1.Bioinformatics Reveals Mechanism of Schisandrin B in Inhibiting Ferroptosis to Ameliorate Methionine and Choline Deficiency-induced Fatty Liver Disease in Mice
Zhifeng ZHU ; Wenting LI ; Yongjun CAO ; Yuanyuan LIN ; Yifei LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):74-83
ObjectiveNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic stress liver injury. Ferroptosis is involved in the occurrence and development of NAFLD. Exploring the efficacy and mechanism of schisandrin B in treating NAFLD facilitates the development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsThe molecular structure of schisandrin B was obtained by searching against PubChem, and the related targets were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction. The active ingredients and their targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the high-throughput experiment- and reference-guide database of traditional Chinese medicine (HERB). GeneCards and FerrDb were searched for the targets of NAFLD and ferroptosis. The common targets were taken as the core targets, and the protein-protein interaction network of the core targets was established. DAVID was used for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Finally, molecular docking was performed between schisandrin B and core targets, and the binding energy was calculated. C57BL/6 mice were fed with a methionine and choline-deficiency (MCD) diet for the modeling of NAFLD. Mice were randomized into normal, model, positive drug (essentiale), and low- and high-dose schisandrin B groups. The body mass and liver index of mice were measured after drug administration. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum and those of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and Fe2+ in the liver homogenate were measured by biochemical assay kits. The pathological changes of the liver tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and red oil O staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in the serum. Western blotting and real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), transferrin, and ferritin heavy chain (FTH) in the liver tissue. ResultsA total of 2 370, 2 547, and 1 451 targets of schisandrin B, NAFLD, and ferroptosis were obtained, in which 90 common targets were shared by the three. Enrichment analyses predicted 505 GO terms and 92 KEGG pathways. Molecular docking suggested that schizandrin B had strong binding affinity with the key targets of ferropstosis (SLC7A11 and SLC3A2). Animal experiments showed that schizandrin B significantly decreased the liver index, lowered the levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, alleviated hepatocyte ballooning and inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduced lipid accumulation in the liver of NAFLD mice. In addition, schisandrin B significantly lowered the levels of MDA, 4-HNE, and Fe2+, elevated the level of GSH, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of SLC7A11, SLC3A2, and GPX4, and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of transferrin in the liver tissue. ConclusionSchisandrin B can alleviate NAFLD by inhibiting ferroptosis in hepatocytes.
2.Status of Clinical Practice Guideline Information Platforms
Xueqin ZHANG ; Yun ZHAO ; Jie LIU ; Long GE ; Ying XING ; Simeng REN ; Yifei WANG ; Wenzheng ZHANG ; Di ZHANG ; Shihua WANG ; Yao SUN ; Min WU ; Lin FENG ; Tiancai WEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):462-471
Clinical practice guidelines represent the best recommendations for patient care. They are developed through systematically reviewing currently available clinical evidence and weighing the relative benefits and risks of various interventions. However, clinical practice guidelines have to go through a long translation cycle from development and revision to clinical promotion and application, facing problems such as scattered distribution, high duplication rate, and low actual utilization. At present, the clinical practice guideline information platform can directly or indirectly solve the problems related to the lengthy revision cycles, decentralized dissemination and limited application of clinical practice guidelines. Therefore, this paper systematically examines different types of clinical practice guideline information platforms and investigates their corresponding challenges and emerging trends in platform design, data integration, and practical implementation, with the aim of clarifying the current status of this field and providing valuable reference for future research on clinical practice guideline information platforms.
