1.Curzerene Ameliorates Depression-Like Behaviors and Cognitive Impairment by Modulating the Gut Microbiota and HMGB1/RAGE/ TLR4 Pathway
Fengjing HUANG ; Xiaohong MA ; Xiao XU ; Jingwen ZHANG ; Chunlai WANG ; Ruoxi SONG ; Xiangxiang WANG ; Mingxing CHEN ; Yu QI
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2026;34(1):174-188
Curzerene, a sesquiterpene compound isolated from Curcuma Radix, exhibits various therapeutic effects, such as anti-tumor and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. However, its neuroprotective effects have not yet been reported. This study focused on exploring the neuroprotective effect of curzerene and elucidating its potential mechanism by combining molecular biotechnology with multi-omics approaches. Curzerene was orally administered to LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment in mice for 14 days, and the related biochemical parameters were evaluated. The possible mechanisms were elucidated using qRT-PCR, Western Blot, immunofluorescence, untargeted metabolomics, GC-MS and 16S rDNA comprehensively. Curzerene ameliorated depression symptoms and cognitive impairment by increasing the preference for sucrose in SPT and the central area and total distance traveled in OFT, reducing the immobility time in TST and FST, as well as rising the spontaneous alternation ratio in Y maze. Multiple molecular biology techniques analyses indicated the ameliorative effect of curzerene via HMGB1/RAGE/ TLR4 pathway. Moreover, curzerene primarily regulates purine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, etc. Furthermore, intervention increased the relative abundance of Parabacteroides, Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, and Rhodospirillales_unclassified, and enhanced the production of SCFAs. This work demonstrated that curzerene effectively protects against LPS-induced neurological damage, potentially by inhibiting the HMGB1/ RAGE/TLR4 pathway through the restoration of gut microbiota homeostasis, modulation of metabolites, and enhancement of SCFAs. In conclusion, this study offers new perspectives on the therapeutic possibilities of curzerene in mitigating depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment.
2.Mechanism of action of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes signaling pathway in liver diseases and research advances in therapeutic targets
Yujie ZHAI ; Xiangxiang LI ; Chujiang WU ; Yanan ZHANG ; Yuxin HE ; Zhongyu LIU ; Jiucong ZHANG ; Bin LIANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2180-2186
Liver diseases are a group of complex clinical conditions caused by various factors and can lead to hepatocyte damage and liver dysfunction, posing a serious threat to human health. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway plays a key regulatory role in the course of liver diseases and is involved in the development, progression, and treatment of various diseases such as viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. This article reviews the regulatory mechanisms of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in processes such as inflammation, autophagy, antiviral response, and oxidative stress, analyzes its molecular function in liver diseases, and explores its application prospect as a potential target for the treatment of liver diseases, in order to provide a theoretical basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies for liver diseases.
3.A multicenter clinical study on intramedullary vancomycin injection for preventing periprosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty
Te LIU ; Jun FU ; Shiguang LAI ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Chi XU ; Lei GENG ; Yang LUO ; Peng REN ; Xin ZHI ; Quanbo JI ; Heng ZHANG ; Runkai ZHAO ; Haichao REN ; Ye TAO ; Qingyuan ZHENG ; Zeyu FENG ; Jianfeng YANG ; Yiming WANG ; Pengcheng LI ; Shuai LIU ; Wei CHAI ; Xiang LI ; Huiwu LI ; Xiaogang ZHANG ; Baochao JI ; Xianzhe LIU ; Xinzhan MAO ; Jianbing MA ; Xiangxiang SUN ; Jiying CHEN ; Yonggang ZHOU ; Jinliang WANG ; Weijun WANG ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Ming NI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(12):803-811
Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin for preventing infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA between February 2024 and May 2024 at nine hospitals were enrolled. Preoperative infection prophylaxis involved either IORA (0.5 g vancomycin administered via intraosseous regional infusion before incision) or intravenous infusion (1 g vancomycin via peripheral vein). The IORA group included 15 males and 47 females with a median age of 66.5 years (range, 60.0-70.0 years), while the intravenous group included 14 males and 48 females with a median age of 66.0 years (range, 61.8-70.3 years) years. Intraoperative samples were collected including fat and synovium tissues after incision, before prosthesis placement, and after tourniquet release; distal femoral cancellous bone during femoral osteotomy; proximal tibial cancellous bone during tibial osteotomy; proximal intercondylar cancellous bone before prosthesis placement; and peripheral blood from non-infused arms at surgery initiation and after tourniquet release. Vancomycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vital sign