1.Improvement effect of metformin on liver injury in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis rats
Shuang WU ; Hailin CHENG ; Dan LIU ; Ting XIAO ; Xingbang WU ; Huadong LI ; Xudong HU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(7):837-842
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of metformin (Met) on liver injury in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats by regulating the PI3K/AKT/PDGF signaling pathway. METHODS NASH model was constructed by feeding rats with a high- glucose and high-fat diet, and assigned into Model group, Met low-dose group (Met-L group, 100 mg/kg), Met medium-dose group (Met-M group, 200 mg/kg), Met high-dose group (Met-H group, 400 mg/kg), and high dose of Met+PI3K activator group (Met-H+740 Y-P group, 400 mg/kg Met+50 mg/kg 740 Y-P), with 12 rats in each group. Another 12 rats were regarded as the Control group. Each group of rats was orally administered/injected with the corresponding medication once a day for 6 consecutive weeks. The changes in body weight and liver index of rats were recorded and analyzed. The pathological damage [evaluation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS)], lipid deposition (calculation of the proportion of oil red O-positive staining area), and fibrosis (calculation of collagen deposition score) were observed in liver tissue of rats. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in serum and liver tissue, the levels of serum lipid metabolism indicators [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and liver function indicators [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine Δ 基金项目 武汉市知识创新专项项目(No.2022020801010588); aminotransferase (ALT)] were measured. The expression levels of PI3K/AKT/PDGF signaling pathway-related proteins and Caspase-3 in liver tissue of rats were determined. RESULTS Compared with the Control group, body weight, liver index, the levels of serum lipid metabolism indicators and liver function indicators, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and liver tissue, the NAS, the proportion of oil red O-positive staining area, the collagen deposition fraction, and the levels of phosphorylated PI3K and AKT proteins, as well as the expression levels of PDGF and Caspase-3 proteins in liver tissue, were all significantly increased (P<0.05). The liver tissue showed severe pathological damage, characterized by an abundance of lipid droplets and pronounced collagen deposition. After the intervention with Met, the aforementioned quantitative indicators and pathological changes in rats were significantly improved in a dose- dependent manner (P<0.05). 740 Y-P could reverse the improvement effects of high dose of Met on the above indexes of rats (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Met can improve liver damage, and alleviate inflammatory reactions and liver fibrosis of NASH rats, the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting PI3K/AKT/PDGF signaling pathway.
2.LIU Shangyi's Experience in Treating Pruritus Vulvae Using Self-Prescribed Yinyang Formula (阴痒方)
Xiao LIU ; Zhaozhao HUA ; Yiyuan ZHOU ; Taiwei ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Shuang HUANG ; Qiang GAO ; Kaiyang XUE ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):992-995
To summarize the clinical experience of Professor LIU Shangyi in treating pruritus vulvae. It is believed that women have the physiological characteristics of liver and kidney as the root, and their pubic area is easily attacked by wind-dampness pathogenic qi, so the core mechanism of pruritus vulvae is proposed as wind-dampness accumulation and deficiency of liver and kidney. The core treatment method is to dispel wind-dampness and nourish the liver and kidneys, and modify the Danggui Decoction (当归饮子) to form a self-prescribed Yinyang Formula (阴痒方) as the basic prescription to treat pruritus vulvaen.
