1.Effects of nuciferine on neuroinflammation and ferroptosis in mice with chronic hypoperfusion-induced white matter injury
Ting-ting DUAN ; Gui-min JIN ; Yuan-yuan ZHU ; Yu-hao XU ; Yue-feng LI ; Chen QIAO ; Ming YU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1931-1940
Aim To explore the effects of nuciferine on cognitive behavior and the underlying mechanisms,white matter injury(WMI),neuroinflammation,and ferroptosis in mice with chronic ischemic WMI.Meth-ods Sixty C57BL/6 mice were divided into a control group,a bilateral common carotid artery stenosis(BCAS)model group,and low/high-dose nuciferine groups(20/40 mg·kg-1).A chronic ischemic WMI model was established using BCAS surgery.Following eight weeks of treatment,cognitive behavior(Y-maze,novel object recognition,Morris water maze),white matter integrity(LFB/MBP staining),microglial acti-vation(Iba-1 immunofluorescence),inflammatory cy-tokines(ELISA for TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6),ferroptosis markers(Fe2+,ROS,MDA,GSH),mitochondrial ultrastructure(electron microscopy),and protein ex-pression of the PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 signa-ling pathways(Western blot)were evaluated.Results Compared with the control group,the BCAS group showed significant cognitive decline(P<0.05),re-duced myelin density,elevated inflammatory cytokines and ferroptosis markers(Fe2+,ROS,MDA),shrunk-en mitochondria,and downregulated PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 pathway proteins(P<0.05).Nu-ciferine intervention significantly ameliorated these in-juries in BCAS mice,with the high-dose group exhibi-ting superior effects(P<0.05).Conclusions Nu-ciferine exerts protective effects against chronic ische-mic WMI and cognitive impairment by activating the PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 signaling pathways,thereby suppressing neuroinflammation and ferroptosis.
2.Effect of remimazolam on LPS-induced microglial M1 polarization by regulating TLR4
Feng JIANG ; Jin LI ; Wenjie LIU ; Gaofeng ZHANG ; Yang YUAN ; Fei SHI
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(1):100-104
Objective To evaluate the role of remimazolam in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced M1 microglial polarization and its relationship with Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4).Methods BV2 mi-croglia cells were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=20):control group,LPS group(1 μg/ml for 24 h),remimazolam+LPS group(remimazolam group,pretreated with 100 μg/ml remimazolam for 20 min followed by LPS),remimazolam+LPS+Neoseptin-3 group(agonist group,50 pmol Neoseptin-3 dissolved in DMSO),and remimazolam+LPS+DMSO group(agonist control group).The contents of TNF-α and IL-1β in the supernatant were detected by ELISA.The expres-sion of M1 microglia markers,inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and TLR4 at mRNA.Immu-nofluorescence staining was employed to identify the location of iNOS.Results When compared to the control group,the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β in the supernatant and the expression of iNOS[(14.757±0.986)%vs(1.561±0.08)%]and TLR4 at mRNA and protein levels were sig-nificantly higher in the other four groups(P<0.05).Remimazolam treatment reversed the increa-ses of the TNF-α and IL-1β contents in the supernatant and mRNA and protein expression of iNOS[(3.767±0.364)%vs(14.757±0.986)%]and TLR4 induced by LPS(P<0.05).In addi-tion,remimazolam agonist Neoseptin-3 restored the effects of LPS on above molecules[iNOS:(6.827±0.642)%vs(3.767±0.364)%,all P<0.05].But,there were no statistical differences in above molecules between the agonist group and agonist control group(P>0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which remimazolam inhibits LPS-induced M1 microglial polarization is related to down-regulation of TLR4 expression.
