1.Regulatory effect of Jiedu Huayu granules on liver injury in mice with acute liver failure and its mechanism
Chengyu YA ; Tingshuai WANG ; Huiping YAN ; Yi WANG ; Qingrui ZHAO ; Shenglan ZENG ; Weiyu CHEN ; Rongzhen ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):143-150
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Jiedu Huayu granules in improving liver injury in mice with acute liver failure (ALF) by observing its effect on a mouse model of ALF after prophylactic administration, and to provide a basis for clinical medication. MethodsA total of 60 specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6J mice were divided into normal group, model group, Jiedu Huayu granules group (JDHY group), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist (GW4064) group using a random number table, with 15 mice in each group. The model of ALF was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine combined with lipopolysaccharide. The mice in the JDHY group were given prophylactic administration of 0.3 g/mL drug solution of Jiedu Huayu granules by gavage for 3 days before modeling, those in the normal group and the model group were given 0.9% NaCl solution by gavage, and those in the GW4064 group were given intraperitoneal injection of GW4064 for 3 consecutive days before modeling. The mice were sacrificed after modeling, and serum and liver tissue samples were collected. A veterinary automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of total bilirubin (TBil), total bile acids (TBA), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in mice from each group; HE staining was used to observe liver pathological changes; RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of FXR, fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15), fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), small heterodimer partner (SHP), and bile salt export pump (BSEP) in mice, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of FXR, FGF15, FGFR4, SHP, and BSEP. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups, and the Dunett method was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of TBil, ALT, AST, TBA, and GGT (all P<0.01), and compared with the model group, the JDHY group and the GW4064 group had significant reductions in the serum levels of TBil, ALT, AST, TBA, and GGT (all P <0.01). HE staining showed that compared with the model group, the JDHY group and the GW4064 group had milder pathological injury, a reduction in the area of hepatocyte necrosis, and alleviation of cellular swelling and edema. Compared with the normal group, the model group had significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression levels of FXR, FGF15, FGFR4, SHP, and BSEP in liver tissue (all P <0.01), and compared with the model group, the JDHY group and the GW4064 group had significant increases in the mRNA and protein expression levels of FXR, FGF15, FGFR4, SHP, and BSEP in liver tissue (all P <0.05). ConclusionJiedu Huayu granules may alleviate liver injury in mice with ALF through the FXR/SHP axis.
2.Visual feature extraction combining dissolution testing for the study of drug release behavior of gliclazide modified release tablets
Si-yu CHEN ; Ze-ya LI ; Ping LI ; Xin-qing ZHAO ; Tao GONG ; Li DENG ; Zhi-rong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):225-231
Oral solid dosage forms require processes such as disintegration and dissolution to release the drug before it can be absorbed and utilized by the body. In this manuscript, imaging technology was used to continuously visualize and characterize the
3.Effect of The Hydrophilic Amino Acids on Self-assembly Behavior of Short Bola-like Peptides
Xin-Xin GAO ; Yu HAN ; Yi-Lin ZHOU ; Xi-Ya CHEN ; Yu-Rong ZHAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1290-1301
ObjectiveBola-like short peptides exhibit novel self-assembly properties due to the formation of peptide dimers via hydrogen bonding interactions between their C-terminals. In this configuration, hydrophilic amino acids are distributed at both terminals, making these peptides behave similarly to Bola peptides. The electrostatic repulsive interactions arising from the hydrophilic amino acids at each terminal can be neutralized, thereby greatly promoting the lateral association of β-sheets. Consequently, assemblies with significantly larger widths are typically the dominant nanostructures for Bola-like peptides. To investigate the effect of hydrophilic amino acids on the self-assembly behavior of Bola-like peptides, the peptides Ac-RI3-CONH2 and Ac-HI3-CONH2 were designed and synthesized using the Bola-like peptide Ac-KI3-CONH2 as a template. Their self-assembly behavior was systematically examined. MethodsAtomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize the morphology and size of the assemblies. The secondary structures of the assemblies were analyzed using circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to obtain detailed structural information at a short-length scale. Based on these experimental results, the effects of hydrophilic amino acids on the self-assembly behavior of Bola-like short peptides were systematically analyzed, and the underlying formation mechanism was explored. ResultsThe aggregation process primarily involved