1.Study on the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep
Ming QIAO ; Yao ZHAO ; Yi ZHU ; Yexia CAO ; Limei WEN ; Yuehong GONG ; Xiang LI ; Juanchen WANG ; Tao WANG ; Jianhua YANG ; Junping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active components of L. ruthenicum and their associated disease targets, followed by enrichment analysis. A caffeine‑induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation was established , and the zebrafish were treated with L. ruthenicum Murr. extract (LRME) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively; 24 h later, behavioral changes of zebrafish and pathological alterations in brain neurons were subsequently observed. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT)], and neurotransmitters [5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE)] were measured. The protein expression levels of protein kinase B1 (AKT1), phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), sarcoma proto-oncogene,non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1) in the zebrafish were also determined. RESULTS A total of 12 active components and 176 intersecting disease targets were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Among these, apigenin, naringenin and others were recognized as core active compounds, while AKT1, EGFR and others served as key targets; EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway was identified as the critical pathway. The sleep improvement rates in zebrafish of LRME low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were 54.60%, 69.03% and 77.97%, 开发。E-mail:hjp_yft@163.com respectively, while the inhibition ratios of locomotor distance were 0.57, 0.83 and 0.95, respectively. Compared with the model group, the number of resting counts, resting time and resting distance were significantly increased/extended in LRME medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Neuronal damage in the brain was alleviated. Additionally, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MDA, Glu, DA and NE, as well as the protein expression levels of AKT1, p-AKT1, EGFR, SRC and HSP90AA1, were markedly reduced (P<0.05), while the levels of IL-10, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, 5-HT and GABA, as well as Bcl-2 protein expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS L. ruthenicum Murr. demonstrates sleep-improving effects, and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter balance, and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway.
2.Effect of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing Serum on CircRNA_0001543/NF-κB Expression in Co-cultured PBMCs and Human FLSs from Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Yajun QI ; Jian LIU ; Qiao ZHOU ; Yuedi HU ; Xiang DING ; Chengzhi CONG ; Xu LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):87-95
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the effects of Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum on the expression of CircRNA_0001543/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in co-cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsVenous blood was collected from patients with AS to isolate PBMCs. FLSs were co-cultured with AS patients' PBMCs, and FLSs were harvested after co-culture for subsequent experiments. The normal control group consisted of normal FLSs, while the model group comprised co-cultured AS PBMCs and FLSs to simulate AS pathology. The Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules group involved adding Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum to the co-cultured cells(6.48 g·kg-1). To investigate the effect of HQC-containing serum on the viability of co-cultured cells, and the experiment was divided into the following groups based on the dilution concentration: blank group, 10% HQC group, 20% HQC group, and 30% HQC group.To study the influence of the optimal concentration of HQC-containing serum on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group, the experiment was divided into three groups: normal group, model group, and optimal concentration HQC-containing serum group.For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 interference plasmid, the experiment was divided into the following groups: blank group, si-NC group (with transfection reagent), si-circ_0001543-1 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 1 targeting circ_0001543), si-circ_0001543-2 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 2 targeting circ_0001543), and si-circ_0001543-3 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 3 targeting circ_0001543).For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 overexpression plasmid, the experiment was divided into the following groups: blank group, OE-NC group (with transfection reagent), and OE-circ_0001543 group (with transfection reagent and overexpression plasmid targeting circ_0001543).To study the effects of CircRNA_0001543 interference/overexpression on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group, the experiment was divided into the following groups: si-NC group, si-CircRNA_0001543 group, OE-NC group, and OE-CircRNA_0001543 group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, IL-37, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was utilized to measure the expression of CircRNA_0001543, IκBα, and NF-κB p65. ResultsAfter 48 hours, 30% Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum significantly inhibited the proliferation of co-cultured PBMCs and FLSs, which was determined to be the optimal experimental drug-containing serum concentration. Compared with those in the normal group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA, IL-10, and IL-37 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA, IL-10, and IL-37 were significantly increased (P<0.05), with the most prominent changes in the 30% drug-containing serum group (P<0.01). Compared with that in the si-NC group, the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly reduced in the si-CircRNA_0001543 group (P<0.01). Compared with that in the OE-NC group, the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly increased in the OE-CircRNA_0001543 group (P<0.01), indicating that the si-CircRNA_0001543 and OE-CircRNA_0001543 plasmids were successfully transfected. Based on the optimal drug-containing serum of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules, si-CircRNA_0001543 transfection led to significantly increased expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α and decreased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 (P<0.01). In contrast, OE-CircRNA_0001543 transfection significantly decreased the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01) and increased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 (P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum can improve immune inflammation in AS by increasing the expression of CircRNA_0001543, regulating the NF-κB pathway, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine expression.
