1.Trends in intestinal aging: From underlying mechanisms to therapeutic strategies.
Yajun WANG ; Xueni ZHANG ; Mengli QING ; Wen DANG ; Xuemei BAI ; Yingjie WANG ; Di ZHOU ; Lingjuan ZHU ; Degang QING ; Juan ZHANG ; Gang CHEN ; Ning LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3372-3403
Intestinal aging is central to systemic aging, characterized by a progressive decline in intestinal structure and function. The core mechanisms involve dysregulation of epithelial cell renewal and gut microbiota dysbiosis. In addition to previous results in model organisms like Drosophila melanogaster, recent studies have shown that in mammalian models, aging causes increased intestinal permeability and intestinal-derived systemic inflammation, thereby affecting longevity. Therefore, anti-intestinal aging can be an important strategy for reducing frailty and promoting longevity. There are three key gaps remaining in the study of intestinal aging: (1) overemphasis on aging-related diseases rather than the primary aging mechanisms; (2) lack of specific drugs or treatments to prevent or treat intestinal aging; (3) limited aging-specific dysbiosis research. In this review, the basic structures and renewal mechanisms of intestinal epithelium, and mechanisms and potential therapies for intestinal aging are discussed to advance understanding of the causes, consequences, and treatments of age-related intestinal dysfunction.
2.Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule improves renal vascular endothelial function in rats with diabetic nephropathy by downregulating the Notch1/NICD/MAML1 signaling pathway.
Sijia ZHU ; Jingcheng MA ; Yujiao ZHENG ; Chuanyun WU ; Jiangen ZHAO ; Lingxiu LI ; Li WANG ; Xuemei ZHOU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(10):2250-2257
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule (DZJTC) for repairing renal vascular endothelial injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).
METHODS:
Fifty male SD rat models of DN, established by left nephrectomy, high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection, were randomized into DN model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose DZJTC treatment groups, and DAPT (a γ-secretase inhibitor) treatment group, with 10 rats with normal feeding as the control group. DZJTC was administered by daily gavage at 0.315, 0.63, or 1.26 g/kg, and DAPT (20 mg/kg, dissolved in 50% CMC-Na solution) was given by gavage every other day for 4 weeks; normal saline was given in the control and model groups. After treatment, the levels of creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and microalbuminuria (mALB) were detected with ELISA, and renal pathologies were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Renal expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the protein expressions of CD31 and Notch signaling pathway components were detected using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
The rat models of DN showed significantly increased CRE, BUN, and mALB levels, obvious renal pathologies under electron microscopy, increased renal VEGF, ET-1 and CD31 expressions, and upregulated Notch1, NICD, and MAML1 protein levels. Treatment with DZJTC at the 3 doses and DAPT significantly reduced CRE, BUN, and mALB levels, improved renal pathology, decreased VEGF, ET-1 and CD31 expressions, and lowered Notch1, NICD and MAML1 levels, and the effects were the most pronounced with high-dose DZJTC.
CONCLUSIONS
DZJTC ameliorates hyperproliferation and dysfunction of renal vascular endothelium in DN rats possibly by regulating renal VEGF and ET-1 levels via inhibiting NICD- and MAML1-mediated Notch signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Diabetic Nephropathies/drug therapy*
;
Receptor, Notch1/metabolism*
;
Kidney/blood supply*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental
;
Down-Regulation
;
Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism*
;
Nuclear Proteins/metabolism*
3.Single-Nucleus Transcriptomics of the Nucleus Accumbens Reveals Cell-Type-Specific Dysregulation in Adolescent Macaques with Depressive-Like Behaviors.
