1.Mechanistic Interpretation of Zheng’s San Qi San Powder in Treating Skeletal Muscle Injury via Bioinformatics Prediction, Chemical Analysis and Experimental Verification
Ding-Rui WANG ; Yun-Xin LIU ; Jun-Jie XU ; Liu YANG ; Jia-Hao LÜ ; Cheng-Yuan XING ; Lei LÜ ; Bei-Bei QIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1028-1047
ObjectiveZheng’s San Qi San (ZSQS) power, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used for treating soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify pharmaceutically active ingredients and their candidate biomolecule targets, and further elucidate the molecular mechanism of ZSQS in the treatment of skeletal muscle injury. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to construct “ZSQS-component-target”, “protein-protein interaction (PPI)” and “active ingredient-core protein-pathway” networks to predict the key active ingredients and potential core targets of ZSQS for skeletal muscle injury. The predicted results were then validated via microarray data from the GEO database. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding ability between the screened active ingredients of ZSQS and the candidate core targets. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis to verify the active components of the drug and ZSQS serum. Finally, an animal model of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury and a myotube cell model of oxidative stress-induced injury were established to validate the effects of ZSQS and its interventional effects on the biological functions of critical targets, thereby demonstrating the potential therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. ResultsAmong the 111 active components identified in ZSQS and their corresponding 204 targets related to the skeletal muscle injury repair process, 14 core targets (including AKT1) and 4 core active components (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and β‑sitosterol) were screened out, while the corresponding metabolites of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were detected in the ZSQS serum. Among these targets, 5 candidate genes (IL-6, CASP3, HIF1A, STAT3, and JUN) overlapped with the differential expression screening results with GEO data, and IL-6 was confirmed to be enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Combined with the prediction results of the AKT expression levels, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation level of AKT1 plays a core role in the therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that the PH domain of AKT1 had high binding energy with all 4 core active components, as verified by LC-MS. Finally, animal model studies have shown the promoting effect of ZSQS administration on skeletal muscle injury repair and its possible antioxidant damage mechanism. Cell model studies further demonstrated that ZSQS-containing serum, core active ingredient combination therapy, and quercetin monomer could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT, promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GR), and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. ConclusionZSQS alleviates skeletal muscle injury mainly by activating the AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and modernized development of ZSQS.
2.Resistance of Culex pipiens pallens to commonly used insecticides in Hefei City, Anhui Province
WANG Wenjun ; WEN Xing ; XU Hongping ; TANG Zihao ; ZHANG Lei
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(3):339-
Objective To understand and grasp the status quo of resistance of Culex pipiens pallens to four commonly used insecticides in Hefei City, and to provide a scientific basis for the chemical control of mosquito larvae. Methods From June to July 2023, Cx. pipiens pallens larvae were collected from 9 counties (cities and districts) in Hefei City. The LC50 of late third-instar to early fourth-instar larvae of Cx. pipiens pallens to commonly used insecticides was determined by larval immersion method (sensitive baseline method). Results Cx.pipiens pallens larvae in Hefei City exhibited different degrees of resistance to four insecticides: permethrin, beta-cypermethrin, temephos, and propoxur. The relative resistance coefficients to permethrin and beta-cypermethrin were 26.96 and 21.17, respectively, indicating the moderate resistance level. The relative resistance coefficients to propoxur were 6.70, indicating a low resistance level. The relative resistance coefficient to temephos was 2.43, indicating a sensitivity level. Culex pipiens pallens against pyrethroids such as 0.25% permethrin, 0.025% deltamethrin and 0.025% cypermethrin in 1 h knockout rate and 24 h mortality rates were 3.25% (4/123) and 46.34% (57/123), 3.60% (5/139) and 35.97% (50/139), 3.85% (6/156) and 40.38% (63/156), respectively. For 5% malathion and 0.1% propoxur, the 1 h knockdown rate and 24 h mortality rate were 97.69% (127/130) and 99.23% (129/130), 94.48% (137/145) and 100.00% (145/145), respectively. It showed resistance to 0.25% permethrin, 0.025% deltamethrin and 0.025% cypermethrin, and sensitivity to 5% malathion and 0.1% propoxur. Conclusions Culex pipiens pallens in Hefei City have developed varying degrees of resistance to parathyroid and carbamate insecticides. In the control of mosquito vectors, it is essential to strengthen the scientific and rational use of chemical control in combination with environmental and physical control measures to form an integrated control strategy. This approach will improve the control efficiency while delaying the occurrence and development of insecticide resistance.
