1.Exploring Mechanism of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix in Treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Based on Pulmonary Surfactant Lipid Homeostasis
Xiaorong WANG ; Keyu TAO ; Jianjian JI ; Yingmei DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):102-108
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix (Huzhang) in treating respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) infection by regulating pulmonary surfactant lipid homeostasis through lipidomics. MethodsSixty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, positive group(ribavirin group, 46 mg·kg-1), and low- and high-dose Huzhang groups(0.75, 2.25 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, all other groups were infected with RSV via intranasal instillation. The drug intervention groups were given corresponding doses of drug by gavage for 3 consecutive days, while normal saline was used in the blank and model groups. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in mouse lung tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was employed to detect viral loads[RSV-nucleoprotein(N) and RSV-glycoprotein(G) mRNA] and inflammatory factor levels[interleukin(IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α mRNA] in the lung tissue. Mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected to detect the levels of pulmonary surfactant lipids through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS), followed by principal component analysis and differential lipid identification. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion, and tissue damage in the lungs, and the pathological score and lung index of lung tissue significantly increased(P<0.01), along with significantly elevated mRNA expressions of RSV-N, RSV-G, IL-1β, and TNF-α(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, different doses of Huzhang and ribavirin significantly reduced the pathological scores of the lung tissue and lung index(P<0.01). In addition, the mRNA levels of RSV-N, RSV-G and TNF-α in the lungs significantly decreased in the Huzhang high dose group(P<0.01). Lipidomics analysis identified multiple significantly changed differential metabolites. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed obvious abnormal lipid metabolism, which was manifested by the elevated levels of prostaglandin(PG), ceramide(Cer), phosphatidylcholine(PC), phosphatidylethanolamine(PE), phosphatidylinositol(PI), sphingomyelin(SM), and the decreased levels of diglycerides(DG) and acylethanolamine(NAE). After the intervention of low dose of Huzhang, the above lipid metabolites showed a significant reversal trend, while the intervention of high dose of Huzhang could regulate levels of PI lipids, PG lipids and PC lipids. ConclusionHuzhang can significantly reduce the viral load of lung tissue and improve lung inflammation in RSV-infected mice. The underlying mechanism may be related to the maintenance of homeostasis in pulmonary surfactant lipids such as PI and PG.
2.Exploring Mechanism of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix in Treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Based on Pulmonary Surfactant Lipid Homeostasis
Xiaorong WANG ; Keyu TAO ; Jianjian JI ; Yingmei DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):102-108
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix (Huzhang) in treating respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) infection by regulating pulmonary surfactant lipid homeostasis through lipidomics. MethodsSixty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, positive group(ribavirin group, 46 mg·kg-1), and low- and high-dose Huzhang groups(0.75, 2.25 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, all other groups were infected with RSV via intranasal instillation. The drug intervention groups were given corresponding doses of drug by gavage for 3 consecutive days, while normal saline was used in the blank and model groups. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in mouse lung tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was employed to detect viral loads[RSV-nucleoprotein(N) and RSV-glycoprotein(G) mRNA] and inflammatory factor levels[interleukin(IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α mRNA] in the lung tissue. Mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected to detect the levels of pulmonary surfactant lipids through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS), followed by principal component analysis and differential lipid identification. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion, and tissue damage in the lungs, and the pathological score and lung index of lung tissue significantly increased(P<0.01), along with significantly elevated mRNA expressions of RSV-N, RSV-G, IL-1β, and TNF-α(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, different doses of Huzhang and ribavirin significantly reduced the pathological scores of the lung tissue and lung index(P<0.01). In addition, the mRNA levels of RSV-N, RSV-G and TNF-α in the lungs significantly decreased in the Huzhang high dose group(P<0.01). Lipidomics analysis identified multiple significantly changed differential metabolites. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed obvious abnormal lipid metabolism, which was manifested by the elevated levels of prostaglandin(PG), ceramide(Cer), phosphatidylcholine(PC), phosphatidylethanolamine(PE), phosphatidylinositol(PI), sphingomyelin(SM), and the decreased levels of diglycerides(DG) and acylethanolamine(NAE). After the intervention of low dose of Huzhang, the above lipid metabolites showed a significant reversal trend, while the intervention of high dose of Huzhang could regulate levels of PI lipids, PG lipids and PC lipids. ConclusionHuzhang can significantly reduce the viral load of lung tissue and improve lung inflammation in RSV-infected mice. The underlying mechanism may be related to the maintenance of homeostasis in pulmonary surfactant lipids such as PI and PG.
3.Identification of influencing factors for falls in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases and construction of a prediction model based on machine learning technology
Jing TAO ; Lei TAO ; Xiaoxuan GONG ; Bingsen HUANG ; Yueting LIU ; Min ZHANG ; Yujiao MA ; Keyu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(33):2607-2612
Objective:To assess the fall risk of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases, analyze the related influencing factors, and construct a prediction model based on machine learning technology, so as to provide a basis for the fall management of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 450 patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2017 to June 2024 were selected as the research objects by convenience sampling method. By reviewing electronic medical records, trained nurses extracted the patients' general information and Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL) scores during hospitalization. Lasso regression was used to screen risk factors, and machine learning libraries were used to construct support vector machine (SVM), decision tree, XGBoost, and neural network models. Bootstrap resampling method and area under the curve (AUC) were used to verify the model performance.Results:Among the 450 patients, there were 261 males and 189 females, with a mean age of (66.0 ± 8.4) years. Among them, 90 patients fell during hospitalization and 360 patients did not fall. The results of Lasso regression showed that ADL score ≤60 points, use of hypnotics, hypokalemia, nighttime toilet visits≥2 times, use of antihypertensive drugs, no caregiver, and history of atrial fibrillation were all risk factors for falls in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases (regression coefficients ranging from 0.61 to 1.20, all P<0.01). Among the machine learning models, XGBoost had the best comprehensive performance (AUC=0.98), which was better than decision tree (AUC=0.66), SVM (AUC=0.95), and neural network (AUC=0.87). Conclusions:The fall risk of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases is jointly affected by physiological, medication and behavioral factors, and the XGBoost model can effectively identify high-risk groups. In actual clinical work, nursing strategies can be optimized in combination with risk factors, and the application of intelligent fall prediction and assessment tools can be promoted.
4.Lipidomics-Based Study on the Mechanism of Sanhan Huashi Formula in Treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pneumonia Model Mice
Yuqing ZHU ; Keyu TAO ; Yingcai XIONG ; Jiru ZHANG ; Zhaowei ZHANG ; Xiaoqing ZHOU ; Jiani TAN ; Jianjian JI
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(11):1480-1492
OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect of Sanhan Huashi Formula(SHF)on respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)-infected mouse models and explore its potential antiviral and anti-inflammatory mechanisms using lipidomics.METHODS Fifty-four BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups(n=9):blank group,model group,Ribavirin group(50 mg·kg-1·d-1),and SHF high(15.46 g·kg-1·d-1),medium(7.73 g·kg-1·d-1),and low-dose(3.87 g·kg-1·d-1)groups.A pneumonia model was established by in-tranasal RSV infection,followed by three consecutive days of oral gavage administration.Lung tissues were collected for histopathologi-cal evaluation using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and inflammation scoring.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was performed to measure mRNA levels of viral gene fusion protein(F),glycoprotein(G),and inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)to assess lung viral load and inflammation,while immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the expression of RSV-F protein in lung tissues.Serum lipidomics analysis was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q Exactive Or-bitrap MS)to identify lipid metabolism changes and differential lipids.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,mice in the model group exhibited marked pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue injury,with significantly elevated pulmonary histopa-thology scores and lung index.The lung viral load and the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased,and immunofluorescence likewise indicated high expression of RSV-F protein in lung tissue.Relative to the model group,treatment with SHF at all tested doses clearly ameliorated lung tissue injury,effectively suppressed viral gene expression and inflammatory cytokine levels,and reduced the fluorescence signal intensity of RSV-F protein in the lungs.Lipidomics analysis re-vealed that compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited marked disturbances in lipid metabolism-characterized by dys-regulation of triacylglycerol(TG),phosphatidylcholine(PC),lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC),sphingomyelin(SM),diacylglycerol(DG),lysophosphatidylethanolamine(LPE),and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE).High-dose SHF treatment reversed these RSV-induced lipid abnormalities.CONCLUSION SHF effectively alleviates RSV-induced pulmonary inflammation and pathological injury,re-duces pulmonary RSV viral load,and may exert these effects by modulating dysregulated lipid metabolism in peripheral blood.