Teng TENG ; Qingyuan WU ; Bangmin YIN ; Jushuang ZHANG ; Xuemei LI ; Lige ZHANG ; Xinyu ZHOU ; Peng XIE
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(7):1127-1144
Adolescent depression is increasingly recognized as a serious mental health disorder with distinct clinical and molecular features. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we identified cell-specific transcriptomic changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), particularly in astrocytes, of adolescent macaques exhibiting depressive-like behaviors. The level of diacylglycerol kinase beta was significantly reduced in neurons and glial cells of depressed macaques, while FKBP5 levels increased in glial cells. Disruption of GABAergic synapses and disruption of D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism were linked to depressive phenotypes in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and subtypes of astrocytes. Communication pathways between astrocytes and D1/D2-MSNs were also disrupted, involving factors like bone morphogenetic protein-6 and Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase-4. Bulk transcriptomic and proteomic analyses corroborated these findings, and FKBP5 upregulation was confirmed by qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence in the NAc of rats and macaques with chronic unpredictable mild stress. Our results highlight the specific roles of different cell types in adolescent depression in the NAc, offering potential targets for new antidepressant therapies.
Animals
;
Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Transcriptome
;
Depression/genetics*
;
Astrocytes/metabolism*
;
Neurons/metabolism*
;
Rats
4.Comparison of predictive performance of three machine learning algorithms for frailty risk in elderly heart failure patients
Xin ZHANG ; Xuemei ZHOU ; Meng LI ; Jiamin TANG ; Danni MA ; Hong HE
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(10):1330-1334
Objectives To construct frailty risk prediction models based on logistic regression anal-ysis,decision tree and random forest algorithm in elderly patients with heart failure(HF),and to compare the predictive performance of three models.Methods A total of 426 elderly HF patients hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from September 2022 to October 2023 were selected using convenience sampling.Based on the results of frailty assessment,194 of them were classified into the frail group and the other 232 into the non-frail group.The 426 patients were divided into training(299 casses)and testing sets(127 cases)in a 7∶3 ratio.Three prediction models were then constructed in the training set,while the test set was used to validate the results.Area under curve and confusion matrix were used to measure performance of the mod-els.The optimal model was then selected by evaluating the performance on the testing set.Results The area under curve value of the logistic regression model,decision tree model and random forest model in the testing set was 0.898,0.825 and 0.903,with a classification accuracy of 84.25%,77.95%and 83.46%,a sensitivity of 82.76%,68.97%and 82.76%,a specificity of 85.51%,85.51%and 84.06%,a positive predictive value of 82.76%,80.00%and 81.36%,and a negative predictive value of 85.51%,76.62%and 85.29%,respectively.The factors that ultimately affecting frailty in elderly HF patients were age,left atrial diameter,depression,albumin,physical activity level and social support.Conclusion Among the three prediction models,the logistic regression model demonstrates best predictive performance for frailty risk in elderly HF patients than the decision tree and random forest models.
5.One case of small intestinal ulcer and glomerulonephritis following COVID-19 infection
Sanxi AI ; Shuo ZHANG ; Wei YE ; Yubing WEN ; Chunlei LI ; Wenmo HU ; Ke ZHENG ; Shengyu ZHANG ; Weixun ZHOU ; Ruijie ZHAO ; Xuemei LI
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(8):624-627
A 15-year-old boy developed abdominal pain and melena two weeks after COVID-19 infection, which was followed by gross hematuria and proteinuria. Laboratory studies revealed significantly elevated inflammatory markers. Endoscopic examinations showed multiple jejunal and ileal ulcers. Renal biopsy suggested mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescent formation, necrosis of capillary loops, and mesangial IgA deposits. IgA vasculitis without purpura was considered as a possible diagnosis, and the treatment with prednisone led to remission of both gastrointestinal and renal diseases.
6.Analysis of Background,Necessity and Key Measures of Data Asset Management in Chinese Hospitals
Xue ZHOU ; Siwen WANG ; Xuemei LI ; Qinglin LI ; Jianing WANG ; Huiyan MAO ; Yexuan ZHOU ; Tao SUN ; Jian GONG
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(10):39-44
By establishing a complete data organizational structure,technical architecture,quality control framework,and concept framework,hospitals can effectively regulate data management,data security,and quality monitoring,achieving full-cycle monitoring of data management.Breaking down the resource barriers of data systems,improving the efficiency of data usage and circulation,and promoting the increase in data value.It drives the hospital's scientific research innovation,medical insurance cost control,data value monetization,and the improvement of high-quality capabilities.Through the establishment of a sustainable digital culture and operational philosophy,it integrates data with hospital assets,continuously enhancing the value realization of hospital data in operations,management,diagnosis and treatment,and scientific research.
7.In vitro antibacterial effect of berberine combined with levofloxacin on MRSA and related mechanisms
Yanan LI ; Xuemei GU ; Fangfang ZHOU ; Mingming JIANG ; Lei WANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(18):2721-2725
OBJECTIVE T o understand the resistance capability of berberine combined with levofloxacin in vitro to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA).METHODS Totally 100 strains of MRSA were isolated from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital from Jul.2023 to Jun.2024,the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs)of berberine and levofloxacin against the strains were determined by microbroth dilution method.The anti-bacterial effect of the combined use of the two drugs on MRSA was observed.The effects of the single and com-bined use of berberine and levofloxacin on sterilization of MRSA standard strain USA 300-LAC and their influence on cellular morphology were observed.The influence of berberine on mRNA levels of drug resistance genes and ef-flux pump-related genes in the standard strain USA 300-LAC and clinical strains was determined by means of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.RESULTS Among the 100 clinical isolates of MRSA,most of them were isola-ted from respiratory tract specimens of respiratory medicine department and geriatrics department,and 75.00%of the strains were resistant to levofloxacin.The MICs of both berberine and levofloxacin against the standard strain USA300-LAC were 128 μg/ml;the MICs against the clinical MRSA isolates were 64 to 1024 μg/ml and 0.125 to 256 μg/ml,respectively.Berberine combined with levofloxacin showed additive effect on 17(44.74%)strains of MRSA.The combined use of the two drugs showed the most remarkable in vitro antibacterial effect.The cellular structures of the strains were unclear and the contents of bacterial bodies increased when berberine and levofloxacin were used in combination.Berberine showed various degree of inhibitory effect on gyrA,gyrB,grlA and nor A genes.CONCLUSIONS Berberine is capable of resisting the MRSA and shows synergistic or additive effect with levofloxacin.The combined use of the two drugs may reduce the MIC against levofloxacin,destroy the morpholog-ical structure,and inhibit the expression of gyrA,gyrB,grlA and nor A genes.
8.Current status of implementation of infection control core elements in grass-roots medical institutions under background of construction of"compact county-level medical communities"
Fangfang WANG ; Yuncui GUO ; Xiaoyan WU ; Haibo ZHANG ; Jing ZHOU ; Xu LIU ; Jia DI ; Shufang JIANG ; Chengyi FENG ; Xuemei LI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(18):2821-2825
OBJECTIVE To explore the implementation and standardized management of infection control core ele-ments in grass-roots medical institutions within county-level medical communities.METHODS From Mar.2024 to Apr.2024,the current status of implementation of infection control core elements in the grass-roots medical institu-tions within county-level medical communities was investigated by means of questionnaire survey and qualita-tive interview,and the implementation strategies were further explored.RESULTS The infection management or-ganizational system and functions of the two county-level medical institutions within the county medical communi-ties were completed,there is no independent hospital infection management department in the primary medical in-stitutions.The infection management personnel in the 16 grass-roots medical institutions were part-time person-nel,the personnel with the educational background below junior college accounted for 84.21%,the personnel with the professional background of nursing accounted for 100.00%,the personnel with less than 5 years of working experience accounted for 78.95%,none of them had an on-the-job training certificate.The monitoring programs of the county-level medical institutions within the county medical communities were completed,there was no infec-tion management monitoring information platform in the grass-roots medical institutions.The infection cases,hand hygiene,environmental health and occupational exposures were monitored by people.The grass-roots medi-cal institutions had the highest requirements for various professional trainings and increase of training contents of prevention and control of public health infectious diseases(100.00%).The county-level medical institutions had inadequate capabilities of professional examination of medical equipment replacement and construction of medi-cal architecture.CONCLUSION It is necessary for the country and local levels of governments to attach great importance to the implementation of the infection control core elements in the grass-roots medical institutions within the county-lev-el medical communities,establish the county-level regional information platform,formulate the corresponding surveil-lance indexes and homogenized management systems,complete the cultivation of talents,and offer financial support.
