1.Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang Regulates NLRP3 Inflammasomes to Ameliorate Cognitive Impairment in Epilepsy
Xingdan ZHU ; Yinhua KAI ; Rong TIAN ; Xin YANG ; Jiayi HE ; Xiangxin GUO ; Yadong MU ; Cui JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):308-316
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism through which Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang ameliorates cognitive impairment in epileptic rats induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine by regulating the neuroinflammatory reaction mediated by NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model, carbamazepine (0.125 g·kg-1·d-1), Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang (1.04 g·kg-1·d-1), and carbamazepine (0.125 g·kg-1·d-1) + Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang (1.04 g·kg-1·d-1) groups (n=12). After the modeling of epilepsy, rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage for 12 weeks. At the 6th and 12th week of the intervention, the rats’ hyper-excited behavior was evaluated by the stylus experiment, and at the 12th week of intervention, the cognitive function was evaluated by Barnes maze. At the same time, the seizure frequency and severity grade (Racine score) were recorded. The serum and hippocampus tissue samples were collected after anesthesia for the following tests. Nissl staining was used to evaluate the degree of neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 area. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hippocampus was determined by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemical method was adopted to detect the expression of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a card (ASC) in the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to quantitatively analyze the protein levels of NLRP3, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. ResultsThe model group showed increased stylus scores at the 6th and 12th week after modeling, a decreased Barnes maze strategy score at the 12th week, a prolonged incubation period (P<0.05), elevated serum levels of inflammatory factors (P<0.05), decreased neurons with scattered arrangement and large gaps in the hippocampus, increased content of MDA in the hippocampus (P<0.05), an increased positive expression of ASC, and up-regulated protein levels of Caspase-1, NLRP3, and BDNF (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the intervention with Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang for 12 weeks was accompanied by a decreased stylus score, epileptic seizures with a decreased score, a decreased number, and shortened duration, an increased Barnes maze strategy score, shortened escape latency (P<0.01), declined serum levels of inflammatory factors (P<0.05), regular morphology of hippocampal neurons, reduced MDA content in the hippocampus (P<0.05), a decreased positive expression of ASC, and down-regulated protein levels of Caspase-1, NLRP3, and BDNF (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, compared with the carbamazepine group, Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang + carbamazepine showed improved performance in controlling the seizure, improved the cognitive behavior score and morphology of hippocampal neurons, alleviated the oxidative stress products, lowered the levels of inflammatory factors, reduced the positive expression of ASC in the hippocampus, and down-regulated the expression of Caspase-1, NLRP3 and BDNF, with no significant differences. ConclusionBanxia Baizhu Tianmatang may reduce neuroinflammation, control epileptic seizures, and ameliorate cognitive impairment by inhibiting the expression of NLRP3 inflammasomes.
2.Seeing the macro in the micro: a diffusion model-based approach for style transfer in cellular images.
Jiayi CAI ; Yong HE ; Feng LIU ; Byung-Ho KANG ; Xuping FENG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(6):609-612
The internal structures of cells as the basic units of life are a major wonder of the microscopic world. Cellular images provide an intriguing window to help explore and understand the composition and function of these structures. Scientific imagery combined with artistic expression can further expand the potential of imaging in educational dissemination and interdisciplinary applications. This study presents an innovative diffusion model-based approach for style transfer in cellular images, combining scientific rigor with artistic expression. By leveraging training-free large-scale pre-trained diffusion models, the proposed method integrates the intricate morphological and textural features of cellular images with diverse artistic styles. Key techniques such as the inversion of denoising diffusion implicit models (DDIMs), adaptive instance normalization (AdaIN), self-attention style injection, and attention temperature scaling ensure the preservation of cellular structures while enhancing visual expressiveness. The results showcase the potential of this strategy for interdisciplinary applications, enriching both the visualization and educational dissemination of cellular imagery through compelling storytelling and aesthetic appeal.
Humans
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
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Cells
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Diffusion
3.Research progress of relapse factors in older patients undergoing preperitoneal hernia repair
Kangbei ZHU ; Fangjie ZHANG ; Yaqin QI ; Mingliang HE ; Yi PAN ; Jiayi LI
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(1):99-104
Inguinal hernia is one of the most prevalent general surgical conditions affecting the elderly population.Currently, open or laparoscopic surgical repair represents the only curative approach.Among various surgical techniques, tension-free hernia repair via the preperitoneal space effectively addresses the complications associated with traditional surgical methods, such as excessive tension in the surgical area, postoperative pain and discomfort, and a subsequent decline in patients' quality of life.Nevertheless, a certain recurrence rate persists.This paper aims to highlight the insufficient research on preperitoneal hernia repair procedures within the field of hernia surgery and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the primary factors contributing to postoperative recurrence.This analysis will be approached from three key perspectives: medical origins, individual patient variability, and the characteristics of the patch used.The goal is to provide a foundation for the theoretical framework and practical strategies aimed at reducing postoperative recurrence rates.
4.Exploring Mechanism of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in the Treatment of Epilepsy Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Xin YANG ; Jin FU ; Cui JIANG ; Yinhua KAI ; Jiayi HE ; Xiangxin GUO ; Rong TIAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):776-791
Objective To analyze the target,signal pathway and potential mechanism of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in the treatment of epilepsy based on network pharmacology,and to verify it by molecular docking technology and animal experiments.Methods The active ingredients and drug targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction were screened by BATMAN and other databases.The targets of epilepsy-related diseases were obtained by GeneCards and other databases,and the intersection targets were taken.Constructing'drug-ingredient-target-disease'network and PPI network to screen the core targets.The core active ingredients were screened according to GO,KEGG functional enrichment analysis and'pathway-target-active ingredient'network.Molecular docking was used to verify the core targets and core active ingredients.In the animal experiment,the rat model of epilepsy was induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine,and 40 Wistar rats were divided into normal control group,model control group,carbamazepine group and Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction group.The seizures were observed by behavior.Nissl staining was used to observe neuronal damage in hippocampus.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BAX,BCL-2 and Caspase-3 protein.Results A total of 1072 targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction were screened,1046 disease targets of epilepsy were screened,and 220 intersection targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in the treatment of epilepsy were screened.The core targets AKT1,ALB,ACTB,INS and TNF of PPI network were obtained.KEGG pathway mainly involves TNF signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway,cAMP signaling pathway,pathways of neurodegeneration-multiple diseases,serotonergic synapse and Dopaminergic synapse.The core active ingredients with the highest correlation in the'pathway-target-active component'network were Betulin,Ephedrine,Ergotamine and Thymol.Results of molecular docking indicated that the core target had satisfactory affinity with those active ingredients.Animal experiments showed that Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction could effectively reduce epileptic seizures in rats,improve hippocampal neuronal damage in rats,significantly reduce the percentage of neuronal apoptosis,significantly down-regulate the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and Caspase-3,and up-regulate the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2.Conclusion Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction has the characteristics of multi-component,multi-target and multi-pathway in the treatment of epilepsy.Inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and reducing hippocampal neuronal damage may be one of the important mechanisms for its treatment of epilepsy.
5.Research on the Algorithm of Mining Information of Traditional Chinese Herb System Biology Based on Graph Neural Net-work
Daifeng ZHANG ; Guoqiang BIAN ; Jiayi HE ; Jiadong XIE ; Chenjun HU ; Kongfa HU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(4):483-493
OBJECTIVE To provide help for further exploring the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese herb by constructing a complex network of traditional Chinese herb-gene-protein,optimizing the mining method of potential associated genes of traditional Chinese herb and improving the mining efficiency of traditional Chinese herb system biology information.METHODS A graph neural network model HERBGAT with an attention mechanism was proposed.A small amount of traditional Chinese herb-related gene data in the public data platform was used as input,and deep mining was performed in the traditional Chinese herb-gene-protein complex net-work to output potential traditional Chinese herb-related genes.The prediction results were analyzed by disease association analysis and KEGG signaling pathway analysis on the bioinformatics platform to clarify their mechanism of action,and the prediction results were verified by the literature retrieval platform.RESULTS The training results showed that the average prediction accuracy of the HERB-GAT model could reach 94%.Compared with the other two advanced complex network mining methods,HERBGAT showed better per-formance in the three indicators of ACC,AUC and AUPR.In the literature verification stage,the model prediction results were verified by TCM clinical literature and modern pharmacology literature,showing the good effect of HERBGAT in practical application.At the end of this paper,taking the HERBGAT model and the improved EMOGI model to explore the mechanism of action of Pinellia ternata in treating lung cancer as an example,199 potential associated genes of Pinellia ternata in treating lung cancer were found,and these potential associated genes were preliminarily analyzed and discussed with the help of bioinformatics methods.CONCLUSION The HERBGAT model can effectively mine potential traditional Chinese herb-associated genes,improve the mining efficiency of traditional Chinese herb-gene-protein complex networks,provide new ideas and references for the optimization of traditional Chinese herb system biology information mining methods,and provide data basis and experimental direction for exploring the mechanism of action of tradi-tional Chinese herb.
6.Exploring Mechanism of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in the Treatment of Epilepsy Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Xin YANG ; Jin FU ; Cui JIANG ; Yinhua KAI ; Jiayi HE ; Xiangxin GUO ; Rong TIAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):776-791
Objective To analyze the target,signal pathway and potential mechanism of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in the treatment of epilepsy based on network pharmacology,and to verify it by molecular docking technology and animal experiments.Methods The active ingredients and drug targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction were screened by BATMAN and other databases.The targets of epilepsy-related diseases were obtained by GeneCards and other databases,and the intersection targets were taken.Constructing'drug-ingredient-target-disease'network and PPI network to screen the core targets.The core active ingredients were screened according to GO,KEGG functional enrichment analysis and'pathway-target-active ingredient'network.Molecular docking was used to verify the core targets and core active ingredients.In the animal experiment,the rat model of epilepsy was induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine,and 40 Wistar rats were divided into normal control group,model control group,carbamazepine group and Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction group.The seizures were observed by behavior.Nissl staining was used to observe neuronal damage in hippocampus.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BAX,BCL-2 and Caspase-3 protein.Results A total of 1072 targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction were screened,1046 disease targets of epilepsy were screened,and 220 intersection targets of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction in the treatment of epilepsy were screened.The core targets AKT1,ALB,ACTB,INS and TNF of PPI network were obtained.KEGG pathway mainly involves TNF signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway,cAMP signaling pathway,pathways of neurodegeneration-multiple diseases,serotonergic synapse and Dopaminergic synapse.The core active ingredients with the highest correlation in the'pathway-target-active component'network were Betulin,Ephedrine,Ergotamine and Thymol.Results of molecular docking indicated that the core target had satisfactory affinity with those active ingredients.Animal experiments showed that Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction could effectively reduce epileptic seizures in rats,improve hippocampal neuronal damage in rats,significantly reduce the percentage of neuronal apoptosis,significantly down-regulate the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and Caspase-3,and up-regulate the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2.Conclusion Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction has the characteristics of multi-component,multi-target and multi-pathway in the treatment of epilepsy.Inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and reducing hippocampal neuronal damage may be one of the important mechanisms for its treatment of epilepsy.
7.Clinical commissioning of Monte Carlo algorithm for synchrotron-based spot scanning proton therapy system
Mei CHEN ; Yuanlin YAN ; Hui ZHOU ; Xuming JIANG ; Yibin ZHANG ; Xiaodong HE ; Lu CAO ; Zhiling CHEN ; Manzhou ZHANG ; Cheng XU ; Jiayi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(3):275-281
Objective:To illustrate the clinical modeling and commissioning results of Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm in RayStation treatment planning system (TPS) for a domestically developed synchrotron-based spot scanning proton therapy system (SAPT-PS-01).Methods:The proton pencil beam model in RayStation required integral depth dose curves, spot profiles and absolute dose as the input beam data. It was not necessary to collect beam parameters with range shifter. The integral depth dose curves of a single spot were measured by an 8 cm parallel ion chamber. A 2-dimensional scintillation detector was used to measure the in-air spot profile at 5 different depths including the isocenter plane. The absolute dose was calibrated by a 0.25 cm parallel ion chamber under the single energy layer irradiation with a field size of 10 cm × 10 cm. After modeling, the results of the beam model and the Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm were validated from the range, spot profile, point-dose in a spread-out Bragg peak, planar dose in a clinical plan, point dose in an end-to-end test.Results:For the 94 energy layers, the maximum deviation between the calculated and measured range was 0.03 cm. The maximum difference between the calculated and measured in-air spot sigma was 0.015 cm, and the deviation of in-water spot sigma was measured within ±15%. Compared with the measured values, the calculated dose deviation of 138 measured points in the spread-out Bragg peak was within 3%. For the planar dose verification of clinical plans, the TPS-calculated dose distribution of 285 planes agreed well with the measurement with a minimum gamma-passing rate of 90%, and the gamma passing rate of almost 95% of planes were greater than 95%. The point dose measurements for 8 beams in the end-to-end tests under 4 clinical scenarios were within 5%.Conclusions:The acceptable beam model validation results and successful end-to-end test confirm that the Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm modeling for the synchrotron-based spot scanning proton therapy system is accurate, which is applicable for the design of patient treatment plan.
8.Cohort study on cumulative atherosclerosis-related index in evaluating new-onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Jiayi DENG ; Xinlei MIAO ; Manling HU ; Meng LI ; Yangxuan HE ; Fei XU ; Song LENG
Chinese Journal of Digestion 2025;45(8):526-533
Objective:To explore the correlation of cumulative atherogenic index of plasma (cumAIP) and cumulative atherosclerosis index (cumAI) with new-onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods:From January 2017 to December 2023, 2 472 subjects who underwent health checkups at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University for 3 consecutive years were enrolled. Triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and their measurement time intervals were used to calculate cumAIP and cumAI. The subjects were divided into Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups with the threshold values of 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile of the baseline atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and atherosclerotic index (AI) subjects. Cox regression model was used to analyze the effects of cumAIP and cumAI on the new-onset NAFLD, restricted cubic spline was performed to analyze the nonlinear association between cumAIP and cumAI and new-onset NAFLD, and the clinical decision curve was used to compare the decision value of different indicators for NAFLD. Results:The risk of NAFLD gradually increased along with the increasing of cumAIP and cumAI. In the quartile groups of cumAIP, the incidence of Q1 to Q4 groups was 6.15%, 8.74%, 15.05%, and 25.08%, respectively. In the quartile groups of cumAI, the incidence of Q1 to Q4 groups was 5.99%, 11.17%, 15.21%, and 22.65%, respectively. After adjusting the confounding factors, the risk of new-onset NAFLD in the high-level group ( Q4) was higher than that in the low-level cumAIP group ( Q1) ( HR=3.15, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.15 to 4.63, P<0.001) and the high-level cumAI group ( Q4) ( HR=2.74, 95% CI: 1.82 to 4.10, P<0.001). cumAIP and cumAI showed a significant nonlinear association with new-onset NAFLD ( χ2=119.15, 94.53; both P<0.001). The cumAIP had higher predictive value for NAFLD than the other cumulative lipid metrics and baseline AIP or AI. Conclusion:CumAIP and cumAI can be served as new predictive indicators of NAFLD, with a particular focus on the dynamic cumulative changes of AIP, which can achieve effective early screening for NAFLD.
9.Clinical study on the novel adjustable titanium mesh fixation tent screw in alveolar ridge augmentation
Yan HE ; Qinghui LIU ; Hong LYU ; Jiayi LI ; Duomu HE
STOMATOLOGY 2025;45(5):360-366
Objective This experiment aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel adjustable titanium mesh fixation tent screw by comparing its bone augmentation effects with those of conventional titanium screws combined with prefabricated titanium mesh in ca-ses where simultaneous implant placement is not feasible,thereby providing a new bone augmentation strategy.Methods This pro-spective study included 14 patients(20 bone augmentation sites)with severe alveolar bone defects treated at the Implant Center of the Department of Prosthodontics,Changsha Stomatological Hospital,from January 2023 to August 2023.The sites were randomly divided into two groups:the experimental group(novel tent screw group)received bone augmentation using novel tent screws combined with prefabricated titanium mesh,while the control group(conventional titanium screw group)underwent bone augmentation with conven-tional titanium screws combined with prefabricated titanium mesh.Cone beam computed tomography(CBCT)was performed preopera-tively(T0),immediately postoperatively(T1),and 6 months postoperatively(T2)to measure alveolar bone width at 2,6,and 10 mm below the crest and alveolar bone height at the intended implant sites.Vertical and horizontal bone volume changes,bone graft re-sorption,bone augmentation success rates,and postoperative complication rates were analyzed.Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0.Results At 6 months postoperatively,vertical bone augmentation in the experimental group(3.26±2.02)mm was signif-icantly greater than in the control group(1.80±0.64)mm(P<0.05).Horizontal bone augmentation at 2 mm below the crest in the experimental group(4.45±2.46)mm was significantly higher than in the control group(2.45±1.02)mm(P<0.05),but no signif-icant differences were observed at 6 and 10 mm below the crest(P>0.05).Both groups exhibited low vertical and horizontal bone re-sorption with no significant differences.The bone augmentation success rate was 100%in both groups.The complication rate was 27.3% in the experimental group and 25% in the control group,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion For severe alveolar bone defects where simultaneous implantation is not feasible,the novel tent screw combined with prefabricated titanium mesh achieves superior vertical and horizontal bone augmentation.Compared to conventional titanium screws,the novel tent screw demonstrates sig-nificantly better vertical bone augmentation and horizontal augmentation at 2 mm below the crest,effectively restoring alveolar ridge contours.
10.Discussion on the biological connotations of the pathogenesis of "earth congestion and wood depletion" in anxiety based on "intestinal flora-bile acid metabolism"
Yanan WANG ; Yuehan SONG ; Simin CHEN ; Jiayi CHEN ; Xinyi LYU ; Jiahui HE ; Kaiyue RU ; Zijie CHEN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(10):1347-1352
In recent years, the relationship between intestinal flora dysbiosis and abnormal bile acid metabolism and anxiety has received widespread attention. This article discussed the biological mechanism of the pathogenesis of anxiety from the perspective of intestinal flora and bile acid metabolism, in order to provide new ideas and theoretical basis for the TCM prevention and treatment of anxiety. According to TCM, spleen and stomach belong to earth, liver and gallbladder belong to wood, when spleen qi is healthy, the normal distribution of water and grain essence can be achieved, so that the liver can be nourished, qi and blood is sufficient, and its excretory function is normal, and the bile is sufficient. Once the spleen is not healthy, the distribution of water and grain essence is good, affecting the metabolism of fluids, resulting in phlegm and dampness, the qi is not smooth, can affect the liver's excretory function; liver and wood depression for a long time, transgressing the spleen and earth, qi and blood lack of biochemical sources, the formation of soil congestion and wood depression of the pathological phenomenon will appear. From the viewpoint of modern medicine and molecular biology, changes in the structure of intestinal flora affect the organism through neurological, endocrine, immune and metabolic pathways, which is consistent with the pathogenesis of "congestion of the earth"; disorders in the metabolism of bile acids can lead to changes in neurotransmitters and synaptic structure in the brain, causing anxiety symptoms, which is consistent with the characteristics of "wood depression". The bile acid metabolism disorder can cause neurotransmitter and synaptic structure changes in the brain, causing anxiety symptoms, which is consistent with the characteristics of "wood depression". It is important to regulate the intestinal flora and bile acid metabolism pathway to ease the liver and strengthen the spleen to improve anxiety.

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