1.Compound Centella asiatica formula alleviates Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the inflammation-fibrosis cascade via regulating the TLR4/MyD88 pathway.
Liping GUAN ; Yan YAN ; Xinyi LU ; Zhifeng LI ; Hui GAO ; Dong CAO ; Chenxi HOU ; Jingyu ZENG ; Xinyi LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Junjie WANG ; Huilong FANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1307-1316
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the therapeutic mechanism of compound Centella asiatica formula (CCA) for alleviating Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
METHODS:
The active components and targets of CCA were identified using the TCMSP database with cross-analysis of Sj-related liver fibrosis targets. A "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Functional enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) was performed using DAVID. Molecular docking study was carried out to validate interactions between the core targets and the key compounds. For experimental validation of the results, 36 mice were divided into control group, Sj-infected model group, and CCA-treated groups. In the latter two groups, liver fibrosis was induced via abdominal infection with Sj cercariae for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of daily treatment with CCA decoction or saline. Hepatic pathology of the mice was assessedwith HE and Masson staining, and hepatic expressions of collagen-I and collagen-III were detected using immunohistochemistry; serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined with ELISA. Hepatic expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were analyzed with Western blotting.
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 107 bioactive CCA components and 791 targets, including 37 intersection targets linked to Sj-induced fibrosis. The core targets included TNF, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8, involving the IL-17 signaling, lipid metabolism, TLR4/MyD88 axis, and cancer pathways. Molecular docking study confirmed strong binding affinity between quercetin (a primary CCA component) and TNF/TP53/JUN/MMP9. In Sj-infected mouse models, CCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced collagen-I and collagen-III deposition, improved tissue architecture, reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the liver.
CONCLUSIONS
CCA mitigates Sj-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TNF, TP53, JUN, and MMP9 to modulate the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing collagen deposition, and preventing granuloma formation in the liver.
Animals
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism*
;
Schistosoma japonicum
;
Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology*
;
Schistosomiasis japonica
;
Signal Transduction
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Inflammation
;
Centella/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
2.Research progress on assessment tools for health behavior motivation in patients with cardiovascular diseases
Zhifeng ZHANG ; Lei LIU ; Yikang XU ; Daqiu WANG ; Jiayu WANG ; Yu TIAN ; Kaiwen ZHAN ; Siqi SUN ; Manman LI
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2025;27(2):198-201
Health behavior motivation significantly affects the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular diseases.Assessing the level of health behavior motivation can measure the health behavior of individuals,help to promote the participation rate of cardiac rehabilitation,reduce the readmission rate of patients,and promote patients'healthy lifestyles.This article reviews the content,characteristics and application of assessment tools for health behavior motivation of patients with cardiovascular diseases at home and abroad,with the aim of providing references for the development and application of such tools in China,and offering a basis for scientifically assessing their health behavior motivation level and formulating effective strategies to promote health behavior motivation.
3.Research progress on assessment tools for the treatment burden of patients with chronic diseases
Kaiwen ZHAN ; Lei LIU ; Daqiu WANG ; Jiayu WANG ; Yu TIAN ; Manman LI ; Siqi SUN ; Zhifeng ZHANG
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2025;27(1):74-78
The number of patients with chronic diseases in China has been increasing year by year,followed by the increase of treatment burden.It is particularly important to effectively evaluate the treatment burden of patients with chronic diseases.This paper reviews the main contents,application scope,advantages and disadvantages of the assessment tools for the treatment burden of patients with chronic diseases at home and abroad,so as to provide references and basis for medical staff to reasonably select assessment tools and conduct relevant clinical research.
