1.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
2.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
3.The development process, research status, and prospect of physical ablation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Yirong AN ; Ran JU ; Haoze LENG ; Shiran TAO ; Jiawei TIAN ; Ming' ; e WU ; Haoyang ZHU ; Yi LÜ ; ; Nana ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):646-651
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease around the world, and pharmacotherapy is the foremost treatment method currently. In recent decades, with the rapid development of bronchoscopic interventional therapy, endoscopic physical ablation technology presents a therapeutic effect in treating COPD, with few treatment-related side effects, showing excellent application prospects in treating COPD. Since ablation techniques in this field are emerging technologies with low patient acceptance, they are not widely used in the clinical treatment of COPD. This article reviews the development process of physical ablation techniques. Moreover, their current application status and the prospects in the field of COPD treatment are also summarized and analyzed. We hope to promote the application of physical ablation in the clinical treatment of COPD and provide practical references and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of COPD.
4.Mosquito monitoring and influence of meteorological factors on mosquito density around Beijing Capital International Airport, 2016-2022
Ran FENG ; Tie-zheng MA ; Si-jie ZHU ; Bo TIAN ; Fei QUAN ; Zhi-lin WU ; Xiao-tao LIU ; Fu-yuan ZHANG ; Song-jian ZHANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):40-48
Objective To understand mosquito density, species composition, and seasonal variations around the Beijing Capital International Airport(BCIA)and provide scientific evidence for mosquito-borne disease prevention and control. Methods Meteorological data were collected from 2016 to 2022, and mosquito density was monitored at seven surveillance sites around the BCIA from May to October each year using CO2-baited mosquito traps to analyze the relationship between mosquito density and meteorological factors. Results In total,68 518 female mosquitoes were captured, with a mosquito density of 10.20 per light · hour. The dominant species was Culex pipiens pallens(73.90%), followed by Aedes albopictus(9.71%)and Ae. vexans(9.29%);the mosquito density was highest in 2016(14.8 per light·hour)and lowest in 2022(4.46 per light·hour). Significant statistical differences were observed in mosquito density among different species(F=18.118, P<0.05). The density of Cx. pipiens pallens and other mosquito species showed a mutually exclusive trend; the peak of mosquito density varied based on years and habitats, with significant statistical differences in mosquito density among different habitats(F=8.504, P<0.05). The highest mosquito density was observed near the Wenyu River(21.50 per light·hour), whereas the lowest was recorded at the BCIA construction site(2.44 per light· hour). The monthly average temperature(r=0.595), monthly average highest temperature(r=0.575), and monthly average lowest temperature(r=0.624)showed moderate positive correlations, whereas the monthly average air pressure(r=-0.484)showed a moderate negative correlation. The monthly average minimum temperature was included in the regression model(F=25.575, P<0.000), and the equation Y=1.029X4-8.181 was used. The monthly average air pressure 2 months prior(b=-2.418, β=-1.619, P<0.05)and the monthly average relative humidity(b=-0.739, β=-1.201, P<0.05)significantly negatively predicted the mosquito density. Notably, the regression equation used was y=2526.170+(-2.418)X9+(-0.739)X13. The exposure-response analysis revealed that the density of mosquitoes was not linearly related to the average monthly air pressure, rainfall, and duration of sunshine. Conclusions The dominant mosquito species around the BCIA was Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. vexans. During the control of Cx. pipiens pallens, the impact on other mosquito species must also be considered. Environmental management, breeding sites, and scientific use of pesticides should be prioritized based on the activity periods of mosquitoes. Further studies on mosquitoes and meteorological factors should be conducted to provide references and novel avenues for mosquito control.
5.Peripheral blood cell counts as predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective study in a single center
Xingqiang RAN ; Chengcheng ZHANG ; Tao LUO ; Binwen XU ; Yue ZHANG ; Liwen ZHANG ; Maoyong FU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):743-750
Objective To explore the predictive value of peripheral blood cells in the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (clinical stages Ⅱ-Ⅳa) who underwent neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from April 2020 to November 2023. According to whether the pathology was completely relieved after treatment, patients were divided into a pathological complete remission group and a pathological incomplete remission group. The College of American Pathologists criteria were used to evaluate the tumor pathological regression grade (TRG) after neoadjuvant therapy (TRG=0, 1 defined as a good efficacy group, TRG=2, 3 defined as a poor efficacy group). Results A total of 92 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were collected, including 72 males and 20 females. The average age was (65.86±7.66) years. The complete remission of pathology was closely related to the number of lymphocytes in the blood before treatment (P=0.019). The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting complete remission of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy was 0.678, the maximum Youden index was 0.328, and the optimal cutoff value was 1.845. The incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection in the pathological incomplete remission group was higher than that in the pathological complete remission group (25.0% vs. 5.6%, P=0.030). Using the optimal cutoff value, there were statistically significant differences in pathological N stage and pathological TNM stage between patients with lymphocyte counts <1.845×109/L and ≥1.845×109/L (P<0.05). Treatment response (by TRG) was significantly associated with the pretreatment red blood cell count (P=0.009). The AUC for predicting a good TRG response was 0.669, with a maximum Youden index of 0.385 and an optimal cutoff value of 4.235. Between the good and poor response groups, there were statistically significant differences in postoperative pathological T stage (P<0.001), N stage (P=0.041), and TNM stage (P<0.001). When stratified by the optimal cutoff value, there were statistically significant differences in age (P<0.001) and the prevalence of hypertension (P=0.022) between patients with red blood cell counts <4.235×1012/L and ≥4.235×1012/L. Conclusion A pretreatment absolute lymphocyte count ≥1.845×109/L and a red blood cell count <4.235×1012/L are good predictors for pathological complete response and a good pathological response, respectively, following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
6.The Influence of BDNF on Cortical Remodeling After Peripheral Nerve Injury
Bo-Yuan CHEN ; Hao-Ran CHEN ; Tao ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2194-2209
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) severs peripheral connections and induces profound reorganization of primary somatosensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortical maps, a dynamic process that critically shapes the extent and quality of functional recovery. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a central molecular hub linking the initial peripheral insult to subsequent central plastic changes. This review systematically examines BDNF-mediated cortical remodeling following PNI, with a particular emphasis on its spatiotemporally specific regulatory mechanisms and the therapeutic opportunities they present. Immediately after PNI, deafferented cortical territories undergo rapid functional silencing and, over time, become progressively encroached upon by adjacent intact representations. This maladaptive reorganization—characterized by sensory map fusion and motor compensatory invasion—actively impedes successful reinnervation and optimal recovery. Such phenomena have been consistently documented in both non-human primate models and human fMRI studies, spanning sensory and motor modalities. Motor remapping is also prominently observed in facial nerve injury and chronic nerve compression models, underscoring the universality of these plastic changes. Notably, a range of interventions including regional local anesthesia, auditory-tactile substitution, and guided tactile imagery can effectively mitigate this aberrant remodeling, revealing promising avenues for the therapeutic modulation of cortical plasticity during critical post-injury windows. BDNF coordinates post-PNI cortical remodeling through three mechanistically interconnected pathways. First, BDNF drives dendritic and axonal growth via TrkB receptor signaling: retrogradely transported axonal signaling endosomes integrate CREB-dependent transcriptional programs with mTOR-mediated local protein synthesis to bolster dendritic arborization and axonal elongation, while BDNF-induced Limk1 translation precisely fine-tunes actin cytoskeletal dynamics, thereby stabilizing dendritic spine morphology. Second, BDNF governs GABAergic interneuron maturation and perineuronal net formation through the JNK signaling cascade, thereby acting as a “plasticity brake” that preserves the delicate excitatory/inhibitory balance and constrains indiscriminate, maladaptive rewiring. Third, BDNF robustly potentiates NMDAR-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) by elevating NMDA channel open probability and increasing synaptic receptor density, thus tightly coupling structural remodeling with functional synaptic strengthening. Concurrently, long-term depression pathways are subject to modulation, with NMDAR antagonism exerting time-dependent, bidirectional effects that vary with the post-injury phase. Superimposed on these mechanisms, the functionally antagonistic actions of proBDNF/p75NTR (favoring pruning and growth cone collapse) and mature BDNF/TrkB (promoting survival and stabilization) add further layers of regulatory complexity, highlighting the absolute necessity for precise spatiotemporal control in any therapeutic strategy. Extending our previous experimental findings, we introduce a “cortical reclamation threshold” model. In this framework, early upregulation of BDNF-TrkB signaling enhances inhibitory tone to restrict cortical encroachment by neighboring intact regions, whereas delayed but precisely timed BDNF delivery following surgical nerve repair actively facilitates the reclamation of the original, deafferented cortical maps by regenerating afferent fibers. Importantly, the common BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may significantly modulate individual thresholds, providing a biologically grounded rationale for patient stratification and personalized timing of intervention. Despite this mechanistic promise, clinical translation faces considerable hurdles. These include inherently poor pharmacokinetics of BDNF, severely limited penetration across the blood-brain barrier, dose-dependent neurotoxicity mediated through the p75NTR receptor, and the overarching dual-edged nature of BDNF signaling, which can simultaneously promote both adaptive and maladaptive plasticity. Emerging delivery platforms——including engineered exosomes, polymeric nanoparticles, cryogel microcarriers, and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy——offer potential solutions, but all require rigorous pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and functional validation. Future research priorities should encompass: (1) comprehensive single-cell and spatial transcriptomic mapping to resolve BDNF cellular sources and real-time signaling dynamics across distinct cortical layers and cell types; (2) genotype-stratified dose-response studies to establish safe, effective, and personalized delivery protocols; and (3) large-scale multicenter clinical trials that seamlessly integrate BDNF-targeted interventions with multimodal rehabilitation strategies, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and mirror therapy, with longitudinal neuroimaging serving as a biomarker for cortical reclamation. By systematically addressing these priorities, we aim to transform BDNF from a critical endogenous regulator into a precisely controllable and titratable therapeutic target, ultimately enabling a paradigm shift from mere structural repair to true functional neural reconstruction following PNI.
7.Protective effects of icariin against radiation-induced cardiac disease in mice
Fengmin YIN ; Chaoyuan PU ; Tao RAN ; Zixuan SU ; Mengjia WU ; Lei ZHANG ; Xinyi LUO ; Qilin LIU ; Yan CHEN ; Qihai GONG ; Wei HU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(2):83-90
Objective:To explore the cardioprotective effects of icariin (ICA) against radiation-induced cardiac disease (RICD) in C57BL/6 mice.Methods:A total of 48 female C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (CON), the irradiation group (IR), and the irradiation combined with icariin group (IR+ ICA), with 16 mice in each group. The IR and IR+ ICA groups received a single cardiac irradiation at a dose of 30 Gy, while the CON group received no radiation treatment. The IR+ ICA group was treated with ICA (70 mg·kg -1·d -1) two weeks before irradiation until the end of the experiment through intragastric administration. In contrast, the CON and IR groups were treated with an equal volume of vehicle solution (0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, NaCMC) via intragastric administration. The mice′s mental status, food intake, body weight, and survival rates were monitored during the experiment. At two weeks post-irradiation, the venous blood of the mice was collected and serum was separated for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT/TNNT2). At 12 weeks post-irradiation, the cardiac function of the mice was assessed using echocardiography. After the mice were euthanized under anesthesia, the histopathological changes and fibrosis degree of their myocardial tissues were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson′s trichrome staining, followed by the calculation of collagen volume fraction (CVF). The differential gene expression of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cardiac tissues of the mice was detected using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Apoptosis-related proteins and proteins associated with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway were determined using Western blotting. The survival curves of the mice were plotted using Kaplan-Meier, and the survival differences of the mice among various groups were compared using the log-rank test. Results:After irradiation, the mice in the IR group showed lethargy, as well as decreased food intake and activity, while these symptoms in the IR+ ICA group were significantly alleviated. At two weeks post-irradiation, the CK-MB and cTnT levels of the IR group were significantly elevated compared with the CON group ( t = 5.28, 8.89, P < 0.01). At 12 weeks post-irradiation, the mice in the IR group exhibited significantly decreased body weight ( t = 2.47, P < 0.05) and decreased survival rates ( HR = 8.25, 95% CI: 1.157-58.770, P < 0.05) compared with the CON group. Echocardiography revealed that the IR group featured decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), decreased fractional shortening (FS), and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) compared with the CON group ( t = 7.02, 4.45, P < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that the IR group suffered from cardiomyocyte edema, disordered arrangement, and increased fibrosis, with an elevated CVF. The IR group exhibited significantly upregulated gene expression of BNP, TGF-β, and IL-6 in cardiac tissues compared with the CON group ( t = 4.23, 6.39, 4.61, P < 0.05). After-irradiation, the IR group exhibited upregulated apoptosis-related proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax ( t = 6.29, 9.54, P < 0.05), decreased Bcl-2 expression ( t = 8.20, P < 0.001), and decreased phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt ( t = 6.47, 3.42, P < 0.001). The symptoms of the mice were partially ameliorated after treatment with ICA. Specifically, the mice in the IR+ ICA group exhibited higher body weight ( t = 5.13, P < 0.001) and significantly higher survival rates ( HR = 0.121, 95% CI: 0.017-0.864, P < 0.05) than the IR group. Compared to the IR group, the IR+ ICA group showed elevated cardiac function indicators EF and FS( t = 3.23, 3.05, P < 0.05), and reduced LVDD ( t = 3.02, P < 0.05). The histopathological analysis revealed mitigated edema and disordered arrangement of cardiomyocytes in the IR+ ICA group. Furthermore, the IR+ ICA group exhibited significantly lower BNP, TGF-β, and IL-6 expression levels than the IR group ( t = 2.83, 4.15, 2.96, P < 0.05). The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was lower ( t = 3.23, 3.24, P < 0.05), Bcl-2 expression was higher ( t = 5.92, P < 0.001), and restored phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt ( t = 2.89, 8.35, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Icariin has protective effects against the RICD. It alleviates cardiomyocyte apoptosis possibly by upregulating the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt.
8.Therapeutic effect of Formononetin on Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in mice based on the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway
Shuang ZHANG ; Ran TAO ; Xiaojian CUI ; Leilei SHI
Immunological Journal 2025;41(8):535-540
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Formononetin on mice with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)by regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Six-week-old SPF-grade male BALB/c mice were selected.The MPP mouse model was established as the model group by instillating Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacterial solution through the nose.On the second day after successful modeling,mice were intraperitoneally injected with 15,30,and 60 mg/kg of Formononetin and 60 mg/kg of Formononetin+20 mg/kg of Anisomycin respectively as the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Formononetin groups and the high-dose Formononetin+Anisomycin group,with 12 mice in each group.Another 12 mice were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of 0.9%sodium chloride injection as the control group.The cough frequency of mice in each group was detected through the cough induction test.The partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PCO2)and partial pressure of oxygen(PO2)in each group of mice were detected by a blood gas analyzer,and the oxygenation index(OI)was calculated.The levels of inflammatory factors in each group were detected by ELISA,and the apoptosis of lung tissue cells in each group of mice was detected by TUNEL.HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues in each group.The expression of MAPK/NF-κB pathway-related proteins in the lung tissues of mice in each group was detected by Western blot method.Results The lung tissue morphology of the mice in the control group was normal.The alveolar ducts and alveolar structures of mice in the model group were damaged,the alveolar septa thickened,and there was a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with the model group,the lung tissue morphology was improved in the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Formononetin groups.The lung tissue injury in the high-dose Formononetin+Anisamycin group was more severe compared with the high-dose Formononetin group.Compared with the control group,the cough latency period in the model group was shortened,and PO2,OI,and interleukin-10(IL-10)were decreased,while the frequency of coughing,PCO2,interleukin-18(IL-18),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-P38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)/ERK1/2,and p-C-jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK)/JNK increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the low-,medium-and high-dose Formononetin groups had improved lung tissue morphology,prolonged cough latency,increased PO2,OI and IL-10,and reduced cough frequency.The PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK decreased(P<0.05).In the low-,medium-,and high-dose Formononetin groups,with the increase of Formononetin dose,the cough latency gradually prolonged,the cough frequency gradually decreased,and the PO2,oxygenation index,and IL-10 gradually increased.The PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK gradually decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the high-dose Formononetin group,the high-dose Formononetin+Anisamycin group had shorter cough latency,lower PO2,OI and IL-10.The frequency of coughing,PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Formononetin may improve lung injury in MPP mice by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
9.Study on multimodal models based on radiomics and deep learning for predicting acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with acute pancreatitis
Ran TAO ; Lei ZHANG ; Yuzheng XUE ; Yiping SHEN ; Meiyu CHEN ; Yu WANG ; Minyue YIN ; Jinzhou ZHU
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2025;25(5):341-348
Objective:To establish and validate a multimodal model based on radiomics and deep learning for predicting acute pancreatitis (AP) complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods:Patients diagnosed with AP from The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Donghai County People's Hospital and Jintan Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University between January 2017 and December 2023 were enrolled. Based on the diagnosis of ARDS within 1 week after admission, the patients were classified into the ARDS group and the non-ARDS group. Patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University ( n=406) was used as the training set (non-ARDS group n=212 vs ARDS group n=194), while Donghai and Jintan hospitals served as the test set ( n=175; non-ARDS group n=104 vs ARDS group n=71). Clinical data, laboratory tests and the occurrence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) within 24 hours after admission were collected. Scoring systems such as bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP), Ranson score and modified CT severity index (MCTSI) were calculated. Radiomics features were extracted from three-dimensional CT images to develop a radiomics model based on XGBoost algorithm. At the same time, a deep learning model was constructed using deep convolutional networks to extract deep features. Finally, clinical features and the predictions from the aforementioned models were integrated to establish a multimodal model based on XGBoost algorithm. To enhance model visualization, variable importance ranking and local interpretable visualization were used. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the three models and the three scores including BISAP, Ranson and MCTSI were plotted and the area under the curves (AUCs) were calculated to evaluate the prediction performance for ARDS in AP patients, as well as sensitivity and specificity. Results:In the multimodal model for predicting ARDS in AP patients, predictions of the deep learning model and the radiomics model were the most important variables, followed by SIRS, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, albumin, glucose, creatinine, neutrophil, and Ca 2+. In the training set, the multimodal model achieved an AUC of 0.933 for predicting ARDS in AP patients, higher than the radiomics model (0.727), the deep learning model (0.877), MCTSI (0.870), Ranson (0.620) and BISAP (0.898). In the test set, the model's AUC was 0.916 for predicting ARDS in AP patients, higher than the radiomics model (0.660), the deep learning model (0.864), MCTSI (0.851), Ranson (0.609), and BISAP (0.860). Conclusions:Based on clinical structured data, radiomics and deep learning features, the multimodal model could predict the risk of ARDS in AP patients at an early stage, whose performance is better than the single-modal models and the traditional scoring systems.
10.Full genome analysis of G4P23porcine rotavirus and its pathogenicity in suckling mice and piglets
Hui DENG ; Ran TAO ; Nan HAN ; Jianxin WANG ; Xuefan SU ; Chen WANG ; Xi CHENG ; Xianyu BIAN ; Jiapeng SONG ; Xuejiao ZHU ; Xuehan ZHANG ; Hongbo XIAO ; Jinzhu ZHOU ; Bin LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(9):902-909
To perform the phylogenetic characterization of an isolated porcine rotavirus(PoRV)and investigate its pathogenicity in suckling mice and piglets.A G4P[23]genotype PoRV strain JSJR2023 was successfully isolated from the diarrheic piglet feces through propagation in MA104 cells.The viral proliferation kinetics were analyzed using TCID50 assays,followed by complete genome sequencing through Sanger sequencing platforms.Comprehensive genotyping and phylogenetic reconstruction were conducted using MEGA7.0 with maximum likelihood algorithms.Pathogenicity was assessed in the following animal models:5-day-old C57BL/6 mice and 3-day-old piglets.Multidimensional evaluation included clinical monitoring(diarrhea scoring,growth parameters),virological detection,and histopathological analysis of intestinal tissues.The virus strain JSJR2023 could replicate efficiently in MA104 cells,achieving peak titers of 107.5 TCID50/mL.Whole genome genotype analysis showed that the strain belonged to G4-P[23]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the VP3 and NSP4 genes of JSJR2023 strain were most closedrelated to human species rotaviruses,suggesting genetic reassortment between human and porcine RV strains.The animal experiments in suckling mice showed that the JSJR2023 strain infection caused diarrhea symptoms,intestinal edema and congestion,and shedding of intestinal villus epithelial cells.The pathogenicity experiments in piglets showed that compared with the control group,the challenged group of pig-lets had severe diarrhea symptoms,accompanied by reduced appetite and listlessness.Post-mortem examination revealed that the intes-tines were significantly thinner,congested,and filled with yellow watery contents.The challenged piglets showed typical pathological changes such as thinning of the intestinal wall and shortening and shedding of intestinal villi.In conclusion,this study successfully iso-lated a human-porcine recombinant G4P[23]PoRV strain and established the infection models in suckling mice and piglets,providing important tools for investigating the pathogenic mechanism of PoRV,evaluating vaccines and developing antiviral drug.


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