1.Construction and in vitro osteogenic activity study of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen
WANG Meng ; SUN Yifei ; CAO Xiaoqing ; WEI Yiyuan ; CHEN Lei ; ZHANG Zhenglong ; MU Zhao ; ZHU Juanfang ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):15-28
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (MSHA/Col) in improving the bone repair microenvironment and enhancing bone regeneration capacity, providing a strategy to address the insufficient biomimetic composition and limited bioactivity of traditional hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (HA/Col) scaffolds.
Methods:
A high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium magnesium strontium phosphate precursor (HPAA/ACMSP) was prepared. Its morphology and elemental distribution were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Recombinant collagen sponge blocks were immersed in the HPAA/ACMSP mineralization solution. Magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite was induced to deposit within collagen fibers (experimental group: MSHA/Col; control group: HA/Col). The morphological characteristics of MSHA/Col were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its crystal structure and chemical composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The mineral phase content was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffold's porosity, ion release, and in vitro degradation performance were also determined. For cytological experiments, CCK-8 assay, live/dead cell staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of the MSHA/Col scaffold on the proliferation, viability, early osteogenic differentiation activity, late mineralization capacity, and gene and protein expression levels of key osteogenic markers [runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn)] in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1).
Results:
HPAA/ACMSP appeared as amorphous spherical nanoparticles under TEM, with energy spectrum analysis showing uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and strontium elements. SEM results of MSHA/Col indicated successful complete intrafibrillar mineralization. Elemental analysis showed the mass fractions of magnesium and strontium were 0.72% (matching the magnesium content in natural bone) and 2.89%, respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals (25.86°, 31°-34°). Infrared spectroscopy results showed characteristic absorption peaks for both collagen and hydroxyapatite. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a mineral phase content of 78.29% in the material. The scaffold porosity was 91.6% ± 1.1%, close to the level of natural bone tissue. Ion release curves demonstrated sustained release behavior for both magnesium and strontium ions. The in vitro degradation rate matched the ingrowth rate of new bone tissue. Cytological experiments showed that MSHA/Col significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation (130% increase in activity at 72 h, P < 0.001). MSHA/Col exhibited excellent efficacy in promoting osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins (Runx2, Col-Ⅰ, Opn, Ocn) (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
The MSHA/Col scaffold achieves dual biomimicry of natural bone in both composition and structure, and effectively promotes osteogenic differentiation at the genetic and protein levels, breaking through the functional limitations of pure hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen. This provides a new strategy for the development of functional bone repair materials
2.Proteomic Analysis of Danlou Tablet in Improving Platelet Function for Treating Coronary Heart Disease with Phlegm-stasis Intermingling Syndrome in Minipigs
Ziyan WANG ; Ying LI ; Aoao WANG ; Hongxu MENG ; Yue SHI ; Yanlei MA ; Guoyuan ZHANG ; Lei LI ; Jianxun LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):41-53
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the role of Danlou tablet in treating coronary heart disease (CHD) with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome in minipigs by improving platelet function and explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of Danlou tablet in regulating platelet function by using proteomics technology. MethodsThirty Bama minipigs were randomly divided into a normal control group (6 pigs) and a high-fat diet group (24 pigs). After 2 weeks of high-fat diet feeding, the high-fat diet group was randomly subdivided into a model group, an atorvastatin group (1 mg·kg-1), and Danlou tablet groups (0.6 g·kg-1 and 0.3 g·kg-1). All groups continued to receive a high-fat diet for 8 weeks after the procedure. The normal control group was given a regular diet, underwent only coronary angiography, and did not receive an interventional injury procedure. The model group and each administration group were fed a high-fat diet. Two weeks later, they underwent a coronary angiography injury procedure. After the procedure, drugs were mixed into the feed every morning for 8 consecutive weeks, with the minipigs maintained on a continuous high-fat diet during this period. Quantitative proteomics technology was further used to study platelet proteins, and differential proteins were obtained by screening. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to analyze key regulatory proteins and biological pathways involved in the therapeutic effect of Danlou tablet on CHD with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed a significant increase in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of minipigs' serum (P<0.01), a significant shortening in prothrombin time of (PT) (P<0.01), a coagulation function index, and an increase in whole blood viscosity (P<0.01) and platelet aggregation rate (P<0.01). Moreover, the platelet morphology was altered, and the contents of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased (P<0.01). Hemodynamic parameters were obviously abnormal, including significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and left ventricular maximal positive dp/dt (LV+dp/dtmax) (P<0.01). Left ventricular maximal negative dp/dt (LV-dp/dtmax) was significantly increased (P<0.01). Besides, there were myocardial cell hypertrophy, obvious edematous degeneration, massive interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, high degree of fibrosis, and coronary endothelial atherosclerosis. TC and TG levels in minipigs' serum were significantly reduced in Danlou tablet groups with 0.6 g·kg-1 and 0.3 g·kg-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), compared with those in the model group. LDL-C was decreased in the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 (P<0.05). The whole blood viscosity under low and high shear conditions was significantly reduced in the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, maximum aggregation rate (MAR) and average aggregation rate (AAR) were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and platelets' morphological changes such as pseudopodia extension were reduced. ET-1 levels in the serum were significantly reduced. In the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1, NO level in the serum was reduced (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, DBP and MAP were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1, LVSP and LV+dp/dtmax were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and LV-dp/dtmax was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In groups with all doses of Danlou tablet, edematous degeneration in myocardial tissue was milder, and coronary artery lesion degree was significantly alleviated. Compared with the normal control group, there were 94 differentially expressed proteins in the model group, including 81 up-regulated and 13 down-regulated proteins. Compared with the model group, the Danlou tablet group with 0.6 g·kg-1 showed 174 differentially expressed proteins, including 100 up-regulated and 74 down-regulated proteins. A total of 30 proteins were reversed after Danlou tablet intervention. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that its pharmacological mechanism may exert anti-platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion effects through biological pathways such as regulation of actin cytoskeleton, platelet activation pathway, Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis, as well as proteins such as growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (RAC2), RAC1, and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1). ConclusionDanlou tablet can effectively reduce platelet activation and aggregation, exerting a good therapeutic effect on CHD with phlegm-stasis intermingling syndrome in minipigs. Its pharmacological mechanism may involve regulating biological pathways such as actin cytoskeleton and platelet activation pathway, as well as proteins like GRB2, RAC2, RAC1, and HSP90AA1, thereby exerting a pharmacological effect in anti-platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion.
3.Perioperative immune dynamics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery
Zhiyuan CHENG ; Xinyi LIAO ; Juan WU ; Ping YANG ; Tingting WANG ; Qinjuan WU ; Wentong MENG ; Zongcheng TANG ; Jiayi SUN ; Jia TAN ; Jing LIN ; Dan LUO ; Hao WANG ; Chaonan LIU ; Jiyue XIONG ; Liqin LING ; Jing ZHOU ; Lei DU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):31-43
Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10
/L vs preoperative 3.07×10
/L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10
/L vs preoperative 3.05×10
/L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10
/L vs preoperative 2.99×10
/L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10
/L vs preoperative 1.12×10
/L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.
4.Skeleton Binding Protein 1 of Plasmodium berghei Influences Deformability and Cytoskeletal Ultrastructure of Infected Erythrocyte
Xin-Yue GUO ; Huan-Qi ZHAO ; Yan-Xuan ZHONG ; Ru-Meng JIANG ; Yao-Xian LI ; Lei-Ting PAN ; Qian WANG ; Xiao-Yu SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1015-1027
ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.
5.Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of human bocavirus in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infection at a hospital in Shanghai from 2021 to 2023
Shan ZHANG ; Yujuan HUANG ; Lei SHEN ; Li LIU ; Jie WANG ; Huilin ZHOU ; Leijun MENG ; Tingting CHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(3):193-198
ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human bocavirus (HBoV) in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) at a single-center children’s hospital in Shanghai, thereby providing evidence for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HBoV infection. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 19 537 hospitalized children with ALRTI at Shanghai Children’s Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis was used to detect HBoV and 12 other common respiratory viruses /atypical pathogens. The positive detection rate, demographic characteristics (sex, age), temporal distribution (year, season) of HBoV, as well as the clinical characteristics of severe and non-severe pneumonia were analyzed. ResultsThe overall HBoV-positive rate was 2.57% (503/19 537), with 59.44% (299/503) being single infections and 40.56% (204/503) being co-infections. The positive detection rate was significantly higher in boys than that in girls (2.78% vs 2.33%, χ²=3.88, P=0.049). The highest infection rate was observed in toddlers, followed by infants (χ²=379.57, P<0.001). The positive rate peaked in 2021 and reached its lowest point in 2023 (χ²=45.49, P<0.001), with epidemics mainly prevalent in summer and autumn. The main clinical symptoms were cough (90.06%, 453/503), fever (75.94%, 382/503), and wheezing (39.96%, 201/503). Children with severe pneumonia showed a higher incidence of wheezing compared with the non-severe group (P<0.001), while underlying diseases and co-infections had no significant association with disease severity (P>0.05). ConclusionHBoV was an important pathogen of ALRTI in children, predominantly affecting infants and toddlers, with higher susceptibility in boys and seasonal peaks in autumn and summer. The main clinical manifestations included cough, fever, and wheezing, with wheezing being more prevalent in children with severe pneumonia.
6.Association between self-perceived body image consistency with body mass index and depressive symptoms in medical students
XU Huiqiong, LIU Meng, WANG Yafei, SUN Lei, ZHANG Yunfeng, WANG Fayan, WAN Yuhui
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(7):992-996
Objective:
To explore the consistency between self perceived body size and body mass index (BMI) evaluation among medical students, and analyze their association with depressive symptoms, so as to provide scientific evidence for psychological intervention targeting medical students.
Methods:
From September to November 2022, a convenient cluster sampling method was employed to select 1 850 college students from two universities in Hefei, Anhui Province, and Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess their depressive symptoms. Chi-square test was applied to compare the rates of depressive symptoms among medical students with different demographic characteristics. Kappa consistency test was performed to evaluate the consistency between self-perceived body size and BMI evaluation. Generalized linear models with binomial distribution and Logit link were constructed to analyze the associations of self-perceived body size and consistency between self-rated and BMI evaluation with depressive symptoms, as well as gender differences in these associations.
Results:
A total of 40.7 % of medical students overestimated or underestimated their body size. Specifically, the underestimation rate was 20.5% in males and 4.9 % in females, while the overestimation rate was 12.7% in males and 40.5% in females, the distribution of consistency in the misclassification rate of body self-perception between males and females was statistically significant ( χ 2=221.54, P <0.01). The overall consistency between self perceived body size and BMI evaluation was low for both males and females, with Kappa values of 0.518 and 0.281 respectively (both P <0.01). After adjusting for confounding variables, generalized linear model analyses showed that medical students with self perceived obesity and body size overestimation had higher risks of depressive symptoms ( OR =1.62, 1.26, both P <0.05). Stratified analyses by gender revealed that girls with self perceived overweight and obesity had higher risks of depressive symptoms in female students ( OR =1.43, 1.66, both P <0.05), whereas no statistically significant associations among boys ( OR =0.84, 1.86, both P >0.05). Girls with body size overestimation had a higher risk of depressive symptoms ( OR=1.20, P < 0.05), with no significant association in boys ( OR=1.00, P >0.05).
Conclusions
Differences exist related between self perceived body size and BMI evaluation among medical students. Self perceived obesity and body size overestimation are related factors to depressive symptoms.
7.Effect of Yinqi Sanhuang Jiedu Decoction on Piezo1-YAP Signaling Axis and Macrophage Polarization in Mouse Model of Liver Fibrosis
Chao LEI ; Yanbo LI ; Houyan ZHANG ; Meng QIAO ; Qingjuan WU ; Wenliang LYU ; Zhifei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):142-152
ObjectiveTo validate the therapeutic effect of Yinqi Sanhuang Jiedu decoction (YQSH) on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis and to investigate its correlations with the Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (Piezo1)-Yes-associated protein (YAP) mechanical signaling axis and macrophage polarization. MethodsFifty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomized into a blank control group, a 4-week model group, a 6-week model group, a 8-week model group, a positive drug (silymarin, 55 mg·kg-1·d-1) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose (8.325, 16.65, 33.3 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) YQSH groups. Except the 6-week model group (n=12), each of the other groups had 6 mice. Mice in other groups except the blank control group received intraperitoneal injections of 10% CCl4 twice weekly for the modeling of liver fibrosis. Drug interventions began one week after the initial modeling through gavage, and the blank control and model groups received 0.2 mL of normal saline via gavage. The histopathological changes and collagen deposition in the liver were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome, and Sirius red staining. Serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as serum levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), and collagen type Ⅳ (Ⅳ-C), were measured. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein and mRNA levels of Piezo1 and YAP1 in the liver tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), respectively. Co-localization of Piezo1 with YAP1, and YAP1 with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was observed by the immunofluorescence (IF) assay. The proportions of M1-type (F4/80+CD80+) and M2-type (F4/80+CD206+) macrophages in the liver tissue were examined by flow cytometry. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed through transcriptomic sequencing. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group exhibited gradually worsened liver fibrosis at the 4th, 6th, and 8th weeks. The 6- and 8-week model groups showcased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in the liver (P<0.01) and upregulated protein levels of both Piezo1 and YAP1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model groups, treatment with YQSH improved the liver function (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated liver fibrosis (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced intrahepatic inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition (P<0.01). Furthermore, the treatment downregulated the protein and mRNA levels of Piezo1 and YAP1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), lowered the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased the ratio of CD80 (M1-type)/CD206 (M2-type) macrophage proteins (P<0.01). The IF assay showed co-localization of YAP1 with Piezo1 and iNOS. Compared with the model groups, YQSH treatment downregulated the expression of Piezo1, YAP1, and iNOS (P<0.05, P<0.01). Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the anti-liver fibrosis effect of YQSH may be related to the Hippo signaling pathway (P<0.05). ConclusionThe anti-liver fibrosis effect of YQSH may be related to its inhibition of the Piezo1-YAP signaling axis and regulation of macrophage polarization.
8.Effect of Yinqi Sanhuang Jiedu Decoction on Piezo1-YAP Signaling Axis and Macrophage Polarization in Mouse Model of Liver Fibrosis
Chao LEI ; Yanbo LI ; Houyan ZHANG ; Meng QIAO ; Qingjuan WU ; Wenliang LYU ; Zhifei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):142-152
ObjectiveTo validate the therapeutic effect of Yinqi Sanhuang Jiedu decoction (YQSH) on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis and to investigate its correlations with the Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (Piezo1)-Yes-associated protein (YAP) mechanical signaling axis and macrophage polarization. MethodsFifty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomized into a blank control group, a 4-week model group, a 6-week model group, a 8-week model group, a positive drug (silymarin, 55 mg·kg-1·d-1) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose (8.325, 16.65, 33.3 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) YQSH groups. Except the 6-week model group (n=12), each of the other groups had 6 mice. Mice in other groups except the blank control group received intraperitoneal injections of 10% CCl4 twice weekly for the modeling of liver fibrosis. Drug interventions began one week after the initial modeling through gavage, and the blank control and model groups received 0.2 mL of normal saline via gavage. The histopathological changes and collagen deposition in the liver were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome, and Sirius red staining. Serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as serum levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), and collagen type Ⅳ (Ⅳ-C), were measured. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein and mRNA levels of Piezo1 and YAP1 in the liver tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), respectively. Co-localization of Piezo1 with YAP1, and YAP1 with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was observed by the immunofluorescence (IF) assay. The proportions of M1-type (F4/80+CD80+) and M2-type (F4/80+CD206+) macrophages in the liver tissue were examined by flow cytometry. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed through transcriptomic sequencing. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group exhibited gradually worsened liver fibrosis at the 4th, 6th, and 8th weeks. The 6- and 8-week model groups showcased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in the liver (P<0.01) and upregulated protein levels of both Piezo1 and YAP1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model groups, treatment with YQSH improved the liver function (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated liver fibrosis (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced intrahepatic inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition (P<0.01). Furthermore, the treatment downregulated the protein and mRNA levels of Piezo1 and YAP1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), lowered the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased the ratio of CD80 (M1-type)/CD206 (M2-type) macrophage proteins (P<0.01). The IF assay showed co-localization of YAP1 with Piezo1 and iNOS. Compared with the model groups, YQSH treatment downregulated the expression of Piezo1, YAP1, and iNOS (P<0.05, P<0.01). Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the anti-liver fibrosis effect of YQSH may be related to the Hippo signaling pathway (P<0.05). ConclusionThe anti-liver fibrosis effect of YQSH may be related to its inhibition of the Piezo1-YAP signaling axis and regulation of macrophage polarization.
9.Prediction method of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation based on multimodal feature fusion.
Yongjian LI ; Lei LIU ; Meng CHEN ; Yixue LI ; Yuchen WANG ; Shoushui WEI
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(1):42-48
The risk prediction of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a challenge in the field of biomedical engineering. This study integrated the advantages of machine learning feature engineering and end-to-end modeling of deep learning to propose a PAF risk prediction method based on multimodal feature fusion. Additionally, the study utilized four different feature selection methods and Pearson correlation analysis to determine the optimal multimodal feature set, and employed random forest for PAF risk assessment. The proposed method achieved accuracy of (92.3 ± 2.1)% and F1 score of (91.6 ± 2.9)% in a public dataset. In a clinical dataset, it achieved accuracy of (91.4 ± 2.0)% and F1 score of (90.8 ± 2.4)%. The method demonstrates generalization across multi-center datasets and holds promising clinical application prospects.
Humans
;
Atrial Fibrillation/diagnosis*
;
Machine Learning
;
Deep Learning
;
Risk Assessment/methods*
10.Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine monomers on regulating bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to promote tendon-bone healing.
Xiang-Zhe MENG ; Guan-Ming TIAN ; Lei HAN ; Tuo WANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(6):645-650
The healing of the tendon-bone interface is a complex dynamic process involving the interaction of multiple cellular and molecular signaling pathways. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have the potential to differentiate into various types of cells, including osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes, etc., and have the potential to regenerate damaged tissues. They are potential seed cells for promoting tendon-bone healing. How to precisely regulate the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs to accelerate the process of tendon-bone healing is a current research hotspot. Monomers of traditional Chinese medicine can promote tendon-bone healing by regulating signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin and BMP/Smad to induce osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. This article reviews from several aspects such as the regulatory role of related signaling pathways on tendine-bone healing, traditional Chinese medicine monomers and their mechanism of regulating BMSCs to promote tendine-bone healing in order to providing new ideas for promoting tendine-bone healing.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Bone Marrow Cells/cytology*
;
Bone and Bones/drug effects*
;
Wound Healing/drug effects*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Tendons/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*


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