1.Mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet
Haiyang ZHU ; Jingshu CUI ; Liu YANG ; Mengting ZHOU ; Jian TONG ; Hongmei HAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):254-262
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in the liver, the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as well as the mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation. MethodsAfter 1 week of adaptive feeding, 24 specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group [choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet], normal+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CSAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], model group [choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet (CDAA) diet], and model+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CDAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], with 6 rats in each group. The dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 was 5 μg/kg for intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 12 weeks. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured, liver histopathology was observed, and SAF score was assessed. M1 hepatic macrophages and M2 hepatic macrophages were measured to analyze in the change in the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in liver tissue, and qPCR was used to measure the mRNA level of PPAR-γ. The two-factor analysis of variance was use for comparison between groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison; the Pearson method was used for correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model rats with CDAA diet-induced NASH had significant increases in the serum levels of AST and ALT (P=0.019 and P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), as well as a significant increase in the level of TNF-α (P<0.001) and a significant reduction in the level of IL-4 in liver tissue (P=0.025). The 1,25(OH)2D3 group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT (P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.001), the level of IL-1β (P<0.001) and a significant increase in the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.017), the level of IL-10 (P=0.039), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001), the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.016). There were significant interactions between CDAA diet-induced NASH model and 1,25(OH)2D3 in serum the levels of AST and ALT (P=0.007 and P=0.008), the SAF scores of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.008), the ratio of M1 and M2 of hepatic macrophages (P=0.005), the level of TNF-α (P<0.001), the level of IL-10 (P=0.038), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001) and the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.009). The correlation analysis showed that PPAR-γ was negatively correlated with the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (r=-0.415, P=0.044) and was positively correlated with M2 hepatic macrophages (r=0.435, P=0.033), IL-10 (r=0.433, P=0.035), and IL-4 (r=0.532, P=0.007). ConclusionThis study shows that 1,25(OH)2D3 improves liver inflammation in NASH by activating PPAR-γ to regulate the phenotypic transformation of hepatic macrophages.
2.Effect of Yifei Jianpi Prescription on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Lung Immune Inflammatory Response in Rats Based on STAT1/IRF3 Pathway
Hongjuan YANG ; Yaru YANG ; Yujie YANG ; Zhongbo ZHU ; Quan MA ; Yanlin WU ; Hongmei LI ; Xuhui ZHANG ; Xiping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):146-155
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Yifei Jianpi prescription on the of signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 1 (STAT1)/interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) signaling pathway in a pneumonia model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to explore the mechanism of Yifei Jianpi prescription in improving lung immune and inflammatory responses. MethodsSixty male SPF SD rats were used in this study. Ten rats were randomly assigned to the normal control group, and the remaining 50 were instilled with LPS in the trachea to establish a pneumonia model. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into the model group, dexamethasone group (0.5 mg·kg-1), and Yifei Jianpi prescription high-dose (12 mg·kg-1), medium-dose (6 mg·kg-1), and low-dose (3 mg·kg-1) groups, with 10 rats in each group. Treatment was administered once daily, and the normal control and model groups received the same volume of normal saline. After 14 days, flow cytometry was used to detect the classification of whole blood lymphocytes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and the content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe lung tissue pathology and score the damage. Thymus weight, spleen weight, and wet-to-dry weight ratio (W/D) were recorded. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of STAT1, IRF3, IL-6, and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in lung tissues, while Western blot was performed to assess the protein expression of STAT1, IRF3, IL-6, and IFN-α. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significantly increased proportion of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood, decreased proportions of NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased serum levels of IgG and IgA, significantly increased IgM levels (P<0.01), significantly elevated content of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in BALF, and significantly decreased IL-10 levels (P<0.01). Lung tissue damage was evident, with significant increases in thymus and spleen weights and a higher W/D ratio (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of STAT1, IRF3, IFN-α, and IL-6 in lung tissues was significantly upregulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yifei Jianpi prescription groups showed significantly reduced proportions of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood, increased proportions of NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratios (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly increased serum levels of IgG and IgA, significantly decreased IgM levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in BALF, and significantly increased IL-10 levels (P<0.01). Lung tissue damage was alleviated, thymus and spleen weights were significantly reduced, and the W/D ratio was markedly decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of STAT1, IRF3, IFN-α, and IL-6 in lung tissues was significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionYifei Jianpi prescription can alleviate lung tissue damage and improve immune and inflammatory responses in LPS-induced pneumonia rats. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of STAT1/IRF3 signaling pathway activation.
