1.Artemisia argyi extract subfraction exerts an antifungal effect against dermatophytes by disrupting mitochondrial morphology and function.
Le CHEN ; Yunyun ZHU ; Chaowei GUO ; Yujie GUO ; Lu ZHAO ; Yuhuan MIAO ; Hongzhi DU ; Dahui LIU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2024;22(1):47-61
Artemisia argyi (A. argyi), a plant with a longstanding history as a raw material for traditional medicine and functional diets in Asia, has been used traditionally to bathe and soak feet for its disinfectant and itch-relieving properties. Despite its widespread use, scientific evidence validating the antifungal efficacy of A. argyi water extract (AAWE) against dermatophytes, particularly Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum gypseum, remains limited. This study aimed to substantiate the scientific basis of the folkloric use of A. argyi by evaluating the antifungal effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms of its active subfraction against dermatophytes. The results indicated that AAWE exhibited excellent antifungal effects against the three aforementioned dermatophyte species. The subfraction AAWE6, isolated using D101 macroporous resin, emerged as the most potent subfraction. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of AAWE6 against T. rubrum, M. gypseum, and T. mentagrophytes were 312.5, 312.5, and 625 μg·mL-1, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results and assays of enzymes linked to cell wall integrity and cell membrane function indicated that AAWE6 could penetrate the external protective barrier of T. rubrum, creating breaches ("small holes"), and disrupt the internal mitochondrial structure ("granary"). Furthermore, transcriptome data, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and biochemical assays corroborated the severe disruption of mitochondrial function, evidenced by inhibited tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and energy metabolism. Additionally, chemical characterization and molecular docking analyses identified flavonoids, primarily eupatilin (131.16 ± 4.52 mg·g-1) and jaceosidin (4.17 ± 0.18 mg·g-1), as the active components of AAWE6. In conclusion, the subfraction AAWE6 from A. argyi exerts antifungal effects against dermatophytes by disrupting mitochondrial morphology and function. This research validates the traditional use of A. argyi and provides scientific support for its anti-dermatophytic applications, as recognized in the Chinese patent (No. ZL202111161301.9).
Antifungal Agents/chemistry*
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Arthrodermataceae
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Artemisia/chemistry*
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Mitochondria
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
2.Analysis of mental health literacy and related factors among non-graduating middle school and high school students in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province
Xiaomin HE ; Jingyi WANG ; Haijiang LIN ; Tingting WANG ; Yuting YANG ; Xiaoxiao CHEN ; Chaowei FU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(12):1174-1181
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics and major factors influencing mental health literacy (MHL) among non-graduating middle school and high school students in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, and to provide a reference for the promotion of mental health literacy among adolescents. MethodsFrom September to October 2023, a stratified random cluster sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among students from three classes each in non-graduating grades in four middle schools and four high schools in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. The survey included basic demographic information, a Structured Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLQ), and other psychological scales [Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA), Perceived Choice Single Scale (PC), Child Depression Inventory (CDI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), The University of California at Los Angeles 3-item Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)]. t-tests, chi-square tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regressions were applied for the statistical analysis of the data. ResultsThe mental health literacy average score of 2 094 students was (82.3±15.8) points, with a mean of (4.1±0.8) points. The dimension of belief in mental health rights had the highest score. There were significant differences in the mental health literacy score across different dimensions for students with different household registration, economic levels, academic performance, and father’s education level (P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that rural household registration, lower paternal education level, greater academic pressure, a weaker sense of control over one’s behavior, less social support, and symptoms of loneliness, depression, or anxiety were associated with poorer mental health literacy among the students. ConclusionThe mental health literacy of middle school and high school students in Taizhou is generally good, but there are differences among students with different characteristics. Targeted interventions should be carried out for students from rural areas, with poorer mental health, and less low social support to improve the overall mental health literacy of adolescents.