3.Construction Strategies and Challenges of Vascularized Brain Organoids
Meng-Meng CHEN ; Nan HU ; Shuang-Qing BAO ; Xiao-Hong LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1757-1770
Brain organoids are three-dimensional (3D) neural cultures that self-organize from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) cultured in vitro. Compared with traditional two-dimensional (2D) neural cell culture systems, brain organoids demonstrate a significantly enhanced capacity to faithfully replicate key aspects of the human brain, including cellular diversity, 3D tissue architecture, and functional neural network activity. Importantly, they also overcome the inherent limitations of animal models, which often differ from human biology in terms of genetic background and brain structure. Owing to these advantages, brain organoids have emerged as a powerful tool for recapitulating human-specific developmental processes, disease mechanisms, and pharmacological responses, thereby providing an indispensable model for advancing our understanding of human brain development and neurological disorders. Despite their considerable potential, conventional brain organoids face a critical limitation: the absence of a functional vascular system. This deficiency results in inadequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to the core regions of the organoid, ultimately constraining long-term viability and functional maturation. Moreover, the lack of early neurovascular interactions prevents these models from fully recapitulating the human brain microenvironment. In recent years, the introduction of vascularization strategies has significantly enhanced the physiological relevance of brain organoid models. Researchers have successfully developed various vascularized brain organoid models through multiple innovative approaches. Biological methods, for example, involve co-culturing brain organoids with endothelial cells to induce the formation of static vascular networks. Alternatively, co-differentiation strategies direct both mesodermal and ectodermal lineages to generate vascularized tissues, while fusion techniques combine pre-formed vascular organoids with brain organoids. Beyond biological approaches, tissue engineering techniques have played a pivotal role in promoting vascularization. Microfluidic systems enable the creation of dynamic, perfusable vascular networks that mimic blood flow, while 3D printing technologies allow for the precise fabrication of artificial vascular scaffolds tailored to the organoid’s architecture. Additionally, in vivo transplantation strategies facilitate the formation of functional, blood-perfused vascular networks through host-derived vascular infiltration. The incorporation of vascularization has yielded multiple benefits for brain organoid models. It alleviates hypoxia within the organoid core, thereby improving cell survival and supporting long-term culture and maturation. Furthermore, vascularized organoids recapitulate critical features of the neurovascular unit, including the early structural and functional characteristics of the blood-brain barrier. These advancements have established vascularized brain organoids as a highly relevant platform for studying neurovascular disorders, drug screening, and other applications. However, achieving sustained, long-term functional perfusion while preserving vascular structural integrity and promoting vascular maturation remains a major challenge in the field. In this review, we systematically outline the key stages of human neurovascular development and provide a comprehensive analysis of the various strategies employed to construct vascularized brain organoids. We further present a detailed comparative assessment of different vascularization techniques, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations. Additionally, we summarize the principal challenges currently faced in brain organoid vascularization and discuss the specific technical obstacles that persist. Finally, in the outlook section, we elaborate on the promising applications of vascularized brain organoids in disease modeling and drug testing, address the main controversies and unresolved questions in the field, and propose potential directions for future research.
4.Analyzing the influencing factors of occupational burnout among disease control and prevention staffs in Sichuan Province
Chaoxue WU ; Shuang DONG ; Liang WANG ; Xunbo DU ; Lin ZHAO ; Dan SHAO ; Quanquan XIAO ; Lijun ZHOU ; Chongkun XIAO ; Heng YUAN
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(3):288-292
Objective To assess the situation and influencing factors of occupational burnout among the staff at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Sichuan Province. Methods A total of 1 038 CDC staff members in Sichuan Province were selected as the study subjects using the stratified random sampling method. Occupational burnout of the staff was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey via an online questionnaire. Results The detection rate of occupational burnout was 42.3% (439/1 038). Binary logistic regression analysis result showed that, after controlling for confounding factors such as education level and alcohol consumption, CDC staffs aged at 20-<31, 31-<41, and 41-<51 years were at higher risk of occupational burnout compared with those ≥51 years (all P<0.05). CDC staffs with 5-<10 or ≥10 years of service had higher occupational burnout risk compared with those with <5 years (both P<0.05). CDC staffs with poor or fair health status, irregular diet, and poor sleep quality had higher risk of occupational burnout compared with those healthy, have regular diet, and good sleep quality (all P<0.05). The risk of occupational burnout increased with higher overtime frequency (all P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational burnout among CDC staffs in Sichuan Province is relatively high. Age, years of service, health status, diet, sleep quality, and overtime frequency are key influencing factors.
5.Progress in research on mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and their role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury
Shuang HU ; Jing WEN ; Xiao-Di FAN ; Peng LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1001-1006
Traditionally,organelles are regarded as isolated units having specific ingredients and structures and functioning sepa-rately.Accumulating studies have showed that neighboring dif-ferent organelles can form membrane contacts through interac-tions of protein-protein or protein-lipid.Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes,i.e.MAMs,contact these two organelles,and enrich a variety of proteins,which strictly regulate the material exchange between the endoplasmic reticu-lum and the mitochondria and the functions of them.In myocar-dial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI),MAMs play an ex-tremely important role,which controls a series of key pathologi-cal processes,such as mitochondrial division,mitochondrial au-tophagy,oxidative stress,and calcium overload,etc.,thus be-ing a promising and important new therapeutic target.This paper detailedly reviews the progress in the research on MAMs'struc-ture and function and its role in MIRI.
6.Dynamic changes of neuronal cells at different time points following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Xu-Huan ZOU ; Rui LAN ; Xue-Qin FU ; Wei-Wei WANG ; Man-Man WANG ; Chen TANG ; Shuang LIU ; Hong-Yu LI ; Xiao-Ming SHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1056-1066
Aim To investigate the dynamic changes of neuronal cells at different time points following acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by establishing a model of brain ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were ran-domly divided into six groups:sham group and cere-bral ischemia-reperfusion injury(IR)groups at differ-ent time points.Focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established using the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)technique.The Longa sco-ring method was used to assess neurobehavioral scores in rats.After successful model preparation,routine paraffin sections were made,and TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry staining with NeuN antibody were performed to observe cell apoptosis and neuronal cell survival,respectively.Immunohistochemistry stai-ning was also performed to investigate the changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)as a marker for astrocytes,ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(IBA-1)as a marker for microglia,and CD31 as a marker for endothelial cells at different time points.Results No significant changes were observed in neu-ronal cells of the sham group at different time points.In the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury groups,cell apoptosis was activated at IR3h and increased in quan-tity with morphological damage as time progressed.Ne-uN+neurons showed signs of ischemic injury after IR3h,with abnormal cell morphology.From 12 h,Ne-uN+neurons decreased in a time-dependent manner and reached their peak severity at 24 h.GFAP+astro-cytes decreased significantly after IR3h,while poorly labeled GFAP+astrocytes increased at IR 6 h and al-most disappeared in the infarcted area at 24 h and 48 h.The number of IBA-1+microglia-positive cells de-creased at IR3h,and their volume increased at IR6h.Microglial cell death was observed in the infarcted area at IR12h.CD31+endothelial cells around the infarc-ted cortex and striatum increased significantly after IR3h and persisted until 48 h.Conclusions After cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,the number of ap-optotic cells increases with the prolongation of time,and NeuN+neurons exhibit the most severe damage at 24 h.GFAP+astrocytes and microglial cells gradually die over time.The number of CD31+endothelial cells increases significantly around the infarcted cortex and striatum after 3 h of reperfusion and persists until 48 h.
7.Application of different transbronchoscopic biopsies in the diagnosis of senile central lung cancer
Pei ZHAN ; Yu ZHANG ; Fei-Yan LAN ; Wei YANG ; Xiao-Shuang LIAO ; Zhi-Qiang TIAN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(12):1081-1084
Objective To study the application value of different transbronchial biopsies in the diagnosis of central lung cancer in elderly patients.Methods The clinical data of 97 elderly patients with central lung cancer diagnosed by pathology from June 2020 to June 2023 in the 923rd Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force were retrospectively analyzed.According to the different initial transbronchial biopsy methods,the patients were divided into the endobronchial biopsy(EBB)group(n=51)and the conventional transbronchial needle aspiration(cTBNA)group(n=46).The histopathological results were statistically analyzed,and the first biopsy positive rates of EBB and cTBNA in the diagnosis of senile central lung cancer were calculated and compared.At the same time,the differences of biopsy tolerance and complications between the two groups were evaluated.Results The squamous cell carcinoma proportions in both groups were over 50%.There was no significant difference in the first biopsy positive rate between the two groups(P>0.05).The incidence of temporary retreat of the scope due to subjective tolerance in the EBB group was higher than that in the cTBNA group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of intraoperative complications of different grades between the two groups(P<0.001).Among them,the incidence of grade 2 and above complications during surgery in the EBB group was significantly higher than that in the cTBNA group(P<0.001).Conclusion For elderly patients with central lung cancer,the success rate of the first biopsy of EBB and cTBNA is roughly equivalent,but the incidence of postoperative complications of the latter is significantly lower than that of the former.cTBNA can be used as the first biopsy method for this population.
8.Tick-borne pathogens infection of rodents at the border of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Zhuo WANG ; Qiong WU ; Xiao-Yang HUANG ; Guan-Peng HUANG ; You-Xin MA ; En-Rong MAO ; Guo-Shuang LENG ; Hong-Min ZHAO ; Bing LI ; Yi-Min WU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(4):323-327
To investigate the existence of tick-borne pathogens infection of rodents at the border of China and the Demo-cratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK).PCR was used to detect the spotted fever group rickettsiae(SFGR)ompA gene,Ehrlichia chaffeensis(Ec)and Anaplasma phagocytophilum(Ap)16S rRNA,Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis(CNm)groEL gene,Bartonella(Ba)rpoB gene,and Francisella tularensis(Ft)fopA gene in rodents samples collected from Ji'an of Jilin province and Kuandian of Liaoning Province.The positivity rates of 132 wild rats spleen samples,SFGR,Ec,Ap,CNm,Ba,and Ft were 9.85%,12.88%,5.30%,3.79%,51.52%,and 6.06%,respectively,with statistical differences in in-fection rates(x2=149.236,P=0.000).The infection rate of Ba was the highest in wild rats in this area.There was no signifi-cant difference in the infection rate of SFGR,Ec,Ap,CNm,and Ft among different rats species,but there were significant differences in the infection rate of Ba(x2=13.36,P=0.010).The infection rate of Apodemus agrarius was the highest.A-mong 132 wild rats specimens,the coinfection rate of the two pathogens was 15.9%(21/132),with Ba as the main species(15/132),and two cases of coinfection with three pathogens were detected.The infection of six tick-borne pathogens is common in wild rats at the China/DPRK border.Co-infection of two or three pathogens indicates a risk of multiple tick-borne pathogens and mixed natural foci of multiple tick-borne infec-tious diseases.
9.Effect of 1,10-phenanthrone monohydrate on biofilm formation in Escherichia coli
Yu WANG ; Zhouhui WU ; Heng DU ; Shuang XIAO ; Lin LU ; Zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(9):2017-2024,2071
The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-biofilm activity of 1,10-PHEN against E.coli and to analyze its anti-membrane mechanism.The bacteriostatic effect of 1,10-PHEN on E.coli was evaluated by measuring the time bactericidal curve,and the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration(MBIC)of 1,10-PHEN on E.coli was measured.The inhibitory effect of 1,10-PHEN on E.coli biofilm under fluorescence microscope was observed.The effects of 1,10-PHEN on the development stage and EPS of E.coli biofilm were detected.The inhibitory effect of 1,10-PHEN on E.coli was concentration-dependent.The MBIC values of E.coli E-10 were 12.5 μmol/L,and 50.0 μmol/L could significantly destroy the mature biofilm of E.coli.1,10-PHEN could in-hibit the formation of biofilm by inhibiting the adhesion ability of E.coli at the early stage of bio-film formation.1,10-PHEN could inhibit the synthesis and secretion of EPS from E.coli biofilm.1,10-PHEN could inhibit the synthesis and secretion of EPS from E.coli biofilm,and the inhibition rates of EPS at 1/4 MIC were 32%and 78%,respectively.The inhibitory rates of 1,10-PHEN on eDNA of ATCC 29522 and E-10 at 1/4 MIC concentration were 72%and 61%,respectively,and the inhibitory rates of MIC concentration on extracellular protein were 69%and 56%.In conclusion,1,10-PHEN has anti-biofilm activity against E.coli,which provides a new idea for find-ing alternative antibiotics.
10.Effect of Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin on Platelet Reconstitution after Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Yan XIE ; Ling-Zhi YAN ; Tao YOU ; Xiao-Lan SHI ; Shuang YAN ; Ying-Ying ZHAI ; Jing-Jing SHANG ; Zhi YAN ; Hong-Ying YOU ; Qing-Qing WANG ; De-Pei WU ; Cheng-Cheng FU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(2):505-511
Objective:To analyze the effect of recombinant human thrombopoietin(rhTPO)on platelet(PLT)reconstitution after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation(APBSCT)in patients with multiple myeloma(MM).Methods:The clinical data of 147 MM patients who were diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and received APBSCT as the first-line therapy were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether rhTPO was used during APBSCT,the patients were divided into rhTPO group(80 cases)and control group(67 cases).The time of PLT engraftment,blood product infusion requirements,the proportion of patients with PLT recovery to ≥ 50 × 109/L and ≥ 100 × 109/L at+14 days and+100 days after transplantation,and adverse reactions including the incidence of bleeding were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in sex,age,M protein type,PLT count at the initial diagnosis,median duration of induction therapy before APBSCT,and number of CD34+cells reinfused(all P>0.05).The median time of PLT engraftment in the rhTPO group was 10(6-14)days,which was shorter than 11(8-23)days in the control group(P<0.001).The median PLT transfusion requirement in the rhTPO group during APBSCT was 15(0-50)U,which was less than 20(0-80)U in the control group(P=0.001).At+14 days after transplantation,the proportions of patients with PLT 2 50 × 109/L in the rhTPO group and the control group were 66.3%and 52.2%,while the proportions of patients with PLT ≥ 100 × 109/L were 23.8%and 11.9%,respectively,with no significant differences(all P>0.05).At+100 days after transplantation,the proportion of patients with PLT ≥ 50 × 109/L in rhTPO group and control group was 96.3%and 89.6%,respectively(P>0.05),but the proportion of patients with PLT ≥ 100 × 109/L in rhTPO group was higher than that in control group(75.0%vs 55.2%,P=0.012).There was no difference in the overall incidence of bleeding events in different locations during period of low PLT level of patients between the two groups.In rhTPO group,the rhTPO administration was well tolerated,and the incidences of abnormal liver and kidney function and infection were similar to those in the control group.Conclusion:When MM patients undergo first-line APBSCT,subcutaneous injection of rhTPO can shorten the time of platelet engraftment,reduce the transfusion volume of blood products,and be well tolerated,moreover,more patients have achieve a high level of PLT recovery after transplantation,which is very important for ensuring the safety of APBSCT and maintenance therapy.

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