1.Mechanism of Modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in Antagonising Ectopic Endometrial Tissue Fibrosis Based on Cellular Pyroptosis Mediated by TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3 Signaling Pathway
Zuoliang ZHANG ; Jiaxing WANG ; Wanrun WANG ; Xiangyu LIN ; Bin YUE ; Zhirui ZHANG ; Yinan WANG ; Yaling YANG ; Dongqing WEI ; Cancan HUANG ; Quansheng WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):19-28
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in antagonizing cellular pyroptosis and fibrosis in ectopic endometrial tissues of endometriosis through the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group (n = 12) and a modeling group (n = 60). The rats in the sham-operated group underwent a caesarean section, while the rats in the modeling group were used to establish an endometriosis model through the auto-transplantation method. After successful modeling, the animals were randomly divided into the model group, progesterone group (0.25 mg·kg-1), and modified Shaofu Zhuyutang low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (7.5, 15, 30 g·kg-1), with 12 animals in each group. After 4 weeks of drug administration, voluntary activity and heat pain latency were observed. The rats were sacrificed for tissue collection, and Masson staining were used to observe histopathological changes in the endometrial tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the protein expression area of tumor necrosis factor-related factor 6 (TRAF6) and NLPR3 in the endometrial tissues. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in the endometrial tissues. Western blot was employed to measure the relative expression of TRL4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), TRAF6, NF-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), and NLPR3 proteins in endometrial tissues. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 in the endometrial tissues. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, rats in the model group showed reduced voluntary activity and shorter heat pain latency. Serum levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β were elevated. The relative expression areas of TRAF6 and NLPR3 proteins were increased, and the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and GSDMD was enhanced. The relative expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, and NLPR3 proteins, along with the expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 mRNA, were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in the progesterone group and the modified Shaofu Zhuyutang medium- and high-dose groups exhibited improved voluntary activity, longer heat pain latency, the fibrosis of endometrial tissue is alleviated. Serum levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β were decreased. The relative expression areas of TRAF6 and NLPR3 proteins decreased, and the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and GSDMD weakened. The relative expression of TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, p-NF-κB p65, NLPR3 proteins, and TRL4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and NLPR3 mRNA expression were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Shaofu Zhuyutang may play a therapeutic role in endometriosis by interfering with key proteins in the TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3 signaling pathway, reducing NLRP3 inflammasome-induced cellular pyroptosis, antagonizing the fibrosis process in ectopic endometrial tissues, improving the inflammatory microenvironment in the pelvic cavity, and alleviating pain.
2.Qishen Granule protects against myocardial ischemia by promoting angiogenesis through BMP2-Dll4-Notch1 pathway.
Yiqin HONG ; Hui WANG ; Hanyan XIE ; Xinyi ZHONG ; Xu CHEN ; Lishuang YU ; Yawen ZHANG ; Jingmei ZHANG ; Qiyan WANG ; Binghua TANG ; Linghui LU ; Dongqing GUO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(1):139-147
OBJECTIVE:
Therapeutic angiogenesis has become a promising approach for treating ischemic heart disease (IHD). The present study aims to investigate the effects of Qishen Granule (QSG) on angiogenesis in myocardial ischemia (MI) and the potential mechanism.
METHODS:
In vivo study was conducted on rat model of myocardial infarction. QSG was performed daily at a dose of 2.352 g/kg for four weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiogram and pro-angiogenic effects were evaluated by Laser Doppler and CD31 expression. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was applied in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cell viability, wound healing and tube formation assay were used to test functions of HUVECs. ELISA and Western blots were used to assess protein expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2-delta-like 4-notch homolog 1 (BMP2-Dll4-Notch1) signaling pathway.
RESULTS:
The results showed that QSG improved heart function, cardiac blood flow and microvessel density in myocardial ischemic rats. In vitro, QSG protected HUVECs by promoting the cell viability and tube formation. QSG upregulated bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) and downregulated delta-like 4 (Dll4) and notch homolog 1 (Notch1) expressions both in rats and HUVECs.
CONCLUSION
QSG protected against MI by promoting angiogenesis through BMP2-Dll4-Notch1 pathway. BMP2 might be a promising therapeutic target for IHD.
3.Clinical and immunological characteristics of acute viral infection-related encephalopathy
Jianzhao ZHANG ; Caihui MA ; Jing SUN ; Dongqing LI ; Zhao LIU ; Shuo MIAO ; Hui JIAO ; Jian YANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(4):298-302
Objective:To analyze the clinical and immunological characteristics of children with acute viral infection-related encephalopathy.Methods:Case-control study.A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children diagnosed with acute viral infection-related encephalopathy during hospitalization at the Children′s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2020 to January 2023.According to the last follow-up modified Rankin scale (mRS) score, these children were divided into a good prognosis group (mRS score ≤2) and a poor prognosis group (mRS score >2), and the clinical and immunological characteristics of the children with different prognoses were analyzed.The binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for poor prognosis.Results:A total of 28 children with acute viral infection-related encephalopathy aged 4 months to 11 years were included.There were 16 males (57%) and 12 females (43%). Among the preinfection viruses, there were 16 children of Corona virus disease 2019, 8 children of influenza A virus, 3 children of influenza B virus, and 1 child of norovirus.Among them, there were 21 children with acute necrotizing encephalopathy, 4 children with acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion, 2 children with mild encephalitis with a reversible splenial lesion, and 1 child with hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome.Among the first symptoms, 24 children (85.7%) had consciousness disorders, 23 children (82.1%) had seizures, 17 children (60.7%) had speech disorders, 11 children (39.3%) had involuntary movements, and 10 children (35.7%) had abnormal mental behavior.For the site of lesion, the cranial nuclear magnetic resonance imaging revealed 17 in the thalamus, 10 in the brainstem, 9 in the basal ganglia, 8 in the cerebellar hemisphere, and 4 in the corpus callosum.In the last follow-up evaluation, 17 children had a mRS score of >2, and 11 children had a mRS score of ≤2.Univariate analysis showed that disturbance of consciousness, seizure cluster, brain stem lesion, absolute value of serum T lymphocytes, cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) protein, CSF cytokines [interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-8]were higher in the poor prognosis group than those in the good prognosis group.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that brain stem disease, CSF IL-1β and T lymphocyte absolute number were independent risk factors for poor prognosis.Conclusions:Brain stem lesions, cerebrospinal fluid IL-1β and the absolute number of T lymphocytes have predictive value for the prognosis of acute viral infection-associated encephalopathy.The more severe the conditions, the lower the T lymphocytes, and the higher the cytokines in some cerebrospinal fluid.
4.Research on the Optimization Strategy of Operating Room Efficiency in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
Wei QIAO ; Shuai JIANG ; Ruonan LU ; Di WU ; Dongqing ZHANG ; Jinjin ZHAO
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):85-88
The operating room was the core department of a hospital,and its operational efficiency had a significant impact on the high-quality development of a hospital.An analysis has revealed that low efficiency and irrational allocation in the operating room were mainly due to the lack of operational regulations and norms,the unreasonable arrangement of surgical specialties,and the unbalanced allocation of supporting resources.To address these issues,the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University has taken into account the overall allocation of resources for the central operating room and the central operating room,and formulated strategies to improve operational efficiency,including adjusting the operational mechanism,optimizing the structure of surgical specialties,and providing corresponding supporting resources.Based on the adjustment of surgical structure,the implementation effect of the program was measured and evaluated,which provided practical strategies for optimizing operating room efficiency in hospitals.