3.Trend of antibiotics usage among outpatients in primary public medical institutions in a county of Zhejiang Province, from 2015 to 2020
Xiaolian DONG ; Yingying WANG ; Jianfu ZHU ; Na WANG ; Yingfeng CHEN ; Yuyang XIE ; Qingwu JIANG ; Chaowei FU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(5):497-503
ObjectiveTo understand the usage of antibiotics in outpatients in a county of Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2020, so as to provide a basis for further standardizing the clinical application of antibiotics in this region. MethodsOutpatient records and prescription records of 146 public medical institutions from 2015 to 2020 were extracted from the electronic medical record data sharing platform system of medical institutions in a county of Zhejiang Province. The utilization rates and the number of types of antibiotics used in outpatient patients were described. According to the drug anatomy, therapeutic and chemical classification system (ATC), clinical application classification and dosage form, the use status of different types of antibiotics was observed. The annual percentage change (APC) was used to analyze the time trend of antibiotic use. Among the antibiotic prescriptions in each year, the proportions of prescriptions aimed for different use reasons and patients were compared to analyze the changes in the structures of antibiotic prescriptions. ResultsDuring 2015‒2020, a total of 2 861 438 prescriptions were issued in146 primary public medical institutions in this county, including 314 642 prescriptions for antibiotics, and the overall utilization rate of antibiotics was 11%. The utilization rate of antibiotics showed a decreased trend across the years (from 14.23% in 2015 to 7.59% in 2020,APC=-11.51%, 95%CI=-0.01%‒-21.7%, t=-12.05, P<0.001) and an obvious seasonal variation character (higher in winter and spring, lower in summer and autumn). Cefoxitin sodium for injection was the most used antibiotic in 2015, and cefuroxime was the most used antibiotic from 2015 to 2020, respectively. The utilization rates of cephalosporins (APC=-11.06%, 95%CI=0‒-20.89%, t=-22.233, P<0.001), quinolones (APC=-9.74%, 95%CI=0‒-18.53%, t=-7.652, P=0.002), macrolides (APC=-17.52%, 95%CI=0‒-17.52%, t=-3.626, P=0.022) and lincoamides (APC=-49.01%, 95%CI=0‒-74%, t=-3.35, P=0.029) showed a decreasing trend across the years. There were differences in the distribution of drug use reasons (χ2=9 458.427, P<0.001), as well as the age (χ2=5 421.709, P<0.001) and sex (χ2=245.322, P<0.001) of patients. During the observation period, 50.69% of antibiotic prescriptions were used to treat respiratory diseases, with the highest proportion of 57.67% in 2015 and the lowest proportion of 34.93% in 2020. 58.37% of patients were aged 50‒70 years, with a decreasing proportion of patients under 50 years (17.83% in 2015, 6.64% in 2020) and an increasing proportion of patients over 70 years (24.1% in 2015, 38.41% in 2020). ConclusionThe utilization rate of antibiotics used in outpatients from primary public medical institutions in a county of Zhejiang Province shows a decreasing trend across the years, but higher than that of secondary and above hospitals in China, and also higher than that of primary medical institutions in economically-developed areas. The management and monitoring of the clinical use of antibiotics in the county should be actively strengthened.
