1.Effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of metabolic enzymes and autophagy genes in gastrocnemius muscle tissues of exercising rats
Rongfa ZHENG ; Weibin MO ; Peng HUANG ; Junji CHEN ; Ting LIANG ; Fangyu ZI ; Guofeng LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1127-1136
BACKGROUND:Acute exercise tends to cause skeletal muscle tissue damage and lipid metabolism disorders in vivo,but the mechanism by which acute exercise combined with electroacupuncture modulates metabolic and autophagic pathways in vivo is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the changes in metabolic enzymes and autophagy levels in skeletal muscle of rats subjected to acute exercise by electroacupuncture at the acupoints of"Zusanli"and"Huantiao." METHODS:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:quiet control group(n=10),model group(n=20),and reverse electroacupuncture group(n=20).The latter two groups were set up with two time points,i.e.immediate and 3 hours after exercise groups(n=10 per time point).The model group and the reverse electroacupuncture group underwent acute exercise training after adaptive treadmill training.The rats in the reverse electroacupuncture group underwent electroacupuncture treatment(parameters:electroacupuncture on both sides of the rats at the acupoints of"Zusanli"and"Huantiao,"continuous wave,frequency of 2 Hz,intensity of 2 mA,leaving the needle in the body for 30 minutes,once a day for 7 consecutive days)before treadmill training.Bilateral gastrocnemius muscle tissues were taken under anesthesia immediately after exercise and 3 hours after exercise,and hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of rat skeletal muscle.ELISA kit was used to detect the activities of hepatic lipase,fatty acid synthase,hormone-sensitive lipase,and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 in rat skeletal muscle tissues.Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the changes in the expression of autophagy genes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After hematoxylin-eosin staining,the arrangement of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in the model group was disturbed,swollen and ruptured immediately after exercise and 3 hours after exercise.In the reverse electroacupuncture group,gastrocnemius muscle fibers were tightly arranged and the number of swollen and ruptured cells was greatly reduced immediately after exercise and 3 hours after exercise,and there was no significant difference when compared with the quiet control group.Compared with the quiet control group,the activities of hepatic lipase and fatty acid synthase were lower while the activities of lipoprotein lipase,hormone-sensitive lipase,and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 were higher in the model group and the reverse electroacupuncture group 3 hours after exercise(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the activities of lipoprotein lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 were higher in the reverse electroacupuncture group immediately after exercise(P<0.05),while the activity of lipoprotein lipase was higher and the activity of hormone-sensitive lipase was lower in the reverse electroacupuncture group 3 hours after exercise(P<0.01).Immunohistochemical results showed that compared with the quiet control group,the expression of P62,autophagy-related gene 5 and autophagy-related gene 7 was higher in the model group immediately and 3 hours after exercise,as well as in the reverse electroacupuncture group immediately after exercise(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with the model group,the expression of P62 and autophagy-related gene 7 was lower in the reverse electroacupuncture group immediately and 3 hours after exercise(P<0.05).Western blot results showed that the protein expression of P62 and autophagy-related gene 7 in the reverse electroacupuncture group was lower than that in the model group immediately after exercise(P<0.05);the protein expression of Parkin in the model group was higher than that in the quiet control group immediately and 3 hours after exercise(P<0.05);and the protein expression of Parkin in the reverse electroacupuncture group was lower than that in the model group immediately and 3 hours after exercise(P<0.05).To conclude,acute exercise induces disorders,swelling and rupture of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in rats and electroacupuncture on both sides of the acupoints of"Zusanli"and"Huantiao"can improve the level of lipid metabolism and regulate autophagy cells in rat skeletal muscle,preventing the disorders of lipid metabolism and damage of gastrocnemius muscle tissues caused by acute exercise.The mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of autophagy-related factor P62,autophagy-related gene 5,autophagy-related gene 7,and Parkin protein expression to promote the occurrence of autophagy or regulate the autophagy pathway in rat skeletal muscle cells.