3.Use of Customized Binaural Beats for the Treatment of Chronic Insomnia
Kevin LIN ; Vivek MOHAN ; Yifei MA ; Bryant LIN ; Peter HWANG ; Paramesh GOPI ; Clete KUSHIDA
Journal of Sleep Medicine 2025;22(1):26-31
Chronic insomnia affects 10%–15% of the population, with one-third of Western adults struggling with sleep initiation or maintenance. Binaural beats, which involve two audio frequencies, have shown the potential for enhancing sleep and mood. This study examined the efficacy of customized binaural audio tracks generated using facial analysis software to treat chronic insomnia. Methods: A 45-minute personalized binaural beat audio session was delivered using the Spatial app and headband (SoundHealth) to 20 participants with moderate-to-severe insomnia, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) criteria, over four weeks in California. Statistical analysis (paired t-test and linear mixed modeling) was used to compare baseline ISI scores to posttreatment scores, with p<0.05 indicating significance. The study assumed 80% power and aimed to achieve a 7-point ISI reduction. Results: All participants completed the study with no adverse events or full protocol adherence. The cohort was 60% White, with a 3:1 female-to-male ratio and an average age of 51.9 years. The baseline ISI was 19.8, dropping to 8.5 after four weeks, showing an 11.3-point reduction (95% confidence interval [CI]: -15 to -7.6, p<0.001). Mixed modeling indicated a similar ISI decrease of 11.28 points (95% CI: -14.98 to -7.57, p<0.001). The treatment response rate was 70%. Conclusions: Customized binaural beats show promise for insomnia treatment, with no adverse effects and high adherence. Most participants improved to no insomnia or subthreshold insomnia. Further research is needed to validate these results using larger samples and to assess long-term effects.
4.Use of Customized Binaural Beats for the Treatment of Chronic Insomnia
Kevin LIN ; Vivek MOHAN ; Yifei MA ; Bryant LIN ; Peter HWANG ; Paramesh GOPI ; Clete KUSHIDA
Journal of Sleep Medicine 2025;22(1):26-31
Chronic insomnia affects 10%–15% of the population, with one-third of Western adults struggling with sleep initiation or maintenance. Binaural beats, which involve two audio frequencies, have shown the potential for enhancing sleep and mood. This study examined the efficacy of customized binaural audio tracks generated using facial analysis software to treat chronic insomnia. Methods: A 45-minute personalized binaural beat audio session was delivered using the Spatial app and headband (SoundHealth) to 20 participants with moderate-to-severe insomnia, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) criteria, over four weeks in California. Statistical analysis (paired t-test and linear mixed modeling) was used to compare baseline ISI scores to posttreatment scores, with p<0.05 indicating significance. The study assumed 80% power and aimed to achieve a 7-point ISI reduction. Results: All participants completed the study with no adverse events or full protocol adherence. The cohort was 60% White, with a 3:1 female-to-male ratio and an average age of 51.9 years. The baseline ISI was 19.8, dropping to 8.5 after four weeks, showing an 11.3-point reduction (95% confidence interval [CI]: -15 to -7.6, p<0.001). Mixed modeling indicated a similar ISI decrease of 11.28 points (95% CI: -14.98 to -7.57, p<0.001). The treatment response rate was 70%. Conclusions: Customized binaural beats show promise for insomnia treatment, with no adverse effects and high adherence. Most participants improved to no insomnia or subthreshold insomnia. Further research is needed to validate these results using larger samples and to assess long-term effects.
5.Use of Customized Binaural Beats for the Treatment of Chronic Insomnia
Kevin LIN ; Vivek MOHAN ; Yifei MA ; Bryant LIN ; Peter HWANG ; Paramesh GOPI ; Clete KUSHIDA
Journal of Sleep Medicine 2025;22(1):26-31
Chronic insomnia affects 10%–15% of the population, with one-third of Western adults struggling with sleep initiation or maintenance. Binaural beats, which involve two audio frequencies, have shown the potential for enhancing sleep and mood. This study examined the efficacy of customized binaural audio tracks generated using facial analysis software to treat chronic insomnia. Methods: A 45-minute personalized binaural beat audio session was delivered using the Spatial app and headband (SoundHealth) to 20 participants with moderate-to-severe insomnia, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) criteria, over four weeks in California. Statistical analysis (paired t-test and linear mixed modeling) was used to compare baseline ISI scores to posttreatment scores, with p<0.05 indicating significance. The study assumed 80% power and aimed to achieve a 7-point ISI reduction. Results: All participants completed the study with no adverse events or full protocol adherence. The cohort was 60% White, with a 3:1 female-to-male ratio and an average age of 51.9 years. The baseline ISI was 19.8, dropping to 8.5 after four weeks, showing an 11.3-point reduction (95% confidence interval [CI]: -15 to -7.6, p<0.001). Mixed modeling indicated a similar ISI decrease of 11.28 points (95% CI: -14.98 to -7.57, p<0.001). The treatment response rate was 70%. Conclusions: Customized binaural beats show promise for insomnia treatment, with no adverse effects and high adherence. Most participants improved to no insomnia or subthreshold insomnia. Further research is needed to validate these results using larger samples and to assess long-term effects.
