1.Neuroelectromagnetic Activities Across Temporal Scales
Zhuo-Qun SHEN ; Xiao-Fei XU ; Yan-Qing WANG ; Jing-Xin LI ; Lan TIAN ; Wei GUO ; Jing-Jing XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1541-1560
Although global brain science research has progressed rapidly in recent decades, several fundamental questions in neuroscience remain unresolved. In particular, the physical mechanism underlying neural signal transmission remains controversial, and the carriers responsible for neural information storage and retrieval have not yet been fully clarified. These unresolved issues motivate us to re-examine the processes of neural information generation, transmission, integration, storage, and retrieval from multiple perspectives. A key observation is that neural electromagnetic activities are closely associated with time. Their duration, temporal structure, and dynamic evolution play crucial roles in neural information processing. In this work, we analyze neural electromagnetic activities from the perspective of temporal scales (referred to here as the “time course”). By reviewing and integrating findings from previous studies, we examine the characteristic time requirements and dynamic features of neural processes occurring at different stages of information processing. These stages include neural signal generation, signal transmission along axons, synaptic integration, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation and retrieval. Based on this temporal analysis, we outline a framework describing neural electromagnetic activities across a wide range of time scales, spanning from microseconds to minutes, hours, or even longer periods associated with long-term memory, which suggests that neural information processing involves multiple physical processes operating at different time levels. Rapid electromagnetic events may occur on microsecond scales, whereas electrophysiological phenomena such as action potentials typically last on the order of milliseconds. Longer time scales are associated with synaptic plasticity and memory-related processes. From this perspective, we propose that the physical carrier of neural information may be transient electromagnetic pulses with durations on the microsecond scale. In this framework, action potentials can be interpreted as the macroscopic electrophysiological manifestation of underlying electromagnetic processes triggered by ionic currents across neuronal membranes. Rather than being the fundamental neural signal itself, the action potential may represent a measurable membrane-level response associated with the successful activation of these electromagnetic events. Moreover, we discuss a possible mechanism for long-term memory storage. Considering the apparent temporal contradiction between the millisecond-scale excitation of neurons and the long-term persistence of memories, we believe that long-term memory information may be stored within neural network topologies formed by electrical synapse coupling. Such structures, referred to as electrically coupled memory networks (ECMNs), may enable neurons within the same network to respond rapidly and synchronously to stimuli, thereby facilitating efficient memory retrieval. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of considering the temporal organization of neural electromagnetic activities when interpreting neural signaling mechanisms. It may provide new insights into the physical nature of neural information carriers and the mechanisms of memory storage and retrieval. Furthermore, highlighting the potential role of electromagnetic interactions in neural activity may contribute to the development of new theoretical frameworks and experimental approaches in neuroscience. Such perspectives may also offer valuable references for future research on neural coding, brain function mechanisms, and neuromodulation technologies.