5.Lipidomics-Based Study on the Mechanism of Sanhan Huashi Formula in Treating Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pneumonia Model Mice
Yuqing ZHU ; Keyu TAO ; Yingcai XIONG ; Jiru ZHANG ; Zhaowei ZHANG ; Xiaoqing ZHOU ; Jiani TAN ; Jianjian JI
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(11):1480-1492
OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect of Sanhan Huashi Formula(SHF)on respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)-infected mouse models and explore its potential antiviral and anti-inflammatory mechanisms using lipidomics.METHODS Fifty-four BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups(n=9):blank group,model group,Ribavirin group(50 mg·kg-1·d-1),and SHF high(15.46 g·kg-1·d-1),medium(7.73 g·kg-1·d-1),and low-dose(3.87 g·kg-1·d-1)groups.A pneumonia model was established by in-tranasal RSV infection,followed by three consecutive days of oral gavage administration.Lung tissues were collected for histopathologi-cal evaluation using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and inflammation scoring.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was performed to measure mRNA levels of viral gene fusion protein(F),glycoprotein(G),and inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)to assess lung viral load and inflammation,while immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the expression of RSV-F protein in lung tissues.Serum lipidomics analysis was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q Exactive Or-bitrap MS)to identify lipid metabolism changes and differential lipids.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,mice in the model group exhibited marked pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue injury,with significantly elevated pulmonary histopa-thology scores and lung index.The lung viral load and the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased,and immunofluorescence likewise indicated high expression of RSV-F protein in lung tissue.Relative to the model group,treatment with SHF at all tested doses clearly ameliorated lung tissue injury,effectively suppressed viral gene expression and inflammatory cytokine levels,and reduced the fluorescence signal intensity of RSV-F protein in the lungs.Lipidomics analysis re-vealed that compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited marked disturbances in lipid metabolism-characterized by dys-regulation of triacylglycerol(TG),phosphatidylcholine(PC),lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC),sphingomyelin(SM),diacylglycerol(DG),lysophosphatidylethanolamine(LPE),and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE).High-dose SHF treatment reversed these RSV-induced lipid abnormalities.CONCLUSION SHF effectively alleviates RSV-induced pulmonary inflammation and pathological injury,re-duces pulmonary RSV viral load,and may exert these effects by modulating dysregulated lipid metabolism in peripheral blood.
6.Identification of influencing factors for falls in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases and construction of a prediction model based on machine learning technology
Jing TAO ; Lei TAO ; Xiaoxuan GONG ; Bingsen HUANG ; Yueting LIU ; Min ZHANG ; Yujiao MA ; Keyu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(33):2607-2612
Objective:To assess the fall risk of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases, analyze the related influencing factors, and construct a prediction model based on machine learning technology, so as to provide a basis for the fall management of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 450 patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2017 to June 2024 were selected as the research objects by convenience sampling method. By reviewing electronic medical records, trained nurses extracted the patients' general information and Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL) scores during hospitalization. Lasso regression was used to screen risk factors, and machine learning libraries were used to construct support vector machine (SVM), decision tree, XGBoost, and neural network models. Bootstrap resampling method and area under the curve (AUC) were used to verify the model performance.Results:Among the 450 patients, there were 261 males and 189 females, with a mean age of (66.0 ± 8.4) years. Among them, 90 patients fell during hospitalization and 360 patients did not fall. The results of Lasso regression showed that ADL score ≤60 points, use of hypnotics, hypokalemia, nighttime toilet visits≥2 times, use of antihypertensive drugs, no caregiver, and history of atrial fibrillation were all risk factors for falls in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases (regression coefficients ranging from 0.61 to 1.20, all P<0.01). Among the machine learning models, XGBoost had the best comprehensive performance (AUC=0.98), which was better than decision tree (AUC=0.66), SVM (AUC=0.95), and neural network (AUC=0.87). Conclusions:The fall risk of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases is jointly affected by physiological, medication and behavioral factors, and the XGBoost model can effectively identify high-risk groups. In actual clinical work, nursing strategies can be optimized in combination with risk factors, and the application of intelligent fall prediction and assessment tools can be promoted.
7.Chinese Medicine Intervenes in NLRP3 Inflammasome in Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases: A Review
Tuanzhuang ZHANG ; Yuan SONG ; Zhijun HE ; Tao LIU ; Xiyan LYU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Jiaxuan SHEN ; Xudong LIANG ; Keyu ZHU ; Jing QIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(22):193-203
The prevalence of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and intervertebral disc degeneration is increasing year by year with the growing number of elderly people, and the common clinical manifestations of these diseases include severe pain in different areas, which seriously affects the daily life of the patients. Therefore, how to relieve the pain and reduce the prevalence of bone and joint diseases and improve the quality of life of the patients is a hot spot in the medical field. Studies have confirmed that NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, as pattern recognition receptors, are involved in the inflammation, chondrocyte proliferation, osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, intervertebral disc cell inflammation and scorching, extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and reactive oxygen species damage, demonstrating close link with the development of bone and joint diseases. Chinese medicine has a long history and demonstrates remarkable therapeutic effects in the treatment of bone and joint diseases. It can mitigate the pathological changes of bone and joint diseases by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes to alleviate the pain, playing a role in preventing and treating these diseases. Therefore, this paper briefly describes the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasomes and the development of bone and joint diseases by reviewing the latest research progress at home and abroad. We summarize the latest studies about the active components, extracts, and compound prescriptions of Chinese medicines in the treatment of bone and joint diseases via regulating NLRP3 inflammasomes. This review is expected to offer new insights into the in-depth research on the pathogenesis and drug treatment of bone and joint diseases and provide a basis for the clinical application of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of such diseases.

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