5.Reflection and Exploration on Medical Equipment Sharing Operation Mechanisms in Large Public Hospitals
Wei QIAO ; Yingbo CHEN ; Dongqing ZHANG ; Di WU ; Xinyue LIU ; Zhuzi YUEGUANG ; Tian ZHANG ; Shuai JIANG ; Jinjin ZHAO
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(7):69-71,92
The increasing operating pressure of large public hospitals has forced hospitals to focus on opening up income sources and reducing expenditure.The purchase and maintenance of medical equipment is one of the important economic activities of hospi-tals.However,there are problems in large public hospitals,such as the argumentation for equipment acquisition ignoring evaluation of operational efficiency,the costing model that leads to a lack of willingness of departments to purchase equipment,and the lack of standard processes and systems for renting medical equipment among departments.Based on this,it explores the establishment of a medical equipment sharing operation mechanism in large public hospitals,promotes the improvement of the efficiency of medical equipment use in large public hospitals by establishing a medical equipment sharing center,standardizing the purchase of shared equipment,entering shared equipment information,setting up shared equipment leasing specifications,and clarifying the equipment return process and maintenance,so as to effectively control hospital operating costs,and help the high-quality development of public hospitals.
6.HIV-1 molecular transmission network among men who have sex with men in Shaoxing City
HE Tingting ; CAO Dongqing ; LIN Jiafeng ; JIANG Zhuojing ; ZHANG Jiafeng ; FAN Qin
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(7):571-575,579
Objective:
To investigate the molecular transmission network characteristics of HIV-1 among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into AIDS prevention and control among MSM.
Methods:
Newly reported HIV/AIDS cases among MSM in Shaoxing City were selected from January 2021 to September 2023. Plasma samples before the antiviral treatment were collected. The HIV-1 pol gene was amplified using reverse transcription PCR and nested PCR to construct phylogenetic trees for gene subtype analysis. The HIV-TRACE method was used to construct a molecular transmission network with a genetic distance of 1.5% to analyze clustering and the characteristics of cases within molecular clusters.
Results:
A total of 216 HIV/AIDS cases among MSM were included, and 179 qualified sequences were obtained. The predominant HIV-1 subtypes were CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE, with 95 and 66 cases, respectively. At 1.5% genetic distance, 20 molecular clusters were formed, with 61 nodes and 58 edges. A total of 61 sequences were connected to the transmission network (34.08%). HIV/AIDS cases among MSM from all the counties (cities, districts) in Shaoxing City were included in the network. There was the largest molecular cluster with ≥10 nodes, involving 12 cases from five counties (cities, districts), 3 medium-sized molecular clusters with 4 to 5 nodes, and the 16 small-sized molecular clusters with 2 or 3 nodes. Seven cases with high risk of transmission, each with ≥4 edges, were all CRF07_BC subtypes. Among them, two cases were from the large molecular cluster, and five cases were from the same molecular cluster composed of cases from Shengzhou City and Xinchang County.
Conclusions
The predominant HIV-1 subtypes among MSM in Shaoxing City were CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE. There was cross-regional HIV transmission, and potential transmission risk might exist in Shengzhou City and Xinchang County.
7.Gene polymorphisms of CYP2C19,MTHFR,SLCO1B1 and APOE in acute cerebral infarction patients
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(1):104-108
Objective To explore the distribution of CYP2C19,MTHFR,SLCO1B1,and APOE gene poly-morphisms in patients with acute cerebral infarction,so as to provide theoretical basis for individualized drug treatment.Methods A total of 400 patients with acute cerebral infarction admitted to the hospital from 2020 to 2022 were selected as the research subjects,and the polymorphisms of CYP2C19,MTHFR,SLCO1B1 and APOE genes were tested by PCR fluorescene probe method,and the polymorphism distribution of those genes was analyzed.Results In patients with acute cerebral infarction,44.25%of CYP2C19 gene phenotype were EM type,and 9.75%of CYP2C19 gene phenotype were PM type.The proportion of mutations at the C677T locus of the MTHFR gene(CT type+TT type)was 78.50%,CC type accounted for 21.50%.78.75%of the SLCO1B1 genotypes were type Ⅰ wild type,and 1.50%SLCO1B1 gene phenotypes were type Ⅲ homozygous mutant type.The E2 and E3 types accounted for 84.25%of the APOE gene phenotype,while the E4 type ac-counted for 15.75%.Conclusion The distribution of CYP2C19,MTHFR,SLCO1B1 and APOE gene poly-morphisms in 400 acute cerebral infarction patients is analyzed,providing data support for guiding individual-ized medication in the population of acute cerebral infarction patients and of great significance for achieving safe medication.
8.Application and Practice of SWOT and PDCA in the Special Project of Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Operating Room in a Public Hospital
Dongqing ZHANG ; Yingbo CHEN ; Di WU
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(3):68-71
Through the SWOT analysis of the operating room of a public hospital,it finds out the blocking points and pain points in the operating room during the operation process.Combined with PDCA circular management,it breaks the difficulties in the operating room process,and truly penetrates the concept and essence of"improving quality and efficiency"into the daily operation and management of the operating room,further implements refined management,and promotes the high-quality and sustainable development of the hospital.
9.Practice and exploration of new media health science popularization in university affiliated hospitals based on the interdisciplinary cooperation model of medical and cultural affairs
Dongqing LI ; Dongyan ZHANG ; Jiahui LIU ; Jingni WANG ; Jianjun ZHANG ; Xuan SU ; Jie LIU ; Jia YAO ; Jun YAN
Modern Hospital 2024;24(5):790-792
Public hospitals bear the responsibility of ensuring people's health and promoting their healthy lives.New media have emerged as a pivotal platform for health science popularization in public hospitals.Under these contexts,the Science Popularization Base for Health and Chronic Disease Prevention of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University established a multidisci-plinary team model for science popularization,mainly relying on the WeChat official account to disseminate health knowledge and dispel rumors.This article explored the experiences and practices of health science popularization under this model,focusing on the"meticulous selection for science popularization"strategy employed on their WeChat official account.
10.Clinical significance of cytokine levels in HBsAg sero-clearance in patients with severe hepatitis B
Xiaomei XIANG ; Xing WAN ; Juan ZHANG ; Jianmei XIAO ; Haoliang WANG ; Dongqing GU ; Guohong DENG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(16):1913-1919
Objective To explore the clinical significance of serum cytokine expression in the hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)sero-clearance in patients with severe hepatitis B.Methods A nested case-control trial was conducted on 14 inpatients with severe hepatitis B admitted in our hospital from 2006 to 2020.Of them,7 patients(aged 36.57±3.15 years)achieved HBsAg sero-clearance within 1 year after the onset of hepatitis B flares(with abrupt rise of ALT level to>5 times the upper limit of normal during HBV infection)and were assigned into HBsAg clearance group,while the other 7 patients(aged 34.14±2.97 years)only obtained HBsAg decreased less than 1 g within 1 year after the onset(HBsAg non-clearance group).Then,multiplex liquid-chip assay based on Luminex xMAP was used to detect the expression levels of 48 cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-2 in serum samples of these 14 patients.Results The serum levels IFN-γ,IL-2Ra and SDF-1α were significantly lower in the HBsAg clearance group than the HBsAg non-clearance group(P<0.05),but no statistical differences were observed in other 39 cytokines between the 2 groups.And there were 5 cytokines having no mutual expression in both groups.The copy number of HBV DNA was positively correlated with serum HGF(r=0.675,P=0.008)and SDF-1α levels(r=0.587,P=0.027),while negatively with IP-10(r=-0.600,P=0.023)and MIG level(r=-0.640,P=0.014).Meanwhile,a positive correlation was found between HBsAg titer and IL12-p70 level(r=0.593,P=0.025),and a negative correlation between HBsAg titer and TNF-α level(r=-0.609,P=0.021).In addition,the serum total bilirubin level was positively correlated with the expression of SCGF-β(r=0.543,P=0.045).Conclusion Three differentially expressed cytokines and some cytokines related to HBV DNA level and HBsAg titer are found,which may provide new insights into the underlying immunological mechanism of HBV virus clearance caused by hepatitis flares.Meanwhile,it also provides potential biomarkers for HBsAg serological clearance in patients with severe hepatitis B.


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