changes were recorded from admission to 5~10 minutes post-IORA (IORA group) or post-incision (intravenous group). Follow-ups were conducted on postoperative day 1 and 3, and at 1 and 3 months, to document complications including IORA-related adverse events, periprosthetic joint infections, surgical site infections, red man syndrome, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis and so on.Results:Vancomycin concentrations in bone, fat, and synovial tissue samples were significantly higher in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05), while vancomycin concentrations in blood samples were significantly lower in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05). Only 7.3%(41/558) of tissue samples in the IORA group had vancomycin concentrations below 2.0 μg/g (the minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin against coagulase-negative staphylococcus), compared to 59.3%(331/558) in the intravenous group (χ 2=11.285, P<0.001). In the intravenous group, 16.9%(21/124) of blood samples had vancomycin concentrations exceeding 15.0 mg/L (the threshold associated with a significantly increased risk of nephrotoxicity), while all concentrations in the IORA group were below this threshold, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.943, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in vital signs changes before and after vancomycin administration between the two groups. Two patients in the intravenous group experienced incision exudate, while no other related complications occurred in either group. Conclusions:Compared to the traditional intravenous infusion of 1 g vancomycin, intraosseous injection of a low dose (0.5 g) of vancomycin achieves higher local tissue concentrations in the knee joint with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and is safe for infection prophylaxis. Despite guidelines not recommending the routine use of vancomycin for preventing infection after primary TKA, intraosseous injection of 0.5 g vancomycin may be considered intraoperatively for primary TKA in the following scenarios: patients in medical institutions with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, patients with potential preoperative MRSA colonization, or patients with cephalosporin allergy.
4.A multicenter clinical study on intramedullary vancomycin injection for preventing periprosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty
Te LIU ; Jun FU ; Shiguang LAI ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Chi XU ; Lei GENG ; Yang LUO ; Peng REN ; Xin ZHI ; Quanbo JI ; Heng ZHANG ; Runkai ZHAO ; Haichao REN ; Ye TAO ; Qingyuan ZHENG ; Zeyu FENG ; Jianfeng YANG ; Yiming WANG ; Pengcheng LI ; Shuai LIU ; Wei CHAI ; Xiang LI ; Huiwu LI ; Xiaogang ZHANG ; Baochao JI ; Xianzhe LIU ; Xinzhan MAO ; Jianbing MA ; Xiangxiang SUN ; Jiying CHEN ; Yonggang ZHOU ; Jinliang WANG ; Weijun WANG ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Ming NI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(12):803-811
Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin for preventing infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA between February 2024 and May 2024 at nine hospitals were enrolled. Preoperative infection prophylaxis involved either IORA (0.5 g vancomycin administered via intraosseous regional infusion before incision) or intravenous infusion (1 g vancomycin via peripheral vein). The IORA group included 15 males and 47 females with a median age of 66.5 years (range, 60.0-70.0 years), while the intravenous group included 14 males and 48 females with a median age of 66.0 years (range, 61.8-70.3 years) years. Intraoperative samples were collected including fat and synovium tissues after incision, before prosthesis placement, and after tourniquet release; distal femoral cancellous bone during femoral osteotomy; proximal tibial cancellous bone during tibial osteotomy; proximal intercondylar cancellous bone before prosthesis placement; and peripheral blood from non-infused arms at surgery initiation and after tourniquet release. Vancomycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vital sign changes were recorded from admission to 5~10 minutes post-IORA (IORA group) or post-incision (intravenous group). Follow-ups were conducted on postoperative day 1 and 3, and at 1 and 3 months, to document complications including IORA-related adverse events, periprosthetic joint infections, surgical site infections, red man syndrome, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis and so on.Results:Vancomycin concentrations in bone, fat, and synovial tissue samples were significantly higher in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05), while vancomycin concentrations in blood samples were significantly lower in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05). Only 7.3%(41/558) of tissue samples in the IORA group had vancomycin concentrations below 2.0 μg/g (the minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin against coagulase-negative staphylococcus), compared to 59.3%(331/558) in the intravenous group (χ 2=11.285, P<0.001). In the intravenous group, 16.9%(21/124) of blood samples had vancomycin concentrations exceeding 15.0 mg/L (the threshold associated with a significantly increased risk of nephrotoxicity), while all concentrations in the IORA group were below this threshold, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.943, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in vital signs changes before and after vancomycin administration between the two groups. Two patients in the intravenous group experienced incision exudate, while no other related complications occurred in either group. Conclusions:Compared to the traditional intravenous infusion of 1 g vancomycin, intraosseous injection of a low dose (0.5 g) of vancomycin achieves higher local tissue concentrations in the knee joint with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and is safe for infection prophylaxis. Despite guidelines not recommending the routine use of vancomycin for preventing infection after primary TKA, intraosseous injection of 0.5 g vancomycin may be considered intraoperatively for primary TKA in the following scenarios: patients in medical institutions with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, patients with potential preoperative MRSA colonization, or patients with cephalosporin allergy.
5.Literature review of one case of follicular lymphoma complicated with iliac bone Cryptococcus neoformans infection
Lulu LUO ; Min SUN ; Wei WANG ; Yanling XU ; Yuexian ZHANG ; Jie MI ; Huaping WANG ; Xiangxiang HU ; Ruiyi ZHANG ; Hongbin LU ; Junmin LI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(14):2105-2109
OBJECTIVE To conduct a literature review of one case of follicular lymphoma complicated with iliac bone Cryptococcus neoformans infection so as to raise the understanding of such pathogen in the field of HIV-negative Hodgkin's/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.METHODS The clinical data were collected from one case of follicular lymphoma patient complicated with C.neoformans infection who was treated in Xinrui Hospital of Xin-wu District,Wuxi City on Feb.24,2023 and retrospectively analyzed.All of relevant literatures regarding to the subject were retrieved in Pubmed,CNKI,Wanfang and VIP databases,and the clinical data of the patients with HIV-negative Hodgkin's/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with C.neoformans infection were screened out and summa-rized.RESULTS The case was a 28-year-old male and had the underlying disease of follicular lymphoma.The C.neoformans was detected by iliac bone histopathology and metagenome next generation sequencing(mNGS).The condition of the patient improved after the treatment with amphotericin B cholesterol sulphate com-pound and fluconazole.A total of 28 patients,with this case included,were involved in the literature review,23 of whom were male,and 5 were female,and the age ranged between 16 and 79 years old.With respect to major in-fection sites,there were 15(53.57%)cases of cerebral infection,9(32.14%)cases of blood infections,7(25.00%)cases of pulmonary infection,4(14.285%)cases of skin infections,2(7.14%)cases of muscle tis-sue infections,2(7.14%)cases of pleural effusion infections,2(7.14%)cases of bone infections and 1(3.57%)case of bone marrow infection.Totally 11 patients had disseminated Cryptococcus infection,accounting for 39.28%.CONCLUSIONS The C.neoformans infection is seldom detected in the patients with HIV-negative Hodgkin's/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.The brain is the major infection site with the high probability of dissemina-ted infection.It is necessary for the hospital to deepen the understanding of the pathogen in the field of HIV-negative Hodgkin's/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
6.Preliminary analysis of factors influencing the severity of tinnitus with normal hearing
Xiangxiang WANG ; Haixia XIONG ; Peili ZHANG ; Yuhua ZHU ; Mingfang DIAO
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(2):140-144
Objective To investigate the influencing factors related to the severity of tinnitus with normal hearing and to provide a clinical basis for the treatment of such patients.Methods From November 2019 to May 2020,150 normal hearing patients with tinnitus as their first chief complain in the outpatient clinic of our center were selected.The severity of tinnitus was assessed by the tinnitus handicap inventory(THI),and the quality of sleep and psychological condition were assessed by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index inventory(PSQI)and the anxie-ty and depression scale(HADS).The relationship between tinnitus severity and patients'gender,age,duration of illness,tinnitus side,tinnitus dominant sound frequency,tinnitus dominant sound loudness,sleep quality,anxiety and depression were analyzed using Pearson's method and Logistic multi-factor regression.Results The Pearson correlation analysis suggested that sleep quality(r=0.667,P<0.001),anxiety status(r=0.603,P<0.001)and depression status(r=0.593,P<0.001)were correlated with the THI classification,and patients with poorer sleep quality and higher anxiety and depression scores had more severe tinnitus.Logistic multi-factor regression analysis showed that only sleep quality had a significant effect on THI classification(P<0.001).Conclusion Sleep quality may be related to the severity of tinnitus patients with normal hearing,and it is important to focus on their sleep sta-tus in the clinical management of such patients.
