1.Exploring Pathogenesis and Treatment Principles of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Spleen-mitochondria Correlation
Shiyi WANG ; Miao YU ; Xinyao HE ; Zi WANG ; Haijun LUAN ; Yibo SUN ; Haotong WANG ; Linlin WANG ; Lijian PANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):258-264
According to the Qi-blood-body fluid theory and the association between the spleen in visceral manifestation theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and mitochondria in modern cellular biology, it is proposed that the role of the spleen in generating and transforming Qi and blood is analogous to the energy-producing function of mitochondria—both serving as fundamental power sources for vital activities of the human body. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, playing a critical role in energy metabolism and the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Similarly, mitochondria are vital for maintaining physiological functions such as cellular energy supply, cell survival, and overall human metabolism. Furthermore, spleen deficiency is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Accordingly, mitochondrial energy conversion and substance metabolism are regarded as the microscopic essence of the spleen's function in transportation and transformation. Spleen deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the formation of pathological products such as phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis. This aligns with the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with Qi deficiency as the root cause and phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis as the manifestations. Therefore, the integrative treatment of COPD should follow the therapeutic principle of invigorating the spleen and reinforcing healthy Qi, while also resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis to address both root cause and manifestations. This approach can improve the mitochondrial function, regulate energy metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress levels to alleviate COPD symptoms, slow down disease progression, and improve prognosis. By integrating the holistic concept of TCM with molecular mechanisms of modern medicine, this paper explores the pathogenesis and therapeutic principles of COPD from the spleen-mitochondria correlation. It not only provides a new direction for the modern development of TCM and the integration of Chinese and Western medicine but also offers a theoretical foundation for the integrated treatment of chronic, complex age-related diseases.
2.Exploring Pathogenesis and Treatment Principles of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Spleen-mitochondria Correlation
Shiyi WANG ; Miao YU ; Xinyao HE ; Zi WANG ; Haijun LUAN ; Yibo SUN ; Haotong WANG ; Linlin WANG ; Lijian PANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):258-264
According to the Qi-blood-body fluid theory and the association between the spleen in visceral manifestation theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and mitochondria in modern cellular biology, it is proposed that the role of the spleen in generating and transforming Qi and blood is analogous to the energy-producing function of mitochondria—both serving as fundamental power sources for vital activities of the human body. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, playing a critical role in energy metabolism and the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Similarly, mitochondria are vital for maintaining physiological functions such as cellular energy supply, cell survival, and overall human metabolism. Furthermore, spleen deficiency is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Accordingly, mitochondrial energy conversion and substance metabolism are regarded as the microscopic essence of the spleen's function in transportation and transformation. Spleen deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the formation of pathological products such as phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis. This aligns with the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with Qi deficiency as the root cause and phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis as the manifestations. Therefore, the integrative treatment of COPD should follow the therapeutic principle of invigorating the spleen and reinforcing healthy Qi, while also resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis to address both root cause and manifestations. This approach can improve the mitochondrial function, regulate energy metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress levels to alleviate COPD symptoms, slow down disease progression, and improve prognosis. By integrating the holistic concept of TCM with molecular mechanisms of modern medicine, this paper explores the pathogenesis and therapeutic principles of COPD from the spleen-mitochondria correlation. It not only provides a new direction for the modern development of TCM and the integration of Chinese and Western medicine but also offers a theoretical foundation for the integrated treatment of chronic, complex age-related diseases.
3.Application of time series and machine learning models in predicting the trend of sickness absenteeism among primary and secondary school students in Shanghai
WANG Zhengzhong, ZHANG Zhe, ZHOU Xinyi, YUAN Linlin, ZHAI Yani, SUN Lijing, LUO Chunyan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):426-430
Objective:
To analyze the temporal variation patterns of sickness absenteeism among primary and secondary school students in Shanghai, so as to explore models suitable for predicting peaks and intensity of absenteeism rates.
Methods:
The seasonal and trend decomposition using loess (STL) method was used to analyze the seasonal and long term trend changes in sickness absenteeism among primary and secondary school students from September 1 in 2010 to June 30 in 2018, in Shanghai. A hierarchical clustering method based on Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) was employed to classify absenteeism symptoms with similar temporal patterns. Based on historical data, the study constructed and evaluated different time series algorithms and machine learning models to optimize the accuracy of predicting the trend of sickness absenteeism.
