory behavior, social skills, repetitive stereotypic behavior, cognitive ability and mood. The mice were tested for social skills, repetitive stereotyped behaviors, cognitive and learning memory abilities, exploratory behaviors, and emotions by behavioral assays on the following day after the exercise. ResultsBoth male and female mice in the CTL group showed a significant decrease in the total distance and percentage of time spent in the interaction zone in the 4th socialization compared to the 1st socialization (P<0.01); the total distance and percentage of time spent in the interaction zone in the 5th socialization was significantly increased compared to the 4th socialization (P<0.01); in VPA group, both male and female mice showed no significant change in the total distance and percentage of time spent in the interaction zone in the 4th and 5th socialization; in the VEX group, the total distance and percentage of time spent in the interaction zone by male mice in the 4th socialization was significantly decreased compared to the 1st socialization (P<0.01, P<0.05); and in the VEX group the total distance and percentage of time spent in the social interaction zone by both male and female mice in the 5th socialization was significantly increased compared to the 4th socialization (P<0.01, P<0.05). The results of the first phase of three-box socialization experiment showed that male and female mice in the CTL group spent more time socializing with their social partners than in contact with the empty cages (P<0.01); there was no difference in the time spent by male and female mice in the VPA group in socializing with their social partners and the empty cages; and male and female mice in the VEX group spent a longer time socializing with their social partners(P<0.01). The results of the second phase of three-box test showed that male and female mice in the CTL group showed a significant tendency to socialize with new social partners (P<0.01), whereas no significant changes were observed in the mice of VPA group; aerobic exercise significantly ameliorated this deficit in male and female mice with autism. Compared with the CTL group, VPA-induced significant decreases were observed in the total distance freely moved in the central area of the open field, the time and percentage of time spent in the open arm of cross maze, and the distance and time spent in the white box in both male and female autistic mice (P<0.01); a significant increase in the number of bead burials and time spent in self-grooming (P<0.01); a significant decrease in the cognitive index (P<0.01); a significantly longer latency to find the platform, and significantly decreased the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant and the number of times they traversed the platform (P<0.01). Compared with the VPA group, after 8 weeks of aerobic intervention, male and female mice in the VEX group showed a significant increase in total distance, open-arm dwell time, and percentage of free movement in the central area of the empty field (P<0. 05), and a trend toward a decrease in the dwell time of females in the white box was not significant, the number of beads burying and the time of self-combing were significantly lower(P<0.01, P<0.05); and a significant increase in cognitive index (P<0.05), a significantly shorter time to find the platform, and significantly increased percentage of time spent in the target quadrant and the number of times they traversed the platform (P<0.01), showing excellent learning memory. ConclusionAutistic mice severely suffer from social and cognitive impairments, repetitive stereotyped behaviors, decreased activity level, and the exhibition of anxiety. 8 weeks of aerobic exercise can improve the social and cognitive abilities, alleviate the stereotyped repetitive behaviors, increase the activity level, and positively regulate the anxiety in autistic mice. It is hypothesized that aerobic exercise has an important role in motor rehabilitation of autism, in order to provide a theoretical basis for clinical research.
8.Improved unilateral puncture PVP based on 3D printing technology for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral com-pression fracture
Wei-Li JIANG ; Tao LIU ; Qing-Bo ZHANG ; Hui CHEN ; Jian-Zhong BAI ; Shuai WANG ; Jia-Wei CHENG ; Ya-Long GUO ; Gong ZHOU ; Guo-Qi NIU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(1):7-14
Objective To investigate the clinical effect of unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)combined with 3D printing technology for the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture.Methods A total of 77 patients with thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures from October 2020 to April 2022 were included in the study,all of which were vertebral body compression fractures caused by trauma.According to different treatment methods,they were di-vided into experimental group and control group.Thirty-two patients used 3D printing technology to improve unilateral transpedicle puncture vertebroplasty in the experimental group,there were 5 males and 27 females,aged from 63 to 91 years old with an average of(77.59±8.75)years old.Forty-five patients were treated with traditional bilateral pedicle puncture vertebroplasty,including 7 males and 38 females,aged from 60 to 88 years old with an average of(74.89±7.37)years old.Operation time,intraoperative C-arm X-ray times,anesthetic dosage,bone cement injection amount,bone cement diffusion good and good rate,complications,vertebral height,kyphotic angle(Cobb angle),visual analogue scale(VAS),Oswestry disability index(ODI)and other indicators were recorded before and after surgery,and statistically analyzed.Results All patients were followed up for 6 to 23 months,with preoperative imaging studies,confirmed for thoracolumbar osteoporosis com-pression fractures,two groups of patients with postoperative complications,no special two groups of patients'age,gender,body mass index(BMI),time were injured,the injured vertebral distribution had no statistical difference(P>0.05),comparable data.Two groups of patients with bone cement injection,bone cement dispersion rate,preoperative and postoperative vertebral body height,protruding after spine angle(Cobb angle),VAS,ODI had no statistical difference(P>0.05).The operative time,intra-operative fluoroscopy times and anesthetic dosage were statistically different between the two groups(P<0.05).Compared with the traditional bilateral puncture group,the modified unilateral puncture group combined with 3D printing technology had shorter operation time,fewer intraoperative fluoroscopy times and less anesthetic dosage.The height of anterior vertebral edge,kyphosis angle(Cobb angle),VAS score and ODI of the affected vertebrae were statistically different between two groups at each time point after surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion In the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures,3D printing technology is used to improve unilateral puncture PVP,which is convenient and simple,less trauma,short operation time,fewer fluoroscopy times,satisfactory distribution of bone cement,vertebral height recovery and kyphotic Angle correction,and good functional improvement.