7.Temporal and sequential analysis of dysphagia after infratentorial stroke and its association with penetra-tion and aspiration
Meng DAI ; Xiangxiang ZHANG ; Huayu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;40(3):336-342
Objective:To elucidate the temporal characteristics of dysphagia following infratentorial stroke and its associa-tion with penetration/aspiration.Method:A total of 51 patients with infratentorial stroke and 26 healthy controls were recruited.All partici-pants underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing studies(VFSS),during which they swallowed 5ml of thin liquid in two separate trials.Swallowing parameters analyzed included oral transit time(OTT),velopharyngeal clo-sure duration(VCD),hyoid movement duration(HMD),laryngeal vestibule closure duration(LCD),upper esophageal sphincter(UES)opening duration(UOD),and stage transition duration(STD).The temporal coor-dination and sequential order of four swallowing actions and the intervals namely T1-T4 were also assessed.Inter-rater variability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients(ICCs)for 20%of the results.Result:In the patient group,40.2%exhibited failed opening in UES,39.3%had penetration,and 20.5%ex-perienced aspiration.Compared to the control group,patients showed significantly prolonged OTT,VCD,and STD(P<0.01),while UOD was significantly shorter(P<0.01).The conformity rates of temporal sequences 3 and 4 were significantly lower in the patient group compared to controls(P<0.001),and intervals Tl,T2,and T3 were significantly longer(P<0.01).Significant negative correlations were found between VCD and PAS,UOD and PAS,and T2(P<0.01).All measured parameters demonstrated good reliability.Conclusion:Patients with infratentorial stroke experience abnormal swallowing sequence,which is associated with the severity of penetration and aspiration.These findings may help in developing more targeted interven-tions to prevent aspiration.
8.cGAS-STING: From immunology and oncology view.
Xiangxiang LIU ; Chengshi DING ; Jun LU ; Na ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(23):3050-3068
The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway is a cornerstone of host innate immunity, playing a central role in detecting cytosolic double-stranded DNA of both endogenous and exogenous origins. Upon activation, cGAS synthesizes the second messenger 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which binds and activates STING to trigger downstream immune responses, including the production of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines. Emerging studies highlight the cGAS-STING pathway as a promising therapeutic target for preventing and treating diverse pathologies, with particularly transformative potential in anticancer therapies. In this review, we dissect the key findings, functions, and associated components of the cGAS-STING pathway. In addition, we emphasize the factors that upregulate or downregulate the pathway, as well as the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in health and disease. By integrating mechanistic insights with clinical perspectives, this review aims to bridge fundamental discoveries with therapeutic applications of cGAS-STING biology.
Humans
;
Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism*
;
Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Immunity, Innate/physiology*
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Signal Transduction/physiology*
;
Neoplasms/metabolism*
9.A preliminary study on the development and application of the risk assessment scale for early venous thromboembolism in patients under emergency observation
Lyuzhao LIAO ; Zhufeng ZHANG ; Maokuan TIAN ; Xiangxiang CHEN ; Ruomeng LI ; Yiying XIAO ; Ronglin JIANG
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(2):191-195
Objective To develop and validate an early venous thromboembolism(VTE)risk assessment scale for emergency observation patients.Methods ① Based on the characteristics of emergency observation patients,the Delphi expert consultation method and literature review were used to determine scale items and construct a scoring system.②The newly developed VTE scale and its scoring system were analyzed for reliability and validity.③Primary application:collect non acute traumatic observation and rescue patients admitted to Zhejiang Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 as the research subjects.Patients were divided into survival and non-survival groups based on 28-day outcomes.Differences in VTE scores between the two groups using the new scale,Caprini,and Padua models were compared.The optimal cut-off point was determined using the receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC curve),according to the optimal cut-off value of the new scale score,patients were divided into two groups,and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze the 28-day cumulative survival of the two groups of patients.Results ①The preliminary version of the early VTE risk assessment scale for emergency observation patients was developed,comprising 8 items:age,pre examination triage level,underlying diseases,D-dimer levels,activities of daily living(ADL)assessment,coagulation-related indicators,anticoagulants and(or)antiplatelet drugs use,and unhealthy habits.② A total of 121 emergency observation patients were included in the analysis.The test-retest reliability correlation coefficient(R)of the new scale was 0.945(>0.850),split-half reliability was 0.741(>0.700),and Cronbach'sαcoefficient was>0.700.KMO value was 0.715(>0.700),and Bartlett's sphericity test yieldedχ2=167.079,P<0.001,confirming the suitability of the scale for factor analysis.Three factors were identified:basic information,initial assessment,and blood test indicators.Pearson correlation analysis showed the correlation coefficients between the new scale and the Caprini and Padua scores were 0.842 and 0.307,respectively,both P<0.01.③Area under the curve(AUC)of the new scale was 0.566,95%confidence interval(95%CI)was 0.444-0.688,with an optimal diagnostic cut-off value of 13.5 points based on the maximum Youden index.The results of the Kaplan-Meier regression indicated that survival analysis using the 13.5-point cut-off revealed that patients with scores≥13.5 had significantly lower 28-day survival rates than those with scores<13.5(Log-Rank test:χ2=5.609,P=0.018).④The survival group had significantly lower scores than the non-survival group across all scales(new score:10.06±2.84 vs.12.69±3.06,Caprini model:7.22±2.48 vs.9.41±2.64,Padua model:2.91±1.97 vs.4.59±1.07,all P<0.05).Conclusion The early VTE risk assessment scale for emergency observation patients was successfully developed,demonstrating good reliability and validity through statistical analysis.The new scale effectively predicts disease severity and prognosis in emergency observation patients.
10.Preliminary analysis of factors influencing the severity of tinnitus with normal hearing
Xiangxiang WANG ; Haixia XIONG ; Peili ZHANG ; Yuhua ZHU ; Mingfang DIAO
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(2):140-144
Objective To investigate the influencing factors related to the severity of tinnitus with normal hearing and to provide a clinical basis for the treatment of such patients.Methods From November 2019 to May 2020,150 normal hearing patients with tinnitus as their first chief complain in the outpatient clinic of our center were selected.The severity of tinnitus was assessed by the tinnitus handicap inventory(THI),and the quality of sleep and psychological condition were assessed by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index inventory(PSQI)and the anxie-ty and depression scale(HADS).The relationship between tinnitus severity and patients'gender,age,duration of illness,tinnitus side,tinnitus dominant sound frequency,tinnitus dominant sound loudness,sleep quality,anxiety and depression were analyzed using Pearson's method and Logistic multi-factor regression.Results The Pearson correlation analysis suggested that sleep quality(r=0.667,P<0.001),anxiety status(r=0.603,P<0.001)and depression status(r=0.593,P<0.001)were correlated with the THI classification,and patients with poorer sleep quality and higher anxiety and depression scores had more severe tinnitus.Logistic multi-factor regression analysis showed that only sleep quality had a significant effect on THI classification(P<0.001).Conclusion Sleep quality may be related to the severity of tinnitus patients with normal hearing,and it is important to focus on their sleep sta-tus in the clinical management of such patients.

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