1.Exploring Mechanism of Modified Danggui Yinzi in Regulating "Itch-anxiety" Cycle of Chronic Urticaria Based on STEP/NR2B Signaling Pathway
Mingyue LI ; Xinyu XIAO ; Anjing CHEN ; E LIU ; Xurui WANG ; Qin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):123-133
ObjectiveTo explore the effects and mechanism of the modified Danggui Yinzi on "itch-anxiety" model rats of chronic urticaria (CU). MethodsThe 36 SPF-grade 6-8-week-old female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group,a model group,a positive control group,a low-dose modified Danggui Yinzi group,a medium-dose modified Danggui Yinzi group,and a high-dose modified Danggui Yinzi group. A "itch-anxiety" model was established by intraperitoneal injection of a suspension of sodium chloride and aluminum hydroxide and ovalbumin,combined with chronic unpredictable emotional stress stimulation. After successful modeling,rats in each group were administered drugs by gavage. The positive control group was given intragastric administration of the drug solutions of cetirizine and fluoxetine (2.08 mg·kg-1·d-1 fluoxetine, 2 mg·kg-1·d-1 cetirizine), the low-,medium-,and high-dose modified Danggui Yinzi groups were administered traditional Chinese medicine at 1.44,2.88, 5.76 g·kg-1, respectively,while the blank control group and model group were given an equal volume of normal saline. All interventions lasted for 15 days. Behavioral changes were evaluated by the elevated plus-maze test (detecting the percentage of entries into the open arms (OE%),the percentage of time spent in the open arms (OT%),and the total number of entries into the open and closed arms (TNE)),the open-field test (detecting total activity,average movement speed,and latency to enter the central area),and scratching behavior observation. Pathological changes of skin tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and toluidine blue staining,while those of amygdala tissues were observed by HE staining,Nissl staining,and immunofluorescence detection of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1). The content of immunoglobulin E (IgE),interleukin-33 (IL-33),histamine in serum and glutamate in the amygdala was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP),N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ),phosphorylated CaMKⅡ (p-CaMKⅡ),mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK),phosphorylated MAPK (p-MAPK),nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB),phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB),and postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) in the amygdala. ResultsCompared with the blank control group,the model group rats showed obvious anxiety-like behaviors (decreased OE%,OT%,and TNE,reduced total activity,slower average movement speed,and prolonged latency to enter the central area),increased scratching times,obvious skin inflammation and mast cell degranulation,severe amygdala tissue damage,increased glutamate content in the amygdala,and elevated levels of IgE and IL-33 in serum. The expression of STEP,NF-κB,p-NF-κB,NR2B,MAPK,p-MAPK,CaMKⅡ,and p-CaMKⅡ proteins in the amygdala increased,while the expression of PSD-95 protein decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group,the modified Danggui Yinzi group of each dose had increased OE%,OT%,TNE,total activity,and average movement speed,shortened latency to enter the central area, reduced scratching times,alleviated skin inflammation and mast cell degranulation,relieved amygdala tissue damage,decreased glutamate content in the amygdala,and reduced levels of IgE and IL-33 in serum. Moreover,compared with the model group,the low -,medium-,and high-dose modified Danggui Yinzi groups showed decreased expression levels of STEP,NF-κB,p-NF-κB,NR2B,MAPK,p-MAPK,CaMKⅡ,and p-CaMKⅡ proteins in the amygdala,and increased expression of PSD-95 protein. There was a significant dose-effect relationship,with the high-dose group showing the most significant regulatory effect (P<0.05). ConclusionThe modified Danggui Yinzi has a therapeutic effect on "itch-anxiety" model rats of CU. Its mechanism may be related to regulating glutamate metabolism in the amygdala,modulating the STEP/NR2B/CaMKⅡ/MAPK/NF-κB pathway,and regulating the expression of PSD-95.
2.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
3.A Novel Scorpion Toxin LmKTx13 Inhibits the Voltage-gated Potassium Channel Kv1.3
Jia-Xin QIN ; Xiao-Qing LUO ; Min-Juan LU ; Jun-Xian JU ; Qing ZHOU ; Wen-Xing WANG ; Zhong-Hua LIU ; Min-Zhi CHEN ; Xi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1392-1401
Kv1.3,a voltage-gated potassium channel,is highly expressed in T lymphocytes,the nervous system,and vascular smooth muscle cells.It plays a critical role in membrane excitability and electrical signal transduction,serving as an important target for studying T-cell function and providing a promising direction for developing therapeutics against autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Therefore,the de-velopment of specific inhibitors of Kv1.3 channel has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for these disorders.In this study,we isolated and purified a novel Kv1.3-inhibitory peptide toxin,LmKTx13,from the venom of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chroma-tography(RP-HPLC).LmKTx13 consists of 38 amino acid residues,including six cysteines that form three disulfide bonds.Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that LmKTx13 potently inhibited Kv1.3 with an IC50 of 7.92±3.0 nmol/L.Selectivity analysis showed that 2 μmol/L LmKTx13 also in-hibited Kv1.2 and Kv1.7,but exhibited no significant effects on other potassium channel subtypes or voltage-gated sodium channels.Further investigation into the mechanism demonstrated that LmKTx13 acts as a pore-blocking inhibitor of Kv1.3.By analyzing the effects of LmKTx13 on Kv1.3 channel gating ki-netics and performing sequence alignment of the pore regions of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5,we constructed site-directed mutants and identified the pore region of Kv1.3 as the critical binding site for LmKTx13.Key residues involved in the interaction included T425,G427,and H451.In summary,we discovered a no-vel pore-blocking Kv1.3 inhibitor,LmKTx13,from L.mucronatus venom,which exhibits high affinity and selectivity for Kv1.3.These findings highlight its potential as a potential lead molecule for developing Kv1.3-targeted therapeutics.
4.Development and clinical diagnostic efficacy of a novel LAMP method tar-geting the tcdC gene in Clostridioides difficile
Yuanyuan XIAO ; Juping DUAN ; Jingxiang ZHOU ; Qin HUANG ; Yan QING ; Haibo WANG ; Anhua WU ; Chunhui LI
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(4):451-459
Objective To develop a method for rapidly identifying Clostridioides difficile(C.difficile)and de-termining high-producing toxin strains,conduct clinical evaluation.Methods The loop-mediated isothermal amplifi-cation(LAMP)method was used to identify C.difficile based on the tcdC,tcdA,and tcdB genes.The sensitivi-ty,specificity,and overall consistency of the detection method were evaluated.Results Feces specimens from 499 hospitalized patients suspected of C.difficile-associated diarrhea were detected,with C.difficile detection rate of 12.8%(64/499),out of which the detection rate of toxin-producing C.difficile was 10.8%(54/499).The sensi-tivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of the detection method for tcdA were 87.2%,98.9%,89.1%,and 98.6%,respectively,and 88.2%,99.6%,90.0%,and 98.73%for tcdB,respec-tively.The total toxin levels of different strains were different,but the average toxin production level of A+B+strains(1.79 μg/mL)was higher than those of A-B+strains(0.72 μg/mL)and A-B-strains(<0.10 μg/mL).Conclusion The portable high-throughput LAMP detection method can rapidly and efficiently identify C.difficile and determine high-producing toxin strains.
5.Expressions of Apo B/A1 and PCT in peripheral blood of acute pancreatitis patients with infectious pancreatic necrosis
Fang XU ; Xiao LIU ; Junfeng QIAN ; Zengli ZHOU ; Yong QIN
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(6):850-853
OBJECTIVE To explore the expressions of apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1(Apo B/A1)and procalci-tonin(PCT)in peripheral blood of the acute pancreatitis(AP)patients with infectious pancreatic necrosis(IPN)and analyze the predictive values.METHODS A total of 102 patients with AP who were treated in Lishui People's Hospital from Jan.2022 to Dec.2023 were recruited as the research subjects and were divided into the IPN group with 29 cases and the non-IPN group with 73 cases according to the status of IPN.The baseline data of the two groups of patients were analyzed,the expression levels of Apo B/A1,PCT and other serologic indexes were ob-served and compared between the two groups.The values of peripheral blood Apo B/A1 and PCT in prediction of IPN in the AP patients were analyzed by means of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS There were no significant differences in the baseline data such as age and gender between the two groups of pa-tients.There were significant differences in the expression levels of peripheral blood Apo B/A1,PCT and RDW as well as blood calcium level between the IPN group and the non-IPN group(P<0.05);the expression levels of pe-ripheral blood Apo B/A1 and PCT of the IPN group were respectively(2.54±0.75)and(11.77±3.21)ng/ml,higher than those of the non-IPN group(t=8.712,12.095,all P<0.001);the blood calcium level of the IPN group was(2.22±0.22)mmol/L,lower than that of the non-IPN group(t=2.749,P=0.007).There were no sig-nificant differences in other serologic indexes.ROC curve analysis showed that both the single and joint detection of peripheral blood Apo B/A1 and PCT had the predictive efficiency for IPN in the AP patients(P<0.05),the ar-eas under the curves(AUCs)were 0.886,0.874 and 0.922,respectively;the efficiency of the joint detection of the two indexes was the highest,with the sensitivity 82.72%,the specificity 86.30%.CONCLUSIONS The peripheral blood Apo B/A1,PCT,RDW and blood calcium are the influencing factors for the IPN in the AP patients.The joint detection of Apo B/A1 and PCT can predict the IPN for the AP patients in early stage.
6.Present situation of sensors applied to monitoring of spinal morphology and motion
Shi-yu ZHOU ; Ya-qin LI ; Yang-xi HUANG ; Xiao CHEN ; Jing WANG ; Zhi-min LIANG ; Yu-chen GUO ; Xue YANG ; Ling-li LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):105-110
The application of sensors to the monitoring of spinal morphology and motion was reviewed in terms of the research object and monitoring index.The present situation of the application of sensors was introduced,such as inertial sensor,stretchable strain sensor and electromagnetic sensor.The deficiencies of sensors applied to the monitoring of spinal morphology and motion were analyzed,and the future directions of the application were pointed out.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):105-110]
7.Effects of fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on biological properties of BLM DNA helicase
Wang-ming ZHANG ; Qin-ying FENG ; Xiao-yu SONG ; Xin-zhong ZHOU ; Juan LU ; Wan-qing XIE ; Zhi-wen LAI ; Wei-dong PAN ; Jie-lin LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1680-1686
Aim To investigate the effects of the fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on the biological prop-erties of the BLM642-1290 DNA helicase,in order to lay a foundation for further research on its antitumor activity.Methods Fluorescence polarization assay,malachite green-phosphate and ammonium molybdate colorime-try,and fluorescein-labeled DNA gel electrophoresis experiments were conducted to study the effects of fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on the DNA binding activity,ATPase activity,and DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase.The effects of LYY-32 on the DNA unwinding activity of DNA helicase in cells were studied using fluorescent techniques and time-lapse microscopy.Ultraviolet spectral scanning was used to investigate the effects of LYY-32 on the confor-mation of the BLM642-1290 DNA helicase.Results At a concentration of 10 μmol·L-1,the inhibition rate of LYY-32 on BLM642-1290 DNA helicase binding to dsDNA was 53.17%.At a concentration of 5 μmol·L-1,the inhibition rate of LYY-32 on BLM642-1290 DNA helicase binding to ssDNA was 88.49%.The inhibition rate of LYY-32 on the ATPase activity of BLM642-1290 DNA he-licase was 89.3%at a concentration of 50 μmol·L-1.When the concentration of LYY-32 exceeded 5μmol·L-1,its inhibition rate on the DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase was 100%.LYY-32 also significantly inhibited the DNA unwinding ac-tivity of DNA helicase in cells.However,LYY-32 had no effect on the conformation of BLM642-1290 DNA heli-case.Conclusion The DNA binding activity,AT-Pase activity,and DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase could be significantly inhibi-ted by the fangchinoline derivative LYY-32.
8.A Novel Scorpion Toxin LmKTx13 Inhibits the Voltage-gated Potassium Channel Kv1.3
Jia-Xin QIN ; Xiao-Qing LUO ; Min-Juan LU ; Jun-Xian JU ; Qing ZHOU ; Wen-Xing WANG ; Zhong-Hua LIU ; Min-Zhi CHEN ; Xi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1392-1401
Kv1.3,a voltage-gated potassium channel,is highly expressed in T lymphocytes,the nervous system,and vascular smooth muscle cells.It plays a critical role in membrane excitability and electrical signal transduction,serving as an important target for studying T-cell function and providing a promising direction for developing therapeutics against autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Therefore,the de-velopment of specific inhibitors of Kv1.3 channel has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for these disorders.In this study,we isolated and purified a novel Kv1.3-inhibitory peptide toxin,LmKTx13,from the venom of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chroma-tography(RP-HPLC).LmKTx13 consists of 38 amino acid residues,including six cysteines that form three disulfide bonds.Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that LmKTx13 potently inhibited Kv1.3 with an IC50 of 7.92±3.0 nmol/L.Selectivity analysis showed that 2 μmol/L LmKTx13 also in-hibited Kv1.2 and Kv1.7,but exhibited no significant effects on other potassium channel subtypes or voltage-gated sodium channels.Further investigation into the mechanism demonstrated that LmKTx13 acts as a pore-blocking inhibitor of Kv1.3.By analyzing the effects of LmKTx13 on Kv1.3 channel gating ki-netics and performing sequence alignment of the pore regions of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5,we constructed site-directed mutants and identified the pore region of Kv1.3 as the critical binding site for LmKTx13.Key residues involved in the interaction included T425,G427,and H451.In summary,we discovered a no-vel pore-blocking Kv1.3 inhibitor,LmKTx13,from L.mucronatus venom,which exhibits high affinity and selectivity for Kv1.3.These findings highlight its potential as a potential lead molecule for developing Kv1.3-targeted therapeutics.
9.Design of new type of elastic gloves for burn scar rehabilitation
Ting SHEN ; Hai-yang ZHAO ; Xiao-chun JIAO ; Bao-li CHEN ; Zhi-juan WANG ; Li-na WANG ; Xiang-yang ZHAO ; Qin ZHOU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(8):118-120
Objective To design a new type of elastic gloves for burn scar rehabilitation to solve the problems of conventional elastic gloves in pressure distribution,elasticity maintenance and absorption of sweat stains.Methods The new elastic gloves was made of non-woven fabric by spandex material,which was composed of external and internal parts.The main body of the external part was used as the primary structure of the gloves,which was provided with a sealing strip,a storage bag,a drawstring,etc.The internal part consisted of a bonding sheet,an elastic band,a fiber sheet,an absorbent sponge,some breathable holes,etc.Results The new elastic gloves designed could be used for the pressure therapy for the scars on the opisthenar,palm side,finger web and purlicue with scar proliferation inhibitted effectively,and the breathable hole and absorbent sponge contributed to the absorption of the sweat of the patient.Conclusion The new type of elastic gloves gains advantages in elasticity,wearing comfort and effectiveness of the pressure therapy for purlicue and finger web,and can be used for the pressure therapy to inhibit proliferative scarring after burns.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):118-120]
10.Application value of exercise rehabilitation mode based on CPET in the treatment and rehabilitation of coronary heart disease
Xiao-ya WANG ; Xiao-li ZHOU ; Ming-yue XUE ; Mei-qin JIANG
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(1):22-26
Objective:To investigate the application value of exercise rehabilitation mode based on cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET)in the treatment and rehabilitation of coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods:This ran-domized controlled study enrolled 260 CHD patients admitted in Hai'an People's Hospital between January 2021 and June 2022.They were divided into control group(n=130,routine nursing)and intervention group(n=130,addi-tional exercise rehabilitation training nursing).After 6-month intervention,scores of Heart Health-Self-Effica-cy and Self-Management(HH-SESM)scale,Chinese Quality of Life Questionnaire for Cardiovascular Patients(CQQC),peak oxygen uptake(VO2peak),percentage of peak oxygen uptake in predicted maximum(VO2peak%Pred),peak metabolic equivalent(peak Mets),cardiac function indexes,and incidence of adverse events were com-pared between two groups.Results:After intervention,compared with patients in control group,those in interven-tion group had significant higher scores of HH-SESM[(76.57±5.88)points vs.(64.51±5.16)points]and CQQC[(111.66±7.93)points vs.(84.16±6.96)points],VO2peak[(1.41±0.11)L/min vs.(1.19±0.26)L/min],VO2peak%Pred[(59.32±3.51)%vs.(51.27±3.11)%],peak Mets[(7.89±1.86)vs.(5.22±1.16)],6MWD[(473.53±18.12)m vs.(354.27±23.11)m],and significant lower serum N-terminal pro brain natri-uretic peptide(NT-proBNP)[(5.13±2.17)pg/ml vs.(13.81±2.22)pg/ml],cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)[(2.90±0.51)ng/ml vs.(4.76±1.32)ng/ml](P<0.001 all).Intervention group had significant lower incidence of adverse events comparing to control group(3.85%vs.13.85%,P=0.005).Conclusion:Exercise rehabilitation treatment based on cardiopulmonary exercise test could effectively improve self-efficacy and self-management,quality of life,cardiopulmonary function and reduce risk of adverse events in patients with coronary heart disease.

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