1.Effect of Dingzhi Xiaowan on PI3K/Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α Pathway in Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment Model Mice
Han ZHANG ; Yu WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHONG ; Zhenqiu NING ; Dafeng HU ; Minzhen DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):1-11
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Dingzhi Xiaowan (DZXW) in post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) model mice. MethodsThe cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model of mice was established by using the middle cerebral artery occlusion method. Forty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into the sham operation group, model group, low-dose DZXW group (1.43 g·kg-1), and high-dose DZXW group (2.56 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. Both the sham operation group and the model group were treated with equal amounts of normal saline by gavage, and the above four groups of mice were gavaged once a day for 30 consecutive days. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning memory ability of mice. Serum levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP), amyloid 42 (Aβ42), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Deoxyribonucleotide end transferase-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay was applied to detect the degree of apoptosis in the mouse's hippocampal neurons. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) homologous structural domain protein (Beclin1), sequestosome 1 (p62), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), Bcl-2, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in hippocampal tissue. Prussian blue staining was used to detect iron deposition in hippocampal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was taken to observe the ultrastructure of the mouse's hippocampal neurons. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the latency, APP, Aβ42, AChE, TUNEL positivity, ferric ion deposition, HIF-1α, Beclin1, Bax, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01), while the number of crossing platforms, SOD, p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p62, and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the latency, APP, Aβ42, AChE, TUNEL positivity rate, ferric ion deposition, HIF-1α, Beclin1, Bax, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly reduced in the DZXW groups (P<0.05), while the number of crossing platforms, SOD, p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p62, and Bcl-2 were significantly higher (P<0.05). ConclusionDZXW can alleviate cognitive impairment induced by oxidative stress-aggravated hippocampal neuronal damage in PSCI model mice by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α autophagy signalling pathway.
2.Influencing factors for dysphagia in the elderly and establishment of a predictive model
Peng PENG ; Xinrui CHEN ; Yilin ZHOU ; Xiaoqin TIAN ; Yuqin TANG ; Dan DENG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(4):501-510
Objective:To investigate the influencing factors for dysphagia in the elderly,to construct a predictive model for dysphagia,and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical practice.Methods:In this case-control study,the patients with dysphagia who attended Department of Geriatrics in the first affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University from March 2016 to June 2023 were enrolled as case group,and the patients without dysphagia who attended the same department during the same period of time were enrolled as con-trol group.The correlation analysis,least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression,and multivariate logistic re-gression analysis were used to investigate the influencing factors for dysphagia;the 10-fold cross-validation Extreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost)model was used to predict dysphagia,and the SHapley additive exPlanations(SHAP)method was used for model visualiza-tion.Results:There were 1009 cases in the case group and 2125 cases in the control group.The correlation analysis and LASSO re-gression analysis identified 12 factors for the multivariate logistic re-gression analysis,and the results showed that sarcopenia,increasing age,children or caretakers as caregivers,frail health,poor oral health,poor self-care ability,depression,and cognitive impairment were risk factors for dysphagia(odds ratio[OR]>1,P<0.05),and fe-male sex and participation in community activities were protective factors against dysphagia(OR<1,P<0.05).The XGBoost model had a good predictive efficacy,with an accuracy rate of 0.795,a preci-sion rate of 0.711,a sensitivity of 0.613,a specificity of 0.881,an F1 value of 0.661,and an area under the ROC curve of 0.855.The SHAP plot showed that the top five important characteristics were caregiver,oral score,frail health condition,activities of daily living,and cognitive function.Conclusion:There are various influencing factors for dysphagia in the elderly,and the elderly patients with poor oral health,frailty,dependence on others for daily life,and cognitive impairment should be taken seriously in clinical practice.The XGBoost model has a good performance in predicting dysphagia in the elderly,which can provide a reference for clinical practice.
3.Research progress on Klotho protein in acute kidney injury
Huimeng LI ; Xiangbo WANG ; Danfang DENG ; Shenhui LYU ; Haohan HU ; Xiaoqin WANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(9):2179-2185
Acute kidney injury(AKI)is characterized by high morbidity,high mortality,high disability rate and high treatment cost,its pathological mechanism has not been fully elucidated and there is a lack of ef-fective treatment methods.Klotho,a kidney-specific protective protein,is mainly expressed in renal tubular ep-ithelial cells,regulates the AKI progression and mitigates the renal injury through multiple pathways,inclu-ding the regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system(RAAS),antioxidant stress,anti-inflamma-tion,modulation of cell death and anti-fibrotic effects.At present,the Klotho-based strategies for AKI preven-tion and treatment remain in the preclinical stage,requiring further investigation.This article reviews the mo-lecular regulatory mechanisms of Klotho in AKI and its diagnostic and therapeutic potential,aiming to provide new idea for the pathological mechanisms and clinical translation of AKI.
4.Celecoxib improves right heart function in mice after acute high-altitude hypoxia exposure by increasing 12,13-diHOME level
Wei ZHANG ; Xinyu BAO ; Xiaoyue LAI ; Xiaoqin WAN ; Yan TAN ; Hongjun YIN ; Xiaoshi CAI ; Dingyuan TIAN ; Ziyang WANG ; Pan ZHENG ; Fang DENG ; Zhihui ZHANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(19):2289-2301
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanisms of celecoxib on right heart function in mice with acute high-altitude hypoxia exposure.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice(7 weeks old)were housed in a hypobaric chamber simulating an altitude of 5 800 m for 2 d to establish an animal model of acute hypobaric hypoxia.①Eighteen mice were randomly assigned to plain+saline(P+S),high-altitude hypoxia exposure+saline(H+S),and high-altitude hypoxia exposure+celecoxib(H+Cel).Body weight and routine blood indicators were measured,and cardiac ultrasound examination were performed for heart rate(HR),pulmonary artery acceleration time to ejection time ratio(AT/ET),tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE),tricuspid annular systolic velocity(S'),and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and fractional shortening(FS).Targeted metabolomic profiling was applied to detect the cardiac arachidonic acid(AA)metabolite levels.The contents of 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid(12,13-diHOME)in the heart,liver,brown adipose tissue,and plasma were quantified by ELISA.② Eighteen mice were randomly assigned into plain+saline(P+S),high-altitude hypoxia exposure+saline(H+S)and high-altitude hypoxia exposure+12,13-diHOME(H+di)groups.Body weight,routine blood tests,and echocardiography were performed as above.③ Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into high-altitude hypoxia exposure+saline(H+S),high-altitude hypoxia exposure+celecoxib(H+Cel),high-altitude hypoxia exposure+soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor(sEHI)(H+sEHI),and high-altitude hypoxia exposure+sEHI+celecoxib(H+sEHI+Cel)groups.Body weight,routine blood tests,and echocardiography were performed as above.Cardiac and plasma contents of 12,13-diHOME and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids(EETs)were measured by ELISA.Results ① Compared to the P+S group,the H+S group exhibited significantly reduction of cardiac 12,13-diHOME level(P<0.001),increased counts of white blood cells(WBC)and neutrophils(P<0.01)and decreased TAPSE,S'and AT/ET both at resting state and under stress(P<0.01,P<0.001).Compared to the H+S group,the H+Cel group exhibited significantly increase of cardiac 12,13-diHOME level(P<0.05),reduced WBC and lymphocyte counts(P<0.01,P<0.05)and improved TAPSE and S'levels at resting state and under stress(P<0.01,P<0.001).② Compared to the H+S group,the H+di group demonstrated significantly improvement of TAPSE at basal and under stress(P<0.001)and a trend towards improved TAPSE at resting state(P=0.0532),but no obvious differences was observed in WBC and neutrophil counts between the H+di group and the H+S group.③ Compared to the H+Cel group,both the H+sEHI and H+sEHI+Cel groups exhibited significantly reduction of cardiac 12,13-diHOME level(P<0.01,P<0.05)though no statistical changes in cardiac function indicators.Compared to the H+S group,WBC counts and lymphocyte were decreased,and serum EETs level was incrased in the H+Cel group,H+sEHI group and H+sEHI+Cel group(P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion Celecoxib can elevate cardiac level of 12,13-diHOME and improves right heart function in mice after acute high-altitude hypoxia exposure through the CYP450-sEH metabolic pathway.
5.Effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PmrB△Leu172 mutation on polymyxin B resistance
Zhen DENG ; Wei HUANG ; Xiaoqin WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2024;55(6):809-815
This study aimed to investigate the effects of PmrB△Leu172 on polymyxin B resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PmrB△Leu172 strain was constructed by homologous recombination technology, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of polymyxin B against wild type and mutant strains were determined by the broth microdilution technique. The effect of PmrB△Leu172 mutation on gene transcription level was determined by RNA sequencing. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR was used to verify the effect of PmrB△Leu172 mutation on the transcription level of PmrB-regulated genes in P. aeruginosa. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of mutant strain were 4 and 2 times higher than that of wild-type, respectively, and the transcription level of PmrB-regulated genes was also up-regulated. The results suggested that PmrB△Leu172 mutation of P. aeruginosa can enhance the regulation of PmrA-PmrB two-componentsystem, which leads to the resistance of P. aeruginosa to polymyxin B.
