1.Effects of Shenfuhuang Formula (参附黄配方) on Potential Targets of Action in the Brain Tissue of Sepsis Model Mice:Transcriptomics-Based Exploration
Yuchen WANG ; Xuerui WANG ; Xiaolong XU ; Jingxia ZHAO ; Jiabo WANG ; Yuan GAO ; Weijun KONG ; Qingquan LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):65-70
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Shenfuhuang Formula (参附黄配方) in prevention and treatment of epsis-associated encephalopathy from the perspective of brain genomics. MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham surgery group, sepsis group, and Shenfuhuang group, with 20 mice in each group. The sepsis group and Shenfuhuang group were induced to develop sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) procedure. At 4 hours after modelling, Shenfuhuang group were gavaged with 2.5 g/(kg·d) of Shenfuhuang Formula, 0.5 ml each time, at 12 hours intervals, for a total of 4 times after modelling. Sepsis group and sham surgery group were given 0.5 ml of purified water orally. At 48 hours after modeling, the transcriptome sequencing was used to explore the differential gene expression in the effects of Shenfuhuang Formula on the brain regions of septic mice, and real-time PCR and ELISA were later used to further validate the differential gene and proteins expression. ResultsA total of 4605 genes were differentially expressed in Shenfuhuang group compared with sepsis group, of which 2353 genes were up-regulated and 2252 genes were down-regulated. According to the results of previous publications, six key genes were screened, including serine/threonine-protein kinase (Nek1), myelin-associated glycoprotein (Mag), endothelial cell-specific tyrosine kinase receptor (Tek), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 20 (Adamts20), lymphocyte antigen 86 (Ly86), and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Traip). Further genetic and protein validation revealed that, compared to the sham surgery group, the mRNA levels and corresponding protein levels of Nek1, Mag, Tek, Adamts20, Ly86, and Traip in the brain tissue of septic mice significantly reduced (P<0.05). In comparison to the sepsis group, Shenfuhuang group showed significantly increased mRNA levels and corresponding protein levels of Nek1, Mag, Tek, Adamts20, Ly86, and Traip (P<0.05). ConclusionThe potential therapeutic targets of Shenfuhuang Formula for treating sepsis-associated encephalopathy may be related to the Nek1, Mag, Tek, Adamts20, Ly86, and Traip genes and their encoded proteins.
2.Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Core Pathogenesis Evolution of "Constraint,Heat,Deficiency,Stasis,and Toxin"
Zhichao RUAN ; Jiangteng LIU ; Hua ZHANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Qiang FU ; Shidong WANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):680-684
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a rich theoretical foundation and clinical experience for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM), demonstrating unique advantage. Building on previous work in managing diabetes, its complications, and chronic kidney disease, our team has proposed a five-phase evolution theory of "constraint, heat, deficiency, stasis, and toxin" as the core pathogenesis. These phases correspond to the pathological progression of constraint of phlegm-dampness, constraint transforming into heat, heat damaging qi and yin, stasis accumulated in the collateral vessels, and toxin induced by deficiency and stasis. In the prevention and treatment of CKM by TCM, it is emphasized to integrate the concept of "treating disease before it arises" with constitution theory, and incorporate the "2-5-8" prevention and treatment strategy, which combines prevention with treatment, tailors interventions to different phases, and employs comprehensive treatment modalities. Our goal is to leverage TCM's holistic advantages in preventing and treating CKM.
3.A comparative analysis of vaccine immunity induced by heterologous booster with Ad5-nCoV via different routes of administration
Wenxuan MA ; Yuhong HAN ; Ang LIN ; Weijun ZHAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2024;55(1):137-146
Abstract: Heterologous boost COVID-19 vaccination can solved the problem of decreased efficacy caused by single dose of vaccine. Heterologous booster with adenoviral-vectored COVID-19 vaccine (Ad5-nCoV) following primary immunization with inactivated COVID-19 vaccines is a widely-used vaccination strategy in clinic, while different routes of Ad5-nCoV administration exist and pose a question which route could be more optimal. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated and compared the vaccine immunity induced in mice immunized according to three different vaccination regimens: “3×phosphate buffered solution(3× PBS)”, “2×inactivated vaccine + 1×inactivated vaccine (3×INA)”, “2×inactivated vaccine + 1×Ad5-nCoV (intramuscular)[2×INA+Ad5(im)]”and“2×inactivated vaccine + 1×Ad5-nCoV (intranasal)[2×INA+Ad5(in)]”. We found that heterologous booster with Ad5-nCoV, irrespective of the route of administration, induced significantly higher levels of anti-Spike IgG and subclasses (IgG1and IgG2c), Spike-specific T cells, class-switched Spike+ memory B cells (MBCs) than homologous booster with 3rd dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Of note, compared with the intramuscular given, intranasal given of Ad5-nCoV as a booster dose clearly induced higher levels of serum and bronchoalveolar bavage fluid anti-spike immunoglobulin A, and moreover, induced stronger infiltration of major innate effector cells like neutrophils, natural killer cells and dendritic cells into the lung tissue, which suggested that mucosal vaccine responses are generated upon intranasal booster with Ad5-nCoV. Altogether, our study analyzed the vaccine immunity induced by different COVID-19 vaccines administered using different regimens, which may guide the clinical use of other types of prophylactic vaccines aiming to mount improved vaccine responses.