3.Construction and application of an early in-hospital temperature management protocol for patients with heat stroke
Lan CHEN ; Huimin MA ; Yuan FANG ; Huan ZHANG ; Jingnan REN ; Liyun LU ; Xiangliang WU ; Chang LIU ; Dingping JIN ; Xiuqin FENG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(5):561-568
Objective This study aims to develop an early in-hospital temperature management protocol for heat stroke patients and assess its effectiveness,providing guidance for rapid cooling and precise target temperature control.Methods The protocol was developed through a Delphi expert consultation combined with expert panel meetings.A multi-center,non-randomized,historical control study was conducted,utilizing convenience sampling to select heat stroke patients from the emergency departments of 7 tertiary hospitals in Zhejiang Province,China,between June and August 2024 as an experimental group.The protocol was implemented in this group,while the control group consisted of heat stroke patients treated between June and August 2022,prior to protocol implementation.Cooling rates,target temperature attainment rates,and clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.Results The final protocol included 6 primary indicators,23 secondary indicators,and 56 tertiary indicators.After protocol implementation,the experimental group achieved a cooling rate of 0.08(0.05~0.09)℃/min within 0.5 hours,significantly higher than the control group,which had a rate of 0.04(0.02~0.06)℃/min(P<0.001).The target temperature attainment rates at 0.5 hours and 2.0 hours were 55.93%and 98.31%,respectively,significantly higher than the rates of 15.87%and 61.11%in the control group(P<0.001).The mechanical ventilation rate,hospitalization rate,ICU admission rate,and mortality rate in the experimental group were 25.42%,61.02%,44.07%,and 8.47%,respectively.Logistic regression analysis revealed that the early in-hospital temperature management protocol significantly reduced the risk of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization in heat stroke patients,with odds ratios(ORs)of 0.294 and 0.300,respectively(both P<0.05).Conclusion The developed protocol for early in-hospital temperature management in heat stroke patients is scientific,systematic,and practical.It improves cooling rates and target temperature attainment,thereby enhancing the prognosis of heat stroke patients.
4.Study on the Relationship between the Expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in Prostate Cancer Tissues and Clinicopathological Parameters and Prognosis
Yuan-feng FAN ; Jun ZHANG ; Da-jin ZHU ; Yun-feng ZHOU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(10):1620-1627
Objective:To investigate the relationship between the expression of microribonucleic acid(miR)-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in prostate cancer tissues and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis.Methods:135 prostate cancer patients who were admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to October 2021 were selected,all patients underwent radical prostatectomy or radical prostatectomy plus lymph node dissection,surgically resected cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were taken,and the expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p were detected.The patients were followed up for 3 years after discharge,the survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier,and the factors affecting the prognosis of prostate cancer patients were analyzed by COX regression.Results:The expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in cancer tissues of prostate cancer patients were lower than those in adjacent tissues(P<0.05).the expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in prostate cancer tissues with tumor stage pT3-4,gleason grade Gleason 3-5 and lymph node metastasis was lower than that in prostate cancer tissues with tumor stage pT1-2,Gleason 1-2 and no lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).3 cases were lost to follow-up,20 cases died and 112 cases survived.The 3 years overall survival(OS)rate in prostate cancer patients with low expression of miR-19a-3p and low expression of miR-23b-3p was lower than that in prostate cancer patients with high expression of miR-19a-3p and high expression of miR-23b-3p(P<0.05).Lymph node metastasis was a risk factor for poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients(P<0.05),and high expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p were protective factors(P<0.05).Conclusion:The expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in prostate cancer tissues is down-regulated,and is associated with high tumor stage and histological grade,lymph node metastasis and low survival rate.
5.Study on the Relationship between the Expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in Prostate Cancer Tissues and Clinicopathological Parameters and Prognosis
Yuan-feng FAN ; Jun ZHANG ; Da-jin ZHU ; Yun-feng ZHOU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(10):1620-1627
Objective:To investigate the relationship between the expression of microribonucleic acid(miR)-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in prostate cancer tissues and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis.Methods:135 prostate cancer patients who were admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to October 2021 were selected,all patients underwent radical prostatectomy or radical prostatectomy plus lymph node dissection,surgically resected cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were taken,and the expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p were detected.The patients were followed up for 3 years after discharge,the survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier,and the factors affecting the prognosis of prostate cancer patients were analyzed by COX regression.Results:The expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in cancer tissues of prostate cancer patients were lower than those in adjacent tissues(P<0.05).the expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in prostate cancer tissues with tumor stage pT3-4,gleason grade Gleason 3-5 and lymph node metastasis was lower than that in prostate cancer tissues with tumor stage pT1-2,Gleason 1-2 and no lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).3 cases were lost to follow-up,20 cases died and 112 cases survived.The 3 years overall survival(OS)rate in prostate cancer patients with low expression of miR-19a-3p and low expression of miR-23b-3p was lower than that in prostate cancer patients with high expression of miR-19a-3p and high expression of miR-23b-3p(P<0.05).Lymph node metastasis was a risk factor for poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients(P<0.05),and high expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p were protective factors(P<0.05).Conclusion:The expression of miR-19a-3p and miR-23b-3p in prostate cancer tissues is down-regulated,and is associated with high tumor stage and histological grade,lymph node metastasis and low survival rate.
6.Biomechanical characteristics of different orthopedic modalities for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis based on finite element simulation analysis
Bo YUE ; Zhenhua CAO ; Yunfeng ZHANG ; Yangyang XU ; Feng JIN ; Baoke SU ; Lidong WANG ; Xing WANG ; Ling TONG ; Qinghua LIU ; Yuan FANG ; Lirong SHA ; Haiyan WANG ; Xiaohe LI ; Zhijun LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(15):3129-3137
BACKGROUND:The asymmetrical biomechanical environment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can lead to further wedge deformation of the vertebral body,which may affect cardiopulmonary function and compress nerves in severe cases.Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with different degrees of scoliosis should be treated with exercise,bracing,and surgery.However,the mechanical mechanism of selecting an orthopedic approach remains unclear due to the individual variability of patients.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical mechanism of different orthopedic modalities for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to provide a basis for clinical selection of treatment modalities based on the spine model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.METHODS:Based on the CT images of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient,a scoliosis model(C7-L5)was reconstructed in Mimics software in three dimensions,and lateral thrust force was applied at the T8/T9 thorax and vertical distraction force was applied over the C7 vertebra with the magnitude of 20,40,60,80,100,and 120 N.The intervertebral disc stress and vertebral displacement in concave and convex sides,and Cobb angle of the spine were analyzed under two orthopedic modalities.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With lateral thrust,there was no significant change in the C7T1-T7T8 intervertebral disc.The concave and convex stress of T7T8-L4L5 segment decreased first and then increased with the increase of lateral thrust force.The correction effect of lateral thrust on the segment near T8T9 was obvious and weakened with the extension of the segment to the cephalic and caudal ends.At 120 N of lateral thrust,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 32.5° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 43.9°.(2)With the vertical distraction,the thoracic intervertebral disc stresses first decreased and then increased,and all the lumbar disc stresses decreased.The C7 displacement was the most obvious,and the correction effect gradually diminished with the segment extended to the caudal end.At a vertical distraction force of 120 N,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 39.4° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 47.6°.(3)It is concluded that both orthopedic modalities provide improvement in the degree of scoliosis,with the thoracic correction being greater than the lumbar correction.Also,the asymmetric stress distribution on the concave and convex sides is improved,which contributes to normal bone growth.A vertical distraction approach is appropriate for larger Cobb angles,and a lateral thrust approach is appropriate for smaller Cobb angles.The results of this study help to understand the mechanism of spinal orthosis and provide a theoretical basis for the choice of orthopedic approach.
