1.Research and Application of Scalp Surface Laplacian Technique
Rui-Xin LUO ; Si-Ying GUO ; Xin-Yi LI ; Yu-He ZHAO ; Chun-Hou ZHENG ; Min-Peng XU ; Dong MING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):425-438
Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive, high temporal-resolution technique for monitoring brain activity. However, affected by the volume conduction effect, EEG has a low spatial resolution and is difficult to locate brain neuronal activity precisely. The surface Laplacian (SL) technique obtains the Laplacian EEG (LEEG) by estimating the second-order spatial derivative of the scalp potential. LEEG can reflect the radial current activity under the scalp, with positive values indicating current flow from the brain to the scalp (“source”) and negative values indicating current flow from the scalp to the brain (“sink”). It attenuates signals from volume conduction, effectively improving the spatial resolution of EEG, and is expected to contribute to breakthroughs in neural engineering. This paper provides a systematic overview of the principles and development of SL technology. Currently, there are two implementation paths for SL technology: current source density algorithms (CSD) and concentric ring electrodes (CRE). CSD performs the Laplace transform of the EEG signals acquired by conventional disc electrodes to indirectly estimate the LEEG. It can be mainly classified into local methods, global methods, and realistic Laplacian methods. The global method is the most commonly used approach in CSD, which can achieve more accurate estimation compared with the local method, and it does not require additional imaging equipment compared with the realistic Laplacian method. CRE employs new concentric ring electrodes instead of the traditional disc electrodes, and measures the LEEG directly by differential acquisition of the multi-ring signals. Depending on the structure, it can be divided into bipolar CRE, quasi-bipolar CRE, tripolar CRE, and multi-pole CRE. The tripolar CRE is widely used due to its optimal detection performance. While ensuring the quality of signal acquisition, the complexity of its preamplifier is relatively acceptable. Here, this paper introduces the study of the SL technique in resting rhythms, visual-related potentials, movement-related potentials, and sensorimotor rhythms. These studies demonstrate that SL technology can improve signal quality and enhance signal characteristics, confirming its potential applications in neuroscientific research, disease diagnosis, visual pathway detection, and brain-computer interfaces. CSD is frequently utilized in applications such as neuroscientific research and disease detection, where high-precision estimation of LEEG is required. And CRE tends to be used in brain-computer interfaces, that have stringent requirements for real-time data processing. Finally, this paper summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of SL technology and envisages its future development. SL technology boasts advantages such as reference independence, high spatial resolution, high temporal resolution, enhanced source connectivity analysis, and noise suppression. However, it also has shortcomings that can be further improved. Theoretically, simulation experiments should be conducted to investigate the theoretical characteristics of SL technology. For CSD methods, the algorithm needs to be optimized to improve the precision of LEEG estimation, reduce dependence on the number of channels, and decrease computational complexity and time consumption. For CRE methods, the electrodes need to be designed with appropriate structures and sizes, and the low-noise, high common-mode rejection ratio preamplifier should be developed. We hope that this paper can promote the in-depth research and wide application of SL technology.
2.The effect of rutaecarpine on improving fatty liver and osteoporosis in MAFLD mice
Yu-hao ZHANG ; Yi-ning LI ; Xin-hai JIANG ; Wei-zhi WANG ; Shun-wang LI ; Ren SHENG ; Li-juan LEI ; Yu-yan ZHANG ; Jing-rui WANG ; Xin-wei WEI ; Yan-ni XU ; Yan LIN ; Lin TANG ; Shu-yi SI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):141-149
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D303)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.
3.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4+ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4+ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.
4.Targeting effect and anti-tumor mechanism of folic acid-modified crebanine nanoparticles combined with ultra-sound irradiation on M109 cells in vitro and in vivo
Hailiang ZHANG ; Xiaoyu ZHAO ; Jiahua MEI ; Rui PAN ; Junze TANG ; Kun YU ; Rui XUE ; Xiaofei LI ; Xin CHENG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(14):1730-1736
OBJECTIVE To investigate the targeting effect of folic acid-modified crebanine nanoparticles (FA-Cre@PEG- PLGA NPs, hereinafter referred to as “NPs”) combined with ultrasound irradiation on M109 cells in vitro and in vivo after administration, and explore the anti-tumor mechanism. METHODS CCK-8 assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of NPs combined with ultrasound irradiation on the proliferation of M109 cells, and the best ultrasound time was selected. Using human lung cancer A549 cells as a control, the targeting of NPs combined with ultrasound irradiation to M109 cells was evaluated by free folic acid blocking assay and cell uptake assay. The effects of NPs combined with ultrasound irradiation on the migration, invasion, apoptosis, cell cycle and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of M109 cells were detected by cell scratch test, Transwell chamber test and flow cytometry at 1 h after 958401536@qq.com administration; the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were observed by fluorescence inverted microscope. A mouse subcutaneous tumor model of M109 cells was constructed, and the in vivo tumor targeting of NPs combined with ultrasound irradiation was investigated by small animal in vivo imaging technology. RESULTS NPs combined with ultrasound irradiation could significantly inhibit the proliferation of M109 cells, and the optimal ultrasound time was 1 h after administration. The free folic acid could antagonize the inhibitory effect of NPs on the proliferation of M109 cells, and combined with ultrasound irradiation could partially reverse this antagonism. Compared with A549 cells, the uptake rate of NPs in M109 cells was significantly higher (P<0.01), and ultrasound irradiation could promote cellular uptake. NPs combined with ultrasound irradiation could inhibit the migration and invasion of M109 cells and block the cell cycle in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases. Compared with control group, the apoptosis rate of M109 cells and ROS level were increased significantly (P<0.01), while the MMP decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the different concentration (100, 200, 300 μg/mL) groups of M109 cells. Compared with the mice in non-ultrasound group, the fluorescence intensity and tumor-targeting index of the tumor site in the 0 h ultrasound group were significantly enhanced (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS NPs combined with ultrasound irradiation have a strong targeting effect on M109 cells in vitro and in vivo, the anti-tumor mechanism includes inhibiting cell migration and invasion, blocking cell cycle, and inducing apoptosis.
5.Mechanism of Qizhu Kang'ai Prescription for Inhibiting Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Regulating Tumor Metabolic Reprogramming via PCK1/Akt/p21 Signal Axis
Xin ZHONG ; Rui HU ; Jing LI ; Lanfen PENG ; Xingning LIU ; Qi HUANG ; Jialing SUN ; Xinfeng SUN ; Jianping CHEN ; Benqiang CAI ; Xiaozhou ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):26-36
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Qizhu Kang'ai prescription (QZAP) on the gluconeogenesis enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) in the liver of mouse model of liver cancer induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) combined with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and Huh7 cells of human liver cancer, so as to explore the mechanism on regulating metabolic reprogramming and inhibiting cell proliferation of liver cancer cells. MethodDEN combined with CCl4 was used to construct a mouse model of liver cancer via intraperitoneal injection. A normal group, a model group, and a QZAP group were set up, in which QZAP (3.51 g·kg-1) or an equal volume of normal saline was administered daily by gavage, respectively. Serum and liver samples were collected after eight weeks of intervention. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in mice were detected to evaluate liver function changes of mice in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Sirius red staining were used to observe pathological changes in liver tissue. In the cell experiment, Huh7 cells were divided into blank group, QZAP low, medium, and high dose groups and/or PCK1 inhibitor (SKF-34288 hydrochloride) group, and Sorafenib group. The corresponding drug-containing serum and drug treatment were given, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method, colony formation experiment, Edu fluorescent labeling detection, intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content detection, and cell cycle flow cytometry detection were used to evaluate the proliferation ability, energy metabolism changes, and change in the cell cycle of Huh7 cells in each group. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of PCK1, serine/threonine kinase (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and cell cycle-dependent protein kinase inhibitor 1A (p21). ResultCompared with the model group, the pathological changes such as cell atypia, necrosis, and collagen fiber deposition in liver cancer tissue of mice in the QZAP group were alleviated, and the number of liver tumors was reduced (P<0.01). The serum ALT, AST, γ-GT, and AFP levels were reduced (P<0.01). At the cell level, compared with the blank group, low, medium, and high-dose groups of QZAP-containing serum and the Sorafenib group could significantly reduce the survival rate of Huh7 cells (P<0.01) and the number of positive cells with Edu labeling (P<0.01) and inhibit clonal proliferation ability (P<0.01). The QZAP groups could also reduce the intracellular ATP content (P<0.05) and increase the distribution ratio of the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the model group and blank group, PCK1 and p21 protein levels of mouse liver cancer tissue and Huh7 cells in the QZAP groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the p-Akt protein level was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the ATP content and cell survival rate of Huh7 cells in the SKF-34288 hydrochloride group were significantly increased (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the ratio of Edu-positive cells and the proportion of G0/G1 phase distribution. Compared with the SKF-34288 hydrochloride group, the QZAP combined with the SKF-34288 hydrochloride group significantly reduced the ATP content, cell survival rate, and Edu-positive cell ratio of Huh7 cells (P<0.05) and significantly increased the G0/G1 phase distribution proportion (P<0.05). ConclusionQZAP may induce the metabolic reprogramming of liver cancer cells by activating PCK1 to promote Akt/p21-mediated tumor suppression, thereby exerting an anti-hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation mechanism.