4.The value of high-frequency ultrasonography in diagnosing the surgical treatment of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis
Wei YANG ; Guanghua PEI ; Weijun XU ; Xuwen ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Neonatology 2024;39(1):18-22
Objective:To determine the predictive value of high-frequency ultrasonography for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) requiring surgical treatment in neonates.Methods:From January 2018 to December 2021, neonates diagnosed with NEC (Bell stage Ⅱ and above) in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The neonates were assigned into surgical group and non-surgical group according to the treatment. The following ultrasonography results were compared between the two groups: intestinal motility, gastrointestinal (GI) wall perfusion, pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), portal vein gas, peritoneal effusion translucency, depth of ascites fluid and GI wall thickness. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors of surgical treatment for NEC. ROC curve was drawn to calculate the predictive value of combined and individual factors for NEC requiring surgical treatment.Results:A total of 40 neonates were enrolled, including 18 in the surgical group and 22 in the non-surgical group. No significant differences existed between the two groups in PI and depth of ascites fluid ( P>0.05). The surgical group had higher incidences of decreased intestinal motility, portal vein gas, reduced GI wall perfusion, poor peritoneal effusion translucency and thinner GI wall than the non-surgical group (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that poor translucency of peritoneal effusion, thinning of GI wall, reduced GI wall perfusion and decreased intestinal motility were risk factors for surgical treatment of NEC. ROC curve showed that the cut-off value predicting surgical treatment based on GI wall thickness was 1.2 mm, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.746, sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 65.6%. The AUC of the combined factors predicting surgical treatment was 0.867, with sensitivity of 96.9% and specificity of 75.8%. Conclusions:Decreased intestinal motility and GI wall perfusion, thinning of GI wall and poor peritoneal effusion translucency on high-frequency ultrasonography have high predictive efficacy for the need of surgical treatment in the acute phase of NEC.
5.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Stomach Exuberance and Spleen Deficiency in Metabolic Disease
Wenxuan LUO ; Jinxi ZHAO ; Jinyan WEI ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Kaitong ZHANG ; Le WANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Yonghua XIAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(19):2041-2044
Stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency are common pathogenesis of many metabolic diseases. Through analyzing the pathogenesis of stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency, it is believed that its essence is stomach heat and spleen deficiency. Stomach heat includes gastrointestinal heat, spleen and stomach damp-heat, and spleen deficiency is divided into deficiency of spleen yin, deficiency of spleen qi , and deficiency of spleen yang. It is suggested that the metabolic diseases of stomach-exuberance and spleen-deficiency syndrome can be divided into three categories,i.e. stomach-heat and spleen yin-deficiency, stomach-heat and spleen qi-deficiency, and stomach-heat and spleen yang-deficiency, and the main treatment methods are clearing and draining heat, nourishing yin and moistening intestine, clearing dampness and heat, strengthening spleen and qi, clearing dampness and heat, strengthening spleen and warming yang, respectively, with prescriptions as Maziren Pills (麻子仁丸), Qinlian Pingwei Powder (芩连平胃散), and Jiawei Lianli Decoction (加味连理汤) accordingly.
6.Exploration of applying i-PARIHS framework of implementation science to promote epidemic prevention with TCM
Xiaolei LI ; Haoyue LI ; Yue ZHANG ; Xinxin WU ; Weijun ZHANG ; Jing ZHAO
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(6):692-697
The application and evidence of TCM in the prevention and control of epidemic such as COVID-19, influenza, etc. are increasing active, and it has received comprehensive attention from the world. At present, international promotion of prevention of epidemic with TCM faces challenges such as the different acceptances of TCM in various countries, different levels of evidence-based evidence and evaluation methods, and unstable fidelity of TCM epidemic prevention promotion and implementation. In order to promote the international application and promotion of TCM epidemic prevention, this study used the i-PARIHS framework and equation with elements to issue the complementary question, analyzed implementation background, proposed and optimized implementation strategies, and with the suggestions according to i-PARIS equation that select better implementation environments according to local traditional medicine policies and regulations at first, proposed different implementation strategies according to the level of evidence-based evidence, and improved the clarity of expressions of TCM epidemic prevention methods, thereby promoting the international application and promotion of TCM for epidemic prevention.
7.The study of the whole bladder acellular matrix prepared by the perfusion decellularization system combined with the adipose-derived stem cells to construct the tissue engineering bladder
Shuwei XIAO ; Weijun FU ; Pengchao WANG ; Jian ZHAO ; Zhengyun LING ; Ziyan AN ; Zhouyang FU ; Xu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2023;44(3):211-217
Objective:To prepare the whole bladder acellular matrix (BAM) using the self-designed perfusion decellularization system, and evaluate the feasibility of constructing the tissue engineering bladder with the adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs).Methods:This study was conducted from October 2020 to April 2021. The self-designed perfusion decellularization system was used, and four different decellularization protocols (group A, group B, group C and group D) were formulated, according to the flow direction of the perfusate and the action time of different decellularization solutions. Among them, the urethral orifice of the bladder tissue was used as the outflow tract of the perfusion fluid in groups A and B. The top of the bladder was cut off and used as the outflow tract of the perfusion fluid in groups C and D. In groups A and C, 1% Triton X-100 was treated for 6 h, and 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was treated for 2 h. In groups B and D, 1% Triton X-100 was treated for 7 h, and 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was treated for 1 h. In addition, the tissue in the normal bladder group was directly obtained from the natural bladder tissue, which did not require perfusion, cryopreservation and thawing. The fast and efficient decellularization protocol was screened out through HE, DAPI, Masson trichrome and Alcian Blue staining and quantitative analyses to prepare the whole bladder scaffold. The prepared BAM was used as the scaffold material, and the ADSCs were used as the seeding cells to construct the tissue engineering bladder. HE and DAPI staining were used to observe the distribution of ADSCs on the BAM.Results:HE and DAPI staining showed that there was no obvious nuclear residue in the group C. Masson trichrome and Alcian Blue staining showed that the collagen structure and glycosaminoglycan were well preserved in the group C. There was no significant difference in bladder wall thickness between the group C and the normal bladder group [(975.44±158.62)μm vs.(1 064.49±168.52)μm, P > 0.05]. The DNA content in the group C [(43.59 ±4.59) ng/mg] was lower than that in the normal bladder group, group A, group B and group D [(532.50±26.69), (135.17±6.99), (182.49±13.69) and(84.00±4.38)ng/mg], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The collagen content [(10.98 ± 0.29)μg/mg] and glycosaminoglycan content [(2.30±0.18)μg/mg] in group C were not significantly different with those in the normal bladder group [(11.69±0.49) and (2.36±0.09)μg/mg, P>0.05]. Scanning electron microscopy showed that a large number of pore structures could be observed on the surface of the prepared BAM in groups A-D and were facilitated to cell adhesion. The isolated and cultured ADSCs were identified by flow cytometry to confirm the positive expression of CD90 and CD29, and the negative expression of CD45 and CD106. Live/dead staining and CCK-8 detection confirmed that the prepared BAM in the group C had no cytotoxicity. HE and DAPI staining showed that a large number of ADSCs were distributed on the surface and inside of the tissue engineering bladder. Conclusions:The whole bladder shape BAM prepared by the self-designed perfusion decellularization system could be used as the scaffold material for bladder tissue engineering, and the constructed tissue engineering bladder could be used for bladder repair and reconstruction.