3.Influence of occupational hazard factors on incidence of hypertension in calcium carbide plant: Historical cohort study
Meng LIU ; Wei ZHANG ; Qi ZHUANG ; Xingyu PENG ; Jinling LIU ; Tiantian CHEN ; Hongmei GU ; Shu GUO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):565-570
Background The high work intensity and possible subsequently increased susceptibility to occupational hazards of calcium carbide plants may lead to hypertension in workers, but there are few studies on the relationship between occupational hazard exposure and hypertension in workers involving the production process of calcium carbide. Objective To explore the influence of occupational hazards on the incidence of hypertension in calcium carbide plants. Methods Using historical cohort design, the employees of a calcium carbide factory in the western part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as research subjects. According to the pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study population comprised an exposure group of 377 employees (including furnace workers, inspection workers, and maintenance workers) exposed to dust, noise & carbon monoxide, and a control group of 388 employees (including central control workers, electricians, and administrative personnel) without above-mentioned exposure. The total sample size was 765 participants. The follow-up period was from April 2011 to October 2022, and the study endpoint was defined as the conclusion of the follow-up period or diagnosed hypertension in annual occupational health examination. Information on general demographic characteristics, living habits, and work status was collected from all study subjects. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association between occupational hazard exposure and the risk of hypertension among the calcium carbide plant employees. Results The average age, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, proportion of males, smoking rate, and alcohol consumption rate in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared to baseline, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels increased in the exposure group and the control group at the end of the follow-up (P<0.05). At the end of the follow-up, the average differences between systolic/ diastolic blood pressure and baseline values in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). During the follow-up period, a total of 223 cases of hypertension occurred, with a total follow-up of
4.Analysis of sleep quality and influencing factors in migraine patients with patent foramen ovale
Yijun HU ; Diwen ZHANG ; Libo WANG ; Bo LIU ; Hongmei YE ; Xiongfei ZHAO
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):241-246
BackgroundMigraine is a common chronic neurological disease, and patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been closely associated with migraine. Current research primarily focuses on the pathological mechanism and the therapeutic effects of interventional closure, with limited attention paid to the impact of PFO on sleep quality in migraine patients. ObjectiveTo compare the difference in sleep quality between PFO-positive and PFO-negative migraine patients, and to analyzes influencing factors of sleep quality in PFO-positive migraine patients, so as to provide references for clinical interventions to improve sleep quality in PFO-positive migraine patients. MethodsA total of 673 migraine patients who met the diagnostic criteria of migraine in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (ICHD-3), and all patients underwent contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (c-TCD) and transthoracic echocardiographic right heart contrast echocardiography (cTTE) in the Third Hospital of Mianyang from January 2020 to October 2024. Basic demographic data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire, headache severity was assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and sleep quality was invaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PFO patients was diagnosed through c-TCD combined with c-TTE. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the influencing factors of sleep quality in PFO-positive migraine patients. ResultsA total of 673 (100.00%) migraine patients were enrolled, including 223 PFO-positive cases (33.14%) and 450 PFO-negative cases(66.86%). The PFO-positive group showed significantly more severe headache severity (χ2=15.799, P<0.01) and poorer sleep quality (χ2=14.377, P<0.01) compared with PFO-negative group. PFO-positive patients demonstrated significantly higher barrier factor scores of sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, hypnotic medication use, and daytime dysfunction compared with PFO-negative counterparts (t=3.634, 3.269, 2.785, 3.428, 2.907, 3.637, Bonferroni adjust P<0.05/7=0.007).By contrast, no significant difference was noted in sleep duration scores between the two groups(t=2.349, Bonferroni adjust P>0.05/7=0.007).The Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR=1.021, 95% CI: 1.001~1.041), headache severity (OR=6.030, 95% CI: 4.085~8.901), and PFO grade (OR=1.893,95% CI: 1.288~2.784)were significant influencing factors for sleep quality in migraine patients with PFO. ConclusionMigraine patients with PFO-positive exhibited poorer sleep quality compared wtih PFO-negative patients. Older age, higher headache servity, and more severe PFO grade are identified as risk factors for impaired sleep quality in PFO-positive migraine patients.
