1.Optimization of Quality Standards for Polygalae Radix Based on Characteristic Chromatograms and QAMS for Xanthones
Humin XIE ; Xiaoqing CUI ; Weihong FENG ; Yu LU ; Xiaoqian LIU ; Xiaoli SUN ; Yanrong LI ; Zhimin WANG ; Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):196-204
ObjectiveTo address the limitations of the current quality standard for Polygalae Radix(PR), which relies on a single component for quality assessment and struggles to holistically control its intrinsic quality, by constructing a comprehensive quality evaluation system integrating "macro-characterization of chemical profile, synchronous quantification of multiple index components, and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) for key component groups". This study aims to facilitate the scientific revision of the quality standard for PR. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) characteristic chromatograms were established for 11 batches of PR medicinal materials(YZ), 10 batches of PR decoction pieces(YP), and 10 batches of licorice-processed PR decoction pieces(ZYZ), followed by similarity evaluation and identification of common peaks. HPLC-QAMS was developed for xanthones(sibiricaxanthone B, polygalaxanthone Ⅺ, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ) in the characteristic chromatograms. Simultaneously, the external standard method(ESM) was used to determine the contents of the corresponding xanthones and 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose in YZ, YP, and ZYZ, followed by multivariate statistical analysis and Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsThe similarity between the characteristic chromatograms of 31 batches of PR samples and the reference chromatogram was>0.9. A total of 13 common peaks were identified, and 10 of these peaks were characterized through reference standard comparison. The successfully constructed QAMS method showed that the relative correction factors(RCFs) of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ to polygalaxanthone Ⅲ were 0.76 and 0.88, and their relative retention times(RRTs) were 0.85 and 0.97, respectively. The results calculated by the QAMS method showed no significant difference from those obtained by the ESM. According to the limit standard for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia), the pass rate of 31 batches of samples was only 19.35%. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated certain compositional differences between different batches of YZ and YP, as well as between YP and ZYZ, with 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose identified as the main differentiating component. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that the content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ was positively correlated with the contents of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ, but showed no association with the content of 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose. ConclusionIt is recommended that the content limit for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in YZ,YP and ZYZ be revised to not less than 0.07%, or the total content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ be not less than 0.18%. The newly established triple quality control model of "holistic control via characteristic chromatograms, precise quantification of oligosaccharide esters, and efficient detection of xanthones by QAMS" provides a systematic and precise solution for quality evaluation of PR and similar Chinese herbal medicines.
2.The Role of MAPK in Depressive Disorder and Research on Related Drugs
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):388-403
Depressive disorder is a prevalent mental illness characterized by pronounced and enduring symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment. The escalating pressures of modern society have led to a corresponding rise in the number of depressive disorder patients, particularly those exposed to adverse social, economic, political, and environmental factors which exacerbate the risk of this disorder. The pathogenesis of depressive disorder is multifaceted, encompassing oxidative stress, neuroplasticity alterations, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter system imbalances, and intestinal microecological disruptions, among others. Clinically, conventional antidepressants are primarily predicated on the monoamine neurotransmitter hypothesis. This theory posits that depressive disorder can be ameliorated by regulating the levels of neurotransmitters within the body through a singular mechanism. However, the complex and multifaceted pathogenesis of depressive disorder results in limited selectivity for these drugs. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase that plays a crucial role in various cellular physiological and pathological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, stress adaptation, and inflammatory response. It is instrumental in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating cellular responses. Numerous studies indicate that MAPK is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of depressive disorder through various pathogenesis. However, what deserves attention is that the interaction between the pathogenesis and dynamics of regulatory process remains unclear. Modulating MAPK has been shown to influence the onset and progression of depressive disorder, though the precise mechanism remains elusive. Within the MAPK family, aberrant activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) can damage hippocampal neurons and overactivate microglia, precipitating depressive disorder. Excessive activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) results in heightened neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and suppresses the expression of neurotrophic factors. p38, a key regulator in inflammatory reactions, can induce neuroinflammation when overactive, leading to depressive disorder. ERK, JNK, and p38 sub-pathways do not function in isolation but rather interact synergistically and/or antagonistically through shared activators and common target molecules. Consequently, these sub-pathways form a complementary and coordinated regulatory network. In addition, MAPK family members can jointly influence the process of depressive disorder by sharing upstream factors and regulating common downstream targets, and there is a lack of identification of their markers and screening for subgroups. The collective abnormal activities of these MAPK family members illuminate the underlying mechanisms of depressive disorder, suggesting that MAPK could serve as a potential therapeutic target for this disorder. As for the study of ERK, different models of depressive disorder have contradictory effects on its activity. The primary cause of these differences can be attributed to the distinct pathological environments utilized in the creation of depressive disorder models. In the future, it is suggested that we use the inducement of depressive disorder as a modeling standard to accurately simulate the onset of depressive disorder to carry out accurate treatment according to the causes of depressive disorder. Research shows that classic clinical drugs, novel MAPK inhibitors and certain traditional Chinese medicines can prevent and treat depressive disorder by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Research on MAPK remains limited, particularly concerning the permeability and cellular specificity across the blood-brain barrier and the identification of objective predictive markers. Although inhibitors face challenges, they also possess significant advantages and developmental potential. This paper systematically summarizes the current status of MAPK in the treatment of depressive disorder, in order to provide insights for researching the pathogenesis of depressive disorder and developing new antidepressant drugs.