4.Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Parvovirus B19 among Blood Donors in Lanzhou
Kangle WU ; Weirong WANG ; Shulong YANG ; Weiping FENG ; Deng PAN ; Yi GUO ; Zhifeng ZHANG
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(2):59-63
Objective To examine the serological and molecular prevalence as well as genotype characteristics of human Parvovirus B19 blood donors in Lanzhou,and to provide evidence for developing a screening strategy to reduce the risk of blood transfusion transmission.Methods A total of 5 722 blood samples collected from Lanzhou blood donors from April 2023 to October 2023 were tested for B19 DNA using real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR).Additionally,383 samples were screened for anti-B19 IgG and anti-B19 IgM using synchronous enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA).Viral load and VP1 sequencing were conducted on the B19 DNA-positive samples and the Neighbor-Joining(N-J)method was used to construct an evolutionary tree for the sequenced samples.Results The prevalence of human Parvovirus B19 DNA,IgG antibody and IgM antibody was 0.47%(27/5 722),25.59%(98/383)and 0.26%(1/383),respectively,and the samples positive for B19 DNA,IgG antibody and IgM antibody were 0.26%(1/383).The co-positivity rate for B19 DNA and IgG antibody was 6.27%(24/383),while the positivity rates for B19 DNA or IgG antibody alone were 0.52%(2/383)and 19.06%(73/383),respectively.Viral loads ranged from 4.24 IU/ml to 5.67×102 IU/ml,all below 104 IU/ml.There was no statistical significance in the positive rate of B19 DNA in gender(χ2=0.86,P=0.35),but there was statistical significance in the positive rate of B19 DNA among all age groups(χ2=8.00,P=0.02).The highest positive rate of B19 DNA was 0.65%in the 18~30 age group.There was statistical significance in the positive rate of B19 IgG antibody in gender(χ2=5.03,P=0.02),but there was no statistical significance in the positive rate of B19 IgG antibody among all age groups(χ2=0.51,P=0.77).The highest positive rate of B19 IgG antibody was 29.09%in the age group of 41 to 60.There was no significant difference in the positive rate of B19 IgM antibody in gender(χ2=2.84,P=0.09).The highest positive rate of B19 IgM was 3.85%in the age group of 18~30 years old.Based on the VP1 sequence,the phylogenetic tree revealed that B19 strains in Lanzhou formed a distinct cladistic lineage within genotype 1,predominantly represented by genotype 1b.Conclusion The prevalence of B19 DNA and IgM antibodies among blood donors in the Lanzhou area is low,and so is the viral load.Therefore the risk of transmitting B19 through blood transfusion is relatively small.Since the prevalence of B19 IgG antibody is high,it is suggested to closely monitor the transmission situation in the area,regularly monitor the prevalence of B19 among blood donors,and track the situation of B19 DNA-positive blood donors to recipients to ensure the safety of clinical blood transfusion.
5.Effect of Huangqi-Danggui mixture on neural cell pyroptosis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats
Ruikun WANG ; Weijuan GAO ; Xianming HOU ; Zhifeng XING ; Luyao LIU ; Chengxuan CHAI ; Yi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(7):1267-1274
AIM:To observe the effects of Huangqi-Danggui mixture(HQDG)on the pyroptosis of brain tis-sues in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R),and to explore the mechanism of neuroprotec-tion provided by HQDG.METHODS:Sixty-four SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham group,model group,HQDG group,and Xuesaitong(XST)group.The infarct volume of brain tissues was observed by 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride staining,while hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of brain tis-sues.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like recep-tor protein 3(NLRP3),cleaved caspase-1 and gasdermin D(GSDMD)in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues.The se-rum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured using ELISA.Western blot was used to detect NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),IL-1β and IL-18 in brain tissues.RESULTS:Compared with sham group,the neurological deficit scores of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),while those in HQDG and XST groups were significantly reduced compared with model group(P<0.01).The cerebral infarct volume ratio was significantly reduced in HQDG and XST groups compared with model group(P<0.01).The pathological damage of brain tissue in HQDG and XST groups was significantly reduced compared with model group.The positive rates of NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1 and GSDMD in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues were significantly decreased in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).The expression of pyrop-tosis-related proteins,NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1 and ASC,in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues was significantly el-evated in model group compared with sham group(P<0.01),and significantly decreased in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).The serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased in model group compared with sham group(P<0.01),and significantly reduced in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).CONCLU-SION:The HQDG effectively attenuates brain tissue injury in rats with MCAO/R,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of neural cell pyroptosis.