5.Clinical research progress on the relationship between vitamin D and glucose metabolism disorders
Yin CHEN ; Zhitian ZHANG ; Jiaojiao LIU ; Hongmei YAN ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):512-518
Approximately 10% of the global adult population has diabetes, with accumulating evidence linking suboptimal vitamin D levels to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Current clinical studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glycemic control, prompting significant interest in its potential as a therapeutic intervention. However, further high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to validate its efficacy in glucose metabolism regulation and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. These investigations will provide critical evidence to inform precision medicine approaches for diabetes prevention and management.
6.Research progress on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer
Liji CHEN ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Kaize ZHONG ; Dongbao YANG ; Jiuhe SUN ; Hongfeng LIU ; Ru SONG ; Jishan ZHANG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):714-721
Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant tumors that poses a threat to human health, with both high incidence and malignancy. Currently, surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, the long-term prognosis remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, inhibitors of programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (programmed death ligand-1, PD-L1) have achieved breakthrough progress in other solid tumors, and research on esophageal cancer is gradually being conducted. With the demonstration of good efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the first-line and second-line treatment of advanced unresectable esophageal cancer, their incorporation into neoadjuvant treatment regimens has become a hot topic. Therefore, this article reviews the mechanism of action of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and their application in the neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer.
7.Visual analysis of application of blended teaching in the field of undergraduate nursing education
Junru LI ; Hongmei WU ; Zhengjun WANG ; Sijin LIU ; Xiaoxue WU ; Siyan LIU ; Lingrong XIAO
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(10):1336-1343
Objective:To explore the application status, research hotspots and frontiers of blended teaching mode in undergraduate nursing education at home and abroad, so as to provide reference for related research.Methods:In Chinese, CNKI, Wanfang Database and VIP, and in English, Web of Science database were used as search sources. CiteSpace was used to conduct a quantitative analysis of the retrieved literatures published from 2008 to 2022.Results:A total of 43 literatures in Chinese and 83 in English were retrieved, and the number of publications showed an overall increasing trend. The research hotspots in China focused on education reform, online learning and curriculum system evaluation, and the research frontiers were network teaching, moral education and humanistic care. Foreign research focused on the choice of education model and emphasizes interaction, and the research frontier were to carry out innovative blended teaching and pay attention to the learning experience and learning environment construction of nursing students.Conclusions:In the future, blended teaching should pay attention to carrying out innovative research and dynamic evaluation and feedback of students' satisfaction. In particular, it is necessary to strengthen the cultivation of blended learning competence among nursing teachers, aiming to promote the knowledge and skills of nursing students, and continuously optimize and innovate the application of blended learning in the field of undergraduate nursing education.
8.Exploring mechanism of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction in treatment of post-stroke depression based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiment
Hongmei MA ; Jiaming LIU ; Qiqi CHEN ; Zhenyu ZHANG ; Zhiqiang HUANG ; Yong CHEN ; Hongfeng LEI ; Xinju HOU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(5):1082-1088,1095
Objective:To explore mechanism of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction in treatment of post-stroke depression(PSD)based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiment.Methods:TCMSP and other databases were used to predict active components and targets of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction.Targets of PSD were retrieved from PharmGKB and other databases,and"component-intersection target-disease"network was constructed by Cytoscape(v3.9.1)software.PPI network was constructed by String(v11.5)database,and GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analy-sis of intersection targets were performed by DAVID6.8 database.AutoDock vina(v1.1.2)software was used for molecular docking.Pymol(v 2.5)and other softwares were used to visualize optimal docking results.Animal experiments were setup in control group,model group,fluoxetine group,TCM group and TCM+fluoxetine group,neurobehavioral scores and expressions of neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors in brain tissues were detected.mRNA and protein expressions of key genes PPARG,MAPK3,AKT1,PIK3CA were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results:A total of 225 kinds of active ingredients of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction were obtained,which acted on 119 targets of PSD,among which key targets included MAPK3,AKT1,PIK3CA and PPARG,key pathways including MAPK signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and etc.Compared with model group,MAPK3 mRNA and protein expressions were decreased,AKT1,PIK3CA,PPARG mRNA and protein expressions were increased in TCM group and TCM+fluoxetine group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mechanism of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction in treatment of PSD may be related to inhibition of MAPK3 expression,promotion of AKT1,PIK3CA,PPARG expressions,alleviation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress in brain tissues.
