1.Ameliorative effects and mechanisms of two probiotics combined with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus on functional dyspepsia in rats
Zongnian LI ; Ying XIONG ; Xiaohui GONG ; Lanlan WANG ; Zhongqing GUO ; Linlin JIANG ; Hongying LIU ; Kezhong DENG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1593-1598
OBJECTIVE To investigate ameliorative effects and mechanisms of two probiotics (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus) combined with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) on functional dyspepsia (FD) in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, positive control group (domperidone group, 2.7 mg/kg), AFI group (9 g/kg), L. acidophilus group (5×107 cfu/kg), B. subtilis group (5×107 cfu/kg), L. acidophilus+ AFI group (L. acidophilus 5×107 cfu/kg+ AFI 9 g/kg), and B. subtilis+AFI group (B. subtilis 5×107 cfu/kg+AFI 9 g/kg), with 8 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, FD model was established by tail-clamping stimulation+hunger and satiety disorder+swimming exhaustion in other groups. After modeling, each group was given the corresponding drug/probiotic suspensions/physiological saline intragastrically, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication, gastric emptying rate and the rate of propulsion of the small intestine in rats were measured; the levels of brain-gut peptide-related indicators [gastrin (GAS), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SS) and cholecystokinin (CCK)] in the serum of rats were measured. The pathological morphology of the gastric antrum tissue and duodenal tissue was observed. Cecal contents from the rats were collected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis. The protein expression levels of tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit and stem cell factor (SCF) in the gastric antrum tissue, as well as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the duodenal tissue of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group, model group showed significantly lower gastric emptying rate, small intestinal propulsion rate, serum levels of GAS and SP, relative abundance of Firmicutes, Ace, Chao and Sobs indexes of the gut microbiota, and protein levels of SCF and c-Kit in gastric antrum (P<0.05), while serum levels of VIP, SS and CCK, relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, as well as protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB, were significantly higher (P<0.05). The histological structure JZYC23S53) of the gastric antrum tissue appeared basically normal; however, abnormalities were observed in the duodenal structure, with a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells visible. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups significantly modulated most of the above indexes (P<0.05). The histological structure of the gastric antrum tissue was normal. Except for the B. subtilis group and the B. subtilis+AFI group, the pathological states of the duodenum in the remaining rats gradually recovered. Compared with each single drug group, most of above indexes in rats from each combination group showed further improvement (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of AFI with two probiotics can improve gastrointestinal motility in FD rats, and the effect is superior to that of using the drugs alone. The specific underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway and the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
2.Mediating effect of psychological resilience between occupational stress and job burnout among medical staff
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(10):1065-1068
Objective :
To analyze the mediating effect of psychological resilience between occupational stress and job burnout of medical staff, so as to provide the reference for improving job burnout of medical staff.
Methods:
The front-line medical staff from four tertiary general hospitals in a joint logistics support center were selected as the research objects from April to June 2022 using the convenience sampling method. The data on gender, age, professional title, and working years were collected by a questionnaire survey. Occupational stress, psychological resilience, and job burnout were evaluated using the Job Stressors Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory, respectively. The mediating effect of psychological resilience between occupational stress and job burnout was analyzed using the Process procedure, and the significance of the mediating effect was analyzed using the Bootstrap method.
Results:
A total of 383 people were investigated, among whom 370 were females (96.61%), and 13 were males (3.39%), with a mean age of (28.97±6.56) years. The scores of occupational stress, psychological resilience, and job burnout were (347.17±157.98), (87.18±13.17), and (56.07±17.09) points, respectively. The results of mediating effect analysis showed that occupational stress could directly positively affect job burnout with a direct effect value of 0.061 (95%CI: 0.004-0.119), and it could also indirectly positively affect job burnout through psychological resilience with a mediating effect value of 0.035 (95%CI: 0.002-0.122), and the mediating effect accounted for 57.38% of the total effect.
Conclusions
Occupational stress can directly or indirectly affect job burnout through psychological resilience. It is suggested to strengthen the mental health training of medical staff to improve psychological resilience and reduce job burnout.
3.Study on the anti-hepatitis mechanism of Abrus pulchellus subsp. cantoniensis (Hance) Verdc. and Abrus pulchellus subsp. mollis (Hance) Verdc. based on serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology
Qiaowen ZHOU ; Xue WANG ; Mingjuan HUANG ; Li LI ; Wenya CHEN ; Zhengtao WANG ; Zijia ZHANG ; Lanlan FAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2772-2777
OBJECTIVE To compare the anti-hepatitis mechanisms of Abrus pulchellus subsp. cantoniensis (Hance) Verdc. (AC) and Abrus pulchellus subsp. mollis(Hance) Verdc. (AM). METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, AC- treated group, and AM-treated group, with each group consisting of 10 rats. The rats’ orbital venous blood was collected at 5, 15, 30 minutes, and 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 hours after gavage administration of 24 g/kg of the corresponding drug (calculated by crude drug) or water, respectively. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology was utilized to identify the prototype components present in the serum. The network pharmacology method was adopted to predict the anti-hepatitis active components, key targets, and signaling pathways of AC and AM. Additionally, molecular docking technology was utilized to verify the binding activity of the core active components with key targets. RESULTS A total of 35 prototype components migrating to the blood of AC and AM were identified in the serum of administered rats, among which 24 were common components. The active components in AC, such as acetylanguidine, physcion, soyasaponin A3 and soyasaponin Ⅰ, as well as those in AM, including vicenin 3, acetylanguidine,soyasaponin Ⅰ and schaftoside, all acted on key targets such as steroid receptor coactivator, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and protein kinase B1(Akt1). These components modulated pathways in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) -Akt pathway, thereby exerting anti-hepatitis effects. Furthermore, the binding energies between these active components and their key targets were all less than -5 kJ/mol. CONCLUSIONS There are differences in the active components of AC and AM against hepatitis, but their mechanisms of action are similar. Both may exert their anti-hepatitis effects through pathways in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and the PI3K-Akt pathway.
4.Association of sedentary types with anxiety and depressive symptom among college freshmen
LI Lanlan, LI Shuqin, WEI Runyu, LI Xin, SONG Xianbing, LI Jia, WAN Yuhui
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(11):1599-1603
Objective:
To analyze the association of sedentary types with symptom of depressive and anxiety among college freshmen, so as to provide a reference for improving the mental health of college students.
Methods:
From October to November 2022, all college freshmen at three colleges and universities in Anhui Province were selected by a cluster sampling method. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Youth Leisure-Time Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (YLSBQ) were used for the investigation. A binary Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship of different types of sedentary behavior with anxiety and depressive symptom.
Results:
The detection rates of anxiety and depressive symptom among college freshmen were 32.8% and 49.9%, respectively. The results of the binary Logistic regression model analysis showed that after controlling for gender, family location, parental education level, self rated family economic status and number of intimate partners, high level overall, video based, and social based sedentary time were associated with an increased risk of anxiety ( OR =1.26, 1.56, 1.27) and depressive symptom ( OR =1.42, 1.94, 1.29) among college freshmen; the association between moderate level sedentary time and depressive symptom was statistically significant ( OR =0.83) (all P <0.05). The overall trends of the association between sedentary behavior with symptom of anxiety and depressive were similar in both boys and girls.
Conclusions
Sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depressive symptom in college students. Reducing video based and social based sedentary behaviors is beneficial for mental health promotion in college students.
5.Identification of a JAK-STAT-miR155HG positive feedback loop in regulating natural killer (NK) cells proliferation and effector functions.
Songyang LI ; Yongjie LIU ; Xiaofeng YIN ; Yao YANG ; Xinjia LIU ; Jiaxing QIU ; Qinglan YANG ; Yana LI ; Zhiguo TAN ; Hongyan PENG ; Peiwen XIONG ; Shuting WU ; Lanlan HUANG ; Xiangyu WANG ; Sulai LIU ; Yuxing GONG ; Yuan GAO ; Lingling ZHANG ; Junping WANG ; Yafei DENG ; Zhaoyang ZHONG ; Youcai DENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):1922-1937
The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.
6.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione.
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101068-101068
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [15N2]-cystine and [13C5]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
7.An accurate diagnostic approach for urothelial carcinomas based on novel dual methylated DNA markers in small-volume urine.
Yucai WU ; Di CAI ; Jian FAN ; Chang MENG ; Shiming HE ; Zhihua LI ; Lianghao ZHANG ; Kunlin YANG ; Aixiang WANG ; Xinfei LI ; Yicong DU ; Shengwei XIONG ; Mancheng XIA ; Tingting LI ; Lanlan DONG ; Yanqing GONG ; Liqun ZHOU ; Xuesong LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(2):232-234
8.Problem and management strategy exploration of the investigator initiated out-of-range trial
Yuanyuan LI ; Lanlan HU ; Jin CHEN ; Yan WANG ; Jianyun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2024;37(1):66-69
Objective:To analyze the problems and risk factors of the investigator initiated out-of-range trial, propose countermeasures and suggestions, and provide reference for improving project standardization and quality, and preventing research risks.Methods:Through literature analysis and field research, combined with personal work experience, this study sorted and analyzed the problems in the regulation of out-of-range IIT conducted in hospital, and proposed countermeasures.Results:Through analysis, it was found that the current out-of-range IIT trial in China faces 5 problems: imperfect management regulations, incomplete IIT management organizational system in medical institutions, insufficient scientificity of research protocols, insufficient ethical review, and insufficient research funds.Conclusions:Out-of-range IIT is of great significance in promoting pharmaceutical innovation. Standardized management of such projects requires the efforts of regulatory authorities, medical institutions, and ethics committees, as well as the continuous improvement of researchers' awareness and research capabilities to promote the orderly, high-quality, and rapid development of IIT. Based on the above analysis, this article proposed countermeasures and suggestions: at the national level, summarize practical experience from various regions as soon as possible, improve IIT management regulations and technical guidelines; establishing clinical research and design guidance departments in medical institutions and strengthening scientific review; the ethics committee formulates ethical review standards and processes for out-of-range IIT projects to enhance review capabilities; establish a normalized clinical research training mechanism in hospitals; expand and standardize the channels for IIT funding.
