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.Structural and Functional Abnormalities of White-matter Tracts in Male College Smokers
Xiao-Jiao LI ; Da-Hua YU ; Ting XUE ; Kai YUAN ; Zhen-Zhen MAI ; Xu-Wen WANG ; Fang DONG ; Juan WANG ; Yu-Xin MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1770-1779
ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate alterations in white matter microstructure and spontaneous neural activity in male college smokers, and to further explore their associations with nicotine dependence. Given that adolescence and early adulthood represent critical periods for brain maturation, particularly for white matter development, understanding the neural correlates of smoking behavior during this stage is of substantial importance for both neuroscience and public health. MethodsA total of 115 male undergraduate students were initially recruited for this study. After quality control and exclusion procedures, 52 male college smokers and 42 demographically matched healthy non-smokers were included in the final analysis. All participants underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). White matter fiber tracts were reconstructed using the automated fiber quantification (AFQ) method, which enables precise identification and quantification of major fiber bundles. Eighteen major white matter tracts were segmented for each participant. Along the core trajectory of each tract, 100 equidistant nodes were sampled. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated at each node to assess white matter microstructural integrity, while amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was computed to evaluate spontaneous neural activity within white matter tracts. Between-group differences in FA and ALFF were assessed using two-sample t-tests, with appropriate corrections applied for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between imaging-derived metrics (FA and ALFF values in regions showing significant group differences) and nicotine dependence severity, as measured by the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND). ResultsCompared with healthy non-smokers, male college smokers exhibited significantly increased FA values in several white matter tracts, including the left thalamic radiation, right corticospinal tract, forceps major of the corpus callosum, left uncinate fasciculus, and right arcuate fasciculus. These findings suggest altered microstructural organization or increased directional coherence within these pathways. In addition, smokers demonstrated significantly elevated ALFF values in the forceps major, right uncinate fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus, indicating enhanced spontaneous neural activity in these white matter regions. Correlation analyses revealed that FA values in the left thalamic radiation and right corticospinal tract were negatively correlated with FTND scores, suggesting that higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with reduced microstructural integrity or altered fiber organization in these regions. In contrast, ALFF values in the forceps major and right uncinate fasciculus were positively correlated with FTND scores, indicating that greater nicotine dependence was associated with increased spontaneous neural activity in specific white matter pathways. ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that male college smokers exhibit distinct alterations in both white matter microstructure and functional activity. These abnormalities are not uniformly distributed but rather localized to specific fiber tracts implicated in sensorimotor processing, interhemispheric communication, and higher-order cognitive and emotional regulation. Importantly, the observed associations between imaging metrics and nicotine dependence severity suggest that these structural and functional alterations may reflect neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction. The combination of AFQ-based tract profiling and multimodal MRI offers a sensitive approach for detecting subtle changes along white matter pathways, highlighting its potential utility in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers of nicotine dependence. Overall, these findings indicate that smoking during early adulthood may disrupt ongoing white matter maturation, potentially leading to long-term consequences for brain function. This study provides novel insights into the neural basis of nicotine dependence and underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies targeting young smokers.
3.Modern research progress on the pharmacological effects and clinical applications of Xuefu zhuyu decoction
Yihang SHEN ; Baojun JU ; Xiao LI ; Miaomiao MA ; Kang XU ; Gentao ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1762-1767
Xuefu zhuyu decoction is a classic formula for promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, characterised by its remarkable ability to treat different diseases with the same approach. Qi stagnation and blood stasis, the primary syndrome for which this formula is indicated, has been found through modern medical research to be intrinsically linked to a wide range of pathophysiological processes, including microcirculatory disorders, abnormalities in hemorheology, inflammatory responses and endothelial dysfunction; which opens up vast scope for the innovative application of traditional formulas. In terms of pharmacological effect and mechanism, the formula exerts a synergistic regulatory effect across multiple key pathological pathways, including the regulation of coagulation function, the maintenance of vascular structure and function, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions, the mitigation of oxidative stress, and the modulation of programmed cell death (such as pyroptosis and ferroptosis). This systematically demonstrates its scientific rationale, which is based on integrated regulation through multiple constituents, multiple targets and multiple pathways. In terms of clinical application, the formula has expanded from cardiovascular diseases to multiple disciplines, including gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, urology, neurology, endocrinology, gynaecology and andrology, with evidence-based medical evidence continuing to accumulate. Current research still faces bottlenecks such as a relatively low level of clinical evidence, insufficient systems biology analysis of the mechanisms underlying the compound’s formulation, and a weak correlation between quality control indicators and therapeutic efficacy. Future efforts should focus on conducting multicentre randomised controlled trials for conditions where the formula demonstrates particular efficacy, deepening research into the relationship between integrated pharmacology and spectrum-efficacy relationship, and promoting the precise application and formulation innovation of classical herbal formulas.