8.Application of total anatomical reconstruction during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy
Jinpeng SHAO ; Yong SONG ; Shengkun SUN ; Wenzheng CHEN ; Fan ZHANG ; Jian ZHAO ; Ziyan AN ; Weijun FU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2023;44(7):502-506
Objective:To investigate the effect of total anatomical reconstruction (TAR) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) .Methods:The clinical data of 99 patients with RARP performed by a single doctor in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.There were 38 patients in the TAR+ vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) group and 61 patients in the VUA group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the age of patients [ 65.5 (60.8, 71.0) years vs. 66.0 (61.5, 69.0) years], body mass index[ (24.92±2.65) kg/m 2 vs. (25.51±2.80) kg/m 2], prostate volume [28.13 (25.21, 36.53) ml vs. 26.33 (19.75, 47.84) ml], PSA [15.67 (9.02, 31.49) ng/ml vs. 14.58 (9.23, 30.06) ng/ml], neoadjuvant therapy [50.0% (19/38) vs. 63.9% (39/61)], Gleason score (6/7/8/9-10 scores: 8/16/5/9 cases vs. 16/25/9/11 cases) and clinical T stage (T 1/T 2/T 3 stage: 4/29/5 cases vs. 3/53/5 cases)(all P>0.05). The TAR technique was performed as follows. ①The two layers of posterior reconstruction involved the residual Denonvilliers fascia, the striated sphincter and medial dorsal raphe (MDR), and the vesicoprostatic muscle (VPM), the fascia which was 1-2 cm from the cranial side of the bladder neck and MDR. ②The one layer of anterior reconstruction involved detrusor apron, tissues around the urethra and the visceral and parietal layers of the endoplevic fascia. The VUA technique was suturing the bladder neck and urethra consecutively. Perioperative indexes were compared between the two groups. Results:All 99 operations were successfully completed. There were no statistically significant differences between the TAR+ VUA and VUA groups in operation time [ (174.16±47.21) min vs. (188.70±45.39) min], blood loss [ 50 (50, 100) ml vs. 100 (50, 100) ml], incidence of postoperative complications [10.5% (4/38) vs. 14.8% (9/61)], phathological T stage [pT 2/pT 3~4 stage: 25/12 cases vs. 42/19 cases, P=0.895], and the time of indwelling catheter [ 21.0 (19.0, 21.0) d vs. 21.0 (21.0, 21.0) d] (all P>0.05). The difference in postoperative length of stay between the two groups was statistically significant[6.0 (5.0, 6.0) d vs. 7.0 (6.0, 7.5)d, P<0.001]. Follow-up was performed for 1 year after surgery. The recovery rate of urinary continence 3 months after surgery in TAR+ VUA and VUA groups were 86.8% (33/38) vs. 65.6% (40/61), which were statistically significant( P=0.019). There were no significant differences between TAR+ VUA and VUA groups in recovery rate of urinary continence 1 months after surgery [47.4% (18/38) vs. 45.9% (28/61)], 6 months after surgery [94.7% (36/38) vs. 85.2% (52/61)], and 12 months after surgery [94.7% (36/38) vs. 93.4% (57/61)] (all P>0.05). Conclusions:TAR technique has good surgical safety, and can promote recovery of early urinary continence after RARP.
9.Observation and clinical significance of skin in the first web space
Zhenglin CHI ; Xuexin CAO ; Lianmin ZHAO ; Weijun HU ; Feiya ZHOU ; Yiheng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2023;46(2):185-189
Objective:To scientifically measure and morphologically evaluate the anatomical shape of the skin in the first web space based on cadavers, and to guide the design of flap in this area.Methods:Sixteen human cadavers fixed with 10% formaldehyde without injury or deformity on the hand were selected in the Department of Hand Surgery, the Third Hospital of Suqian. According to the characteristics of the first web area, marker points were selected for measurement and morphological observation. Morphological characteristics of the first web with thumb radial abduction(r) or palmar abduction(p) were measured and compared. The t-test was used for statistical analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. According to the results of measurement, standardised shapes and parameters of the skin were obtained for flap repair of defect of the first web. Results:When the thumb was in palmar abduction, the maximum distance [a(p)] of the first web of female(F) and male(M) was 5.78/8.42 cm(F/M), and the skin [S(p)] was 17.09/23.63 cm 2(F/M), both were significantly greater than the distance [a(r)] at 4.86/6.28 cm and the area of skin area [S(r)] at 14.39/20.15 cm 2 when thumb was in the radial abduction position( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of [b(r)] and [b(p)] alone the long axis of flap between palmar and radial abductions(7.54/9.38 cm and 7.34/9.74 cm, respectively) of the thumb( P>0.05). It was found that the area of first web was not shaped as a symmetrical spindle, but an irregular quadrilateral inclined to the index finger. Conclusion:Design and measurement of a flap for the first web space should take the maximum palmar abduction of a thumb as a reference. The asymmetric quadrilateral flap design is more in line with the anatomical and characteristics in the region.