3.The Role of MAPK in Depressive Disorder and Research on Related Drugs
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):388-403
Depressive disorder is a prevalent mental illness characterized by pronounced and enduring symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment. The escalating pressures of modern society have led to a corresponding rise in the number of depressive disorder patients, particularly those exposed to adverse social, economic, political, and environmental factors which exacerbate the risk of this disorder. The pathogenesis of depressive disorder is multifaceted, encompassing oxidative stress, neuroplasticity alterations, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter system imbalances, and intestinal microecological disruptions, among others. Clinically, conventional antidepressants are primarily predicated on the monoamine neurotransmitter hypothesis. This theory posits that depressive disorder can be ameliorated by regulating the levels of neurotransmitters within the body through a singular mechanism. However, the complex and multifaceted pathogenesis of depressive disorder results in limited selectivity for these drugs. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase that plays a crucial role in various cellular physiological and pathological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, stress adaptation, and inflammatory response. It is instrumental in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating cellular responses. Numerous studies indicate that MAPK is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of depressive disorder through various pathogenesis. However, what deserves attention is that the interaction between the pathogenesis and dynamics of regulatory process remains unclear. Modulating MAPK has been shown to influence the onset and progression of depressive disorder, though the precise mechanism remains elusive. Within the MAPK family, aberrant activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) can damage hippocampal neurons and overactivate microglia, precipitating depressive disorder. Excessive activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) results in heightened neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and suppresses the expression of neurotrophic factors. p38, a key regulator in inflammatory reactions, can induce neuroinflammation when overactive, leading to depressive disorder. ERK, JNK, and p38 sub-pathways do not function in isolation but rather interact synergistically and/or antagonistically through shared activators and common target molecules. Consequently, these sub-pathways form a complementary and coordinated regulatory network. In addition, MAPK family members can jointly influence the process of depressive disorder by sharing upstream factors and regulating common downstream targets, and there is a lack of identification of their markers and screening for subgroups. The collective abnormal activities of these MAPK family members illuminate the underlying mechanisms of depressive disorder, suggesting that MAPK could serve as a potential therapeutic target for this disorder. As for the study of ERK, different models of depressive disorder have contradictory effects on its activity. The primary cause of these differences can be attributed to the distinct pathological environments utilized in the creation of depressive disorder models. In the future, it is suggested that we use the inducement of depressive disorder as a modeling standard to accurately simulate the onset of depressive disorder to carry out accurate treatment according to the causes of depressive disorder. Research shows that classic clinical drugs, novel MAPK inhibitors and certain traditional Chinese medicines can prevent and treat depressive disorder by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Research on MAPK remains limited, particularly concerning the permeability and cellular specificity across the blood-brain barrier and the identification of objective predictive markers. Although inhibitors face challenges, they also possess significant advantages and developmental potential. This paper systematically summarizes the current status of MAPK in the treatment of depressive disorder, in order to provide insights for researching the pathogenesis of depressive disorder and developing new antidepressant drugs.
4.Harnessing Machine Learning for Personalized Care of Patients With Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Yen-Ting GUO ; Ching-Ting TAN ; Chen-Chi WU ; Chun-Ying WANG ; Chein-Yu HUANG ; Tzu-Hsiang YANG ; Ting-Yi LEE ; Ting-Hua YANG ; Tien-Chen LIU ; Pey-Yu CHEN ; Pei-Hsuan LIN
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(2):194-204
Objectives:
. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a significant cause of hearing loss. Intratympanic steroid injection (ITSI) is commonly used as an initial or salvage treatment; however, the lack of a standardized treatment protocol has resulted in variability in clinical practice. In addition, no efficient prediction model currently exists to support personalized management. Therefore, this study aimed to develop tailored management strategies for ISSNHL using a machine-learning model.
