1.Design and Application of an Information Management System for Experimental Marmosets
Chen WANG ; Xuebo LI ; Donghua HE ; Liangtang CHANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(2):231-241
The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a primate species belonging to the genus Callithrix in the family Callitrichidae, has multiple advantages including small body size, short reproductive cycle, early sexual maturity, 1-3 offspring per litter, and ease of experimental manipulation. It also exhibits behavioral characteristics such as vocal communication and strict monogamy. Common marmosets present unique advantages in neuroscience and brain disease research and are widely used in biomedical fields including neuroscience, gene editing, and ethology. Experimental common marmosets (hereinafter referred to as "experimental marmosets") require management of breeding and use to ensure traceable pedigrees and prevention of inbreeding. Existing management systems developed for rodents or Macaca often cannot effectively meet the practical needs of experimental marmoset management in key aspects such as pedigree tracking and inbreeding warning. To address this issue, the Laboratory Animal Center of the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as "the Center") designed and developed a second-generation information management system for marmosets in 2021 based on its first-generation information management system, and the second-generation system was launched in 2023. This second-generation system adopts a B/S architecture, is modular, and features front-end and back-end separation. It uses mainstream technical frameworks, including Spring Boot, MySQL, and Redis, and integrates 16 functional modules such as basic information, pedigree tree, breeding and experimental selection database, microchip identification management, and ethical supervision. Compared with the first-generation system, the second-generation system optimizes the pedigree tree and basic information modules. It also adds new functions, including purpose-based database partitioning, animal status tracking, abnormal alerts, automatic microchip identification task generation, inbreeding warning, ethical document upload and review, and record management. Together, these form a systematic and refined management and service system covering the entire breeding and experimental use of experimental marmosets. From 2023 to 2025, the practical application at the center shows that it has significantly improved the management efficiency and service level of the experimental marmoset management unit, and can provide a reference for the development of information management systems in other institutions using marmosets.
2.Association of 24 hour movement behaviors and physical fitness with serum C-reactive protein among female college students
WEN Xinfei, WANG Xiuqiang, WANG Chuanzhi, CHENG Shulin, LIU Jinyan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):579-583
Objective:
To examine the associations between 24 hour movement behavior allocation patterns and physical fitness as well as serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels among female college students, providing evidence for developing personalized health promotion strategies.
Methods:
In September 2025, 48 female college students aged 18-22 years were recruited from a comprehensive university from Shanghai. Continuous 24 hour movement behaviors were monitored using a triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+). Serum hsCRP levels were measured (≥1 000 ng/mL was log grade inflammation), and physical fitness indicators including upper limb muscle strength, vital capacity, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) were assessed. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between variables. Compositional data analysis combined with multiple linear regression was employed to construct isotemporal substitution models, evaluating the effects of substituting 30 minutes of one behavior for another on hsCRP and VO 2max .
Results:
Female college students had the longest average daily sedentary behavior (SB) time (643.2±103.2)min, which was higher than sleep time (452.4±90.0)min, light physical activity (LPA) time (279.0±76.8)min and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time (66.0±21.6)min. Correlation analysis revealed that vigorous physical activity (VPA) was positively correlated with hsCRP levels among female college students ( r=0.47, P <0.05). Substituting 30 minutes of MVPA with sleep, SB or LPA significantly reduced predicted hsCRP levels among female college students ( β = -0.90, -0.90, -0.73), replacing 30 minutes of sleep with MVPA significantly increased predicted VO 2max levels ( β =5.12) (all P <0.05). The low grade inflammation group exhibited longer durations of high intensity activity participation and higher mean values for height, body weight, and grip strength compared to the normal group ( t =2.17, 2.52, 2.21, all P <0.05). Within the normal inflammation group, MVPA was positively associated with VO 2max ( β =0.18), while sleep was negatively associated ( β =-0.07) (both P <0.05). In contrast, no statistically significant associations were observed between any activity behavior and VO 2max in the low grade inflammation group (all P >0.05).
Conclusions
MVPA exerts bidirectional effects on the health of female college students. While it enhances cardiorespiratory fitness, it may concurrently elevate chronic low grade inflammation levels. To maximize health benefits, intervention programs focused on increasing MVPA should also give full consideration to the importance of restorative sleep.
3.Total Saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma Alleviates Gouty Arthritis by Down-regulating COX-2-mediated M1 Macrophage Reprogramming
Lin HUANG ; Shumin LIU ; Huijuan SUN ; Geyu DENG ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):200-207
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of total saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma (TSDN) in treating gouty arthritis (GA) by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn vivo experiment: 24 male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model (GA), TSDN, and celecoxib groups, with 6 rats in each group. After 7 days of administration, pathological changes in the ankle synovial tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, COX-2, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg-1). In vitro experiment: The GA model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + MSU induction, and the inhibitor concentration was screened by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. RAW264.7 cells were allocated into blank, model, TSDN, dexamethasone, COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), and TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor groups. The levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and Arg-1 in the cell supernatant of each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in each group were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsIn vivo experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN reduced the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the synovial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that TSDN lowered the serum levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, and CD80 (P<0.01) while increasing the serum levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01). In vitro experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN and inhibitor down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, cleaved IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor further reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the markers above (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TSDN and COX-2 inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 (P<0.01) and increased the levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01) in cells. Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor reduced IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevated CD206 and Arg-1 levels (P<0.01) in cells. ConclusionTSDN can alleviate GA by downregulating COX-2-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming and suppressing the inflammatory factors.
4.Total Saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma Alleviates Gouty Arthritis by Down-regulating COX-2-mediated M1 Macrophage Reprogramming
Lin HUANG ; Shumin LIU ; Huijuan SUN ; Geyu DENG ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):200-207
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of total saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma (TSDN) in treating gouty arthritis (GA) by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn vivo experiment: 24 male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank, model (GA), TSDN, and celecoxib groups, with 6 rats in each group. After 7 days of administration, pathological changes in the ankle synovial tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, COX-2, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg-1). In vitro experiment: The GA model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + MSU induction, and the inhibitor concentration was screened by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. RAW264.7 cells were allocated into blank, model, TSDN, dexamethasone, COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), and TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor groups. The levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, CD80, CD206, and Arg-1 in the cell supernatant of each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in each group were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsIn vivo experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN reduced the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the synovial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELISA results showed that TSDN lowered the serum levels of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86, and CD80 (P<0.01) while increasing the serum levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01). In vitro experiment: compared with the model group, TSDN and inhibitor down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2, cleaved IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor further reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the markers above (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, TSDN and COX-2 inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 (P<0.01) and increased the levels of CD206 and Arg-1 (P<0.01) in cells. Compared with TSDN alone, TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor reduced IL-1β, iNOS, CD80, and CD86 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevated CD206 and Arg-1 levels (P<0.01) in cells. ConclusionTSDN can alleviate GA by downregulating COX-2-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming and suppressing the inflammatory factors.
5.Knowledge, attitude and behavior of drinking water and associated factors among primary school students in rural China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):509-513
Objective:
To investigate the status quo and associated factors of drinking water knowledge, attitude and behavior among primary school students in rural areas, so as to provide evidence for health behavioral intervention of drinking water in primary school.
Methods:
Twentythree primary schools in rural area from Hebei, Henan, Shandong and Shanxi provinces were selected by using purposive sampling method from March 1 to April 27 in 2023. Selfdesigned questionnaires regarding knowledge, attitude and behavior of drinking water were distributed to all students in grade 3-6, and 2 173 valid questionnaires were obtained. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of drinking water knowledge, attitude and behavior of primary school students.
Results:
The attainment rates of drinking water knowledge, attitude and behavior level were 20.02%, 26.65%, and 31.20%, respectively, among primary school students. The median of daily water intake was 1 000 mL, and the average daily water intake was (1 172.99±771.89)mL. In addition, 66.31% of students water intake reached the minimum standard of 800 mL recommended. The results of multiple Logistic regression indicated that drinking water accessibility in school, health education of drinking water, and individual selfcontrol ability were positively correlated with the knowledge (OR=1.31, 1.57, 1.58), attitude (OR=2.07, 1.65, 1.73), behavior (OR=1.40, 1.49, 1.91) of drinking water and daily water intake (OR=1.41, 1.38, 1.20) (P<0.05).
Conclusions
Primary school students in rural areas are generally lack of appropriate health awareness on drinking water including knowledge, attitude and behavior. Schools should take targeted measures to focus on the cultivation of students selfcontrol ability, so as to improve students knowledge and attitudes of drinking water, and furthermore help students shape their healthy behaviors of drinking water.
6.A retrospective cohort study of the efficacy and safety of oral azvudine versus nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged over 60 years.