10.Identification, expression and DNA variation analysis of high affinity nitrate transporter NRT2/3 gene family in Sorghum bicolor.
Shanshan ZHAO ; Zhiqiang GUO ; Lixun ZHU ; Jiali FAN ; Bohui YANG ; Wenting CHAI ; Huiqiong SUN ; Fan FENG ; Yuexiu LIANG ; Chunlei ZOU ; Xiaodong JIANG ; Weijun ZHAO ; Jinhui LÜ ; Chunlai ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2023;39(7):2743-2761
Nitrate is the main form of inorganic nitrogen that crop absorbs, and nitrate transporter 2 (NRT2) is a high affinity transporter using nitrate as a specific substrate. When the available nitrate is limited, the high affinity transport systems are activated and play an important role in the process of nitrate absorption and transport. Most NRT2 cannot transport nitrates alone and require the assistance of a helper protein belonging to nitrate assimilation related family (NAR2) to complete the absorption or transport of nitrates. Crop nitrogen utilization efficiency is affected by environmental conditions, and there are differences between varieties, so it is of great significance to develop varieties with high nitrogen utilization efficiency. Sorghum bicolor has high stress tolerance and is more efficient in soil nitrogen uptake and utilization. The S. bicolor genome database was scanned to systematically analyze the gene structure, chromosomal localization, physicochemical properties, secondary structure and transmembrane domain, signal peptide and subcellular localization, promoter region cis-acting elements, phylogenetic evolution, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) recognition and annotation, and selection pressure of the gene family members. Through bioinformatics analysis, 5 NRT2 gene members (designated as SbNRT2-1a, SbNRT2-1b, SbNRT2-2, SbNRT2-3, and SbNRT2-4) and 2 NAR2 gene members (designated as SbNRT3-1 and SbNRT3-2) were identified, the number of which was less than that of foxtail millet. SbNRT2/3 were distributed on 3 chromosomes, and could be divided into four subfamilies. The genetic structure of the same subfamilies was highly similar. The average value of SbNRT2/3 hydrophilicity was positive, indicating that they were all hydrophobic proteins, whereas α-helix and random coil accounted for more than 70% of the total secondary structure. Subcellular localization occurred on plasma membrane, where SbNRT2 proteins did not contain signal peptides, but SbNRT3 proteins contained signal peptides. Further analysis revealed that the number of transmembrane domains of the SbNRT2s family members was greater than 10, while that of the SbNRT3s were 2. There was a close collinearity between NRT2/3s of S. bicolor and Zea mays. Protein domains analysis showed the presence of MFS_1 and NAR2 protein domains, which supported executing high affinity nitrate transport. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that SbNRT2/3 were more closely related to those of Z. mays and Setaria italic. Analysis of gene promoter cis-acting elements indicated that the promoter region of SbNRT2/3 had several plant hormones and stress response elements, which might respond to growth and environmental cues. Gene expression heat map showed that SbNRT2-3 and SbNRT3-1 were induced by nitrate in the root and stem, respectively, and SbNRT2-4 and SbNRT2-3 were induced by low nitrogen in the root and stem. Non-synonymous SNP variants were found in SbNRT2-4 and SbNRT2-1a. Selection pressure analysis showed that the SbNRT2/3 were subject to purification and selection during evolution. The expression of SbNRT2/3 gene and the effect of aphid infection were consistent with the expression analysis results of genes in different tissues, and SbNRT2-1b and SbNRT3-1 were significantly expressed in the roots of aphid lines 5-27sug, and the expression levels of SbNRT2-3, SbNRT2-4 and SbNRT3-2 were significantly reduced in sorghum aphid infested leaves. Overall, genome-wide identification, expression and DNA variation analysis of NRT2/3 gene family of Sorghum bicolor provided a basis for elucidating the high efficiency of sorghum in nitrogen utilization.
Nitrate Transporters
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Nitrates/metabolism*
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Sorghum/metabolism*
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Anion Transport Proteins/metabolism*
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Phylogeny
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Protein Sorting Signals/genetics*
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Nitrogen/metabolism*
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DNA
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Plant Proteins/metabolism*

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