9.Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule improves renal vascular endothelial function in rats with diabetic nephropathy by downregulating the Notch1/NICD/MAML1 signaling pathway
Sijia ZHU ; Jingcheng MA ; Yujiao ZHENG ; Chuanyun WU ; Jiangen ZHAO ; Lingxiu LI ; Li WANG ; Xuemei ZHOU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(10):2250-2257
Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule(DZJTC)for repairing renal vascular endothelial injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods Fifty male SD rat models of DN,established by left nephrectomy,high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection,were randomized into DN model group,low-,medium-,and high-dose DZJTC treatment groups,and DAPT(a γ-secretase inhibitor)treatment group,with 10 rats with normal feeding as the control group.DZJTC was administered by daily gavage at 0.315,0.63,or 1.26 g/kg,and DAPT(20 mg/kg,dissolved in 50%CMC-Na solution)was given by gavage every other day for 4 weeks;normal saline was given in the control and model groups.After treatment,the levels of creatinine(CRE),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and microalbuminuria(mALB)were detected with ELISA,and renal pathologies were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Renal expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and endothelin-1(ET-1)were measured by immunohistochemistry,and the protein expressions of CD31 and Notch signaling pathway components were detected using Western blotting.Results The rat models of DN showed significantly increased CRE,BUN,and mALB levels,obvious renal pathologies under electron microscopy,increased renal VEGF,ET-1 and CD31 expressions,and upregulated Notch1,NICD,and MAML1 protein levels.Treatment with DZJTC at the 3 doses and DAPT significantly reduced CRE,BUN,and mALB levels,improved renal pathology,decreased VEGF,ET-1 and CD31 expressions,and lowered Notch1,NICD and MAML1 levels,and the effects were the most pronounced with high-dose DZJTC.Conclusion DZJTC ameliorates hyperproliferation and dysfunction of renal vascular endothelium in DN rats possibly by regulating renal VEGF and ET-1 levels via inhibiting NICD-and MAML1-mediated Notch signaling pathway.
10.Construction and application of a graded nursing program for exercise rehabilitation in children with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Yinzhi YAN ; Fang WEN ; Min WANG ; Xuemei ZHOU ; Jinling MA ; Huifang WU ; Wenying YAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(9):1036-1042
Objective To construct a graded nursing program for exercise rehabilitation of children with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)and carry out a preliminary application,aiming to provide a basis for healthcare personnel to guide the exercise rehabilitation of children with HSCT.Methods Literature analysis and Delphi expert correspondence were used to construct a graded nursing program of exercise rehabilitation for children with HSCT.Through the convenience sampling method,children with HSCT in the hematology department of a tertiary-level children's hospital in Suzhou City were selected as the study subjects from June-December 2023,of which 26 children with HSCT from September-December 2023 served as an experimental group,and 23 children with HSCT from June-August 2023 as a control group.The experimental group was applied with the graded nursing program of exercise rehabilitation,and the control group was applied with the conventional nursing care.The comparison of cardiorespiratory fitness and adverse events between the 2 groups after 8 weeks of exercise intervention was conducted,and the adherence to the exercise intervention programme in the experimental group was recorded.Results The final constructed graded care program of exercise rehabilitation for children with HSCT included 6 primary indicators,20 secondary indicators,and 44 tertiary indicators.Finally,21 children in the experimental group and 23 children in the control group were included in the study.After the intervention,the 6 min walking distance of the experimental group increased compared with that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).85.71%of children in the experimental group had good exercise compliance,and there was no adverse events in both groups.Conclusion The constructed graded nursing program of exercise rehabilitation for children with HSCT is scientific,reasonable,safe and feasible,which can improve the cardiorespiratory capacity of children with HSCT and provide the basis for their exercise rehabilitation.

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