1.Effect of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction on knee osteoarthritis model rabbits through regulation of cell pyroptosis mediated by PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Lin-Qin HE ; Peng-Fei LI ; Xiao-Dong LI ; Qi-Peng CHEN ; Zong-Han TANG ; Yu-Xin SONG ; Han-Bing SONG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):187-197
This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction(DJD) in the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis(KOA). Forty SPF New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided using SPSS 26.0 software into five groups: blank group, model group, low-dose DJD group, high-dose DJD group, and high-dose DJD+phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway activator group(high-dose DJD+740Y-P group), with eight rabbits in each group. Except for the blank group, the KOA model was established in the other groups using papain injection into the knee joint cavity combined with forced flexion of the knee joint. The day after modeling, the blank group and model group were given normal saline at 10 mL·kg~(-1) by gavage, the low-dose DJD group received DJD at 8.8 g·kg~(-1) by gavage, the high-dose DJD group received DJD at 35.2 g·kg~(-1) by gavage, and the high-dose DJD+740Y-P group received DJD at 35.2 g·kg~(-1) by gavage along with 740Y-P at 0.15 μmoL·kg~(-1) injected via the auricular vein. All groups received treatment continuously for four weeks. After modeling and intervention, behavioral observations were performed for all groups, and after the intervention, imaging assessments of the knee joints were conducted. Cartilage from the knee joints was collected, and gross morphological changes were observed. Pathological changes in cartilage tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The results of these observations were quantitatively evaluated using the Lequesne MG score, Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L) grading, Pelletier score, and Mankin score. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), and matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP13) in cartilage tissue. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), cysteine protease 1(caspase-1), and gasdermin D(GSDMD) in cartilage tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited significant knee joint degeneration, increased Lequesne MG score, K-L grading, Pelletier score, and Mankin score, elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and MMP13 in cartilage tissue, activation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR phosphorylation along with increased mRNA expression levels, and elevated protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD. Compared with the model group, these indicators were reversed in both the low-dose and high-dose DJD groups, with the high-dose group showing greater decline degree than the low-dose DJD group. However, compared with the high-dose DJD group, the improvements in knee joint degeneration were less pronounced in the high-dose DJD+740Y-P group, with increased Lequesne MG score, K-L grading, Pelletier score, Mankin score, elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and MMP13, activation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR phosphorylation along with increased mRNA expression, and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD. In conclusion, DJD is effective and safe in the treatment of KOA, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway-mediated pyroptosis in cartilage tissue, thereby improving knee joint bone structure, reducing the inflammatory response, and preventing cartilage matrix degradation.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Rabbits
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Osteoarthritis, Knee/genetics*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Pyroptosis/drug effects*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Female
2."Component-effect" correlations in traditional Chinese medicine from holistic view: taking discovery of gintonin from ginseng as an example.
Xin-Ming YU ; Chen-Yu YU ; Hua-Ying WANG ; Wei-Sheng YUE ; Zhu-Bin ZHANG ; Wei WU ; Xiao-Bin JIA ; Bing YANG ; Liang FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):2001-2012
The holistic view is the key in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The component structure theory is based on the holistic view to investigate the correlation between material basis and efficiency, which enriches the holistic "component-effect" research of TCM. Gintonin is a newly isolated non-saponin component of ginseng. Compared to ginsenosides, gintonin has many different pharmacological activities, and it provides new knowledge for the holistic research of ginseng. Thus, taking the discovery of gintonin from ginseng as an example, this paper explored the linkage between ginsenosides and gintonin from the perspective of "component-effect" correlations and systematically sorted out the similarities and differences between them in terms of structural characteristics, modes of action, and pharmacological activities. Starting from the collaborative interaction of TCM compounds, the study discussed the application and value of the holistic view in TCM "component-effect" research in the light of the component structure theory to provide new thoughts for the development of modern TCM research.
Panax/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Humans
;
Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
;
Animals
3.Metabolomics combined with network pharmacology reveals mechanism of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression.
