1.Exploring mechanism of Porana racemosa Roxb. in treating rheumatoid arthritis based on integration of network pharmacology and molecular docking combined with experimental validation
Chen-yu YE ; Ning LI ; Yin-zi CHEN ; Tong QU ; Jing HU ; Zhi-yong CHEN ; Hui REN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):117-129
Through network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, combined with
2.Neuroplasticity Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Brain Protection
Li-Juan HOU ; Lan-Qun MAO ; Wei CHEN ; Ke LI ; Xu-Dong ZHAO ; Yin-Hao WANG ; Zi-Zheng YANG ; Tian-He WEI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1435-1452
Neuroscience is a significant frontier discipline within the natural sciences and has become an important interdisciplinary frontier scientific field. Brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body, and its structural and functional analysis is considered the “ultimate frontier” of human self-awareness and exploration of nature. Driven by the strategic layout of “China Brain Project”, Chinese scientists have conducted systematic research focusing on “understanding the brain, simulating the brain, and protecting the brain”. They have made breakthrough progress in areas such as the principles of brain cognition, mechanisms and interventions for brain diseases, brain-like computation, and applications of brain-machine intelligence technology, aiming to enhance brain health through biomedical technology and improve the quality of human life. Due to limited understanding and comprehension of neuroscience, there are still many important unresolved issues in the field of neuroscience, resulting in a lack of effective measures to prevent and protect brain health. Therefore, in addition to actively developing new generation drugs, exploring non pharmacological treatment strategies with better health benefits and higher safety is particularly important. Epidemiological data shows that, exercise is not only an indispensable part of daily life but also an important non-pharmacological approach for protecting brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases, forming an emerging research field known as motor neuroscience. Basic research in motor neuroscience primarily focuses on analyzing the dynamic coding mechanisms of neural circuits involved in motor control, breakthroughs in motor neuroscience research depend on the construction of dynamic monitoring systems across temporal and spatial scales. Therefore, high spatiotemporal resolution detection of movement processes and movement-induced changes in brain structure and neural activity signals is an important technical foundation for conducting motor neuroscience research and has developed a set of tools based on traditional neuroscience methods combined with novel motor behavior decoding technologies, providing an innovative technical platform for motor neuroscience research. The protective effect of exercise in neurodegenerative diseases provides broad application prospects for its clinical translation. Applied research in motor neuroscience centers on deciphering the regulatory networks of neuroprotective molecules mediated by exercise. From the perspectives of exercise promoting neurogenesis and regeneration, enhancing synaptic plasticity, modulating neuronal functional activity, and remodeling the molecular homeostasis of the neuronal microenvironment, it aims to improve cognitive function and reduce the incidence of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This has also advanced research into the molecular regulatory networks mediating exercise-induced neuroprotection and facilitated the clinical application and promotion of exercise rehabilitation strategies. Multidimensional analysis of exercise-regulated neural plasticity is the theoretical basis for elucidating the brain-protective mechanisms mediated by exercise and developing intervention strategies for neurological diseases. Thus,real-time analysis of different neural signals during active exercise is needed to study the health effects of exercise throughout the entire life cycle and enhance lifelong sports awareness. Therefore, this article will systematically summarize the innovative technological developments in motor neuroscience research, review the mechanisms of neural plasticity that exercise utilizes to protect the brain, and explore the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of major neurodegenerative diseases. This aims to provide new ideas for future theoretical innovations and clinical applications in the field of exercise-induced brain protection.
3.The Critical Roles of GABAergic Interneurons in The Pathological Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Ke-Han CHEN ; Zheng-Jiang YANG ; Zi-Xin GAO ; Yuan YAO ; De-Zhong YAO ; Yin YANG ; Ke CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2233-2240
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, is characterized by severe cognitive decline, loss of daily living abilities, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. This condition imposes a substantial burden on patients, families, and society. Despite extensive research efforts, the complex pathogenesis of AD, particularly the early mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction, remains incompletely understood, posing significant challenges for timely diagnosis and effective therapeutic intervention. Among the various cellular components implicated in AD, GABAergic interneurons have emerged as critical players in the pathological cascade, playing a pivotal role in maintaining neural network integrity and function in key brain regions affected by the disease. GABAergic interneurons represent a heterogeneous population of inhibitory neurons essential for sustaining neural network homeostasis. They achieve this by precisely modulating rhythmic oscillatory activity (e.g., theta and gamma oscillations), which are crucial for cognitive processes such as learning and memory. These interneurons synthesize and release the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, exerting potent control over excitatory pyramidal neurons through intricate local circuits. Their primary mechanism involves synaptic inhibition, thereby modulating the excitability and synchrony of neural populations. Emerging evidence highlights the significant involvement of GABAergic interneuron dysfunction in AD pathogenesis. Contrary to earlier assumptions of their resistance to the disease, specific subtypes exhibit vulnerability or altered function early in the disease process. Critically, this impairment is not merely a consequence but appears to be a key driver of network hyperexcitability, a hallmark feature of AD models and potentially a core mechanism underlying cognitive deficits. For instance, parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons display biphasic alterations in activity. Both suppressing early hyperactivity or enhancing late activity can rescue cognitive deficits, underscoring their causal role. Somatostatin-positive (SST+) neurons are highly sensitive to amyloid β-protein (Aβ) dysfunction. Their functional impairment drives AD progression via a dual pathway: compensatory hyperexcitability promotes Aβ generation, while released SST-14 forms toxic oligomers with Aβ, collectively accelerating neuronal loss and amyloid deposition, forming a vicious cycle. Vasoactive intestinal peptide-positive (VIP+) neurons, although potentially spared in number early in the disease, exhibit altered firing properties (e.g., broader spikes, lower frequency), contributing to network dysfunction (e.g., in CA1). Furthermore, VIP release induced by 40 Hz sensory stimulation (GENUS) enhances glymphatic clearance of Aβ, demonstrating a direct link between VIP neuron function and modulation of amyloid pathology. Given their central role in network stability and their demonstrable dysfunction in AD, GABAergic interneurons represent promising therapeutic targets. Current research primarily explores three approaches: increasing interneuron numbers (e.g., improving cortical PV+ interneuron counts and behavior in APP/PS1 mice with the antidepressant citalopram; transplanting stem cells differentiated into functional GABAergic neurons to enhance cognition), enhancing neuronal activity (e.g., using low-dose levetiracetam or targeted activation of specific molecules to boost PV+ interneuron excitability, restoring neural network γ‑oscillations and memory; non-invasive neuromodulation techniques like 40 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), GENUS, and minimally invasive electroacupuncture to improve inhibitory regulation, promote memory, and reduce Aβ), and direct GABA system intervention (clinical and animal studies reveal reduced GABA levels in AD-affected brain regions; early GABA supplementation improves cognition in APP/PS1 mice, suggesting a therapeutic time window). Collectively, these findings establish GABAergic interneuron intervention as a foundational rationale and distinct pathway for AD therapy. In conclusion, GABAergic interneurons, particularly the PV+, SST+, and VIP+ subtypes, play critical and subtype-specific roles in the initiation and progression of AD pathology. Their dysfunction significantly contributes to network hyperexcitability, oscillatory deficits, and cognitive decline. Understanding the heterogeneity in their vulnerability and response mechanisms provides crucial insights into AD pathogenesis. Targeting these interneurons through pharmacological, neuromodulatory, or cellular approaches offers promising avenues for developing novel, potentially disease-modifying therapies.
4.Current status and influencing factors of health-care seeking delay for tuberculosis patients in Changsha, 2019-2023
YIN Pengliang ; SONG Lixin ; XIE Cifu ; XIONG Zi
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(1):81-
Objective To analyze the current situation and influencing factors of health-care seeking delay of tuberculosis patients registered in Changsha from 2019 to 2023, and to understand the current status of health-care seeking delay after the transformation of the tuberculosis prevention and treatment service model in Changsha, so as to provide reference bases for improving the patient discovery strategy and optimizing tuberculosis control and prevention measures. Methods The case data of 23 371 tuberculosis patients registered in Changsha City from 2019 to 2023 were collected, and the time of health-care seeking delay and the rate of health-care seeking delay were calculated. Comparison of differences between groups with different characteristics using rank sum test and chi-square test, and the Cochran-Armitage method was used to analyze the trend of health-care seeking delay rate, and multifactorial analysis was carried out with the help of logistic regression model. Results The median health-care seeking time of tuberculosis patients in Changsha City from 2019-2023 was 16 (5, 44) days, and the overall health-care seeking delay rate was 53.5%, with an overall increasing trend (Z=-7.256, P<0.001). Between-group comparisons revealed differences in health-care seeking delay time and health-care seeking delay rate between groups of patients with different gender, age group, occupation, current address, types of household registration, medical history, complication, diagnostic triage, pathogenic results and geographic accessibility (P<0.05). The results of multifactorial analysis showed that compared to the<25 years age group, the 25-<65 years age group (OR=1.579, 95%CI: 1.490-1.669) and the ≥65 years age group (OR=2.016,95%CI: 1.918-2.113) had a higher risk of health-care seeking delay, presence of complication (OR=1.213,95%CI:1.141-1.285), positive pathology (OR=1.503, 95%CI: 1.449-1.556), and average geographic accessibility of healthcare services (OR=1.073, 95%CI:1.017-1.129) were risk factors for health-care seeking delay, and the risk was relatively lower in the migrating population (OR=0.920, 95%CI: 0.815-0.989). Conclusion The rate of delayed health-care seeking for tuberculosis patients in Changsha City in 2019-2023 is at a moderate level in the surrounding areas, and the overall trend is increasing. It suggests that proactive screening strategies for key populations should be optimized to improve the accessibility of healthcare services and reduce the rate of health-care seeking delay.
5.Occurrence status and influencing factors of frailty in elderly patients with heart failure
Zi YIN ; Jingjing DONG ; Huaiyu XU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):176-179
Objective To analyze the occurrence status and risk factors of frailty in elderly patients with heart failure (HF), and improve the prognosis of elderly patients with HF. Methods Totally 306 elderly patients with HF who received treatment in the hospital were selected from April 2021 to April 2024 as the study subjects. The occurrence of frailty was counted, and the patients were divided into frailty group and non-frailty group according to occurrence status of frailty. Univariate and logistic multivariate regression analyses were adopted to analyze the risk factors of frailty in elderly HF patients. Results Among the 306 patients, there were 92 cases of frailty, with an incidence rate of 30.07%. There were obvious differences in age, HF grading, nutritional status, negative emotions, left ventricular ejection fraction, hemoglobin and creatinine between groups (P<0.05). After logistic multivariate analysis, it was found that age≥70 years old, HF grading, malnutrition, negative emotions and creatinine were the high risk factors for frailty in elderly patients with HF, and left ventricular ejection fraction and hemoglobin level were the protective factors (OR: 1.662, 95%CI: 0.845-3.268; OR: 4.586, 95%CI: 2.318-9.071; OR: 3.971, 95%CI: 1.806-8.731; OR: 3.307, 95%CI: 1.457-7.503; OR: 0.456, 95%CI: 0.255-0.816; OR: 0.525, 95%CI: 1.156-0.967, P<0.05). Conclusion The risk of frailty is high in elderly patients with HF, and is affected by age, heart failure grading, nutritional status, negative emotions, left ventricular ejection fraction, hemoglobin and creatinine. Clinically, it is necessary to take prevention and intervention measures for such patients to reduce the occurrence of frailty.
6.Results of one-year blood pressure follow-up after proximal and total renal artery denervation
Yi-Wen REN ; Hao ZHOU ; Wei-Jie CHEN ; Hua-An DU ; Bo ZHANG ; Dan LI ; Ming-Yang XIAO ; Zi-Hao WANG ; Zhi-Yu LING ; Yue-Hui YIN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(6):305-310
Objective To compare the efficacy of renal proximal renal artery denervation(pRDN)and full-length renal artery denervation(fRDN)for treatment of hypertension.Methods Fifty-six hypertensive patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to full-length renal artery denervation group(n=25)and proximal renal artery denervation group(n=31).After the procedure,24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(24 h-ABPM)at 6 months and office blood pressure at 12 months was recorded for statistical analysis.Results The blood pressure at follow-up reduced significantly in both groups,while there was no significant difference between groups.The baseline office blood pressure in fRDN group and pRDN group was(180±15)/(104±10)mmHg and(180±12)/(103±8)mmHg,respectively,which decreased to(142±9)/(82±7)mmHg and(143±10)/(83±6)mmHg at 12 months postoperatively(P<0.001 within groups and P>0.05 between groups).The baseline 24 h-ABPM in the two groups was(162±13)/(95±8)mmHg and(160±12)/(94±8)mmHg,respectively,which decreased to(142±11)/(83±7)mmHg and(141±8)/(81±7)mmHg at 6 months postoperatively(P<0.001 within groups and P>0.05 between groups).However,there was no significant difference in the reduction of office blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure between the two groups.No treatment-related adverse events were observed.Conclusions pRDN has similar antihypertensive effect to fRDN.
7.Detection of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in rodents on the basis of the groEL gene in Yunnan commensal rodent plague foci
Rong WEI ; Zi-Wei LI ; Yun-Yan LUO ; Na WANG ; Shu-Qing LIU ; Jin-Chun LI ; Jiang-Li LU ; Jia-Xiang YIN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(7):689-695
The purpose of this study was to understand the prevalence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in rodents in Yunnan commensal rodent plague foci.Lianghe Country,Mangshi City,and Mile City in Yunnan Province were chosen as sampling sites,where rodents were captured with dead-traps.The N.mikurensis groEL gene in rodent spleen samples was detected with nested PCR,and the positive products were sequenced with Sanger bidirectional assays.The infection rate of N.mikurensis a-mong plague foci,habitats,species,and sexes was compared with Chi-square tests or Fisher's exact probability method.Of 656 rodent spleen samples,12 N.mikurensis positive samples were detected in R.tanezumi,R.sladeni,N.confucianus,and B.bowersi.The positivity rate was 1.83%.No significant difference in the N.mikurensis positivity rate was observed a-mong plague foci,habitats,species,and sexes(P>0.05).Genetic evolution analysis of the groEL gene indicated that the se-quence similarity of nucleic acid sequences in 12 positive samples was 99.5%-100%,and the nucleic acid sequences of N.mikurensis were in the same branch,belonging to cluster Ⅳ.Thus,four species of rodents were found to have low frequency infection with N.mikurensis in Yunnan commensal rodent plague foci.
8.Effect of TLK2 Expression Regulated by MiR-21 on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells
Bo LIANG ; Jun-Jie YIN ; Sheng-Nan ZHANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Zi-Long HU ; Yi WANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):658-662
Objective:To investigate the effect of TLK2 expression regulated by miR-21 on proliferation and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia cells.Methods:Seventy patients with AML admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to July 2022 were selected,while 30 patients with iron deficiency anemia were selected as the control group.Bone marrow mononuclear cells(BMMNCs)of the patients were obtained using Ficoll density gradient centrifugation.RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression levels of miR-21 and TLK2 mRNA in BMMNCs.Mimics-miR-21,mimics-NC,inhibitor-miR-21,inhibitor-NC and NC were transfected into HL-60 cells using liposome-mediated transfection technology.CCK-8 method was used to determine the activity of transfected HL-60 cells after treatment with cytarabine.The apoptosis rate of HL-60 transfected cells was determined by TUNEL method.The expression of TLK2 mRNA in HL-60 cells transfected with inhibitor-miR-21 was determined by RT-qPCR.Results:The relative expression levels of miR-21 and TLK2 mRNA in BMMNCs of AML patients were significantly higher than those of controls(both P<0.05).After HL-60 cells were treated with cytarabine,both the cell activity of inhibitor-miR-21 group and mimics-miR-21 group decreased significantly with the increase of cytarabine concentration(both P<0.05).However,at each concentration point of cytarabine,the cell activity of inhibitor-miR-21 group was lower than that of control group(P<0.05),while mimics-miR-21 group was higher than control group(P<0.05).After HL-60 cells were treated with cytarabine,the apoptosis rate of inhibitor-miR-21 group was significantly increased(P<0.05),while that of mimics-miR-21 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).After HL-60 cells were treated with inhibitor-miR-21,the relative expression of TLK2 mRNA decreased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion:miR-21 is highly expressed in AML patients,which may promote the apoptosis of AML cells by inhibiting the expression of TLK2.
