1.Osthole ameliorates chronic pruritus in 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis by inhibiting IL-31 production.
Shuang HE ; Xiaoling LIANG ; Weixiong CHEN ; Yangji NIMA ; Yi LI ; Zihui GU ; Siyue LAI ; Fei ZHONG ; Caixiong QIU ; Yuying MO ; Jiajun TANG ; Guanyi WU
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(2):368-379
OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic potential of osthole for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), focusing on its ability to alleviate chronic pruritus (CP) and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
METHODS:
In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of osthole in both a 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulated huma immortalized epidermal (HaCaT) cells. The anti-itch effect of osthole was specifically assessed in the AD mouse model. Using methods such as hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence staining.
RESULTS:
Osthole improved skin damage and clinical dermatitis scores, reduced scratching bouts, and decreased epidermal thickness AD-like mice. It also reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-31 and IL-31 receptor A (IL-31 RA) in both skin tissues and HaCaT cells. Furthermore, Osthole suppressed the protein expression levels of phosphor-p65 (p-p65) and phosphor-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-Bα (p-IκBα). Meanwhile, it increased the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and PPARγ in HaCaT cells.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicated that osthole effectively inhibited CP in AD by activating PPARα, PPARγ, repressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, as well as the expression of IL-31 and IL-31 RA.
2.Efficacy test of mp-MRI-based VI-RADS score for diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer,a Meta-analysis
Qingyang YU ; Kangkang CHEN ; Tonglei ZHAO ; Weipu MAO ; Zejun WANG ; Xinyang PENG ; Zihui ZHAO ; Xingui PENG ; Ming CHEN ; Jianping WU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(6):430-438
Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System(VI-RADS)based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(mp-MRI)for muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC).Methods:A systematic search was conducted in PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase databases for studies published between September 2018 and December 2023 that investigated the use of VI-RADS for diagnosing MIBC. Inclusion criteria were studies utilizing mp-MRI-based VI-RADS scoring to determine MIBC. Exclusion criteria were studies with fewer than 10 patients,overlapping study populations,or those failing to assess the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for MIBC. After quality assessment,RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15.1 were used to calculate pooled sensitivity and specificity,generate forest plots and summary receiver operating characteristic(SROC)curves,and determine the area under the curve(AUC). Publication bias was assessed using Deeks funnel plot. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic,with meta-regression and subgroup analyses to explore its sources. Results:Twenty-nine studies involving 3 577 patients were included. At a VI-RADS cutoff of 3,the pooled sensitivity and specificity for MIBC diagnosis were 93%(95%CI 0.90-0.95)and 82%(95%CI 0.76-0.88),respectively. At a cutoff of 4,these values were 83%(95%CI 0.78-0.87)and 93%(95%CI 0.90-0.95). The hierarchical SROC(HSROC)AUCs were 0.95 and 0.94 for cutoffs of 3 and 4,respectively. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed that at a cutoff of 3,patient sample size,study design,MRI field strength,number of radiologists,surgical approach,and DWI/DCE imaging planes contributed to sensitivity heterogeneity( P < 0.05). All factors except study design and DWI plane were sources of specificity heterogeneity( P < 0.05). At a cutoff of 4,all factors significantly influenced heterogeneity in both sensitivity and specificity( P < 0.05). Meta-regression confirmed that both cutoffs(3 and 4)were significant sources of heterogeneity( P < 0.05). Conclusions:VI-RADS demonstrates excellent diagnostic performance for MIBC at both cutoffs(3 and 4),with VI-RADS ≥ 3 showing superior sensitivity and VI-RADS ≥ 4 offering higher specificity. The cutoff of 3 provides better overall diagnostic efficacy.
3.Analysis of Differences in Cortical Activation Areas and Functional Connectivity During Speech in Young People Under Different Cognitive Loads
Zihui JIANG ; Xiuen CHEN ; Jiejiao ZHENG ; Yongjun ZHENG ; Yunyun ZHANG ; Xiangyun LIU ; Liwen QIU ; Chenchen ZHANG ; Zhichao NING
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(1):40-45
Objective To investigate the differences in cortical activation and functional connectivity during speech under different cognitive loads in young individuals.Methods Twenty-one participants(mean age 21.9±1.33 years)were instructed to read short sentences embedded with color words under both congruent(where the color words matched the font color)and incongruent(where the color words did not match the font color)condi-tions.The color words required reading the font color instead of the word itself.Functional near-infrared spectros-copy(fNIRS)was utilized to analyze differences in cortical activation(changes in HbO concentration)and functional connectivity(Pearson correlation of HbO between brain regions)in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)and supplementary motor area(SMA)bilaterally.Results The fNIRS results revealed significant increase in HbO con-centration changes in the RDLPFC(t=3.4,P=0.003),LDLPFC(t=2.58,P=0.019),RSMA(t=3.59,P=0.002),and LSMA(t=4.06,P=0.001)under the incongruent condition compared to the congruent condition.Additionally,there was a significant enhancement in the correlation between RDLPFC and LDLPFC(t=2.44,P=0.025).However,the differences in correlation between left and right SMA,as well as between SMA and DLPFC,were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion These findings suggest that during speech under incongru-ent conditions,increased cognitive load leads to elevated cortical activation in the DLPFC and SMA,along with in-creased functional connectivity between the left and right DLPFC.
4.Value of multiparametric MRI-based radiomics in predicting HER2 expression in bladder cancer
Tonglei ZHAO ; Weipu MAO ; Zihui ZHAO ; Zejun WANG ; Dakun ZHANG ; Ming CHEN ; Jianping WU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(8):662-670,688
Objective To evaluate the value of radiomics models and comprehensive models based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(mpMRI)in predicting the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)in bladder cancer(BCa).Methods A total of 76 pathologically confirmed BCa patients undergoing pelvic mpMRI during Jan.2022 and Nov.2024 at the Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University were retrospectively included.After the volume of interest(VOI)was sketched,7 modal features were obtained,including T2WI,DWI,DCE,T2WI+DWI,T2WI+DCE,DWI+DCE,and T2WI+DWI+DCE,which were analyzed with logistic regression to obtain the predictive values.After that,the best sequences were screened with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,and then combined with support vector machine,logistic regression,K-nearest neighbor,plain Bayes and adaptive enhancement,to construct the radiomics prediction models.Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the predictors of high HER 2 expression and to construct a comprehensive prediction model and a nomogram.Finally,decision curve analysis(DCA)was used to quantify the clinical benefits.Results Among the radiomics models based on the T2WI+DWI+DCE sequence,the AdaBoost model demonstrated the best predictive performance,with area under the ROC curve(AUC)being 0.863(95%CI:0.807-0.920)in the training set and 0.716(95%CI:0.601-0.830)in the validation set.Based on radiomics features and clinical imaging characteristics,logistic regression analysis identified tumor pedicle and risk group as the predictors of high HER2 expression.The comprehensive prediction model based on the two factors achieved the AUC of 0.869(95%CI:0.772-0.965)in the training set and 0.875(95%CI:0.712-0.986)in the validation set.Conclusion The radiomics model based on the T2WI+DWI+DCE sequence has high accuracy in predicting HER2 expression,outperforming single-sequence models.The nomogram based on the comprehensive prediction model has high clinical decision-making efficacy and is useful for non-invasive identification of HER2 expression.
5.Current status of herpes zoster vaccination in an infectious diseases hospital from 2020 to 2023
Zihui TANG ; Ye WANG ; Lishan MENG ; Siming GAO ; Li LIU ; Xi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(10):1553-1556
OBJECTIVE To statistically analyze the data of herpes zoster vaccination in the past four years and sum-marize the current status of herpes zoster vaccination.METHODS The data of herpes zoster vaccination were col-lected from the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between 2020 and 2023.The descriptive statistical analysis was performed for the status vaccination regarding to the age group and gender.The influencing factors for the vaccination were analyzed,and the questionnaire survey was conducted for adverse reactions after the vacci-nation.RESULTS A total of 495 people received herpes zoster vaccination in the hospital from 2020 to 2023,inclu-ding 290 female and 205 male,and the overall number of vaccination showed an upward trend.Among the popula-tions who received the vaccination,the proportion of the population aged between 50 and 60 years old was 47.68%,the population aged between 60 and 70 years old 39.19%,the population aged more than 70 years old 13.13%.Totally 353 cases had the previous history of herpes zoster virus infection,accounting for 71.31%.The major adverse reactions for the herpes zoster vaccination included slight swelling,pruritus,fatigue and headache with low-grade fever.The follow-up result showed that 4 of 376 vaccination people reported to be reinfected with herpes zoster virus.CONCLUSIONS The people aged between 50 and 60 years old are the major population for her-pes zoster vaccination,the vaccination rate declines year by year among the population aged more than 60 years old,and the rate of willing to vaccination is low.It is necessary for the epidemic prevention institutions to actively disseminate the knowledge of herpes zoster vaccine and carry out health education,especially the vulnerability to the virus and safety of the vaccine,so as to raise the public's willingness to the vaccination.