9.Exploration of the Ideology and Politics Education Model in Medical Molecular Biology Courses Based on Outcome-oriented Behavior Concept and Integration of Project-based Group Study
Ya-Mei WANG ; Lu KONG ; Jing ZHANG ; Yan ZHOU ; Ya-Bin LU ; Jing NIU ; Qiong QIN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(11):1636-1648
It is the focus of higher education reform in the new era to comprehensively promote the con-struction of ideology and political education based on the characteristics of professional courses and en-hancing the effectiveness of ideology and political education.As an important basic course for medical students in colleges,molecular biology is closely related to basic medical disciplines and clinical medi-cine,and is a rapidly developing cutting-edge discipline,which has the natural advantage of serving as a carrier of ideology and political education.In this study,the innovative integration of project-based group study (PBGS) with the outcome-oriented behavior (OBE) of moral education is applied to the teaching of the ideology and politics of the medical molecular biology course,and the integration of the two has made a useful exploration to enhance the effectiveness of the ideology and politics teaching of the course.Taking students as the center,we have constructed an ideology and politics teaching system for medical molecular biology courses by combining on-line and off-line teaching activities through improving the teaching objectives,innovating the teaching design,digging into the case of ideology and politics,intro-ducing a variety of teaching methods,strengthening the management of teaching practice,and optimizing the evaluation mode.After two years of teaching practice,this model has effectively improved the teach-ing effect of the medical molecular biology course.The academic performance of the students in the prac-tice group has improved significantly,and the teachers and students have been given excellent evalua-tion.The results of the questionnaires before and after class showed that more than 80% of the students believed that their horizons had been broadened and their knowledge had been increased through learn-ing.More than 50% of the students believed that their learning ability and innovation consciousness had been improved;their scientific research quality had been improved;and their confidence in studying medicine had been strengthened.By strengthening the cultivation of students' scientific research and in-novation capabilities,we guided students to participate in subject competitions and won many national a-wards.Throughout the teaching process,we aim to expand the breadth and depth of ideology and political education,cultivate scientific spirits,innovation ability,moral cultivation,and humanistic qualities.In sum,our work provides experiences for the cultivation of high-quality medical talents.
10.Effect of knockdown of ARHGAP30 on proliferation and apoptosis of Siha cells
Ya-Ting PENG ; Duan LIU ; Jie MENG ; Wen-Chao LI ; Hui-Qi LI ; Hua GUO ; Mei-Lan NIU ; Qiao-Hong QIN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(5):847-853
Aim To investigate the changes in the proliferation and apoptosis of Siha cells after knocking down Rho GTPase-activating protein 30(ARHGAP30).Methods After designing specific shARHGAP30 primers and connecting them to the pLKO.1 vector,we transformed them into Escherichia coli competent cells,then co-transfecting them with lentiviral helper plasmids into HEK-293T cells.We collected and filtered cell supernatant to obtain the vi-rus to infect Siha cells.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect knockdown efficiency,as well as changes in the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 after trans-fection.The CCK-8 method was employed to measure the proliferation level of cells after knockdown.Results After successful construction of a lentiviral plasmid with knockdown of the ARHGAP30 gene and establish-ment of stably transfected Siha cells,ARHGAP30 tran-scription and translation(P<0.01)in Siha cells de-creased,Bax/Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.01),indicating decreased apoptosis and increased cell proliferation(P<0.01).Conclusions This study suggests the involvement of ARHGAP30 in the proliferation and apoptosis of Siha cells,and regulating the ARHGAP30 gene may interfere with the occurrence and development of cervical cancer.

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