6.Nirsevimab for preventing respiratory syncytial virus infection in a periviable extremely preterm infant
Yanqing LIN ; Xuran WANG ; Zhifeng HUANG ; Haifeng ZONG ; Xiaoyun XIONG ; Chuanzhong YANG
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(12):1062-1064
This report described a periviable extremely preterm infant who received Nirsevimab before discharge for preventing respiratory syncytial virus infection. The infant was born at 22?3 weeks' gestation with a birth weight of 360 g. Nirsevimab was administered on January 12, 2025 (110 days after birth, corrected gestational age of 38?2 weeks) at the Women and Children's Medical Center of Southern Medical University (Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital). No local or systemic adverse reactions were observed following administration. Follow-up until 1 year and 2 months of age (November 2025) revealed no occurrence of respiratory syncytial virus infection.
7.The characteristics and mechanism of dynamic changes of different components in microenvironment in regulating the progression of liver fibrosis
Huilan ZHAO ; Zongxu LIU ; Shumin LI ; Zhifeng WANG ; Minghui LIU ; Qian SHENG ; Kunbin KE ; Xinan SHI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):755-760
The liver has diverse functions such as metabolism, detoxification, and immune defense, and the maintenance of hepatic microenvironment homeostasis is crucial for overall bodily health. The hepatic microenvironment consists of the components such as parenchymal cells, non-parenchymal cells, and non-cellular components. Chronic inflammatory responses induced by various etiological factors may promote the formation and progression of liver fibrosis. During the dynamic progression of liver fibrosis, from the early to advanced stages, various components within the hepatic microenvironment undergo a series of changes, which can promote the malignant progression of liver fibrosis. An in-depth exploration of the mechanisms underlying such changes in each component of the liver fibrosis microenvironment is of great significance for understanding the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and discovering potential treatment strategies.
8.Correlation of the steady-state minimal concentration with AUC24/MIC of vancomycin and analysis of risk factors for treatment failure in pediatric patients
Jinxiang LIN ; Youhong WANG ; Zhifeng XIAO ; Jing WANG ; Ying SONG ; Ningfang CAI ; Xiuping WU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1093-1098
OBJECTIVE To assess the correlation between the steady-state minimal concentration (cmin) and 24 h area under the drug concentration-time curve (AUC24)/minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio (AUC24/MIC) of vancomycin in pediatric patients, and analyze independent risk factors for treatment failure. METHODS Data of hospitalized children treated with vancomycin and receiving therapeutic drug monitoring in our hospital from January 2021 to July 2024 were retrospectively collected and divided into success group and failure group according to whether the treatment was successful or not. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between cmin and AUC24/MIC of vancomycin, and one-way and multifactorial Logistic regression analyses were used to screen the independent risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure. RESULTS A total of 59 children were included, with 41 in the success group and 18 in the failure group. Compared with the failure group, AUC24/MIC of vancomycin was significantly higher in the success group (P=0.038), but there was no statistically significant difference in the cmin of the two groups (P>0.05); cmin of vancomycin was significantly positively correlated with AUC24/MIC (r=0.499, P<0.001), but it has a certain efficacy in predicting the achievement of the AUC24/MIC standard (≥400) (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve=0.696), with an optimal cutoff value of 6.05 mg/L determined by the Youden index. The efficacy of AUC24/ MIC in predicting treatment failure was superior to cmin (areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve were 0.671 vs. 0.523, P were 0.038 vs. 0.684), with higher sensitivity (83.3% vs. 66.7%). Hypoproteinemia and AUC24/MIC≤369.1 were independent risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure (P<0.05). The incidence of nephrotoxicity was 3.4%. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant positive correlation between cmin and AUC24/MIC of vancomycin in pediatric patients; hypoproteinemia and AUC24/MIC≤369.1 are independent risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure in children.
9.Research progress on epigenetic changes induced by ionizing radiation
WANG Suyi ; SONG Li ; LIU Zhifeng ; JIANG Rongyue ; SONG Yue ; XIA Lu ; YANG Fan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(4):361-364
Ionizing radiation (IR) is a genotoxic agent that can play an important role in the occurrence and development of various diseases by inducing epigenetic changes. Studies have shown that the basic mechanisms of IR-induced epigenetic changes include abnormal DNA methylation, increased oxidative stress levels, changes in histone modifications, and regulation by microRNAs. These can lead to health hazards such as malignant tumors, genetic effects, nervous system damage, circulatory system diseases, and radiation-induced cataracts. This article collected relevant literatures regarding epigenetic changes induced by IR from 2005 to 2024, and reviewed the basic mechanisms of IR-induced epigenetic changes and the associated disease risks, providing the reference for radiation protection in occupational exposure and radiotherapy.
10.Human resource in disease control and prevention institutions in Jinhua City
PANG Zhifeng ; WANG Juanjuan ; SHOU Geli ; ZHANG Tao
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):530-535
Objective:
To investigate the personnel allocation, structure, and mobility situation of the disease prevention and control (CDC) institutions in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2024, so as to provide insights into strengthening the construction of the talent team within CDC institutions.
Methods:
Basic information of the personnel in the CDC institutions, Jinhua City were collected through the Basic Information Subsystem of the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Composition of age, gender, educational background, major, professional title of the in-service and officially employed personnel, as well as the situation of personnel mobility were analyzed using descriptive methods.
Results:
A total of 10 CDCs were established in Jinhua City by the end of 2024, including 1 municipal CDC and 9 county (city, district) CDCs, with an approved staffing of 672 people and 621 in-service and officially employed staff. Compared with 2018, the approved number of staff positions in the CDC institutions of Jinhua City increased by 21.30% in 2024, and the number of in-service and officially employed staff members increased by 22.73%. From 2018 to 2024, the number of CDC staff per 10 000 permanent residents in the CDC institutions of Jinhua City, the municipal CDC, and the county (city, district) CDCs were 0.764 to 0.932, 0.142 to 0.173, and 0.623 to 0.759, respectively. From 2018 to 2024, the overall male-to-female ratio in both the municipal CDC and the county (city, district) CDCs decreased from 1.04∶1 and 0.84∶1 to 0.95∶1 and 0.75∶1, respectively. In the municipal CDC, the proportion of staff aged 25-<45 years old increased from 57.45% to 69.02%; the proportion of staff with a bachelor's degree or above increased from 79.79% to 93.81%; the proportion of staff majoring in public health increased from 37.23% to 49.56%; the proportions of staff with various professional titles were relatively stable; 51 staff members joined, all of whom had a bachelor's degree or above; 32 staff members left, among whom 24 retired and 6 were admitted to civil service positions or other units. In the county (city, district) CDCs, the proportion of staff aged 22-<35 years old increased from 30.59% to 37.40%; the proportion of staff with a bachelor's degree or above increased from 71.85% to 89.76%; the proportion of staff majoring in public health increased from 46.60% to 54.33%; the proportion of staff with a junior professional title or below increased from 34.47% to 43.50%; 198 staff members joined, and 194 of them had a bachelor's degree or above; 102 staff members left, among whom 67 retired and 28 were admitted to civil service positions or other units.
Conclusions
From 2018 to 2024, the number of in-service and officially employed staff in Jinhua CDC institutions increased the academic qualifications and professional composition continue to improve. There are still problems with the number of CDC staff per 10 000 permanent residents being lower than the standard for the personnel establishment in Zhejiang CDCs, a lack of high-level talents, and insufficient personnel stability.


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