7.Economic losses due to healthcare-associated infection after Da Vinci ro-botic thoracic surgery:a retrospective study based on propensity score matching
Liwei ZHANG ; Jia DI ; Yuan TAO ; Chengyi FENG ; Lili ZHU ; Dan JIN ; Shufang JIANG
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(4):518-525
Objective To understand the economic losses due to healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in patients after Da Vinci robotic thoracic surgery,and provide basis for preventing and controlling HAI after robotic surgery.Methods Patients who underwent Da Vinci robotic surgery from April 2019 to April 2023 were retrospective stu-died.Patients were divided into HAI group and non-HAI group based on the occurrence of postoperative infection.Through 1∶1 propensity score matching(PSM),31 cases were included in each group,economic losses of two groups of patients were compared.Results A total of 921 patients who underwent Da Vinci robotic thoracic surgery were included in the study,51 cases with HAI(HAI group)and 870 without HAI(non-HAI group).After 1∶1 PSM,31 cases were included in each group.Four covariates were compared between two groups of patients before PSM,namely gender,age,comorbidities,and the American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)grading,all with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).After PSM,distribution of the above covariates reached equilib-rium between the two groups(both P>0.05).The median total expense for HAI group before PSM during hospi-talization was 88 711.72 Yuan,while 78 509.46 Yuan for the non-HAI group.The direct economic losses caused by HAI after Da Vinci robot surgery was 10 202.26 Yuan,mainly increased by expense of medicine,nursing,laborato-ry diagnosis,etc.Difference in western medicine expense was the highest(8 839.12 Yuan),out of which expense of antimicrobial agents accounted for the highest proportion(73.55%).Difference in daily hospitalization expense between HAI-group and non-HAI group was 502.38 Yuan.Length of hospital stay of patients in HAI group and non-HAI group were(21.59±10.62)and(13.92±9.21)days,respectively,with statistical differences(all P<0.05).Conclusion The occurrence of HAI in patients undergoing Da Vinci robotic thoracic surgery leads to direct economic losses,with obvious increases in expenses of nursing,laboratory diagnosis,western medicine(mainly an-timicrobial agents).Length of hospital stay of patients also prolongs.
8.Study on the Effect and Mechanism of Ziyin Mingmu Formula in Inhibiting Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice Based on Network Pharmacology
Xin ZHOU ; Caijian XIONG ; Ning YANG ; Qingzi JIN ; Kang TAO ; Yuan YUAN ; Wei SHI ; Zhe FENG ; Xinrong XU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(9):1189-1197
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of Ziyin Mingmu Formula in treating age-related mac-ular degeneration(AMD)by combining network pharmacology with animal model validation.METHODS Active ingredients of Ziyin Mingmu Formula were obtained from the TCMSP and BATMAN databases,and their targets were searched using the PharmMapper da-tabase.AMD disease targets were identified using the GeneCards,DrugBank,OMIM,and TTD databases.Venny analysis was per-formed to identify the intersection of active ingredient and disease targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the String database,and core targets were screened using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was per-formed using the DAVID database.Molecular docking of key active ingredients with core targets was performed using Autodock software.A laser-induced mouse choroidal neovascularization(CNV)model was used.Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)was used to assess CNV area in vivo,immunofluorescence staining was used to assess CNV area on choroidal flat mounts,and Western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of proteins involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis identified 221 active ingredients in the Ziyin Mingmu Formula.PPI analysis i-dentified 29 core targets,including SRC,protein kinase B(AKT1),mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1(HSP90AA1).KEGG analysis revealed that the VEGF signaling pathway was the most highly en-riched.Molecular docking revealed that the core targets SRC,AKT1,MAPK1,and HSP90AA1 had good binding affinity with the main active ingredients,diosmetin,catechin,vestitol,and licochalcone A.Animal experiments showed that the Ziyin Mingmu Formula significantly reduced CNV area in model mice,downregulated VEGF protein expression,decreased VEGFR2,p38,and ERK1/2 pro-tein phosphorylation levels,and inhibited the VEGF signaling pathway.CONCLUSION Ziyin Mingmu Formula may inhibit CNV for-mation by regulating the VEGF signaling pathway.