4.Effects of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules on joint function and gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease
Xi WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Yifan WU ; Shujin LI ; Chaowei WANG ; Xi LYU ; Yuequan YUAN ; Yanli LIU ; Feihong CHEN ; Feiyu ZHANG ; Sijie CHEN ; Zhengjun YANG ; Gangyao XU ; Cheng LI ; Hong CHANG ; Cuiyan WU ; Xiong GUO ; Yujie NING
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(9):698-703
Objective:To investigate the effects of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules on joint function and gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease.Methods:A single group pre- and post-experimental design was conducted, the patients with Kashin-Beck disease were selected as the subjects in Xunyi County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province; and treated with oral administration of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules (12 g/bag, 1 bag/time, 3 times/day) for a period of 1 month. The improvement of joint function was evaluated using the joint dysfunction index scoring method before and after treatment. Morning stool samples of patients were collected and the changes in gut microbiota were analyzed before and after treatment using 16S rDNA sequencing technology.Results:A total of 87 patients with Kashin-Beck disease were included, including 44 males and 43 females; the age was (60.38 ± 7.12) years old, and the body mass index was (23.67 ± 3.59) kg/m 2. The comprehensive scores of joint dysfunction index for patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment were (7.27 ± 2.05) and (5.86 ± 2.01) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 5.88, P < 0.001). The sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that there were statistically significant differences in the alpha diversity (chao1, observed species index) and beta diversity of gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment ( Z = - 5.08, - 5.03, R = 0.09, P < 0.001). In the distribution of gut microbiota, Firmicutes was the dominant phylum, with relative abundances of 50.21% and 52.09% before and after treatment, respectively; the Bifidobacterium was the dominant bacterial genus, with relative abundances of 16.83% and 18.81% before and after treatment, respectively. At the genus level, a total of 17 gut microbiota genera were screened out, among which the relative abundances of Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, Gammaproteobacteria_unclassified, Acinetobacter, Pantoea, Leuconostoc, and Akkermanisia were significantly higher than before treatment ( Z = - 2.40, - 2.24, - 2.06, - 3.59, - 2.24, - 2.11, P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Dubosiella, Selenomonas, Anaeroplasma, Lachnospiraceae_ NK4A136_group, Rikenella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, Lactobacillus, Prevotella-9, Phascolarctobacterium, and Desulfovibrio were significantly lower than before treatment ( Z = - 9.38, - 2.61, - 2.18, - 8.43, - 2.45, - 2.46, - 2.49, - 7.29, - 2.29, - 2.55, - 2.08, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can effectively improve the joint function of patients with Kashin-Beck disease, and alter the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota community. It may reduce clinical symptoms in patients by regulating the structure of gut microbiota.
5.Effect of desflurane on activity of neurons in 2/3 layer cortex of mice based on high-resolution light-field intelligent imaging system
Kunsha CHEN ; Zilin WANG ; Rujin ZHANG ; Chaowei ZHUANG ; Ao LI ; Weidong MI ; Jiangbei CAO
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2023;43(11):1373-1377
Objective:To explore the effect of desflurane on activity of neurons in 2/3 layer cortex of mice by using high-resolution light-field intelligent imaging system.Methods:Six SPF healthy male Rasgrf/Ai148d mice, aged 8-12 weeks, weighing 25-30 g, were selected. The 6 mice were subjected to skull replacement surgery and then recovered for 2 weeks before experiment.The mice were first fixed under the high-resolution light-field intelligent imaging system for 5 min before calcium signals in 2/3 layer cortex were recorded. The 7.5% desflurane was inhaled for anesthesia starting from 100 s of recording and inhalation was stopped at 700 s, and then the recording continued for 700 s. The total duration of the experiment was 1 500 s. Neurons were extracted and data were analyzed using MATLAB software.Results:When mice were subjected to inhalation anesthesia with desflurane, the calcium fluorescence intensity and percentage of active neurons in the cortex 2/3 layers initially increased significantly, then continuously declined, stabilizing after about 100 s of inhalation. After cessation of inhalation, it gradually recovered to the pre-anesthetic level around 50 s post-inhalation. During the induction period of anesthesia, the percentage of active neurons was significantly higher in the retrosplenial cortex than in the other brain regions ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The disappearance and recovery of consciousness induced by desflurane anesthesia at the neuronal level is not a " symmetrical" process. Neuronal activity in the brain exhibits asymmetry when entering and recovering from an anesthetized state. The retrosplenial cortex, which is related to sleep-wake cycles, may play a crucial role in maintaining consciousness during induction of anesthesia with desflurane.
6.Associations between educational burden and depression and anxiety symptoms among middle school students in Taizhou City
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(11):1655-1659
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among middle school students in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, and its associations with their educational burden, so as to provide a theoretical reference for making more targeted psychological interventional measures.
Methods:
A cross sectional study was conducted by multi stage cluster sampling from September to November 2022 from 30 schools in five districts and counties of Taizhou, with a final sample of 8 128 junior and senior high school students completing the online surveys on the Questionnaire Star platform. The Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA) was used to measure academic stress; the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) were used to screen students depression and anxiety, respectively. The relationships between educational burden and depression and anxiety symptoms were analyzed by Logistic regression models.