6.Research progress on the current status and associated factors of airborne microbial pollution in college campuses
DENG Xunuo, LIU Yuheng, GAO Chunyan, XU Zihua, MA Xuezheng, REN Liping, CHEN Xiaoqin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(5):751-756
Abstract
Airborne microorganisms, especially pathogenic microorganisms, are easily transmitted through dust and droplets, leading to various infectious diseases. The study summarizes the status of airborne microbial pollution, potential exposure levels, particle size, and species distribution of microorganisms, discusses the impact of airborne microorganisms on human health, and analyzes specific factors affecting campus air microorganisms from four aspects:climate, anthropogenic factors, time, and space, to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective improvement measures, improving air quality and safeguarding the health of teachers and students.
7.Application and evaluation of management mode for the use of antimicrobial drugs in county-level medical communities led by anti-infective clinical pharmacists
Xiaoqin DENG ; Chi ZHAO ; Zhaohong LI ; Hongyan YAN ; Dongfang SHEN ; Helang TAN ; Mingzhong JIANG ; Nanjun DENG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(1):95-100
OBJECTIVE To provide reference for improving the rational use of antimicrobial drugs in primary township medical institutions. METHODS Based on the county prescription pre-review center, a team led by anti-infective clinical pharmacists constructed the management mode for the use of antimicrobial drugs in county-level medical communities with clinical pharmacists as the main team by finding out the main problems in the use of antimicrobial drugs in primary township medical institutions, providing feedback on the problems, organizing relevant training for the problems, improving the customization rules of the prescription pre-review software, implementing the automatic interception and pharmacist online prescription review and other measures. Data on the use of antimicrobial drugs were collected and compared in the 15 primary township medical institutions between January-June in 2022 (before the implementation of the mode) and January-June in 2023 (after the implementation of the mode). RESULTS Compared with before the implementation of the mode, the utilization rate of antimicrobial drugs in outpatients of primary township medical institutions decreased from 24.97% before the implementation of the mode to 19.39% after the implementation of the mode; the utilization rate of antimicrobial injection in outpatients decreased from 66.10% to 46.80%; the utilization rate of intravenous drip of antimicrobial drugs in outpatients decreased from 52.33% to 40.35%; the rates of combined use of antimicrobial drugs in outpatients decreased from 12.70% to 8.19%; the reasonable rate of antimicrobial prescribing in outpatients increased from 55.28% to 73.93%. After the implementation of the mode, the proportion of antimicrobial prescriptions for each diagnosis was basically the same as before; the defined daily dose system (DDDs) and proportion of a few antimicrobial drugs changed compared with before according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical classification of drugs, among which DDDs of lincomycin, gentamicin and other drugs declined significantly; DDDs of antimicrobial drugs for each classification was basically the same as before according to AWaRe classification. CONCLUSIONS The management mode of the use of antimicrobial drugs led by anti-infective clinical pharmacists is constructed in the prescription pre-reviewing center of county-level medical communities, which can effectively improve the rational use of antimicrobial drugs in the primary township medical institutions.
8.Role of Perilipin 2 in microvesicular hepatic steatosis induced by CGI-58 specific knockout in mice
Yixin ZHANG ; Jie LI ; Xiaoqin WAN ; Xiaoqing JIANG ; Jianghui CHEN ; Fang DENG ; Mindian LI ; Qian ZHANG ; Xinyu BAO ; Zhihui ZHANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(15):1701-1712
Objective To explore whether hepatocyte Perilipin-2(Plin2)is involved in the development of fatty liver related to comparative gene identification-58(CGI-58)deficiency mice and compare the effects of Plin2 and Plin3 on lipid droplet formation and lipid accumulation.Methods Based on CGI-58Flox/Flox mice as animal model,the adeno-associated viruses targeting mouse liver,CGI-58 knockout and Plini2 knockdown were achieved by co-expression Cre protein and micro-RNA targeting Plin2(Mi-KD).Then CGI-58 deficiency mice were used as control(NC)to detect the differences in metabolic phenotype and liver pathology.AML-12 mouse hepatocytes were used as cellular model and interfered with siRNA to achieve Plin2/Plin3 knockdown in AML-12 cells.Lipid droplet formation and lipid accumulation were compared with Bodipy staining and enzyme colorimetry in basal condition or lipid-overloaded condition(OA inducement)after Plin2/Plin3 knockdown.Results Plin2 knockdown(Mi-KD)reduced PLIN2 protein level by>99%in mouse livers.Mi-KD decreased hepatomegaly(P=0.019 5)and liver injury(P=0.000 4),while reduced the histological NAS score(P=0.000 2)and hepatic triglyceride content(P=0.016 6)in the CGI-58 deficiency female mice.Mi-KD prevented microvesicular hepatic steatosis in the CGI-58 deficient female mice.Plin3 knockdown significantly reduced the triglyceride content in basal condition of hepatocytes(P=0.001 4),and Plin2 knockdown just showed a decreased trend.Plin2 or Plin3 knockdown significantly reduced the triglyceride content separately in lipid-overloaded hepatocytes(P<0.05).Conclusion Hepatocyte Plin2 is essential in the development of microvesicular hepatic steatosis caused by CGI-58 deficiency.Both Plin2 and Plin3 are involved in lipid droplet formation and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes,and Plin3 shows a stronger effect.
9.Combined CT-based extracellular volume with pathologic indicators predicts early postoperative recurrence of gastric mesenchymal tumors
Hong LU ; Haitao LI ; Ping CAI ; Xinyue DU ; Xiaoqin YIN ; Guishen JIANG ; Huafeng CHAI ; Xue WEI ; Yali DENG ; Guolan DENG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(23):2661-2669
Objective To investigate the clinical value of extracellular volume(ECV)based on CT delayed phase in combination with pathologic indicators in predicting early recurrence of gastric mesenchymal tumors after surgery.Methods A retrospective case-control trial was conducted on the imaging,clinical and pathological data of 110 patients with gastric mesenchymal tumors who were surgically resected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2011 to August 2022.They were 60 males and 50 females,at a mean age of 58±10 years.All of them received preoperative multiphase dynamic CT enhancement examination of the abdomen,and ECV value was calculated with the formula:ECV=(1-hematocrit)×(△HU tumor/△HU aorta).According to the postoperative recurrence within 24 months after surgery,they were divided into early recurrence group and non early recurrence group.Statistical indexes:① Consistency analysis.② The factors affecting early recurrence after resection of gastric mesenchymal stromal tumors were analyzed and a prediction model was conducted.Delong test was used to assess the predictive value of the model.Then a nomogram was plotted based on the combines model,and calibration curves were drawn to assess the efficacy of the column charts,and decision curve analysis(DCA)was adopted to assess the value of the model for clinical application.Results ① Consistency analysis.After 2 radiologists outlined the region of interest and obtained ECV value according to the above formula,The intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)was 0.806.② For the 110 subjected patients,21 cases of them had early recurrence,and 89 one did not.Multivariate analysis showed that ECV value,risk degree,and tumor length were independent influencing factors for predicting early recurrence.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve(AUC)value of ECV,hazard degree,and tumor length diameter in predicting early recurrence was 0.838(95%CI 0.758~0.918),0.774(95%CI 0.656~0.892),and 0.700(95%CI 0.589~0.810),respectively,and the value of their combined model was 0.899(95%CI 0.811~0.987),which was higher than that of each independent model.The sensitivity and specificity of the combined model was 85.71%and 86.52%,respectively,and the optimal cutoff value was 0.19.Delong test revealed that there was statistical difference between the combined model and the clinical model established by the hazard level(Z=6.548,P<0.001,95%CI 0.140~0.259).Calibration curve analysis suggested that the combined model had a better fit,and DCA displayed that the combined model had a better net benefit.Conclusion The model established by ECV combined with pathological indicators has good predictive performance and can be used as a more effective predictor of early recurrence of gastric mesenchymal tumors after surgery.
10.Fatigue development trajectory and its influencing factors in middle-aged and elderly patients with stroke
Xiaolan XIONG ; Jian XIE ; Hongyuan DENG ; Xiaoqin MAO
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(19):123-128
Objective To analyze the trajectory categories of fatigue development in middle-aged and elderly stroke patients and explore its influencing factors. Methods A convenient sampling method was used to select 230 middle-aged and elderly stroke patients in the Luzhou People's Hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 as the research subjects. A self-compiled general information-questionnaire, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical data, fatigue, sleep quality, and depression status of patients at 2 days after admission and 3 and 6 months after discharge. The latent growth curve model was used to fit the categories and trajectories of fatigue development, and the unordered multinomial Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of trajectory categories of fatigue development. Results The fatigue development trajectory of middle-aged and elderly stroke patients showed three potential categories, namely the low-level fatigue stability group (33.04%), the medium-level fatigue rapid aggravation group (42.17%), and the high-level fatigue slow aggravation group (24.79%). The results of unordered multinomial Logistic regression analysis showed that age, marital status, education level, disease severity, the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) score, PSQI score, and BDI score were the influencing factors of fatigue development trajectory in middle-aged and elderly stroke patients (all


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