4.Modern research progress on the pharmacological effects and clinical applications of Xuefu zhuyu decoction
Yihang SHEN ; Baojun JU ; Xiao LI ; Miaomiao MA ; Kang XU ; Gentao ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(13):1762-1767
Xuefu zhuyu decoction is a classic formula for promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, characterised by its remarkable ability to treat different diseases with the same approach. Qi stagnation and blood stasis, the primary syndrome for which this formula is indicated, has been found through modern medical research to be intrinsically linked to a wide range of pathophysiological processes, including microcirculatory disorders, abnormalities in hemorheology, inflammatory responses and endothelial dysfunction; which opens up vast scope for the innovative application of traditional formulas. In terms of pharmacological effect and mechanism, the formula exerts a synergistic regulatory effect across multiple key pathological pathways, including the regulation of coagulation function, the maintenance of vascular structure and function, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions, the mitigation of oxidative stress, and the modulation of programmed cell death (such as pyroptosis and ferroptosis). This systematically demonstrates its scientific rationale, which is based on integrated regulation through multiple constituents, multiple targets and multiple pathways. In terms of clinical application, the formula has expanded from cardiovascular diseases to multiple disciplines, including gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, urology, neurology, endocrinology, gynaecology and andrology, with evidence-based medical evidence continuing to accumulate. Current research still faces bottlenecks such as a relatively low level of clinical evidence, insufficient systems biology analysis of the mechanisms underlying the compound’s formulation, and a weak correlation between quality control indicators and therapeutic efficacy. Future efforts should focus on conducting multicentre randomised controlled trials for conditions where the formula demonstrates particular efficacy, deepening research into the relationship between integrated pharmacology and spectrum-efficacy relationship, and promoting the precise application and formulation innovation of classical herbal formulas.
5.Clinical characteristics of 103 children with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome: a retrospective study
Lei JIAO ; Yuan LIANG ; Yang WANG ; Chunping SHEN ; Xin XIANG ; Zhe XU ; Yuanyuan XIAO ; Li LI ; Ying LIU ; Bin ZHANG ; Zigang XU ; Lin MA
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(10):936-942
Objective:To investigate clinical characteristics, treatment approaches, and prognosis of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from pediatric inpatients with DIHS in Department of Dermatology, Beijing Children's Hospital from 2009 to 2023. The clinical data included demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment regimens, and outcomes.Results:A total of 103 children with DIHS were included, comprising 54 males (52.4%) and 49 females (47.6%), with ages ( M [ Q1, Q3]) of 2.3 (1.2, 4.5) years. Primary causative drugs were antibiotics (52 cases, 45.2%), antiepileptic drugs (41 cases, 35.7%), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (19 cases, 16.5%), with a median latency period of 12 days. All patients presented with rashes, including 72 (69.9%) with maculopapular rashes, 69 (67.0%) with edema (including 46 with facial edema). Lip involvement occurred in 25 cases (24.3%), and mucosal involvement was noted in 11 cases (10.7%). Additionally, 102 (99.0%) patients had fever, and 79 (76.7%) presented with lymphadenectasis. Eosinophilia was present in 64 cases (62.1%). Among 84 patients tested for atypical lymphocytes, 51 (60.7%) showed elevated percentages of atypical lymphocytes. Liver involvement was noted in 94 cases (91.3%), followed by pulmonary involvement in 31 (30.1%), gastrointestinal symptoms in 25 (24.3%), cardiac involvement in 14 (13.6%), renal involvement in 10 (9.7%), and pancreatic involvement in 7 cases (6.8%). Among 82 patients tested for blood immunocytes, 49 (59.8%) showed decreased percentages of B lymphocytes, and 69 (84.1%) showed decreased percentages of natural killer cells. Of 88 patients tested for serum immunoglobulins, 40 (45.5%) showed decreased IgA levels. Among 20 patients tested for serum cytokines, 15 (75.0%), 15 (75.0%), 13 (65.0%), and 12 (60.0%) showed elevated levels of interleukin (IL) -5, IL-6, IL-10, and interferon-γ, respectively. All patients received systemic glucocorticoid therapy, among whom 86 additionally received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, 4 received Janus kinase inhibitors, and 3 received dupilumab. Five patients died, 9 developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, 6 developed bronchiolitis obliterans, and 5 experienced long-term immune-related sequelae. Conclusions:Among these children with DIHS, antibiotics were the most common causative drugs, and the latency period could be shorter than 2 weeks. In addition to the common involvement of the liver and lungs, gastrointestinal and cardiac impairments were relatively frequent, while renal involvement was rare. Immunological features included decreased percentages of B lymphocytes and natural killer cells, reduced IgA levels, and elevated levels of cytokines such as IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and interferon-γ.
6.Effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on upper limb function of stroke patients based on motor sequence learning
Wanting SUN ; Ailipinai YASEN ; Xiang GONG ; Yue XIAO ; Zhaodan GAN ; Mingjie LIU ; Lanting ZENG ; Shuyue MA ; Jun LU ; Guangxu XU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(7):812-821
Objective To investigate the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(HF-rTMS)applied to the supplementary motor area(SMA)or primary motor cortex(M1)on upper limb function in stroke patients in terms of motor sequence learning.Methods From April,2024 to February,2025,60 inpatients were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital with Nan-jing Medical University.They were randomly assigned into the control group,SMA group and M1 group,with 20 patients in each group.All the groups received medication and conventional rehabilitation.On this basis,SMA group underwent HF-rTMS on the affected side's SMA,while M1 group received HF-rTMS on the affected side's M1 for two weeks.All the groups were measured with motor evoked potentials(MEP),the serial reaction time(RT)task,Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE)and modified Barthel Index(MBI)before and after intervention.Results The SMA and M1 groups dropped one case respectively.MEP elicitation rate of the affected side's increased in SMA and M1 groups(P<0.05),and it was better than that in the control group(χ2>4.792,P<0.05).The intra-group effects of RTsequential sequence,FMA-UE and MBI scores were significant(|F|>81.546,P<0.05).The inter-group effects of RTrandom sequence,RTsequential sequence,?RT,and MBI scores were significant(F>3.228,P<0.05).The in-teractive effects of RTrandom sequence,RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores were significant(|F|>3.520,P>0.05).After intervention,RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores improved(P<0.05).RTrandom sequence was lower in SMA group than in the control group(P<0.017),RTsequential sequence,?RT,FMA-UE and MBI scores im-proved more in SMA and M1 groups than in the control group(P<0.05),but no significant difference was found between the SMA group and the M1 group(P>0.05).Conclusion HF-rTMS applied to the affected SMA or M1 can activate motor sequence learning and promote the recov-ery of upper limb function in stroke patients.
7.Gender Differences in Depression:Mechanistic Insights from Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine and Advances in Antidepressant Research
Hao-quan TIAN ; Jin PAN ; Lu-si XU ; Xiao-yan XUE ; Qian-cheng MAO ; Liu-xuan HUANG ; Ying-ying ZHU ; Ke MA
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2231-2240,2153
Depression is a highly heterogeneous psychiatric disorder with complex pathogenesis influenced by the interplay of biological,psychological,and social-environmental factors.Based on the 2021 edition of the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Depressive Disorders,which explicitly identify gender as a significant risk factor for depression onset,this paper systematically reviews the gender-differentiated pathogenesis and therapeutic advances in depression from both traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medical perspectives.In Western medicine,a large number of studies have demonstrated the sex-specific mechanism of estrogen/testosterone fluctuations and monoamine transmitter system regulation.While in TCM,although the constitution theory proposes that there are significant gender differences in congenital constitution and that qi depression and qi deficiency are associated with susceptibility to depression,current evidence primarily relies on cross-sectional surveys and lacks validation through high-quality RCTs.Compared with Western medicine,the direct research on gender-differentiated antidepressant effects in TCM remains relatively underdeveloped.In future study,it may be possible to deepen and improve the research on anti-depression in TCM from the biological markers of particular constitutions in the gender dimension.This paper advocates establishing a bio-psycho-social integrated intervention model,advancing mechanistic exploration through prospective cohort studies and multi-omics technologies,and promoting precision diagnosis and treatment systems based on gender differences,and to form a three-dimensional diagnosis and treatment and research system that covers biomarkers,social role assessment,and TCM constitution identification,in order to provide a new theoretical framework and a practical pathway for the precise medical treatment of depression.
8.Risk prediction mode of breast cancer in patients with pathological nipple discharge based on decision tree method
Guang-dong SHAO ; Ming-ming SHI ; Yi-ning SONG ; Chun-hong XU ; Xiao-dong MA ; Xiao-liang HAO
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(3):175-179
Objective:To construct a decision tree model to predict the risk of breast cancer in patients with pathological nipple discharge.Methods:A total of 157 patients with pathological nipple discharge,who were diagnosed and treated at Weifang Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to April 2024 and met the inclusion criteria,were selected.A risk prediction model for concurrent breast cancer in patients with pathological nipple discharge was developed using Logistic regression analysis.A decision tree was then constructed,and the predictive performance of the model was assessed based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).Re-sults:The incidence of concurrent breast cancer among patients with pathological nipple discharge was 24.2%.Accord-ing to the results of binary Logistic regression analysis,elevated CEA and CA 153 levels in nipple discharge,as well as bloody discharge,emerged as independent risk factors for the development of breast cancer in such patients(P<0.05).Based on these findings,a decision tree model was constructed to predict the risk of concurrent breast cancer in patients with pathological nipple discharge.The validation results showed that the Logistic regression model had an AUC value of 0.800,while the decision tree model achieved an AUC value of 0.889.Conclusions:The decision tree model,built upon the identified influencing factors,exhibits strong predictive power for the risk of developing concurrent breast can-cer in patients with pathological nipple discharge,thus facilitating more precise preoperative diagnoses by clinicians for these patients.
9.A study on community healthcare workers preferences for providing Traditional Chinese Medicine health management services based on Discrete Choice Experiment
Xiao-jing MA ; Hang XU ; Yu-na PAN ; Jian-ping REN
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(3):48-56
Objective:To investigate the preferences and influencing factors of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)health management services among community healthcare workers,providing a reference for promoting and spreading TCM health management services in communities.Methods:Based on a discrete choice experiment,a questionnaire survey was conducted among 596 community healthcare workers across 9 administrative districts in Beijing.A mixed logit model was used to analyze their preferences.Results:Changes in post-tax monthly income,expected efficacy,single-service duration,technical difficulty,patient compliance,and insurance coverage significantly influenced community doctors'service preferences.Changes in post-tax monthly income had the highest relative importance(35.11%),followed by insurance coverage(34.87%).Preferences varied among healthcare workers with different professional titles,backgrounds,weekly working hours,and whether the service was included in performance evaluations.Conclusion:Both economic and non-economic factors influence community healthcare workers'service preferences to varying degrees.Optimizing the combination of TCM health management service attributes can enhance community healthcare workers'willingness to provide such services.It is recommended to use a combination of economic and non-economic incentive measures and develop differentiated strategies for healthcare workers with different characteristics to meet their service preferences and promote the development of TCM health management services in communities.
10.Optimization Study of Rat Models for Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Zhen LIU ; Wei-ling WANG ; Yun-cheng MA ; Yu-xi WANG ; Yuan TIAN ; Qian LI ; Xiao-zhu WANG ; Xiao-yao LIU ; Mei JIANG ; Wen-hui XU ; Jian GAO ; Ting WANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(12):1921-1930
Objective:To establish a stable rat model of sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease(SPID)with clinical characteristics,and to provide a reliable experimental model for the study of the pharmcological effect and mechanism of SPID.Methods:Twenty-four 7-week-old SD rats were divided into sham operation group,model-A(108 cfu/mL mixed bacterial solution,0.2 mL),model-B(109 cfu/mL mixed bacterial solution 0.2 mL),and model-C(108 cfu/mL E.coli 0.2 mL).The weight of the rat's uterine was weighed and the uterine index was calculated.The automatic hematology analyzer was used to detect the blood routine;hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE)and masson staining were used to detect uterine pathlogical changes in rats.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in rat uterine tissue homogenates.Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins related to NF-κB signaling pathway.Results:Compared with the sham operation group,the uterine index of model-A,model-B,and model-C were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The levels of WBC and NE in the model-A increased significantly(P<0.01).The level of LY in model-B decreased significantly(P<0.01).The levels of IL-1β,TNF-α in model-A,model-B,and model-C were significantly increased(P<0.01).The levels of IL-6 in model-A and model-B were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The collagen volume fraction of model-A and model-B were significantly increased(P<0.01).Mechanism study indicates that the expression levels of p-IKKβ/IKKβ,p-IκBα/IκBα and p-p65/p65 in model-A were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the expression levels of IκBα/β-actin were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The expression level of p-IKKβ/IKKβ in model-B was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusions:A stable rat model of SPID that conforms to clinical characteristics can be successfully constructed by combining 0.2 mL of mixed bacterial solution with a concentration of 108 cfu/mL and mechanical injury.This modeling method intervened in the expression of the NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway.

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