2.Lysosomal Homeostasis and Chemoresistance in Liver Cancer: Natural Product-based Combination Strategies Targeting Lysosomes
Chun-Ping HUANG ; Yong-Zhuo LI ; Jing ZHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1867-1883
Liver cancer is one of the world's serious diseases today because of its high frequency and fatality rate, genetic differences, and limited effectiveness of late-stage therapy. Although chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, ablation and transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) have improved the disease control of some patients, recurrence and acquired resistance are still common, especially for tumors that are hypoxic, nutrient-deprived, acidic-stressed, vascularly insufficient and exposed to repeated drug pressure. A bad environment will cause a change in the quality-control system and metabolism of cancer cells, and as a result, lysosomes have started to alter. In addition to the above catabolic functions of lysosomes, they also take part in autophagic flux, substrate recycling, iron and lipid metabolism, nutrient sensing, drug distribution, membrane repair and cell death signalling. Under the stress of therapy in liver cancer cells, increased lysosomal acidification and enhanced terminal degradation lead to prolonged autophagy; TFEB/TFE3 promotes the formation of new lysosomes and lysophagosomes to sequester weakly basic drugs, thereby reducing the concentration of active drugs and mitigating proteotoxicity and oxidative stress to promote cell survival. The above processes produce a lysosome-dependent resistant phenotype that is particularly relevant to sorafenib and doxorubicin and other drugs whose effectiveness can be reduced by protective autophagy or changes in intracellular location. Conversely, the same dependency on lysosomal homeostasis is also a vulnerability. Natural products and monomeric compounds derived from Chinese herbal medicines have various structures, multiple target regulation capabilities, and the potential to act on several lysosome-related nodes simultaneously. Based on the evidence in this review, it is believed that such compounds may sensitise liver cancer cells by inhibiting V-ATPase-mediated acid hydrolysis, obstructing late-stage autophagy-mediated degradation, disrupting lysosomal calcium or membrane homeostasis, causing lysosomal membrane permeabilisation, reducing compensatory lysosomal biogenesis, promoting ferritin degradation and ferroptosis, or enhancing acid-responsive intracellular delivery. Agents that impair lysosomal function and protective autophagy, compounds that convert enlarged or drug-sequestering lysosomes into lethal targets, and nanodelivery systems that exploit the acidic environment of endolysosomes to co-deliver natural products with chemotherapeutic drugs are examples. Lysosome-targeted intervention will have different effects under different circumstances; for example, inhibiting autophagy may result in an increase in cytotoxic stress in some areas, whereas overstimulation of autophagy or iron release from lysosomes may induce autophagic cell death or ferroptosis in other areas. Therefore, the design of therapy should take into account the status of the tumour microenvironment, autophagic flux, lysosomal pH, TFEB/TFE3 activity, drug sequestration capacity, ferroptosis sensitivity, dosing sequence and delivery route. This review systematically examines the lysosomal homeostasis in the microenvironment of liver cancer, the mechanisms through which lysosomal adaptation contributes to chemoresistance, and the rationale for combining natural products with standard agents such as sorafenib and doxorubicin. Based on basic lysosome biology, pharmacodynamic and delivery data have also been collected; as a result, some applications for future studies have been proposed, such as dynamic monitoring of autophagy flux, in vivo spatial measurements of lysosomal functions, rational optimisation of combination therapy timings, and safety assessments in immunocompetent liver cancer models prior to clinical translation. Translation difficulties are also evident, such as insufficient tumour selectivity, pharmacokinetic limitations, compensatory lysosomal regeneration, toxicity to normal liver and immune cells, and a lack of validated predictive biomarkers. A new way will be found to use biomarkers to divide the patient group, optimize nanoparticles for better delivery, design specific schedules for combined treatments based on the problem they cause within the cell, etc., thereby overcoming drug resistance and reducing the harm patients suffer from toxic treatments. This system can help select biomarkers and rational drug pairs for the next round of lysosome-centred precision trials.
3.Principles and optimal strategy of antibacterial drug therapy in elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori infection
Miao HE ; Zhuo WANG ; Xin KANG ; Nan DING ; Juan BI ; Jing TIAN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(7):370-375
Objective To explore the principle of antibacterial drug therapy and the strategy of program optimization in elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori(Hp). Methods The common therapeutic regimen of Hp was summarized, and the better therapeutic regimen of elderly Hp patients was screened ultimately. Results Amoxicillin and cefuroxime were relatively safe compared with other recommended antibacterial drugs. Using other commonly antibiotics for Hp should pay attention to the disease of patients and current drug. Conclusion Elderly patients usually suffered from a variety of diseases and required multiple drugs. The application of therapeutic regimen for elderly patients with Hp should be supposed to fully weigh the risks and benefits.