6.Polyphyllin VII promotes hepatic stellate cell ferroptosis via the HIC1/CX3CL1/GPX4 axis.
Feng JIANG ; Xinmiao LI ; Mengyuan LI ; Weizhi ZHANG ; Yifei LI ; Lifan LIN ; Lufan HE ; Jianjian ZHENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101147-101147
Ferroptosis has been shown to mediate the development of fibrosis. Polyphyllin VII (PP7), a bioactive component of Paris polyphylla, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity and can significantly alleviate liver fibrosis. In this study, treatment with PP7 significantly inhibited the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which could be suppressed by a ferroptosis inhibitor. In addition, it promoted HSC ferroptosis by suppressing glutathione (GSH) peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and enhanced the expression of CX3C chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1). Depletion of CX3CL1 attenuated the effects of PP7 on the activation and ferroptosis of HSCs and the expression of GPX4. Notably, CX3CL1 directly interacted with GPX4, triggering HSC ferroptosis. The transcription factor hypermethylated in cancer 1 (Hic1), which binds to the Cx3cl1 promoter, increased the expression of CX3CL1. Its absence resulted in downregulation of CX3CL1, suppressing the GPX4-dependent ferroptosis of PP7-treated HSCs and promoting their activation. HIC1 was found to directly interact with PP7 at the GLY164 site. Co-culture experiments showed that PP7-induced HSC ferroptosis attenuated macrophage recruitment by regulating inflammation-related genes. HSC-specific inhibition of HIC1 counteracted PP7-induced collagen depletion and HSC ferroptosis in vivo. These findings suggest that PP7 induces HSC ferroptosis through the HIC1/CX3CL1/GPX4 axis.
7.Advancements and applications in radiopharmaceutical therapy.
Shiya WANG ; Mingyi CAO ; Yifei CHEN ; Jingjing LIN ; Jiahao LI ; Xinyu WU ; Zhiyue DAI ; Yuhan PAN ; Xiao LIU ; Xian LIU ; Liang-Ting LIN ; Jianbing WU ; Ji LIU ; Qifeng ZHONG ; Zhenwei YUAN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(6):641-657
Radiopharmaceuticals operate by combining radionuclides with carriers. The radiation energy emitted by radionuclides is utilized to selectively irradiate diseased tissues while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. In comparison to external beam radiation therapy, radionuclide drugs demonstrate research potential due to their biological targeting capabilities and reduced normal tissue toxicity. This article reviews the applications and research progress of radiopharmaceuticals in cancer treatment. Several key radionuclides are examined, including 223Ra, 90Y, Lutetium-177 (177Lu), 212Pb, and Actinium-225 (225Ac). It also explores the current development trends of radiopharmaceuticals, encompassing the introduction of novel radionuclides, advancements in imaging technologies, integrated diagnosis and treatment approaches, and equipment-medication combinations. We review the progress in the development of new treatments, such as neutron capture therapy, proton therapy, and heavy ion therapy. Furthermore, we examine the challenges and breakthroughs associated with the clinical translation of radiopharmaceuticals and provide recommendations for the research and development of novel radionuclide drugs.
Humans
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Radiopharmaceuticals/therapeutic use*
;
Neoplasms/radiotherapy*
;
Radioisotopes/therapeutic use*
;
Animals
8.Analysis of the associations between maxillary anterior teeth and facial measurements in Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles.