9.Discussion on mechanism of modified Biminkang Granules in treatment of allergic rhinitis based on network pharmacology and experimental verification
Lanlan CHEN ; Rongchen LIU ; Anqi WANG ; Guihua WU ; Li LI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(3):336-344
Objective:To predict the molecular mechanism of Biminkang Granules in the treatment of allergic rhinitis using network pharmacological methods combined with animal experiments.Methods:Active component targets and allergic rhinitis targets were screened from TCMSP, OMIM, GeneCards, TTD, DrugBank and PharmGKB databases; R language software was used to map the intersection of drug and disease targets; Cytoscape software and String platform were used to construct intersection target PPI network and conduct network topology analysis; DAVID platform was used to perform GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis, and perform molecular docking verification on the main active components and key targets. 32 rats were divided into a blank group of 8 and a model group of 24 using a random number table method. Model rats were induced by ovalbumin to establish an allergic rhinitis model. 24 SD rats that were successfully modeled and were randomly divided into model group, Western medicine group, and Biminkang Granules group using a random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. The Western medicine group was gavaged with 1 mg/kg of loratadine solution, the Biminkang Granules group was gavaged with 4.1 g/kg of Biminkang Granules solution, and the blank group and model group rats were gavaged with the same volume of physiological saline once a day for 2 consecutive weeks. The symptoms of rhinitis in each group of rats for 30 minutes were observed and recorded, and the pathological changes of the rat nasal mucosa were observed using HE staining. ELISA method was used to detect the levels of IL-17 and IL-6 in rat serum, and Western blot method was used to determine the expressions of TNF and STAT3 proteins in rat tissues.Results:A total of 41 target proteins of BiMinKang Dranule in the treatment of allergic rhinitis were predicted, and TNF, STAT3 and other core target proteins were obtained by PPI network topology analysis. The biological process of GO involved drug response, inflammatory response, cytokine response, etc.KEGG enrichment is involved in Th17 cell differentiation, lipid and atherosclerosis, IL-17, toll-like receptor and other pathways. Molecular docking results indicated that the main active components had good binding activity to key target proteins.Animal experiments showed that BiMinKang Dranule could improve the inflammatory symptoms of allergic rhinitis rats, down-regulate the expression of IL-17 and IL-6 in blood, and inhibit the expression of TNF and STAT3 proteins.Conclusion:Biminkang Granules can treat allergic rhinitis through multiple active components, multiple target proteins and multiple pathways, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of Th17 cell differentiation pathway related proteins.
10.Expression Level and Clinical Significance of Serum miR-181c and miR-578 in Patients with Sepsis Complicated by Acute Kidney Injury
Fei SONG ; Dan LI ; Meng YU ; Min LI ; Ji DING ; Lanlan LI
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2024;39(1):49-54
Objective To investigate the expression level and clinical significance of microRNA(miR)-181c and microRNA(miR)-578 in the serum of patients with sepsis complicated by acute kidney injury(AKI).Methods Eighty patients with sepsis complicated by AKI(AKI group)and 80 patients with simple sepsis(non AKI group)who were hospitalized in Sinopharm Gezhouba Central Hospital from January 2022 to December 2022 were collected as research subjects.The serum levels of miR-181c and miR-578 in two groups were detected and compared.Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of sepsis patients complicated by AKI.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the predictive value of serum miR-181c and miR-578 levels for patients with sepsis complicated by AKI.Results The proportion of pulmonary infection,the level of arterial blood lactic acid,creatinine,urea nitrogen and APACHEⅡ score in AKI group were higher than those in non-AKI group,and the oxygenation index was lower,the differences were statistically significant(χ2=7.364,t=14.298,26.691,17.925,7.104,12.676,all P<0.05).The serum miR-181c level in the AKI group(1.47±0.36)was higher than that in the non AKI group(1.03±0.28),the serum miR-578 level(0.76±0.19)was lower than that in the non AKI group(1.05±0.31),and the differences were statistically significant(t=8.629,7.134,all P=0.000).Logistic regression analysis showed that miR-181c[OR(95%CI):2.984(1.628~5.468)],pulmonary infection[OR(95%CI):1.946(1.250~3.031)],arterial blood lactic acid[OR(95%CI):1.457(1.073~1.978)],and APACHE Ⅱ score[OR(95%CI):2.283(1.393~3.741)]were risk factors for AKI in sepsis patients(all P<0.05);miR-578[OR(95%CI):0.742(0.631~0.873)]and oxygenation index[OR(95%CI):0.342(0.130~0.904)]were protective factors(all P<0.05).The combined prediction of serum miR-181c and miR-578 for AKI in sepsis patients had an AUC of 0.915,a sensitivity and a specificity of 83.65%,88.75%,respectively,which was superior to their individual predictions(Z=3.118,3.460,P=0.002,0.001).Conclusion The serum miR-181c expression is obviously up-regulated and miR-578 expression is obviously down-regulated in patients with sepsis complicated by AKI.The combination of the two has good reference value for predicting sepsis complicated by AKI.


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