Results:
During the research period, the average new absenteeism rate due to illness was 16.86 per 10 000 person day for every academic year, and the trend of sickness absenteeism exhibited both seasonality and a long term upward trend, reaching its highest point in the 2017 academic year (22.47 per 10 000 person day). The symptoms of absenteeism were divided into three categories: high incidence in winter and spring (respiratory symptoms, fever and general discomfort, etc.), high incidence in summer (eye symptoms, nosebleeds, etc.) and those without obvious seasonality (skin symptoms, accidental injuries, etc.).The constructed time series models effectively predicted the trend of absenteeism due to illness, although the accuracy of predicting peak intensity was relatively low. Among them, the multi layer perceptron (MLP) model performed the best, with an root mean squared error (RMSE) of 8.96 and an mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.37, reducing 36.51% and 39.02% compared to the baseline model.
Conclusion
Time series models and machine learning algorithms could effectively predict the trend of sickness absenteeism, and corresponding prevention and control measures can be taken for absenteeism caused by different symptoms during peak periods.
4.Establishment of a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Introducing Human Triple Mutant APP Gene into Hippocampus via Brain Stereotactic Technology
Linlin XIAO ; Yixuan YANG ; Shanshan LI ; Lanshiyu LUO ; Siwei YIN ; Juming SUN ; Wei SHI ; Yiqiang OUYANG ; Xiyi LI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):269-278
Objective To establish a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) expressing human triple mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus, and to provide a model for the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a virus control group and an experimental group, with eight rats in each group; among them, the experimental group received a stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the human triple mutant APP and NanoLuc luciferase genes into the hippocampus. In vivo imaging was used to observe viral expression in the brains of rats in each group, the novel object recognition test was used to assess the recognition memory of the rats in each group, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of the APP gene, HE staining was used to examine the brain histopathology, Nissl staining was used to assess the hippocampal lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Results In vivo imaging showed that reporter fluorescence was detected in the brains of rats in both experimental and virus control groups. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of the APP gene was significantly increased in the brains of rats in the experimental group (P<0.01). Novel object recognition test revealed that the recognition memory of rats in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Six months after recombinant AAV virus infection, HE staining and Nissl staining of brain tissues showed that the number of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the experimental group was reduced and disorganized; immuno-histochemistry testing of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cell layer of the experimental group revealed prominent brown deposits, indicating Aβ protein deposition. Conclusion The rat model successfully established by stereotaxic injection and AAV-mediated delivery of human triple mutant APP gene exhibits typical AD features, providing a valuable animal model for studying AD pathology and developing drug therapies targeting Aβ protein deposition.
5.Establishment of a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Introducing Human Triple Mutant APP Gene into Hippocampus via Brain Stereotactic Technology
Linlin XIAO ; Yixuan YANG ; Shanshan LI ; Lanshiyu LUO ; Siwei YIN ; Juming SUN ; Wei SHI ; Yiqiang OUYANG ; Xiyi LI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):269-278
Objective To establish a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) expressing human triple mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus, and to provide a model for the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a virus control group and an experimental group, with eight rats in each group; among them, the experimental group received a stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the human triple mutant APP and NanoLuc luciferase genes into the hippocampus. In vivo imaging was used to observe viral expression in the brains of rats in each group, the novel object recognition test was used to assess the recognition memory of the rats in each group, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of the APP gene, HE staining was used to examine the brain histopathology, Nissl staining was used to assess the hippocampal lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Results In vivo imaging showed that reporter fluorescence was detected in the brains of rats in both experimental and virus control groups. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of the APP gene was significantly increased in the brains of rats in the experimental group (P<0.01). Novel object recognition test revealed that the recognition memory of rats in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Six months after recombinant AAV virus infection, HE staining and Nissl staining of brain tissues showed that the number of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the experimental group was reduced and disorganized; immuno-histochemistry testing of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cell layer of the experimental group revealed prominent brown deposits, indicating Aβ protein deposition. Conclusion The rat model successfully established by stereotaxic injection and AAV-mediated delivery of human triple mutant APP gene exhibits typical AD features, providing a valuable animal model for studying AD pathology and developing drug therapies targeting Aβ protein deposition.
6.Tumor-intrinsic PRMT5 upregulates FGL1 via methylating TCF12 to inhibit CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity in liver cancer.
Jiao SUN ; Hongfeng YUAN ; Linlin SUN ; Lina ZHAO ; Yufei WANG ; Chunyu HOU ; Huihui ZHANG ; Pan LV ; Guang YANG ; Ningning ZHANG ; Wei LU ; Xiaodong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):188-204
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) acts as an oncogene in liver cancer, yet its roles and in-depth molecular mechanisms within the liver cancer immune microenvironment remain mostly undefined. Here, we demonstrated that disruption of tumor-intrinsic PRMT5 enhances CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity both in vivo and in vitro. Further experiments verified that this effect is achieved through downregulation of the inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule, fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1). Mechanistically, PRMT5 catalyzed symmetric dimethylation of transcription factor 12 (TCF12) at arginine 554 (R554), prompting the binding of TCF12 to FGL1 promoter region, which transcriptionally activated FGL1 in tumor cells. Methylation deficiency at TCF12-R554 residue downregulated FGL1 expression, which promoted CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Notably, combining the PRMT5 methyltransferase inhibitor GSK591 with PD-L1 blockade efficiently inhibited liver cancer growth and improved overall survival in mice. Collectively, our findings reveal the immunosuppressive role and mechanism of PRMT5 in liver cancer and highlight that targeting PRMT5 could boost checkpoint immunotherapy efficacy.
7.BRD4 regulates m6A of ESPL1 mRNA via interaction with ALKBH5 to modulate breast cancer progression.
Haisheng ZHANG ; Linlin LU ; Cheng YI ; Tao JIANG ; Yunqing LU ; Xianyuan YANG ; Ke ZHONG ; Jiawang ZHOU ; Jiexin LI ; Guoyou XIE ; Zhuojia CHEN ; Zongpei JIANG ; Gholamreza ASADIKARAM ; Yanxi PENG ; Dan ZHOU ; Hongsheng WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1552-1570
The interaction between m6A-methylated RNA and chromatin modification remains largely unknown. We found that targeted inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) by siRNA or its inhibitor (JQ1) significantly decreases mRNA m6A levels and suppresses the malignancy of breast cancer (BC) cells via increased expression of demethylase AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). Mechanistically, inhibition of BRD4 increases the mRNA stability of ALKBH5 via enhanced binding between its 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) with RNA-binding protein RALY. Further, BRD4 serves as a scaffold for ubiquitin enzymes tripartite motif containing-21 (TRIM21) and ALKBH5, resulting in the ubiquitination and degradation of ALKBH5 protein. JQ1-increased ALKBH5 then demethylates mRNA of extra spindle pole bodies like 1 (ESPL1) and reduces binding between ESPL1 mRNA and m6A reader insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), leading to decay of ESPL1 mRNA. Animal and clinical studies confirm a critical role of BRD4/ALKBH5/ESPL1 pathway in BC progression. Further, our study sheds light on the crosstalks between histone modification and RNA methylation.
8.Association between dietary habits and sleep duration among middle school students in Shanghai
YIN Xiaoya, ZHAI Yani, YUAN Linlin, YAN Qiong, ZHOU Xinyi, LUO Chunyan, SUN Lijing
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(8):1140-1143
Objective:
To explore the association between dietary behaviors and sleep duration among middle school students in Shanghai, so as to provide reference for interventions targeting insufficient sleep.
Methods:
From May to June 2021, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select a sample of 10-17yearold middle school students for monitoring their healthrisk behaviors. A total of 5 538 valid questionnaires were collected. The survey included items such as daily sleep duration, weekly consumption of sugary beverages, freshly squeezed fruit juice, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fried foods, milk and yogurt, breakfast habits, and frequency of eating outside. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chisquare test, Wilcoxon ranksum test, and multivariable Logistic regression model.
Results:
About 73.7% of middle school students reported insufficient sleep in Shanghai. There was a positive correlation between the average daily consumption of fresh fruits and breakfast consumption with sleep duration. In other words, a higher frequency of consuming fresh fruits (OR=1.29) and eating breakfast (OR=1.07) were associated with a higher likelihood of sufficient sleep. Conversely, there was a negative correlation between the frequency of consuming desserts (OR=0.78) and fried foods (OR=0.88) and sleep duration (P<0.05).
Conclusions
Increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and maintaining regular breakfast habits while reducing the intake of fried foods can contribute to achieving sufficient sleep among middle school students. When implementing interventions to improve sleep among middle school students, promoting healthy and balanced diets can be considered as one of the intervention strategies.
9.Establishment and methodological validation of a nucleic acid detection method for human parvovirus B19
Yue WANG ; Xiaobei ZHENG ; Yajing ZHENG ; Yu SUN ; Qin GONG ; Linlin ZHANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Dandan YANG ; Yi YANG ; Lin LI ; Boran LI ; Jin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(11):1234-1240
[Objective] To establish a real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR nucleic acid detection method of human parvovirus B19 and validate the method systematically. [Methods] Specific primers and probes for the highly conserved regions of the three genotypes of B19 virus were designed, and B19 quantitative amplification standard curves were established. The accuracy, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision), linear range, quantification limit, detection limit, specificity, anti cross contamination, genotyping and anti-interference ability of this method were verified. [Results] When the quantitative reference range for B19 virus was 2.0×101 to 1.0×108 IU/mL, a double logarithmic regression analysis was performed between the measured values and the theoretical values, and the regression equation R2≥0.98 showed good linear correlation. The quantification limit was 20 IU/mL, with a detection rate of 100%. The detection limit was 10 IU/mL, and the detection rate is 95.23%. Three genotypes of B19 virus samples can be effectively detected. The plasma of seven non B19 pathogens, including hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immuno-deficiency virus, human cytomegalovirus, hepatitis E virus and Treponema pallidum, was non reactive and has good species specificity. Simultaneously, in the presence of seven other concurrent pathogens, positive samples with a weak positive concentration of E3 IU/mL could be stably detected, and the B19 nucleic acid testing method was not interfered with. When the hemoglobin concentration was 431 mg/dL, triglycerides (1 269 turbidity) and unconjugated bilirubin concentration was 20 mg/dL, this method was non reactive for all three common plasma interfering substances. In the presence of three common plasma interfering substances, positive samples with a weak positive concentration of E3 IU/mL could be stably detected, and the B19 nucleic acid testing method was not interfered with. The deviation between the detection values of standard substances at two concentration levels of S1 (E5 IU/mL) and S2 (E4 IU/mL) and the target values were≤±0.5 log value. The CV values of positive sample 1 (concentration level E5 IU/mL) and positive sample 2 (concentration level E4 IU/mL) for daily precision confirmation and continuous 5-day intra-day precision confirmation were both≤5%. [Conclusion] This method has strong specificity, high sensitivity, wide linear range, stability, reliability and high accuracy, and can be used for the detection of human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid in plasma.
10.Effect of Early Intervention of Yishen Huazhuo Prescription on Learning and Memory of Accelerated Aging SAMP8 Mice and Its Mechanism
Shujie ZAN ; Kai WANG ; Jiachun XU ; Weiming SUN ; Daoyan NI ; Linlin ZHANG ; Shuang LIU ; Yan MA ; Pengjuan XU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):91-99
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of early intervention with Yishen Huazhuo prescription (YHP) on the learning and memory of accelerated aging model mice, as well as its underlying mechanism. MethodForty-eight 3-month-old male SAMP8 mice were randomly assigned into four groups, including the model group, low-dose YHP group, high-dose YHP group, and donepezil group. Additionally, 24 SAMR1 mice of the same age were divided into a control group and a YHP treatment control group, each consisting of 12 mice. The YHP groups received YHP at doses of 6.24 g·kg-1 and 12.48 g·kg-1, while the donepezil group was treated with donepezil at a dose of 0.65 mg·kg-1. The model group and control groups were given physiological saline. The mice were gavaged once daily for a duration of four weeks. Spatial learning and memory abilities of mice were assessed using the Morris water maze test. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to evaluate neuronal density as well as expression levels of M1 microglial (MG) polarization marker inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and M2 MG polarization marker arginase-1 (Arg-1) in the hippocampus region. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of pro-inflammatory factor interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory factor transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Furthermore, Western blot analysis was conducted to determine expressions of amyloid β peptide1-42 (Aβ1-42) along with triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins TREM2, phospho (p)-NF-κB p65, and phospho-inhibitory kappa B kinase β (IKKβ) in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a significantly prolonged escape latency (P<0.01), a significant reduction in neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) expression in the hippocampus, a significant increase in iNOS expression in MG, and a significant decrease in Arg-1 expression. The serum IL-1β content was significantly increased, while the TGF-β1 content was significantly decreased. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in TREM2 expression in the hippocampus and significant increases in p-NF-κB p65, p-IKKβ, and Aβ1-42 expressions (P<0.05, P<0.01). However, no significant changes were observed in escape latency, times of crossing the platform, and hippocampal NeuN expression in the YHP treatment control group. Conversely, iNOS expression in MG as well as the hippocampal p-NF-κB p65, p-IKKβ, and Aβ1-42 expressions were significantly decreased. Furthermore, TREM2 expression was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). In comparison to the model group, the low-dose YHP group showed a significantly shortened escape latency and an increased number of crossing the platform (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the high-dose YHP group, the escape latency was significantly shortened (P<0.05). In the low-dose YHP group, high-dose YHP group, the expression of NeuN in the hippocampus was significantly increased, the expression of iNOS in MG was significantly decreased, and the expression of Arg-l was significantly increased. The serum IL-1β content was significantly decreased, while the TGF-β1 content was significantly increased. Furthermore, the expression of TREM2 in the hippocampus was significantly increased, and the expressions of p-NF-κB p65, p-IKKβ, and Aβ1-42 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionEarly YHP intervention may promote the transformation of hippocampal MG from M1 to M2 by regulating the TREM2/NF-κB signaling pathway, reduce the release of neuroinflammatory factors, protect hippocampal neurons, and reduce the deposition of Aβ1-42, and finally delay the occurrence of learning and memory decline in SAMP8 mice.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail