1.Relationship between acute stress response and depression among college students: the mediating role of rumination and the moderated role of perceived social support
Gui LUO ; Fenghui YUAN ; Yunjing MOU ; Haijun YU ; Jingjing LIANG ; Jiangbo DANG ; Bin GAO
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(2):153-158
BackgroundDepression has become a public health concern that affects the physical and mental health of college students. acute stress response is a risk factor of depression. Exploring the relationship and mechanism between acute stress response and depression is of great significance for preventing and intervening depression in college students. ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between acute stress response and depression among college students, and to analyze the mediating role of rumination and the moderated effect of perceived social support, so as to provide references for the prevention and intervention of depression in college student . MethodsFrom March to April 2020, a cluster sampling method was employed to select 1 355 college students from three universities in Hubei, Jiangxi and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Participants were assessed with Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), Brief form of Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU) and Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9). Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation between the scores of each scale. The mediating role of rumination between acute stress response and depression and the moderated role of perceived social support were examined respectively by using Model 4 and Model 14 in Macro Program Process 3.3. ResultsA total of 1 303 valid questionnaires were collected, yielding a valid response rate of 96.16%. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that ASDS score was positively correlated with RRS score and PHQ-9 score (r=0.649, 0.528, P<0.01) among college students. The mediation analysis results demonstrated that rumination played a partial mediating role between acute stress response and depression, with the mediating effect value of 0.273 (95% CI:0.222~0.328), accounting for 68.59% of the total effect. Perceived social support played a moderated role in the latter path of the mediation model (rumination → depression) (β=-0.004, 95% CI: -0.017~-0.004, P<0.01). ConclusionRumination played a partial mediating role between acute stress response and depression in college students, and perceptive social support played a moderated role between rumination and depression. [Funded by Scientific Research Fund Project of Education Department of Yunnan Province (number, 2025J0437)]
2.Features of intestinal flora in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and Helicobacter pylori infection
Jingjing LIU ; Qike WANG ; Zhiqiang MA ; Yan LIANG ; Renping LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):862-871
ObjectiveTo investigate the features and mechanism of action of intestinal flora in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection by comparing the changes in intestinal flora between the healthy population, the patients with HP infection, the patients with NAFLD, and the patients with NAFLD and HP infection. MethodsThis study was conducted among the 19 patients with NAFLD (NAFLD group), 19 patients with HP infection (HP group), and 19 patients with NAFLD and HP infection (NAFLD+HP group) who were admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology from March 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024, and 20 individuals undergoing physical examination were enrolled as control group. Fecal samples were collected, total DNA was extracted for PCR amplification, and 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to compare the features of intestinal flora between the four groups. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between multiple groups. The Mann-Whitney U test or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of the species in intestinal flora. ResultsThe NAFLD+HP group showed a tendency of reduction in flora abundance compared with the other three groups. There was a significant difference in flora distribution between the NAFLD+HP group and the NAFLD group and between the NAFLD group and the control group (P<0.05). At the phylum level, the top three species in the NAFLD+HP group were Firmicutes (59.94%), Proteobacteria (17.00%), and Actinobacteria (14.75%), with an increase in the proportion of Proteobacteria and a reduction in the proportion of Actinobacteria compared with the other three groups. At the genus level, the top five dominant bacteria in the NAFLD+HP group were Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, Escherichia-Shigella, Agathobacter, and Ruminococcus gnavus_group. Compared with the NAFLD group, the NAFLD+HP group had increases in the abundance of Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Rothia and reductions in the abundance of Dialister and Ruminococcus toraues_group. Compared with the HP group, the NAFLD+HP group had reductions in the abundance of Collinsella, Subdoligranulum, Catenibacterium, and Porphyromonas and increases in the abundance of Citrobacter and Olsenella (all P<0.05). ConclusionPatients with NAFLD and HP infection have changed in intestinal flora. These flora may be the intestinal microecological factors for HP infection in promoting the development and progression of NAFLD.
3.Reconsideraton of Stroke with Syndrome of Combined Blood Stasis and Toxin from the Perspective of Xiang Thinking
Yunfan ZHANG ; Di ZHAO ; Lina MIAO ; Hongxi LIU ; Jingjing WEI ; Xiao LIANG ; Liuding WANG ; Xueru ZHANG ; Yunmeng CHEN ; Yunling ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1305-1310
Xiang thinking is a cognitive approach that reflects the relationships between phenomena and their underlying principles by analyzing their external manifestations through methods such as analogy, reasoning, deduction, and symbolism. This article applied xiang thinking to analyze the etiology and pathogenesis of "wind, fire, phlegm, and blood stasis" in stroke, thereby exploring its impact on the principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment of this condition. Meanwhile, the article traced the construction process of xiang thinking, and interpreted the concept of "toxin pathogen" in traditional Chinese medicine from four perspectives, state, attribute, origin, and law. Furthermore, the relationship between the process of constructing xiang thinking and the origin of etiology, identification methods, pathogenesis evolution, and treatment strategies for stroke with syndrome of combined blood stasis and toxin was explored, so as to provide insights into research on the etiology and pathogenesis of stroke, as well as clinical diagnosis and treatment approaches.
4.Mechanism of HMGB1 in scarring after glaucoma drainage valve implantation
Siyuan LIU ; Fan CAO ; Jingjing DING ; Chuanxi WANG ; Biqing DING ; Kun LIANG ; Zhengxuan JIANG ; Ning BAO
International Eye Science 2024;24(1):18-23
AIM: To explore the dynamic expression of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)in scar tissues after glaucoma drainage valve implantation, and to further reveal the role and possible mechanism of HMGB1 in scarring after glaucoma surgery.METHODS: A total of 60 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group(n=20), model group(n=20, silicone implantation under conjunctival sac)and model with drug administration group(n=20, silicone implantation under conjunctival sac combined with 5-fluorouracil injection). The conjunctival tissues were collected at 4 and 8 wk after surgery. HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the proliferation and distribution of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in conjunctival tissues. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to detect the distribution and changes of HMGB1, transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1, Smad3 and α-smooth muscle actin(SMA)in conjunctival tissues. RT-PCR and Western blot were adopted to detect the mRNA and protein expression of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in conjunctival tissues.RESULTS: HE staining and Masson staining showed that the proliferation of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and collagen fibers in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group at both 4 and 8 wk. Meanwhile, the proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in the model with drug administration group was significantly lower than that in the model group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA protein was observed in the conjunctival tissues of the model group both 4 and 8 wk, with brown and significantly deeper staining of the model group at 8 wk. Meanwhile, the positive staining in the model with drug administration group at both 4 and 8 wk was significantly lower than that in the model group. There was positive correlations between the number of fibroblasts stained with HE and the expression of HMGB1 in the conjunctival tissue of the model group at both 4 and 8 wk(r=0.602, 0.703, all P<0.05). RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group at both 4 and 8 wk(all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in the model with drug administration group were significantly lower than those in the model group(all P<0.05). There was positive correlations between mRNA expressions of HMGB1 and TGF-β1, Smad3 in the model group and the model with drug administration group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The expression of HMGB1 increased at a time-dependent manner after glaucoma valve implantation. HMGB1 acts an indispensable role in the initiation and progression of scar formation after glaucoma surgery, which may be involved in the regulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
5.Study on metabolites derived from Zhideke granules in rats in vivo
Jie LIANG ; Piaoxue ZHENG ; Huihua CHEN ; Chunyan HUANG ; Yanli LIANG ; Chunlian LU ; Jingjing XIE ; Yuming MA ; Jiawen PENG ; Lichun ZHAO ; Rilan CHEN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(2):172-178
OBJECTIVE To analyze the metabolites of Zhideke granules and speculate its metabolic pathway in rats in vivo. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group and administration group (Zhideke granules, 9.45 g/kg); they were given ultrapure water or relevant medicine, twice a day, every 6-8 h, for 3 consecutive days. Serum, urine and feces samples of rats were collected, and their metabolites were identified by UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS technique after intragastric administration of Zhideke granules; their metabolic pathways were speculated. RESULTS After intragastric administration of Zhideke granules, 16 prototype components (i.g. irisflorentin, baicalin, chlorogenic acid) and 11 metabolites (i.g. hydration products of kaempferol or luteolin, methylation products of chlorogenic acid, and hydroxylation products of baicalin) were identified in serum, urine and feces of rats. Among them, 8 prototype components and 4 metabolites were identified in serum samples; 10 prototype components and 7 metabolites were identified in urine samples; 8 prototype components and 5 metabolites were identified in the fecal samples. CONCLUSIONS The metabolites of Zhideke granules in rats mainly include baicalin, irisflorentin,chlorogenic acid, and the main metabolic pathways included methylation, hydroxylation, glucuronidation.
6.Modulation of synaptic damage by Bushen Tiansui Decoction via the PI3K signaling pathway in an Alzheimer’s disease model
HUI Shan ; ZHENG Qing ; LI Hongli ; ZHU Lemei ; WU Beibei ; LIANG Lihui ; YANG Jingjing
Digital Chinese Medicine 2024;7(3):284-293
Methods:
(i) Animal experiments. This study conducted experiments using specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade male C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice and APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. The animals were divided into three groups: WT group (WT mice, n = 5, receiving distilled water daily), APP/PS1 group (APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, n = 5, receiving distilled water daily), and BSTSD group [APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, n = 5, treated with BSTSD suspension at a dosage of 27 g/(kg·d) for 90 d]. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM). Post-experiment, hippocampal tissues were collected for analysis of pyramidal cell and synaptic morphology through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (ii) Cell experiments. The HT-22 cells were divided into control group (untreated), Aβ25-35 group (treated with 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for 24 h), icariin group (pre-treated with 20 μmol/L icariin for 60 min, followed by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for an additional 24 h), and icariin + LY294002 group [treated with 20 μmol/L icariin and 20 μmol/L LY294002 (an inhibitor of the phosphoinostitide 3-kinases (PI3K) signaling pathway) for 60 min, then exposed to 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 for 24 h], and cell viability was measured. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of synapse-associated proteins [synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95)] and PI3K signaling pathway associated proteins [phosphorylated (p)-PI3K/PI3K, p-protein kinase B (Akt)/Akt, and p-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR].
Results:
(i) Animal experiments. Compared with APP/PS1 group, BSTSD group showed that escape latency was significantly shortened (P < 0.01) and the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Morphological observation showed that pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were arranged more regularly, nuclear staining was uniform, and vacuole-like changes were reduced after BSTSD treatment. TEM showed that the length of synaptic active zone in BSTSD treatment group was increased compared with APP/PS1 group (P < 0.01), and the width of synaptic gap was decreased (P < 0.01). (ii) Cell experiments. Icariin had no obvious toxicity to HT-22 cells when the concentration was not more than 20 μmol/L (P > 0.05), and alleviated the cell viability decline induced by Aβ25-35 (P < 0.01). Western blot results showed that compared with Aβ25-35 group, the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR in icariin group were significantly increased (P < 0.01), while the protein expression levels of SYP and PSD-95 were increased (P < 0.01). These effects were blocked by LY294002 (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
BSTSD and icariin enhance cognitive function and synaptic integrity in AD models and provide potential therapeutic strategies through activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
7.Application of deep learning in automatic segmentation of clinical target volume in brachytherapy after surgery for endometrial carcinoma
Xian XUE ; Kaiyue WANG ; Dazhu LIANG ; Jingjing DING ; Ping JIANG ; Quanfu SUN ; Jinsheng CHENG ; Xiangkun DAI ; Xiaosha FU ; Jingyang ZHU ; Fugen ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(4):376-383
Objective To evaluate the application of three deep learning algorithms in automatic segmentation of clinical target volumes (CTVs) in high-dose-rate brachytherapy after surgery for endometrial carcinoma. Methods A dataset comprising computed tomography scans from 306 post-surgery patients with endometrial carcinoma was divided into three subsets: 246 cases for training, 30 cases for validation, and 30 cases for testing. Three deep convolutional neural network models, 3D U-Net, 3D Res U-Net, and V-Net, were compared for CTV segmentation. Several commonly used quantitative metrics were employed, i.e., Dice similarity coefficient, Hausdorff distance, 95th percentile of Hausdorff distance, and Intersection over Union. Results During the testing phase, CTV segmentation with 3D U-Net, 3D Res U-Net, and V-Net showed a mean Dice similarity coefficient of 0.90 ± 0.07, 0.95 ± 0.06, and 0.95 ± 0.06, a mean Hausdorff distance of 2.51 ± 1.70, 0.96 ± 1.01, and 0.98 ± 0.95 mm, a mean 95th percentile of Hausdorff distance of 1.33 ± 1.02, 0.65 ± 0.91, and 0.40 ± 0.72 mm, and a mean Intersection over Union of 0.85 ± 0.11, 0.91 ± 0.09, and 0.92 ± 0.09, respectively. Segmentation based on V-Net was similarly to that performed by experienced radiation oncologists. The CTV segmentation time was < 3.2 s, which could save the work time of clinicians. Conclusion V-Net is better than other models in CTV segmentation as indicated by quantitative metrics and clinician assessment. Additionally, the method is highly consistent with the ground truth, reducing inter-doctor variability and treatment time.
8.Survey on autism knowledge of child health care professionals in primary health care institutions in Guangzhou
Shaomin LU ; Yan HU ; Bingjie MA ; Yanfei XING ; Yanyan SONG ; Jingjing LIANG
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2024;23(4):361-367
Objective:To evaluate the knowledge of autism among child health care professionals in primary health care institutions.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional survey. An online questionnaire survey was conducted from February to March 2023 in primary health care institutions in Guangzhou to investigate the knowledge on autism among medical staff engaged in children′s health services and the influencing factors.Results:A total of 341 questionnaires were returned and 312 questionnaires were valid with a recovery rate of 91.5%. The age of 312 respondents was (35.9±7.9) years, of which 303 (97.1%) were female. One hundred and fifty-two (48.7%) child health care professionals in primary health care institutions had received specialist training in assessing the psychological and behavioral development of children, and only 139 (44.6%) reported that they were aware of the"five no"principle for early identification of autism. The questionnaire scores were 88.1% pass (275/312) and 53.2% excellent (166/312). The three questions with low accuracy were: autism can be cured with drugs, autism has a genetic basis and rehabilitation training has no effect, and the accuracy for these questions was 42.6% (133/312), 52.2% (163/312) and 70.2% (219/312), respectively. The passing of autism-related knowledge was positively associated with receiving relevant training ( OR=2.585, 95% CI:1.200-5.569), and the excellence was positively associated with the highest education ( OR=1.939, 95% CI:1.220-3.083) and receiving relevant training ( OR=2.016, 95% CI:1.247-3.260). Conclusions:There is a need for more professional training in autism knowledge among child health care professionals in primary health care institutions.
9.Effect of Tongluo Juanbi Granules on Inflammatory Injury and Apoptosis of Osteoarthritis Based on TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Qi QI ; Liang OU ; Weichen HUANG ; Zehua CHEN ; Daoqing XU ; Weiwei HU ; Jingjing LI ; Jianjun KUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):29-36
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Tongluo Juanbi granules on chondrocyte apoptosis and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and study the mechanism of Tongluo Juanbi granules in the prevention and treatment of KOA. MethodThirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to the following five groups (n=6): sham group, model group, low-dose and high-dose groups of Tongluo Juanbi granules (4.1 and 8.2 g·kg-1·d-1), and celecoxib group (10.9 mg·kg-1·d-1). The KOA model was established by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) for six weeks. Six weeks after the modeling, the drug was given once a day for eight weeks. The pathological changes of cartilago articularis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to detect chondrocyte apoptosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in synovial fluid. The mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultCompared with the sham group, the cartilago articularis of the model group significantly degenerated. Mankin's score was increased (P<0.01), and the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in synovial fluid were increased (P<0.01). The number of apoptosis of chondrocytes was increased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in cartilage tissue were up-regulated (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 were down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, chondrocyte degeneration in both low-dose and high-dose groups of Tongluo Juanbi granules was improved, and Mankin's score was decreased (P<0.01). The contents of IL-1β and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.01), and the number of apoptosis of chondrocytes was decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in cartilage tissue were down-regulated (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 were up-regulated (P<0.01). In addition, in the above observation indicators, the high-dose group of Tongluo Juanbi granules was significantly superior to the low-dose group of Tongluo Juanbi granules. ConclusionTongluo Juanbi granules could inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis in rabbits with KOA and improve cartilage degeneration, which may be related to inhibiting inflammatory responses mediated by TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
10.Study on pharmacodynamic substances of anti-inflammatory effect of Zhuang medicine Stahlianthus involucratus based on metabolism in rats
Xingchen LIU ; Jie LIANG ; Chunyan HUANG ; Jiayi CHEN ; Jiawen PENG ; Jingjing XIE ; Yuming MA ; Sisi CHEN ; Jiali WEI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(19):2358-2364
OBJECTIVE To provide reference for basic analysis of the pharmacodynamic substance in Stahlianthus involucratus. METHODS Overall 24 SD male rats were randomly divided into blank group (purified water), and administration group (ethanol extract of S. involucratus, 15.75 g/kg, calculated by crude drug), with 12 rats in each group. They were given drug liquid/purified water intragastrically, twice a day, every 6-8 h, for consecutive 3 days. After medication, the blood, urine and fecal samples were collected from two groups of rats. UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS technology was used to identify the chemical constituents in the ethanol extract of S. involucratus, and metabolites in the blood, urine and fecal of rats after intragastrical administration of the ethanol extract of S. involucratus. Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to screen various serum metabolites. Metabolic pathways were analyzed by MetaboAnalyst 5.0 platform. RESULTS A total of 38 chemical constituents were identified from the ethanol extract of S. involucratus, including fourteen prototype components and three metabolites identified from 5 urine samples, nine prototype components identified from fecal samples, and ten prototype components and one metabolite identified from serum samples. A total of 71 differential metabolites were screened from two groups of rat serum samples, of which 44 differential metabolites, such as ferulic acid, glycyrrhizin, were up-regulated and 27 differential metabolites, such as arachidonic acid, phenylacetylglutamine, were down-regulated. The 71 differential metabolites were mainly enriched in 11 metabolic pathways, including phenylalanine metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Ferulic acid, liquiritigenin, isofraxidin and formononetin may be the material basis that directly exert pharmacological effects of S. involucratus. S. involucratus may exert anti-inflammatory effects by affecting metabolic pathways, including arachidonic acid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism.

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