1.Application of Zebrafish in Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiaqi LI ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Jiarui WU ; Xiaoyu TAO ; Qiqi FAN ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):58-70
As a new type of model organism, zebrafish is gradually gaining prominence in the field of scientific research. The unique biological characteristics and advantages of zebrafish make them play an increasingly important role in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. Compared with other common experimental animals, zebrafish have a fast reproductive and growth speed and high embryo transparency, making them an ideal model for evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. This provides a new perspective and method for research on traditional Chinese medicine. With the growing global interest in traditional Chinese medicine, it has become crucial to find scientific and accurate methods to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. The introduction of the zebrafish model has brought new breakthroughs in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. To further promote the application of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine, this article systematically searched and sorted out the previous studies related to the application of zebrafish for this purpose since 2023. The commonly used disease models and indicators of zebrafish in evaluating the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the mechanism of zebrafish in exploring the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, were primarily reviewed. The application of zebrafish in evaluating the safety of traditional Chinese medicine and the typical examples in ensuring the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were demonstrated. The limitations encountered by zebrafish models in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were highlighted. The resolution of these problems will help further improve the accuracy and reliability of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. The article discussed the evaluation of effectiveness, safety, and quality control of zebrafish applied in traditional Chinese medicine, so as to provide a reference for establishing standards for traditional Chinese medicine and promoting its modernization in the future.
2.Evaluation of Anti-osteoporosis Activity and Hepatotoxicity of Xianling Gubao Based on Zebrafish Model
Qiuman LI ; Yue QIAN ; Zixuan ZHU ; Yuan SONG ; Qian DENG ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):87-94
ObjectiveTo investigate the association and translational mechanism between the hepatotoxicity of Xianling Gubao (XLGB) and its treatment of osteoporosis based on a zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish were randomly selected four days after fertilization (4 dpf) and exposed to different concentrations of XLGB (0.7,0.35 mg·L-1) for 96 h. At the endpoint of the exposure, the mortality rates of zebrafish in the treatment groups of different concentrations were counted, and the "dose-toxicity" curves were plotted. The 10% sublethal concentration (LC10) was calculated. The liver area, acridine orange staining, and pathological tissue sections of transgenic zebrafish [CZ16 (gz15Tg.Tg (fabp 10a: ds Red; ela31: EGFP)] were used as indicators to confirm the hepatic damage caused by the sublethal concentration of XLGB. By using the prednisolone (PNSL)-induced osteoporosis model of zebrafish, the anti-osteoporosis activity of XLGB was evaluated by using the area of skull stained by alizarin red and the cumulative optical density value as indicators. Then, the toxicity difference of XLGB on the liver of zebrafish in healthy and osteoporotic states was compared, and the mechanism of the translational action of the toxicity of XLGB was predicted based on network pharmacology and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsThe LC10 of XLGB on zebrafish (8 dpf) was 0.7 mg·L-1. Compared with the blank group, the sublethal concentration (LC10=0.7 mg·L-1, 1/2 LC10=0.35 mg·L-1) of XLGB induced an increase in the number of apoptosis of hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner, and the tissue arrangement of the liver was disordered and loose. The vacuoles were obvious, and the fluorescence area of the liver was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the mineralized area and cumulative optical density value of zebrafish skull in the PNSL model group were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and those in the 0.7,0.35 mg·L-1 XLGB treatment group were significantly increased compared with the model group (P<0.01). Most importantly, 0.7 mg·L-1 XLGB had no significant effect on the liver of zebrafish in the osteoporosis disease model compared with the blank group. The results of network pharmacology and real-time PCR experiments showed that the toxic transformation of XLGB might be related to the differences in the expression levels of key targets, such as tumor protein 53 (TP53), cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3(Caspase-3), interleukin(IL)-6, and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in different organismal states. ConclusionUnder certain conditions, XLGB has hepatotoxicity in normal zebrafish, but under osteoporotic conditions, XLGB not only exerts significant anti-osteoporosis activity but also alleviates hepatotoxicity significantly, which provides a reference for the safe clinical use of XLGB and real evidence for the theories of traditional Chinese medicine of attacking poison with poison and of treating disease with corresponding drugs without damage to the body.
3.Advances in pharmaceutical protection against radiation-induced injury in the female reproductive system: from molecular pathways to clinical practice
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(6):1053-1067
Ionizing radiation impairs ovarian function by inducing DNA double-strand breaks, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cascades, leading to primordial follicle depletion and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Core mechanisms involve ATM/p53-mediated DNA damage response, granulosa cell apoptosis triggered by a sharp increase in reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), and Toll-like receptor (TLR)/NF-κB-driven chronic inflammation. Currently, only amifostine and palifermin are internationally approved radioprotective agents, yet they exhibit significant limitations including severe toxicity, narrow indications, and lack of conclusive evidence for ovarian protection. Investigational agents like the natural antioxidant melatonin require further clinical validation for ovarian radioprotection. Emerging strategies, such as TLR5 agonists, mitochondrial-targeted agents, and targeted drug delivery systems, provide novel directions for mitigating radiation-induced ovarian injury. This review synthesizes key pathways of radiation-induced ovarian damage, explores cutting-edge mechanisms, and highlights promising novel radioprotective agents. The proposed synergistic “epigenetic regulation + immunomodulation” strategy embodies a paradigm shift from passive mitigation to active precision protection against ovarian radiation damage.
4.Anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of basivertebral foramen and its clinical significance
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2024;53(4):443-449
Basivertebral foramen is a natural orifice in the posterior wall of the vertebral body existing in humans and mammals,through which the basal vertebral vein,branch of lumbar artery and recurrent branch of spinal nerve enter and exit the vertebral body.Basivertebral foramen changes the local microstructure of the vertebral body,resulting in cortical defect and sparse trabecular bone in the central region of the vertebral body,thus affecting its biomechanical characteristics and making its central region a"weak"area of the vertebra.Some characteristic injuries of the vertebra are related to basivertebral foramen,such as vertebral compression fracture and intervertebral cleft,vertebral burst fracture and posterior upper vertebral fracture fragment,and cement leakage during treatment.In this article,the anatomical and developmental biological characteristics of basivertebral foramen,the impact of basivertebral foramen on biomechanical characteristics,and the treatment of basivertebral foramen related vertebral diseases are reviewed,in order to provide references for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of vertebral injuries.
5.Application of the defect situational objective structured clinical examination in the training of specialized nurses in the operating room
Yu WANG ; Zengmei ZHANG ; Shengyun LI ; Wei WEI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(20):1521-1527
Objective:To evaluate the effects of the defect situational objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in the training of specialized nurses in the operating room, and provide a new idea for the training of specialized nurses in the operating room.Methods:A quasi experimental study was used in this study. A total of 78 nurses who participated in the training of the operating room specialized nurses in Henan Province in 2022 and 2023 which were organized by the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were selected by cluster sampling method. The nurses who participated in the training in 2022 and 2023 were assigned to the control group (38 participants) and the experimental group (40 participants), respectively. Nurses in the experimental group received defect situational OSCE, while nurses in the control group received conventional teaching. After the training, the effect of the two teaching methods was evaluated by skill operation assessment results and Clinical Thinking Ability Assessment Scale.Results:There were 4 males and 34 females in the control group, aged (30.03 ± 4.33) years old, and 3 males and 37 females in the experimental group, aged (29.93 ± 3.95) years old. The scores of the verification and handover of surgical patients, surgical position placement and the occupational exposure protection were (91.80 ± 2.95), (90.38 ± 3.66), (91.10 ± 3.26) points in the experimental group and were (89.08 ± 3.21), (87.84 ± 3.49), (88.39 ± 4.21) points in the control group, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t = 3.91, 3.13, 3.18, all P<0.05). The total score of clinical thinking ability in the experimental group was (80.66 ± 1.85) points, which was higher than (77.77 ± 1.62) points in the control group, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t = 7.31, P<0.05). The evaluation of the teaching effect in the experimental group was better, and the satisfaction rate was 92.5%(37/40)-100.0%(40/40). Conclusions:The application of defect situational OSCE teaching method in the training of operating room nurses could better improve the operational ability and help to improve the clinical thinking ability of nurses. The training effect is superior to the conventional teaching method, and it is worthy of clinical application.
6.Construction of a competency evaluation indicator system for infection prevention and control nurses in Operating Rooms
Liqun SUN ; Zengmei ZHANG ; Haiyun ZHAO ; Ying ZHANG ; Zi JIN ; Yunfei NIE ; Wei WEI ; Yu WANG ; Shengyun LI ; Ruifang HUA
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(13):1698-1705
Objective:To construct a competency evaluation indicator system for infection prevention and control nurses in Operating Rooms (hereinafter referred to as "IPC") and provide an objective basis for the management of IPC nurses.Methods:From June to November 2022, an initial competency evaluation indicator system for IPC nurses was developed through literature review and semi-structured interviews. The Delphi method was employed to consult 20 experts from 11 provinces and municipalities across the country. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and mean distribution method were applied to quantify and determine the weight of each level of indicators within the system.Results:Nineteen experts were finally included, with two rounds of questionnaire recovery rates of 95.00% (19/20) and 100.00% (19/19), respectively. The authority coefficients of the experts were 0.858 and 0.861, familiarity coefficients were 0.850 and 0.853, and coefficients of judgment basis were 0.865 and 0.868, respectively. The Kendall's W coefficient of concordance for the two rounds of inquiries were 0.139 and 0.202 ( P<0.05), respectively. The final IPC nurse competency evaluation indicator system included six primary indicators, 22 secondary indicators, and 66 tertiary indicators. Conclusions:The constructed IPC nurse competency evaluation indicator system is scientific, reasonable, objective, and comprehensive, providing a valuable reference for the capability training, assessment, entry standards, and qualification certification of IPC nurses.
7.The interaction between polyphyllin I and SQLE protein induces hepatotoxicity through SREBP-2/HMGCR/SQLE/LSS pathway
Zhiqi LI ; Qiqi FAN ; Meilin CHEN ; Ying DONG ; Farong LI ; Mingshuang WANG ; Yulin GU ; Simin GUO ; Xianwen YE ; Jiarui WU ; Shengyun DAI ; Ruichao LIN ; Chongjun ZHAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2023;13(1):39-54
Polyphyllin Ⅰ(PPⅠ)and polyphyllin Ⅱ(PⅡ)are the main active substances in the Paris polyphylla.However,liver toxicity of these compounds has impeded their clinical application and the potential hepatotoxicity mechanisms remain to be elucidated.In this work,we found that PPⅠ and PⅡ exposure could induce significant hepatotoxicity in human liver cell line L-02 and zebrafish in a dose-dependent manner.The results of the proteomic analysis in L-02 cells and transcriptome in zebrafish indicated that the hepa-totoxicity of PPⅡ and PⅡwas associated with the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway disorders,which were alleviated by the cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor lovastatin.Additionally,3-hydroxy-3-methy-lglutaryl CoA reductase(HMGCR)and squalene epoxidase(SQLE),the two rate-limiting enzymes in the choles-terol synthesis,selected as the potential targets,were confirmed by the molecular docking,the over-expression,and knockdown of HMGCR or SQLE with siRNA.Finally,the pull-down and surface plasmon resonance technology revealed that PPⅠ could directly bind with SQLE but not with HMGCR.Collectively,these data demonstrated that PPⅠ-induced hepatotoxicity resulted from the direct binding with SQLE protein and impaired the sterol-regulatory element binding protein 2/HMGCR/SQLE/lanosterol synthase pathways,thus disturbing the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.The findings of this research can contribute to a better understanding of the key role of SQLE as a potential target in drug-induced hepatotoxicity and provide a therapeutic strategy for the prevention of drug toxic effects with similar structures in the future.
8.Clinical application and research progress of OLIF
Shengyun LI ; Shunwu FAN ; Fengdong ZHAO
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2022;43(1):18-24
Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) is an internationally popular and innovative technique for treating various lumbar diseases. Introduced to China in 2014, it has been widely used to treat lumbar spine diseases. Advances in biomechanical theory and new instruments have broadened the indications for OLIF surgery and reduced its learning curve. The development of standalone OLIF makes OLIF more minimally invasive. The improvement of localized surgical methods based on Chinese anatomical studies makes OLIF more suitable for Chinese patients. The development of L5/S1 OLIF technology has expanded the application range of OLIF. This paper reviews the clinical application and research progress of OLIF.
9.Clinical analysis of 18 cases of infectious endocarditis with positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic anti-bodies
Wenjuan GUAN ; Dongbin JIANG ; Wei LI ; Yanxia DING ; Xin ZHANG ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Shengyun LIU
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2022;26(5):304-309
Objective:To study the clinical features of infective endocarditis (IE) with positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in order to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment.Methods:Eighteen IE cases with positive ANCA admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2016 to July 2021 were collected. The demographic information, clinical symptom, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, treatment and clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Statistical program for social sciences (SPSS) 20.0 statistical software was used for analysis. Enumeration data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage (%), and measurement data were expressed as Mean± SD. Results:Twelve cases were male and 6 cases were female, with an average age of (50±16) years. Sixteen patients had positive PR3-ANCA, in which 2 cases had positive myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA. The major clinical manifestations included fever (88.9%, 16/18), anemia (72.2%, 13/18), splenomegaly (44.4%, 8/18), cardiac murmur (33.3%, 6/18), arthralgia (22.2%, 4/18), liver damage (22.2%, 4/18), thromboembolic events (16.7%, 3/18), Osler's node (11.1%, 2/18) and renal dysfunction (11.1%, 2/18). Higher C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR) and procalcitionin (PCT) were detected in 83.3% (15/18) patients. The positive rate of blood culture was 50.0%(9/18) and streptococcus was the most common pathogen (77.8%, 7/9). Echocardiograms of all patients showed abnormal vegetation, most commonly involving the mitral valve (66.7%, 12/18) and aortic valve (33.3%, 6/18). Two patients were misdiagnosed as ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV), but the other one was diagnosed as AAV with IE as the first manifestation. Except for one case who died of multiple organ failure, all cases reached clinical recovery after surgery and antibiotic therapy.Conclusion:IE patients with positive ANCA may present with the clinical manifestations similar to AAV. We should highly alert to avoid misdiagnosis and treatment.
10.Sex differences in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): an inception cohort of the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group (CSTAR) registry XVII.
Yinli GUI ; Wei BAI ; Jian XU ; Xinwang DUAN ; Feng ZHAN ; Chen ZHAO ; Zhenyu JIANG ; Zhijun LI ; Lijun WU ; Shengyun LIU ; Min YANG ; Wei WEI ; Ziqian WANG ; Jiuliang ZHAO ; Qian WANG ; Xiaomei LENG ; Xinping TIAN ; Mengtao LI ; Yan ZHAO ; Xiaofeng ZENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2022;135(18):2191-2199
BACKGROUND:
The onset and clinical presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are sex-related. Few studies have investigated the distinctions in clinical characteristics and treatment preferences in male and female SLE patients in the initial cohort. This study aimed to improve the understanding of Chinese SLE patients by characterizing the different sexes of SLE patients in the inception cohort.
METHODS:
Based on the initial patient cohort established by the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group, a total of 8713 patients (795 men and 7918 women) with newly diagnosed SLE were enrolled between April 2009 and March 2021. Of these, 2900 patients (347 men and 2553 women) were eligible for lupus nephritis (LN). A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, organ damage, initial treatment regimens, and renal pathology classification was performed according to sex.
RESULTS:
In the SLE group, as compared to female patients, male patients had a later age of onset (male vs. female: 37.0 ± 15.8 years vs. 35.1 ± 13.7 years, P = 0.006) and a higher SLE International Collaborative Clinic/American College of Rheumatology damage index score (male vs. female: 0.47 ± 1.13 vs. 0.34 ± 0.81, P = 0.015), LN (male vs. female: 43.6% vs. 32.2%, P < 0.001), fever (male vs. female: 18.0% vs. 14.6%, P = 0.010), thrombocytopenia (male vs. female: 21.4% vs. 18.5%, P = 0.050), serositis (male vs. female: 14.7% vs. 11.7%, P = 0.013), renal damage (male vs. female: 11.1% vs. 7.4%, P < 0.001), and treatment with cyclophosphamide (CYC) (P < 0.001). The frequency of leukopenia (male vs. female: 20.5% vs. 25.4%, P = 0.002) and arthritis (male vs. female: 22.0% vs. 29.9%, P < 0.001) was less in male patients with SLE. In LN, no differences were observed in disease duration, SLE Disease Activity Index score, renal biopsy pathological typing, or 24-h urine protein quantification among the sexes. In comparisons with female patients with LN, male patients had later onset ages (P = 0.026), high serum creatinine (P < 0.001), higher end-stage renal failure rates (P = 0.002), musculoskeletal damage (P = 0.023), cardiovascular impairment (P = 0.009), and CYC use (P = 0.001); while leukopenia (P = 0.017), arthritis (P = 0.014), and mycophenolate usage (P = 0.013) rates were lower.
CONCLUSIONS
Male SLE patients had more severe organ damage and a higher LN incidence compared with female SLE patients; therefore, they may require more aggressive initial treatment compared to female patients.
Humans
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Female
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Male
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Cross-Sectional Studies
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Sex Characteristics
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East Asian People
;
Severity of Illness Index
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Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis*
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Lupus Nephritis/pathology*
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Registries
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Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use*
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Thrombocytopenia
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Leukopenia/drug therapy*
;
Arthritis

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