2.Application value of photon-counting detector CT in preoperative assessment of pancreatic cancer
Jingyi LIU ; Liang ZHU ; Chen LIN ; Jiashu HAN ; Chao ZHANG ; Yun WANG ; Mengzhe LYU ; Xi ZHAO ; Weibin WANG ; Feng FENG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(12):1369-1376
Objective:To investigate the application value of photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) in preoperative identification of critical anatomical structures and surgical assessment in pancreatic cancer, and to compare its performance with conventional energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in delineating tumor margins, vascular structures, and neural anatomy.Methods:This single-center retrospective matched case-control study included 25 patients with pathologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent PCD-CT enhanced scanning and curative surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between February and June 2025 (PCD-CT group). These patients were matched in a 1∶2 ratio to 50 patients who underwent EID-CT between January 2016 and December 2024 and subsequently received curative surgery (EID-CT group). Tumor boundary clarity, vascular visualization scores, and neural structure visibility were subjectively evaluated using the Likert scoring system. The assessed vessels included the celiac artery, common hepatic artery, superior mesenteric artery, splenic artery, portal vein, superior mesenteric vein, splenic vein, and pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade. Imaging-based assessment of structural involvement was compared with intraoperative findings and pathological results to calculate diagnostic accuracy. Surgeons rated the usefulness of PCD-CT images for identifying key structures and determining resectability using a 5-point Likert scale. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparisons of subjective scores, and categorical data were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Results:The PCD-CT group showed significantly higher scores for tumor boundary clarity, vascular visualization, and neural structure detectability than those of the EID-CT group (all P<0.05). The accuracy of assessing superior mesenteric vein involvement was 96.0% (24/25) in the PCD-CT group and 72.0% (36/50) in the EID-CT group, with a significant difference ( χ2=6.00, P=0.014). Postoperative surgeon evaluations indicated that PCD-CT provided substantial assistance for both key structure identification [5 (5, 5)] and resectability assessment [5 (4, 5)]. Conclusion:PCD-CT demonstrates superior performance over EID-CT in preoperative delineation of tumor margins, vascular structures, and neural anatomy and in the assessment of structural involvement in pancreatic cancer. It provides valuable anatomical information to support preoperative evaluation and surgical decision-making.
3.Application value of photon-counting detector CT in preoperative assessment of pancreatic cancer
Jingyi LIU ; Liang ZHU ; Chen LIN ; Jiashu HAN ; Chao ZHANG ; Yun WANG ; Mengzhe LYU ; Xi ZHAO ; Weibin WANG ; Feng FENG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(12):1369-1376
Objective:To investigate the application value of photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) in preoperative identification of critical anatomical structures and surgical assessment in pancreatic cancer, and to compare its performance with conventional energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in delineating tumor margins, vascular structures, and neural anatomy.Methods:This single-center retrospective matched case-control study included 25 patients with pathologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent PCD-CT enhanced scanning and curative surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between February and June 2025 (PCD-CT group). These patients were matched in a 1∶2 ratio to 50 patients who underwent EID-CT between January 2016 and December 2024 and subsequently received curative surgery (EID-CT group). Tumor boundary clarity, vascular visualization scores, and neural structure visibility were subjectively evaluated using the Likert scoring system. The assessed vessels included the celiac artery, common hepatic artery, superior mesenteric artery, splenic artery, portal vein, superior mesenteric vein, splenic vein, and pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade. Imaging-based assessment of structural involvement was compared with intraoperative findings and pathological results to calculate diagnostic accuracy. Surgeons rated the usefulness of PCD-CT images for identifying key structures and determining resectability using a 5-point Likert scale. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparisons of subjective scores, and categorical data were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Results:The PCD-CT group showed significantly higher scores for tumor boundary clarity, vascular visualization, and neural structure detectability than those of the EID-CT group (all P<0.05). The accuracy of assessing superior mesenteric vein involvement was 96.0% (24/25) in the PCD-CT group and 72.0% (36/50) in the EID-CT group, with a significant difference ( χ2=6.00, P=0.014). Postoperative surgeon evaluations indicated that PCD-CT provided substantial assistance for both key structure identification [5 (5, 5)] and resectability assessment [5 (4, 5)]. Conclusion:PCD-CT demonstrates superior performance over EID-CT in preoperative delineation of tumor margins, vascular structures, and neural anatomy and in the assessment of structural involvement in pancreatic cancer. It provides valuable anatomical information to support preoperative evaluation and surgical decision-making.
4.Prediction of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy based on MRI intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics combined with pathological parameters
Tong LUO ; Ling ZHAO ; Weibin CHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(11):1830-1834
Objective To investigate the efficacy of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features besed on biparametric MRI combined with pathological parameters in predicting biochemical recurrence(BCR)after radical prostatectomy(RP).Methods A total of 295 prostate cancer(PCa)patients who underwent RP were retrospectively selected and divided into training set(n=206)and test set(n=89)in a 7∶3 ratio.Subgroups were stratified based on prostate specific antigen(PSA)results during 24-month postopera-tive follow-up.Radiomics features were extracted and integrated from both intratumoral and peritumoral 3 mm dual-regions on T2WI and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)sequences.Feature selection was performed using independent sample t-tests,maximum relevance and minimum redundancy(mRMR)algorithm,and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression.Binary logis-tic regression analysis was used to screen the independent pathological risk factors.Radiomics models(intratumoral,peritumoral,and combined)and a pathological model were constructed based on the Light gradient boosting machine(LightGBM)algorithm.A nomo-gram model was developed by integrating the pathological model with the combined model.The model efficacy was evaluated via the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,and the DeLong's test and net reclassification improvement(NRI)were used to com-pare the efficacy differences among the models.Results Finally,the optimal feature numbers for the intratumoral,peritumoral,and combined models were 5,6,and 6,respectively.In the test set,the combined model demonstrated significantly higher area under the curve(AUC)than the intratumoral model(0.905 vs 0.815,P<0.05).Ki-67,extracapsular extension,and positive surgical margin were identified as independent pathological predictors of BCR(P<0.05).The nomogram model demonstrated significantly higher AUC than the pathological model(0.931 vs 0.786,P<0.05),with no significant difference versus the combined model(0.931 vs 0.905,P>0.05).Conclusion The nomogram model integrating intratumoral,peritumoral radiomics features with pathological parameters can effectively predict the occurrence of BCR within 2 years after PCa surgery.
5.Dendritic cells loaded with H22-MPs enhance killing effect of CD8+T cells on hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Zhao ZHAN ; Jiahao WU ; Rong HUANG ; Weibin ZHUO ; Pinglan YANG ; Dingyu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(10):1938-1945
AIM:To establish an optimal protocol for isolating and extracting mouse hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cell-detrived microparticles(H22-MPs),evaluate their stimulating effect on dendritic cells(DC),and investigate the cytotoxic capacity of CD8+T cells induced by H22-MPs on hepatocellular carcinoma cells.METHODS:The H22-MPs were extracted by high-speed differential centrifugation,and the morphology of H22-MPs was observed by transmis-sion electron microscopy.The particle size distribution of H22-MPs was detected by dynamic light scattering,and the ex-pression of vesicle surface markers was detected by Western blot.The protein components and pathways involved by MPs were analyzed by labeling free quantitative proteomics combining with bioinformatics GO and KEGG enrichment methods.The effect of MPs antigen on the expression of CD11c,a mature marker of DC,was detected by laser confocal microscopy.Next,CD8+T cells were sorted by magnetic beads,and the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ)and interleukin-2(IL-2)in the supernatant of CD8+T cells stimulated by DC loaded with H22-MPs was detected by ELISA.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)test was conducted to evaluate the specific killing effect of CD8+T cells induced by DC loaded with H22-MPs on hepatocellular carcinoma cells.RESULTS:The results showed that the morphology,size and vesicle markers of H22-MPs met the requirements.Most of the H22-MPs protein antigens were derived from its parent cell H22 and coordinated various signal transduction pathways in the cells.Subsequently,it was detected that H22-MPs increased the expression of CD11c on the surface of DC,and H22-MPs were mainly localized in the lysosomes of DC.In addition,DC loaded with H22-MPs stimulated CD8+T to release high levels of TNF-α,IFN-γ and IL-2,and it also pro-moted CD8+T to overexpress CD69,thus inducing CD8+T to killhepatocellular carcinoma cells specifically.CONCLU-SION:H22-MPs promote the maturation of DC,and the mature DC may induce CD8+T cells to play an anti-hepatocellu-lar carcinoma immune response by promoting the activation of CD8+T cells.
6.Effects of target-oriented liquid therapy on the treatment outcomes of skin grafting in patients with severe burns
Zheng CHANG ; Xiaoguo LIU ; Wenbo LU ; Weibin MA ; Canjin QIU ; Hua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2025;32(11):1634-1639
Objective:To investigate the effects of target-oriented liquid therapy on the treatment outcomes of skin grafting in patients with severe burns.Methods:A total of 60 patients with severe burns (total burn area over 20%, and deep second-degree burn area ≥ 10%) who were scheduled for skin graft surgery at the Marine Police Corps Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Force from January 2019 to January 2022 were included in this cohort study. The patients were randomly divided into a control group (conventional fluid therapy) and an observation group (target-oriented fluid therapy) using a random number table method, with 30 patients in each group.The levels of lactate (Lac) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were compared between the two groups. The usage of colloid and crystalloid fluids, urine output, length of hospital stay, and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results:At the end of the surgery, the levels of Lac and cTnI in the observation group were (1.13 ± 0.22) mmol/L and (0.95 ± 0.25) μg/L, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(1.52 ± 0.34) mmol/L, (1.10 ± 0.31) μg/L; t = 5.24, 0.83, P < 0.001, P = 0.044]. The differences in Lac and cTnI levels in the observation group were (0.53 ± 0.36) and (0.13 ± 0.07), respectively, which were significantly greater than those in the control group [(0.23 ± 0.16), (0.02 ± 0.01), t = -4.17 and -3.45, P < 0.001, P = 0.001]. The volumes of colloid and crystalloid fluids and the length of hospital stay in the observation group were (960.25 ± 153.32) mL, (1 680.52 ± 253.08) mL, and (51.36 ± 17.25) days, respectively. These values were significantly lower or shorter than those in the control group [(1 459.73 ± 203.41) mL, (2 401.89 ± 301.23) mL, (81.05 ± 25.08) days, t = 10.74, 10.04, 5.34,all P < 0.001]. The incidences of postoperative infection, pneumonia, and arrhythmia in the observation group were 33.33% (10/30), 16.67% (5/30), and 16.67% (5/30), respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [63.33% (19/30), 46.67% (14/30), 30.00% (15/30); χ2 = 5.41, 6.24, 7.50, P = 0.020, P = 0.013, P = 0.006]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in acute lung injury, heart failure, and myocardial injury between the two groups ( χ2 = 1.36, 1.92, 0.29; P = 0.243, 0.166, 0.592). Conclusions:Compared with traditional fluid replacement therapy, target-oriented fluid therapy has a more significant therapeutic effect on patients with severe burns. It not only reduces fluid usage and the length of hospital stay but also decreases the incidence of infection, pneumonia, and arrhythmia in these patients.
7.Exploring the Compatibility Patterns of Modified Sini San Formulas from the Selected Compilation of Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicinal Formulas Based on Data Mining
Weibin CHEN ; Rui LI ; Suyan CHEN ; Xuhao WU ; Xiaoxuan LIN ; Qiuming CHEN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(10):2611-2620
Objective To investigate the indications,therapeutic effects,and compatibility patterns of modified Sini San formulas.Methods Modified Sini San formulas recorded in the Selected Compilation of Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicinal Formulas were retrieved.Frequency analysis,cluster analysis,and association rule mining were performed on the herbs of Sini San modified formulas.Results A total of 34 modified Sini San formulas were included,involving 127 additional medicinals.Analysis of the properties,flavors,and meridian tropism of the top 30 high-frequency additional medicinals,including Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Scutellariae Radix,Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis,Rehmanniae Radix,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,Poria,Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Cyperi Rhizoma,Pinelliae Rhizoma,Atractylodis Rhizoma,and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,revealed that the additional medicinals were predominantly warm in nature,bitter in flavor,and acted the spleen meridian.Cluster analysis yielded six categories of medicinal combinations.Association rule mining identified that Sini San was frequently prescribed by combining with single herbs of Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,and Rehmanniae Radix,or with herbal groups of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Rehmanniae Radix,Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Persicae Semen,Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Carthami Flos,Platycodonis Radix-Chuanxiong Rhizoma,and Carthami Flos-Persicae Semen-Angelicae Sinensis Radix.Conclusion Later physicians have expanded the application of Sini San after modification to treat externally contracted diseases with exterior syndrome,epidemic diseases,abdominal masses,eye disorders,and other conditions.Sini San is often used in combination with formulas such as Taohong Siwu Decoction and Yueju Pills.Commonly-paired additional medicinals fall into six primary categories corresponding to its expanded therapeutic applications,i.e.,stasis-resolving,blood-activating,exterior-releasing,qi-regulating,deficiency-supplementing,and purgative medicinals.The analytical results may provide new insights for modern clinical applications-pharmacological research on Sini San.
8.Clinical Experience of Qin Min in Treating Spastic Cerebral Palsy in Children Using Lingnan Flying Needle Therapy Based on the Theory of"Maintaining Patency of Qi and Meridians"
Chongjian CHEN ; Weibin CAI ; Keda CAI ; Yingxiu YU ; Min QIN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(11):2862-2867
Cerebral palsy in children is a motor developmental disorder caused by non-progressive brain damage occurring prenatally,perinatally,or postnatally,with the spastic type being the most common clinical manifestation.This article systematically introduces Qin Min's academic philosophy in treating spastic cerebral palsy using Lingnan Flying Needle Therapy based on the Inner Canon's theory of"maintaining patency of qi and meridians".It elaborates on the core pathogenesis of"deficiency and stagnation of qi and meridians,leading to malnourishment of tendons and vessels"and the treatment approach of"regulating the conception vessel and governor vessel to unblock qi and meridians".By employing characteristic needling techniques such as Lingnan scalp acupuncture and Lingnan abdominal-back acupuncture,the therapy aims to activate yang qi,regulate and unblock qi and meridians,thereby achieving the goals of nourishing the spirit,softening tendons,and balancing yin and yang,with demonstrated favorable clinical efficacy.
9.Application of pedagogies of PBL and CBL combined with ideological-political elements in surgical clinical ethics
Zhen CAO ; Jing XIE ; Jiashu HAN ; Jie YI ; Xisheng WENG ; Chen LIN ; Weibin WANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(3):413-416
Objective To evaluate the application of problem-based learning(PBL)and case-based learning(CBL)combined with ideological-political elements in surgical clinical ethics.Methods Eighty graduate students of grade 2022 majoring in surgery from Peking Union Medical College were selected as the subjects for the clinical ethics course offered in the first semester of the 2022-2023 academic year.They underwent the innovative pedago-gies of PBL and CBL combined with ideological-political elements.The satisfaction investigation and questionnaire surveys were performed to evaluate the effects.Results A total of 78 valid questionnaires were received.The results showed that 96.2%of students believed that this course supported them to understand the fundamental prin-ciples and knowledge of surgical clinical ethics and 94.9%of students expressed their willingness to expand their knowledge,indicating high satisfaction with the course.There were 91%of students acknowledged this model in terms of improving active learning and 93.6%stated that the course helped in developing good professional ethics.Most students responded positively to this model because of its contribution to enhance core clinical competencies.Conclusions The PBL and CBL combined with ideological-political elements have a better effect on surgical clini-cal ethics with high satisfaction of the students.
10.Experimental study on the improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating G0S2 and ATGL expression with polydatin
Luguang Sheng ; Dandan Liu ; Weibin Liu ; Tao Lei ; Qingguang Chen ; Hao Lu ; Bilin Xu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(10):1847-1856
Objective:
To investigate the effects of polydatin on a high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) mouse model and hepatoma G2(HepG2) cell model, and to reveal its potential molecular mechanisms.
Methods:
Thirty 6-week-old male SPF C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal diet group and a high-fat diet group. After the NAFLD mouse model was established in the high-fat diet group, they were further divided into a model group and a polydatin treatment group. The polydatin treatment group was administered polydatin by gavage at a dose of 250 mg/(kg·d) for 10 weeks, during which body weight was monitored and oral glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed. At the end of the experiment, a series of tests to evaluate the effects of polydatin on mouse liver weight, blood lipids, liver lipid accumulation, and liver injury markers were performed. The expression of G0/G1 switch gene 2(G0S2) and adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL) was measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot, and gene expression was further verified using immunohistochemical staining. The effects of polydatin on HepG2 cell activity was assessed by CCK-8 assay, lipid accumulation was observed by oil red O staining, and the expression of G0S2 and ATGL was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.
Results:
Polydatin significantly reduced the body weight, liver weight, and serum and liver tissue levels of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), triglyceride(TG), and total cholesterol (TC) in mice (P < 0. 05) , al⁃leviated pathological liver damage , decreased G0S2 expression (P < 0. 05) , and increased ATGL expression (P <0. 05) . At the cellular level , polydatin reduced lipid droplet accumulation , improved lipid metabolism , decreased G0S2 expression ( P < 0. 05 ) , and increased ATGL expression ( P < 0. 05 ) . Even in cells with knockdown of G0S2 , polydatin still promoted fat decomposition (P < 0. 01) .
Conclusion
Polydatin promotes hepatic fat break⁃down by regulating the expression of G0S2 and ATGL , helping to alleviate metabolic disorders and liver damage in the NAFLD mouse model caused by a high⁃fat diet , offering a new strategy for treating NAFLD.


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