3.Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Support in Sleep Quality of Nurses: in Tertiary Hospitals: A Nationwide Multicenter Cross-sectional Study
Yuexi WANG ; Yuanyuan MI ; Xing CHEN ; Lei BAO ; Fei TIAN ; Yeqiu HUANG ; Junhua WANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1493-1500
To investigate the current status of sleep quality among nurses in tertiary hospitals in China, analyze the correlations of work stress and perceived organizational support with the risk of sleep problems, and further examine the mediating effect of perceived organizational support between work stress and sleep problems in nurses. A multi-stage cluster stratified random sampling method was employed to select nurses from tertiary hospitals in different regions across China from October 2023 to April 2024 as research subjects to investigate the current status of their sleep quality. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was conducted to examine the linear/non-linear relationships between work stress, perceived organizational support, and the risk of sleep problems in nurses. The Bootstrap method was applied to test the mediating effect of perceived organizational support between work stress and sleep problems in nurses. A total of 6634 nurses from tertiary hospitals were surveyed in this study, with 6106 valid questionnaires recovered, yielding a response rate of 92.04%. The 6106 nurses were divided into eastern ( The nurses in tertiary hospitals in China usually present poor sleep quality. Perceived organizational support plays a partial mediating role between work stress and sleep problems in nurses. Therefore, enhancing the level of organizational support can help alleviate the impact of work stress on sleep quality.
4.Analysis of Methadone-Related Poisoning Cases
Ze-Qi LI ; Lei XING ; Hui-Ge ZHANG ; Li-Rou HE ; Jia-Yi ZHANG ; Jia-Qi WANG ; Shi-Hao LIU ; Wei-Hong YANG
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(2):160-167
Objective To analyze the characteristics of methadone-related poisoning cases and provide a reference for forensic identification.Methods A total of 71 cases of methadone-related poisoning re-ported from 1998 to 2023 in China and 26 cases of methadone-related deaths reported from 2013 to 2018 in Italy were retrieved from databases including PubMed,Wanfang and CNKI.The general infor-mation,forensic pathological and toxicological characteristics were analyzed.Results Among the 71 methadone-related poisoning cases in China,there were 54 cases(76.06%)of poisoning without death and 17 cases(23.94%)of death from poisoning.There were 54 male cases(76.06%),and 51 cases(71.83%)aged 19 to 39 years old.There were 35 cases(49.30%)of poisoning caused by methadone alone,and 32 cases(45.07%)were poisoning caused by methadone combined with other substances or drugs including heroin and benzodiazepines.Most of the poisoned showed coma,respiratory depres-sion and miosis.Signs of asphyxia were often found by autopsy.The mass concentration of methadone detected in the blood of 6 deceased ranged from 0.112 to 3.000 mg/L.Among the 26 methadone-related deaths in Italy,22 cases were male(84.62%).There were 6 cases(23.08%)caused by methadone alone,and 20 cases(76.92%)died from methadone combined with other substances or drugs.The mass concentration of methadone in blood ranged from 0.181 to 4.059 mg/L.Conclusion The propor-tions of poisoning cases caused by methadone alone and methadone combined with other substances or drugs are comparable in China.The majority of deceased caused by methadone poisoning shows typi-cal triad of coma,respiratory depression and miosis,which helps forensic experts determine the cause of death related to methadone.Additionally,it is necessary to increase the routine testing of the con-centration of methadone and its combined substances or drugs in deceased,and collect data for the in-terpretation of the results of related cases.