three steps. First, peptide dimers were formed through hydrogen bonding interactions between their C-terminals. Within these dimers, the hydrophilic amino acids K, R, and H were positioned at both terminals, enabling the peptides to self-assemble in a manner similar to Bola peptides. Next, β-sheets were formed via hydrogen bonding interactions along the peptide backbone. Finally, self-assemblies were generated through the lateral association of β-sheets. The results demonstrated that both Ac-KI3-CONH2 and Ac-RI3-CONH2 could self-assemble into double-layer nanotubes with diameters of approximately 200 nm. These nanotubes were formed by the edge fusion of helical ribbons, which initially emerged from twisted ribbons. Notably, the primary assemblies of these peptides exhibited opposite chirality: nanofibers formed by Ac-KI3-CONH2 displayed left-handed chirality, whereas those formed by Ac-RI3-CONH2 exhibited right-handed chirality. This reversal in torsional direction was primarily attributed to the different abilities of K and R to form hydrogen bonds with water. In contrast, Ac-HI3-CONH2 formed narrower twisted ribbons with a significantly reduced width of approximately 30 nm, which was attributed to the strong steric hindrance caused by the imidazole rings. The multilayer height of these ribbons was mainly due to the unique structure of the imidazole rings, which can function as both hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, thereby promoting aggregate growth in the vertical direction. ConclusionThe final morphology of the self-assemblies resulted from a delicate balance of various non-covalent interactions. By altering the types of hydrophilic amino acid residues in Bola-like short peptides, the relative strength of non-covalent interactions that drive assembly formation can be effectively regulated, allowing precise control over the morphology and chirality of the assemblies. This study provides a simple and effective approach for constructing diverse self-assemblies and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of functional biomaterials.
4.Effect of Lifei Xiaoji Pill (理肺消积丸) on the Warburg Effect and USP47/BACH1 Pathway in Tumor Tissues of Lung Cancer Model Mice
Suxiao LIU ; Ruili ZHAO ; Yu GU ; Jinbeng DING ; Yuebing CHEN ; Suxiang FENG ; Suyun LI ; Ya LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1157-1164
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of action of Lifei Xiaoji Pill (理肺消积丸, LXP) in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer based on the Warburg effect and the USP47/BACH1 pathway. MethodsFifty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups, model group, LXP group, inhibitor group, LXP + inhibitor group, and cisplatin group, with 10 mice in each group. A lung cancer mouse model was established by subcutaneously injecting Lewis cells. On the next day, the model group mice were given 0.2 ml of saline by gavage daily, the LXP group given 240 mg/(kg·d) of LXP solution once a day by gavage, the inhibitor group intraperitoneally injected with P22077 at a dose of 10 mg/(kg·d) every day, the LXP + inhibitor group given both LXP by gavage and P22077 by intraperitoneal injection once a day, and the cisplatin group received 0.5 mg/(kg·d) cisplatin intraperitoneally every other day. All treatments lasted for 14 days. On the day after the last dose, tumor weight and volume were measured, tumor histopathology was examined by HE staining, apoptosis in tumor tissues was detected by TUNEL staining, and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein levels were detected by immunohistochemistry. Warburg effect indicators, including glucose concentration, lactate content, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in tumor tissues, were measured. Western Blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of USP47, BACH1, hexokinase 2 (HK2), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). ResultsCompared with the model group, all drug intervention groups showed reduced tumor weight and volume, improved tumor pathology, decreased PCNA positive rate, increased apoptosis rate, and reduced expression levels of USP47, BACH1, and HK2 proteins and mRNA (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Except for lactate content in the cisplatin group, the glucose concentration in tumor tissues of other drug intervention groups increased, while lactate content and ATP production decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the LXP group, the LXP + inhibitor group showed more significant improvements in these indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the cisplatin group, the LXP + inhibitor group had lower mRNA expression of HK2 and GAPDH, and lower protein levels of USP47 and HK2 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the inhibitor group, the cisplatin group had higher HK2 protein levels, while the LXP + inhibitor group showed lower mRNA expression of BACH1, HK2, and GAPDH (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionLXP significantly inhibits tumor growth in lung cancer mice, and its mechanism of action may be related to inhibiting the Warburg effect via the USP47/BACH1 pathway.
5.Study on anti-depression effect of Suanzaoren Decoction based on liver metabolomics.