9.Effects of nuciferine on neuroinflammation and ferroptosis in mice with chronic hypoperfusion-induced white matter injury
Ting-ting DUAN ; Gui-min JIN ; Yuan-yuan ZHU ; Yu-hao XU ; Yue-feng LI ; Chen QIAO ; Ming YU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1931-1940
Aim To explore the effects of nuciferine on cognitive behavior and the underlying mechanisms,white matter injury(WMI),neuroinflammation,and ferroptosis in mice with chronic ischemic WMI.Meth-ods Sixty C57BL/6 mice were divided into a control group,a bilateral common carotid artery stenosis(BCAS)model group,and low/high-dose nuciferine groups(20/40 mg·kg-1).A chronic ischemic WMI model was established using BCAS surgery.Following eight weeks of treatment,cognitive behavior(Y-maze,novel object recognition,Morris water maze),white matter integrity(LFB/MBP staining),microglial acti-vation(Iba-1 immunofluorescence),inflammatory cy-tokines(ELISA for TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6),ferroptosis markers(Fe2+,ROS,MDA,GSH),mitochondrial ultrastructure(electron microscopy),and protein ex-pression of the PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 signa-ling pathways(Western blot)were evaluated.Results Compared with the control group,the BCAS group showed significant cognitive decline(P<0.05),re-duced myelin density,elevated inflammatory cytokines and ferroptosis markers(Fe2+,ROS,MDA),shrunk-en mitochondria,and downregulated PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 pathway proteins(P<0.05).Nu-ciferine intervention significantly ameliorated these in-juries in BCAS mice,with the high-dose group exhibi-ting superior effects(P<0.05).Conclusions Nu-ciferine exerts protective effects against chronic ische-mic WMI and cognitive impairment by activating the PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 signaling pathways,thereby suppressing neuroinflammation and ferroptosis.
10.Study on the Effect and Mechanism of Ziyin Mingmu Formula in Inhibiting Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice Based on Network Pharmacology
Xin ZHOU ; Caijian XIONG ; Ning YANG ; Qingzi JIN ; Kang TAO ; Yuan YUAN ; Wei SHI ; Zhe FENG ; Xinrong XU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(9):1189-1197
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of Ziyin Mingmu Formula in treating age-related mac-ular degeneration(AMD)by combining network pharmacology with animal model validation.METHODS Active ingredients of Ziyin Mingmu Formula were obtained from the TCMSP and BATMAN databases,and their targets were searched using the PharmMapper da-tabase.AMD disease targets were identified using the GeneCards,DrugBank,OMIM,and TTD databases.Venny analysis was per-formed to identify the intersection of active ingredient and disease targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the String database,and core targets were screened using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was per-formed using the DAVID database.Molecular docking of key active ingredients with core targets was performed using Autodock software.A laser-induced mouse choroidal neovascularization(CNV)model was used.Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)was used to assess CNV area in vivo,immunofluorescence staining was used to assess CNV area on choroidal flat mounts,and Western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of proteins involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis identified 221 active ingredients in the Ziyin Mingmu Formula.PPI analysis i-dentified 29 core targets,including SRC,protein kinase B(AKT1),mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1(HSP90AA1).KEGG analysis revealed that the VEGF signaling pathway was the most highly en-riched.Molecular docking revealed that the core targets SRC,AKT1,MAPK1,and HSP90AA1 had good binding affinity with the main active ingredients,diosmetin,catechin,vestitol,and licochalcone A.Animal experiments showed that the Ziyin Mingmu Formula significantly reduced CNV area in model mice,downregulated VEGF protein expression,decreased VEGFR2,p38,and ERK1/2 pro-tein phosphorylation levels,and inhibited the VEGF signaling pathway.CONCLUSION Ziyin Mingmu Formula may inhibit CNV for-mation by regulating the VEGF signaling pathway.

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