1.Animal Models of Functional Constipation: A Review
Youcheng HE ; Shijin LIN ; Fengru JIANG ; Sihan LI ; Xiao KE ; Wenrong WANG ; Jianye YUAN ; Minghan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):196-209
Functional constipation (FC) is a clinically common functional bowel disorder characterized by a protracted course and associations with various chronic disorders and psychological abnormalities. Although not life-threatening, FC significantly impairs patients' quality of life. FC subtypes include slow-transit constipation (STC), defecatory disorder (DD), and normal-transit constipation (NTC). The pathological mechanisms underlying FC have not been fully elucidated, and overall clinical efficacy remains unsatisfactory. Animal models of FC serve as essential tools for the study of disease mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutics. This article systematically reviews the current state of research on the animal models of FC and identifies that rodents, particularly rats and mice, are the most commonly used species. Dogs and pigs are also employed in complex intervention studies due to their physiological similarities to humans, though their use is limited by housing challenges and ethical considerations. Induction methods vary across different FC subtypes. STC models are primarily established with chemical agents such as loperamide or compound diphenoxylate. DD modeling often involves low-fiber diets combined with methylene blue injection or rectal narrowing. NTC modeling mainly relies on low-fiber dietary interventions. In addition, disease-syndrome combination models based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory have been developed, encompassing excess patterns such as heat accumulation, cold accumulation, and Qi stagnation, as well as deficiency patterns including Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Yang deficiency. These are achieved through an approach of disease model + syndrome induction, enabling the integration of mechanisms from both Western and TCM perspectives. Models are evaluated from two aspects: disease and syndrome manifestations (e.g., colonic transit, secretory function, and TCM syndrome indicators such as mental state and body weight) and disease mechanisms (e.g., enteric nervous system, interstitial cells of Cajal, smooth muscle cells, gut microbiota, and metabolites). However, current research still faces challenges such as poor consistency in some models, non-specific interference in mechanism interpretation, insufficient studies on NTC, and lack of TCM tongue and pulse diagnosis in evaluation. Future efforts should focus on optimizing model stability and specificity to provide a more reliable experimental basis for investigating the pathological mechanisms of FC and developing therapeutic agents.
2.Health Risks from Exposure to PM 2.5-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fumes Emitted from Various Cooking Styles and Their Respiratory Deposition in a City Population Stratified by Age and Sex.
Jun Feng ZHANG ; Xi CHEN ; Ke GAO ; Shui Yuan CHENG ; Wen Jiao DUAN ; Li Ying FU ; Jian Jia LI ; Shu Shu LAN ; Cui Lan FANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1230-1245
OBJECTIVES:
To characterize fine particulate matter (PM 2.5)-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emitted from different cooking fumes and their exposure routes and assess their health-associated impact to provide a reference for health risk prevention from PAH exposure across different age and sex groups.
METHODS:
Sixteen PM 2.5-bound PAHs emitted from 11 cooking styles were analyzed using GC-MS/MS. The health hazards of these PAHs in the Handan City population (stratified by age and sex) were predicted using the incremental lifetime cancer risk ( ILCR) model. The respiratory deposition doses ( RDDs) of the PAHs in children and adults were calculated using the PM 2.5 deposition rates in the upper airway, tracheobronchial, and alveolar regions.
RESULTS:
The total concentrations of PM 2.5-bound PAHs ranged from 61.10 to 403.80 ng/m 3. Regardless of cooking styles, the ILCR total values for adults (1.23 × 10 -6 to 3.70 × 10 -6) and older adults (1.28 × 10 -6 to 3.88 × 10 -6) exceeded the acceptable limit of 1.00 × 10 -6. With increasing age, the ILCR total value first declined and then increased, varying substantially among the population groups. Cancer risk exhibited particularly high sensitivity to short exposure to barbecue-derived PAHs under equivalent body weights. Furthermore, barbecue, Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, Chinese cuisine, and Chinese fast food were associated with higher RDDs for both adults and children.
CONCLUSION
ILCR total values exceeded the acceptable limit for both females and males of adults, with all cooking styles showing a potentially high cancer risk. Our findings serve as an important reference for refining regulatory strategies related to catering emissions and mitigating health risks associated with cooking styles.
Humans
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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis*
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Cooking/methods*
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Male
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Female
;
Particulate Matter/analysis*
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Adult
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Child
;
Middle Aged
;
Air Pollutants/analysis*
;
Adolescent
;
Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis*
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Young Adult
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Child, Preschool
;
Aged
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China
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Inhalation Exposure
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Age Factors
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Sex Factors
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Cities
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Infant
3.Prediction of occupant lumbar spine injuries based on machine learning and analysis of influencing factors
Haiyan LI ; Xinyu ZHANG ; Ting KE ; Yanxin WANG ; Lijuan HE ; Wenle LÜ ; Shihai CUI ; Shijie YUAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(3):388-396
Based on CT scan data,a bionic model of lumbar spine injuries with high biofidelity is developed and validated through cadaver experiments.Decoupling the constraint system that affects occupants during collisions due to inertial forces and the subsequent pressure exerted by the seat upon returning to position,a simulated fall experiment is designed.The simulated outcomes are trained and predicted using deep learning algorithms,and the accuracy of the trained neural network prediction model is verified.Key parameters are analyzed for correlation using principal component analysis and cross-reverse methods.The results shows that the predicted lumbar spine injury model obtained from training has high reliability(R2>0.9).Comprehensive analysis reveals that after experiencing axial impact,the L4 vertebral body bears the highest impact load and can be used as a representative measure of lumbar spine injury.Among the environmental variables,the axial force on the L4 lumbar spine is mainly affected by torso mass and fall height,both of which have positive correlations.Torso mass,fall height,and posture angle all have positive effects on internal energy.Conversely,torso mass and fall height have negative correlations with stress.These research findings provide a scientific basis for further elucidating lumbar spine injury mechanisms in intelligent cockpit environments,devising corresponding safety protection measures,and evaluating occupant safety in automobiles.
4.Research progress of renin-angiotensin system in hypertensive depression
Lu-fan SHEN ; Xiao-ke WANG ; Hong WANG ; Ling-na ZHANG ; Jia-wei LI ; Yu-yuan LU ; Jiao TIAN ; Wan-rong KANG ; A-ni YANG ; Lin YI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1629-1635
With the establishment of bio-psycho-social medical model,both social and psychological factors play an important role in the occurrence,development and treatment of diseases.Hypertension is a common chronic multiple disease in China,and patients are often complicated with depression and other e-motional disorders.The interaction between hypertension and depression significantly increases the risk of poor prognosis.Current studies have shown a bidirectional promoting relationship between hypertension and depression,and they have some com-mon pathogenesis.However,the specific mechanism of their co-morbidity has not been fully elucidated.Renin-angiotensin sys-tem(RAS)plays an important role in the regulation of hyperten-sion and depression and other emotions.It is composed of two antagonistic pathways.The balance is maintained by angioten-sin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2).Therefore,this article reviews the relationship and mechanism of RAS in hypertension,depres-sion and comorbid states,in order to provide new treatment ide-as for hypertension and depression.
5.A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis.
Shan LI ; Ying YUAN ; Ke-Yu ZHANG ; Yi-Dan GUO ; Lu-Tong WANG ; Xiao-Yuan ZHANG ; Shu ZHANG ; Qi YAN ; Rong ZHANG ; Jie CHEN ; Feng-Tang YANG ; Jing-Rui LI
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):261-267
Spermatogenesis is a fundamental process that requires a tightly controlled epigenetic event in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The mechanisms underlying the transition from SSCs to sperm are largely unknown. Most studies utilize gene knockout mice to explain the mechanisms. However, the production of genetically engineered mice is costly and time-consuming. In this study, we presented a convenient research strategy using an RNA interference (RNAi) and testicular transplantation approach. Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation was dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis. As Jumonji domain-containing protein 1A (JMJD1A) and Jumonji domain-containing protein 2C (JMJD2C) demethylases catalyze histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), we firstly analyzed the expression profile of the two demethylases and then investigated their function. Using the convenient research strategy, we showed that normal spermatogenesis is disrupted due to the downregulated expression of both demethylases. These results suggest that this strategy might be a simple and alternative approach for analyzing spermatogenesis relative to the gene knockout mice strategy.
Spermatogenesis/physiology*
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Animals
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Male
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Mice
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Epigenesis, Genetic
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Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism*
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Histones/metabolism*
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RNA Interference
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Testis/metabolism*
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Methylation
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Mice, Knockout
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Histone Demethylases
6.Construction and comparative study of animal models of influenza A virus transmission and infection
Xiangzhong YUAN ; Dongdong PENG ; Zhuole WANG ; Ke LIU ; Meng LI ; Yuhan LI ; Xuewu LIU ; Zining TANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(9):82-90
Objective To establish a model of indirectly induced respiratory tract infection with influenza A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2 in animals,to screen influenza virus hosts,and to provide theoretical support for the clinical control of influenza viruses.Methods Fifty BALB/c mice and 50 Hartley guinea pigs were randomly divided into five groups(10 animals/group for each species):normal control group,virus infects 1 group,virus infects 2 group,close transmission 1 group,and close transmission 2 group.Mice and guinea pigs in virus infects 1 and 2 groups were administered influenza A(H1N1)and influenza A(H3N2)viruses via nasal drip.For both virus infects 1 and 2 groups,animals were housed together with those in the close transmission group at a 1∶1 ratio on the following day.On day 7,the lung function,viral titer and viral load of the nasal tissue,trachea,and lung tissue of each group were measured,and pathological changes of the trachea and lung tissue of animals in the close transmission group were evaluated.Results In mice,the viral titers and viral loads of nasal,tracheal,and lung tissues of virus infects 1 and 2 and the closely transmitted groups 1 and 2 were significantly higher(P<0.01),pathological scores of the trachea and lung tissues were significantly higher(P<0.01),and the FVC and FEV20 of virus infects l and 2 groups were significantly lower(P<0.01)than those in the normal control group.The nasal tissue,trachea and lung tissues of guinea pigs in virus infects 1 and 2 groups and close transmission groups 1 and 2 showed significantly higher viral titers and viral loads(P<0.01),significantly higher trachea and lung histopathological scores(P<0.01),and significantly lower FVC and FEV200(P<0.01)than those of the normal control group.Conclusions In this study,influenza A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2 were used to indirectly induce respiratory tract infections in mice and guinea pigs for analyses of animal lung function,respiratory viral titers,viral load,and pathology.The animal models of the indirect transmission of influenza viruses in the respiratory tract had certain limitations;for example,influenza viruses were transmitted less efficiently among mice than among guinea pigs.The guinea pig model was stable.These findings confirm that guinea pigs are suitable hosts for efficient virus replication and transmission.
7.Heterologous Expression,Purification and Enzymatic Characterization of Xylitol Dehydrogenase from the Thermophilic Fungus Talaromyces emersonii
Er MENG ; Cong QU ; Ke YI ; Hui-Min LI ; Xin-Yi DUAN ; Zhe-Yuan ZHANG ; Shao-Long HE ; Yu-Tao LUO ; Lei WU ; Dong-Yi ZHANG ; Chang-Jun LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(7):1007-1018
The xylitol dehydrogenase(XDH)is a crucial enzyme involved in the xylose utilization in pentose-catabolizing yeasts and fungi.In addition to producing xylulose,XDH can also be employed to develop a biosensor for monitoring xylitol concentration.In this study,the gene encoding the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii XDH(TeXDH)was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)at 16 ℃ in the soluble form.Recombinant TeXDH with high purity was purified by using a Ni-NTA affinity column.Size-exclusion chromatography and SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the puri-fied recombinant TeXDH exists as a native trimer with a molecular mass of approximately 116 kD,and is composed of three identical subunits,each with a molecular weight of around 39 kD.The TeXDH strictly preferred NAD+as a coenzyme to NADP+.The optimal temperature and pH of the TeXDH were 40 ℃and 10.0,respectively.After EDTA treatment,the enzyme activity of TeXDH decreased to 43.26%of the initial enzyme activity,while the divalent metal ions Mg2+or Ca2+could recover the enzyme activity of TeXDH,reaching 103.32%and 110.69%of the initial enzyme activity,respectively,making them the optimal divalent metal ion cofactors for TeXDH enzyme.However,the divalent metal ions of Mn2+,Ni2+,Cu2+,Zn2+,Co2+,and Cd2+significantly inhibited the activity of TeXDH.ICP-MS and molecular doc-king studies revealed that 1 mol/L of TeXDH bound 2 mol/L Zn2+ions and 1 mol/L Mg2+ion.Further-more,TeXDH exhibited a high specificity for xylitol,laying the foundation for the development of future xylitol biosensors.
8.Creation and Exploration of the"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"Disci-pline Construction Model for Forensic Medicine in the New Era
Zhi-Wen WEI ; Hong-Xing WANG ; Jun-Hong SUN ; Hao-Liang FAN ; Hong-Liang SU ; Le-Le WANG ; Wen-Ting HE ; Zhe CHEN ; Jie ZHANG ; Xiang-Jie GUO ; Ji LI ; Geng-Qian ZHANG ; Xin-Hua LIANG ; Jiang-Wei YAN ; Qiang-Qiang ZHANG ; Cai-Rong GAO ; Ying-Yuan WANG ; Hong-Wei WANG ; Jun XIE ; Bo-Feng ZHU ; Ke-Ming YUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):25-29
Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.
9.Detection of Ketamine and Norketamine Using an Aptamer-Functionalized Gra-phene Oxide Fluorescent Sensor
Li-Xia WEI ; Bo LIU ; Xiao-Yuan YANG ; Xi ZHANG ; Yi-Feng LAN ; Chao ZHANG ; Juan JIA ; Dan ZHANG ; Zhi-Wen WEI ; Ke-Ming YUN ; Zhe CHEN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(4):326-339
Objective To construct an aptamer-functionalized carboxylated graphene oxide(CGO)fluo-rescent sensor to achieve highly sensitive and specific detection of ketamine(KET)and its metabolite norketamine(NK)using an aptamer capable of simultaneously recognizing KET and NK.Methods A specific aptamer for simultaneous recognition of KET and NK was screened using graphene oxide-sys-tematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment(GO-SELEX)and molecular docking tech-niques.The aptamer,labeled with Cy5 fluorescence,was chemically conjugated to CGO to construct an aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor.By optimizing detection conditions,including the mass concentration of CGO,aptamer concentration,reaction temperature,and incubation time,quantita-tive analysis of the target analytes was achieved using the ratio of fluorescence intensity changes be-fore and after target addition.The stability of the sensor in biological matrices was evaluated by moni-toring fluorescence intensity changes over incubation time in blank blood and urine,in comparison with the traditional physical adsorption-based CGO fluorescent sensor.Spiked recovery experiments in blank blood and urine were conducted to compare performance with that of HPLC-MS/MS.Results A specific aptamer A5 was selected and chemically conjugated with CGO to construct the aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor.Under optimized conditions,the proposed fluorescent sensor ex-hibited a linear detection range of 1.0-5.0 ng/mL for KET,with a limit of detection(LOD)of 0.86 ng/mL;while for NK,the linear detection range was 1.0-5.0 ng/mL,with an LOD of 0.70 ng/mL.Com-pared with the CGO fluorescent sensor constructed via physical adsorption,this sensor demonstrated greater stability in blood and urine.The spiked recovery rates of KET and NK in blank blood and urine ranged from 81.50%to 110.03%,exhibiting detection performance comparable to that of HPLC-MS/MS.Conclusion The aptamer screening method offers a novel approach for selecting aptamers tar-geting drugs and their metabolites.The constructed aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor pro-vides an efficient and reliable strategy for the high-performance detection of KET and NK.
10.Single-cell analysis of immune-lineage features in T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia
Ke HUANG ; Lele ZHANG ; Chen QIU ; Ruonan LI ; Yucan SHEN ; Weiwang LI ; Hong PAN ; Zhen GAO ; Liwei FANG ; Yajing CHU ; Weiping YUAN ; Jun SHI
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(5):453-459
Objective:To investigate alterations in the immune lineage of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) at the single-cell transcriptome level and to elucidate its pathogenic mechanisms.Methods:Peripheral blood samples were collected from 5 T-LGLL patients before and after treatment (from June 2019 to December 2020) and 3 healthy controls at the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS & PUMC. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing libraries were prepared and sequenced using 10× Genomics technology. Differentially expressed genes in immune cells were compared between patients and healthy donors, followed by pathway enrichment analyses.Results:Profiling 67,237 immune cells revealed that, in T-LGLL: 1) Effector CD8+ T cells exhibited increased numbers, enhanced cytotoxicity, and greater proliferative capacity. Following effective immunosuppressive therapy, both the proliferative capacity and effector functions of these cells significantly decreased ( P<0.05). 2) The proportion of regulatory T (Treg) cells was reduced, accompanied by increased apoptosis. After effective immunosuppressive therapy leading to remission, Treg cell proportions increased, and apoptotic pathways were downregulated ( P<0.05). 3) Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) showed enhanced functionality. Monocytes and dendritic cells were enriched in antigen synthesis and presentation pathways, while B cells displayed increased antigen-binding capacity and were enriched in pathways related to T-cell activation ( P<0.05). 4) Natural killer (NK) cells exhibited attenuated cytotoxic function but demonstrated an enhanced regulatory capacity over T cells ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:T-LGLL patients present a characteristic immunological profile marked by an imbalance in immune homeostasis. This profile includes abnormal activation and expansion of effector CD8 + T cells, and a reduction in Treg cell numbers accompanied by functional impairment. Furthermore, APCs and NK cells were found to positively regulate T-lymphocyte activation, differentiation, and proliferation.

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