6.Current status of herpes zoster vaccination in an infectious diseases hospital from 2020 to 2023
Zihui TANG ; Ye WANG ; Lishan MENG ; Siming GAO ; Li LIU ; Xi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(10):1553-1556
OBJECTIVE To statistically analyze the data of herpes zoster vaccination in the past four years and sum-marize the current status of herpes zoster vaccination.METHODS The data of herpes zoster vaccination were col-lected from the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between 2020 and 2023.The descriptive statistical analysis was performed for the status vaccination regarding to the age group and gender.The influencing factors for the vaccination were analyzed,and the questionnaire survey was conducted for adverse reactions after the vacci-nation.RESULTS A total of 495 people received herpes zoster vaccination in the hospital from 2020 to 2023,inclu-ding 290 female and 205 male,and the overall number of vaccination showed an upward trend.Among the popula-tions who received the vaccination,the proportion of the population aged between 50 and 60 years old was 47.68%,the population aged between 60 and 70 years old 39.19%,the population aged more than 70 years old 13.13%.Totally 353 cases had the previous history of herpes zoster virus infection,accounting for 71.31%.The major adverse reactions for the herpes zoster vaccination included slight swelling,pruritus,fatigue and headache with low-grade fever.The follow-up result showed that 4 of 376 vaccination people reported to be reinfected with herpes zoster virus.CONCLUSIONS The people aged between 50 and 60 years old are the major population for her-pes zoster vaccination,the vaccination rate declines year by year among the population aged more than 60 years old,and the rate of willing to vaccination is low.It is necessary for the epidemic prevention institutions to actively disseminate the knowledge of herpes zoster vaccine and carry out health education,especially the vulnerability to the virus and safety of the vaccine,so as to raise the public's willingness to the vaccination.
7.Value of multiparametric MRI-based radiomics in predicting HER2 expression in bladder cancer
Tonglei ZHAO ; Weipu MAO ; Zihui ZHAO ; Zejun WANG ; Dakun ZHANG ; Ming CHEN ; Jianping WU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(8):662-670,688
Objective To evaluate the value of radiomics models and comprehensive models based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(mpMRI)in predicting the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)in bladder cancer(BCa).Methods A total of 76 pathologically confirmed BCa patients undergoing pelvic mpMRI during Jan.2022 and Nov.2024 at the Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University were retrospectively included.After the volume of interest(VOI)was sketched,7 modal features were obtained,including T2WI,DWI,DCE,T2WI+DWI,T2WI+DCE,DWI+DCE,and T2WI+DWI+DCE,which were analyzed with logistic regression to obtain the predictive values.After that,the best sequences were screened with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,and then combined with support vector machine,logistic regression,K-nearest neighbor,plain Bayes and adaptive enhancement,to construct the radiomics prediction models.Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the predictors of high HER 2 expression and to construct a comprehensive prediction model and a nomogram.Finally,decision curve analysis(DCA)was used to quantify the clinical benefits.Results Among the radiomics models based on the T2WI+DWI+DCE sequence,the AdaBoost model demonstrated the best predictive performance,with area under the ROC curve(AUC)being 0.863(95%CI:0.807-0.920)in the training set and 0.716(95%CI:0.601-0.830)in the validation set.Based on radiomics features and clinical imaging characteristics,logistic regression analysis identified tumor pedicle and risk group as the predictors of high HER2 expression.The comprehensive prediction model based on the two factors achieved the AUC of 0.869(95%CI:0.772-0.965)in the training set and 0.875(95%CI:0.712-0.986)in the validation set.Conclusion The radiomics model based on the T2WI+DWI+DCE sequence has high accuracy in predicting HER2 expression,outperforming single-sequence models.The nomogram based on the comprehensive prediction model has high clinical decision-making efficacy and is useful for non-invasive identification of HER2 expression.
8.Efficacy test of mp-MRI-based VI-RADS score for diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer,a Meta-analysis
Qingyang YU ; Kangkang CHEN ; Tonglei ZHAO ; Weipu MAO ; Zejun WANG ; Xinyang PENG ; Zihui ZHAO ; Xingui PENG ; Ming CHEN ; Jianping WU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(6):430-438
Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System(VI-RADS)based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(mp-MRI)for muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC).Methods:A systematic search was conducted in PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase databases for studies published between September 2018 and December 2023 that investigated the use of VI-RADS for diagnosing MIBC. Inclusion criteria were studies utilizing mp-MRI-based VI-RADS scoring to determine MIBC. Exclusion criteria were studies with fewer than 10 patients,overlapping study populations,or those failing to assess the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for MIBC. After quality assessment,RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15.1 were used to calculate pooled sensitivity and specificity,generate forest plots and summary receiver operating characteristic(SROC)curves,and determine the area under the curve(AUC). Publication bias was assessed using Deeks funnel plot. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic,with meta-regression and subgroup analyses to explore its sources. Results:Twenty-nine studies involving 3 577 patients were included. At a VI-RADS cutoff of 3,the pooled sensitivity and specificity for MIBC diagnosis were 93%(95%CI 0.90-0.95)and 82%(95%CI 0.76-0.88),respectively. At a cutoff of 4,these values were 83%(95%CI 0.78-0.87)and 93%(95%CI 0.90-0.95). The hierarchical SROC(HSROC)AUCs were 0.95 and 0.94 for cutoffs of 3 and 4,respectively. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed that at a cutoff of 3,patient sample size,study design,MRI field strength,number of radiologists,surgical approach,and DWI/DCE imaging planes contributed to sensitivity heterogeneity( P < 0.05). All factors except study design and DWI plane were sources of specificity heterogeneity( P < 0.05). At a cutoff of 4,all factors significantly influenced heterogeneity in both sensitivity and specificity( P < 0.05). Meta-regression confirmed that both cutoffs(3 and 4)were significant sources of heterogeneity( P < 0.05). Conclusions:VI-RADS demonstrates excellent diagnostic performance for MIBC at both cutoffs(3 and 4),with VI-RADS ≥ 3 showing superior sensitivity and VI-RADS ≥ 4 offering higher specificity. The cutoff of 3 provides better overall diagnostic efficacy.
9.Analysis of Differences in Cortical Activation Areas and Functional Connectivity During Speech in Young People Under Different Cognitive Loads
Zihui JIANG ; Xiuen CHEN ; Jiejiao ZHENG ; Yongjun ZHENG ; Yunyun ZHANG ; Xiangyun LIU ; Liwen QIU ; Chenchen ZHANG ; Zhichao NING
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(1):40-45
Objective To investigate the differences in cortical activation and functional connectivity during speech under different cognitive loads in young individuals.Methods Twenty-one participants(mean age 21.9±1.33 years)were instructed to read short sentences embedded with color words under both congruent(where the color words matched the font color)and incongruent(where the color words did not match the font color)condi-tions.The color words required reading the font color instead of the word itself.Functional near-infrared spectros-copy(fNIRS)was utilized to analyze differences in cortical activation(changes in HbO concentration)and functional connectivity(Pearson correlation of HbO between brain regions)in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)and supplementary motor area(SMA)bilaterally.Results The fNIRS results revealed significant increase in HbO con-centration changes in the RDLPFC(t=3.4,P=0.003),LDLPFC(t=2.58,P=0.019),RSMA(t=3.59,P=0.002),and LSMA(t=4.06,P=0.001)under the incongruent condition compared to the congruent condition.Additionally,there was a significant enhancement in the correlation between RDLPFC and LDLPFC(t=2.44,P=0.025).However,the differences in correlation between left and right SMA,as well as between SMA and DLPFC,were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion These findings suggest that during speech under incongru-ent conditions,increased cognitive load leads to elevated cortical activation in the DLPFC and SMA,along with in-creased functional connectivity between the left and right DLPFC.
10.Mechanism of quercetin in tuberculous ulcer treatment using network pharmacology
Dandan GUO ; Jiayan QIAN ; Yue CHEN ; Jiachen WENG ; Zihui HUANG
Journal of China Medical University 2024;53(6):509-515,524
Objective To explore the underlying molecular mechanism of quercetin in tuberculous ulcer treatment using network phar-macology and molecular docking.Methods We identified quercetin drug targets by searching the PubChem,SwissTarget,and TargetNet databases,then combining our results with those of previous tuberculosis ulcer gene sequencing in our group,thereby obtaining inter-section targets.Using the DAVID database,we performed intersection target gene ontology functional enrichment analysis and signaling pathway enrichment analysis of the Kyoto gene and genome database.We analyzed the intersection target using the STRING database and Cytoscape software and screened the hub node.We used PyMOL and AutoDockTolls software to complete quercetin molecular docking with the hub node,then screened the core drug target of quercetin.Finally,we constructed a macrophage model to verify the above-men-tioned core genes.Results We screened overall 54 drug targets.Our enrichment analysis indicated that the signaling pathways involved in quercetin-mediated tuberculous ulcer treatment were e.g.,metabolic pathways,lipid and atherosclerosis,or the MAPK signaling pathway.In addition,ALOX5,TNF,SRC,MMP9,and EGFRmight be the key genes in quercetin-mediated tuberculous ulcer treatment.Results of our cell culture experiment demonstrated that upon quercetin intervention,SRCand EGFRexpression increased significantly while that of MMP9decreased significantly in M1 and M2 macrophages.Conclusion Quercetin could potentially regulate macrophage polarization by influencing SRC,EGFR,and MMP9expression.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail