1.Effects of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside on renal injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy
Chong ZHANG ; Chundong SONG ; Mo WANG ; Shuang LIANG ; Xiaoxiao GUO ; Hanhan ZHANG ; Peijia LI ; Ke SONG ; Chenchen CHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(7):815-819
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside (TWM) on renal injury in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats through tumor protein p53/microRNA-214 (miR-214)/UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) axis. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (n=6) and modeling group (n=28); the modeling group was fed with high fat and high glucose plus intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish DN model. The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, valsartan group [8.33 mg/(kg·d)] and TWM group[6.25 mg/(kg·d)], with 8 rats in each group. Rats in each group were gavaged with the corresponding medication or normal saline, once a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. After the last medication, liver and renal function indexes [24 h urinary total protein (24 h-UTP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), albumin (ALB), alanine transaminase (ALT)], blood lipid indexes (triglycerides, total cholesterol) and blood glucose index (fasting blood glucose) in urine/blood sample of rats were detected in each group. Renal pathologic change was observed, protein and mRNA expressions of p53, ULK1, Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and expression of miR-214 in renal tissue were also determined. RESULTS Compared with the normal group, the renal tubular epithelium of rats in the model group showed obvious edema, cell swelling, accompanied by lymphocyte infiltration; the levels of 24h-UTP, BUN, SCr, ALT and glycolipid indexes, the expressions of p53 protein and mRNA, as well as the expression of miR-214 in rats in the model group and administration groups were significantly increased or up-regulated, while ALB level, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, the expressions of LC3 mRNA, the expressions of ULK1, Beclin-1 protein and mRNA were significantly decreased or down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the histopathological damage of the kidney in rats was improved in administration groups; the levels of 24 h-UTP, BUN, SCr, ALT and glycolipid indexes, the expressions of p53 protein and mRNA, as well as the expression of miR-214 were all significantly decreased or down-regulated, while ALB level, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, the expressions of LC3 mRNA, the expressions of ULK1 and Beclin-1 protein and mRNA were significantly increased or up-regulated (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS TG can alleviate renal damage in DN rats, and improve their liver and renal function, as well as glucose and lipid levels. These effects may be related to the regulation of the p53/miR-214/ULK1 axis and the restoration of cellular autophagy.
2.Effect of Qingxin Jieyu Granules on Artery Thrombosis and Akt/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in EA.hy926 Cells Exposed to TNF-α
Chenchen HE ; Chenyi WEI ; Zhenghao LYU ; Qiaoyan CAI ; Zhuye GAO ; Ling ZHANG ; Jianfeng CHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):89-97
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Qingxin Jieyu granules (QXJYG) on FeCl3-induced carotid artery thrombosis in rats and on the expression of thrombosis-related proteins tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) as well as the protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in EA.hy926 cells exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), thus preliminarily exploring the mechanism of QXJYG in inhibiting thrombosis. MethodsThirty-six SD rats were randomized into normal control, model, positive control (aspirin, 9 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (0.99, 1.98, 3.96 g·kg-1, respectively) QXJYG groups (n=6). The rats in the drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding drugs, and those in the normal control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water. After 14 consecutive days of prophylactic gavage, the rat model of common carotid artery thrombosis was established with 45% FeCl3 solution, and the blood vessels were collected and the wet weight of thrombus was weighed by an electronic balance (precision of 1/10 000). The thrombosis in the common carotid artery of each group of rats was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An endothelial cell injury model was established by treating EA.hy926 human umbilical vein endothelial cells with TNF-α. The cell counting kit-8 method was used to screen the intervention concentrations of QXJYG. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of TF, TFPI, Akt, p-Akt, NF-κB p65, and p-NF-κB p65 in each group of cells. ResultsThe animal experiment showed that compared with the normal control group, the model group showed an increase in carotid artery thrombus weight (P<0.05), with unclear vascular structure and extensive thrombosis in the lumen. In addition, the plasma levels of vWF, PECAM-1, and PAI-1 were elevated, while the t-PA level became lowered (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the aspirin and QXJYG groups showed reductions in the weight of FeCl3-induced carotid artery thrombi (P<0.05) and thrombosis in the lumen, declines in plasma levels of PECAM-1 and PAI-1, and an elevation in the t-PA level (P<0.05). Moreover, the QXJYG groups showed reductions in the plasma level of vWF (P<0.05), which, however, had no significant difference between the aspirin group and the model group. The cell experiments indicated that 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 mg·L-1 QXJYG had no effect on the viability of EA.hy926 cells. Therefore, 250, 500 mg·L-1 QXJYG were selected as the intervention concentrations for subsequent experiments. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the TNF-α stimulation downregulated the expression of TFPI (P<0.05), upregulated the expression of TF, and increased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 (P<0.05) in EA.hy926 cells. Compared with the model group, the intervention with QXJYG upregulated the expression of TFPI (P<0.05), inhibited the expression of TF, and decreased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 (P<0.05). ConclusionQXJYG has the effect of inhibiting thrombosis and regulating the expression of TF and TFPI in endothelial cells exposed to TNF-α by suppressing the abnormal activation of the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.
3.Factors influencing mental health of medical students based on an ecological systems theory perspective
XU Chenchen, WU Ruoxiu, WANG Lizhu, LI Moxuan, ZHANG Zhihao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):402-405
Objective:
To analyze factors impacting mental health status of medical students based on ecological systems theory, so as to provide reference for the mental health promotion system for medical students.
Methods:
In June 2024, 1 760 medical school students randomly selected from 19 different kinds of medical colleges in eastern China by stratified cluster were surveyed using questionnaires and expert interviews. Descriptive statistics, cross analysis, hierarchical linear regression analysis, structural equation models were used for data analysis.
Results:
Medical school students had higher satisfaction with the school (65.85%) and a great sense of perceived social support (57.16%). Furthermore, 91.14% of the students had normal interpersonal relationships. However, 44.89% reported that their mental health was impacted by high level of depression. The hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that the mental health outcomes of the medical students were positively predicted by higher perceived social support scores ( β =-11.40), institutional satisfaction ( β =-4.85 ), and lower help seeking stigma scores ( β =9.31) ( P <0.05). The structural equation modeling showed that the status of both perceived social support and self help seeking stigma had significant impacts on depression severity ( β =-0.32, -0.53) and interpersonal relationship sensitivity ( β =-0.31, 0.58) among medical students ( P <0.01).Through expert interviews, collaborations between the school and the tripartite organization (families, universities and society) was of growing importance.
Conclusions
Perceived social support and self stigma have a significant impact on the mental health status of medical students. The problem of self stigma of medical students should be paid attention to. Therefore, families, universities and society should work together to improve the mental health of medical students.
4.A nomogram prediction model for poor outcome in patients with minor ischemic stroke
Chenchen LI ; Jiaxuan LI ; Ziwei CAO ; Xiaolu HE ; Xiangzhu FAN ; Chi ZHANG
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2024;32(4):241-246
Objective:To develop and evaluate a nomogram prediction model for poor outcome in patients with minor acute ischemic stroke (MIS) at 90 days after onset.Methods:Patients with MIS admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from January 2022 to June 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. At 90 days after onset, the modified Rankin Scale was used for outcome evaluation. <2 points were defined as good outcome and ≥2 points were defined as poor outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for poor outcome, and a nomogram prediction model was developed based on these factors. Results:A total of 177 patients with MIS were included, of which 61 (34.46%) had poor outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (odds ratio [ OR] 3.484, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.378-8.810; P=0.008), diabetes ( OR 2.936, 95% CI 1.301-6.625; P=0.009), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission ( OR 2.936, 95% CI 1.027-1.709; P=0.031) and systolic blood pressure at admission ( OR 1.083, 95% CI 1.053-1.115; P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for poor outcome. The established nomogram prediction model had a C-index of 0.828 and the area under the curve was 0.841 (95% CI 0.778-0.891). The calibration curve fitted well with the ideal curve. The clinical decision curve showed that the model had stronger clinical applicability. Conclusions:Hypertension, diabetes, NIHSS score and systolic blood pressure at admission are independent risk factors for poor outcome of patients with MIS. The nomogram based on the above factors has higher discriminative power and clinical value for predicting poor outcome in patients with MIS.
5.Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-stroke depression
Xiangzhu FAN ; Chenchen LI ; Ziwei CAO ; Xiaolu HE ; Fei LI ; Zhi ZHANG
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2024;32(5):374-379
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is an important mental complication of stroke, affecting nearly 1/3 of stroke patients, seriously affecting patients' functional recovery and quality of life, and is associated with increased mortality of stroke patients. Traditional antidepressant treatments include medication and psychotherapy, but there may be problems with adverse reactions, tolerance, or limited effectiveness. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), as a non-invasive neuroregulatory technique, offers a new treatment option for patients with PSD. This article reviews the application of rTMS in the treatment of PSD and its possible mechanism.
6.Impact of early nasogastric tube removal on functional recovery after total gastrectomy
Ran HU ; Zhi ZHENG ; Yuhao ZHAI ; Lihong ZHAO ; Dan XUE ; Chenchen SONG ; Jun ZHANG ; Meng SUN
International Journal of Surgery 2024;51(8):542-547
Objective:To investigate the impact of early removal of nasogastric tubes on functional recovery after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients, to provide scientific evidence for enhanced recovery after surgery strategies in gastric cancer.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 102 gastric cancer patients who underwent total gastrectomy at Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated with the Capital Medical University from March 2018 to July 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether the gastric tube was removed within 24 hours post-operation: the early removal group (within 24 hours, 55 patients) and the non-early removal group (beyond 24 hours, 47 patients). The recovery outcomes, including time to first flatus, time to fluid intake, length of hospital stay, and the incidence of postoperative complications, were compared between the two groups. Non-normally distributed data were expressed as M( Q1, Q3) and compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Categorical data were expressed as frequencies or percentages and compared using the chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. To minimize the impact of potential confounders, multivariable linear regression and logistic regression analyses adjusted for propensity scores were further employed to compare quantitative and qualitative data between the groups. Statistical analyses were performed using R software. Results:The exhaust time, water intake time, and hospital stay in the early removal group were 3.0(2.0, 3.5) days, 4.0(3.0, 5.0) days, and 7.0(7.0, 8.0) days, respectively, while those in the non-early removal group were 4.0(3.0, 5.0) days, 6.0(5.0, 7.0) days, and 8.0(7.5, 11.0) days, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (5.45% vs 17.02%, P=0.060). Propensity score-adjusted regression analysis suggested that early tube removal might reduce the risk of postoperative complications ( P=0.042). Conclusion:Early removal of nasogastric tubes can significantly accelerate functional recovery after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients and may reduce the risk of postoperative complications, providing important clinical guidance for enhanced recovery after surgery management in gastric cancer.
7.Role of CD8 + T cells in lethal Plasmodium yoelii 17XL infection
Tong LYU ; Yuzhi CHANG ; Feifei LI ; Chenchen ZHANG ; Yaming CAO ; Hui FENG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(7):620-628
Objective:To investigate the role of CD8 + T cells in lethal Plasmodium yoelii 17XL ( Py 17XL) infection. Methods:BALB/c mice and C57BL/6 mice were infected with Py 17XL-infected red blood cells (1×10 6 cells/0.1 ml) through intraperitoneal injection to establish the mouse models of Py 17XL infection. Parasitemia (the percentage of erythrocytes infected with Py 17XL) and the survival rates of the mice was observed dynamically. Flow cytometry was used to detect the number of effector T cells (T EFF) and central memory T cells (T CM) of CD8 + T cell subpopulations, the expression of IFN-γ and granzyme B (GB) levels, and the expression of surface chemokine receptors CXCR3, CXCR6 and CX3CR1. FTY720 blocking experiment was conducted on Py 17XL-infected C57BL/6 mice to analyze the impact of CD8 + T cell migration on Py 17XL infection. Results:The parasitemia of BALB/c mice increased rapidly 5 d after infection and reached the peak on 8 d [(79.57±3.82)%]. Besides, the parasitemia was higher in BALB/c mice than in C57BL/6 mice 5-8 d after infection ( P<0.000 1). All BALB/c mice died on 9 d. The parasitemia of C57BL/6 mice reached the peak on 14 d [(48.19±3.19)%] and then decreased to 0 on 26 d. There was statistically significant difference in the survival rate between the two groups ( P<0.000 1). Flow cytometry results showed that compared with the BALB/c mice, the absolute number of CD8 + T cells in spleen and liver tissues and the number of CD8 + T EFF and CD8 + T CM cells in spleen and lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice increased significantly ( P<0.05). Compared with the BALB/c mice, the levels of GB, IFN-γ and chemokines expressed by CD8 + T cells in spleen and liver tissues of C57BL/6 mice increased significantly ( P<0.05). The FTY720 blocking experiment showed that the survival rate, the absolute number of CD8 + T cells in liver and spleen, and the number of CD8 + CXCR3 + T cells decreased significantly in the experimental group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:CD8 + T EFF and CD8 + T CM cells contribute to resistance against Py 17XL infection by secreting GB and IFN-γ. The chemokine receptor CXCR3 plays an important role in mediating the chemotaxis of CD8 + T cells to spleen and liver.