4.Advances in molecular mechanisms and neuronal circuits underlying circadian rhythms in Drosophila.
Wu-Yan XU ; Chun-Xue QIAO ; Fei-Xiang LI ; Ding-Bang MA
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(4):627-640
Circadian rhythms are core regulatory mechanisms that evolved to align biological functions with the Earth's rotation. These rhythms are conserved across organisms from unicellular life to multicellular species and play essential roles in metabolism, immune responses, and sleep-wake cycle. Circadian disruptions are strongly associated with various diseases. Over the past decades, genetic studies in Drosophila and mice have identified key conserved clock genes and uncovered transcription-translation feedback loops governing circadian regulation. Additionally, rhythmic neurons in the brain integrate complex neural circuits to precisely regulate physiological and behavioral rhythms. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the neuronal circuit mechanisms of rhythmic neurons in the Drosophila brain and discusses future directions for translating circadian rhythm research into chronomedicine and precision therapies.
Animals
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Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
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Neurons/physiology*
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Drosophila/physiology*
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Brain/physiology*
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Nerve Net/physiology*
5.Identification and expression analysis of AP2/ERF family members in Lonicera macranthoides.
Si-Min ZHOU ; Mei-Ling QU ; Juan ZENG ; Jia-Wei HE ; Jing-Yu ZHANG ; Zhi-Hui WANG ; Qiao-Zhen TONG ; Ri-Bao ZHOU ; Xiang-Dan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4248-4262
The AP2/ERF transcription factor family is a class of transcription factors widely present in plants, playing a crucial role in regulating flowering, flower development, flower opening, and flower senescence. Based on transcriptome data from flower, leaf, and stem samples of two Lonicera macranthoides varieties, 117 L. macranthoides AP2/ERF family members were identified, including 14 AP2 subfamily members, 61 ERF subfamily members, 40 DREB subfamily members, and 2 RAV subfamily members. Bioinformatics and differential gene expression analyses were performed using NCBI, ExPASy, SOMPA, and other platforms, and the expression patterns of L. macranthoides AP2/ERF transcription factors were validated via qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the 117 LmAP2/ERF members exhibited both similarities and variations in protein physicochemical properties, AP2 domains, family evolution, and protein functions. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that AP2/ERF transcription factors were primarily differentially expressed in the flowers of the two L. macranthoides varieties, with the differentially expressed genes mainly belonging to the ERF and DREB subfamilies. Further analysis identified three AP2 subfamily genes and two ERF subfamily genes as potential regulators of flower development, two ERF subfamily genes involved in flower opening, and two ERF subfamily genes along with one DREB subfamily gene involved in flower senescence. Based on family evolution and expression analyses, it is speculated that AP2/ERF transcription factors can regulate flower development, opening, and senescence in L. macranthoides, with ERF subfamily genes potentially serving as key regulators of flowering duration. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research into the specific functions of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in L. macranthoides and offer important theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying floral phenotypic differences among its varieties.
Plant Proteins/chemistry*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Transcription Factors/chemistry*
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Lonicera/classification*
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Flowers/metabolism*
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Phylogeny
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Gene Expression Profiling
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Multigene Family
6.Clinical distribution of TCM syndromes of ulcerative colitis and its relationship with mucosal image under colonoscopy features and histological grade
Xiang CHEN ; Longjiang ZHANG ; Mingliao NIU ; Shuaibo QIAO
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):766-771
Objective:To explore the distribution of TCM syndromes in ulcerative colitis (UC) and their relationship with the characteristics colonoscopy mucosal and histological grading.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the TCM syndrome classification, colonoscopy mucosal images, and histological grading of 303 UC patients at Henan Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2023 to January 2024. The characteristics and correlation of colonoscopy mucosal images and histological grading in UC patients with different TCM syndrome types was explored.Results:The top three TCM syndrome types of UC patients were large intestine damp-heat syndrome (24.75%), spleen-qi deficiency syndrome (21.12%) and liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency syndrome (19.80%). Compared with the syndrome of spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation, heat and toxin exuberance, cold and heat mixed syndrome, liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome, spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome, spleen qi deficiency syndrome, yin and blood deficiency syndrome, blood stasis and intestinal collateral syndrome, patients with colonic damp-heat syndrome type Ⅰ accounted for the highest proportion ( χ2=12.79, 16.24, 4.26, 16.54, 11.53, 14.16, 7.75, 10.91, P<0.05). The proportion of type Ⅲ patients was the lowest ( χ2=30.57, 33.59, 12.71, 23.63, 7.90, 19.88, 18.31, 17.31, P<0.05). Among the patients with different TCM syndrome types, the proportion of large intestine damp-heat syndrome in histological grade Ⅳ was the highest (66.67%), the proportion of blood stasis and intestinal meridian syndrome in histological grade Ⅲ was the highest (53.33%), the proportion of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome in histological grade Ⅱ was the highest (50.00%), and the proportion of spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome in histological grade Ⅰ was the highest (40.00%). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the large intestine damp-heat syndrome was significantly correlated with the characteristics of colonoscopy mucosal image and histological grade ( r=-0.563, 0.612, respectively, all P<0.001). The syndrome of spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation, heat and toxin exuberance, yin and blood deficiency, blood stasis and intestinal collateral were significantly positively correlated with the characteristics of colonoscopy mucosa ( r=0.373, 0.342, 0.263, 0.331, all P<0.05). The syndrome of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency and spleen and kidney yang deficiency were significantly negatively correlated with histological grade ( r=-0.417, -0.425, all P<0.01). Conclusions:The main TCM syndromes are large intestine damp-heat syndrome, spleen-qi deficiency syndrome and liver-qi deficiency syndrome, which are significantly correlated with the mucosal features and histological grade of colonoscopy. Colonoscopy and histophiologic examination can be used as objective indicators for TCM syndrome differentiation.
7.Clinical efficacy of vericiguat in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure and its effects on LVEF of patients with different LVDd
Liling ZHANG ; Chonghuai GU ; Rui QIAO ; Xuejun XIANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1374-1379
OBJECTIVE To observe the efficacy of vericiguat in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (HF) and its effect on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with different left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameters (LVDd). METHODS A total of 52 patients with acute decompensated HF who were hospitalized in Anqing Municipal Hospital from September 2022 to May 2023 and were stabilized by intravenous injection of diuretics or vasodilators and then given vericiguat orally were selected. Clinical baseline data were collected, and blood creatinine (Scr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), echocardiographic indexes(LVEF, LVDd), and Kansas City cardiomyopathy questionnaire (KCCQ) scores and so on were recorded and analyzed at 1 and 6 months after treatment. The patients were divided into two subgroups according to whether they had dilated cardiomyopathy or not, the baseline data were compared between the two subgroups, and the changes in the above follow-up indexes for the entire population and two subgroups of patients were analyzed by using mixed effect model. RESULTS Patients in the dilated cardiomyopathy group were significantly younger than those in the nondilated cardiomyopathy group, while the former had a lower proportion of patients with combined coronary artery disease, longer LVDd, lower LVEF levels, and more HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (P<0.05). Compared with baseline values, KCCQ scores were significantly higher in patients in the whole population, non-dilated cardiomyopathy group and dilated cardiomyopathy group at 1 month after treatment (P<0.001). The difference between the whole population in terms of elevated KCCQ scores and decreased lg(NT-proBNP) levels was statistically significant at 6 months after treatment (P<0.05); the levels of lg(NT-proBNP)of two subgroups were significantly decreased and KCCQ scores were significantly increased (P<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05); LVEF levels of the patients E-mail:guangf4-508@163.com in both subgroups were significantly elevated (P<0.05) and the difference between the subgroups amounted to 7.52% (P=0.030). Mixed effect model result showed that whether patients had coronary artery disease and different baseline levels of LVDd were likely to affect follow-up LVEF levels, with coronary artery disease contributing to follow-up LVEF elevation (P=0.043), but the coronary artery disease subgroup × time interaction was not significant (P>0.05);compared with patients with baseline LVDd ≥62 mm, patients with baseline LVDd≤61 mm had a faster LVEF improvement (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Vericiguat is able to improve cardiac function and quality of life in patients with acute decompensated HF without negatively affecting their renal function. The drug is able to significantly improve LVEF levels in patients with baseline LVDd ≤61 mm.
8.Clinical efficacy of vericiguat in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure and its effects on LVEF of patients with different LVDd
Liling ZHANG ; Chonghuai GU ; Rui QIAO ; Xuejun XIANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1374-1379
OBJECTIVE To observe the efficacy of vericiguat in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (HF) and its effect on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with different left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameters (LVDd). METHODS A total of 52 patients with acute decompensated HF who were hospitalized in Anqing Municipal Hospital from September 2022 to May 2023 and were stabilized by intravenous injection of diuretics or vasodilators and then given vericiguat orally were selected. Clinical baseline data were collected, and blood creatinine (Scr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), echocardiographic indexes(LVEF, LVDd), and Kansas City cardiomyopathy questionnaire (KCCQ) scores and so on were recorded and analyzed at 1 and 6 months after treatment. The patients were divided into two subgroups according to whether they had dilated cardiomyopathy or not, the baseline data were compared between the two subgroups, and the changes in the above follow-up indexes for the entire population and two subgroups of patients were analyzed by using mixed effect model. RESULTS Patients in the dilated cardiomyopathy group were significantly younger than those in the nondilated cardiomyopathy group, while the former had a lower proportion of patients with combined coronary artery disease, longer LVDd, lower LVEF levels, and more HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (P<0.05). Compared with baseline values, KCCQ scores were significantly higher in patients in the whole population, non-dilated cardiomyopathy group and dilated cardiomyopathy group at 1 month after treatment (P<0.001). The difference between the whole population in terms of elevated KCCQ scores and decreased lg(NT-proBNP) levels was statistically significant at 6 months after treatment (P<0.05); the levels of lg(NT-proBNP)of two subgroups were significantly decreased and KCCQ scores were significantly increased (P<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05); LVEF levels of the patients E-mail:guangf4-508@163.com in both subgroups were significantly elevated (P<0.05) and the difference between the subgroups amounted to 7.52% (P=0.030). Mixed effect model result showed that whether patients had coronary artery disease and different baseline levels of LVDd were likely to affect follow-up LVEF levels, with coronary artery disease contributing to follow-up LVEF elevation (P=0.043), but the coronary artery disease subgroup × time interaction was not significant (P>0.05);compared with patients with baseline LVDd ≥62 mm, patients with baseline LVDd≤61 mm had a faster LVEF improvement (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Vericiguat is able to improve cardiac function and quality of life in patients with acute decompensated HF without negatively affecting their renal function. The drug is able to significantly improve LVEF levels in patients with baseline LVDd ≤61 mm.
9.Research on Digital Capability Framework of Hospital Financial Staff
Qiao XIAO ; Yanzhen XIANG ; Jun CHEN
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(5):88-91
Objective:To adapt to the deepening reform of the medical and health system,and to meet the new needs of hospital financial management driven by the rapid development of intelligent information technology and digital economy.Methods:Literature research method,questionnaire survey method,expert consultation method and statistical analysis method were adopted.Results:A framework of 16 elements of digital ability of hospital financial personnel was constructed,which covered the dimensions of data skills,professional knowledge,thinking ability and personal traits.Conclusion:The construction of the framework of digital ability of hospital financial staff provides references for the digital ability of hospital financial staff,and provides new ideas for the recruit-ment and construction of hospital financial staff.
10.Onco-metabolic surgery: the bridge between curative resection of gastric cancer and the remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Lyujia CHENG ; Zhenpeng WU ; Yuhan QIAO ; Yunsong JIANG ; Lin XIANG ; Lina WU ; Bingsheng GUAN ; Hanlin TANG ; Shifang HUANG ; Jingge YANG
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(11):1178-1185
The close relationship between gastric cancer (GC) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has garnered significant attention. On one hand, T2DM may play a role in the development and progression of GC, correlating with poor patient outcomes. On the other hand, after radical surgery for GC, T2DM can be effectively managed, potentially improving tumor prognosis. In recent years, bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) has revolutionized T2DM treatment for obese and overweight patients. Comparative analyses reveal similarities between surgical approaches for gastric cancer and BMS, leading to the emergence of the onco-metabolic surgery (OMS) concept, which suggests that radical tumor resection and T2DM remission in GC patients can be potentially achieved through a single procedure. However, there are notable differences between OMS and BMS, including target populations, surgical details, and perioperative management. Therefore, optimizing the application of the OMS concept in GC patients holds significant clinical importance. This article provides a review to facilitate the better implementation of this concept in practice.

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