1.Study on quality markers of Hyssopus cuspidatus against airway remodeling in bronchial asthma
Xiaocui CAI ; Junting GUO ; Tingting ZHAO ; Guihua LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):733-739
OBJECTIVE To identify the quality markers (Q-Markers) of Hyssopus cuspidatus against airway remodeling in bronchial asthma (referred to as “asthma”), an d to provide a reference for the quality control research of H. cuspidatus based on pharmacodynamic activity. METHODS Potential active components and action targets of H. cuspidatus were screened by network pharmacology method. Using human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) as objects, airway remodeling cell model was induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB); validation test was then performed for anti-asthmatic effects of H. cuspidatus and the potential active components. HPLC method was employed to establish the fingerprints of 14 batches of H. cuspidatus samples, and chemometric analysis was also conducted. Combined with the results of pharmacodynamic experiments and fingerprint analysis, the Q-Markers of H. cuspidatus against airway remodeling in asthma were determined. RESULTS&CONCLUSIONS Network pharmacology analysis showed that the potential active components of H. cuspidatus against asthma might be flavonoids and phenolic acids such as luteolin, quercetin and rosmarinic acid, and the core anti-asthmatic targets were interleukin-6, mitogen-activated protein kinase, etc. In vitro experimental results confirmed that 25, 50, 100 μg/mL of H. cuspidatus , as well as neochlorogenic acid (80 μmol/L), acacetin (80 μmol/L), salvianolic acid B (40 μmol/L) and quercetin-3- O - β -D-glucuronide (80 μmol/L), significantly reduced the cell viability induced by PDGF-BB, inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and the phosphorylation level of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2, decreased the levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and reactive oxygen species, and generally arrested cells in the G 0 /G 1 phase ( P <0.05). Fingerprint analysis showed that there were 27 common peaks in the fingerprints of the 14 batches of H. cuspidatus samples, with 15 compounds (including luteolin) identified, and the similarities of fingerprints were all greater than 0.8. The 14 batches of samples could be divided into three categories: S1-S7 as one category, S8-S13 as one category, and S14 as one category. The variable importance in the projection values of rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, salvigenin, luteolin, ferulic acid, quercetin-3- O - β -D-glucuronide, and the components corresponding to peaks 5 and 8 were greater than 1, indicating they were potential differential markers affecting quality. Integrating network pharmacology, in vitro experimental validation, and chemometric analysis, rosmarinic acid, neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, salvigenin, luteolin, ferulic acid, quercetin-3- O - β -D-glucuronide, acacetin, salvianolic acid B and chlorogenic acid may be the Q-Markers of H. cuspidatus against asthma.
2.Study on the effect and mechanism of modified Yanghe decoction on bone destruction in rats with breast cancer bone metastasis
Shun LU ; Ang CAI ; Tingting FAN ; Weihua HE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):431-437
OBJECTIVE To explore the improvement effect and potential mechanism of modified Yanghe decoction on bone destruction in rats with breast cancer bone metastasis based on the receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)/RIPK3 pathway. METHODS The rat model of breast cancer bone metastasis was established by injecting a suspension of breast cancer cells into the bone marrow cavity. The rats with successful modeling were randomly divided into a model group (intragastric administration of equal volume of normal saline), modified Yanghe decoction low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (intragastric administration of corresponding decoction at 1.30, 2.60 and 5.20 g/kg, calculated by the dosage of crude drug), high-dose modified Yanghe decoction+si-RIPK1 group (intragastric administration of corresponding decoction at 5.20 g/kg, calculated by the dosage of crude drug; simultaneous injection of small interfering RNA for RIPK1 via the tail vein), and high-dose modified Yanghe decoction+si-NC group (intragastric administration of corresponding decoction at 5.20 g/kg, calculated by the dosage of crude drug; simultaneous injection of small interfering RNA for negative control via the tail vein), with 12 rats in each group. Another 12 healthy rats were selected as the control group and were given the same volume of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. Body weight was measured before administration and at the end of the last administration. The mechanical pain threshold and thermal pain threshold were measured, and the bone destruction, pathological changes and osteoclast formation of the tibia were observed. The positive expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in the tibial tissue, as well as the phosphorylation levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the tumor cells of tibia tissues in rats of the model group showed significant proliferation and diffuse infiltration into the bone marrow cavity. Extensive areas of tumor necrosis of cells, severe bone destruction, thinning of the bone cortex, and damage to the bone trabeculae were observed. The body weight (before administration and at the end of the last administration), mechanical pain threshold, thermal pain threshold, and the phosphorylation levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL were decreased significantly; the tumor volume, the proportion of bone destruction area, the number of osteoclasts, and the positive expressions of RANK and RANKL were increased/up-regulated significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the above pathological changes in the tibial tissues of rats in modified Yanghe decoction low-, medium- and high-dose groups were all alleviated, and all quantitative indicators showed dose-dependent improvement (P<0.05). After silencing RIPK1, the aforementioned beneficial effects of high-dose modified Yanghe decoction were significantly weakened (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONSModified Yanghe decoction can alleviate bone destruction in rats with breast cancer bone metastasis. The above effect is related to the activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3 pathway.
3.Study on quality control of Inula salsoloides from different producing areas in Xinjiang
Tingting ZHAO ; Junting GUO ; Xiaocui CAI ; Talpbek YESEM ; Guihua LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1567-1572
OBJECTIVE To control the quality of Inula salsoloides from different producing areas in Xinjiang. METHODS The macroscopic and microscopic identification of medicinal materials was performed using conventional morphological and microscopic observation methods. Thin-layer chromatography(TLC)was applied for the qualitative identification of chlorogenic acid in the medicinal materials. In ac cordance with the General Principles in Volume Ⅳ of the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia , the contents of water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and extractives of the samples were determined. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure the contents of chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, and quercetin. Taking water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, extractives, and the contents of chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, and quercetin as evaluation indices, the entropy weight-TOPSIS method was adopted to comprehensively evaluate the quality of 18 batches of samples. RESULTS I. salsoloides from Xinjiang exhibited distinct macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, and the qualitative TLC identification results for chlorogenic acid were clear and reliable. The water content ranged from 6.20% to 7.23%, the total ash content from 12.27% to 15.80%, the acid-insoluble ash content from 1.89% to 2.57%, and the extractive contents from 21.24% to 28.09%. The contents of chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, and quercetin were 0.198 5 to 2.335 0 mg/g, 0.014 5 to 0.402 8 mg/g, and 0.016 5 to 0.578 7 mg/g, respectively. The comprehensive closeness degrees of 18 batches of samples were 0.106 to 0.673. CONCLUSIONS The established quality control method is stable and reliable, which can be applied to the quality control of I.salsoloides , there are significant differences in the quality of medicinal materials from different producing areas.
4.Study on the effects of telomerase reverse transcriptase in alleviating doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.
Qingqing GU ; Qianwe CHEN ; Yu WANG ; Dabei CAI ; Tingting XIAO ; Qingjie WANG ; Ling SUN
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(6):583-589
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the role of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in alleviating doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity.
METHODS:
(1) Cell experiments: rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into control group (CON group), null adenovirus transfection group (NC group), TERT overexpression adenovirus transfection group (TERT group), DOX group (treated with 1 μmol/L DOX for 12 hours), DOX+NC group, and DOX+TERT group (null adenovirus or TERT overexpression adenovirus were transfected for 24 hours and then treated with 1 μmol/L DOX for 12 hours). The mRNA expression of TERT in cardiomyocytes was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by immunofluorescence. The expression levels of intracellular Bax, Bcl-2, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and p62 were detected by Western blotting. (2) Animal experiments: male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group (Sham group), DOX group (acute cardiotoxicity model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of DOX 15 mg/kg), DOX+NC group and DOX+TERT group (modeled after transfection with airborne adenovirus or TERT overexpression adenovirus for 7 days). After 7 days of modeling, the area of myocardial fibrosis was detected by Sirius scarlet staining, and cardiac function was detected by echocardiography.
RESULTS:
(1) Cellular experiments: the mRNA expression level of TERT was significantly higher in the TERT group compared with the CON and NC groups. Compared with the CON group, the TERT mRNA expression level of cardiomyocytes in the DOX group and the DOX+NC group were significantly lower, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly lower, the protein expressions of Bax and LC3 were significantly increased, and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and p62 were significantly decreased. No significant differences were found between the DOX group and DOX+NC group. Compared with the DOX group and DOX+NC group, the TERT mRNA expression level was increased in the DOX+TERT group (relative expression: 1.02±0.10 vs. 0.61±0.05, 0.54±0.03, both P < 0.05), the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly increased (1.14±0.05 vs. 0.96±0.01, 0.96±0.01, both P < 0.05), the protein expressions of Bax and LC3 were significantly decreased, and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and p62 were significantly increased (Bax/β-actin: 0.88±0.01 vs. 1.31±0.02, 1.26±0.01; LC3-II/I: 2.16±0.05 vs. 2.64±0.06, 2.58±0.02; Bcl-2/β-actin: 0.65±0.01 vs. 0.40±0.01, 0.41±0.01; p62/β-actin: 0.45±0.01 vs. 0.23±0.02, 0.29±0.01; all P < 0.05). (2) Animal experiments: compared with the Sham group, the percentage of myocardial fibrosis area was significantly increased and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (FS) were significantly decreased in the DOX group and DOX+NC group. Compared with the DOX group and DOX+NC group, the percentage of myocardial fibrotic area was significantly decreased in the DOX+TERT group (%: 2.33±0.06 vs. 3.76±0.07, 3.87±0.06, both P < 0.05), and the LVEF and FS were significantly increased [LVEF (%): 67.00±1.14 vs. 54.60±1.57, 53.40±2.18; FS (%): 38.60±0.51 vs. 30.60±1.10, 30.00±0.71; all P < 0.05].
CONCLUSION
Up-regulation of TERT expression can inhibit DOX-induced cardiomyocyte autophagy and apoptosis, attenuate DOX-induced myocardial fibrosis in mice, improve cardiac function, and thus alleviate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
Animals
;
Doxorubicin/toxicity*
;
Telomerase/metabolism*
;
Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Male
;
Cardiotoxicity
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice
;
Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
;
Adenoviridae
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
;
Transfection
;
Apoptosis
5.Serum protein α-klotho mediates the association between lead, mercury, and kidney function in middle-aged and elderly populations.
Lin JIANG ; Tingting GUO ; Xin ZHONG ; Yini CAI ; Wanyu YANG ; Jun ZHANG
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():10-10
BACKGROUND:
Heavy metals are significant risk factors for kidney function. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to heavy metals negatively correlates with kidney function through oxidative stress pathways, and serum α-klotho is linked to oxidative stress. However, the role of α-klotho in the relationship between blood lead, mercury, and kidney function remains unclear.
METHOD:
This study evaluated the mediating role of alpha-klotho in the relationship between lead, mercury and renal function, using data from the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in U.S. adults aged 40-79. The sample included 11,032 participants, with blood lead, mercury, α-klotho, and other relevant covariates measured. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to assess blood lead and mercury levels, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure serum α-klotho. Kidney function was evaluated using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on creatinine levels. Multivariable linear regression was conducted to analyze the relationships between blood lead, mercury, α-klotho, and eGFR. A mediation analysis model was used to assess whether α-klotho influenced these associations.
RESULTS:
We observed a significant association between blood lead and eGFR. Mediation analysis revealed that α-klotho accounted for 12.76% of the relationship between serum lead and eGFR in the NHANES population. Subgroup analysis showed that α-klotho mediated 12.43%, 6.87%, 21.50% and 5.44% of the relationship between blood lead and eGFR in women, middle-aged adults (40-59 years old), without cardiovascular disease and hypertension, respectively. However, α-klotho did not mediate the relationship between blood mercury and eGFR in terms of gender or age. This newly identified pathway may provide valuable insights for the prevention and treatment mechanisms related to kidney function impairment.
CONCLUSION
We found that blood lead was associated with renal function. According to the results of subgroup analysis, for blood lead, serum α-klotho mediated the association in females, middle aged 60-79 years. The relationship between blood mercury and renal function was not clinically significant, and serum α-Klotho mediated the relationship between blood mercury and renal function without significant clinical significance.
Humans
;
Middle Aged
;
Lead/blood*
;
Female
;
Klotho Proteins
;
Male
;
Aged
;
Adult
;
Mercury/blood*
;
Glomerular Filtration Rate
;
Nutrition Surveys
;
United States
;
Kidney/physiology*
;
Glucuronidase/blood*
;
Environmental Pollutants/blood*
6.Epidemiological characteristics analysis of monkey injury cases caused in Qianlingshan Park, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province
Cai YANG ; Yun CHEN ; Yu CHANG ; Li LI ; Qiying PAN ; Tingting LU ; Dan CHEN ; Chengxian HE ; Mei HUANG ; Liusong YANG ; Tingqin RAO ; Su GUO ; Chong LUO ; Lihong ZHOU ; Xin MU ; Li LIU ; Yayu YANG ; Yuandong HU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(10):1685-1690
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of cases involving monkey injuries at medical institutions surrounding Qianlingshan Park in Guiyang City, and to provide a reference basis for preventive measures to reduce monkey injuries and standardized post-exposure treatment.Methods:A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting 1 900 cases of monkey-induced injuries in Qianlingshan Park treated at the outpatient clinic of Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Surgery at Qianling Hospital, Guiyang City, from 2021 to 2024. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson′s chi-square test.Results:Total of 1 900 cases of monkey-related injuries in Qianlingshan Park were collected from 2021 to 2024. The exposure time distribution exhibited significant seasonality, with 48.58% of cases occurring during July and August, totaling 923 cases, indicating a peak in the summer. There were 774 male patients and 1 126 female patients, with a ratio of 1∶1.45.and significant differences were observed between different age groups and genders (χ2=195.00, P<0.001), with the highest number of cases occurring in the 0-9 and 20-29 age groups, accounting for 22.05%(419 cases) and 21.79%(414 cases), respectively. The upper limbs were the most common injury site, accounting for 50.84% of the total cases(966 cases in total), with significant differences between gender and injury location (χ2=22.00, P<0.001), Among females, the proportion of injuries to the upper and lower limbs (30.11% and 16.47%, respectively) was higher than that among males (20.74% and 8.63%, respectively). The majority of injuries were classified as Grade Ⅲ, making up 57.38% of cases(1 069 cases in total). Self-treatment after exposure was the most common approach(60.44%), with significant differences observed between wound severity and treatment method (χ2=6.90, P=0.032), Patients with Grade Ⅱ and Grade Ⅲ wounds were more likely to choose self-management (26.84% and 33.23%, respectively) than outpatient management (15.14% and 24.15%). Approximately 98.05% (1 863 cases) of monkey-injured patients had received rabies vaccinations. Conclusions:This study analyzes monkey-related injuries in Qianlingshan Park from 2021 to 2024, clarifying the temporal distribution of injuries, demographic characteristics, injury sites, and treatment methods. The findings provide references for optimizing human-monkey conflict management and the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases in urban ecological parks.
7.Electronic picture books for children with autism spectrum disorder based on Creative Problem Solving model: construction and intervention
Huili SHE ; Wenzhu CAI ; Yu JIANG ; Tingting FANG ; Wenpei ZHANG ; Ruting SHEN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(2):141-149
ObjectiveTo establish an educational intervention framework of electronic picture books for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model, and observe the effect on social function. MethodsElectronic picture books were designed using CPS model, including the program of reading, interactive animation design and associated artistic activities. From March to June, 2023, 24 children with mild to moderate ASD were recruited from Maanshan Institute of Special Education, and randomly assigned into experimental group 1 (CPS-based cognitive picture book interventions, n = 8), experimental group 2 (CPS-based social picture book interventions, n = 8) and control group (Bloom's Taxonomy-based picture book interventions, n = 8), and received the interventions for four weeks, with a total of twelve times. They were assessed with speech, social, perceptual and health behavior using Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) before and after treatment, and the differences were calculated. ResultsThere was a significant difference among the groups in the social and perceptual scores differences (F > 4.344, P < 0.05) and a near-significant difference in the health behaviour score difference (F = 2.921, P = 0.076). Post Hoc test showed that the differences in social scores were higher in both experimental groups than in the control group (P < 0.05); the difference in perceptual scores was significantly higher in experimental group 1 than in experimental group 2 (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference with the control group (P > 0.05); the difference in health behavior scores was higher in experimental group 2 than in the control (P < 0.05), and the difference in experimental group 1 was slightly higher than in the control group (P = 0.072). ConclusionElectronic picture book interventions based on the CPS model may be more effective in enhancing social, perceptual and health behavior in children with ASD, but there may be differences among models.
8.Efficacy of pudendal nerve modulation in the treatment of female pudendal neuralgia
Ziqin ZHOU ; Xin SONG ; Yinjun GU ; Tingting LYU ; Weilin FANG ; Jin HUANG ; Jianwei LYU ; Zhikang CAI ; Zhong WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(5):395-399
Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of pudendal nerve modulation (PNM) in the treatment of female pudendal neuralgia (PN),so as to promote the clinical application of this technique. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 female PN patients who failed conservative treatment at Gongli Hospital during Nov.2020 and Oct.2023.All patients underwent simultaneous PNM and sacral nerve modulation (SNM) with the assistance of 3D printing navigation.Dual-stage test electrodes for PNM and SNM were implanted,followed by alternate therapeutic trial for each modality.Secondary conversion rates and longitudinal outcomes,including visual analogue score (VAS),patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9),and quality of life (QoL) scores were compared preoperatively,post-stage Ⅰ,and at 3,6,and 12 months post-stage Ⅱ. Results: All operations were successful.After the trial phase,the secondary conversion rate for PNM was significantly higher than that for SNM; 16 patients (16/20,80%) chose the second-phase PNM implantation surgery,3 (3/20,15%) chose second-phase SNM implantation,and 1 (1/20,5%) had electrodes removed due to ineffective results from both trials.Further assessment revealed that the improvements in VAS,PHQ-9,and QoL scores for PNM patients were significantly better than those for SNM patients after the first phase of surgery and at 3,6 and 12 months after the second-phase conversion (P<0.05).No complications such as electrode migration or infection were observed during the follow-up of 12-15 months. Conclusion: PNM provides more effective relief of pain symptoms and improvements in depressive states for female PN patients compared to SNM.With the assistance of 3D printing navigation,the operation is simple and safe,and offers stable therapeutic effects.It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
9.Machine learning models in hospice care:a scope review
Chunjian XU ; Tingting CAI ; Yifei XIE ; Aiyong ZHU ; Lijuan SONG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(12):1524-1531
Objective To systematically search the research literature related to the application of machine learning models in hospice care,with a view to providing references for clinical practice.Methods A systematic search of Wanfang database,CNKI,VIP database,China Biomedical Literature Database,PubMed,Embase,Scopus,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,and CINAHL was conducted in accordance with the methodology of the scoping review as a guideline,with the timeframe of searching from the establishment of the database to August 30,2024,and the included literature was screened,summarized,extracted,and analyzed.Results Totally 17 studies were included.Analysis revealed that supervised machine learning algorithms(including random forest,decision tree,and neural networks)predominated in palliative care applications.Data sources and collection methods varied widely,with models applied across diverse scenarios.Model functions include assessing hospice needs,predicting a patient's risk of death,assisting with symptom management,analyzing hospice communication content,and more.Conclusion Machine learning models in palliative care demonstrate considerable utility and broad applicability.Future research should enhance data quality,optimize model development workflows,and improve model performance.
10.Research Advances in Microscale-Engineered Tension Tissues Based on Flexible Microstructures
Zixing ZHOU ; Wei CAI ; Tingting LI ; Zhun LIAO ; Zuoqi ZHANG ; Guoyou HUANG
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(4):1050-1060
Tensile stimulation plays a crucial role in regulating tissue structure and function.Due to the limitations of in vivo studies,engineered tension tissues(ETTs)based on biomaterials and tissue engineering technologies have gradually become a research hotspot.Specifically,microscale-engineered tension tissues(μETTs)based on flexible microstructures overcome many limitations of traditional ETTs,due to their controllable mechanical constraints and precise mechanical characterization and stimulation capabilities.This has led to their widespread applications in disease research,drug screening,and toxicologic studies.This review summarizes the materials and fabrication method of flexible microstructures,analyzes their biomechanical roles in μETTs,provides an overview of research progress in myocardial,lung,and skeletal muscle μETTs,discusses mechanical modeling and analysis methods during the remodeling of μETTs,and looks ahead to the future development of this field.

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