1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Relationship between the use of disposable plastic food containers and executive function among primary school students in a district of Chongqing
WANG Wenhe, WU Dan, LIU Shudan, YE Siyan, CUI Chengpeng, LIU Qin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):811-815
Objective:
To investigate the impact of disposable plastic food container usage on the executive function among primary school students, so as to provide the evidence for the formulation of relevant health policies.
Methods:
From November 2023 to May 2024, a convenience sampling method was employed to select 1 118 grade 1-3 students from three primary schools in a central district of Chongqing. A self developed questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics and data on disposable plastic food container usage. Executive function of primary school students was assessed using the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI). Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the associations between disposable plastic food container usage and heating with executive function among primary school students.
Results:
Median scores for working memory, inhibition and total executive function among primary school students were 32 (26, 39), 33 (28, 38), and 66 (54, 75), respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that among girls, higher frequencies of eating meals from plastic lunchboxes were associated with higher CHEXI working memory scores ( β =1.29), inhibition scores ( β =1.57), and total executive function scores ( β =2.85) ( P <0.05). Compared to girls who did not use plastic cups or drank bottled water, those who used plastic cups for drinking or drank bottled water had higher scores in working memory ( β =2.63), inhibition ( β =2.10), and total executive function ( β =4.73); compared to girls who did not eat canned food from metal cans, those who ate such food had higher scores in working memory ( β =3.62), inhibition ( β =1.89), and total executive function ( β =5.50) ( P <0.05).Among boys, higher frequencies of eating meals from plastic lunchboxes were associated with higher inhibition scores ( β =1.13) ( P <0.05). Compared to girls who ate with a plastic lunch box and did not heat it when they ate,girls who more frequent heating plastic lunchboxes with food inside had higher working memory scores ( β = 5.39), inhibition scores ( β =4.29), and total executive function scores ( β = 9.68) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
The use of disposable plastic food containers may adversely affect executive function of primary school students, with a more pronounced effect observed in girls. Strengthened regulation of disposable plastic products and health education are urgently needed.
3.Exploring Regulatory Effect of Kaixuan Jiedu Core Prescription on SPHK2/S1P/MCP-1 Pathway in Psoriasis-like Mouse Model Based on Sphingolipid Metabolism
Yeping QIN ; Wenhui LIU ; Dan DAI ; Jia XU ; Chong LI ; Bin YANG ; Ping SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):60-68
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription (KXJD) on sphingolipid metabolism in the mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions. MethodsThirty-seven male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into five groups: healthy control (n=11), model (n=11), methotrexate (MTX, n=5), low-dose (15.21 g·kg-1) KXJD (n=5), and high-dose (30.42 g·kg-1) KXJD (n=5). Psoriasis-like skin lesions were induced in mice with 62.5 mg 5% imiquimod cream applied on the back. The KXJD groups and MTX group were treated with 0.2 mL corresponding decoction and MTX, respectively, by gavage daily, while the other groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by the same way. After 5 days of treatment, back skin lesions were collected. Firstly, healthy control and model mice were selected for tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics (control vs model=3 vs 3) and targeted lipid metabolomics (control vs model=11 vs 11). Then, the binding degree between core components and target proteins was predicted via network pharmacology and molecular docking. Finally, an animal experiment was performed to decipher the specific regulation mechanism of KXJD on sphingolipid metabolism. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression level of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of sphingosine kinase 2 (SPHK2) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). ResultsTMT proteomics and targeted lipid metabolomics suggested that sphingolipid metabolism was active in the psoriatic skin, and key proteases [serine palmitoyltransferase, long chain base subunit 2 (SPTLC2), SPHK2, delta(4)-desaturase sphingolipid 1 (Degs1), and ceramide synthase 4 (CerS4)] and 8 sphingolipid metabolites (including ceramides, sphingol, sphingomyelin, and glycosphingolipid) expressed abnormally (P<0.05) compared with those in the healthy skin. The molecular docking results indicated that the binding energy between the active components (quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin) in KXJD and key proteins involved in sphingolipid metabolism was less than-8 kal·mol-1. Further experimental verification showed elevated expression levels of SPHK2, S1P, and MCP-1 in psoriatic skin compared with healthy skin (P<0.05), and KXJD down-regulated the expression levels of SPHK2, S1P, and MCP-1 compared with the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionThis study indicates that there is an imbalance in sphingolipid metabolism in psoriatic skin lesions. KXJD may reduce psoriasis-like lesions in mice by regulating sphingolipid metabolism via the SPHK2/S1P/MCP-1 pathway.
