1.Liuwei Dihuangwan Reduces Valproic Acid-induced ASD-like Behaviors in Rats by Modulating mTOR-mediated Synaptic Plasticity in Prefrontal Cortex-hippocampus Circuit
Ji WU ; Niya YIN ; Lei OUYANG ; Siyu HE ; Fangyu PEI ; Ying XIE ; Fan LI ; Qian LEI ; Sha ZHAO ; Di ZHANG ; Qinquan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):1-11
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Liuwei Dihuangwan on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex-hippocampus circuit in the rat model of valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to explore its potential mechanism for reducing behavioral abnormalities in ASD rats. MethodsThirteen SD pregnant rats were randomized into the VPA group (10 rats) and the control group (3 rats). On gestational day 13, the VPA group was intraperitoneally injected with VPA solution (600 mg·kg-1), while the control group was injected with an equal volume of normal saline. Male pups of 21 days old from both groups underwent behavioral tests to screen the ASD model rats (32 rats). These rats were then randomly assigned to the model (distilled water), vitamin D (1 480 U·kg-1), low-dose (0.75 g·kg-1) Liuwei Dihuangwan, and high-dose (1.5 g·kg-1) Liuwei Dihuangwan groups, and normal male pups were selected as the blank group (distilled water), with 8 rats in each group. Each group was treated with the corresponding drug or an equal volume of distilled water via gavage daily. After drug administration, behavioral tests were conducted again, followed by anesthesia and tissue collection. Nissl staining was carried out to observe the morphological changes of neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe changes in hippocampal synaptic structure. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to determine the expression of mTOR, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) in the prefrontal cortex, as well as synaptophysin-1 (SYP-1), postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited severe growth retardation and developmental deformities, with abnormal behavioral performance and pathological damage to neurons and synapses in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed reduced behavioral abnormalities and pathological damage to neurons and synapses in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, with the most significant effects in the high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan group. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased protein levels and phosphorylation ratios of p-mTOR, p-Akt, and p-PI3K in the prefrontal cortex (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased protein levels of SYP-1 and PSD95 and increased protein level of NMDARs in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the protein levels of p-mTOR, p-Akt, and p-PI3K in the prefrontal cortex decreased in the vitamin D and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups (P<0.05), and the p-mTOR/mTOR, p-Akt/Akt, and p-PI3K/PI3K ratios in the prefrontal cortex declined in the vitamin D group (P<0.05). The high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan group showed a reduction in p-PI3K/PI3K ratio (P<0.05). The protein level of SYP-1 and PSD95 in the hippocampus increased in the vitamin D, low-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan, and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the protein level of NMDARs decreased in the vitamin D and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups (P<0.01). ConclusionLiuwei Dihuangwan significantly reduces VPA-induced ASD-like behaviors and enhances the regeneration and repair of neurons in the prefrontal cortex and synaptic structures in the hippocampus by downregulating of PI3K/Akt/mTOR expression in the prefrontal cortex, upregulating SYP-1 and PSD95 expression in the hippocampus, and inhibiting NMDARs expression.
2.Exploring Multi-target Effect of Erzhiwan on Improving Myocardial Injury in Ovariectomized Mice Based on Non-targeted Metabolomics
Ying YANG ; Jing HU ; Pei LI ; Ruyuan ZHU ; Zhiguo ZHANG ; Haixia LIU ; Yanjing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):74-84
ObjectiveTo explore the target of Erzhiwan in reducing myocardial injury in ovariectomized mice through non-targeted myocardial metabolomics combined with experimental verification. MethodsOvariectomized mouse model was selected, 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, estrogen group(estradiol valerate, 1.3×10-4 g·kg-1), Erzhiwan low and high dose groups(3.12, 9.36 g·kg-1), with 8 mice in each group. Each administration group was given the corresponding dose of Erzhiwan by gavage, and the sham operation group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water by gavage for 12 weeks. Echocardiography was used to detect cardiac function, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe myocardial morphological changes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of estrogen, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), hypersensitive troponin T(hs-TnT), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The non-targeted metabolomics of mouse myocardium were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), and the differential metabolites and corresponding metabolic pathways were obtained. The mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt) in mouse myocardial tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated(p)-Akt were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed abnormal cardiac function, increased myocardial fiber space, cardiomyocyte atrophy, sarcoplasmic aggregation, and occasional dissolution or rupture of muscle fiber, the level of estrogen in the serum was decreased, the levels of NT-proBNP, hs-TnT, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, TG, TC and LDL-C were increased, and the level of HDL-C was decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Erzhiwan could increase the level of estrogen, improve the abnormal cardiac function, reduce the pathological injury of myocardial tissue, decrease the levels of myocardial injury markers(NT-proBNP, hs-TnT) and inflammatory factors(IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α), decrease the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased the level of HDL-C(P<0.01). The results of non-targeted myocardial metabolomics showed that 31 of the 162 differential metabolites between the model group and sham operation group were significantly adjusted after administration of Erzhiwan, which were mainly glycerol phospholipid metabolites. Pathway enrichment results showed that Erzhiwan mainly affected glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, PI3K-Akt pathway, cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)-protein kinase G(PKG) pathway and other metabolic pathways. Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of phosphatidylcholine(PC, 11 types) and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE, 5 types) in mouse myocardial tissue of the model group were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of PC(11 types) and PE(5 types) were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01) in myocardial tissue of Erzhiwan group, the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K and p-Akt were elevated(P<0.01). ConclusionErzhiwan can alleviate the pathological injury of myocardium in ovariectomized mice, improve the abnormal cardiac function, improve lipid metabolism disorder, and reduce the levels of myocardial injury markers and inflammatory factors, which involves a number of signaling and metabolic pathways in the heart, among which glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway and PI3K/Akt pathway may have key roles.
3.Hotspots and trends of radiomics research for breast cancer:a bibliometric analysis
Pei WANG ; Shuping MENG ; Xiao SUN ; Jing JIA ; Huairong ZHANG ; Li ZHU
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(11):104-109
Objective:To explore the research hotspots and trends in the radiomics field based on bibliometric for breast cancer.Methods:Publications related to radiomics for breast cancer during January 2012 to June 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection databases.Then,the R software's package"bibliometric"tool,VOSviewer and CiteSpace softwares were used to conduct visual analysis of radiomics-related bibliometric for breast cancer,which involved to publication trends,countries,institutions,journals,authors,keywords,and highlight keywords.Results:A total of 683 radiomics-related literatures for breast cancer were obtained,and 518 articles were finally included after non-English literatures and non-Article literatures were excluded.China and Sun Yat-sen University emerged as the leading country(326 articles)and institution(83 articles).The top three journals with the most of published articles were respectively
4.Characteristics of drug resistance and molecular transmission networks among preoperative HIV/AIDS patients in Ningxia from 2018 to 2023
Xiaohong ZHU ; Lihua ZHAO ; Zhonglan WU ; Jianxin PEI ; Yufeng LI ; Yichang LIU ; Xiaofa MA ; Ling SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(3):287-293
Objective:This study aimed to analyze the genetic subtypes and drug resistance transmission characteristics of HIV-1 among the preoperative population in Ningxia from 2018 to 2023, to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of the AIDS epidemic.Methods:Plasma samples and demographic information of HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiviral treatment in Ningxia from 2018 to 2023 were collected. Blood samples with a viral loads >200 copies/ml from preoperative testing were amplified, sequenced, and subjected to genotypic resistance testing to analyze their genetic subtypes and drug resistance characteristics. The TN93 model in MEGA11 software was used to calculate the genetic distance between each pair of all sequences, and a molecular transmission network was constructed in Cytoscape 3.10.0 with 1.9% as the genetic threshold.Results:Among 101 preoperative HIV/AIDS patients, CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE were the predominant subtypes. The majority were male (85.15%, 86/101), aged 41-60 years (45.54%, 46/101), residing in Yinchuan city (61.39%, 62/101), and infected via heterosexual transmission (71.29%, 72/101), with most cases being late-detected. Of 39 drug-resistant sequences, resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) alone (18.81%, 19/101) and dual resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)-NNRTIs (13.86%, 14/101) were most common. Among 44 sequences forming 13 transmission clusters, nine clusters harbored drug-resistant mutations. Four subtypes entered the molecular network, primarily involving heterosexual transmission, individuals with junior high school education or below, and men aged≥50 years.Conclusions:From 2018 to 2023, the preoperative HIV/AIDS patients had diversified genetic subtypes, with higher rates of overall drug resistance and late detection, stronger drug resistance and higher mortality rate. Strengthening molecular epidemiological research and developing targeted screening strategies are critical to improve early detection and reduce transmission risks.
5.The NO-sGC-cGMP pathway and heart failure
Dilu LI ; Yuanyuan PEI ; Wuchao WANG ; Lingjie CAO ; Fengtao YANG ; Shuangkui SHI ; Guyue ZHOU ; Kunyu YANG ; Jihong ZHU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(5):702-708
Heart failure,as a global public health challenge,is experiencing an increasingly severe disease burden.Given the close relationship be-tween the Nitric Oxide-Soluble Guanylate Cyclase-Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate(NO-sGC-cGMP)signaling pathway and heart failure,this study,through a comprehensive search and review of re-cent literature on the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway and heart failure,aims to outline the mechanism of ac-tion of this signaling pathway and its connection with heart failure,in order to explore new avenues for the treatment of heart failure.
6.Serotyping and drug resistance analysis of Salmonella from waterfowl in the Guangdong Region,2013-2023
Wan-jia LI ; Yin-sheng LIN ; Min-fang LIU ; Wen-chang XUE ; Wan-jun ZHU ; Ji-dang CHEN ; Ji-pei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):297-303
This study was aimed at understanding the prevalence and drug resistance status of Salmonella of waterfowl ori-gin in the Guangdong region in the past decade,to guide prevention and control efforts.The drug-sensitive paper slide method was used to conduct drug susceptibility testing on 314 waterfowl-originating Salmonella strains isolated from 238 waterfowl farms in the Guangdong region from 2013 to 2023.The isolated Salmonella strains were most resistant to penicillin,amoxicil-lin,cefradine,and cefazolin in the β-lactam group;sulphadoxine dimethylpyrimidine in the sulphonamide group;and tetracy-cline in the tetracycline group.The resistance rates ranged from 73.57%to 89.49%.The highest sensitivity was observed to amikacin,gentamicin,and kanamycin in the aminoglycoside group,and norfloxacin in the quinolone group,with susceptibility rates all exceeding 50%.The 280 strains of Salmonella showed multi-drug resistance to six classes of antimicrobial drugs and high resistance(as much as 60.83%)to five drug classes.Correlation analysis revealed the highest correlations for florfenicol with gentamicin,and for amoxicillin with penicillin(r=0.650 for both),followed by gentamicin with kanamycin(r=0.620).Salmonella resistance in waterfowl in Guangdong Province was generally severe and showed a complex pattern of drug resist-ance.Detection of waterfowl pathogens should be strengthened to prevent the spread of drug-resistant bacteria and support ra-tional use of antibiotics.This work provides a reference for Salmonella prevention and control in waterfowl farms.
7.Mechanism of Polygonum capitatum on atherosclerosis based on data mining
Zi YE ; Yun-pei WANG ; Yu-hui WANG ; Xun-de XIAN ; Xiao-jie LI ; Chun-hua HUANG ; Yuan-zhu LIAO ; Di-dong LOU ; Yi-xia ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2369-2378
Aim To systematically investigate the ac-tive components,targets,and regulatory pathways of Po-lygonum capitatum in intervening atherosclerosis(AS)through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods Active components of Polygonum capitatum and AS-related targets were screened and identified through database searches.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database,followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses via the David plat-form.Molecular docking validation was conducted with AutoDock.An AS model was established in Syrian golden hamsters fed a high-fat diet.Predicted pathways and targets were validated using qPCR,ELISA,and histopathological assessment of aortic and hepatic tis-sues via HE staining.Results Network pharmacology identified 27 potential active components of Polygonum capitatum(primarily flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin)and 110 drug-disease intersection targets,in-cluding core targets MMP-9,ALB,and AKT1.GO and KEGG analyses enriched 593 and 125 pathways,re-spectively,with the NF-κB inflammatory pathway,TNF signaling pathway and lipid metabolism/atherosclerosis pathways highlighted as key mechanisms.Animal ex-periments demonstrated that Polygonum capitatum im-proved serum lipid profiles(reduced TC,TG,LDL-C)in AS hamsters,suppressed the MMP-9/NF-κB signa-ling pathway(downregulated MMP-9,p65 phosphoryla-tion,TNF-α,and IL-6),and inhibited VSMC synthetic phenotypic transformation(upregulated α-SMA and myocardin)by downregulating MCPIP1.Additionally,Polygonum capitatum ameliorated aortic lesions and he-patic lipid deposition in AS hamsters.Conclusions Polygonum capitatum alleviates AS by synergistically regulating the MMP-9/NF-κB/MCPIP1 axis through flavonoid components,suppressing vascular inflammato-ry cascades and maintaining VSMC contractile pheno-types.This reflects Polygonum capitatum's multi-com-ponent,multi-pathway,and multi-target characteristics in combating AS.
8.The value of coronary CT angiography-based traditional features and radiomics in identification of culprit plaques to cause acute myocardial infarction
Pei NIE ; Shuo ZHANG ; Yan DENG ; Shifeng YANG ; Xinxin YU ; Kaiyue ZHI ; He ZHU ; Peng LI ; Jingjing CUI ; Wenjing CHEN ; Yanmei WANG ; Yuchao XU ; Dapeng HAO ; Ximing WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(9):1017-1028
Objective:To investigate the value of coronary CTA (CCTA)-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque in the identification of culprit lesions that caused acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:This was a retrospective multicenter study. From July 2016 to November 2023, a total of 344 patients from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (training cohort, n=184), Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University (validation cohort, n=88) and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (test cohort, n=72) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to AMI and underwent CCTA within 48 hours of AMI were enrolled. The culprit plaques and non-culprit plaques were identified using a combination of electrocardiogram, CCTA, and angiographic findings. The vessel, plaque location, plaque type, Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score, high-risk plaque characteristics, plaque length, plaque volume, and burden were analyzed, and 1 904 radiomics features were extracted for each plaque. The traditional imaging model, the radiomics model, and the combined model were established by using multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of each model in identifying culprit lesions. The DeLong test was used for the comparison of AUC between every two models. The net reclassification index (NRI) was used to evaluate the incremental value of the combined model to the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical net benefit of these models. A correlation heatmap was used to evaluate the correlation between the radiomics score and traditional CCTA factors. The interpretable analysis of the decision process of the combined model was performed by the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results:In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the traditional imaging model developed by the vessel, plaque type, positive remodeling and CAD-RADS score was 0.898 (95% CI 0.869-0.922) and 0.881 (95% CI 0.848-0.910), respectively. The radiomics model developed by six radiomics features was 0.863 (95% CI 0.831-0.891) and 0.863 (95% CI 0.827-0.864), respectively. The AUC of the combined model was 0.930 (95% CI 0.905-0.950)and 0.919 (95% CI 0.889-0.942), respectively. In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the combined model was higher than that of the traditional imaging model ( Z=4.013, 4.272, P<0.001) and that of the radiomics model ( Z=4.819, 3.784, P<0.001), respectively. In the validation cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 20.43% (95% CI 10.43%-30.44%, P<0.001) and 20.21% (95% CI 9.62%-30.80%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. In the test cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 28.05% (95% CI 16.72%-39.38%, P<0.001) and 23.57% (95% CI 13.58%-33.56%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. DCA showed the combined model had the highest clinical net benefit. The correlation heatmap showed the radiomics score was not correlated or only weakly correlated with traditional CCTA factors. SHAP indicated the radiomics and CAD-RADS score contributed significantly to the model. Conclusion:The CCTA-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque have favorable performance for the identification of culprit plaques in patients with AMI.
9.Application of High-intensity focused ultrasound combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant and conversion therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer based on a multidisciplinary treatment model:a report of 4 cases
Yunfei LIU ; Dong LUO ; Hongwei ZHU ; Pei XU ; Qiongqiong XIE ; Jichun SUN ; Xiao YU ; Lang CHEN ; Zhiqiang LI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(9):1996-2006
Pancreatic cancer is highly aggressive and often diagnosed at an advanced stage,leaving most patients ineligible for radical resection.This study retrospectively analyzed four patients with locally advanced or advanced pancreatic cancer to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)ablation combined with chemotherapy as a neoadjuvant and conversion therapy.All cases were reviewed and individualized treatment plans were formulated through a multidisciplinary team evaluation.All patients received HIFU plus gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy,with assessments of tumor volume,vascular involvement,surgical conversion,symptom relief,and adverse events.Three patients achieved marked tumor shrinkage and reduction of vascular invasion,enabling successful R0 resection without recurrence during follow-up.The remaining patient achieved disease stability,significant pain relief,and maintained good quality of life under repeated HIFU therapy.All treatments were well tolerated,and no severe adverse reactions occurred.The combination of HIFU and chemotherapy demonstrated synergistic local and systemic effects,effectively achieving tumor downstaging,improving resectability,and alleviating symptoms.As a safe,noninvasive,and repeatable therapeutic approach,this strategy offers a promising option for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to validate its long-term efficacy and elucidate underlying mechanisms.
10.Construction and Application of"On-Off-On"Fluorescence Sensor for Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride Based on Near Infrared Carbon Quantum Dots
Yu LIN ; Feng TAN ; Yu-Hua SHEN ; Li-Qin ZHU ; Pei-Yao YAN ; Jin-Tao PAN ; Kai-Shun LIU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(6):934-943
In this work,near infrared carbon quantum dots(NIR-CDs)were synthesized by hydrothermal method using biomass material Clausena lansium leaves.The synthesized NIR-CDs emitted maximum fluorescence signal at 677 nm,which was independent of excitation wavelength.The characterization results showed that there were abundant groups on the surface of NIR-CDs.Pd2+could form non-fluorescent compounds with the surface groups of NIR-CDs,resulting in fluorescence quenching(Fluorescence signal was denoted as F0).Because chlorpromazine hydrochloride(CPZ)parent nucleus contained unoxidized S atom,CPZ could form stable colored complex with Pd2+under acidic conditions.In the presence of CPZ,Pd2+dissociated from the surface of NIR-CDs and bonded with CPZ,so that the fluorescence signal could be restored(Fluorescence signal was denoted as F).An"on-off-on"fluorescence sensor was thus constructed.The fluorescence signal recovery value of NIR-CDs(△F=F-F0)showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of CPZ in the range of 5.68-28.43 μg/mL,and the detection limit(3σ)was 0.078 μg/mL.The sensor was applied to determination of CPZ in pharmaceutical preparations,and the recoveries were 94%-106%.The developed fluorescence sensor was expected to be used in quality control of actual pharmaceutical preparations.

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