1.Mechanisms of Antidepressant Effect of Zhizi Houpotang and Its Herbal Pairs Based on NLRP3/GSDMD Signaling Pathway
Chang CHEN ; Ziwen GUO ; Tingyu SONG ; Yan WANG ; Baomei XIA ; Weiwei TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):72-80
ObjectiveTaking classical herbal pair compatibility research as the entry point, this study aimed to deeply investigate the material basis and compatibility rules underlying the antidepressant effects of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Zhizi Houpotang, and to elucidate its antidepressant mechanism, with a particular focus on its regulation of neuroinflammatory responses mediated by the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway and the consequent improvement of neuronal synaptic plasticity. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a blank control group, a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model group, a Zhizi Houpotang full-formula group (6 g·kg-1·d-1), a Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (MOC)-Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) herbal pair group (4.2 g·kg-1·d-1), a Gardeniae Fructus (GF)-MOC herbal pair group (4.2 g·kg-1·d-1), a GF-AFI herbal pair group (3.6 g·kg-1·d-1), and a positive drug group (fluoxetine, 12 mg·kg-1·d-1). Depressive-like behaviors in mice were evaluated using behavioral tests. Immunofluorescence staining was used to label and quantify the expression of the microglial marker ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Ibal) and the purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2RX7) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in serum and PFC tissues. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of pannexin 1 (Panx1), P2RX7, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, GSDMD, postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), and the presynaptic protein Synapsin 1 in PFC tissues. Golgi staining was used to assess dendritic spine density of neurons in the PFC. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the depression model group exhibited significant depressive-like behaviors. In addition, the immunofluorescence areas of Ibal and P2RX7 in the PFC were significantly increased (P<0.01), the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum and the PFC were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of Panx1, P2RX7, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD in the PFC were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, the protein expression levels of PSD95 and Synapsin 1 were significantly downregulated (P<0.01), and neuronal dendritic spine density was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Zhizi Houpotang full-formula group and the GF-MOC herbal pair group showed significant improvement in all the above indicators (P<0.01). The GF-AFI herbal pair group improved all the above indicators except P2RX7, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and PSD95 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In contrast, the MOC-AFI herbal pair group showed no statistically significant improvement in any of the above indicators compared with the model group. ConclusionZhizi Houpotang and its key herbal pair, GF-MOC, can effectively ameliorate CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. Its core antidepressant mechanism may involve inhibition of P2RX7/Panx1 signaling, thereby blocking the NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway and significantly reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Simultaneously, it upregulates the expression of synapse-related proteins PSD95 and Synapsin 1 and increases dendritic spine density, promoting the recovery of synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that GF plays a key role in the antidepressant effects of this formula, and that the compatibility of GF with MOC may represent the principal herbal pair combination responsible for its core therapeutic action.
2.Neck-related work-related musculoskeletal disorders: Prevalence and associated factors among occupational workers from 8 industries in Shanghai
Yan LIU ; Feng YANG ; Weiwei GUO ; Niu DI ; Yan YIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):443-450
Background Neck-related work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major type of musculoskeletal disorders with a relatively high proportion. Shanghai has a large number of occupational populations; however, the occurrence of WMSDs at neck among the occupational populations across industries in this city has not been reported, and needs to be addressed. Objective To understand the occurrence of neck-related WMSDs and their influencing factors among occupational populations in 8 industries in Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of WMSDs in this population. Methods From February 2024 to February 2025, a cross-sectional survey employed stratified cluster sampling to select
3.Application of BOPPPS combined with knowledge point auction-based learning in internship teaching of pediatric general surgery nursing students
Hongling GE ; Jihua ZHU ; Yan YING ; Huibo HONG ; Weiwei ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(5):691-696
Objective:To explore the application of bridge-in, objective, pre-assessment, participatory learning, post-assessment, and summary (BOPPPS) combined with knowledge point auction-based learning in the internship teaching of pediatric general surgery nursing students.Methods:Ninety nursing students completing internships in the General Surgery Department of Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from July 2022 to April 2024 were selected as the research subjects. According to the order of admission, they were divided into control group (July 2022 to May 2023) and experimental group (June 2023 to April 2024), with 45 students in each group. The control group received conventional teaching, while the experimental group received BOPPPS teaching combined with knowledge point auction-based learning. Theoretical and practical training assessment scores were compared between the two groups. Additionally, a survey on the degree of satisfaction with the teaching was administered upon internship completion . Data were analyzed using t-tests with SPSS 26.0. Results:The theoretical scores of nursing students in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant; The performance of the experimental group's nursing students in practical training assessment was higher than that of the control group [peripheral venous puncture catheterization: (27.62±2.10) vs. (22.41±3.80)]; Gastrointestinal decompression technique: (22.82±1.70) vs. (18.21±2.91); Rescue of anaphylactic shock: (16.52±3.13) vs. (21.32±2.41); There was a statistically significant difference in the evaluation of teacher guidance ability between the two groups of nursing students in terms of intestinal fistula nursing (14.11±2.70) vs. (17.90±1.93). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the satisfaction score of the experimental group nursing students in other aspects of teaching compared to the control group, and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusions:BOPPPS combined with knowledge point auction-based learning improves knowledge mastery in clinical teaching for pediatric general surgery interns, enhance operational confidence, and is readily accepted by students.
