1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Interaction between perceived social support and TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism and its association with risk of developing depression
Xingmeng NIU ; Hanyun LI ; Xueyi WANG ; Sifang NIU ; Yan QIN ; Yi ZHENG ; Fuqin MU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Yan LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(2):107-114
Objective:To explore the association between perceived social support,TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism,and their interaction with incidence of depressive symptoms in the freshmen.Methods:A total of 9928 freshmen from two medical universities were investigated at baseline and follow-up two years later during 2018-2020 by cluster sampling.A self-report demographic characteristics questionnaire was used to collect information of general demographic characteristics.Perceived Social Support Scale,Beck Depression Inventory,Beck Anxiety Inventory and Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List were used to measure the level of perceived social support,depressive symptoms,anxiety symptoms and the number of negative life events of individuals.Blood sam-ples were collected and typed for DNA by professionals.Results:Family support and other support were all nega-tively associated with depressive symptoms in the freshmen(OR=0.96,95%CI:0.93-0.99;OR=0.94,95%CI:0.91-0.98).There was no correlation between friend support and depressive symptoms in the freshmen(OR=0.99,95%CI:0.95-1.02).TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism(AG)was positively associated with de-pressive symptoms in the freshmen(OR=1.58,95%CI:1.12-2.23).The interactions of friend support with TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism(AG)(OR=1.13,95%CI:1.02-1.26)and other support with TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism(AG)(OR=1.13,95%CI:1.02-1.25)had significant effects on the incidence of depressive symptoms in the females and no significant effect in the males.Conclusion:The perceived social support,TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism and their interaction are associated with influence of de-pressive symptoms,and have sex difference in the freshmen.
3.Development and validation of a nomogram prediction model of suicidal ideation in community residents
Yan QIN ; Sifang NIU ; Xingmeng NIU ; Yangziye GUO ; Yu SUN ; Yi ZHENG ; Fuqin MU ; Zhaorui LIU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Yan LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(3):244-250
Objective:To explore the risk factors of suicidal ideation in community residents in Shandong province,China,and to establish a prediction model and a nomogram for the risk of suicidal ideation.Methods:To-tally 11 087 community residents in Jining City,Zoucheng City,and Weifang City,Shandong Province,were recrui-ted as the study subjects.The general information questionnaire,Composite International Diagnostic Interview-3.0,General Anxiety Disorder-7,were used to collect demographic information,mental health status,family information,and lifestyle using a computer-assisted interview system to conduct face-to-face interview.LASSO regression and binary logistic regression analyses were used to develop a nomogram model of the risk of suicidal ideation.Results:Young people,female,smoking,non-new town residents,no physical exercise,difficulty approaching people,anxiety symptoms and depression were effective predictors of suicidal ideation.The area under the curve(AUC)of the training set(AUC)was 0.89(95%CI:0.85-0.93)and AUC of the validation set(AUC)was 0.83(95%CI:0.75-0.92).Conclusion:The nomogram prediction model constructed in this study on suicidal ideation in com-munity residents has a high degree of differentiation and accuracy.It could be used to screen people at high risk of suicide and provide intervention to suicidal ideation in community residents.
4.A study and application of rapid and precise dose measurement based on Gafchromic EBT4 film in FLASH radiotherapy
Yi ZHANG ; Yiwei YANG ; Yinghong TANG ; Shilan WANG ; Peng WU ; Qin YANG ; Xufan HUANG ; Yin LUO ; Yu JIANG ; Wenjun LUO ; Guiqiang ZOU ; Hua FENG ; Yinxiang HU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(11):1144-1151
Objective:To establish a rapid and precise dose measurement method with EBT4 film and ensure its measurement accuracy to be within the required range through strict operational procedures for the purpose of addressing the two essential issues of poor measurement accuracy and timeliness of EBT film under FLASH conditions.Methods:After storing under different humidity conditions for a certain period of time, the film was exposed to radiation for analyzing the influence of air humidity on the intrinsic performance of EBT film. By means of repeated scanning operations and the film angle rotation, the influences of repeated scanning and film placement angle were analuzed. Parabolic correction method was used to reduce the spatial position influence during the scanning process. By analying the relationship between net optical density (netOD) and absorbed dose through the comparison of three fitting method, the optimal fitting curve was selected. After irradiation of the same batch of films for 5 min and 24 h, the film doses were calibrated and then compared with ionization chamber-measured result. The rapid and precise film dosimetry method was used to measure both the percentage depth dose from X-rays at ultra-high dose rate and the dose distribution at a depth of 2 cm in water.Results:Air humidity had the greatest influence on the intrinsic performance of EBT film (approximately 20%). The average deviation of repeated scans is within 0.5%. The angle at which the film is placed significantly affected the readouts of the film with the maximum influence approximately 70%. The net optical density combined with polynomial fitting can control the fitting residuals of 1-16 Gy within 3%. The change rate of light channels at 5 min already mostly met the requirements of the rapid mode (< 0.5%). Compared with the measurement result obtained using the reference ionization chamber, the deviations of the 5 min or 24 h dose calibration curves were all within 2%.Conclusions:The EBT4 film can be employed as a precise dosimeter to quickly measure the FLASH radiation dose. Rapid and precise FLASH dose measurements can meet the stringent requirements of both preclinical and clinical FLASH research.
5.The mechanism of GPR120 gene inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in protection of septic lung injury
Kai ZHANG ; Yi-qin HUANG ; Zi-yan ZHANG ; Lin MI ; Na YU ; Zhi-jun BAO
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):44-54
Objective To investigate the role of the GPR120 gene in the progression of sepsis,explore the molecular mechanisms through which GPR120 gene regulates NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome activation and macrophage polarization.Methods The blood and pleural fluid samples were collected from the sepsis patients and the control group.The expression of inflammatory factors and the associated proteins were detected by flow cytometry and ELISA.C57BL/6 mice and monocyte-macrophage cell line(Raw264.7)were treated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)to construct the sepsis models.After the intervention of GPR120 agonist TUG891,the expression of GPR120 gene,NLRP3 inflammasome protein and macrophage polarization protein were detected between the control group and the sepsis group.Results The expression of inflammatory factors,such as IL-1β in the serum of septic patients,significantly increased compared with the control(P<0.001).And the expression of inflammasome proteins such as NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β in the pleural fluid also increased(all P<0.05).In vivo,LPS could induce severe inflammation in lung tissue,the GPR120 gene expression decreased in lung tissue,and inflammatory factors were up-regulated in mouse serum(P<0.01).The inflammasome-associated protein and M1 type polarization of macrophages were enhanced,the TUG891 could reduce the inflammatory response,inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome activating,and promote the M2 polarization of macrophages(P<0.01).In vitro,LPS could inhibit the intracellular GPR120 expression.The inflammatory factors secreted more in LPS-induced sepsis cells.TUG891 could promote the up-regulation of GPR120 protein and alleviate the secretion of inflammatory factors(P<0.05).Conclusion In sepsis,GPR120 gene activation could inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome activation,promote macrophage polarization,and reduce the inflammatory damage,thereby delay the rapid progression of sepsis.
6.Alterations in striatal functional connectivity in schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms
Yao ZHNAG ; Qin-yu LYU ; Xin-xin HUANG ; Chong-ze WANG ; Qi YAN ; Pei-juan WANG ; Zheng-hui YI
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(4):492-499
(rsFC)and their relationship with negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms(PNS).Methods Fifty-four schizophrenia patients with PNS and sixty-one healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)scans.Data were collected on general demographic information,the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms(SANS),and the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale(TEPS).Twelve striatal subregions were selected as regions of interest(ROIs)to analyze the rsFC between each ROI and whole-brain voxels.The rsFC values of areas with significant differences were extracted for Pearson correlation analysis with negative symptoms.Results Compared with healthy controls,schizophrenia patients with PNS exhibited decreased rsFC between the right dorsal caudal putamen(DCP)and right insula,left middle frontal gyrus(MFG),right median cingulate and paracingulate gyri(MCC);between the left DCP and right putamen,left insula,left MFG;between the right dorsal rostral putamen(DRP)and bilateral MFG,left insula,right MCC;between the left DRP and right insula,left rolandic operculum;between the right ventral rostral putamen(VRP)and bilateral putamen,left MFG,right MCC;between the left VRP and right insula,left putamen,bilateral MFG,right MCC,left inferior parietal gyrus,excluding supramarginal and angular gyri.Decreased rsFC was also observed between the left ventral caudate/nucleus accumbens(inferior)and right insula,left anterior cingulate cortex,supracallosal,bilateral precuneus(a threshold of P<0.001 in voxel-level with P<0.05 in cluster-lever,corrected for family-wise error,PFWE<0.05/12=0.004).No regions showed increased rsFC in schizophrenia patients with PNS relative to healthy controls.And no significant correlations were found between striatal rsFC and negative symptoms(PBonferroni>0.05).Conclusion Schizophrenia patients with PNS exhibited widespread cortical-striatal functional connectivity abnormalities,particularly reduced rsFC between the putamen and the MFG,MCC and insula.
7.Assessment of efficacy and safety of first-line EGFR-TKI combined with radiotherapy in EGFR-mutant lung cancer with brain metastases
Xin YIN ; Yanhua ZHOU ; Weili YI ; Jian HUANG ; Mengting LAI ; Zhili CHEN ; Dongning HUANG ; Li QIN
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(11):1102-1110
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) with brain radiotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of patients with newly diagnosed EGFR-mutant NSCLC with brain metastases who received first-line treatment with third-generation EGFR-TKI with or without brain radiotherapy at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between January 2018 and December 2022. Patients treated with EGFR-TKI plus brain radiotherapy were assigned to the combination group, while those treated with EGFR-TKI alone were assigned to the monotherapy group. Intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), intracranial disease control rate (iDCR), intracranial objective response rate (iORR), and adverse events were compared between groups. Subgroup analyses were performed according to EGFR exon 19 deletion (19del) and exon 21L858R mutation status. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, with the log-rank test applied for group comparisons and univariate analysis, while multivariate analysis was conducted using Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results:A total of 107 patients were included: 57 (53%) in the monotherapy group and 50 (47%) in the combination group. The combination therapy significantly improved iORR (80% vs. 60%, P=0.023), prolonged median OS (37.7 vs. 31.6 months, P=0.004), and extended median iPFS (21.8 vs. 16.7 months, P=0.018). The iDCR was 100% in both groups, and the difference in median PFS was not statistically significant (18.6 vs. 15.2 months, P=0.086). In the 19del subgroup ( n=53), patients in the combination group had longer OS ( P=0.028) and iPFS ( P=0.028). In the 21L858R subgroup ( n=54), the median OS was also longer in the combination group ( P=0.050). Multivariate analysis identified TKI monotherapy and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score=2 as independent adverse prognostic factors for iPFS, while TKI monotherapy, age ≥65 years, ECOG score=2, and >3 brain metastases were the independent adverse prognostic factors for OS. The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly between groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:First-line combination therapy with third-generation EGFR-TKI and cranial radiotherapy provides superior efficacy and acceptable safety compared with EGFR-TKI monotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases. Both EGFR 19del and 21L858R mutation subgroups benefit from the combined treatment approach.
8.Burden of congenital birth defects in children under five in China from 1990 to 2021 and prediction of future trend.
Bing-Yi HUANG ; Qin ZHAO ; Dan-Li PENG ; Man-Yi WANG ; Qian-Wen ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(3):347-353
OBJECTIVES:
To study the incidence and disease burden of congenital birth defects in children under five in China from 1990 to 2021 and to predict the incidence of congenital birth defects in this population from 2022 to 2036, providing a reference for the prevention of congenital birth defects in children.
METHODS:
Using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) database, the incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were employed to describe the disease burden. The Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trends in incidence and DALY rates of congenital birth defects in children under five. A grey prediction model GM(1,1) was applied to fit the trend of incidence rates of congenital birth defects in this age group and to predict the incidence from 2022 to 2036.
RESULTS:
In 2021, the incidence rate of congenital birth defects among children under five in China was 737.28 per 100 000. Among these, congenital musculoskeletal and limb deformities had the highest incidence rate at 307.15 per 100 000, followed by congenital heart defects (223.53 per 100 000), congenital urinary and genital tract malformations (74.99 per 100 000), and congenital gastrointestinal malformations (62.61 per 100 000). From 1990 to 2021, the incidence rate and DALY rate of congenital birth defects in children under five in China decreased at an average annual rate of 1.73% and 5.42%, respectively. The prediction analysis indicated a decreasing trend in the incidence of congenital birth defects among children under five in China from 2022 to 2036, with the incidence rate dropping from 892.36 per 100 000 in 2022 to 783.35 per 100 000 in 2036.
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence and disease burden of congenital birth defects in children under five in China showed a significant declining trend from 1990 to 2021. It is predicted that this incidence will continue to decrease until 2036.
Humans
;
Congenital Abnormalities/epidemiology*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Incidence
;
Infant
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Child, Preschool
;
Female
;
Male
;
Forecasting
;
Disability-Adjusted Life Years
9.Qingda Granule Attenuates Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Damage via Regulating Renin-Angiotensin System Pathway.
Lin-Zi LONG ; Ling TAN ; Feng-Qin XU ; Wen-Wen YANG ; Hong-Zheng LI ; Jian-Gang LIU ; Ke WANG ; Zhi-Ru ZHAO ; Yue-Qi WANG ; Chao-Ju WANG ; Yi-Chao WEN ; Ming-Yan HUANG ; Hua QU ; Chang-Geng FU ; Ke-Ji CHEN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(5):402-411
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved.
METHODS:
Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.
RESULTS:
The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Hypertension/pathology*
;
Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects*
;
Rats, Inbred SHR
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Rats, Inbred WKY
;
Blood Pressure/drug effects*
;
Myocardium/pathology*
;
Rats
;
Inflammation/pathology*
10.Diagnostic Value of Transrectal Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Rectal Cancer With Intestinal Stenosis.
Qin FANG ; Qin-Xue LIU ; Min-Ying ZHONG ; Wei-Jun HUANG ; Yi-de QIU ; Guo-Liang JIAN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(5):738-743
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for rectal cancer with intestinal stenosis caused by tumors. Methods Forty-nine patients with rectal cancer underwent transrectal CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery.Intraoperative tumor localization and postoperative pathological results were taken as the gold standard for diagnosis.The differences in T stage,localization,and tumor length of rectal cancer were compared between the two methods. Results The total accuracy rates of transrectal CEUS and MRI in diagnosing T stage were 75.5% (36/49) and 67.3% (33/49),which had no significant difference (χ2=0.8,P=0.371).The total accuracy rates of transrectal CEUS and MRI in judging tumor localization were 79.5% (39/49) and 77.5% (38/49),which had no significant difference (χ2=0.061,P=0.806).The measurement results of tumor length in pathological examination had no significant difference from the transrectal CEUS results (t=1.42,P=0.162) but a significant difference from the MRI results (t=3.38,P=0.001).Furthermore,transrectal CEUS detected 8 (16.3%) cases of colonic polyps among the 49 patients,while MRI did not detect colon lesions. Conclusions Transrectal CEUS has good consistency with MRI in T staging and localization judgement of rectal cancer with intestinal stenosis,and this method can more accurately evaluate the tumor length and simultaneously evaluate whether there is a lesion in the entire colon at the proximal end of stenosis.It can be used as a supplementary examination before rectal cancer treatment in clinical practice.
Humans
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Rectal Neoplasms/complications*
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Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Female
;
Aged
;
Contrast Media
;
Ultrasonography
;
Adult
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Constriction, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging*
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Intestinal Obstruction/etiology*

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