Guo-Liang DAI ; Ze-Yu CHEN ; Yan-Jun WANG ; Xin-Fang BIAN ; Yu-Jie CHEN ; Bing-Ting SUN ; Xiao-Yong WANG ; Wen-Zheng JU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1340-1350
This study aims to explore the mechanism of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression based on metabolomics and network pharmacology. The chemical constituents of Jiaotai Pills were identified by UHPLC-Orbitrap Exploris 480, and the targets of Jiaotai Pills and depression were retrieved from online databases. STRING and Cytoscape 3.7.2 were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network of core targets of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression and the "compound-target-pathway" network. DAVID was used for Gene Ontology(GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the core targets. The mouse model of depression was established with chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) and treated with different doses of Jiaotai Pills. The behavioral changes and pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed. UHPLC-Orbitrap Exploris 120 was used for metabolic profiling of the serum, from which the differential metabolites and related metabolic pathways were screened. A "metabolite-reaction-enzyme-gene" network was constructed for the integrated analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology. A total of 34 chemical components of Jiaotai Pills were identified, and 143 core targets of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression were predicted, which were mainly involved in the arginine and proline, sphingolipid, and neurotrophin metabolism signaling pathways. The results of animal experiments showed that Jiaotai Pills alleviated the depression behaviors and pathological changes in the hippocampus of the mouse model of CUMS-induced depression. In addition, Jiaotai Pills reversed the levels of 32 metabolites involved in various pathways such as arginine and proline metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and porphyrin metabolism in the serum of model mice. The integrated analysis showed that arginine and proline metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and porphyrin metabolism might be the key pathways in the treatment of depression with Jiaotai Pills. In conclusion, metabolomics combined with network pharmacology clarifies the antidepressant mechanism of Jiaotai Pills, which may provide a basis for the clinical application of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Depression/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Metabolomics
;
Male
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Humans
;
Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
;
Antidepressive Agents
4.Clinical efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation with plates versus minimally invasive Kirschner wire fixation for osteoporotic Colles' fractures.
Jun-Wei ZHANG ; Jin-Yong HOU ; Zhao-Hui LI ; Zhen-Yuan MA ; Xiang GAO ; Hong-Zheng BI ; Ling-Ling CHEN ; Hai-Tao WANG ; Wei-Zhi NIE ; Yong-Zhong CHENG ; Xiao-Bing XI
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(1):18-24
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the short-term clinical efficacy and safety of closed reduction with Kirschner wire fixation versus open reduction with plate fixation for treating osteoporotic Colles' fractures in middle-aged and elderly patients.
METHODS:
Between January 2018 and January 2023, 119 patients with Colles fractures were retrospectively analyzed, including 39 males and 80 females, aged from 48 to 74 years old with an average of(60.58±6.71) years old. The time from injury to operation ranged 1 to 13 days with an average of (5.29±2.52) days. According to the surgical method, they were divided into Kirschner wire fixation group (Kirschner wire group) and plate internal fixation group (plate group). In Kirschner wire group, there were a total of 68 patients, comprising 21 males and 47 females. The average age was (61.15±6.24) years old, ranged from 49 to 74 years old. Among them, 41 cases involved the left side while 27 cases involved the right side. In the plate group, there were a total of 51 patients, including 18 males and 33 females. The average age was (59.78±5.71) years old ranged from 48 to 72 years old. Among them, there were 31 cases on the left side and 20 cases on the right side. The following parameters were recorded before and after the operation:operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization days, hospitalization expenses, postoperative complications, and radiographic parameters of distal radius (distal radius height, ulnar deviation angle, palmar tilt angle). The clinical efficacy was evaluated at 3 and 12 months after the operation using Gartland-Werley and disabilites of the arm shoulder and hand (DASH) scores.