4.Mechanism of vagus nerve stimulation in the neuroregulation of attention
Jincao ZHI ; Xueyan JIA ; Qing CHANG ; He XU ; Weiwei JI ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(2):139-146
Attention refers to the body's capacity to maintain alert awareness of internal and external stimuli.Attention deficit can impair an individual's learning capacity and working proficiency,resulting in a heavy burden to the family and society.Vagus nerve stimulation(VNS)is an emerging neuro regulatory technique that can achieve reciprocal interaction between the central and peripheral nervous systems,which has demonstrated great potential for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases;however,it has not been used clinically to treat attention-deficient developmental disorders in children or neurodegenerative diseases in the aged population.We briefly review the anatomical and physiological bases of VNS,and its application status and potential use in treating attention deficit diseases.A potential mechanism by which VNS participates in attention-related nervous regulation is proposed,to lay a theoretical foundation for the application of VNS in the field of attention nervous regulation.
5.Values of reticulin fiber staining in evaluation of bone marrow involvement in adult lymphoma
Youjun CAO ; Ningning LI ; Xianghong LI ; Shenyi LIAN ; Yan XIE ; Weiwei SONG ; Yumei LAI ; Xinting DIAO ; Yunfei SHI
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(4):361-367
Objective:To explore the values of reticulin fiber staining (RFS) in evaluating bone marrow (BM) involvement of lymphoma and in grading of BM biopsy from adult lymphoma patients.Methods:Retrospectively,354 cases of adult lymphoma were collected from November 2023 to May 2024 at Peking University Cancer Hospital. BM samples were stained with RFS and immunohistochemical staining (IHC), and flow cytometry (FCM) was also performed with the BM aspirations simultaneously. RFS was graded according to the European Consensus, as high grade (grade 2-3) indicating BM involvement in the study. BM involvement was considered as definite if no less than two positive findings among IHC, FCM, and RFS. Statistical analyses were performed via SPSS software (V23.0).Results:In this series, 52.3% (185/354) of the patients were male; 35.0% (124/354) aged >60 years; BM involvements were found in 34.5% (122/354) cases with high grade of RFS, which, in turn, were lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL/LBL) group (4/4), indolent B-cell lymphoma (IndBCL) group (49.1%, 53/108), transformed B-cell lymphoma (TrBCL) group (2/5), invasive B-cell lymphoma (InvBCL) group (26.5%, 41/155), T and NK cell lymphoma (TNKCL) group (27.3%, 12/44) and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) group (26.3%, 10/38); if classified by specific types, T-ALL/LBL (2/2), B-ALL/LBL (2/2) and CLL/SLL (8/10) ranked top three. In terms of the positive rate of BM involvement evaluated by RFS, no significant difference was seen between either gender or age groups ( χ2=3.416, P=0.332 and χ2=4.200, P=0.241); however, significant differences were observed between different lymphoma groups and types ( χ2=29.961, P=0.012 and χ2=102.546, P<0.001, respectively). BM invasion rates indicated by IHC and FCM were 25.4% (90/354) and 13.8% (49/354), respectively. The overall BM invasion rate was 24.3% (86/354), and the sensitivity of RFS, IHC, and FCM was 90.8%, 97.8%, and 55.8%, and specificity was 84.1%, 99.6%, and 98.9%, respectively. Overall, the concordance rate of RFS with IHC and FCM was 83.6% and 74.0%, respectively, including 85.8% and 74.2% for InvBCL group, 79.6% and 75.0% for IndBCL group, 84.1% and 75.0% for TNKCL group, 81.6% and 73.7% for CHL group, 5/5 and 2/5 for TrBCL group, and 4/4 and 3/4 for ALL/LBL group. Conclusions:In the evaluation of BM involvement status of adult lymphoma, high sensitivity and specificity are observed by RFS, and high concordance is also noted with both IHC and FCM. Thus, the BM infiltrating status of adult lymphoma could be evaluated more accurately by a combined usage of the three methods.
6.Evaluation of potentially inappropriate medication of novel oral anticoagulant in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Yan WANG ; Weiwei TIAN ; Haibin ZHU ; Zicheng YU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(1):21-26
Objective To evaluate the application of novel oral anticoagulants(NOACs)in the treatment of elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF),and to provide a basis for the rational use of drugs in clinical practice.Methods Based on the Beers criteria(2023 edition),combined with drug instructions and relevant guidelines,the potential inappropriate medication(PIM)evaluation criteria of NOACs in NVAF patients were formulated.The medication PIM of patients aged 80 years or older who were hospitalized in the cardiovascular department from January to December 2023 was analyzed when using NOACs.Results A total of 78 cases were included,and 47 cases of PIM occurred in NOACs,including 1 case of renal function-related PIM(2.13%),and 46 cases of drug interaction related PIM(97.87%).There were 72 patients who do not meet the evaluation criteria of the 2023 version of the Beers standard.Conclusion The updated Beers standard has not yet been widely adopted in clinical practice.The highest incidence of PIM in the use of NOACs in elderly patients with NVAF is due to drug interactions.It is necessary to strengthen drug monitoring in elderly patients with NVAF and promote rational drug use.
7.Exploring the regulatory mechanism of the peripheral nerves in osteoporosis through neuropeptides
Ming MA ; Yan WANG ; Mingyue ZHAO ; Shanhong WU ; Weiwei JI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(3):262-266
Osteoporosis is highly prevalent and a leading cause of disability and death in the elderly. Bone metabolism homeostasis is maintained through the coupling of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. While current treatments can reduce bone loss, they may cause side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort. Neuroboneology has gained attention as the nervous system, both directly and indirectly, influences bone metabolism, remodeling, and formation. Studies have also highlighted the role of peripheral nerves and blood vessels in bone health. Neuropeptides, small signaling molecules produced by neurons, regulate vascular function and bone homeostasis. These neuropeptides may offer new insights into the "peripheral nerve-angiogenesis-bone homeostasis" regulation theory. This study explores the impact of peripheral nerves on osteoporosis through neuropeptides.
8.Molecular mechanisms and synergistic strategies of combination therapy in breast cancer
Jiahao SI ; Jinglu SHI ; Zheng WEI ; Jin GE ; Jiajia WU ; Min YANG ; Zichu LI ; Weiwei LIN ; Yan ZHANG ; Xueqin WANG ; Na LI ; Shaobo DUAN
Immunological Journal 2025;41(9):667-678
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide and has drawn extensive research attention.Owing to its molecular heterogeneity,drug resistance,and low therapeutic response,single-modality treatments often fail to achieve satisfactory efficacy or broad applicability.Combination therapy,designed based on the pathophysiological characteristics,related signaling pathways,and biomarkers of breast cancer,has emerged as a promising approach for improving therapeutic outcomes.With the advancement of research on combination strategies,the understanding of their molecular mechanisms—particularly key signaling pathways and biomarkers—has become increasingly important.However,comprehensive reviews addressing these molecular mechanisms and synergistic strategies remain scarce.This article summarizes recent advances in combination therapy for breast cancer,providing a comprehensive review of recent combination therapies for breast cancer and their underlying molecular mechanisms,and focusing on key signaling pathways involved in combination therapy and synergistic strategies,thereby providing theoretical insights and reference for researchers,graduate students,and clinicians engaged in the development of novel combination therapeutic strategies for breast cancer and related malignancies.
