1.Dihuang Yinzi Improves Cognitive Function of Mouse Model of Learning and Memory Impairments by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via SIRT2
Wenting WANG ; Yangjing HAO ; Wenna SU ; Qinqing LI ; Shifeng CHU ; Junlong ZHANG ; Wenbin HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):9-17
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Dihuang Yinzi on the cognitive function in the mouse model of learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine (SCOP) and explore the treatment mechanism. MethodsA mouse model of learning and memory impairment was induced by intraperitoneal injection of SCOP. Sixty male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into six groups: control (0.9% NaCl, n=10), model (SCOP 1 mg·kg-1·d-1, n=10), low-, medium-, and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi (SCOP 1 mg·kg-1·d-1 + Dihuang Yinzi 5.5, 11.0, and 22.0 g·kg-1·d-1, n=10), and donepezil (SCOP 1 mg·kg-1·d-1 + donepezil 0.84 mg·kg-1·d-1, n=10). Mice were administrated with corresponding drugs for 6 weeks. Modeling started in the 4th week, and mice in other groups except the control group were injected with SCOP intraperitoneally 40 min after daily gavage. Behavioral testing began in the 5th week, 30 min after modeling each day. The Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were carried out to evaluate the spatial learning and memory function of mice. Nissl staining was employed to observe the survival of neurons and Nissl bodies in the hippocampal CA1 region. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of silent information regulator 2 (SIRT2), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor 1 (GluA1), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated-CREB (p-CREB), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43), and synaptophysin (SYN) in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of doublecortin (DCX) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) region. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed impaired learning and memory (P<0.01), obvious neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 region, a reduction in neuron survival (P<0.01), a decrease in DCX expression in the hippocampal DG region (P<0.01), down-regulated proteins levels of GluA1, PKA, p-CREB/CREB, PSD95, SYN, and GAP-43 in the hippocampal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), and an up-regulated protein level of SIRT2 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the medium- and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group showed improvements in learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the low-, medium-, and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group had increased neuron survival (P<0.05, P<0.01). The medium-dose Dihuang Yinzi group and the donepezil group showed increased DCX expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). The medium- and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group showed up-regulation in the protein levels of GluA1, PKA, p-CREB/CREB, PSD95, SYN, and GAP-43 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and down-regulation in the protein level of SIRT2 (P<0.01). ConclusionDihuang Yinzi can improve the cognitive function in the mouse model of learning and memory impairments induced by SCOP by inhibiting the upregulation of SIRT2, activating the PKA/CREB signaling pathway, improving synaptic plasticity, and reducing hippocampal neuronal damage.
2.Current status of anticoccidial drug resistance in China
Yidan BAI ; Wenting LI ; Wanxin LUO ; Yuxin YU ; Dongfang LI ; Junlong ZHAO ; Lan HE
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):217-222
Avian coccidiosis, an acute parasitic disease that mainly harms chicks, is widely prevalent across the world, which poses a serious threat to poultry industry. Because of the single prophylactic formulations, veterinary clinical treatment of coccidiosis mainly relies on chemically synthesized agents, polyether ionophores and Chinese herbal medicines. The introduction of novel anticoccidial drugs is slow for a long period of time, and there is an increasing problem of anticoccidial drug resistance following long-term use, which has become an urgent problem to be solved in poultry industry. This review summarizes the levels of anticoccidial drug resistance across China from 2018 to 2023, and analyzes the resistance to various anticoccidial agents in coccidia. It is indicated that the overall prevalence of anticoccidial drug resistance is high in coccidia, and development of novel anticoccidial agents and products with reduced antibiotics use and alternatives of antibiotics is of an urgent need.
3.Identification of a nanobody able to catalyze the destruction of the spike-trimer of SARS-CoV-2.