4.Exploring Regulatory Effect of Kaixuan Jiedu Core Prescription on SPHK2/S1P/MCP-1 Pathway in Psoriasis-like Mouse Model Based on Sphingolipid Metabolism
Yeping QIN ; Wenhui LIU ; Dan DAI ; Jia XU ; Chong LI ; Bin YANG ; Ping SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):60-68
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription (KXJD) on sphingolipid metabolism in the mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions. MethodsThirty-seven male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into five groups: healthy control (n=11), model (n=11), methotrexate (MTX, n=5), low-dose (15.21 g·kg-1) KXJD (n=5), and high-dose (30.42 g·kg-1) KXJD (n=5). Psoriasis-like skin lesions were induced in mice with 62.5 mg 5% imiquimod cream applied on the back. The KXJD groups and MTX group were treated with 0.2 mL corresponding decoction and MTX, respectively, by gavage daily, while the other groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by the same way. After 5 days of treatment, back skin lesions were collected. Firstly, healthy control and model mice were selected for tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics (control vs model=3 vs 3) and targeted lipid metabolomics (control vs model=11 vs 11). Then, the binding degree between core components and target proteins was predicted via network pharmacology and molecular docking. Finally, an animal experiment was performed to decipher the specific regulation mechanism of KXJD on sphingolipid metabolism. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression level of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of sphingosine kinase 2 (SPHK2) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). ResultsTMT proteomics and targeted lipid metabolomics suggested that sphingolipid metabolism was active in the psoriatic skin, and key proteases [serine palmitoyltransferase, long chain base subunit 2 (SPTLC2), SPHK2, delta(4)-desaturase sphingolipid 1 (Degs1), and ceramide synthase 4 (CerS4)] and 8 sphingolipid metabolites (including ceramides, sphingol, sphingomyelin, and glycosphingolipid) expressed abnormally (P<0.05) compared with those in the healthy skin. The molecular docking results indicated that the binding energy between the active components (quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin) in KXJD and key proteins involved in sphingolipid metabolism was less than-8 kal·mol-1. Further experimental verification showed elevated expression levels of SPHK2, S1P, and MCP-1 in psoriatic skin compared with healthy skin (P<0.05), and KXJD down-regulated the expression levels of SPHK2, S1P, and MCP-1 compared with the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionThis study indicates that there is an imbalance in sphingolipid metabolism in psoriatic skin lesions. KXJD may reduce psoriasis-like lesions in mice by regulating sphingolipid metabolism via the SPHK2/S1P/MCP-1 pathway.
5.Relationship among occupational stress, work-related rumination, and sleep quality in emergency medical dispatchers in some areas of China
Xiaoying SHI ; Qing ZHANG ; Zhongyuan YAN ; Qin ZHANG ; Dan XU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):932-938
Background The increasing demand for emergency services coupled with the special working environment has exacerbated occupational stress and work-related rumination among emergency medical dispatchers, which is noteworthy for its impact on dispatchers' sleep quality. Objective To explore the relationship among occupational stress, work-related rumination, and sleep quality of emergency medical dispatchers, so as to provide reference for improving sleep quality and maintaining physical and mental health of this occupational group. Methods A total of 386 emergency medical dispatchers from 16 provinces and municipalities including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Zhejiang, Shanxi, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hubei, Hebei, Henan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Fujian, and Hainan of China were investigated with the Chinese version of Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, Work-Related Rumination Questionnaire, and Insomnia Severity Index. Spearman correlation was used to analyze the association among occupational stress, work-related rumination, and sleep quality. A structural equation model was constructed, with occupational stress as independent variable, the two dimensions of work-related rumination as mediating variables, and sleep quality as dependent variable, respectively. Bootstrap testing was then used to verify potential mediating effect of work-related rumination on the relationship between occupational stress and sleep quality among the emergency medical dispatchers. Results Among the enrolled emergency medical dispatchers, the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) index was 1.03, the score of affective rumination was 15.35±5.26, the score of problem-solving rumination was 17.64±4.63, and the total score of sleep quality was 21.10±6.53. Their ERI index was positively correlated with affective rumination scores (r=0.636, P<0.01), but not with problem-solving rumination scores (P>0.05). Their ERI index, affective rumination scores, and problem-solving rumination scores were positively correlated with sleep quality scores (P<0.05). The direct effect size of occupational stress on sleep quality was 0.627, the indirect effect size of affective rumination was 0.124, and the mediating effect of affective rumination accounted for 16.4% of the total effect (0.755), while the problem-solving rumination had no mediating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and sleep quality. Conclusion Occupational stress and affective rumination in emergency medical dispatchers can predict their sleep quality. Occupational stress can directly affect sleep quality, and indirectly affect it through affective rumination. Managers should pay attention to and evaluate the affective rumination level of emergency medical dispatchers, so as to take corresponding intervention measures to reduce their occupational stress and improve their sleep quality.
6.Study on component analysis,fingerprint establishment and anti-inflammatory spectrum-effect relationship of Yao ethnic medicine Pittosporum pauciflorum
Dan QIN ; Peng FU ; Jiajie CAO ; Qingchen TANG ; Jie GAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2244-2249
OBJECTIVE To analyze chemical components of Yao ethnic medicine Pittosporum pauciflorum, establish its fingerprint and investigate the spectrum-effect relationship of its anti-inflammatory effect. METHODS UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS technology was used to analyze the chemical components of P. pauciflorum (batch S6). The fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum from different producing areas in Guangxi Province (batches S1-S10) were established by HPLC, and similarity assessment and chemometric pattern recognition analysis were conducted. RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was induced by lipopolysaccharide, and the anti-inflammatory activity of P. pauciflorum was investigated. Using inhibition rates of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β as efficacy indicators, grey relational analysis and partial least squares regression analysis were adopted to evaluate the spectrum-effect relationship of the anti-inflammatory effect of P. pauciflorum. RESULTS There were 60 chemical components, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids, etc., identified in P. pauciflorum. The fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum showed 14 common peaks,with similarity values ranging from 0.883 to 0.991. Three common peaks were assigned neochlorogenic acid (peak 5), chlorogenic acid (peak 7), and syringaldehyde (peak 10). The classification results of the systematic clustering analysis and the principal component analysis were basically consistent. Batches S1 to S10 of P. pauciflorum significantly reduced the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-6 (except for batch S5) and IL-1β in the cell supernatant (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Inhibition rates of above inflammatory indexes were 10.26%-39.96%, 14.96%-31.36%, 1.38%-21.27%, 18.54%-28.00%, respectively. The contents of neochlorogenic acid, syringaldehyde, as well as the components corresponding to peaks 1, 3, 9, 12 and 14,exhibited a strong correlation with the anti-inflammatory effects of P. pauciflorum. CONCLUSIONS The present study has analyzed the chemical components of P. pauciflorum and established HPLC fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum. Each batch of medicinal herbs demonstrates certain anti- inflammatory activities, among which neochlorogenic acid, syringaldehyde, and the components corresponding to peaks 1, 3, 9, 12 and 14 are likely to be the active anti-inflammatory components.
7.Recent Advances of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Haojie QIN ; Zhifan ZUO ; Dan CHEN ; Jia LIU ; Shan JIN ; Yang ZHANG ; Yongpeng WANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(10):848-854
As a hot spot in clinical research today, immune checkpoint inhibitor has been recommended by guidelines in the first- and second-line treatments of advanced cervical cancer as immune monotherapy or combination therapy. It has also achieved good efficacy in clinical practice. In locally advanced cervical cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been included in the guidelines for adjuvant therapy, and good tumor regression effects have been achieved in clinical practice. Based on the results of existing trials, immune checkpoint inhibitors have also shown good clinical potential as neoadjuvant therapy. Furthermore, the issue of immunotherapy rechallenge has increasingly captured clinicians’ attention, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer patients with prior immunotherapy exposure. In this article, the clinical application and research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of cervical cancer in recent years are summarized to provide valuable ideas and directions for clinical treatment.
8.Immunoregulatory mechanisms,development and application of terpenoid compounds from the Isodon genus
Haiyue YANG ; Qin LIU ; Shiqing PENG ; Guicai LIANG ; Dan HE ; Tao LI ; Hong YAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2868-2872
Plants of the Isodon genus are an important source of terpenoids, with their constituents exhibiting rich structural diversity and remarkable biological activities (such as anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties), demonstrating significant potential in the field of immunomodulation. This review summarizes recent advances in the immunomodulatory mechanisms, development and application of terpenoid compounds from the Isodon genus. It has been found that these compounds can modulate key inflammatory signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), thereby blocking the cascade amplification of inflammatory factors, alleviating chronic inflammatory responses, and correcting immune dysregulation. Additionally, they can influence the polarization direction of macrophages and dynamically regulate the balance among different functional subsets of T cells, restoring immune homeostasis. Their clinical translation faces multiple challenges, including poor druggability, a lack of systematic safety data, the absence of precise pharmacodynamic biomarkers, complexities in clinical trial design, and unclear industrialization pathways.
9.Analysis of influencing factors on average length of hospital stay based on deep neural networks
Xinyun QIN ; Dan LUO ; Chen YE
Modern Hospital 2025;25(3):388-392
Objective By analyzing the main factors affecting the average length of stay through deep neural networks,redundant factors are eliminated to improve the management effectiveness of the average length of stay.Methods Based on prin-cipal component analysis in machine learning,the multi factor features of average length of hospital stay are reduced and the main factors are extracted.Then,deep neural networks are used to learn the weight relationships between the main factors and predict the actual average length of hospital stay.The data used in this article comes from the homepage of 131 740 inpatient medical re-cords in the HIS system of a tertiary hospital in 2021.Results The main influencing factors of the average length of stay in the hospital in 2021 are preoperative average length of stay,transfusion reactions,admission year,age,admission route,and medical payment method.The corresponding absolute weight values are 2.58,1.89,1.77,0.96,0.76,and 0.75,respectively;The t-test compared and analyzed the predicted average length of stay with the actual average length of stay,and the results showed that there was no significant difference between the two(P>0.05).Conclusion The DNN model based on the main factors can ef-fectively predict the actual average length of stay,and the hospital's classification of the main influencing factors of the average length of stay obtained in this article can effectively improve the management efficiency of the average length of stay.
10.Characteristics and factors affecting treatment in hospitalized patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in sub-plateau region
Dan-feng DU ; Ru-juan WANG ; Rong-qun CHA ; Ping JIANG ; Li-qin WANG ; Xi CHEN ; Li-na YANG ; Zhi-yong WU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(3):408-415,423
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of women with abnormal uterine bleeding(AUB)in sub-plateau regions and analyze the factors affecting their treatment methods.Methods AUB patients who were hospitalized from Jan 1,2018 to Dec 31,2022,in a sub-plateau region(Yongping County People's Hospital of Yunnan Province)with an average altitude of 1 620 meters were selected.The general clinical characteristics of the patients were summarized,and patients were classified into two categories(with or without uterine structural lesion)and nine subtypes(PALM-COEIN)according to the FIGO recommended etiological classification guidelines.Then the patients were divided into groups based on the presence or absence of uterine structural lesions,ethnic group(Han and minority),conservative drug treatment and surgical treatment groups,blood transfusion and non-blood transfusion groups.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting treatment methods.Results A total of 481 AUB patients enrolled,and the delayed consultation rate was as high as 80.46%,and the proportion of overweight and obese patients was 49.90%,which was higher than the average level among Chinese women.The main cause was AUB-O(AUB-ovulatory dysfunction),accounting for 78.59%of cases,the proportion of patients with delayed medical treatment was higher than those without delayed medical treatment(82.17%vs.74.47%).Patients who received blood transfusion were significantly younger,had lower hemoglobin(HGB)levels,fewer pregnancies,and lower BMI compared to those in the non-blood transfusion group(P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed that the surgical treatment group had older age,longer onset time,higher HGB levels,more pregnancies and deliveries,higher BMI,a higher proportion of Han ethnicity patients,lower rates of non-blood transfusion,higher rates of hypertension,and more uterine structural lesions compared to the conservative drug treatment group.Multivariate regression analysis revealed that blood transfusion treatment reduced the probability of surgical treatment.Age and uterine structural lesions were risk factors for requiring surgical treatment,for each additional year of age,the risk of undergoing surgical treatment increased by 10%.The risk of requiring surgical treatment for patients with uterine structural lesions was 2.987 times higher than for those without.Conclusion AUB patients in this sub-plateau regions have a high rate of delayed consultation and a high proportion of overweight and obesity,with AUB-O being the primary cause.Older age and the presence of uterine structural lesions were risk factors for requiring surgical treatment.


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