9.Exploring the risk of tumor invasion and metastasis in cervical cancer based on ex-tracellular vesicle DNA methylation biomarkers
Weiwei HE ; Yan ZHAO ; Neng LI ; Qi XIE ; Fei WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(4):474-482
Purpose To investigate the predictive value of the methylation regulator heterogeneous nuclear ribonu-cleoprotein C(HNRNPC)in the extracellular vesicles(EVs)derived from cervical cancer cells for tumor invasion and metastasis.Methods In vitro experiments were conducted using a human normal cervical epithelial cell line(Hcer-Epic),three cervical cancer cell lines(HeLa,SiHa and CaSki)and human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HU-VECs).HNRNPC protein expression was assessed by Western blot.CaSki cells were transfected with either sh-NC or sh-HNRNPC,and EVs were subsequently isolated from culture supernatant.The effects of EVs on the proliferation,migration and invasion of SiHa cells,as well as on angiogenesis in HUVECs,were investigated respectively.For tissue microarray analysis,normal cervical tissues(n=8),low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(LSIL,n=32)and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HSIL,n=37),and cervical carcinoma specimens(n=153)were ob-tained from our institution.Based on HNRNPC immunoscores,cervical cancer patients were divided into two groups:high(n=99)and low(n=54)HNRNPC expression group,and their clinicopathological features and prognosis were compared.Results Compared with HcerEpic cells,the expression of HNRNPC increased in SiHa,HeLa and CaSki cells.In SiHa cells treated with EVs from CaSki cell,the group receiving EVs from sh-HNRNPC-transfected CaSki cells showed significantly reduced proliferation,colony formation,migration,and invasion compared with the sh-NC-EVs group(P<0.05).Similarly,in HUVECs treated with CaSki-EVs,compared with sh-NC-EVs group,the sh-HNRNPC-EVs group demonsteated significantly lower protein expression of PCNA and VEGFA and reduced angiogene-sis length(P<0.05).HNRNPC expression gradually increased during the transformation of cervical epithelial cells(F=106.9,P<0.001),and was significantlyelevated in HSIL and cervical cancer tissues compared with normal tis-sues(P<0.001).Moreover,in cervical cancer,high HNRNPC expression was significantly related to poorer cellular differentiation,larger tumor size,parametrial and vaginal infiltration,advanced FIGO stage,and pelvic lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that that patients with high HNRNPC expression had significant-ly shorter overall survival post-surgery compared with those with low expression(P<0.05).Conclusion EVs contai-ning HNRNPC contribute to cervical cancer progression by promoting tumor growth,invasion,and angiogenesis,there-by accelerating metastasis.In addition,high HNRNPC expression in cervical cancer tissue is related to poor prognosis of patients,indicating that EV-associated HNRNPC may serve as a potential therapeutic target.
10.Mechanism of vagus nerve stimulation in the neuroregulation of attention
Jincao ZHI ; Xueyan JIA ; Qing CHANG ; He XU ; Weiwei JI ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(2):139-146
Attention refers to the body's capacity to maintain alert awareness of internal and external stimuli.Attention deficit can impair an individual's learning capacity and working proficiency,resulting in a heavy burden to the family and society.Vagus nerve stimulation(VNS)is an emerging neuro regulatory technique that can achieve reciprocal interaction between the central and peripheral nervous systems,which has demonstrated great potential for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases;however,it has not been used clinically to treat attention-deficient developmental disorders in children or neurodegenerative diseases in the aged population.We briefly review the anatomical and physiological bases of VNS,and its application status and potential use in treating attention deficit diseases.A potential mechanism by which VNS participates in attention-related nervous regulation is proposed,to lay a theoretical foundation for the application of VNS in the field of attention nervous regulation.

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