Results:
The prevalence of depression and anxiety were 19.3% and 11.1%, respectively. The average score of middle school students study pressure was (52.8±11.5). The number of extracurricular classes was <1, the time length of extracurricular courses was <1 hour per day, and students averagely spend 3.6 hours per day on homework assigned by school teachers. Nearly 30.0% students had ≤0.5 of discretionary time school days and 28.5% students had ≤2 on weekends. About 30.8% students though they do worse in their academic performance. According to the results of binary Logistic regression analysis, after controlling the demographic variables, the score in Study Pressure Scale, the number of extracurricular classes, the volume of homework and the time length of extracurricular courses were positively associated with depression and anxiety ( OR =1.09, 1.07, 1.08, 1.05, 1.04, 1.08, 1.08, 1.08, 1.06, 1.09, 1.07, 1.47, 1.34, 2.84 ; 1.08, 1.06, 1.08, 1.04, 1.03, 1.05, 1.05, 1.05, 1.05, 1.07, 1.06, 1.48, 1.23, 1.75, P <0.05). Students with overage grades had a higher risk of depression symptoms ( OR=1.34, P <0.05).
Conclusions
Academic burden has negative effects on depression and anxiety of students in Taizhou. It is advisable to alleviate academic stress, so as to improve the mental health of students.
7.The impact of image quality on the diagnostic performance of CT-derived fractional flow reserve
Qingchao MENG ; Yang GAO ; Na ZHAO ; Lei SONG ; Hongjie HU ; Tao JIANG ; Wenqiang CHEN ; Feng ZHANG ; Lin LI ; Li XU ; Dumin LI ; Lijuan FAN ; Chaowei MU ; Jingang CUI ; Yunqiang AN ; Bo XU ; Bin LYU
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2023;57(2):150-156
Objective:To explore the impact of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) image quality and related factors on the diagnostic performance of CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR).Methods:Based on the CT-FFR CHINA trial, the prospective multicenter trial enrolled patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent CCTA, CT-FFR and FFR measurement. The subjective and objective assessments of CCTA image were performed on a per-vessel level. The objective assessments included the enhancement degree of coronary artery, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the aortic root. We used χ 2 test and DeLong test to compare the diagnostic performance of CT-FFR with FFR as the reference standard in different subjective groups (non-artifact vs. artifact), enhancement degree of coronary artery groups (≤400 vs. 401-500 vs.>500 HU), SNR of the aortic root groups (≤16.9 vs.>16.9), body mass index (BMI) groups (<25 kg/m 2 vs.≥25 kg/m 2) and heart rate groups (<75 bpm vs.≥75 bpm). FFR and CT-FFR values≤0.80 was identified as myocardial ischemia. Results:The study enrolled 317 patients with 366 vessels. All target vessels in CCTA images were successfully analyzed by CT-FFR. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and AUC of the non-artifact group were 90.45%, 86.75%, 93.10%, 90.00%, 90.76% and 0.928, respectively, and those of the artifact group were 83.23%, 87.21%, 79.01%, 81.52%, 85.33% and 0.869, respectively. The differences in accuracy and specificity were statistically significant (χ 2=4.23, P=0.040; χ 2=8.55, P=0.003). The diagnostic efficacy of CT-FFR had no statistically significant differences among different objective groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The artifact of CCTA image has an effect on CT-FFR in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia. The degree of vascular enhancement, SNR, BMI, and heart rate have no significant effect on the diagnostic performance of CT-FFR.
8.OCT4's role and mechanism underlying oral squamous cell carcinoma
DAI YUWEI ; WU ZIQIONG ; CHEN YITONG ; YE XINJIAN ; WANG CHAOWEI ; ZHU HUIYONG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2023;24(9):796-806
Oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC),a common malignancy of the head and neck,ranks sixth worldwide in terms of cancers with the most negative impact,owing to tumor relapse rates,cervical lymphnode metastasis,and the lack of an efficacious systemic therapy.Its prognosis is poor,and its mortality rate is high.Octamer-binding transcription factor 4(OCT4)is a member of the Pit-Oct-Unc(POU)family and is a key reprogramming factor that produces a marked effect in preserving the pluripotency and self-renewal state of embryonic stem cells(ESCs).According to recent studies,OCT4 participates in retaining the survival of OSCC cancer stem cells(CSCs),which has far-reaching implications for the occurrence,recurrence,metastasis,and prognosis of oral carcinogenesis.Therefore,we summarize the structure,subtypes,and function of OCT4 as well as its role in the occurrence,progression,and prognosis of OSCC.
9.Changes in activity of layer 2/3 cortical neurons in isoflurane-anesthetized mice: Real-time Ultra-large-Scale High-resolution imaging platform
Zilin WANG ; Mingrui WANG ; Chaowei ZHUANG ; Rujin ZHANG ; Kunsha CHEN ; Jiangbei CAO ; Weidong MI
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2022;42(10):1202-1206
Objective:To observe and analyze the changes in activity of layer 2/3 cortical neurons in isoflurane-anesthetized mice by Real-time Ultra-large-Scale High-resolution (RUSH) imaging platform.Methods:Clean-grade healthy male Rasgrf2-Cre/Ai148d mice, aged 8-12 weeks, weighing 18-25 g, were studied.The mice recovered ten days after the skull replacement surgery and proceeded to the next experiment.Imaging data of calcium fluorescence signals from layer 2/3 cortical neurons were acquired by RUSH imaging platform after fixing the head of mice.The time of imaging data acquisition in the awake state, during anesthesia with 1.2% isoflurane, and after the end of anesthesia was 100, 600 and 600 s, respectively.Imaging data were analyzed using Image J and MATLAB softwares.Results:The overall trend of activity of layer 2/3 cortical neurons decreased first and then stabilized with the inhalation of 1.2% isoflurane.The cortical neural activity were gradually increased when isoflurane inhalation was stopped.The recovery rate of neural activity was different in different brain regions after isoflurane inhalation was stopped.The recovery of neural activity in the primary motor cortex was delayed obviously.During the maintenance of anesthesia, the activities of most layer 2/3 cortical neurons in the retrosplenial cortex were weakened, however, some of the neurons became more active.Conclusions:The neural activity in the 2/3 layer of cortex in isoflurane anesthetized mice is inconsistent in observation region, brain region and single cell, suggesting that different neural pathways are involved in the process of anesthesia induction and recovery from anesthesia.
10.Related factors for remote lesions in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Chaowei XU ; Jian CHEN ; Yanfei FANG ; Qian LI ; Fei YE ; Yong LUO
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2021;20(3):264-268
Objective:To explore the relevant factors for remote diffusion-weighted imaging lesions (R-DWILs) in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods:Two hundred and three patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2019, were enrolled. According to the presence of R-DWILs, these patients were divided into positive group ( n=39) and negative group ( n=164). The basic information of R-DWILs in the positive group was analyzed. The basic demographic and clinical data and laboratory examination results were collected and compared between the two groups. Subsequently, the items with P<0.1 were included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify the independent influencing factors for R-DWILs. Results:A total of 55 R-DWILs were detected in 39 patients (19.2%) with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, including 45 in the cortical and subcortical area (81.8%), 8 in the basal ganglia area (14.5%), one in the brainstem area (1.8%), and one in the cerebellum area (1.8%). The diameter of these lesions ranged from 2-20 mm, which were round or oval, flaky, irregular and so on. Forty-two R-DWILs (76.4%) were in the contralateral hemisphere, and the number of R-DWILs was 1-3 in these patients. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), fasting blood glucose level in the positive group were significantly higher than those in the negative group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that fasting blood glucose level ( OR=1.632, 95%CI: 1.213-2.072, P=0.015), neutrophil count ( OR=1.037 , 95%CI: 1.019-1.581, P=0.042), and NLR ( OR=2.151 , 95%CI: 1.397-2.733, P=0.003) were independent influencing factors for R-DWILs. Conclusions:R-DWILs are common in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, the lesions mainly occur in the cortical and subcortical area, and it is more common in the contralateral hemisphere. Patients with high fasting blood glucose, neutrophil count, and NLR are trended to have R-DWILs.


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