1.Mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo Prescription in Improving Renal Fibrosis in Rats with Chronic Kidney Disease Based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Xincui BAO ; Baosheng ZHAO ; Lingling QIN ; Haiyan WANG ; Jing YANG ; You WANG ; Lijia WU ; Yujin LI ; Ming GAO ; Cuiyan LYU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):100-108
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal fibrosis in rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy specific pathogen-free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=15) and a modeling group (n=55). Rats in the modeling group were administered a 2.5% adenine suspension at a dose of 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 by gavage for 4 weeks to establish a CKD model. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, an irbesartan group (20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1), and Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.82, 11.64, and 23.28 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively), with 10 rats in each group. Each group was administered an equal volume of physiological saline, the corresponding concentration of irbesartan, or Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription by gavage for 12 weeks. Body weight and renal function indices were dynamically monitored. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), 24-hour urinary total protein (24 hUTP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Renal histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and mTOR in renal tissues. Western blot was performed to assess the protein expression of PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), and mTOR in renal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in renal tissues. ResultsCompared with the model group, rats in the irbesartan group and the low-, medium-, and high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription groups showed significantly decreased levels of SCr, BUN, ACR, 24 hUTP, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (P<0.01). AST levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), while no significant difference was observed in ALT levels. Histopathological examination revealed that, compared with the model group, renal tubular epithelial cell edema and necrosis and Bowman's capsule dilation were alleviated, inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced, and interstitial and glomerular fibrosis was markedly improved in all treatment groups, with the most pronounced effect observed in the high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription group. Real-time PCR results showed that mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were significantly downregulated in the high-dose group (P<0.01). IHC results demonstrated that PI3K and p-Akt expression levels in renal tissues were significantly decreased in the high-dose group (P<0.01). Western blot analysis further confirmed that the expression levels of PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly reduced in the high-dose group (P<0.01). ConclusionBushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal function indices in CKD rats, reduces collagen deposition in renal tissues, and decreases serum inflammatory factor levels. Its protective effect on renal function may be achieved by activating autophagy through downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby alleviating renal fibrosis.
2.Clinicopathological analysis of conjunctival lymphangiectasia
Jie RAN ; Duosheng XIA ; Fuli WANG ; Xuandi SU ; Lele ZHENG ; Yujin WANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1276-1280
AIM: To analyze the pathological features, immunophenotype, and imaging findings of conjunctival lymphangiectasia(CL), and to explore the etiological mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS:This single-center descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled postoperative specimens from patients with CL who underwent surgical treatment in the hospital between Feb. 2023 and Sept. 2025. Routine hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining and immunohistochemical staining(D2-40, CD31, CD34, CK)were performed. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)was used to observe the lesion morphology. The pathological results were comprehensively analyzed combined with clinical data. RESULTS: A total of postoperative specimens from 32 eyes of 32 patients with CL were enrolled, including 23 females(72%)and 9 males(28%), with a mean age of 53.03±12.47 y. All patients presented with single or multiple transparent cystic elevations beneath the bulbar conjunctiva. The postoperative pathological manifestations were characterized by dilation of conjunctival lymphatic vessels lined with a single layer of flattened endothelial cells, accompanied by edema and inflammatory infiltration in the surrounding stroma. All cases were positive for D2-40, confirming a lymphatic origin; some cases also expressed CD31 and CD34. AS-OCT revealed the lesions as unilocular or multilocular cystic spaces with low reflectivity. After complete surgical resection, the mean follow-up period was 16.2 mo with no recurrence.CONCLUSION:CL is a benign ocular surface lesion characterized by lymphatic vessel dilation. The endothelium co-expresses lymphatic and some vascular markers, suggesting that CL may belong to the spectrum of vascular malformations. AS-OCT has adjunctive diagnostic value, and surgical resection has definitive therapeutic efficacy.
3.Effects of circCSPP1 on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of human retinoblastoma Y-79 cells by regulating miR-642a-5p expression
Yujin WANG ; Yuan WANG ; Chengjun NING
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(6):452-456,462
Objective To analyze the effects of circular RNA CSPP1(circCSPP1)and microRNA-642a-5p(miR-642a-5p)on the biological behaviors of retinoblastoma Y-79 cells.Methods A total of 47 patients with retinoblastoma(47 eyes)who were admitted at Zhengzhou Central Hospital from June 2019 to October 2022 were included in this study,and the tumor tissues and paraneoplastic tissues of these patients were collected during surgery.The human retinoblastoma cell line Y-79 was cultured in vitro and then divided into seven groups based on different transfectants:the Con group(nor-mally cultured Y-79 cells),sh-NC group(transfected with sh-NC),sh-circCSPP1 group(transfected with sh-circCSPP1),miR-NC group(transfected with miR-NC),miR-642a-5p group(transfected with miR-642a-5p mimics),sh-circCSPP1+an-ti-miR-NC group(co-transfected with sh-circCSPP1 and anti-miR-NC),and sh-circCSPP1+anti-miR-642a-5p group(co-transfected with sh-circCSPP1 and anti-miR-642a-5p).The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to measure the expression level of circCSPP1 and miR-642a-5p in retinoblastoma tissues,paraneoplastic tissues,and Y-79 cells.The proliferation,migration,and invasion of Y-79 cells were assessed via the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,scratch wound healing assay,and Transwell chamber assay,respectively.The targeting relationship between cir-cCSPP1 and miR-642a-5p was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter assay.Western blot was performed to quantify the ex-pression level of E-cadherin and N-cadherin.Results Compared with paraneoplastic tissues,the expression of circCSPP1 was up-regulated,that of miR-642a-5p was downregulated in retinoblastoma tissues,and the differences were statistically significant(both P<0.05).Compared with the Con group and the sh-NC group,the sh-circCSPP1 group showed a reduced scratch healing rate,decreased invasive cell count,up-regulated relative protein expression of E-cadherin,and down-regu-lated relative protein expression of N-cadherin,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Compared with the Con group and the miR-NC group,the miR-642a-5p group exhibited a reduced scratch healing rate,decreased in-vasive cell count,up-regulated protein expression of E-cadherin,and down-regulated protein expression of N-cadherin,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that cir-cCSPP1 negatively regulated the expression level of miR-642a-5p.Compared with the sh-circCSPP1+anti-miR-NC group,the sh-circCSPP1+anti-miR-642a-5p group displayed an increased scratch healing rate,increased invasive cell count,down-regulated protein expression of E-cadherin,and up-regulated protein expression of N-cadherin,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion Silencing circCSPP1 may suppress the proliferation,migration,and invasion of Y-79 cells by up-regulating the expression of miR-642a-5p,suggesting that circCSPP1 may become a poten-tial therapeutic target for retinoblastoma.
4.Assessment of the severity of knee osteoarthritis based on the global fat fraction histogram of the infrapatellar fat pad
Baogen ZHAO ; Yujin ZHANG ; Xin CHEN ; Xiaoying WANG ; Gang JI ; Yong WANG ; Li ZHANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(11):1838-1841,1856
Objective To investigate the relationship between quantitative parameters of the histogram of global fat fraction(FF)in the infrapatellar fat pad(IPFP)and the severity of knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A total of 120 patients were prospectively selected and divided into the non-KOA group(KL grade 0-1),the mild KOA group(KL grade 2),and the severe KOA group(KL grade 3-4)based on the Kellgren-Lawrence(KL)classification criteria of knee X-rays.The FF maps of the IPFP were obtained based on the mDIXON-Quant technique.The region of interest(ROI)was delineated using 3D Slicer software,and global histogram analysis was performed to obtain quantitative parameters,including mean,median,10th percentile(10th),90th percentile(90th),skewness,kurtosis,and entropy.Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between each quanti-tative parameter and the severity of KOA.The diagnostic efficacy was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results As the progression of KL classification,the mean,median,percentiles,and kurtosis of the global FF histogram quantitative parameters in the IPFP decreased,while skewness and entropy increased,with statistically significant among the three groups(P<0.001).The mean,median,10th,90th,and kurtosis showed negative correlations with the KL classification(r=-0.563,-0.448,-0.614,-0.294,-0.450),while skewness and entropy showed positive correlations with the KL classification(r=0.385,0.637),all of which were statistically significant(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing KOA were 0.799,0.725,0.828,0.636,0.741,0.688,and 0.830,respectively.The sensitivity of the 10th and entropy were 74.4%and 77.9%,respectively,and the specificity were 85.3%and 88.2%,respectively.Conclusion The quantitative parameters of the histogram of global FF in the IPFP are correlated with the severity of KOA and can reflect the pathophysiological changes in the IPFP.They can serve as objective indicators for diagnosing KOA and assessing its severity.
5.A study of the correlation between thalamic metabolites changes and spinal cord injury in cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Yujin ZHANG ; Baogen ZHAO ; Tong ZHANG ; Ting GAO ; Ning WANG ; Yong WANG ; Li ZHANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1085-1088
Objective To investigate the changes in metabolites detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)in the dorsal thalamus of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM)and to analyze their correlation with spinal cord injury based on diffusion tensor imaging(DTI).Methods A total of 93 patients with CSM(patient group)and 67 healthy volunteers(control group)were selected.DTI parameters of the spinal cord and MRS parameters of the thalamus were compared between the two groups.Correlation analysis were performed among clinical features,conventional imaging features,DTI parameters,and metabolites in CSM patients.Multifacto-rial linear regression equations for thalamic metabolites based on the aforementioned characteristics were established.Results The fractional anisotropy(FA)value was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group(P=0.005,t=2.874).The N-acetyl aspartate/creatine(NAA/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-5.922),choline/Cr(Cho/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-6.857),and myo-inositol/Cr(MI/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-6.573)were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group.The NAA/Cr ratio(r=0.444,P<0.001),Cho/Cr ratio(r=0.308,P=0.003),and MI/Cr ratio(r=-0.489,P<0.001)were corre-lated with the FA value in the patient group.There was a correlation between the NAA/Cr ratio and the duration(r=-0.365,P<0.001).Multifactorial linear regression equations for each metabolites in the thalamus:NAA/Cr=0.833+1.520×FA-0.007×duration;Cho/Cr=0.209+0.774×FA;MI/Cr=1.566-1.722×FA+0.008×modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association(mJOA)score;glu-tamate/Cr(Glx/Cr)=0.942+0.009×duration.Conclusion CSM patients exhibit metabolic alterations in the dorsal thalamus,which are linearly correlated with the degree of spinal cord injury.
6.Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with action observation therapy can rehabilitate a spastic wrist and hand post-stroke
Huiling WANG ; Mengxia CAO ; Jing GAO ; Ruiqing LI ; Yujin SONG ; Xiaodong FENG
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2025;47(5):408-412
Objective:To observe the effect of combining heat-sensitive moxibustion with action observation therapy in the treatment of spastic wrist and hand dysfunction post-stroke.Methods:Ninety stroke survivors with spasmodic wrist and hand dysfunction were randomly assigned to a heat-sensitive moxibustion group, an action observation group, or a combination group, each of 30. In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, the groups received heat-sensitive moxibustion, action observation therapy or moxibustion followed by action observation therapy in 6 sessions a week over 6 weeks. Surface electromyography signals (iEMG and RMS) were recorded from the affected wrist and hand muscles before and after the treatment. All of the participants were also assessed using the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment for the upper extremities (FMA-UE).Results:After treatment, a significant improvement was observed in the average FMA-UE values, with that of the combination group (17.2±2.1) significantly higher than those of the other two groups. The average iEMG of the wrist flexors and extensors, the extensors of the fingers, and abductor pollicis brevis had increased significantly, with the combination group′s averages significantly higher than those of the other two groups. The average RMS values of those muscles had decreased significantly after the treatment, with those of the combination group significantly lower than the others.Conclusions:Combining heat-sensitive moxibustion and action observation therapy can significantly reduce muscle tension, and promote strength and better functioning of spastic wrist and hand muscles after a stroke. The combination is worthy of clinical application and promotion.
7.Application value of special quality control management for thyroid and breast ultrasound in community hospitals
Dandan GUO ; Yujin ZHENG ; Hui LIU ; Di WANG ; Xinyao LIU ; Yichan ZHANG ; Di GUAN ; Bo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(12):1002-1006
Objective:To explore the application effect of special quality control management for thyroid and breast ultrasound in community hospitals.Methods:This study was a prospective interventional study. From November 2024 to March 2025, the Department of Ultrasound, China-Japan Friendship Hospital conducted special quality control management for thyroid and breast ultrasound in 17 community hospitals in Chaoyang District. Through measures such as standardized training in thyroid and breast ultrasound as well as quality control investigations before and after the training, changes in the qualification rates of ultrasound image storage, report writing, and nodule grading accuracy for thyroid and breast in community hospitals before and after the implementation of this management were compared, A paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results:Thyroid ultrasound quality control effects: Image storage qualification rates significantly improved: the qualification rate of image adjustment increased from 62.94%±22.01% to 85.88%±14.17% ( t=6.35, P<0.001), and body markers application rose from 76.47%±4.93% to 95.29%±7.17% ( t=11.14, P<0.001). The qualification rates for nodule sections and blood flow sections both exceeded 95% ( P<0.001). In report writing: the qualification rates for items such as nodule location, measurement, and echo increased by 10%-25%. The description of nodule margins reached 100% ( t=8.79, P<0.001), and the description of echogenic foci features increased from 41.76% to 79.41% ( t=5.46, P<0.001). Nodule classification accuracy significantly improved: The guideline application rate increased from 55.29% to 91.18% ( t=4.84, P<0.001), and the classification correctness rate rose from 54.71% to 69.41% ( t=5.14, P<0.001). Breast ultrasound quality control effects: Overall improvement in image storage qualification rates: body marker application increased from 75.29%±21.54% to 97.00%±65.88% ( t=3.82, P=0.002). The qualification rates for nodule sections and blood flow section imaging both exceeded 94% ( P<0.001). In report writing: the qualification rates for items like nodule location, measurement, and echo increased by 10%-30%. The classification rate of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification rate rose from 68.82% to 98.24% ( t=3.68, P=0.002), and the classification correctness rate increased from 57.65% to 70.00% ( t=2.74, P=0.014). Conclusion:The implementation of special quality control management for thyroid and breast ultrasound is an effective method to improve the quality of ultrasound medical services in community hospitals.
8.Study on the mechanism of ultrasound microbubble blasting assisted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in improving diabetic nephropathy
Kun ZHAO ; Yujin FENG ; Xiaoyun YANG ; Fen LIU ; Meinan ZONG ; Yi WANG
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(10):937-941
Objective To explore the improvement effect of ultrasound microbubble blasting assisted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC)transplantation on diabetic nephropathy(DN)in terms of inflammatory response and renal function via the Toll like receptor 4(TLR-4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway,as well as its specific mechanism.Methods A rat DN model was estab-lished and randomly grouped into the following:Model group,BMSC group,BMSC+microbubble group,and BMSC+microbubble+TLR-4/NF-κB pathway activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group,with 12 rats in each group.Additionally,12 rats were selected as the control(CK)group.Biochemical and biuret analysis,HE and Masson staining,ELISA,and Western blotting testing were employed to detect fasting blood glucose(FBG),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),serum creatinine(sCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),24-hour urinary total protein(24 h-UTP),pathological changes in renal tissue,fibrosis status,and the expression of interleukin-1 β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),TLR-4,and NF-κB proteins of rats in each group.Results The renal tissue in the CK group was structurally normal with few collagen fibers.The Model group showed obvious renal tissue lesions and severe collagen fiber deposition;the lesions in the BMSC group and BMSC+microvesicle group were alleviated in turn,while the lesions were aggravated after the addition of LPS compared with the BMSC+microvesicle group.Compared with the CK group,the levels of FBG,TC,TG,sCr,BUN,24 h-UTP,as well as the expression of IL-1β,TNF-α,TLR-4,and NF-κB proteins were increased in the Model group(P<0.05).Compared with the Model group,the above-men-tioned indices and protein expression were decreased in the BMSC group(P<0.05).Compared with the BMSC group,the above-men-tioned indices and protein expression were further decreased in the BMSC+microvesicle group(P<0.05).Compared with the BMSC+mi-crovesicle group,the above-mentioned indices and protein expression were increased in the BMSC+microvesicle+LPS group(P<0.05).Conclusion The improvement effect of ultrasound microbubble blasting-assisted BMSC transplantation on DN rats may be related to the inhibition of the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
9.Study on the mechanism of ultrasound microbubble blasting assisted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in improving diabetic nephropathy
Kun ZHAO ; Yujin FENG ; Xiaoyun YANG ; Fen LIU ; Meinan ZONG ; Yi WANG
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(10):937-941
Objective To explore the improvement effect of ultrasound microbubble blasting assisted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC)transplantation on diabetic nephropathy(DN)in terms of inflammatory response and renal function via the Toll like receptor 4(TLR-4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway,as well as its specific mechanism.Methods A rat DN model was estab-lished and randomly grouped into the following:Model group,BMSC group,BMSC+microbubble group,and BMSC+microbubble+TLR-4/NF-κB pathway activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group,with 12 rats in each group.Additionally,12 rats were selected as the control(CK)group.Biochemical and biuret analysis,HE and Masson staining,ELISA,and Western blotting testing were employed to detect fasting blood glucose(FBG),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),serum creatinine(sCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),24-hour urinary total protein(24 h-UTP),pathological changes in renal tissue,fibrosis status,and the expression of interleukin-1 β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),TLR-4,and NF-κB proteins of rats in each group.Results The renal tissue in the CK group was structurally normal with few collagen fibers.The Model group showed obvious renal tissue lesions and severe collagen fiber deposition;the lesions in the BMSC group and BMSC+microvesicle group were alleviated in turn,while the lesions were aggravated after the addition of LPS compared with the BMSC+microvesicle group.Compared with the CK group,the levels of FBG,TC,TG,sCr,BUN,24 h-UTP,as well as the expression of IL-1β,TNF-α,TLR-4,and NF-κB proteins were increased in the Model group(P<0.05).Compared with the Model group,the above-men-tioned indices and protein expression were decreased in the BMSC group(P<0.05).Compared with the BMSC group,the above-men-tioned indices and protein expression were further decreased in the BMSC+microvesicle group(P<0.05).Compared with the BMSC+mi-crovesicle group,the above-mentioned indices and protein expression were increased in the BMSC+microvesicle+LPS group(P<0.05).Conclusion The improvement effect of ultrasound microbubble blasting-assisted BMSC transplantation on DN rats may be related to the inhibition of the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
10.A study of the correlation between thalamic metabolites changes and spinal cord injury in cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Yujin ZHANG ; Baogen ZHAO ; Tong ZHANG ; Ting GAO ; Ning WANG ; Yong WANG ; Li ZHANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1085-1088
Objective To investigate the changes in metabolites detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)in the dorsal thalamus of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM)and to analyze their correlation with spinal cord injury based on diffusion tensor imaging(DTI).Methods A total of 93 patients with CSM(patient group)and 67 healthy volunteers(control group)were selected.DTI parameters of the spinal cord and MRS parameters of the thalamus were compared between the two groups.Correlation analysis were performed among clinical features,conventional imaging features,DTI parameters,and metabolites in CSM patients.Multifacto-rial linear regression equations for thalamic metabolites based on the aforementioned characteristics were established.Results The fractional anisotropy(FA)value was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group(P=0.005,t=2.874).The N-acetyl aspartate/creatine(NAA/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-5.922),choline/Cr(Cho/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-6.857),and myo-inositol/Cr(MI/Cr)ratio(P<0.001,Z=-6.573)were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group.The NAA/Cr ratio(r=0.444,P<0.001),Cho/Cr ratio(r=0.308,P=0.003),and MI/Cr ratio(r=-0.489,P<0.001)were corre-lated with the FA value in the patient group.There was a correlation between the NAA/Cr ratio and the duration(r=-0.365,P<0.001).Multifactorial linear regression equations for each metabolites in the thalamus:NAA/Cr=0.833+1.520×FA-0.007×duration;Cho/Cr=0.209+0.774×FA;MI/Cr=1.566-1.722×FA+0.008×modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association(mJOA)score;glu-tamate/Cr(Glx/Cr)=0.942+0.009×duration.Conclusion CSM patients exhibit metabolic alterations in the dorsal thalamus,which are linearly correlated with the degree of spinal cord injury.

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