9.Effect of Plasma Epstein-Barr Virus Nucleic Acid Loads on the Clinical Features and Prognosis in Adult Secondary Hemopha-gocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Li-Min DUAN ; Guang-Li YIN ; Tian TIAN ; Ju-Juan WANG ; Xin GAO ; Wan-Ying CHENG ; Zi-Wei FANG ; Hong-Xia QIU ; Ji XU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(4):1238-1247
Objective:To investigate the effect of pre-treatment plasma Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)DNA copy number on the clinical features and prognosis of patients with adult secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(sHLH).Methods:The clinical characteristics,survival rate,and prognostic factors of 171 patients with adult sHLH treated at Jiangsu Province Hospital from June 2017 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed in this study.Patients were divided into three groups,including the EBV DNA-negative group(<5.0 × 102 copies/ml),lower EBV-DNA loads group(5.0 × 102-8.51 × 104 copies/ml),and higher EBV-DNA loads group(>8.51 × 104 copies/ml),according to pre-treatment plasma EBV-DNA copy number.Cox regression model was established for screening prognostic factors.Adult sHLH survival prediction model was constructed and realized through the nomogram based on EBV-DNA load after adjusted the factors affecting survival of etiology and treatment strategy.Concordance index(C-index)and calibration curves were calculated to verify model predictive and discriminatory capacity.Results:Among 171 adult sHLH patients,84 patients were not infected with EBV(EBV DNA-negative group),and 87 with EBV(EBV DNA-positive group,48 lower EBV-DNA loads group and 39 higher EBV-DNA loads group).Consistent elevations in the levels of liver enzymes(ALT and AST),LDH,TG,β2-microglobulin and ferritin across the increasing of EBV-DNA load(all P<0.05),while the levels of fibrinogen decrease(P<0.001).The median follow-up time was 52 days(range 20-230 days),and 123 patients died.The overall survival(OS)rate of patients in EBV DNA-positive group was lower than that in EBV DNA-negative group(median OS:40 days vs 118 days,P<0.001).Higher EBV-DNA loads had worse OS(median OS:24 days vs 45 days vs 118 days,P<0.0001 for trend)compared to lower EBV-DNA loads and EBV DNA-negative group.Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that higher EBV-DNA loads(P=0.005),fibrinogen≤ 1.5 g/L(P=0.012),ferritin(P=0.041),associated lymphoma(P=0.002),and anti-tumor based strategy(P=0.001)were independent prognostic factors for OS.The C-indexes of 30 day,90 days,365 days survival rate were all greater than 0.8 of the nomogram model and calibration curves provided credibility to their predictive capability.Subgroup analysis showed that patients with higher EBV-DNA loads had a significantly worse prognosis in adult sHLH who were women,ferritin>5 000 μg/L,β2-microglobulin>7.4 mmol/L and regardless of age,etiologies,HScore points.Conclusion:The EBV-DNA load is a strong and independent predictor for survival in patients with sHLH.The prognostic nomogram based on EBV-DNA loads was dependable and provides a visual tool for evaluating the survival of adult sHLH.
10.Analysis of Frequencies and Subsets of Peripheral Helper T Cells in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia
Wei-Ping LI ; Zi-Ran BAI ; Yu-Qin TIAN ; Chun-Lai YIN ; Xia LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1518-1519,1521-1523
Objective:To investigate the frequencies and subset distribution of peripheral helper(Tph)T cells in patients with immune thrombocytopenia(ITP),and explore the pathogenesis of ITP.Methods:A total of 25 newly diagnosed ITP patients treated in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January to December 2022 were selected,and 25 healthy volunteers(age-and sex-matched)were recruited as the control group.Flow cytometry was used to detect the subsets of CD4+T cells and Tph cells.Results:The frequency of effector memory(CCR7-CD45RO+CD4+)T cells in ITP patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(P<0.05).The frequency of Tph cells in ITP patients was also significantly higher than that in healthy controls(P<0.001),and most of the Tph cells in ITP patients were effector memory T cells.Furthermore,the expressions of T-cell costimulatory molecules in Tph cells,including ICOS and CD84,were similar to those in follicular helper T(Tfh)cells.CXCR3-CCR6-Tph(Tph2)subgroup was dominant in Tph cells,but the frequency of CXCR3+CCR6-Tph(Tph1)cells in ITP patients was much higher than that in healthy controls(P<0.05).Conclusion:Tph cells,especially Tph1 cells,were abnormally expanded in ITP patients,which may be a potential etiology of ITP.


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