Jing LI ; Ya-Nan TONG ; Hong-Tao WANG ; Shao-Hua ZHAO ; Wei-Yan CHEN ; Zhi-Wei LI ; Min-Yan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):19-31
To explore the anti-depression effect of Suanzaoren Decoction(SZRD), the regulatory effects on endogenous metabolites in the liver of rats with depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) were analyzed by using LC-MS metabolomics. The rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, low-dose SZRD group, high-dose SZRD group, and positive drug group. The CUMS depression model was replicated by applying a variety of stimuli, such as fasting and water deprivation, ice water swimming, hot water swimming, day and night reversal, tail clamping, and restraint for rats. Modeling and treatment were conducted for 56 days. The behavioral indexes of rats in each group, including body weight, open field test, sucrose preference test, and tail suspension test, were observed. Plasma samples and liver tissue samples were collected, and the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), dopamine(DA), and norepinephrine(NE) in plasma were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Meanwhile, the regulatory effects of SZRD on the liver metabolic profile of CUMS model rats were analyzed by the LC-MS metabolomics method. The results show that SZRD can significantly improve the depression-like behavior of CUMS model rats and increase the neurotransmitter levels of 5-HT, DA, and NE in plasma. A total of 24 different metabolites in the rats' liver are identified using the LC-MS metabolomics method, and SZRD can reverse 13 of these metabolites. Metabolic pathway analysis indicates that nine metabolic pathways are found to be significantly associated with depression, and in the low-dose SZRD group, four pathways can be regulated, including pentose phosphate pathway, purine metabolism, inositol phosphate metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism. In the high-dose SZRD group, two metabolic pathways can be regulated, including sphingolipid metabolism and glycerol glycerophospholipid metabolism. Sphingolipid metabolism is a metabolic pathway that can be regulated by SZRD at different doses, so it is speculated that it may be the primary pathway through which SZRD can alleviate metabolic disturbances in the liver of CUMS model rats.
Animals
;
Rats
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Metabolomics
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Depression/metabolism*
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Male
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Liver/drug effects*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Antidepressive Agents/administration & dosage*
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Serotonin/blood*
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Humans
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Disease Models, Animal
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
6.Dislocations deteriorate postoperative functional outcomes in supination-external rotation ankle fractures.
Sheng-Ye HU ; Mu-Min CAO ; Yuan-Wei ZHANG ; Liu SHI ; Guang-Chun DAI ; Ya-Kuan ZHAO ; Tian XIE ; Hui CHEN ; Yun-Feng RUI
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(2):124-129
PURPOSE:
To assess the relationship between dislocation and functional outcomes in supination-external rotation (SER) ankle fractures.
METHODS:
A retrospective case series study was performed on patients with ankle fractures treated surgically at a large trauma center from January 2015 to December 2021. The inclusion criteria were young and middle-aged patients of 18 - 65 years with SER ankle fractures that can be classified by Lauge-Hansen classification and underwent surgery at our trauma center. Exclusion criteria were serious life-threatening diseases, open fractures, fractures delayed for more than 3 weeks, fracture sites ≥ 2, etc. Then patients were divided into dislocation and no-dislocation groups. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, surgery-related outcomes, and postoperative functional outcomes were collected and analyzed. The functional outcomes of SER ankle fractures were assessed postoperatively at 1-year face-to-face follow-up using the foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot score and by 2 experienced orthopedic physicians. Relevant data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 by Chi-square or t-test.
RESULTS:
During the study period, there were 371 ankle fractures. Among them, 190 (51.2%) were SER patterns with 69 (36.3%) combined with dislocations. Compared with the no-dislocation group, the dislocation group showed no statistically significant differences in gender, age composition, fracture type, diabetes, or smoking history, preoperative waiting time, operation time, and length of hospital stay (all p > 0.05), but a significantly higher Lauge-Hansen injury grade (p < 0.001) and syndesmotic screw fixation rate (p = 0.033). Moreover, the functional recovery was poorer, revealing a significantly lower FAOS in the sport/rec scale (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that among SER IV ankle fracture patients, FAOS was much lower in pain (p = 0.042) and sport/rec scales (p < 0.001) for those with dislocations. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot score revealed no significant difference between dislocation and no-dislocation patients.
CONCLUSION
Dislocation in SER ankle fractures suggests more severe injury and negatively affects functional recovery, mainly manifested as more pain and poorer motor function, especially in SER IV ankle cases.
Humans
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Ankle Fractures/physiopathology*
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Male
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Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Supination
;
Aged
;
Young Adult
;
Rotation
;
Joint Dislocations/surgery*
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Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
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Adolescent
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Recovery of Function
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Treatment Outcome
7.Protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on a yorkshire model of brain injury after traumatic blood loss.