5.Differences and similarities of multimodal magnetic resonance brain imaging in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Yujie XING ; Qitong JIANG ; Zhenzhu CHEN ; Lei ZHAO ; Yunyi HAN ; Yimeng WANG ; Chuanyue WANG ; Qijing BO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(6):525-531
Brain imaging abnormalities are present in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD), demonstrating disease-specific changes, yet they also share similarities in certain brain regions or functional characteristics, with SZ potentially exhibiting more extensive brain damage compared to BD. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrated widespread gray matter reductions in SZ, particularly in the prefrontal and temporal lobes. In BD, gray matter thickening was observed in the prefrontal lobes during manic episodes, while a reduction in gray matter was noted in the amygdala and hippocampus during depressive episodes. Both SZ and BD exhibited increased ventricular volume and reduced overall brain volume. Functional MRI studies revealed reduced functional connectivity in the prefrontal and temporal lobes in SZ, with decreased global and local efficiency in brain regions such as the hippocampus and cingulate gyrus. BD showed enhanced connectivity in the anterior cingulate gyrus and the default mode network (DMN). Both SZ and BD demonstrated altered functional connectivity in areas such as the striatum, salience network, central executive network and DMN. Diffusion tensor imaging studies showed decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the corpus callosum of SZ, with a decrease in FA in the left fronto-occipital fasciculus in BD. Both SZ and BD exhibited reduced FA in the uncinate fasciculus and corpus callosum. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed decreased concentrations of glutathione, N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and inositol in the anterior cingulate gyrus of SZ. In BD, glutathione and inositol concentrations were elevated in the anterior cingulate gyrus, while NAA levels decreased during depressive episodes and increased during remission. Both SZ and BD showed increased levels of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the prefrontal cortex. This article provides a review of the current evidence on the differences and similarities in multimodal magnetic resonance brain imaging between SZ and BD, aiming to offer a reference for future exploration of neuroimaging biomarkers and the neurobiological mechanisms of SZ and BD.
6.Clinical Characteristics of Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with NUP98::HOXA9 Fusion Gene.
Hai-Xia CAO ; Ya-Min WU ; Shu-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Dan CHEN ; Jing-Han HU ; Xiao-Qian GENG ; Fang WANG ; Ling SUN ; Zhong-Xing JIANG ; Zhi-Lei BIAN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1241-1247
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of adult AML patients with NUP98::HOXA9 fusion gene.
METHODS:
From May 2017 to October 2023, among 2 113 AML patients who visited the Hematology Department of our hospital, patients with NUP98 rearrangements were screened. The clinical characteristics, chromosome karyotypes, immunophenotypes, gene mutations, treatment efficacy and prognosis of the patients with NUP98::HOXA9 positive were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Among the 2 113 AML patients, there were 18 cases with NUP98 rearrangement, including 14 NUP98::HOXA9 positive cases, with a detection rate of 0.66% (14/2 113). The median age of the NUP98::HOXA9 positive patients was 42.5 (23-64) years old. The most common chromosome karyotype was t(7; 11)(p15; p15). The immunophenotypes of all patients expressed CD13, CD33, CD117 and CD38, and most patients expressed CD34 and cMPO, while only a few expressed HLA-DR. Second-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to detect genetic mutations associated with leukemia in all 14 patients, and the genes exhibiting a high frequency of mutation were WT1 (10/14), TET2 (7/14), and FLT3-ITD (6/14). Additionally, mutations were also observed in KRAS/NRAS, IDH1, and KIT. Of the 13 patients who received treatment, 9 achieved complete remission (CR), and all 3 patients who received azacytidine(AZA)+ venetoclax (VEN) regimen achieved CR after the first course of treatment. Within this cohort, 6 patients were classified as relapsed/refractory (6/13). 4 patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), of which two achieved long-term survival. The median follow-up time was 12 (2.1-65.0) months, while the median overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were recorded as 11.4 months and 9.6 months, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The most common type of NUP98 rearrangement in adults AML patients is NUP98::HOXA9 , which is often accompanied by somatic mutations in WT1, TET2, and FLT3-ITD. These patients are prone to relapse, have short survival time, and generally face poor prognoses. Hopefully, utilization of the AZA+VEN regimen is anticipated to enhance the rate of induced remission in the patients, and some patients may prolong their survival through allo-HSCT. However, more effective treatment methods are still needed to improve the overall prognosis of these patients.
Humans
;
Adult
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Prognosis
;
Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins/genetics*
;
Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Young Adult
;
Homeodomain Proteins/genetics*
7.Development and dissemination of precision medicine approaches in gastric cancer management.
Zhemin LI ; Jiafu JI ; Guoxin LI ; Ziyu LI ; Zhaode BU ; Xiangyu GAO ; Di DONG ; Lei TANG ; Xiaofang XING ; Shuqin JIA ; Ting GUO ; Lianhai ZHANG ; Fei SHAN ; Xin JI ; Anqiang WANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(5):864-867
Gastric cancer is a high-incidence malignancy that poses a serious threat to public health in China, ranking among the top three cancers in both incidence and mortality. The majority of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in limited treatment options and poor prognosis. To address key challenges in gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment, a research team led by Professor Jiafu Ji at Peking University Cancer Hospital has focused on the project "Development and Dissemination of Precision Medicine Approaches in Gastric Cancer Management". Through a series of high-quality multicenter clinical studies, the team established a set of new international standards in perioperative treatment, individua-lized drug selection, intelligent noninvasive diagnostics, and novel immunotherapy strategies. These advances have significantly improved treatment efficacy and reduced surgical trauma, achieving key technological breakthroughs in diagnosis, therapy, and mechanistic understanding, and systematically enhancing outcomes for gastric cancer patients. The project ' s findings had a broad international impact, including hosting China ' s first International Gastric Cancer Congress. Through nationwide dissemination, they have promoted the development of precision diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer as a discipline, and led the formulation of the National Health Commission's guidelines for gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment. In recognition of its achievements, the project was awarded the First Prize of the 2024 Chinese Medical Science and Technology Award.
Stomach Neoplasms/genetics*
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Humans
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Precision Medicine/methods*
;
China
;
Immunotherapy/methods*
8.Differential diagnosis of BPPV and CPPV and treatment of refractory BPPV.
Weijia KONG ; Taisheng CHEN ; Liyi WANG ; Dongzhen YU ; Qingqing DAI ; Ganggang CHEN ; Jing WANG ; Xiangli ZENG ; Juanli XING ; Yan LEI ; Haiying SUN
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(10):899-906
9.Quercetin ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats by regulating L-type calcium channels.
Hongyan SUN ; Guoqing LU ; Chengwen FU ; Mengwen XU ; Xiaoyi ZHU ; Guoquan XING ; Leqiang LIU ; Yufei KE ; Lemei CUI ; Ruiyang CHEN ; Lei WANG ; Pinfang KANG ; Bi TANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(3):531-541
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effects of quercetin on cuproptosis and L-type calcium currents in the myocardium of diabetic rats.
METHODS:
Forty SD rats were randomized into control group and diabetic model groups. The rat models of diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection were further divided into DM model group, quercetin treatment group, and empagliflozin treatment group (n=10). Blood glucose and body weight were measured every other week, and cardiac function of the rats was evaluated using echocardiography. HE staining, Sirius red staining, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) analysis were used to observe the changes in myocardial histomorphology, and serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression were detected. In cultured rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells with high-glucose exposure, the effects of quercetin and elesclomol, alone or in combination, on intracellular CK-MB and LDH levels and FDX1 expression were assessed, and the changes in L-type calcium currents were analyzed using patch-clamp technique.
RESULTS:
The diabetic rats exhibited elevated blood glucose, reduced body weight, impaired left ventricular function, increased serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression, decreased L-type calcium currents, and prolonged action potential duration. Quercetin and empagliflozin treatment significantly lowered blood glucose, improved body weight, and restored cardiac function of the diabetic rats, and compared with empagliflozin, quercetin more effectively reduced serum copper levels, downregulated FDX1 expression, and enhanced myocardial L-type calcium currents in diabetic rats. In H9c2 cells, high glucose exposure significantly increased myocardial expressions of FDX1, CK-MB and LDH, which were effectively lowered by quercetin treatment; Elesclomol further elevated FDX1, CK-MB and LDH levels in the exposed cells, and these changes were not significantly affected by the application of quercetin.
CONCLUSIONS
Quercetin ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats possibly by suppressing myocardial cuproptosis signaling and restoring L-type calcium channel activity.
Animals
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Quercetin/pharmacology*
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Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Rats
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Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects*
;
Myocardium/pathology*
;
Male
10.Autophagy reduces bacterial translocation by regulating intestinal mucosal oxidative stress.
Xing LU ; Chengfen YIN ; Yaxiao SU ; Xinjing GAO ; Fengmei WANG ; Lei XU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(2):153-159
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the mechanism of autophagy in regulating bacterial translocation in intestinal infection caused by hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumonia (hvKp) and explore the method of reducing translocation infection of intestinal bacteria.
METHODS:
Fifty C57BL/6J mice were divided into gavage group (n = 40) and control group (CO group, n = 10). The gavage group was orally administered with 200 μL/d of hvKp (colony count of 109 CFU/mL) continuously for 5 days to establish a hvKp intestinal infection model. CO group was given an equal amount of normal saline. After the experiment, the mice were anesthetized with lsofluraneand euthanized with cervical dislocation under anesthesia. Peripheral venous blood of mice was collected to detect bacterial translocation by 16S rDNA sequencing, then divided into translocation group (BT+ group) and non-translocation group (BT- group). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate intestinal morphology. The ultrastructural changes of intestinal tissues were observed by electron microscope. The levels of intestinal oxidative stress indicators such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured. Translocation was detected by in situ hybridization. The expression of tight junction protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and autophagy protein Beclin-1 were measured by Western blotting. The mRNA expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Claudin-2 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of autophagy protein and tight junction protein were observed by immunofluorescence.
RESULTS:
Two out of 40 mice in the gavage group died after developing aspiration pneumonia. All mice in the CO group survived. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that no bacteria were detected in the peripheral blood of the CO group, but bacteria were detected in the peripheral blood of 18 mice in the gavage group, with a bacterial translocation rate of 47.4%. The BT- and BT+ groups showed intestinal mucosal tissue damage, with severe damage in the BT+ group. Compared with the CO group, the level of MDA in the BT- and BT+ groups were significantly increased, while the activities of SOD and GPx were significantly decreased. Compared with the BT- group, the MDA level in the BT+ group further increased, while the SOD and GPx activities further decreased [MDA (mmol/mg): 2.98±0.11 vs. 2.48±0.11, SOD (U/mg): 62.40±5.45 vs. 73.40±4.08, GPx (U/mg): 254.72±10.80 vs. 303.55±8.57, all P < 0.01]. The results of in situ hybridization detection showed that after continuous gastric lavage for 5 days, displaced hvKp was detected in the intestinal mucosal lamina propria and liver tissue of the BT+ group. Compared with the CO group, the protein expressions of LC3-II and Beclin-1 in the BT- and BT+ groups were significantly increased. The protein expressions of LC3-II and Beclin-1 in the BT+ group were obviously lower than those in the BT- group (LC3-II/β-actin: 0.38±0.04 vs. 0.70±0.09, Beclin-1/β-actin: 0.62±0.05 vs. 0.86±0.05, both P < 0.01), and there were autophagosomes in the intestinal mucosa. These results indicated that intestinal mucosal autophagy was activated after hvKp continuous gavage. Compared with CO group, the mRNA expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-2 in the BT- and BT+ groups were significantly decreased. Compared with the BT- group, the mRNA expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-2 in the BT+ group was further reduced [ZO-1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 0.78±0.06 vs. 0.88±0.06, Claudin-2 mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 0.40±0.04 vs. 0.70±0.06, both P < 0.01]. The immunofluorescence results showed that the fluorescence intensity of LC3-II, Beclin-1, ZO-1, and Claudin-2 in the BT+ group was significantly lower than that in the BT- group.
CONCLUSION
HvKp can activate intestinal mucosal autophagy and reduce the damage to intestinal mucosal barrier function by down-regulating oxidative stress level, reduce the occurrence of bacterial translocation.
Animals
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Oxidative Stress
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Autophagy
;
Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology*
;
Bacterial Translocation
;
Mice
;
Klebsiella Infections/microbiology*
;
Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
;
Beclin-1

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