Methods:
. This retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2020, with data analysis performed between January 2021 and March 2024. Patients were selected based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision criteria for ISSNHL, along with relevant medication and procedure codes. Patients with pure-tone audiogram results not meeting ISSNHL criteria, better initial hearing in the affected ear, an identifiable etiology, no post-treatment audiogram, or delayed treatment (>6 weeks) were excluded. We included 770 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL who received ITSI. The primary outcome was the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction performance. Recovery status was determined using the last pure-tone audiogram. Modeling was conducted on the Quanta for Medical Care AI platform using five machine-learning algorithms and a nested cross-validation framework, in which feature selection and hyperparameter tuning were performed in the inner folds and model performance was evaluated in the outer folds.
Results:
. A random forest classifier outperformed the other models in predicting hearing outcomes, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.788. Time to ITSI was the most influential treatment-related factor, with ITSI administered within 10 days of hearing loss being associated with better outcomes. This model can be used to provide personalized prognostic estimates under different treatment protocols.
Conclusion
. The machine-learning-based prediction model facilitates personalized treatment strategies and timely treatment adjustments for ISSNHL, thereby optimizing the likelihood of complete recovery.
5.From index to insight: clinical perspectives on electroencephalographic spectrogram-guided anesthesia—a narrative review
Akira MUKAI ; Jen-Ting YANG ; Shao-Chun WU ; Tzu-Chun WANG ; Feng-Sheng LIN ; Chun-Yu WU
Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2026;79(2):139-151
Processed electroencephalogram (EEG) indices, such as the Bispectral Index, have markedly influenced anesthesia practice as they translate brain activity into simple numerical indices. Nevertheless, as the manufacturing algorithms are not disclosed, the underlying neurophysiology remains obscured. Additionally, these indices are often affected by electromyographic contamination, pharmacological variability, and patient-specific EEG heterogeneity. In contrast, an EEG spectrogram, or density spectral array, preserves the frequency- and time-resolved structures of cortical oscillations. This information is presented in a form that is both physiologically meaningful and clinically interpretable. In this review, we trace the evolution of anesthesia from an index-based to a spectrogram-guided approach, and summarize the clinical rationale for adopting the latter. Key applications of this approach include the use of frontal alpha power as a biomarker of cortical stability and postoperative brain health, the identification of nociceptive arousal through alpha dropout and beta or delta arousal patterns, and individualized titration of multimodal or age-specific anesthetic management. Although current devices lack standardized quantitative alpha metrics and have limited sensitivity for low-frequency brain wave components, structured EEG education programs have proven to be effective in terms of fostering spectrogram literacy among anesthesiologists. By combining neurophysiological precision with bedside practicality, the EEG spectrogram represents a pivotal advance toward individualized, mechanism-based, and brain-protective anesthesia, transforming anesthetic monitoring from mere algorithmic abstraction to cortical insight.
6.Association of hippocampal subfield volumes and cross-domain associative memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia
Zhao-lin ZHAI ; Di CHANG ; Xuan LI ; Chang LU ; Yu-ke DONG ; Yan WANG ; Chun-hong SHAO ; Qing KANG ; Deng-tang LIU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):775-782
Objective To investigate the possible association between cross-domain associative memory(AM)impairment and hippocampal subfield volumes in patients with schizophrenia(SCZ).Methods We enrolled 28 SCZ patients from Shanghai Mental Health Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,and 28 healthy controls(HCs)between 2019 and 2021.Based on an innovative AM paradigm and automated segmentation,3D-T1 weighted data of the objects were processed with PhiPipe and FreeSurfer.Differences in subfield volums between the two groups were analyzed using ANCOVA,while their relationship with AM scores was assessed using Pearson correlation.Results SCZ patients exhibited significantly poorer AM performance across three conditions compared with HCs.Marginally significant reductions were observed in the total volume of bilateral hippocampus,encompassing both the hippocampal head and body.Significant volume reductions were identified in the bilateral presubiculum and parasubiculum.The volumes of bilateral presubiculum head(r=0.273,P=0.042),parasubiculum(r=0.397,P=0.002),and CA1 head(r=0.382,P=0.004)exhibited positive correlations with cross-domain AM performance.Conclusion The bilateral presubiculum and parasubiculum,as hippocampal subregions significantly associated with cross-modal AM deficits in SCZ,may play a crucial role in the pathology of AM.
7.Research on the transmission pathways of policy guidance,innovation diffusion,and health demand:An empirical analysis based on the diffusion of the chest pain center treatment model
Hu-feng WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Jia ZHAO ; Chun-jie LI
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(5):20-26
Objective:To study the transmission pathways among empirical policy guidance,innovation diffusion,and health demands,providing theoretical references and policy recommendations for local governments to accelerate the establishment of hierarchical medical system.Methods:Based on the public value theory,and employed policy intensity quantification model and mediation effect validation model to elucidate the specific impact mechanisms of policy guidance and innovation diffusion on health demand.Results:The regression coefficient of local government policy guidance on residents'emergency care demand was 0.677,the regression coefficient of local government policy guidance on treatment model innovation diffusion in hospitals was 0.374,and the regression coefficient of treatment model innovation diffusion in hospitals on residents'emergency care demand was 0.689.The mediating effect of treatment model innovation diffusion in hospitals accounted for 38.1%of the total effect.The mediating effect of treatment model innovation diffusion in municipal administrative divisions accounted for 68.6%of the total effect.Conclusions and Suggestions:Local government policy guidance had a significant positive impact on residents'emergency care demand,innovation diffusion played a mediating role between policy guidance and health demand.It is recommended that local governments should pay attention to the guiding role of public policies and improve the intensity of chest pain center policies,should play the role of innovation diffusion intermediaries and to promote treatment model innovation diffusion in hospitals and administrative divisions two paths.
8.Three-party game and simulation analysis of health-related information quality regu-lation in public health emergencies
Yu WANG ; Rui YUAN ; Shupeng LI ; Chun CHANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(3):514-521
Objective:To construct a tripartite game model involving the government,the public,and the pharmaceutical industry alliance during public health emergencies,revealing the dynamic mechanisms of health-related information quality regulation and exploring effective strategies to optimize the informa-tion dissemination environment through reward-punishment mechanisms.Methods:Based on evolutionary game theory,a tripartite evolutionary game model was established,integrating strategy spaces,payoff functions,and parameter definitions for each stakeholder.The pharmaceutical industry alliance's strate-gies included publishing high-or low-quality information(α),the public's strategies encompassed ration-al analysis or passive response(β),and the government's strategies involved regulatory enforcement or inaction(γ).Key parameters,such as economic benefits(Iyy),regulatory costs(Czf),penalties(Fyy),and incentives(Pyy),were quantified to reflect real-world scenarios.Replicator dynamic equa-tions and Jacobian matrices were derived to analyze the stability of equilibrium points,while MATLAB 2016a simulations were conducted to validate the model under varying initial conditions(e.g.,Iyy=100,150,200;Pyy=0,20,35;Fyy=0,10,20).Sensitivity analyses examined the impact of critical pa-rameters on system evolution,by 50 iterative simulations to observe convergence patterns.Results:The study revealed three key findings:(1)Public rational discernment(β)significantly influenced the phar-maceutical industry's strategy.Simulations demonstrated that increasing Iqz(benefits of information acqui-sition)reduced Cqz(cognitive costs),elevating β from 0.4 to 0.8 and driving α(high-quality information probability)to stabilize at 1.(2)Government regulatory intensity(γ)correlated positively with the so-cial hazards of low-quality information.When Fyy+Pyy>Iyy,speculative behaviors decreased,achieving equilibrium at α=1.(3)Dual stable equilibria emerged:a high-quality equilibrium(α=1,β=1,γ=0)with lower regulatory costs and a low-quality equilibrium(α=0,β=0,γ=1)associated with higher social risks.Phase diagrams illustrated path dependency,where initial α<0.5 led to the low-quality equilibrium unless dynamic penalties(Fyy>20)and incentives(Pyy>30)were enforced.Conclusion:A"carrot-stick"collaborative governance framework is proposed,emphasizing categorized regulation,AI-enabled auditing,and dynamic penalty systems.Future research should integrate emotional utility func-tions to address irrational decision-making impacts,thereby enhancing the adaptability of health informa-tion regulatory systems.