Xiang-Yu SONG ; Yang-Hui DONG ; Zhi-Bo JIA ; Lei-Jia CHEN ; Meng-Yi CUI ; Yan-Jun GUAN ; Bo-Yao YANG ; Si-Ce WANG ; Sheng-Feng CHEN ; Peng-Kai LI ; Heng CHEN ; Hao-Chen ZUO ; Zhan-Cheng YANG ; Wen-Jing XU ; Ya-Qun ZHAO ; Jiang PENG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):469-476
PURPOSE:
To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss.
METHODS:
This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS:
The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA+ and K+ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca2+ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals
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Perfusion/methods*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Brain Injuries/etiology*
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Swine
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Male
;
Hypothermia, Induced/methods*
8.Postdischarge cancer and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease: a retrospective cohort study.
Yi-Hao WANG ; Shao-Ning ZHU ; Ya-Wei ZHAO ; Kai-Xin YAN ; Ming-Zhuang SUN ; Zhi-Jun SUN ; Yun-Dai CHEN ; Shun-Ying HU
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(6):578-586
BACKGROUND:
Our understanding of the correlation between postdischarge cancer and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains incomplete. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between postdischarge cancers and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in CAD patients.
METHODS:
In this retrospective cohort study, 25% of CAD patients without prior cancer history who underwent coronary artery angiography between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015, were randomly enrolled using SPSS 26.0. Patients were monitored for the incidence of postdischarge cancer, which was defined as cancer diagnosed after the index hospitalization, survival status and cause of death. Cox regression analysis was used to explore the association between postdischarge cancer and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in CAD patients.
RESULTS:
A total of 4085 patients were included in the final analysis. During a median follow-up period of 8 years, 174 patients (4.3%) developed postdischarge cancer, and 343 patients (8.4%) died. A total of 173 patients died from cardiovascular diseases. Postdischarge cancer was associated with increased all-cause mortality risk (HR = 2.653, 95% CI: 1.727-4.076, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality risk (HR = 2.756, 95% CI: 1.470-5.167, P = 0.002). Postdischarge lung cancer (HR = 5.497, 95% CI: 2.922-10.343, P < 0.001) and gastrointestinal cancer (HR = 1.984, 95% CI: 1.049-3.750, P = 0.035) were associated with all-cause mortality in CAD patients. Postdischarge lung cancer was significantly associated with cardiovascular death in CAD patients (HR = 4.979, 95% CI: 2.114-11.728, P < 0.001), and cardiovascular death was not significantly correlated with gastrointestinal cancer or other types of cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
Postdischarge cancer was associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in CAD patients. Compared with other cancers, postdischarge lung cancer had a more significant effect on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in CAD patients.
9.Time-Dependent Transcriptional Dynamics of Contextual Fear Memory Retrieval Reveals the Function of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 9 in Reconsolidation.
Wen-Ting GUO ; Wen-Xing LI ; Yu-Chen LIU ; Ya-Bo ZHAO ; Lin XU ; Qi-Xin ZHOU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(1):16-32
Numerous studies on the formation and consolidation of memory have shown that memory processes are characterized by phase-dependent and dynamic regulation. Memory retrieval, as the only representation of memory content and an active form of memory processing that induces memory reconsolidation, has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Although the molecular mechanisms specific to memory retrieval-induced reconsolidation have been gradually revealed, an understanding of the time-dependent regulatory mechanisms of this process is still lacking. In this study, we applied a transcriptome analysis of memory retrieval at different time points in the recent memory stage. Differential expression analysis and Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) depicting temporal gene expression patterns indicated that most differential gene expression occurred at 48 h, and the STEM cluster showing the greatest transcriptional upregulation at 48 h demonstrated the most significant difference. We then screened the differentially-expressed genes associated with that met the expression patterns of those cluster-identified genes that have been reported to be involved in learning and memory processes in addition to dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9). Further quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification and pharmacological intervention suggested that DPP9 is involved in 48-h fear memory retrieval and viral vector-mediated overexpression of DPP9 countered the 48-h retrieval-induced attenuation of fear memory. Taken together, our findings suggest that temporal gene expression patterns are induced by recent memory retrieval and provide hitherto undocumented evidence of the role of DPP9 in the retrieval-induced reconsolidation of fear memory.
Animals
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Fear/physiology*
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Male
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Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases/genetics*
;
Memory Consolidation/physiology*
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Time Factors
;
Mental Recall/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Gene Expression Profiling

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