1.Total Flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen Inhibit Depression in CUMS Mice via UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Andong SONG ; Guohua LI ; Bo YUAN ; Menghui JIA ; Zhantao LI ; Xiaoli WANG ; Long WANG ; Huiling FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):109-119
ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen (TFCC) in the mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). MethodsFifty male 4-week-old ICR mice were randomized into five groups (n=10 per group): blank control, model, Cuscutae Semen decoction (10.2 g·kg-1·d-1), paroxetine (2.6 mg·kg-1·d-1), and TFCC (173.2 mg·kg-1·d-1). The other groups except the blank control group underwent chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 4 weeks. Behavioral assessments were conducted post-modeling. Then, the model group received distilled water (10 mL·kg-1·d-1), while treatment groups were administrated with respective agents via oral gavage (10 mL·kg-1) for 4 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining, and apoptosis in the brain tissue was assessed via terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α)] and neurotransmitters [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)], while the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1), IL-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group exhibited weight loss (P<0.01), reduced sucrose preference (P<0.01), prolonged immobility time in FST and TST (P<0.01), neuron disarrangement with nuclear pyknosis in hippocampal CA3 region, increased apoptosis in the brain tissue, elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (P<0.01), declined levels of 5-HT, DA, and BDNF (P<0.01), increased ROS accumulation (P<0.01), upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and iNOS (P<0.01), down-regulated protein level of UCP2 (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and TXNIP (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the interventions restored sucrose preference (P<0.01), shortened immobility time (P<0.01), repaired hippocampal neuronal structure, reduced apoptosis, lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.01), restored the levels of neurotransmitters (P<0.01), alleviated ROS accumulation (P<0.01), downregulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and iNOS (P<0.01), upregulated the protein level of UCP2 (P<0.01), and reduced the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and TXNIP (P<0.01). Moreover, TFCC outperformed Cuscutae Semen decoction in ameliorating depressive behaviors. TFCC excelled in neuronal repair, neurotransmitter regulation, anti-inflammatory effects, and modulation of the UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway (P<0.05). ConclusionTFCC modulates the hippocampal UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit inflammasome activation, reduce oxidative stress, restore neurotransmitters, thus suppressing neuronal apoptosis and promoting the rearrangement and morphology recovery of hippocampal cells. It outperforms Cuscutae Semen decoction in the antidepressant efficacy.
2.Total Flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen Inhibit Depression in CUMS Mice via UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Andong SONG ; Guohua LI ; Bo YUAN ; Menghui JIA ; Zhantao LI ; Xiaoli WANG ; Long WANG ; Huiling FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):109-119
ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen (TFCC) in the mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). MethodsFifty male 4-week-old ICR mice were randomized into five groups (n=10 per group): blank control, model, Cuscutae Semen decoction (10.2 g·kg-1·d-1), paroxetine (2.6 mg·kg-1·d-1), and TFCC (173.2 mg·kg-1·d-1). The other groups except the blank control group underwent chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 4 weeks. Behavioral assessments were conducted post-modeling. Then, the model group received distilled water (10 mL·kg-1·d-1), while treatment groups were administrated with respective agents via oral gavage (10 mL·kg-1) for 4 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining, and apoptosis in the brain tissue was assessed via terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α)] and neurotransmitters [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)], while the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1), IL-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group exhibited weight loss (P<0.01), reduced sucrose preference (P<0.01), prolonged immobility time in FST and TST (P<0.01), neuron disarrangement with nuclear pyknosis in hippocampal CA3 region, increased apoptosis in the brain tissue, elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (P<0.01), declined levels of 5-HT, DA, and BDNF (P<0.01), increased ROS accumulation (P<0.01), upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and iNOS (P<0.01), down-regulated protein level of UCP2 (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and TXNIP (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the interventions restored sucrose preference (P<0.01), shortened immobility time (P<0.01), repaired hippocampal neuronal structure, reduced apoptosis, lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.01), restored the levels of neurotransmitters (P<0.01), alleviated ROS accumulation (P<0.01), downregulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and iNOS (P<0.01), upregulated the protein level of UCP2 (P<0.01), and reduced the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and TXNIP (P<0.01). Moreover, TFCC outperformed Cuscutae Semen decoction in ameliorating depressive behaviors. TFCC excelled in neuronal repair, neurotransmitter regulation, anti-inflammatory effects, and modulation of the UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway (P<0.05). ConclusionTFCC modulates the hippocampal UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit inflammasome activation, reduce oxidative stress, restore neurotransmitters, thus suppressing neuronal apoptosis and promoting the rearrangement and morphology recovery of hippocampal cells. It outperforms Cuscutae Semen decoction in the antidepressant efficacy.
3.Graph Neural Networks and Multimodal DTI Features for Schizophrenia Classification: Insights from Brain Network Analysis and Gene Expression.
Jingjing GAO ; Heping TANG ; Zhengning WANG ; Yanling LI ; Na LUO ; Ming SONG ; Sangma XIE ; Weiyang SHI ; Hao YAN ; Lin LU ; Jun YAN ; Peng LI ; Yuqing SONG ; Jun CHEN ; Yunchun CHEN ; Huaning WANG ; Wenming LIU ; Zhigang LI ; Hua GUO ; Ping WAN ; Luxian LV ; Yongfeng YANG ; Huiling WANG ; Hongxing ZHANG ; Huawang WU ; Yuping NING ; Dai ZHANG ; Tianzi JIANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(6):933-950
Schizophrenia (SZ) stands as a severe psychiatric disorder. This study applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data in conjunction with graph neural networks to distinguish SZ patients from normal controls (NCs) and showcases the superior performance of a graph neural network integrating combined fractional anisotropy and fiber number brain network features, achieving an accuracy of 73.79% in distinguishing SZ patients from NCs. Beyond mere discrimination, our study delved deeper into the advantages of utilizing white matter brain network features for identifying SZ patients through interpretable model analysis and gene expression analysis. These analyses uncovered intricate interrelationships between brain imaging markers and genetic biomarkers, providing novel insights into the neuropathological basis of SZ. In summary, our findings underscore the potential of graph neural networks applied to multimodal DTI data for enhancing SZ detection through an integrated analysis of neuroimaging and genetic features.
Humans
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Schizophrenia/pathology*
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Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods*
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Male
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Female
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Adult
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Brain/metabolism*
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Young Adult
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Middle Aged
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White Matter/pathology*
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Gene Expression
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Nerve Net/diagnostic imaging*
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Graph Neural Networks
4.Analysis of Polymethoxyflavonoids in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Huiling TANG ; Jingyan ZHANG ; Bingyan TAN ; Yin SUN ; Jin-Yao SONG ; Yi-Yang ZHANG ; Xinru LI ; An KANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(11):1223-1233
OBJECTIVE To enrich the polymethoxyflavonoid-rich fraction from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium using D101 macro-porous resin,and further to analyse the chemical constituents using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS).METHODS Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium extract was adsorbed on D101 macro-porous resin and then eluted with different concentrations of ethanol to enrich the polymethoxyflavonoid-rich fraction;the content of the major flavonoid components was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC);and the components were further an-alysed by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS.RESULTS The established HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of seven flavonoids in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium extract was accurate and reliable.The contents of compounds such as nobiletin and tangeritin were signifi-cantly increased in the polymethoxyflavonoid-rich fraction.Using high resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS),70 and 60 compounds were identified from the Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium extract and the polymethoxyflavonoid-rich fraction,respectively,with 53 polyme-thoxyflavonoids being detected in these two extracts.CONCLUSION The results of this study provide an experimental basis for fur-ther identification of the pharmacological substance basis of the polymethoxyflavonoids in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium and the estab-lishment of quality control methods.
5.Infection status and molecular types of rhinovirus among cases of acute respiratory tract infections in Luohe City, Henan Province, from 2017 to 2022
Yage WANG ; Baicheng XIA ; Zhibo XIE ; Jin XU ; Yao ZHANG ; Zhibo ZHANG ; Xin SUN ; Haoran WANG ; Huiling WANG ; Zhen KONG ; Jinhua SONG ; Yiding ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(4):466-473
Objective:To understand the infection status and molecular types of rhinovirus (RV) among cases of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) in Luohe City, Henan Province, from 2017 to 2022.Methods:From October 2017 to June 2022, clinical and epidemiological data were collected from 2 270 cases of ARIs at Luohe Central Hospital in Henan Province. Throat swab specimens were obtained from these cases. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to screen for RV-positive specimens. Subsequently, the positive samples were subjected to nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) to amplify the full-length VP1 region. Using the MEGA software, along with 169 RV reference strains recommended by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, a phylogenetic tree was constructed to determine RV types.Results:Among the 2 270 cases of ARIs, there were 1 283 male cases (56.52%). The median age ( Q 1, Q 3) was 3 (1, 6) years, with the population under 5 years old accounting for 68.59% (1 557/2 270). RV was detected in 137 cases (6.04%), of which 68 cases (49.64%) showed co-detection with other viruses, with the most common being co-detection with enterovirus, accounting for 14.60% (20/137). The RV detection rates in the age groups of 0-4 years, 5-14 years, 15-59 years, and≥60 years were 6.42% (100/1 557), 4.69% (21/448), 3.80% (6/158), and 9.35% (10/107), respectively, with no statistically significant differences ( χ2=5.310, P=0.150). The overall detection rates of RV before (2017-2019) and during (2020-2022) the COVID-19 pandemic showed no statistically significant difference ( χ2=1.823, P=0.177). A total of 109 VP1 sequences were obtained, including 62 types. Among them, RV-A, RV-B, and RV-C had 42, 3, and 17 types respectively. Conclusion:RV is one of the predominant pathogens in ARIs cases in Luohe City, Henan Province, from 2017 to 2022. Multiple types of RV co-circulate without any apparent dominant type.
6.Current status of surveillance systems for human respiratory syncytial virus
Baicheng XIA ; Bingbing CONG ; Huiling WANG ; Shihao MA ; Jinhua SONG ; Na WANG ; Yan ZHANG ; You LI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):967-982
To conduct timely surveillance of the seasonal characteristics and disease burden of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) in various geographical regions of China, and further develop more precise and effective prevention and intervention strategies, there is an urgent need for China to establish a nationwide, effective, and stable HRSV surveillance system. Through combining the current status of domestic and international HRSV surveillance systems and the existing surveillance framework in China, this study proposed an HRSV surveillance type applicable to China based on different surveillance purposes, and considering the feasibility of implementation. This article aimed to provide solid scientific and technical support to monitor the dynamic changes of HRSV epidemic timely, carry out a risk assessment and early warning, and further understand the disease burden of HRSV in China. It also helps to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and control of the HRSV diseases research and development, use, and evaluation of HRSV vaccines and drugs in China.
7.Effectiveness of a novelly modified disposable vacuum drainage bottle
Huiling LIANG ; Chunxi LIN ; Guoying LIAN ; Tingting ZHENG ; Wenxin SONG
Modern Clinical Nursing 2024;23(4):37-40
Objective The goal of this study was to carry out a trial of a novel disposable vacuum drainage bottle with speed drainage adjustment and a threaded catheter connector,as well as to further explore the effectiveness in drainage.Methods Twenty-seven patients who underwent continuous fluid drainage in the Coronary Care Unit(CCU)of our hospital between February and August 2023 were put on the trial.The patients were randomly assigned into a control group(12 cases,with 76 replacements of traditional vacuum drainage bottles over the catheterisation and an trial group(15 cases,with 83 replacements of the novelly modified disposable vacuum drainage bottle)by a simple random method.Patients in the control group had the drainage catheter connected to a traditional vacuum drainage bottle,while the patients in the trial group had drainage catheter connected to the novelly modified vacuum drainage bottle.The two groups were compared in terms of the number of bottle replacement,incidence of exudation/leakage/detachment,time for bottle replacement,cost of consumables for drainage,and satisfaction of patients and nurses.Results All patients completed the trial.The trial group exhibited a significantly lower incidence rate in exudation/leakage/detachment,shorter time for bottle replacement and lower cost of consumables for bottle replacement in comparison with those in the control group(all P<0.05).Moreover,both patients and nurses in the trial group reported significantly higher satisfaction with the modified disposable bottle than the bottle used in the control group(both P<0.001).Conclusions The novelly modified disposable vacuum drainage bottle overcomes the deficiencies of the traditional bottle,reduces the incidence of exudation/leakage/detachment over the drainage,cut down the cost of bottle replacement,and shorten the time for bottle replacement.The novel and modified disposable vacuum drainage bottle has received great appreciations from the patients and nursing staff.
8.Distribution of resistance genes and virulence genes in multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains
Yufeng ZHANG ; He SONG ; Le YAN ; Pengfei XU ; Ruiqing LIU ; Tiantian TANG ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Huiling DENG ; Kairui LEI
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2024;31(11):831-835
Objective:To study the distribution of drug resistance genes and virulence genes in multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains.Methods:A total of 96 strains of Salmonella typhimurium were collected,and drug sensitivity tests were performed to evaluate the drug resistance and multidrug-resistance of Salmonella typhimurium.Multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains were selected to conducted whole genome sequencing,and the distribution of drug resistance genes and virulence genes in the strain were analyzed.Results:Salmonella typhimurium strains had the highest resistance rates to ampicillin and ampicillin/sulbactam,with 89.58% and 76.04%,respectively.Followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole,ceftriaxone,and aztreonam,with 47.92%,38.54% and 33.33%,respectively,and low resistance rates to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin,with 8.33% and 4.17%,respectively.Ninety-six strains were all sensitive to carbapenem antibiotics and piperacillin/tazobactam.Fifty-seven strains(59.38%)of Salmonella typhimurium showed multidrug-resistance.Resistance genes were detected in all 57 multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains,with higher carrier rates of 98.25%,77.19%,and 59.65% for aac(6')-Iaa,aadA22,and blaTEM-1B,respectively.The multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains had the highest carrier rates for invA,sipA,sseL,and sopB.Conclusion:Multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains have a high incidence and a high carrier rate for multiple drug resistance genes and virulence genes.The monitoring and prevention of Salmonella typhimurium should be strengthened in the clinic in order to reduce the spreading epidemic of multidrug-resistant strains.
9.Research progress on the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xiaoxuming decoction on nervous system diseases
Xuan LIU ; Huiling HOU ; Weipeng SONG ; Xiaoming LI ; Yang LIU ; Wei ZHANG ; Xiwu ZHANG ; Weiming ZHAO
China Pharmacist 2024;28(11):536-549
Xiaoxuming decoction is one of the classical prescriptions in ancient times,mainly used for treating stroke syndrome,with significant therapeutic effects.Recent studies have found that it is also effective for other neurological diseases besides stroke,such as facial paralysis and vertigo,but there are few reports on related achievements,lacking systematic organization and summary.This article systematically summarizes the application practice and mechanism of Xiaoxuming decoction in the above-mentioned diseases,aiming to provide a solid foundation and scientific reference for deepening the exploration of Xiaoxuming decoction in the field of nervous system disease.
10.Resting-state functional MRI observation on relationship between functional connectivity of frontoparietal network and cognitive function in patients with cerebral small vessel disease
Ting LEI ; Wei YAN ; Siwei TANG ; Huiling ZHOU ; Haiqing LI ; Yuxing JIANG ; Xi HE ; Miao HE ; Jiarui SONG ; Lijing ZHOU ; Yajun LI ; Li CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(5):718-723
Objective To observe the relationship between functional connectivity(FC)of frontoparietal network(FPN)and cognitive function in patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)using resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI).Methods rs-fMRI of 50 CSVD patients with cognitive impairment(CI group),65 CSVD patients with normal cognition(NC group)and 60 healthy controls(HC group),as well as outcomes of neuropsychological tests were retrospectively analyzed.Brain regions with different FC of FPN were compared among 3 groups and between each 2 groups.Partial correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of FC of brain regions value being statistically different between CI and NC groups and cognitive scores.Results Significant differences of FC in bilateral cingulate gyrus,left middle frontal gyrus,right supramarginal gyrus,right inferior parietal lobule and right medial superior frontal gyrus were found among groups(FWE correction,all P<0.05).Compared with NC group,FC of left cingulate gyrus decreased,of right inferior frontal gyrus and right medial superior frontal gyrus increased in CI group(FWE correction,all P<0.05).The decreased FC value of left cingulate gyrus was negatively correlated with clock drawing test score in CSVD patients(r=-0.159,P=0.049).Conclusion CSVD patients with or without CI had extensive abnormal FC of FPN,and the left cingulate gyrus was associated with patient's cognitive function.

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