Minxuan MO ; Huaijin PI ; Youkai LIN ; Yifei LONG ; Xiangqing FU ; Peipei DUAN
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(4):584-591
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to analyze the correlations and proportional relationships between maxillary anterior teeth (MAT) and facial measurements in Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals.
METHODS:
Ten dentists with more than 5 years of clinical experience from different professional directions in a tertiary stomatological hospital were selected to evaluate the smile attractiveness of volunteers by visual analogue scale (VAS). Eighty-eight Han volunteers with the most attractive smile were selected. The perceived width of the MAT, the dimensions (height and width) of the maxillary central incisors (MCI), and the facial dimensions (intercanthal distance, interzygomatic distance, interalar distance, facial height and lower facial height) of the volunteers were measured on the frontal photos of the smile, digital oral model, and 3D face model. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze linear correlations, and regression analysis was carried out to explore the proportional relationships. Reliability analysis using the intraclass correlation coefficient verified the stability of these proportional relationships. In addition, the correlations between MAT perceived width and the proportional relationships of (MCI) height to width ratio, with facial dimensions were explored and their reliability was verified.
RESULTS:
In Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals, the Pearson correlation coefficients among MAT perceived widths were 0.813, 0.389, and 0.560. A proportional relationship existed between the lateral incisor and central incisor, and the ratio was 0.729. No significant correlations were found between MCI and the inner canthal distance, zygomatic distance, interalar distance, facial height, or the lower one-third facial height except for a negative correlation (r=-0.357) between MCI height and facial height in males and a positive correlation (r=0.249) between MCI width and interalar width when genders were combined.
CONCLUSIONS
Correlations exist among MAT perceived widths in Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals. Partial correlations are observed between MCI height and width and facial measurements. The perceived width of the lateral incisor can serve as a reference indicator for predicting the perceived width of the central incisor, providing a reference for the aesthetic restoration of MAT in the Han ethnicity population.
Adult
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
China
;
Esthetics, Dental
;
Face/anatomy & histology*
;
Incisor/anatomy & histology*
;
Maxilla/anatomy & histology*
;
Smiling
;
East Asian People
9.Finite element model establishment and stress analysis of lumbar-sacral intervertebral disc in ankylosing spondylitis
Zhijie KANG ; Zhenhua CAO ; Yangyang XU ; Yunfeng ZHANG ; Feng JIN ; Baoke SU ; Lidong WANG ; Ling TONG ; Qinghua LIU ; Yuan FANG ; Lirong SHA ; Liang LIANG ; Mengmeng LI ; Yifei DU ; Lin LIN ; Haiyan WANG ; Xiaohe LI ; Zhijun LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(6):840-846
BACKGROUND:Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with chronic rheumatic immunity.Soft tissue ossification and fusion and spinal stiffness can cause biomechanical changes. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct the lumbar-sacral intervertebral disc in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis by finite element analysis,and to study the range of motion of each segment of T11-S1 and the biomechanical characteristics of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. METHODS:The imaging data were obtained from an ankylosing spondylitis patient with lumbar kyphosis.The original CT image data of continuously scanned spine were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format,and T11-S1 was reconstructed respectively.The established model was imported into 3-Matic software in the format of"Stl"to reconstruct the intervertebral disc,and the fibrous intervertebral disc model was obtained.The improved model was further imported into Hypermesh software,and the vertebra,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus and ligament were mesh-divided.After the material properties were given,the model was imported into ABAQUS software to observe the range of motion of each vertebral body in seven different working conditions of T11-S1,and analyze the biomechanical characteristics of each segment of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The range of motion of L1 vertebrae was higher than that of other vertebrae under six different working conditions:extension,forward flexion,rotation(left and right),and lateral flexion(left and right).The maximum range of motion was 2.18° during L1 vertebral flexion,and the minimum range of motion was 0.12° during L5 vertebral extension.(2)The annular fiber flexion at L2-L3 segments was greater than the extension(P<0.05),and the annular fiber flexion at L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments was less than the extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of L1-L2 annular fibers was greater than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion of the annulus was greater than the right flexion in L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4,L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments(P<0.05).(3)The nucleus pulposus stresses of T11-L12,L1-L2,L2-L3,L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments in forward flexion were greater than in extension(P<0.05).The left rotation of T12-L1 and L3-L4 segments was smaller than the right rotation(P<0.05),and that of T11-T12,L1-L2,and L2-L3 segments was larger than the right rotation(P<0.05).The left flexion was larger than the right flexion in the T11-S1 segment.(4)It is concluded that in ankylosing spondylitis patients with lumbar kyphosis,the minimum range of motion of the vertebral body is located at the L5 vertebral body in extension.To prevent fractures,it is recommended to avoid exercise in the extension position.During the onset of lumbar kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,the maximum stress of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus is located in the L1-L2 segment,which is fixed and will not alter with the change of body position.The late surgical treatment and correction of deformity should focus on releasing the pressure of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in this segment to avoid the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and the injury of the nucleus pulposus.
10.A proteomics research on metabolism-related proteins in female androgenetic alopecia
Ji’an WANG ; Jinran LIN ; Haiyang LI ; Kai YANG ; Chunya NI ; Yue ZHANG ; Zheng LI ; Yifei ZHU ; Qingmei LIU ; Wenyu WU
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(1):46-55
Objective:To investigate the metabolism-related proteins and their presence in the plasma of female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) patients.Methods:From March 2021 to March 2023, FAGA patients aged 18-50 (FAGA group) and healthy women (HC group) were recruited from the Dermatology Outpatient Department of Huashan Hospital. 3 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected from each participant and centrifuged to obtain plasma. Olink proteomics analysis was performed on the collected plasma, differentially expressed proteins were screened with R language, the diagnostic accuracy of the differentially expressed proteins was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed on differentially expressed proteins. Immunofluorescence analysis on hair follicles in the parietal region of the FAGA group and the occipital region of the HC group was performed to validate the differentially expressed proteins identified. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyze the data, with normal distribution metric data represented by Mean±SD. Student’s t-test was used to compare the basic information of two groups of subjects and the relative fluorescence intensity of differentially expressed proteins in hair follicles. Pearson correlation analysis was performed on plasma metabolism-related proteins and the basic information of subjects. P<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Results:Sixty-one cases were included in the FAGA group, with an average age of (33.8±7.4) years and an onset age of (29.5±7.8) years. Among them, 38 cases were mild FAGA, 14 cases were moderate, and 9 cases were severe. Twenty-seven cases were included in the HC group, with an average age of (32.0±7.7) years. There was no statistically significant difference in the basic information (age, body mass index, testosterone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, uric acid, and ferritin levels) between the two groups of subjects ( P>0.05). Compared to the HC group, the plasma of the FAGA group showed 26 significantly upregulated differentially expressed proteins ( P<0.05), with AHCY and NECTIN2 exhibiting the most significant differences (all P=0.003). The ROC curve evaluation revealed that the area under the curve for AHCY and NECTIN2 was greater than 0.7, indicating good diagnostic accuracy. The GO analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins were primarily enriched in the BAT3 complex (cellular component), ubiquitin-dependent ERAD pathway, natural killer cell activation (biological process), as well as ubiquitin protein ligase binding and ubiquitin-specific protease binding (molecular function). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that AHCY ( r=-0.23, P=0.010) and NECTIN2 ( r=-0.31, P=0.033) were negatively correlated with the severity of hair loss in FAGA patients. The results of hair follicle immunofluorescence analysis showed that the relative fluorescence intensity of AHCY and NECTIN2 in the FAGA group was higher than that in the HC group ( P<0.05). In other words, both AHCY and NECTIN2 were upregulated in the FAGA group. Conclusion:Metabolism-related proteins play an important role in FAGA. AHCY and NECTIN2 may serve as early diagnostic biomarkers for FAGA.

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