9.Study on the Correlation between Asprosin,Angiopoietin-like Protein 3 and Peripheral Vascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Mengqi YIN ; Chun WANG ; Yinchen YU
Journal of Medical Research 2025;54(5):73-77
Objective To investigate the relationship between asprosin(Asp)and angiopoietin-like protein 3(ANGPTL3)levels and Diabetic Peripheral Vascular diseases in type 2diabetes mellitus Disease,DPVD)to evaluate their predictive value for DPVD.Methods A total of 141 patients with type 2diabetes who met the inclusion criteria were included and divided into non-DPVD group(n=71)and DPVD group(n=70),and healthy subjects in the same period were selected as normal control group(n=37).General data and expression levels of Asp and ANGPTL3 in the three groups were compared.Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between Asp and ANGPTL3 levels and clinical indicators,and Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of DPVD.The predictive value of serum Asp and ANGPTL3 levels to DPVD was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC).Results Compared with non-DPVD group,the levels of asprosin and angiopoietin-like protein 3 in DPVD group were higher(all P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that Asp level was positively correlated with age,SBP,FBG,LDL-C and ANGPTL3(all P<0.05).ANGPTL3 level was positively correlated with age,SBP,DBP,FBG,TC,TG,LDL-C and Asp(all P<0.05).Age,course of disease,HbA1c,TG,LDL-C,FCP,Asp and ANGPTL3 were the influencing factors of DPVD(all P<0.05),while course of disease,TG,Asp and ANGPTL3 were the independent influencing factors of DPVD(all P<0.05).ROC curve results showed that Asp and ANGPTL3 levels alone predicted DPVD AUC of 0.679 and 0.706,corresponding sensitivity of 88.7%and 78.9%,specificity of 47.1%and 55.7%,respectively.The combined prediction of Asp and ANGPTL3 levels for DPVD was 0.777 AUC,80.3%sensitivity and 64.3%specificity.Conclusion Asp and ANGPTL3have certain predictive value for DPVD,and their combined predictive value is higher.
10.RKIP induces apoptosis in mast cells sensitized by Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway
Xue-li PU ; Yu-qian LI ; Jing-ru ZHOU ; Jia-ling WANG ; Chun-sheng WANG ; SUBI·TAILAITI ; Jia-ying LIN ; BATESURONG·BAYINA ; Li-wei CAO ; GULIGEIYA·PAREHATI ; Jian-rong YE
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):508-514
This study explored the effects and underlying mechanism of Raf kinase inhibitory protein(RKIP)on apoptosis in mast cells sensitized by Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid.Bone marrow-derived mast cells(BMMCs)were isolated and cultured from RKIP knockout(KO)and wild-type(WT)C57BL/6 mice.Cells were divided into control and sensitized groups.The sensitized group was incubated for 24 h in RPMI1640 medium containing 10%serum from mice infected with E.granulosus,then activated for 3 h or 6 h with E.granulosus cyst fluid.The control group was incubated for 24 h in RPMI1640 medium,and then received an equal vol-ume of PBS.Cells and supernatants were collected for analysis.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of CD117 and FcεRⅠα on BMMCs.The levels of β-hexosaminidase,IL-4,and TNF-α in the supernatant were quantified with ELISA.Western blot analy-sis was used to assess expression changes in RKIP,apoptosis-related proteins,and pathway proteins in BMMC before and after sensi-tization.Flow cytometry analysis revealed that after 4 weeks of induction,the CD117 and FcεRⅠα double-positivity rates on both WT and KO BMMC exceeded 90%.ELISA indicated that the E.granulosus cyst fluid resulted in significantly greater β-hexosaminidase re-lease(F=16.88,P<0.05),and levels of IL-4(F=16.51,P<0.05)and TNF-α(F=9.78,P<0.05)in the KO sensitized group than the WT sensitized group.With respect to the WT control group,the WT sensitized group showed significantly down-regulated pro-tein expression levels of RKIP(F=8.20,P<0.05)and Bcl-2(F=101.40,P<0.01)after 3 h,but significantly up-regulated levels of p-PI3K(F=8.04,P<0.05),p-Akt(F=32.52,P<0.01),p-P65(F=13.29,P<0.05),and cleaved-caspase-3(F=46.34,P<0.01).With respect to the WT sensitized group,the KO sensitized group showed significantly up-regulated protein expression of p-PI3K(F=8.45,P<0.05),p-Akt(F=8.58,P<0.05),p-P65(F=11.02,P<0.05),and Bcl-2(F=84.50,P<0.001)after 3 h,but significantly down-regulated expression of cleaved-caspase-3(F=15.66,P<0.05).In conclusion,RKIP may inhibit the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway,thereby inducing apoptosis in mast cells sensitized by E.granulosus cyst fluid.This process may help ease aller-gic reactions caused by mast cells in echinococcosis,thus offering a promising new approach for preventing and treating such reactions.

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