Bo YU ; Haiyu WANG ; Guangming LI ; Junyi SUN ; Hong LUO ; Mengzhao YANG ; Yanyang ZHANG ; Ruihan LIU ; Ming CHENG ; Shixi ZHANG ; Guotao LI ; Ling WANG ; Guowu QIAN ; Donghua ZHANG ; Silin LI ; Quancheng KAN ; Jiandong JIANG ; Zhigang REN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1333-1343
Azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) are recommended for COVID-19 treatment in China, but their safety and efficacy in the elderly population are not fully known. In this multicenter, retrospective, cohort study, we identified 5131 elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 32,864 COVID-19 patients admitted to nine hospitals in Henan Province, China, from December 5, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The primary outcome was all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was composite disease progression. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control for confounding factors, including demographics, vaccination status, comorbidities, and laboratory tests. After 2:1 PSM, 1786 elderly patients receiving azvudine and 893 elderly patients receiving Paxlovid were included. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses revealed that compared with Paxlovid group, azvudine could significantly reduce the risk of all-cause death (log-rank P = 0.002; HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.573-0.883, P = 0.002), but there was no difference in composite disease progression (log-rank P = 0.52; HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.877-1.260, P = 0.588). Four sensitivity analyses verified the robustness of above results. Subgroup analysis suggested that a greater benefit of azvudine over Paxlovid was observed in elderly patients with primary malignant tumors (P for interaction = 0.005, HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18-0.57) compared to patients without primary malignant tumors. Safety analysis revealed that azvudine treatment had a lower incidence of adverse events and higher lymphocyte levels than Paxlovid treatment. In conclusion, azvudine treatment is not inferior to Paxlovid treatment in terms of all-cause death, composite disease progression and adverse events in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
7.Clinical Observation of Zhuanggu Kangsong Soft Extract Combined with Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures
Jiaming CAO ; Wang TANG ; Yonghui FENG ; Donghua LIU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(9):2170-2175
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Zhuanggu Kangsong Soft Extract combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCF).Methods A total of 90 eligible OVCF patients admitted to Guangzhou Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital between January 2023 and May 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group(n=45)and a control group(n=45)using a random number table.Both groups underwent PVP.After treatment,the control group received conventional western medication orally(calcium carbonate D3 tablets+calcitriol soft capsules),while the observation group received additional Zhuanggu Kangsong Soft Extract treatment orally.Western medication was administered for 6 months,and herbal treatment lasted 3 months.Changes in Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores for pain,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)scores for low back function,bone mineral density(BMD)T-values,and serum bone metabolism markers were observed before and after treatment.Results(1)At postoperative day 3,3 months,and 6 months,both groups showed significant improvements in VAS and ODI scores compared to those before treatment(P<0.05).The observation group demonstrated superior improvements in VAS and ODI scores at 3 and 6 months compared to the control group(P<0.05).(2)At 3,6,and 12 months postoperatively,BMD T-values were improved in both groups(P<0.05),with the observation group exhibiting greater improvements at 6 and 12 months(P<0.05).(3)Serum N-terminal osteocalcin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3]levels increased in both groups at 1,3,and 6 months(P<0.05).The observation group showed more pronounced elevations in these markers at 3 and 6 months(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of Zhuanggu Kangsong Soft Extract and PVP demonstrates significant therapeutic benefits for OVCF by effectively alleviating pain,enhancing BMD,and improving activities of daily living,which highlights its high clinical value.
8.Research progress in the establishment of animal models with chronic limb-threatening ischemia
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(3):234-237
The animal models with chronic limb-threatening ischemia(CLTI)can be used to study the pathophysiological changes of CLTI so as to formulate more effective treatment strategies.In recent years,with the progress of clinical treatment techniques,studies on animal experimental models have been further improved and developed.Currently,the widely used animal models of CLTI include rodents(such as rats and mice)and large animals(such as rabbits and pigs).The methods of establishing CLTI animal model include ligation and excision,arterial electrocoagulation,Ameroid constrictor,and endovascular techniques.This review summarizes the recent major advances in the establishment of CLTI animal models,so as to enable the relevant workers to obtain a clearer understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different animals and experimental methods,to improve the animal model,and to provide better treatment options for CLTI patients.
9.Recommendations for Standardized Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis of Animal Experiments
Qingyong ZHENG ; Donghua YANG ; Zhichao MA ; Ziyu ZHOU ; Yang LU ; Jingyu WANG ; Lina XING ; Yingying KANG ; Li DU ; Chunxiang ZHAO ; Baoshan DI ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(4):496-507
Animal experiments are an essential component of life sciences and medical research. However, the external validity and reliability of individual animal studies are frequently challenged by inherent limitations such as small sample sizes, high design heterogeneity, and poor reproducibility, which impede the effective translation of research findings into clinical practice. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis represent a key methodology for integrating existing evidence and enhancing the robustness of conclusions. Currently, however, the application of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the field of animal experiments lacks standardized guidelines for their conduct and reporting, resulting in inconsistent quality and, to some extent, diminishing their evidence value. To address this issue, this paper aims to systematically delineate the reporting process for systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and to propose a set of standardized recommendations that are both scientific and practical. The article's scope encompasses the entire process, from the preliminary preparatory phase [including formulating the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) question, assessing feasibility, and protocol pre-registration] to the key writing points for each section of the main report. In the core methods section, the paper elaborates on how to implement literature searches, establish eligibility criteria, perform data extraction, and assess the risk of bias, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement, in conjunction with relevant guidelines and tools such as Animal Research: Reporting of in Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) and a risk of bias assessment tool developed by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). For the presentation of results, strategies are proposed for clear and transparent display using flow diagrams and tables of characteristics. The discussion section places particular emphasis on how to scientifically interpret pooled effects, thoroughly analyze sources of heterogeneity, evaluate the impact of publication bias, and cautiously discuss the validity and limitations of extrapolating findings from animal studies to clinical settings. Furthermore, this paper recommends adopting the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to comprehensively grade the quality of evidence. Through a modular analysis of the entire reporting process, this paper aims to provide researchers in the field with a clear and practical guide, thereby promoting the standardized development of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of animal experiments and enhancing their application value in scientific decision-making and translational medicine.
10.Effect of Dictamni Cortex on Intestinal Barrier Damage by Untargeted Metabolomics and Targeted Metabolomics for Short-chain Fatty Acids
Xiaomin XU ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Jiameixue WO ; Suxia JIA ; Wenkai HU ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):40-47
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effect of Dictamni Cortex on intestinal barrier damage in rats and its mechanism by untargeted metabolomics and targeted metabolomics for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). MethodsRats were randomly divided into a control group, a high-dose group of Dictamni Cortex (8.1 g·kg-1), a medium-dose group (2.7 g·kg-1), and a low-dose group (0.9 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the other groups were administered different doses of Dictamni Cortex by gavage for eight consecutive weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the ileal tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect the level of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), in the ileal tissue of rats. Quantitative real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) technology was used to detect the expression level of tight junction proteins, including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1 mRNAs, in the ileal tissue of rats to preliminarily explore the effects of Dictamni Cortex on intestinal damage. The dose with the most significant toxic phenotype was selected to further reveal the effects of Dictamni Cortex on the metabolic profile of ileal tissue in rats by non-targeted metabolomics combined with targeted metabolomics for SCFAs. ResultsCompared with the control group, all doses of Dictamni Cortex induced varying degrees of pathological damage in the ileum, increased TNF-α (P<0.01), IL-6 (P<0.01), and IL-1β (P<0.01) levels in the ileal tissue, and decreased the expression level of ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), Occludin (P<0.01), and Claudin-1 (P<0.05) in the ileal tissue, with the high-dose group showing the most significant toxic phenotypes. The damage mechanisms of the high-dose group of Dictamni Cortex on the ileal tissue were further explored by integrating non-targeted metabolomics and targeted metabolomics for SCFAs. The non-targeted metabolomics results showed that 21 differential metabolites were identified in the control group and the high-dose group. Compared with that in the control group, after Dictamni Cortex intervention, the level of 14 metabolites was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the level of seven metabolites was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the ileal contents. These metabolites collectively acted on 10 related metabolic pathways, including glycerophospholipids and primary bile acid biosynthesis. The quantitative data of targeted metabolomics for SCFAs showed that Dictamni Cortex intervention disrupted the level of propionic acid, butyric acid, acetic acid, caproic acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, and isocaproic acid in the ileal contents of rats. Compared with those in the control group, the level of isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid were significantly increased, while the level of propionic acid, butyric acid, and acetic acid were significantly decreased in the ileal contents of rats after Dictamni Cortex intervention (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDictamni Cortex can induce intestinal damage by regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and metabolic pathways for SCFAs.


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