1.Mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin Prescription in Regulating PKA/CaN Pathway to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
Xiaochen GUO ; Jiangang LIU ; Dandan SHI ; Ziqi NING ; Yaoyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Meixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):97-108
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yizhi Qingxin prescription improves mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and kinetic balance based on the protein kinase A (PKA)/calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty three-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model group, a donepezil group(0.65 mg·kg-1), a low-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-L,2.6 g·kg-1), a medium-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-M,5.2 g·kg-1), and a high-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-H,10.4 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background served as a normal group. Each treatment group received gavage administration daily, with the model and normal groups receiving equal volume of physiological saline. Intervention continued for 12 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE)/Nissl staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure. Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester (Fluo-4 AM) Ca2+ probe was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain tissue. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of PKA, CaN, sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), calmodulin (CaM), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphorylated dynamin-related protein 1 (serine 637 site) [p-Drp1(S637)] in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of PKA, CaN, CaM, NCLX, MCU, and Drp1 mRNAs. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the recognition index (RI) of the model group decreased (P0.01), and the number of crossings through the original platform area, the duration of stay in the target quadrant, and the distance were reduced (P0.01). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-DRP1 (ser637) significantly decreased (P0.05), and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly decreased (P0.05). The escape latency (EL) was prolonged (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level significantly increased (P0.01). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1, as well as the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1, significantly increased (P0.05). After intervention with Donepezil and Yizhi Qingxin prescription, compared with that in the model group, the RI of the treatment group significantly increased (P0.05), and the number of crossings through the platform and the duration of stay in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly increased (P0.05). On the 4th and 5th days, the EL was shortened (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level decreased (P0.05). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 and the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1 significantly decreased (P0.05). ConclusionYizhi Qingxin prescription regulates the PKA/CaN pathway, upregulates the expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) proteins, reduces the expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 proteins, and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic balance, thereby enhancing the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD mice.
2.Mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin Prescription in Regulating PKA/CaN Pathway to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
Xiaochen GUO ; Jiangang LIU ; Dandan SHI ; Ziqi NING ; Yaoyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Meixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):97-108
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yizhi Qingxin prescription improves mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and kinetic balance based on the protein kinase A (PKA)/calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty three-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model group, a donepezil group(0.65 mg·kg-1), a low-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-L,2.6 g·kg-1), a medium-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-M,5.2 g·kg-1), and a high-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-H,10.4 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background served as a normal group. Each treatment group received gavage administration daily, with the model and normal groups receiving equal volume of physiological saline. Intervention continued for 12 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE)/Nissl staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure. Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester (Fluo-4 AM) Ca2+ probe was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain tissue. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of PKA, CaN, sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), calmodulin (CaM), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphorylated dynamin-related protein 1 (serine 637 site) [p-Drp1(S637)] in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of PKA, CaN, CaM, NCLX, MCU, and Drp1 mRNAs. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the recognition index (RI) of the model group decreased (P0.01), and the number of crossings through the original platform area, the duration of stay in the target quadrant, and the distance were reduced (P0.01). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-DRP1 (ser637) significantly decreased (P0.05), and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly decreased (P0.05). The escape latency (EL) was prolonged (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level significantly increased (P0.01). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1, as well as the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1, significantly increased (P0.05). After intervention with Donepezil and Yizhi Qingxin prescription, compared with that in the model group, the RI of the treatment group significantly increased (P0.05), and the number of crossings through the platform and the duration of stay in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly increased (P0.05). On the 4th and 5th days, the EL was shortened (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level decreased (P0.05). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 and the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1 significantly decreased (P0.05). ConclusionYizhi Qingxin prescription regulates the PKA/CaN pathway, upregulates the expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) proteins, reduces the expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 proteins, and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic balance, thereby enhancing the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD mice.
3.Exploring reference interval of IL-10 in cerebrospinal fluid of adults by multiplex bead-based flow fluorescent immunoassay
Dongmei ZOU ; Yan LIU ; Jiangang DUAN ; Zheng LIU ; Yixian GUO ; Wanling SUN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1182-1185,1191
Objective:To determine the reference interval of IL-10 level in cerebrospinal fluid of adults using multiplex bead-based flow fluorescent immunoassay(MBFFI).Methods:A total of 743 patients without tumor were involved and grouped by diagno-sis.Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma IL-10 were tested by MBFFI.Results:①Cerebrospinal fluid IL-10 levels of the central nervous system infection group were higher than those of other groups.②The cranial venous sinus thrombosis(CVST)group without tumor,in-fection or inflammatory disease were chosen as nearly normal population.As the distribution of cerebrospinal fluid IL-10 levels in these 250 CVST patients were skewed,95%cut-off level was chosen as upper limit and cerebrospinal fluid IL-10<3.50 pg/ml was the refer-ence interval.③No correlation was found between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid IL-10 levels in the CVST group.Conclusion:The medical reference interval of cerebrospinal fluid IL-10 by MBFFI in adults are determined in this study,that is<3.50 pg/ml,to pro-vide clinical reference for practical applications.
4.Recent research progress of Menin inhibitors in NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia
Xiaoda YU ; Jiajing LI ; Anan WANG ; Jiangang GUO ; Bei LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(4):533-540
The nucleophosmin 1(NPM1)muta-tion is one of the most frequent subtypes in acute myeloid leukemia(AML).Under the conditions of FLT3-internal tandem duplications(FLT3-ITD)and/or DNMT3A co-mutations or adverse cytogenetics,the originally favorable prognosis will deteriorate.In recent years,studies have found that multiple endocrine neoplasia protein(Menin)inhibitors tar-geting Menin-KMT2A complex can downregulate the overexpression of leukemia causing genes HOX(homeotic gene)and MEIS1(myeloid ecotropic vi-ral integration site 1)in NPM1-mutated AML,dem-onstrating remarkable anti-leukemia activity.This article aims to review the mechanism and clinical research of Menin inhibitors,novel small molecule targeted drugs in NPM1-mutated AML,as well as the resistance mechanism of Menin inhibitors,hop-ing to provide promising approaches for the subse-quent treatment of NPM1-mutated AML patients.
5.Exploring reference interval of IL-10 in cerebrospinal fluid of adults by multiplex bead-based flow fluorescent immunoassay
Dongmei ZOU ; Yan LIU ; Jiangang DUAN ; Zheng LIU ; Yixian GUO ; Wanling SUN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1182-1185,1191
Objective:To determine the reference interval of IL-10 level in cerebrospinal fluid of adults using multiplex bead-based flow fluorescent immunoassay(MBFFI).Methods:A total of 743 patients without tumor were involved and grouped by diagno-sis.Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma IL-10 were tested by MBFFI.Results:①Cerebrospinal fluid IL-10 levels of the central nervous system infection group were higher than those of other groups.②The cranial venous sinus thrombosis(CVST)group without tumor,in-fection or inflammatory disease were chosen as nearly normal population.As the distribution of cerebrospinal fluid IL-10 levels in these 250 CVST patients were skewed,95%cut-off level was chosen as upper limit and cerebrospinal fluid IL-10<3.50 pg/ml was the refer-ence interval.③No correlation was found between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid IL-10 levels in the CVST group.Conclusion:The medical reference interval of cerebrospinal fluid IL-10 by MBFFI in adults are determined in this study,that is<3.50 pg/ml,to pro-vide clinical reference for practical applications.
6.Secretory expression of ribosomal protein S11 in Pichia pastoris and its therapeu-tic potential in melanoma
Xiaomei ZHANG ; Jiangang ZHANG ; Chengkai ZHOU ; Qi YIN ; Zhenzhen LIU ; Yongjun YANG ; Wei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1688-1695
The ribosomal protein S11(RPS11)from Enterococcus faecalis is was heterologously ex-pressed using the Pichia pastoris system.The RPS11 gene sequence was optimized to match the yeast codon preference,and the recombinant expression vector pPIC9K-RPS11 was constructed.Electroporation was used to transform the vector into the Pichia pastoris GS115 strain,and high-copy recombinant strains were selected through G418 resistance screening.Protein expression was induced with methanol,and the expression was verified by SDS-PAGE.The recombinant protein was applied in a mouse melanoma treatment model to evaluate its therapeutic effects.The results showed that the recombinant expression vector pPIC9K-RPS11 successfully expressed the target protein with an approximate molecular weight of 14 kDa in Pichia pastoris.The optimal fermenta-tion conditions were determined to be an induction temperature of 30 ℃,induction time of 72 h,and methanol concentration of 1%.Analysis using a mouse peritoneal macrophage trained immuni-ty model revealed that recombinant RPS11 possessed biological activity capable of inducing trained immunity.Additionally,therapeutic experiments in a mouse melanoma model demonstrated that recombinant RPS11 significantly inhibited tumor growth.These findings suggest that the recombi-nant RPS11 secreted by Pichia pastoris not only possesses biological activity in inducing trained immunity but also inhibits tumor cell growth in a mouse melanoma model,providing theoretical support for the heterologous expression and potential applications of recombinant RPS11.
7.Establishment of a nomogram model for predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer based on systemic immune-infiltration inflammation index
Junzhi LIU ; Lei QIU ; Kun XU ; Jianwei LIU ; Dehua HU ; Hua ZHU ; Cheng SHEN ; Ming LU ; Jiangang CHEN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(15):2349-2354
Objective To develop and validate a nomogram model that integrates systemic inflammatory markers to predict the likelihood of pelvic lymph node metastasis(PLNM)in prostate cancer patients prior to surgery.Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and preoperative inflammatory markers—including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(MLR)—of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.Univariate and multi-variate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify markers that were significantly associated with PLNM.Based on the results of the multivariate analysis,a nomogram was developed and its predictive accuracy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC)and calibration plots.Results Among the 334 enrolled patients with prostate cancer,107 were identified with PLNM.Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in free prostate-specific antigen(fPSA),Gleason score,NLR,PLR,MLR,and SII between the PLNM and non-pelvic lymph node metastasis(NPLNM)groups(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis confirmed that fPSA,Gleason score,and SII were independent predictors of PLNM(P<0.05).A nomogram incorporating these predic-tors exhibited strong discriminative ability,with an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.79(95%CI:0.73~0.84).Calibration analysis further demonstrated good consistency between the predicted and observed probabilities of PLNM.Conclusions This study successfully developed a nomogram model based on systemic inflammatory markers for preoperative prediction of pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer.Owing to its user-friendly design and high predictive accuracy,this tool may serve as a valuable complementary method to conventional imaging techniques,thereby supporting personalized treatment decision-making.
8.Application and evaluation of case-based learning + Seminar teaching method based on Toulmin model in education and teaching of clinical medicine
Jianxin LI ; Jiangang PAN ; Qiaozhen ZHANG ; Wenqi WU ; Yu ZHENG ; Mingyan LI ; Xiang LIU ; Dangui WU ; Ye CHEN ; Chaojiang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1074-1078
Objective:To analyze the application effects of case-based learning (CBL) + Seminar teaching method based on Toulmin model in the education and teaching of clinical medicine innovation class.Methods:A total of 60 students from the clinical medicine innovation class at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from September 2021 to September 2023 were selected as research objects. These students were divided into control group ( n=30) and research group ( n=30) according to different teaching programs. The traditional teaching method was adopted in the control group, and the CBL + Seminar teaching method based on Toulmin model was adopted in the research group. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical knowledge, clinical skill, and clinical case analysis scores; changes in clinical thinking ability after teaching; and satisfaction with the teaching process. SPSS 22.0 was used for t-test and chi-square test. Results:The research group significantly outperformed the control group in clinical knowledge [(89.59±3.46) points vs. (83.23±3.02) points], clinical skill [(88.87±3.23) points vs. (83.62±3.13) points], and clinical case analysis [(89.73±3.51) points vs. (82.62±3.19) points] ( t=7.58, 6.39, 8.21, P<0.001). The clinical thinking ability after teaching was significantly higher in the research group compared to the control group [(258.49±13.36) points vs. (242.56±13.02) points] ( t=4.67, P<0.001). The overall satisfaction rate of teaching was significantly higher in the research group compared to the control group (100.00% vs. 80.00%, χ2=4.63, P=0.031). Conclusions:The CBL + Seminar teaching method based on Toulmin model can effectively improve student learning performance and clinical thinking ability, demonstrating a promising application value in the education and teaching of clinical medicine innovation class.
9.Secretory expression of ribosomal protein S11 in Pichia pastoris and its therapeu-tic potential in melanoma
Xiaomei ZHANG ; Jiangang ZHANG ; Chengkai ZHOU ; Qi YIN ; Zhenzhen LIU ; Yongjun YANG ; Wei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1688-1695
The ribosomal protein S11(RPS11)from Enterococcus faecalis is was heterologously ex-pressed using the Pichia pastoris system.The RPS11 gene sequence was optimized to match the yeast codon preference,and the recombinant expression vector pPIC9K-RPS11 was constructed.Electroporation was used to transform the vector into the Pichia pastoris GS115 strain,and high-copy recombinant strains were selected through G418 resistance screening.Protein expression was induced with methanol,and the expression was verified by SDS-PAGE.The recombinant protein was applied in a mouse melanoma treatment model to evaluate its therapeutic effects.The results showed that the recombinant expression vector pPIC9K-RPS11 successfully expressed the target protein with an approximate molecular weight of 14 kDa in Pichia pastoris.The optimal fermenta-tion conditions were determined to be an induction temperature of 30 ℃,induction time of 72 h,and methanol concentration of 1%.Analysis using a mouse peritoneal macrophage trained immuni-ty model revealed that recombinant RPS11 possessed biological activity capable of inducing trained immunity.Additionally,therapeutic experiments in a mouse melanoma model demonstrated that recombinant RPS11 significantly inhibited tumor growth.These findings suggest that the recombi-nant RPS11 secreted by Pichia pastoris not only possesses biological activity in inducing trained immunity but also inhibits tumor cell growth in a mouse melanoma model,providing theoretical support for the heterologous expression and potential applications of recombinant RPS11.
10.Establishment of a nomogram model for predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer based on systemic immune-infiltration inflammation index
Junzhi LIU ; Lei QIU ; Kun XU ; Jianwei LIU ; Dehua HU ; Hua ZHU ; Cheng SHEN ; Ming LU ; Jiangang CHEN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(15):2349-2354
Objective To develop and validate a nomogram model that integrates systemic inflammatory markers to predict the likelihood of pelvic lymph node metastasis(PLNM)in prostate cancer patients prior to surgery.Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and preoperative inflammatory markers—including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(MLR)—of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.Univariate and multi-variate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify markers that were significantly associated with PLNM.Based on the results of the multivariate analysis,a nomogram was developed and its predictive accuracy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC)and calibration plots.Results Among the 334 enrolled patients with prostate cancer,107 were identified with PLNM.Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in free prostate-specific antigen(fPSA),Gleason score,NLR,PLR,MLR,and SII between the PLNM and non-pelvic lymph node metastasis(NPLNM)groups(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis confirmed that fPSA,Gleason score,and SII were independent predictors of PLNM(P<0.05).A nomogram incorporating these predic-tors exhibited strong discriminative ability,with an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.79(95%CI:0.73~0.84).Calibration analysis further demonstrated good consistency between the predicted and observed probabilities of PLNM.Conclusions This study successfully developed a nomogram model based on systemic inflammatory markers for preoperative prediction of pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer.Owing to its user-friendly design and high predictive accuracy,this tool may serve as a valuable complementary method to conventional imaging techniques,thereby supporting personalized treatment decision-making.

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