RESULTS:
The patients in both groups were followed up for a duration from 12 to 19 months with an average of(13.32±2.02) months. The Kirschner wire group exhibited significantly shorter operation time compared to the plate group 27.91(13.00, 42.00) min vs 67.52(29.72, 105.32) min, Z=-8.74, P=0.00. Intraoperative blood loss was also significantly lower in the Kirschner wire group than in the plate group 3.24(1.08, 5.40) ml vs 21.91(17.38, 26.44) ml, Z=-9.31, P=0.00. Furthermore, patients in the Kirschner wire group had a shorter length of hospital stay compared to those in the plate group (8.38±2.63) days vs (11.40±2.78) days, t=-3.12, P=0.00. Additionally, hospitalization cost was significantly lower in the Kirschner wire group than in the plate group 10 111.29(6 738.98, 13 483.60) yuan vs 15 871.11(11 690.40, 20 051.82) yuan, Z=-5.62, P=0.00. The incidence of complications was 2 cases in the Kirschner wire group and 1 case in the plate group, with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05). At 3 months postoprative, the radial height of the Kirschner wire group was found to be significantly smaller than that of the plate group, with measurements of (11.45±1.69) mm and (12.11±1.78) mm respectively (t=-2.06, P=0.04). However, there were no statistically significant differences observed in ulnar deviation angle and palmar tilt angle between the two groups (P>0.05). The DASH score and Gartland-Werley score in the Kirschner group were significantly higher than those in the plate group at 3 months post-operation (19.10±9.89) vs (13.47±3.51), t=4.34, P=0.00;(11.15±3.61) vs (6.41±2.75), t=8.13, P=0.00). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 12 months post-operation (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Compared to plate internal fixation, closed reduction with Kirschner wire support fixation yields a slightly inferior recovery of radial height;however, there is no significant disparity in the functional score of the affected limb at 12 months post-operation. Nonetheless, this technique offers advantages such as shorter operation time, reduced intraoperative blood loss, decreased hospitalization duration, and lower cost.
Humans
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Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
;
Bone Wires
;
Bone Plates
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Colles' Fracture/surgery*
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
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Open Fracture Reduction/methods*
;
Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery*
5.Retrospective Analysis of Venetoclax Combined with Azacitidine Compared with "3+7" or Similar Regimens for Newly Diagnosed Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Lu-Lu WANG ; Juan ZHANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Yong ZHANG ; Xiao-Min DONG ; Dan-Yang ZHANG ; Ting-Ting CHEN ; Yun-Hui ZHOU ; Teng WANG ; Hui-Ling LAN ; He-Bing ZHOU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):672-681
OBJECTIVE:
To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with venetoclax combined with azacitidine (Ven/Aza) or standard "3+7" regimen and similar regimens, collect real-world study data, compare the treatment response and adverse events between the two regimens, as well as perform survival analysis.
METHODS:
To retrospectively analyze the efficacy, survival, and adverse reactions of newly diagnosed AML patients treated with Ven/Aza (24 cases) and "3+7" regimens (117 cases ) in our hospital from September 2009 to March 2023, as well as factors influencing outcomes. A propensity score matching (PSM) was performed on age and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) to obtain a 1:1 matched cohort of 20 pairs, and the efficacy and survival before and after the matching were compared.
RESULTS:
The median age of patients in the Ven/Aza group was 69 years, while that in the "3+7" group was 56 years (P <0.001). Objective remission rate (ORR) was 62.5% in Ven/Aza group and 74.8% in "3+7" group (P >0.05). The median overall survival (OS) in the Ven/Aza group was 522 days, while that in the "3+7" group was 1 002 days (P >0.05). After controlling the two variables of age and ECOG PS, a PSM cohort of 20 pairs was obtained, in which the ORR was 65% in Ven/Aza group and 60% in "3+7" group (P >0.05). The median OS was 522 days and 629 days, and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 531 days and 198 days between the two groups, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in OS and PFS between the two groups (both P >0.05). Additionally, the incidence of adverse events in the Ven/Aza group was significantly reduced.
CONCLUSION
The overall cohort shows that the "3+7" regimen has advantages in efficacy and survival, but Ven/Aza regimen is relatively safer. After performing PSM on age and ECOG PS, the Ven/Aza group showed improved efficacy, and a longer median PFS compared to "3+7" group.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Sulfonamides/administration & dosage*
;
Azacitidine/administration & dosage*
;
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/administration & dosage*
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
;
Male
;
Female
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Treatment Outcome
6.PI-RADS v2.1 score combined with PSA density for diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer in the PSA grey zone by MRI-TRUS cognitivefusion-guided transperineal targeted prostate biopsy.
Yue LI ; Shan ZHOU ; Jing CHEN ; Fei MAO ; Xiao-Bing NIU ; Li SUN ; Ming XU ; Jin-Tao LIU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(1):50-54
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the value of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2.1 (PI-RADS v2.1) score combined with PSA density (PSAD) in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPCa) in the PSA grey zone by MRI-TRUS cognitive fusion-guided transperineal targeted prostate biopsy.
METHODS:
This retrospective study included 327 male patients with total PSA (tPSA) levels of 4-10 μg/L undergoing MRI-TRUS cognitive fusion-guided transperineal targeted prostate biopsy in our hospital between January 2021 and December 2023. According to the pathological results, we divided the patients into a CSPCa (n = 44) and a non-CSPCa group (n = 283), collected their clinical and imaging data, and subjected them to statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
The age, tPSA level, PSAD and PI-RADS score were significantly higher, while the free PSA (fPSA) level, f/tPSA ratio and prostate volume remarkably lower in the CSPCa than in the non-CSPCa group (P<0.05). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of PSAD, PI-RADS score and their combination were 0.772, 0.730 and 0.801, with sensitivities of 63.63%, 70.45% and 72.73%, and specificities of 84.10%, 75.62% and 83.75%, respectively (P<0.01). With PSAD 0.2 μg/(ml·cm3) as the best cut-off value and based on the PI-RADS scores, the patients were divided into two groups for analysis. In the patients with PI-RADS scores 2 and 5, the AUCs were 0.534 and 0.643, with sensitivities of 16.67% and 63.64%, and specificities of 85.14% and 64.29%, with no statistically significant differences (P= 0.784, P= 0.228), and in those with PI-RADS scores 3 and 4, the AUCs were 0.794 and 0.843, with sensitivities of 57.14% and 80.00%, and specificities of 87.14% and 81.82%, with statistically significant differences (P= 0.009, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
PI-RADS v2.1 score combined with PSAD can effectively improve the diagnostic efficiency of CSPCa in the PSA grey zone by MRI-TRUS cognitive fusion-guided transperineal targeted prostate biopsy and serve as a guide for selection of prostate biopsy.
Humans
;
Male
;
Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Prostate-Specific Antigen
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Image-Guided Biopsy
;
Prostate/pathology*
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
7.Clinical characteristics of congenital and acquired middle ear cholesteatoma in children.
Jianbo SHAO ; Min CHEN ; Jinsheng HAO ; Yang YANG ; Wei LIU ; Bing LIU ; Ning MA ; Xiao ZHANG ; Xiaoxu WANG ; Jie ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(2):133-136
Objective:To retrospectively analyze the clinical features and surgical efficacy of congenital cholesteatoma (CC) and acquired cholesteatoma (AC) in children. Methods:Clinical data of 169 children with middle ear cholesteatoma were reviewed in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2010 to July 2020. The clinical characteristics, stages, surgical methods, and postoperative recurrence rates were analyzed and summarized. Results:The age distribution of enrolled children ranged from 2 to 14 years. The mean age of the CC group was (5.60±2.48) years compared with (6.45±2.48) years in the AC group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Preoperative hearing in the CC group was (40.06±13.52) dB HL, which was better than in the AC group at (48.40±13.84) dB HL (P<0.05). The proportion of stage Ⅰ in the CC group was lower than that in the AC group according to EAONO/JOS staging (P<0.05). The recurrence rate after primary surgery was 19.23% (10/52) in the CC group compared with 36.29% (45/124) in the AC group (P<0.05). The mastoid retention rates after all operations were 28.85% (15/52) in the CC group and 5.65% (7/124) in the AC group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with congenital cholesteatoma, acquired cholesteatoma in children is more aggressive and has more complications, higher postoperative recurrence rate, and less possibility of mastoid retention. Early clinical detection and treatment are required, and canal wall-down tympanoplasty should be considered in surgery.
Humans
;
Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/congenital*
;
Child
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Child, Preschool
;
Adolescent
;
Male
;
Female
;
Recurrence
;
Cholesteatoma/congenital*
;
Tympanoplasty
;
Treatment Outcome
9.Human Cytomegalovirus Infection and Embryonic Malformations: The Role of the Wnt Signaling Pathway and Management Strategies.
Xiao Mei HAN ; Bao Yi ZHENG ; Zhi Cui LIU ; Jun Bing CHEN ; Shu Ting HUANG ; Lin XIAO ; Dong Feng WANG ; Zhi Jun LIU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1142-1149
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy. As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low- and middle-income countries, HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem cells, leading to fetal malformations and abnormal structural and physiological functions in the fetal brain. This review summarizes the current understanding of how HCMV infection dysregulates the Wnt signaling pathway to induce fetal malformations and discusses current management strategies.
Humans
;
Cytomegalovirus Infections/virology*
;
Wnt Signaling Pathway
;
Pregnancy
;
Female
;
Cytomegalovirus/physiology*
;
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology*
;
Congenital Abnormalities/virology*
;
Animals

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