Kai WANG ; Duanfang CAO ; Lanlan LIU ; Xiaoyi FAN ; Yihuan LIN ; Wenting HE ; Yunze ZHAI ; Pingyong XU ; Xiyun YAN ; Haikun WANG ; Xinzheng ZHANG ; Pengyuan YANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(3):493-506
Neutralizing antibodies have been designed to specifically target and bind to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike (S) protein to block severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus from attaching to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This study reports a distinctive nanobody, designated as VHH21, that directly catalyzes the S-trimer into an irreversible transition state through postfusion conformational changes. Derived from camels immunized with multiple antigens, a set of nanobodies with high affinity for the S1 protein displays abilities to neutralize pseudovirion infections with a broad resistance to variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2, including SARS-CoV and BatRaTG13. Importantly, a super-resolution screening and analysis platform based on visual fluorescence probes was designed and applied to monitor single proteins and protein subunits. A spontaneously occurring dimeric form of VHH21 was obtained to rapidly destroy the S-trimer. Structural analysis via cryogenic electron microscopy revealed that VHH21 targets specific conserved epitopes on the S protein, distinct from the ACE2 binding site on the RBD, which destabilizes the fusion process. This research highlights the potential of VHH21 as an abzyme-like nanobody (nanoabzyme) possessing broad-spectrum binding capabilities and highly effective anti-viral properties and offers a promising strategy for combating coronavirus outbreaks.
Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology*
;
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism*
;
SARS-CoV-2/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Humans
;
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology*
;
Camelus
;
COVID-19/immunology*
;
Antibodies, Viral/immunology*
;
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
4.Factors influencing social participation in schizophrenia patients and research progress
Wenting WU ; Xiuying XU ; He SUN ; Peng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(23):1830-1835
Introduced the concept of social participation, and reviewed the current status of social participation among patients with schizophrenia, and summarized the assessment tools and influencing factors of social participation in schizophrenia patients, with the aim of providing a reference for related research on social participation in patients with schizophrenia.
5.Epidemiological characteristics of local visceral leishmaniasis in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023
Wenting WU ; Xiaomei WANG ; Chengyu KAN ; Dan DU ; Huijie LIANG ; Daitao ZHANG ; Zhanying HE
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(4):388-392
Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of local visceral leishmaniasis in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023, so as to provide insights into formulation of the visceral leishmaniasis control strategy. Methods Epidemiological data of visceral leishmaniasis cases reported in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023 were collected from the National Health Informatization Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the epidemiological characteristics of local visceral leishmaniasis cases were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. In November 2021 and 2023, 50 to 100 permanent residents were voluntarily selected within a 100 meter radius of sites where patients lived or acquired Leishmania infections, and venous blood was sampled for anti-Leishmania antibody testing. Venous blood was sampled from dogs for anti-Leishmania antibody testing in natural villages where patients lived or acquired Leishmania infections, or in districts where Leishmania infected dogs were reported. In addition, sandflies were captured with CO2 mosquito traps and fine mesh nets in natural villages where patients lived or acquired Leishmania infections from May to September, 2021 and 2023, for sandfly species identification. Results A total of 4 local visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023, with ages of 2 to 77 years, and acquiring Leishmania infections in Mentougou District (2 cases), Changping District (1 case), and Yanqing District (1 case). The anti-Leishmania antibody testing was all negative in 73 human blood samples and the sero-prevalence of anti-Leishmania antibody was 25.00% in 36 venous blood samples from domestic dogs in 2021, with a total of 4 520 Phlebotomus chinensis captured. The sero-prevalence of anti-Leishmania antibody was 0.51% in 198 human blood samples and 13.58% in 243 venous blood samples from domestic dogs in 2023, with 16.10%, 25.00%, 17.78% and 3.13% sero-prevalence in dogs sampled from Mentougou District, Changping District, Yanqing District and Haidian District, respectively (P = 0.011), while a total of 1 712 Ph. chinensis were captured, including 1 421 female sandflies (86.54%). Conclusions The prevalence of local visceral leishmaniasis was low in Beijing Municipality from 2021 to 2023; however, there is a risk of further spread in the epidemic foci. Intensified visceral leishmaniasis surveillance and control is recommended.
6.Research progress in signaling pathways related to acupuncture regulation of post-stroke depression
Zexu DAI ; Kaifeng HE ; Jiejie HUANG ; Wenting HAN ; Lifen WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(1):129-133
The signaling pathways involved in acupuncture intervention in post-stroke depression (PSD) mainly include cAMP signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, CREB signaling pathway, and CaMK signaling pathway. A variety of regulatory networks are formed between these signaling pathways, which play a key role in reducing inflammation, inhibiting apoptosis, improving neuroplasticity, promoting angiogenesis, and protecting neurons.