6.Challenges in the study of self-assembled aggregates in decoction of traditional Chinese medicine: A preliminary review
Qi WANG ; Xiao-meng GUO ; Qian-kun NI ; Mei-jing LI ; Rui XU ; Xing-jie LIANG ; Mu-xin GONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(1):94-104
Decoction is the most commonly used dosage form in the clinical treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). During boiling, the violent movement of various active ingredients in TCM creates molecular forces such as hydrogen bonding,
7.Wumeiwan regulate Keap-1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress injury in mice with ulcerative colitis
Li-Dong DU ; Ying WANG ; Rui-Hua XIN ; Zheng-Ying QIU ; Guan-Yu ZHAO ; Neng-Lian LI ; Jin SHAO ; Guo-Tai WU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2088-2092
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of Wumeiwan on oxidative stress injury of ulcerative colitis mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)by regulating Kelch-like ECH related protein 1(Keap-1)-nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathwayand.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups:normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-H groups.UC mice model were induced by free access to 2%DSS water.Mice in normal and model group were orally administered with 0.9%NaCl,mice in positive control group were orally treated with Mesalazine solution(0.005 g·10 g-1·d-1),while mice in experimental groups were orally administered with Wumeiwan decoction at the dose of 0.13 and 0.26 g·10 g-1·d-1,respectively.All the drugs were administered for consecutive 7 days,1 times a day.The levels of disease activity index(DAI)and the colon length were scored.The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in colon tissue of mice were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)method.The level of Keap-1,Nrf2,HO-1 proteins in colon tissue were determined by Western blot method.Results The levels of DAI of seventh day in normal group,positive control group,experimental-L,-H groups were 0、(2.62±0.33),(1.87±0.35),(1.87±0.35)and(1.58±0.35);the colon lengths were(8.16±0.47)、(5.98±0.24),(7.58±0.38),(7.33±0.24)and(7.48±0.51)cm;the SOD mRNA were 1.01±0.16、0.40±0.01,1.43±0.45,0.65±0.01 and 0.83±0.02;the CAT mRNA were 1.01±0.20、0.45±0.01,0.84±0.02,0.68±0.07 and 0.87±0.05;the COX-2 mRNA were 1.03±0.33、16.65±0.60,4.78±0.25,14.07±0.60 and 7.39±0.15;the iNOS mRNA were 1.04±0.40、20.71±0.66,8.09±0.93,15.44±0.68 and 11.66±0.06;the levels of Keap-1 were 1.22±0.16、1.10±0.05,1.18±0.05,1.94±0.08 and 1.17±0.08;the levels of Nrf2 were 1.12±0.16、0.76±0.15,0.65±0.13,0.70±0.16 and 0.82±0.18;the levels of HO-1 were 1.34±0.15、1.00±0.12,0.89±0.10,1.50±0.18 and 1.40±0.13,respectively.Significant difference was found between normal group and model group(P<0.01,P<0.05);significant difference was also found between the experimental-L,-H groups and model group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Wumeiwan can inhibit oxidative stress in mice with UC,the mechanisms may be related to adjusted the expression of Keap-1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway protein in colon.
8.Analysis on pulse features of coronary heart disease patients with or without a history of ischemic stroke
LI Xin ; LI Wei ; NG Man-In ; PARRY Natalie Ann ; LI Siqi ; LI Rui ; GUO Rui
Digital Chinese Medicine 2024;7(3):264-273
Methods:
Study participants were recruited from Shuguang East Hospital, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, and Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from April 15 to September 15, 2021. They were categorized into three groups: healthy controls (Group 1), CHD patients without a history of ischemic stroke (Group 2), and CHD patients with a history of ischemic stroke (Group 3). The wrist pulse signals of the study participants were non-invasively collected using a pulse diagnosis instrument. The linear time-domain features and nonlinear time-series multiscale entropy (MSE) features of the pulse signals were extracted using time-domain analysis and the MSE methods, which were subsequently compared between groups. Based on these extracted features, a recognition model was developed using a random forest (RF) algorithm. The classification performance of the models was evaluated using metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score derived from confusion matrix as well as the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC).
Results:
A total of 189 participants were enrolled, with 63 in Group 1, 61 in Group 2, and 65 in Group 3. Compared with Group 1, Group 2 showed significant increases in pulse features H2/H1, H3/H1, W1, W2, and W2/T, and decreased in MSE1 – MSE7 (P < 0.05), while Group 3 showed significant increases in pulse features T5/T4, T, H1/T1, W1, W2, AS, and Ad, and decreased in MSE1 – MSE20 (P < 0.05). Compared with Group 2, Group 3 demonstrated notable increases in H1/T1 and As (P < 0.05). The RF model achieved precision of 80.00%, 61.54%, and 61.54%, recall of 74.29%, 60.00%, and 68.97%, F1-scores of 70.04%, 60.76%, and 65.04%, and AUC values of 0.92, 0.74, and 0.81 for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The overall accuracy was 67.69%, with micro-average AUC of 0.83 and macro-average AUC of 0.82.
Conclusion
Differences in pulse features reflect variations in arterial compliance, peripheral resistance, cardiac afterload, and pulse signal complexity among healthy individuals, CHD patients without a history of ischemic stroke, and those with such a history. The developed pulse-based recognition model holds the potential in distinguishing between these three groups, offering a novel diagnostic reference for clinical practice.
9.Research progress on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases using traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis by regulating autophagy
Xin SUN ; Xiao LIANG ; Yalan LI ; Zhan XIAO ; Wulong WEN ; Weiye ZHANG ; Jing YANG ; Rui WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(16):2048-2054
Autophagy is mediated by multiple molecules and pathways. In cardiovascular diseases, autophagy can play a role through key signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mTOR, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), p53, Wnt/β-catenin, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis such as hydroxysafflor yellow A, ginsenoside Rb1, salidroside, ligustrin, curcumin, etc., and TCM prescription and preparations such as Huangqi baoxin decoction, Taohong siwu decoction, Tongxinluo capsule, Shuangshen ningxin capsule, Suxiao jiuxin pills, etc. can regulate autophagy through the above-mentioned key signaling pathways, thereby alleviating the progression of cardiovascular diseases.
10.Analysis of constraints and policy recommendations for the development of pediatric drugs in China:Based on the perspective of pharmaceutical enterprises
Rui-Lin DING ; Ming-Yu BAI ; Jia-Nan FU ; Xin-Yu LI ; Rong SHAO
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(2):59-65
Objective:To provide a basis for improving the design and implementation of policies for ensuring the supply of pediatric drugs in China.Method:Based on the perspective of pharmaceutical enterprises,reviewed literature and conducts questionnaire surveys to identify the constraints in the development of pediatrict drugs throughout the entire drug lifecycle,and analyzes the constraints'concentration and urgency.Result:The main constraints include:difficulty in conducting clinical trials for children;the current registration and approval rules lack consideration for the specificity of pediatric drugs and specific requirements for application materials;lack of implementation rules and measures in the implementation process of incentive policies for pediatric drug production;The market interest mechanism of pediatric drugs is not yet perfect.Among them,research and development and payment for use are currently relatively concentrated issues.Discussion and suggestions:It is recommended that China fully utilize existing clinical trial data of pediatric and broaden sources,take multiple measures to increase investment in pediatric drug R&D;Develop special guidelines for pediatric drug application and encourage adult drug registration to submit pediatric research plans;Explore the optimization path of pediatrict drug production and supply based on typical cases;Provide more space for pediatric drugs in the rules of drug use and payment.

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