1.Effect of Tongbian Decoction (通便汤) on the VAPB-PTPIP51 Complex and Autophagy of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in the Colon of Slow Transit Constipation Model Rats
Chuyue WANG ; Jiacheng LI ; Yingqi YANG ; Sicheng SHEN ; Zhiyang CHEN ; Zhizhong XU ; Bensheng WU ; Meiyao CHEN ; Ziwei XIONG ; Jinhui GU ; Xiaopeng WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):985-993
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction (通便汤, TD) in treating slow transit constipation (STC). MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, TD group, and mosapride group, with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group, STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment, rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage, while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride, and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension, the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL) were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining, and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit, stem cell factor (SCF), autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5), Beclin1, vesicle-associated membrane protein B (VAPB), and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (VAPB-PTPIP51) were measured by Western Blot, and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF, C-kit, Beclin1, and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group, rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number, fecal water content, small intestinal transit rate, and serum GAS and MTL levels (P<0.01); the number of goblet cells decreased, and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner; mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased, while calcium content decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group, both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number, fecal water content, small intestinal transit rate, serum GAS and MTL levels, and colonic calcium content, along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly, and autophagosomes decreased; in the TD group, ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased; in the mosapride group, SCF, VAPB, and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased, while Beclin1 mRNA decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the mosapride group, the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number, fecal water content, serum GAS levels, colonic calcium content, and C-kit expression, along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions, reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal, and promoting intestinal motility.
2.Effect of Tongbian Decoction (通便汤) on the VAPB-PTPIP51 Complex and Autophagy of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in the Colon of Slow Transit Constipation Model Rats
Chuyue WANG ; Jiacheng LI ; Yingqi YANG ; Sicheng SHEN ; Zhiyang CHEN ; Zhizhong XU ; Bensheng WU ; Meiyao CHEN ; Ziwei XIONG ; Jinhui GU ; Xiaopeng WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):985-993
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction (通便汤, TD) in treating slow transit constipation (STC). MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, TD group, and mosapride group, with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group, STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment, rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage, while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride, and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension, the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL) were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining, and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit, stem cell factor (SCF), autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5), Beclin1, vesicle-associated membrane protein B (VAPB), and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (VAPB-PTPIP51) were measured by Western Blot, and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF, C-kit, Beclin1, and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group, rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number, fecal water content, small intestinal transit rate, and serum GAS and MTL levels (P<0.01); the number of goblet cells decreased, and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner; mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased, while calcium content decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group, both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number, fecal water content, small intestinal transit rate, serum GAS and MTL levels, and colonic calcium content, along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly, and autophagosomes decreased; in the TD group, ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased; in the mosapride group, SCF, VAPB, and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased, while Beclin1 mRNA decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the mosapride group, the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number, fecal water content, serum GAS levels, colonic calcium content, and C-kit expression, along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions, reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal, and promoting intestinal motility.
3.Consistent Detection of Aquaporin-4 Antibodies:A Comparative Analysis Between Fixed and Live Cell-Based Assays
Jing WANG ; Linge WANG ; Xiaolin YANG ; Zhizhong LI ; Jinyu JIANG ; Qiao XU ; Siyuan HUANG ; Qing FU ; Yang YANG ; Rongrong ZHANG ; Lin YANG ; Ai CHEN ; Xiaopeng ZENG ; Ke XU ; Peng ZHENG ; Xinyue QIN ; Jinzhou FENG
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2026;22(2):212-220
Background:
and Purpose Live cell-based assays (LCBA) are increasingly used for serological antibody detection due to their ability to preserve antigen conformation, offering moderately higher sensitivity than fixed cell-based assays. However, the clinical necessity of prioritizing LCBA for the detection of aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unclear, especially when compared to its established role in diagnosing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.
Methods:
We compared the performance of live cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (LCBA-IF) and fixed cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (FCBA-IF) in detecting AQP4-IgG in 90 cases of NMOSD meeting 2015 International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis criteria, alongside 40 controls. Additionally, we further investigated the relationship between AQP4-IgG titers as measured by LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF and clinical parameters in NMOSD patients.
Results:
Results showed 96.9% agreement between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF (Cohen’s κ=0.935), with a strong Spearman correlation (0.977, p<0.001). Both methods demonstrated 100% specificity, with LCBA-IF showing slightly higher sensitivity compared to FCBA-IF. Within LCBAIF-tested groups, statistically significant differences in annualized relapse rates were observed across all pairwise comparisons (low-titer vs. moderate-titer, low-titer vs. high-titer, and moderate-titer vs. high-titer; all p<0.050). However, this association reached statistical significance in some FCBA-IF-tested groups.
Conclusions
Overall, there is a strong concordance between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF in detecting AQP4-IgG, where LCBA-IF shows slightly higher sensitivity. Furthermore, there is a potential link between elevated AQP4-IgG titers and an increased risk of relapse, and this correlation may appear more pronounced when using LCBA-IF.
4.Prediction factors of dual-task gait function improvement through short-term aerobic training in patients with Parkinson's disease
Yang JIAO ; Xinru HU ; Weijia HOU ; Yue WANG ; Jin WANG ; Yang YU ; Zhizhong ZHU ; Ying DONG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(6):699-707
ObjectiveTo construct a prediction model for high responsiveness to short-term aerobic training in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) based on dual-task gait assessment, and to provide evidence for identifying individuals who are most likely to benefit from such interventions. MethodsA total of 42 patients with PD who visited the outpatient clinic of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital between August 29, 2023 and December 19, 2024 were enrolled. All participants completed a 4-week home-based aerobic cycling training program and underwent dual-task gait assessments pre- and post-training. Patients were classified into high-response group (n = 12) and low-response group (n = 30) according to whether the improvement in gait speed reached the minimal clinically important difference of 0.1 m/s. The clinical validity of this grouping was verified by comparing differences in cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters and dual-task gait indicators between the two groups pre- and post-training. Based on baseline characteristics, Firth's penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression was applied to construct a predictive model for high responsiveness, and the discriminative performance of the model was assessed preliminarily. ResultsThe high-response group showed significantly greater improvement in gait speed, step length, cadence and the anaerobic threshold to maximal oxygen uptake ratio after training compared with the low-response group (P < 0.05), confirming the clinical validity of the grouping. The baseline anaerobic threshold to maximal oxygen uptake ratio (OR = 3.348), body mass index (OR = 2.229) and age (OR = 0.428) demonstrated certain discriminative ability in the present sample. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.831, with an overall prediction accuracy of 81.0%, specificity of 83.3% and sensitivity of 75.0%. Robustness of the model was confirmed via internal validation using the Bootstrap method, which suggested that the results were informative, but further validation was still required. ConclusionThe anaerobic threshold/maximal oxygen uptake ratio, body mass index and age may predict the response to short-term aerobic training in patients with PD.
5.Network analysis comparison of depression-anxiety symptoms between medical staff and community residents in Dongguan
Yuwen HUANG ; Jingya YU ; Lunchi HUANG ; Zhizhong WANG ; Yongsheng LI
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(3):274-281
BackgroundThe mental health issues of medical staff have received increasing attention. Previous studies have mainly focused on the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors, but there is a lack of sufficient understanding of the heterogeneity characteristics of the depression-anxiety symptoms network among medical staff. ObjectiveTo compare the differences in the depression-anxiety symptoms network between medical staff and community residents, so as to provide references for the promotion of the mental health of medical staff. MethodsFrom June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024, a stratified random sampling method was used to recruit 1 959 medical staff from public hospitals and community health centers in 9 townships (industrial parks) of Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, as well as 2 412 community residents in this area, were selected as the research subjects. The general situation questionnaire, Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item (GAD-7) were used for investigation. The network visualization was conducted using the qgraph package of R 4.0.0. The centrality indicators of the network were calculated using the networktools package. The reliability of the network structure was evaluated using the bootnet package. The differences in the depression-anxiety symptoms network between medical staff and community residents were compared using the NetworkComparisionTest package. ResultsA total of 1 792 medical staff and 2 110 community residents completed the survey. The numbers of medical staff with mild, moderate and severe depressive symptoms were 381 (21.26%), 217 (12.11%) and 169 (9.43%), respectively, while the numbers of community residents were 322 (15.26%), 98 (4.64%) and 66 (3.13%), respectively. The numbers of medical staff with mild, moderate and severe anxiety symptoms were 411 (22.94%), 126 (7.03%) and 93 (5.19%), respectively, while the numbers of community residents were 320 (15.17%), 73 (3.46%) and 18 (0.85%), respectively. The comparison of the detection rates of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms between the two groups showed statistically significant differences (χ2=152.012, 205.953, P<0.01). The network analysis results showed that the core symptom clusters of medical staff were "uncontrollable worry" "psychomotor retardation" "inability to relax", and "depression", while those of community residents were "uncontrollable worry" "inability to relax" "inferiority complex", and "depression". There was a statistically significant difference in the network structure between the two groups (M=0.275, P<0.05), and the overall connection strength of medical staff was lower than that of community residents (7.523 vs. 7.950, S=0.426, P<0.05). ConclusionThe detection rates of depression and anxiety symptoms among medical staff were higher than those among community residents. The depression-anxiety symptoms network of medical staff was more concentrated, and the core symptoms were more prominent.[Funded by Social Development and Technology Project of Dongguan City (number, 20221800902552)]
6.Fundamental scientific research questions of human related safety in complex tightly-coupled human-machine systems
Shanguang CHEN ; Yijing ZHANG ; Zhizhong LI ; Liezhong GE ; Chunhui WANG
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(1):1-6
Under the"Four Specials"conditions(special environments,special tasks,special equipment,and special personnel),complex tightly-coupled human-machine systems exhibit distinct characteristics such as human-in-the-loop,frequent human-machine interactions,and significant mutual influence between humans and machines.These features lead to prominent and typical human related safety issues.Through aggregating knowledge from literature review,accident case studies,and engineering practice,this paper elaborates on the characteristics of complex tightly-coupled human-machine systems,clarifies the definition of human related safety(including its research subjects,topics,and methods),and provides a systematic analysis framework on the causes of human related safety from a whole life-cycle perspective of system development.Furthermore,theoretical hypotheses are proposed for human related safety,along with its fundamental scientific research questions and methods.
7.Effect of long non-coding RNA SNHG16 mediated mitophagy on diabetes-associated cognitive impairment
Zhenqi HUANG ; Zhizhong WANG ; Zhaowang QIU ; Fengyun PANG ; Ling HUANG ; Junhua PENG ; Shangling PAN ; Ningyuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(9):692-700
Objective To investigate the impact of mitophagy,mediated by the long non-coding RNA SNHG16(LncRNA SNHG16)on diabetes-associated cognitive impairment(DCI).Methods 29 male C57BL/J mice were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,DCI group and DCI+mitochondrial autophagy inhibitor(DCI+Mdivi-1)group.Morris water maze and new object recognition test were used to detect the cognitive function of mice,qRT-CPR was used to detect the expression of LncRNA SNHG16 and mitochondrial autophagy marker mRNA.Western blot were used to detect the expression of related protein.The mouse hippocampal neurons HT22 were divided into control(Con)group,high glucose(HG)group,HG+SNHG16 silencing(HG+sh-SNHG16)group and HG+no-load control(HG+sh-NC)group.CCK8 method and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)method were used to detect neuronal damage.JC-1 method was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential.Results Compared with NC group,the expression of LncRNA SNHG16 and the expression of autophagy-related gene 5,PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1),Parkin and microtubule associated protein light chain 3(LC3)Ⅱ/Ⅰ increased(P<0.05),while the expression of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins P62 and mitochondrial outer membrane transposase 20(TOMM20)decreased in T2DM group.Compared with DCI group,the cognitive dysfunction of mice improved,and the expression level of LncRNA SNHG16 decreased in the DCI+Mdivi-1 group(P<0.05).The expressions of LncRNA SNHG16,LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ,PINK1 and Parkin were higher in HG group than in Con group(P<0.05),while the cell survival rate and TOMM20 protein expression were lower in HG group than in Con group(P<0.05).Silence of LncRNA SNHG16 can restore the activity of HT22 cells and mitochondrial membrane potential,and reduce the level of mitochondrial autophagy under HG condition.Conclusions The expression level of LncRNA SNHG16 was up-regulated in the hippocampus brain region of mice with diabetic cognitive dysfunction,and mitophagy was overactivated.Silencing of LncRNA SNHG16 inhibits mitophagy in hippocampal neurons and alleviates HG induced hippocampal neuronal damage.
8.Author Correction: LIMP-2 enhances cancer stem-like cell properties by promoting autophagy-induced GSK3β degradation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Yuantong LIU ; Shujin LI ; Shuo WANG ; Qichao YANG ; Zhizhong WU ; Mengjie ZHANG ; Lei CHEN ; Zhijun SUN
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):26-26
9.Risk factors of silicon oil dependent after pars plana vitrectomy in open globe injuries: Eye Injury Vitrectomy Study
Wan LU ; Kang FENG ; Qihua WANG ; Bingjie WANG ; Tong SUN ; Zhizhong MA ; Yuntao HU
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2025;41(4):277-281
Objective:To observe and preliminarily analyze the risk factors related to silicone oil dependence after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in open globe injuries (OGI) .Methods:A retrospective clinical study. This study included 211 patients with OGI who received PPV treatment from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2016 in Eye Injury Vitrectomy Study database. Silicone oil dependence was defined as the intraocular pressure <10 mm Hg (1 mm Hg= 0.133 kPa) in silicone oil tamponade eye 6 months after PPV. The patient's age, intraocular pressure, type of injury, length of eyeball wound, as well as the presence of ciliary body injury, choroidal injury, and retinal resection and/or defect area were recorded in detail. Logistic multifactorial regression analyzed the correlation between age, eye wound length and ciliary body iinjury, choroidal injury and retinal resection and/or defect severity and silicone oil dependence.Results:211 OGI eyes underwent vitrectomy were included, the mean age of the study population was 32.93 years (range 1-73 years), and the median follow-up period was 20.06 months (range 5.85-90.58 months). Among the 211 eyes, 121 (57.3%, 121/211), 52 (24.6%, 52/211), 23 (10.9%, 23/211) and 15 (7.1%, 15/211) were rupture, perforation, intraocular foreign bodies and penetrating injury, respectively. 98 eyes (46.4%, 98/211) of silicone oil dependence in total, among them, 64 (65.3%, 64/98), 19 (19.4%, 19/98), 9 (9.2%, 9/98) and 6 (6.1%, 6/98) eyes were rupture, perforation, intraocular foreign body and penetrating injury, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that silicone oil dependence was significantly associated with ciliary body injury [odds ratio ( OR) = 2.150, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.052-4.393], choroidal injury ( OR=3.233, 95% CI 1.454-7.191), and retinal injury ( OR=2.731, 95% CI 1.393-5.353). No correlation was found with age ( OR= 0.981, 95% CI 0.960-1.002) or ocular wound length ( OR=1.716, 95% CI 0.987-2.984) ( P> 0.05). Conclusion:Silicone oil dependency following PPV in OGIs are associated with ciliary body, choroidal, and retinal injuries, but no association with age or length of the ocular wound.
10.Effects of biofeedback therapy combined with the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription and self-efficacy interventions on the clinical efficacy and quality of life in patients with functional defecation disorders
Bensheng WU ; Mingming SUN ; Zhizhong XU ; Lulu CHAO ; Jing LIU ; Weijie CHENG ; Xiaopeng WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(1):36-43
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and impact on quality of life of the biofeedback (BF) therapy combined with the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription and self-efficacy interventions in patients with functional defecation disorders (FDD).Methods:A prospective, randomized controlled trial design was employed. A total of 128 FDD patients were selected from the Pelvic Floor Center of the Department of Proctology, Suzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, between January 2021 and April 2023. These patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 64 cases in each group. Additionally, 41 historical control patients, who had received conventional BF training between June 2015 and January 2018 at the same center, were included for comparison. The historical control group received conventional BF therapy, the intervention group 1 combined BF therapy with self-efficacy interventions, and the intervention group 2 added the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription based on intervention group 1's treatment. All three groups underwent two treatment courses. Constipation symptom scores before and after treatment were performed; self-efficacy was assessed via the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices scale (SRAHP); health behaviors were evaluated using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP); anxiety and depression were evaluated through Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS); quality of life was measured through SF-36. Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on constipation symptom scores.Results:During the treatment period, seven patients dropped out due to personal reasons, leaving 61 patients in intervention group 1 and 60 patients in intervention group 2 for efficacy analysis. The total effective rates were 80.32% (49/61) in intervention group 1, 83.33% (50/60) in intervention group 2, and 56.10% (23/41) in the historical control group. The total effective rates of both intervention groups were significantly higher than those in the historical control group ( χ2=7.06, 9.15; P=0.029, 0.010, respectively). After treatment, intervention group 2 showed significantly lower constipation-related straining scores [1 (1, 2) vs. 2 (1, 2), Z=-4.51] compared to intervention group 1 ( P<0.05). Additionally, intervention group 2 had lower scores for straining [1 (1, 2) vs. 2 (1, 2), Z=-3.15] and defecation time [1 (0, 1) vs. 1 (1, 2), Z=-3.13] compared to the historical control group ( P<0.05). Psychological comfort efficacy (19.13 ± 2.51 vs. 16.98 ± 1.86, t=5.36), health responsibility efficacy (23.63 ± 4.69 vs. 22.59 ± 3.05, t=2.06), and overall SRAHP scores (75.98 ± 4.44 vs. 72.33 ± 5.16, t=4.17) were higher in intervention group 2 compared to intervention group 1 ( P<0.05). The HPLP scores (79.33 ± 11.13 vs. 72.80 ± 9.20, t=3.10) of intervention group 2 were higher than those of the historical control group ( P<0.05). Emotional functioning scores (75.98 ± 18.45 vs. 68.92 ± 20.58 and 68.55 ± 18.21, F=20.91) in intervention group 2 were higher than in both intervention group 1 and the historical control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The combination of the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription with BF therapy and self-efficacy interventions effectively improves the clinical symptoms and quality of life in FDD patients.

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