4.Progress of researches on toxoplasmosis control strategies based on the One Health concept
Huijun GAO ; Jing LI ; Pengyao LI ; Rui ZHUO ; Ze NI ; Bin ZHENG ; Shaohong LU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(4):354-360
Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is widely prevalent across the world. The life cycle of T. gondii involves definitive hosts (cats and felines), intermediate hosts (humans, livestock, and wild animals), and the environment (such as soil and water). The One Health concept brings together the health of humans, animals, and the environment, with aims to pursue the optimal health outcomes through coordinated management. Management of toxoplasmosis from a One Health perspective may provide key insights into formulation of interventions for toxoplasmosis control. This article reviews the complex biological characteristics and life cycle of T. gondii, as well as the importance of felines as definitive hosts in the transmission of toxoplasmosis, analyzes the epidemiology, ecological impact and economic burden of toxoplasmosis, and discusses the bottlenecks in diagnostic and monitoring systems, environmental management technologies, and One Health interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, toxoplasmosis control strategies are proposed based on the One Health concept, covering public health interventions, management of animal sources, multi-sector collaboration, and development of novel vaccines. These strategies provide insights into interruption of toxoplasmosis transmission and maintenance of the global public health security.
5.Clinical efficacy and influencing factors of Chaihu anxin capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression
Yaqing LI ; Yupei HAO ; Shizhao YUAN ; Wentao WANG ; Chunhua ZHOU ; Yancong HAN ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Shulian FU ; Jing YU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(18):2402-2407
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chaihu anxin capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression, analyze the influencing factors of its efficacy, construct a nomogram prediction model.METHODS Patients with mild-to-moderate depression treated at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from May 1, 2023 to March 10, 2025 were retrospectively included and categorized into Chaihu anxin capsules group and milnacipran group according to treatment regimen. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics, and treatment efficacy was compared after 8 weeks, including 24 Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) scores and changes, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores and changes, and treatment response rate after 8 weeks of treatment. Patients receiving Chaihu anxin capsules were further classified as responders or non-responders based on the occurrence of treatment response. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the influencing factors of treatment response, and a nomogram model was constructed to predict the probability of treatment response, its predictive performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.RESULTS A total of 297 patients were included before PSM, including 196 patients in the Chaihu anxin capsules group and 101 patients in the milnacipran group. After PSM, each group included 44 patients. After PSM, the HAMD-24 scores and HAMA scores at 8 weeks after treatment in the Chaihu anxin capsules group, as well as the HAMD-24 scores in the milnacipran group, were significantly lower than their respective baseline values ( P <0.05); the change in HAMA score in the Chaihu anxin capsules group was significantly greater than that in the milnacipran group ( P =0.04). Multivariable Logistic regression identified age, total bilirubin, and baseline HAMD-24 score as independent predictors of treatment response ( P <0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the constructed nomogram prediction model was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.637-0.799), and the corrected Brier score was 0.143 (95% confidence interval: 0.112-0.176); compared with the “all intervention” and “all non intervention” strategies, applying this nomogram prediction model could achieve higher net benefits within the threshold probability range of 8% to 37%.CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of Chaihu anxin capsules in improving mild-to-moderate depression is comparable to that of milnacipran, and it has certain advantages in improving anxiety symptoms; age, total bilirubin, and baseline HAMD-24 score are independent influencing factors for the treatment response of Chaihu anxin capsules. The nomogram prediction model constructed based on these factors has good discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability.