7.Research progress of acupuncture for treating post-stroke depression
Wenting HAN ; Lifen WANG ; Kaifeng HE ; Xue BAI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(2):270-272,F4
Acupuncture has a certain effect for the patients with post-stroke depression. In clinics, acupuncture treat this disease from the brain, liver and kidney, heart and spleen, and phlegm and blood stasis. Acupuncture plays a role in nourishing the bone of marrow, regulating the liver and kidney, nourishing the heart and mind, and invigorating the spleen and stomach. Acupuncture plays an antidepressant role by regulating neurotransmitters and receptors, promoting nerve function repair, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors, reducing inflammatory response, inhibiting the hyperfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and regulating the brain-gut axis.
8.Hotspots and trends in acupuncture-assisted tumor chemotherapy: a bibliometric analysis based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer.
Wenhao LIU ; Wenting LIU ; Letian HUANG ; Zining GUO ; Ying LIANG ; Haibo ZHANG ; Nenggui XU ; Yihan HE
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2024;44(12):1453-1462
OBJECTIVE:
To review the current research status and hotspots of acupuncture-assisted tumor chemotherapy and provide references for clinical and basic research in this field.
METHODS:
The relevant literature on acupuncture-assisted tumor chemotherapy from the inception of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WoS) databases to December 10, 2023, was retrieved. CiteSpace6.2.R4 and VOSviewer1.6.20 software was used to analyze publication volume, authors, institutions, source journals, and keywords, etc. and to create visualized mapping.
RESULTS:
A total of 2 116 articles were included (1 829 from CNKI and 287 from WoS), showing an overall upward trend in publication volume. The scope of acupuncture-assisted tumor chemotherapy has expanded, with a growing variety of research types. In CNKI, the most prolific authors and institutions were from Henan University of CM, forming core research teams. In WoS, the most prolific author was Bao T, and the leading institution was Kyung Hee University in South Korea, although author and institution distribution was more scattered, with close inter-regional collaboration. There were 602 keyword nodes in CNKI and 383 in WoS, with high-frequency keywords in both databases mainly focusing on treatment protocols, cancer types, and chemotherapy-related adverse reactions. CNKI publications highlighted frequent use of acupoints, with more diverse acupoint protocol options, while WoS focused more on different research methods. Recent CNKI studies have focused on improving immune function and quality of life, while "systematic review" emerged as a key term in WoS.
CONCLUSION
Research on acupuncture-assisted tumor chemotherapy should further strengthen collaboration and communication, focus on improving clinical evidence, and promote wider application of acupuncture in integrative oncology research.
Humans
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Bibliometrics
;
Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Antineoplastic Agents
;
China
9.Effect of Shikonin on Synovitis in Mice with Collagen-induced Arthritis Through MAPK1/MAPK Pathway
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(22):56-63
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of shikonin (SKN) on synovitis in DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). MethodThirty-six DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a CIA group, low-, medium-, and high-dose SKN groups (1, 2, and 4 mg·kg-1), and a methotrexate (MTX, 0.5 mg·kg-1) group, with 6 mice in each group. Mice in the CIA group, the SKN groups, and the MTX group were immunized with an equal volume of bovine type Ⅱ collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant on day 1. On day 21, those mice received a second immunization with an equal volume of bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant to establish the CIA model. On the day of the second immunization, mice were treated with drugs by gavage. Mice in the MTX group received oral administration three times a week, while others received once per day, for 28 days. On day 22, the symptoms of arthritis, such as redness and swelling of joints, in CIA mice were observed, and arthritis scores were recorded. On day 49 after sample collation, histopathological examination of synovial inflammation in CIA mice was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence (IF) double labeling was used to detect the expression of vimentin and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) in the synovium of CIA mice. Network pharmacology predicted that the target of SKN in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was MAPK1, which was verified by molecular docking. Western blot was used to detect the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, phosphorylated (p)-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 proteins in the synovial membrane of mice. ResultCompared with the normal group, the CIA group showed significantly higher arthritis scores, morbidity, and synovial inflammation, severely disrupted joint structure, evident articular cartilage and bone destruction, severe bone erosion (P<0.01), increased expression of vimentin and MAPK1 in the synovium of mice, and increased protein expression of p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK, and p-p38/p38 in the synovium of mice (P<0.01). Compared with the CIA group, the SKN groups and the MTX group showed relatively normal joint structure, with milder bone erosion and bone destruction, and smoother articular surfaces. Molecular docking results confirmed that the target of SKN was MAPK1. In the SKN groups and the MTX group, the expression of vimentin and MAPK1 in the synovial membrane was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the protein expression of p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK, and p-p38/p38 in the synovium of mice was significantly reduced (P<0.01). ConclusionSKN can target MAPK1 to inhibit the protein expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 in CIA mice, thereby treating RA.
10.Application of targeted capture high depth sequencing and transcriptome sequencing in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Weina ZHANG ; Pengfei WANG ; Wenting GAN ; Yingyi HE
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2023;32(3):147-152
Objective:To investigate the differences among targeted capture high depth sequencing (Panel-seq), transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and traditional detection methods in cytogenetic and molecular genetic typing of childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and their significances.Methods:The clinical data of 152 newly diagnosed childhood B-ALL cases in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from September 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Along with traditional cytogenetic and molecular detection methods including karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and 43 kinds of fusion gene quantitative screening for traditional cells and molecular genetic detection, both Panel-seq and RNA-seq were also performed. Panel-seq covered more than 600 genes with common mutations in hematological tumors, from which fusion genes and gene mutations were both analyzed. RNA-seq was used to analyze fusion genes, gene mutations, gene expression, and copy number variation at the chromosome level. High hyperdiploid karyotype was estimated by using gene expression profile clustering and copy number variations. The cytogenetic typing results of all detection methods were also analyzed.Results:Among 152 patients, 93 cases were males and 59 cases were females, with the median age of 4.0 years (0.8-13.0 years). The median blast cell ratio was 0.855 (0.215-0.965). The traditional detection methods could identify 4 cases (2.6%) with BCR-ABL1, 2 cases (1.3%) with CRLF2 gene-related fusion, 27 cases (17.8%) with ETV6-RUNX1, 1 case (0.7%) with iAMP21, 5 cases (3.3%) with MLL rearrangement, 8 cases (5.3%) with TCF3-PBX1 and 22 cases (14.5%) with high hyperdiploid karyotype. Panel-seq could identify 4 cases (2.6%) with BCR-ABL1, 2 cases (1.3%) with CRLF2 gene-related fusions, 27 cases (17.8%) with ETV6-RUNX1, 3 cases (2.0%) with MEF2D gene-related fusions, 1 case (0.7%) with MEIS1-FOXO1, 5 cases (3.3%) with MLL rearrangement, 5 cases (3.3%) with PAX5 gene-related fusions, 8 cases (5.3%) with TCF3-PBX1 fusions, 4 cases (2.6%) with ZNF384 gene-related fusions, and 2 cases (1.3%) with IKZF1 N159Y mutations. Among 152 patients, 1 case with MLL rearrangement didn't receive RNA-seq detection because of sample quality; in other 151 B-ALL cases, 1 case (0.7%) with ACIN1-NUTM1, 4 cases (2.6%) with BCR-ABL1, 3 cases (2.0%) with CRLF2 gene-related fusions, 8 cases (5.3%) with DUX4 gene-related fusions, 27 cases (17.9%) with ETV6-RUNX1, 3 cases (2.0%) with MEF2D gene-related fusions, 1 case (0.7%) with MEIS1-FOXO1, 4 cases (2.6%) with MLL rearrangement, 5 cases (3.3%) with PAX5 gene-related fusions, 1 case (0.7%) with ZMIZ1-ABL1, 8 cases (5.3%) with TCF3-PBX1,4 cases (2.6%) with ZNF384 gene-related fusions, 61 cases (40.4%) with hyperdiploid karyotypes, and 2 cases (1.3%) with IKZF1 N159Y mutations were detected; RNA-seq had obvious advantage in detecting fusion gene and hyperdiploid karyotype. The cytogenetic and molecular genetic typing rates of traditional method, Panel-seq and RNA-seq were 45.4% (69/152), 40.1% (61/152) and 87.4% (132/151), respectively. The combination of the three could identify 89.5% (136/152) of childhood B-ALL patients.Conclusions:The combination of Panel-seq and RNA-seq can increase the detection rate of genetic abnormality in childhood B-ALL, which provides a more accurate molecular genetic classification for B-ALL and the basis for treatment guideline and prognosis judgement.

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