8.Effect of miR-217 targeting FOXO3 on the resistance of non-small cell lung cancer to gefitinib and its related mechanisms
Lun ZHAO ; Xin ZHAO ; Chenchen LIN ; Qi FU ; Mohan SHI ; Haoran ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(16):2277-2283
Objective To investigate the effect of miR-217 on gefitinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and to explore the downstream target genes and related pathways.Methods qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-217 in human lung normal epithelial cell lines BEAS-2B,NSCLC cell lines A549,HCC827,PC9,NCI-H1975 and gefitinib resistant strain PC9/GR.PC9/GR cells were selected and the cells of control group,NC-mimic group,miR-217 mimic group,miR-217 mimic+si-NC group,and miR-217 mimic+si-FOXO3 group were constructed using liposome transfection technique.CCK8 and clonal formation assay were used to detect changes in cell proliferation capacity,flow cytometry was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis capacity,and western blot was used to detect protein expression related to PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.The Targetscan bioinformatics website predicted the downstream target genes of miR-217,and the correlation between miR-217 and the target gene FOXO3 was detected by dual luciferase assay.Results Compared with BEAS-2B cells,the expression of miR-217 in A549,HCC827,PC9 and NCI-H1975 cells was significantly decreased(P<0.05).With the increase of gefitinib concentration,the expression of miR-217 gene in PC9 cells was gradually decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of miR-217 in PC9/GR cells was lower than that in PC9(P<0.05).Compared with the control group and NC-mimic group,the cell proliferation capacity of miR-217 mimic group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),the number of apoptosis was increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT were decreased(P<0.05).Dual luciferase reporter gene assay proved that FOXO3 is the target of miR-217.Compared with miR-217 mimic group and miR-217 mimic+si-NC group,the cell drug resistance of miR-217 mimic+si-FOXO3 group was increased(P<0.05),the proliferation ability was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the number of apoptosis was decreased(P<0.05).The expression levels of P-PI3K and P-AKT were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Overexpression of miR-217 reversed the resistance of PC9/GR to gefitinib in NSCLC cells and inhibited the proliferation and accelerated apoptosis of PC9/GR cells,which may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by targeting FOXO3.
9.An Intervention Study on the Utilization of Health Information Services for Empty Nest Elderly Based on Knowledge Attitude Practice Theory
Chenchen ZHANG ; Xing GUO ; Rui ZHU ; Lingmeng WANG ; Wenjie HOU ; Dan LUO ; Fuzhi WANG
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(8):45-51
Purpose/Significance To study and develop an intervention plan for the utilization barriers of health information services for empty nest elderly,in order to provide a basis for improving their knowledge,attitude,and action abilities in health information serv-ices.Method/Process Selecting residents of Yan'an community in Bengbu as research subjects,who are randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group.The intervention group use a pre-constructed intervention plan.After the intervention study,the con-trol group is provided with the same health education content as the intervention group.Result/Conclusion The intervention programs can improve the knowledge level and behavioral ability of empty nest elderly in utilizing information services.
10.Path Analysis of Influencing Factors on Health Information Literacy of Discharged Elderly Patients Receiving Continuous Nurs-ing Services
Xing GUO ; Chenchen ZHANG ; Wenjie HOU ; Lingmeng WANG ; Rui ZHU ; Dan LUO ; Fuzhi WANG
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(8):52-57
Purpose/Significance To understand the influencing factors of health information literacy of elderly discharged patients receiving continuous nursing services,and to provide theoretical basis for related health education and health promotion.Method/Process The selective quota sampling method is used to conduct a questionnaire survey on elderly discharged patients aged 60 and above receiving continuous nursing services in Bengbu city,and a structural equation model is constructed to analyze the effect pathway of influencing fac-tors.Result/Conclusion The level of health information literacy of the discharged elderly patients receiving continuous nursing services is average.Healthy lifestyle has direct influence on health information literacy of them,and social support and psychological status have in-direct influence on them through self-efficacy and healthy lifestyle.It is suggested that family members and medical staffs should pay positive attention to patients,help patients maintain a good psychological state,promote the recovery of diseases,and improve the level of health information literacy.


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