6.Optimization of the isolation and culture system for mesenchymal stem cells derived from rat thoracic aorta media based on the dual-phase harvesting method
Suyu LAI ; Jing WU ; Ming CHI ; Zhuo WANG ; Yixian ZENG ; Xiaofeng WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(9):1626-1633
ObjectiveTo address the challenge of balancing efficiency and purity in isolating MSCs from rat thoracic aorta using traditional methods and to establish and validate an optimized isolation and culture system based on the dual-phase harvesting method. MethodsThoracic aortas were aseptically isolated from 3 to 4-week-old SD rats and minced. Three experimental groups were included: simple enzymatic digestion, pre-explant-enzymatic digestion sequential method, and the dual-phase harvesting method. Growth kinetic parameters, including time to initial cell migration, time to primary confluence, and cell yield, were systematically compared among the three groups. Passage‑4 cells were examined for surface marker expression (CD73, CD44, CD29, CD45, CD34, and CD11b/c) by flow cytometry. Their stemness was evaluated through osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic trilineage differentiation assays. ResultsThe time to primary confluence in the dual-phase harvesting method group (8.5 ± 1.0 ) d was significantly shorter than that of the simple enzymatic digestion group (11.2±1.2) d and the pre‑explant enzymatic digestion sequential group (12.8±1.5) d. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the harvested cells consistently showed high expression of CD73 (87.2±1.5)%, CD44 (87.1±0.8)%, and CD29 (96.8±1.3)%, with low expression of CD45 (3.22±0.2)%, CD34 (2.46±0.5)%, and CD11b/c (2.53±2.1)%. Upon directed induction, the cells formed Alizarin Red‑positive calcium nodules, Oil Red O‑positive lipid droplets, and Alcian Blue-positive glycosaminoglycans, confirming complete trilineage differentiation potential. The cells could be stably expanded to passage 8 while maintaining a uniform elongated spindle-shaped morphology. ConclusionThe dual‑phase harvesting method established in this study is an efficient and stable optimized protocol for isolating MSCs from the rat thoracic aorta media. This approach synergistically enhances cell yield, purity, and stemness through its temporally designed two‑step process, thereby providing a high-quality in situ cell source for vascular biology research and regenerative medicine.
7.Jianpi Yiqi Prescription Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion of Hepatic Carcinoma Cells by Targeting PTPN1
Shanshan SUN ; Jing HONG ; Shufan SONG ; Zongxi SUN ; Chao WANG ; Shaoyuan ZHUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):80-88
ObjectiveTo investigate the key targets of Jianpi Yiqi prescription (JYP) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on network pharmacology and explore the effect of JYP on the invasion and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1) by bioinformatics analysis and CRISPR/Cas9. MethodsThe potential targets of JYP in the treatment of HCC were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, NCBI, and CTD. Additionally, the active components of JYP that could interact with PTPN1 were screened out, and then molecular docking between the targets and active components was performed in Autodock 4.0. UALCAN, HPA, and LinkedOmics were used to analyze the expression of PTPN1 in the HCC tissue, and the relationship of PTPN1 expression with the overall survival (OS) of HCC patients was discussed. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to knock down the expression of PTPN1 in HepG2 and SK-hep-1 cells, and the knockdown effect was examined by sequencing, Real-time PCR, and Western blot. HepG2 cells were classified into blank control, low-, medium-, and high-dose JYP (5.25, 10.5, 21 g·kg-1), and PTPN1 knockout groups. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of PTPN1 in HepG2 cells of each group. The effects of JYP and PTPN1 knockdown on the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of HepG2 cells were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell, and Annexin V-FITC/PI methods, respectively. ResultsJYP had the most active components targeting PTPN1, and 31 of the active components had the binding energy less than -5.0 kcal·mol-1 in molecular docking. The mRNA and protein levels of PTPN1 in the HCC tissue were higher than those in the normal tissue (P<0.01). Compared with that in the normal tissue, the mRNA level of PTPN1 in the HCC tissue was up-regulated at the pathological stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ and grades G1-G3 (P<0.01), and it was not significantly up-regulated at the stage Ⅳ or grade G4. The mRNA level of PTPN1 in the TP53-mutated HCC tissue was higher than that in the TP53-unmutated HCC tissue (P<0.01). The high mRNA level of PTPN1 was associated with the OS reduction (P<0.01). After treatment with the JYP-containing serum or knockdown of PTPN1, HepG2 cells demonstrated decreased proliferation and invasion and increased apoptosis (P<0.01). ConclusionPTPN1 may be one of the core targets of JYP in the treatment of HCC. It is highly expressed in the HCC tissue and cells, which is associated with the poor prognosis of patients. The expression level of PTPN1 is significantly up-regulated in the HCC tissue of the patients with TP53 mutation. However, TP53 mutation or deletion does not affect the expression of PTPN1 in HCC cells. JYP can significantly down-regulate the expression of PTPN1 to inhibit the proliferation and invasion and promote the apoptosis of HCC cells.
8.Quality evaluation of Gegen Formula Granules
Dai-liang ZHANG ; Chun-xia WANG ; Lei SHI ; Yu-kang LIU ; Yong-qiang LIN ; Yu-zhuo WANG ; Jing-hua ZHANG ; Jin-xin LI ; Gui-yun CAO ; Zhao-qing MENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(5):1421-1431
AIM To evaluate the quality of Gegen Formula Granules.METHODS Linear calibration with two reference substances(LCTRS)was adopted in the predicting of retention time with puerarin and daidzein as internal standards.UPLC characteristic chromatograms were established.The contents of 3'-hydroxy puerarin,puerarin(internal standard),3'-methoxy puerarin,puerarin 6"-O-xyloside,puerarin apioside and daidzin were determined by quantitative determination analysis multi-components by a single marker(QAMS),after which their transfer rates were calculated.RESULTS Compared with relative retention time method,LCTRS demonstrated higher positional accuracy for characteristic peaks and wider application range for columns.There were 9 characteristic peaks in the characteristic chromatograms for 14 batches of formula granules and 15 batches of standard decoctions with the similarities of more than 0.95.The contents and transfer rates of various constituents in formula granules and standard decoctions were basically consistent.CONCLUSION The chemical constituents in formula granules and their standard decoctions of Puerariae lobatae Radix display good consistency,reliable preparation process is observable in the former.
9.A highly efficient SFFV promoter-driven mCherry-GFP-LC3B dual-fluorescence system for autophagy monitoring in erythroid cells
Jiuqiang REN ; Jing LI ; Zhuo LI ; Xuehui LIU ; Xiang LYU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(7):866-873
Objective To develop a modified lentiviral expression system of mCherry-GFP-LC3B,driven by the hematopoietic-specific SFFV(spleen focus-forming virus)promoter,in order to perform an efficient and real-time monitoring of autophagy flux with in terminally differentiated erythroid cells.Methods The lentiviral plasmid pRSC-SFFV-mCherry-GFP-LC3B was constructed and packaged into lentiviruses for infection of human erythroid progenitor cell line(HUDEP-2)and mouse fetal liver-derived primary erythroid cells.Autophagy dynamics of the cells were then analyzed using fluorescence imaging,Western blot,and flow cytometry in serum starvation and chloroquine inter-vention models.Results The SFFV promoter rendered significantly higher reporter expression efficiency than CMV promoter in HUDEP-2(97%vs.60%)(P<0.01)and in the primary mouse erythroid cells(83%vs.1%)(P<0.001),without disrupting normal erythroid differentiation.Serum deprivation increased au-tolysosomes(red puncta),elevated LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰratios,and decreased p62 levels.Chloroquine treatment in-duced autophagosome(yellow puncta)accumulation(P<0.001),showing a dose-dependent inhibition of auto-phagy flux(r2=0.92).Conclusions The SFFV-driven dual-fluorescent system enables robust and real-time mo-nitoring of autophagy flux in erythroid cells,providing a sensitive tool for mechanistic study of erythroid differenti-ation and related disorders such as anemia.
10.Teaching Practice and Exploration of"Tutorial System"Based on The Cultivation of Scientific Research and Innovation Ability of Medical Students
Qiao ZHANG ; Yin-Feng YANG ; Yue-Li NI ; Zhuo-Ran TENG ; Wen-Jing LIU ; Jing WU ; Yan-Rui WU ; Yu DOU ; Ming HE ; Shu-De LI ; Ping GAN ; Fang YUAN ; Zhe YANG ; Xin-Wang YANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):470-480
The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.

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