9.Correlation between brachial and ankle pulse wave velocity and cardiac structure and function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Zhenya WU ; Hongmei MA ; Lijuan WANG ; Shengnan LIU ; Fanfan LI ; Jingjuan LI ; Ruifei YANG ; Yuanyuan LIU ; Jinyang WANG
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2024;32(9):641-645
Objective To explore the correlation between brachial and ankle pulse wave conduction velocity(baPWV)and cardiac structure and function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 443 patients with T2DM who were treated in The Endocrinology Department of Gansu Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled in this study from June 2022 to October 2023.All the patients were divided into simple T2DM group(T2DM,baPWV<1400 cm/s,n=221)and atherosclerosis group(AS,baPWV≥1400 cm/s,n=222)based on baPWV.The cardiac ultrasound diagnostic instrument was used to record left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),end diastolic left ventricular diameter(LVd),end diastolic interventricular septal thickness(IVSd),end diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWd),ratio of early to late diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve annulus(E/A),and ratio of early diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve orifice to early diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve annulus(E/E').Results Age,DM duration,SBP,DBP,HbA1c,TG,ABI,LVEF,IVSd,LVPWd,E/A<1,E/E'>14,were higher in AS group than in T2DM group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Spearman correlation analysis shows that E/A<1 was positively correlated with age,DM duration,BMI,SBP,DBP,and ABI(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while negatively correlated with baPWV(P<0.01).Pearson correlation analysis shows that LVPWd was positively correlated with age,DM duration,BMI,SBP,DBP,baPWV,and Scr(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Logistic regression analysis shows that baPWV,ABI,and SBP were the influencing factors for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.The analysis of the working characteristic curve of the subjects shows that the area under the curve of baPWV,SBP and ABI for predicting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is 0.647,0.643,and 0.624,with the best cutoff points being 1398.5 cm/s,125.5 mmHg,and 1.107.Conclusions baPWV is closely related to cardiac structure and function in T2DM patients.As baPWV increases,the risk of left ventricular diastolic insufficiency and hypertrophy rises.
10.Design and implementation of epidemiological survey on dementia in community residents in Tongliao City
Yuanyuan LI ; Linfeng ZHANG ; Guangming XU ; Xiaoyi TIAN ; Hongjun SUN ; Tingting ZHANG ; Hongmei YU ; Peilin XU ; Wujisiguleng ; Jiana MUHAI ; Ying CUI ; Junjie HUANG ; Muren ; Guifang LEI ; Yueqin HUANG ; Zhaorui LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(9):752-758
Objective:To describe the detail sampling design,weighting,instruments,filed procedures and quality control methods of the epidemiological survey on dementia among community residents in Tongliao City.Methods:A three-stage disproportionate probability sampling design was used to investigate the inhabitants aged 65 years and over in Tongliao City,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.The 10/66 Dementia Research Group(10/66 DRG)assessment instruments were used to diagnose dementia,using computer-assisted personal interview mode in the selected older people.Comprehensive quality control methods were implemented throughout the field-work.Results:A total of 166 villages or communities were sampled from nine counties or districts in Tongliao Cit-y.Totally 4 345 older people were interviewed with 96.2%response rate.By calculating sampling design weights,non-response adjustment weights and post-stratification adjustment weights,these weights were multiplied and per-formed trimming adjustment and standardization adjustment to generate final weights.The 171 interviewers were well-trained and qualified to carry out filed interview.Quality control methods included computer data check,audio record check,and telephone check in order to ensure the quality of the survey.Conclusion:This survey is imple-mented using a rigorous sampling design and timely quality control methods,and uses the 10/66 DRG assessment instruments with satisfactory international validity and reliability as survey instruments,which has international cross-cultural comparability.It provides a valid and feasible methodology of epidemiological survey on dementia for further studies in different regions in China.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail