1.Mechanisms of Antidepressant Effect of Zhizi Houpotang and Its Herbal Pairs Based on NLRP3/GSDMD Signaling Pathway
Chang CHEN ; Ziwen GUO ; Tingyu SONG ; Yan WANG ; Baomei XIA ; Weiwei TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):72-80
ObjectiveTaking classical herbal pair compatibility research as the entry point, this study aimed to deeply investigate the material basis and compatibility rules underlying the antidepressant effects of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Zhizi Houpotang, and to elucidate its antidepressant mechanism, with a particular focus on its regulation of neuroinflammatory responses mediated by the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway and the consequent improvement of neuronal synaptic plasticity. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a blank control group, a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model group, a Zhizi Houpotang full-formula group (6 g·kg-1·d-1), a Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (MOC)-Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) herbal pair group (4.2 g·kg-1·d-1), a Gardeniae Fructus (GF)-MOC herbal pair group (4.2 g·kg-1·d-1), a GF-AFI herbal pair group (3.6 g·kg-1·d-1), and a positive drug group (fluoxetine, 12 mg·kg-1·d-1). Depressive-like behaviors in mice were evaluated using behavioral tests. Immunofluorescence staining was used to label and quantify the expression of the microglial marker ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Ibal) and the purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2RX7) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in serum and PFC tissues. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of pannexin 1 (Panx1), P2RX7, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, GSDMD, postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), and the presynaptic protein Synapsin 1 in PFC tissues. Golgi staining was used to assess dendritic spine density of neurons in the PFC. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the depression model group exhibited significant depressive-like behaviors. In addition, the immunofluorescence areas of Ibal and P2RX7 in the PFC were significantly increased (P<0.01), the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum and the PFC were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of Panx1, P2RX7, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD in the PFC were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). In contrast, the protein expression levels of PSD95 and Synapsin 1 were significantly downregulated (P<0.01), and neuronal dendritic spine density was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Zhizi Houpotang full-formula group and the GF-MOC herbal pair group showed significant improvement in all the above indicators (P<0.01). The GF-AFI herbal pair group improved all the above indicators except P2RX7, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and PSD95 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In contrast, the MOC-AFI herbal pair group showed no statistically significant improvement in any of the above indicators compared with the model group. ConclusionZhizi Houpotang and its key herbal pair, GF-MOC, can effectively ameliorate CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice. Its core antidepressant mechanism may involve inhibition of P2RX7/Panx1 signaling, thereby blocking the NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway and significantly reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Simultaneously, it upregulates the expression of synapse-related proteins PSD95 and Synapsin 1 and increases dendritic spine density, promoting the recovery of synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that GF plays a key role in the antidepressant effects of this formula, and that the compatibility of GF with MOC may represent the principal herbal pair combination responsible for its core therapeutic action.
2.Mechanism of isochlorogenic acid A against hepatocellular carcinoma based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway combined with multi-omics
Weiwei SU ; Weibing JIA ; Houjian REN ; Xianhui SU ; Huijie GAO ; Zhongchao HUO ; Xin HOU ; Zhen WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1258-1263
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of isochlorogenic acid A against hepatocellular carcinoma based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway and multi-omics technology. METHODS The invasion rate and migration rate of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells after 48 h of intervention with 0 (control group), 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL isochlorogenic acid A were examined; mRNA expression of DEP domain-containing mTOR-interacting protein (DEPTOR), the protein expressions of mTOR, PI3K and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), as well as the phosphorylation level of Akt protein were determined in the cells. Metabolomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and differential metabolites were screened and subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis; transcriptomics monitoring was conducted by RNA sequencing, and differentially expressed genes were screened and subjected to gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. RESULTS Compared with the control group, intervention with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL isochlorogenic acid A for 48 h significantly inhibited the invasion rate and migration rate of HepG2 cells, significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of DEPTOR and the protein expression of PTEN, and significantly down-regulated the protein expression of PI3K and the phosphorylation level of Akt protein (except for 0.25 mg/mL isochlorogenic acid A) ( P <0.05). A total of 304 differential metabolites and 212 differentially expressed genes were screened by multi-omics analysis. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that isochlorogenic acid A regulated key signaling of HepG2 cell growth mainly by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, synergizing with metabolic reprogramming such as mTOR signaling pathway, ferroptosis, pentose phosphate pathway and purine/pyrimidine metabo lism. CONCLUSIONS The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of isochlorogenic acid A is associated with the blockade of abnormal activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, it may also be related to the inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway and purine/pyrimidine metabolism, as well as the induction of ferroptosis,etc.
3.Construction of the content for pharmaceutical care provided by hospital pharmacists collaborating with nursing homes in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Shangjie YANG ; Jianhua WANG ; Aierken AIZEZIJIANG ; Chunlin LUO ; Qianhui LI ; Yu LI ; Weiwei XIAO ; Yubo WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1335-1340
OBJECTIVE To construct a pharmaceutical care framework suitable for elderly individuals in nursing homes, so as to provide standardized content guidance for relevant practice. METHODS The initial items of pharmaceutical care content in n ursing homes were drafted through literature research and semi-structured interviews. Delphi method was used to conduct correspondence consultation among 38 experts from related fields in Xinjiang. The expert positive coefficient, authority coefficient, and Kendall’s W were calculated, and the analytic hierarchy process was employed to determine the weight of each item. After thorough discussion among the research team members, the pharmaceutical care framework suitable for elderly individuals provided by hospital pharmacists collaborating with nursing homes was finalized. RESULTS The questionnaire recovery rates for both rounds of expert correspondence consultation were 100%, with an authority coefficient >0.8 and Kendall’s W ranging between 0.153 and 0.185 ( P <0.001). A total of 7 primary items and 31 secondary items were ultimately determined, with the consistency ratio of the item weights all being less than 0.1. Based on the integration of importance and feasibility, among the primary items, “assessment of pharmaceutical care needs” was assigned the highest weight. Among the secondary items, highly practical items such as “survey of pharmaceutical care needs”“guidance on usage and dosage”“methods for correctly reading drug package inserts”, and “self-management of common chronic diseases in the elderly” were assigned relatively high comprehensive weights. CONCLUSIONS The pharmaceutical care framework suitable for elderly individuals provided by hospital pharmacists collaborating with nursing homes, which was constructed based on the Delphi method, demonstrates good scientific validity and reliability, and can serve as a reference for pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care in nursing homes.
4.Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Therapeutic Strategies for Diabetic Kidney Disease under the Guidance of "Diseased Collateral" Theory
Yuzi CAI ; Huijuan ZHENG ; Weijun HUANG ; Yue JI ; Yizhen HAN ; Weiwei SUN ; Yuning LIU ; Yaoxian WANG ; Weijing LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(13):1390-1396
Based on the theory of diseased collaterals and the progression pattern of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), this paper proposes a staged treatment system based on the "three states of kidney collaterals" including collateral distention, collateral bi (痹) and collateral accumulation. In the collateral distention stage, the primary pathogenesis is heat damaging the kidney collaterals and collateral vessel dilation, corresponding to the early state of DKD characterized by hyperfiltration and microalbuminuria; the clearing method is suggested, and Shenling Jiangtang Formula (参苓降糖方) can be used to promote the remission of proteinuria by ameliorating insulin resistance and regulating intestinal microecology. In the collateral bi stage, the core pathogenesis lies in the binding of phlegm and stasis, and the formation of concretions and conglomerations in the kidney collaterals, corresponding to massive proteinuria and the decline of renal function, for which the unblocking method should be taken, using Jinchan Yishen Tongluo Formula (金蝉益肾通络方) and Qingre Xiaozheng Formula (清热消癥方) to alleviate renal pathological damage by regulating the autophagy-lysosome pathway and repairing mitochondrial energy metabolism. The collateral accumulation stage is characterized by the internal retention of turbid toxins and accumulations of concretions in the kidney collaterals, corresponding to renal fibrosis and end-stage renal disease (ESRD); the dispersion method is suggested, and Yiqi Tongluo Xiezhuo Formula (益气通络泄浊方) and Shenyan Fangshuai Fluid (肾炎防衰液) can be used to inhibit extracellular matrix accumulation and delay the progressive loss of renal function. Collateral deficiency runs through the entire course of the disease and is closely related to cellular senescence and the imbalance of the ubiquitin-proteasome/autophagy system. The concept of the "three states of kidney collaterals" integrates the evolution of traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis with modern pathological staging, forming a whole-course intervention system of "staging-syndrome differentiation-target-formula", thereby providing novel insights for prevention and treatment of DKD using integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine.
5.Construction features and practical applications of an intelligent morning meeting management platform in the radiology department
Weiwei LIU ; Haichang XING ; Jianguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(3):455-459
Objective To investigated how morning meetings are conducted in radiology departments across different levels of hospitals in Shandong Province. It also explored the role of an intelligent morning meeting platform in supporting digital management of radiology departments. Methods This study was conducted through the Shandong Provincial Regional Medical Center Alliance. A questionnaire survey was administered to 241 hospitals of different grades to assess their morning meeting practices. Based on the findings, an intelligent and process-oriented management model suitable for the regional context was summarized and developed, leading to the construction of an intelligent morning meeting management platform. A comparative analysis was then performed in our hospital's radiology department. Key management indicators were compared before and after using the platform. These indicators included: weekly frequency of morning meetings, number of meeting types, staff attendance rate, rate of electronic management of meeting materials, proportion of case discussions that met teaching requirements, and staff satisfaction. Results The intelligent morning meeting management platform integrates multiple functions. These functions included morning meeting management, case management, archiving of meeting materials, quality control management, electronic attendance tracking, and online meetings across multiple hospital campuses. After the platform was implemented in the radiology department, all key indicators improved significantly. Specifically, weekly meeting frequency, number of meeting types, attendance rate, rate of electronic management of meeting materials, proportion of case discussions meeting teaching requirements, and staff satisfaction were all significantly higher than before implementation (all P<0.05). Conclusion The application of the intelligent morning meeting management platform can digitize, standardize, and make traceable the morning meetings in radiology departments.It significantly improves the efficiency and quality of these meetings. It also effectively enhances the digital management level of radiology departments. This study aimed to investigate the current operation of morning meetings in radiology departments at different levels of hospitals in Shandong Province, and to explore the role of the intelligent morning meeting platform in the digital management of radiology departments.
6.Clinical characteristics and outcomes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in immunocompromised hosts
Wenjing WANG ; Guannan WU ; Zhixin HUANG ; Xiaoming WU ; Huiming SUN ; Yi SHI ; Weiwei HE
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(15):130-134,145
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Coronavirus Dis-ease 2019 in immunocompromised hosts.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 230 hospitalized patients diagnosed with Coronavirus Disease 2019 at Nanjing Yimin Hospital from December 2022 to November 2023.The patients were divided into three groups based on their immune status:immunocompromised group(n=59),relatively immunocompromised group(n=129),and immunocompetent group(n=42).The clinical characteristics(such as clinical manifesta-tions,imaging features,and laboratory examinations)and outcomes(such as length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality)were compared among three groups.Results Compared with there latively immunocompromised and immunocompetent groups,the immunocompromised group showed no obvious specific clinical manifestations.However,the proportions of patients with symptoms such as cough and expectoration were lower,and the occurrences of symptoms such as myalgia and fatigue were less fre-quent in the immunocompromised group(P<0.05).The chest CT findings in the immunocompro-mised group also lacked specific changes,mainly presenting as subpleural ground-glass opacities and consolidations with multilobar distribution,but fibrotic changes were more common(P<0.05).The proportion of patients with decreased absolute lymphocyte counts in the immunocompromised group was higher than that in the immunocompetent group,and the proportion of patients with elevated procalcitonin levels was higher than that in the other two groups(P<0.05).The proportion of severe case sand the length of hospital stay in the immunocompromised group were higher and longer than those in the relatively immunocompromised and immunocompetent groups(P<0.05).The in-hospital mortality rates in the immunocompromised,relatively immunocompromised,and immunocompetent groups were 10.17%,6.98%,and 2.38%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion After Coronavirus Disease 2019,immunocompromised hosts do not show obvi-ous clinical and imaging features.However,they have a prolonged length of hospital stay,a signifi-cantly higher proportion of severe cases,and a tendency towards increased in-hospital mortality,which should be given high clinical attention.
7.Ameliorative effect and mechanism of photobiomodulation on cognitive dysfunction caused by chronic stress
Huafeng DONG ; Bing LIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Weiwei LIU ; Fang XIE ; Yun ZHAO ; Zhaowei SUN ; Xue WANG ; Lingjia QIAN
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(9):647-654
Objective To find out whether photobiomodulation(PBM)can mitigate cognitive dysfunction caused by chronic stress by affecting levels of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)and adenosine receptors.Methods Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group,a stress group,and a treatment group.Chronic unpredictable mild stress was used to establish a mouse model of stress.Six weeks into modeling,the treatment group was subjected to one week of PBM interventions.Behavioral tests were conducted to observe behavioral changes in the mice.Western blotting(WB)was used to detect the expressions of A1,A2B,and A3 adenosine receptors in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice in the three groups.Twelve C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group.The intervention group received a week of PBM interventions and underwent behavioral testing.WB was used to detect the expression changes of A1,A2B,and A3 adenosine receptors in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in both groups.Immunofluorescence assay was adopted to detect the expression of c-Fos in the hippocampus of mice in the two groups.The ATP assay kit made by Beyotime Biotechnology Co.,Ltd.was used to measure changes in ATP contents in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex tissues of mice.Cell experiments were conducted to verify the effect of PBM on intracellular ATP contents.Results Mice in the stress group covered a similar distance to the control group,but finished far fewer platform crossings.There was no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in the number of times of platform crossings,but compared favorably with the stress group where the levels of adenosine receptors in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were lower,but were increased by PBM.After PBM interventions in normal mice,platform crossings were increased significantly compared to the control group.PBM also raised adenosine receptor levels and ATP contents in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,and increased hippocampal c-Fos expressions.In vitro,PBM elevated intracellular ATP levels.Conclusion PBM may improve chronic stress-induced cognitive dysfunction by regulating ATP levels and adenosine receptor expressions,thereby modulating neuronal responsiveness in the hippocampus.
8.Epidemiological characteristics and immunization history of pertussis cases in Yichang City 2018 - 2023
Weiwei WANG ; Xiaojun LIU ; Yi YAN ; Jing JIANG ; Qiujing YU ; Wei JIANG ; Li GUO ; Jialian YU ; Guiwen LI ; Qiwei WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):86-89
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and immunization history of pertussis cases in Yichang City, Hubei Province from 2018 to 2023. Methods Data on the incidence and immunization history of pertussis cases were collected in Yichang City from 2018 to 2023, and the epidemiological characteristics was analyzed and described. Results A total of 109 cases of pertussis were reported in Yichang from 2018 to 2023, and the annual average reported incidence rate was 0.45/100,000. The incidence rate reported in each year was between 0~1.58/100,000. The area with the highest annual reported incidence rate was Xiling District (1.19/100,000). There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence rate between different years (χ2=208.26, P < 0.001). The annual reported incidence rate showed a significant increasing trend (χ2 trend =125.71, P < 0.001). The ratio of male to female cases was 1.22. There was no significant difference in the annual reported incidence rates between males and females (χ2=0.85, P=0.36). Children aged 3-9 years accounted for 60.55%. Students and scattered children accounted for 45.87% and 36.70%, respectively. Before the onset of the disease, 72.48% had a history of immunization with pertussis-containing vaccine, and 27.52% had no history of immunization. The shortest interval between the last dose of pertussis-containing vaccine and the onset of the disease was 8 days, the longest was 4057 days, and the median was 1882 days. Conclusion From 2018 to 2023, the reported incidence of pertussis in Yichang City has been on the rise, with the majority of cases occurring in children and students under the age of 9. It is recommended to strengthen pertussis disease monitoring.
9.Effect of the plus power ring zone area on myopia control with orthokeratology lenses
Weiwei HAO ; Yuru WANG ; Ding JIA
International Eye Science 2025;25(12):1899-1905
AIM:To observe the effect of the plus power ring zone(PPRZ)area and distribution on myopia progression.METHODS:This retrospective study enrolled 137 pre-teens aged 8-12 at Taiyuan Aier Eye Hospital between 2019 and 2021. They were fitted with Ortho-K lenses for the first time due to refractive error, with a one-year follow-up period. To indicate the peripheral plus ring zone overlapping with the pupil zone(PPROPZ)accompanying PPRZ, participants were divided based on the PPROPZ to PPRZ ratio. The experimental group had 103 eyes with a PPROPZ to PPRZ ratio of ≥0.2, and the control group had 103 eyes with a ratio of <0.2. Participants had a spherical diopter in the range of -6.00 D to -0.75 D, against-the-rule astigmatism less than 1.00 D, with-the-rule astigmatism less than 1.50 D, and corneal curvatures of 39.00 D to 46.00 D. They had a stable best corrected visual acuity of 0.10 LogMAR(20/25)or better when wearing orthokeratology(Ortho-K)lenses. PPRZ and PPROPZ were measured using ImageJ; corneal topography assessed corneal-related parameters, and an optical biometer measured the axial length of the eyes pre and post-one years of lens wear.RESULTS: Changes in axial length elongation were found to decrease when either the PPRZ(P<0.01)or PPROPZ(P<0.001)was increased significantly. The axial length growth was faster in the control group(0.37±0.2 mm)than in the experimental group(0.21±0.11 mm). Furthermore, we found that a larger horizontal visible iris diameter(HVID)corresponded to slower axial growth of the eye. In contrast, axial length growth showed no correlation with surface regularity index(SRI), surface asymmetry index(SAI), flat keratometry value(Kf), steep keratometry value(Ks).CONCLUSION:For orthokeratology, wearers with larger PPROPZ to PPRZ ratio usually experiences a reduction in axial length growth. The PPRZ and PPROPZ are negatively correlated with the axial length. Our findings provide a recommendation and methods for studying the myopia control mechanism through Ortho-K lenses.
10.Expert Consensus on Perioperative Nursing Care for Follicular Unit Extraction(2025)
Chunhua ZHANG ; Weiwei BIAN ; Congmin WANG ; Lin SHEN ; Yong MIAO ; Na LIU ; Shan JIA ; Junhong AN ; Hongxia WANG ; Dongmei ZHANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1606-1613
To promote the standardization and normalization of perioperative care for follicular unit extraction(FUE) hair transplantation, ensure treatment efficacy, and align with advancements in the specialty, the Nursing Branch of the Chinese Association of Plastic and Aesthetics organized a panel of domestic experts. By integrating evidence-based medicine with clinical practice experience, and following thorough discussions, these experts developed the Clinical Practice


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