1.Vascular Protection of Neferine on Attenuating Angiotensin II-Induced Blood Pressure Elevation by Integrated Network Pharmacology Analysis and RNA-Sequencing Approach.
A-Ling SHEN ; Xiu-Li ZHANG ; Zhi GUO ; Mei-Zhu WU ; Ying CHENG ; Da-Wei LIAN ; Chang-Geng FU ; Jun PENG ; Min YU ; Ke-Ji CHEN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(8):694-706
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the functional roles and underlying mechanisms of neferine in the context of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction.
METHODS:
Male mice were infused with Ang II to induce hypertension and randomly divided into treatment groups receiving neferine or a control vehicle based on baseline blood pressure using a random number table method. The hypertensive mouse model was constructed by infusing Ang II via a micro-osmotic pump (500 ng/kg per minute), and neferine (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg), valsartan (10 mg/kg), or double distilled water was administered intragastrically once daily for 6 weeks. A non-invasive blood pressure system, ultrasound, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to assess blood pressure and vascular changes. RNA sequencing and network pharmacology were employed to identify differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) and pathways. Vascular ring tension assay was used to test vascular function. A7R5 cells were incubated with neferine for 24 h and then treated with Ang II to record the real-time Ca2+ concentration by confocal microscope. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to evaluate vasorelaxation, calcium, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway.
RESULTS:
Neferine treatment effectively mitigated the elevation in blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, aortic thickening in the abdominal aorta of Ang II-infused mice (P<0.05). RNA sequencing and network pharmacology analysis identified 355 DETs that were significantly reversed by neferine treatment, along with 25 potential target genes, which were further enriched in multiple pathways and biological processes, such as ERK1 and ERK2 cascade regulation, calcium pathway, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. Further investigation revealed that neferine treatment enhanced vasorelaxation and reduced Ca2+-dependent contraction of abdominal aortic rings, independent of endothelium function (P<0.05). The underlying mechanisms were mediated, at least in part, via suppression of receptor-operated channels, store-operated channels, or voltage-operated calcium channels. Neferine pre-treatment demonstrated a reduction in intracellular Ca2+ release in Ang II stimulated A7R5 cells. IHC staining and Western blot confirmed that neferine treatment effectively attenuated the upregulation of p-ERK1/2 both in vivo and in vitro, which was similar with treatment of ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Neferine remarkably alleviates Ang II-induced elevation of blood pressure, vascular dysfunction, and pathological changes in the abdominal aorta. This beneficial effect is mediated by the modulation of multiple pathways, including calcium and ERK1/2 pathways.
Animals
;
Angiotensin II
;
Male
;
Benzylisoquinolines/therapeutic use*
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Blood Pressure/drug effects*
;
Sequence Analysis, RNA
;
Mice
;
Hypertension/chemically induced*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Calcium/metabolism*
2.Experimental and Computational Investigation of pH-Dependent Urease Conformational Dynamics and Its Impact on MICP Efficiency
Qiu-Cai ZHANG ; Yi-Fei ZHENG ; Mei-Zhong HUANG ; Xiu-Kang SHEN ; Ling-Ling WU ; Zhi-Jun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):879-894
The engineering application of microbially induced carbonate precipitation(MICP)is limited by pH-dependent conformational dynamics of urease.Focusing on the α-subunit urease from Sporosarcina pasteurii,this study integrated conductivity experiments and constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations to analyze active site conformational dynamics and catalytic function across pH 3-11.Results showed that under neutral conditions(pH 7-8),key histidine residues(HIS139/HIS249)exhibited minimal dis-placement(<0.5 ?),the longest hydrogen bond lifetime(>8 ps),highest conformational stability(root mean square deviation,RMSD:0.15-0.18 nm),and optimal catalytic activity(conductivity change rate:0.03 mS/cm·min-1,CaCO3 precipitation:3.84 g).Extreme pH(pH 3/11)induced structural collapse(displacement up to 1.8 ?)and complete activity loss.Simulations revealed that neutral pH sta-bilizes a protonation-dependent cooperative allosteric network by maintaining active site cavity volume(~120 ?3)and moderate conformational coherence(correlation coefficient~0.8).This work deciphers the molecular mechanism of pH-regulated urease dynamics through protonation states,providing theoreti-cal support for MICP applications in acidic mine tailing remediation and alkaline soil stabilization.
3.Experimental and Computational Investigation of pH-Dependent Urease Conformational Dynamics and Its Impact on MICP Efficiency
Qiu-Cai ZHANG ; Yi-Fei ZHENG ; Mei-Zhong HUANG ; Xiu-Kang SHEN ; Ling-Ling WU ; Zhi-Jun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):879-894
The engineering application of microbially induced carbonate precipitation(MICP)is limited by pH-dependent conformational dynamics of urease.Focusing on the α-subunit urease from Sporosarcina pasteurii,this study integrated conductivity experiments and constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations to analyze active site conformational dynamics and catalytic function across pH 3-11.Results showed that under neutral conditions(pH 7-8),key histidine residues(HIS139/HIS249)exhibited minimal dis-placement(<0.5 ?),the longest hydrogen bond lifetime(>8 ps),highest conformational stability(root mean square deviation,RMSD:0.15-0.18 nm),and optimal catalytic activity(conductivity change rate:0.03 mS/cm·min-1,CaCO3 precipitation:3.84 g).Extreme pH(pH 3/11)induced structural collapse(displacement up to 1.8 ?)and complete activity loss.Simulations revealed that neutral pH sta-bilizes a protonation-dependent cooperative allosteric network by maintaining active site cavity volume(~120 ?3)and moderate conformational coherence(correlation coefficient~0.8).This work deciphers the molecular mechanism of pH-regulated urease dynamics through protonation states,providing theoreti-cal support for MICP applications in acidic mine tailing remediation and alkaline soil stabilization.
4.Ameliorative effects of sweet potato leaf extract on mammary gland oxidative stress and rumenmicrobiota in dairy goats under high concentrate feeding pattern
Ziqing XIU ; Ling ZHANG ; Junqiu ZHANG ; Yu CHEN ; Mgeni MUSA ; Yongjiang WU ; Juncai CHEN ; Yawang SUN ; You YANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(9):1952-1964
This study aimed to investigate the effects of sweet potato leaf extract on production per-formance,systematic and mammary gland oxidative stress status and rumen microbiota of dairy goats fed high concentrate diets.Twenty Guanzhong dairy goats with same parity,similar lactation period(120±15)d and healthy body condition were selected and randomly divided into four groups:low-concentrate(LC),low-concentrate supplemented with 1%sweet potato leaf extract(LCS),high-concentrate(HC)and high-concentrate supplemented with 1%sweet potato leaf ex-tract(HCS).The experimental period was 35 days.The results showed that in the third week,milk yield in the HCS group was significantly higher than that in the LC and LCS groups(P<0.05).The content of lipopolysaccharide in the rumen fluid of the HC group was significantly higher than that of the other three groups(P<0.05),the content of malondialdehyde in the serum of the HC group was significantly higher than that of the LCS group(P<0.05),the content of reactive oxygen species,protein carbonyl,8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the milk of the HC group was sig-nificantly higher than that of the LC and LCS groups(P<0.05),GSH-Px in HCS group was sig-nificantly higher than that in the other three groups(P<0.05).After the addition of sweet potato leaf extract,there was an increasing trend in the content of Anabaena phylum at the phylum level.In the joint analysis of genera,rumen fluid LPS showed highly significant negative correlation with Succiniclasticum(P<0.01)and negative correlation with Prevotella(P<0.05).Valeric acid was negatively correlated with Prevotella(P<0.05).The pH value was negatively correlated with Treponema(P<0.05).Butyric acid was positively correlated with Anaeroplasma(P<0.05).In conclusion,the addition of sweet potato leaf extract to the diet can increase milk production and al-leviate the state of mammary gland oxidative stress,as well as improving rumen microbial diversi-ty of dairy goats.
5.Ameliorative effects of sweet potato leaf extract on mammary gland oxidative stress and rumenmicrobiota in dairy goats under high concentrate feeding pattern
Ziqing XIU ; Ling ZHANG ; Junqiu ZHANG ; Yu CHEN ; Mgeni MUSA ; Yongjiang WU ; Juncai CHEN ; Yawang SUN ; You YANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(9):1952-1964
This study aimed to investigate the effects of sweet potato leaf extract on production per-formance,systematic and mammary gland oxidative stress status and rumen microbiota of dairy goats fed high concentrate diets.Twenty Guanzhong dairy goats with same parity,similar lactation period(120±15)d and healthy body condition were selected and randomly divided into four groups:low-concentrate(LC),low-concentrate supplemented with 1%sweet potato leaf extract(LCS),high-concentrate(HC)and high-concentrate supplemented with 1%sweet potato leaf ex-tract(HCS).The experimental period was 35 days.The results showed that in the third week,milk yield in the HCS group was significantly higher than that in the LC and LCS groups(P<0.05).The content of lipopolysaccharide in the rumen fluid of the HC group was significantly higher than that of the other three groups(P<0.05),the content of malondialdehyde in the serum of the HC group was significantly higher than that of the LCS group(P<0.05),the content of reactive oxygen species,protein carbonyl,8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the milk of the HC group was sig-nificantly higher than that of the LC and LCS groups(P<0.05),GSH-Px in HCS group was sig-nificantly higher than that in the other three groups(P<0.05).After the addition of sweet potato leaf extract,there was an increasing trend in the content of Anabaena phylum at the phylum level.In the joint analysis of genera,rumen fluid LPS showed highly significant negative correlation with Succiniclasticum(P<0.01)and negative correlation with Prevotella(P<0.05).Valeric acid was negatively correlated with Prevotella(P<0.05).The pH value was negatively correlated with Treponema(P<0.05).Butyric acid was positively correlated with Anaeroplasma(P<0.05).In conclusion,the addition of sweet potato leaf extract to the diet can increase milk production and al-leviate the state of mammary gland oxidative stress,as well as improving rumen microbial diversi-ty of dairy goats.
6.Application of predictive nursing to the rehabilitation of patients after endoscopic surgery for prostate under the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery
Qian MENG ; Lei YU ; Xin WANG ; Meng-ling WU ; Xiu-qin YE
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(9):823-826
Objective:To explore the efficacy of predictive nursing on the recovery of patients after endoscopic surgery for prostate under the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS).Methods:A total of 82 patients with benign prostatic hyper-plasia who underwent surgery from February 2022 to February 2023 were divided into control group(n=41)with traditional care and the observation group(n=41)with predictive care based on the difference in nursing methods.And the clinical data of the two groups were compared.Results:The observation group showed lower incidence rates than the control group for all individual complications(urinary tract infection[2.44%vs 4.88%],hemorrhage[2.44%vs 7.32%],bladder spasm[0%vs 4.88%],and hypostatic pneumonia[0%vs 2.44%]),though none reached statistical significance(P>0.05).However,the total complication rate was sig-nificantly lower in the observation group(4.88%vs 19.51%,P<0.05).Notably,the observation group demonstrated significantly lower IPSS scores(5.49±1.53 vs 10.35±1.77,P<0.05)and shorter hospital stays([5.26±0.38]dvs[9.95±0.84]d,P<0.05).Additionally,nursing satisfaction was markedly higher in the observation group(92.68%vs 78.95%,P<0.05).Conclusion:Theapplication of ERAS-guided anticipatory nursing in postoperative rehabilitation for patients with benign prostatic hy-perplasia can significantly improve quality of life,reduce complication rates,shorten hospital stays,and enhance patient satisfaction.
7.Chemical constituents from n-butanol fraction of Corydalis impatiens and their antioxidant activities
Chao-Fan DENG ; Ze-Dong NAN ; Zhen-Zhen WANG ; Jing-Ling YANG ; Zhen-Yu AN ; Xiu-Li WU ; Xiao-Li MA ; Zhi-Bo JIANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(11):3671-3676
AIM To study the chemical constituents from n-butanol fraction of Corydalis impatiens(Pall.)Fisch.and their antioxidant activities.METHODS The n-butanol fraction was isolated and purified by silica gel,MCI,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH method and tyrosinase method.RESULTS Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as nicotinamide(1),methyl L-pyroglutamate(2),bungeanoline F(3),monomethyl fumarate(4),5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5),4-hydroxybenzoic acid(6),hydroxybenzoate(7),methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(8),methyl ferulate(9),dimethylcaffeic acid(10),dimethyl feruloyl malate(11),(-)-4-O-feruloylquinic acid(12),syringaresinol(13)and(-)-loliolide(14).Compounds 1,8,11 and 13 showed strong antioxidant activites on DPPH free radicals,with IC50 values ranging from 54.47 to 97.4 μmol/L.Compound 13 had potential inhibitory effect on tyrosinase.CONCLUSION Compounds 4-14 are first isolated from Corydalis genus,and 3 is isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 1,8,11 and 13 have strong antioxidant activities.
8.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.
9.Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Gold Nanoparticle-based Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Rapid Detection of Deltamethrin
Pan-Pan CUI ; Gui-Xiu WANG ; Yan-Ling WU ; Zhao-Xian ZHANG ; Yuan DING ; Xiu-De HUA
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(6):828-837,中插20-中插23
In this study,nine hybridoma cells secreting monoclonal antibodies against deltamethrin were prepared,and the monoclonal antibody 4D4E11 with best sensitivity was selected to develop indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) and gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for detection of deltamethrin. The optimal working buffer for ic-ELISA was 0.01 mol/L phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) containing 0.2 mol/L NaCl and 20% methanol,while 0.01 mol/L phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) containing 1 mol/L NaCl,5‰Tween-20 and 10%methanol for LFIA. Under the optimal conditions,the half inhibition concentration (IC50) and limit of detection (IC10) of ic-ELISA were 10.60 ng/mL and 1.43 ng/mL respectively,and the limit of detection of the developed LFIA was 0.5μg/mL. The developed ic-ELISA and LFIA showed no cross-reactivities (CRs) with eight kinds of analogues of deltamethrin,which indicated the excellent specificity of proposed immunoassays. The average recoveries of the ic-ELISA in spiked tomato,cabbage and lettuce samples were 79.8%-92.6%with relative standard deviations of 0.8%-5.5%. The detection results of LFIA were consistent with the spiked concentrations in the range of 1-5 mg/kg. Meanwhile,the results of ic-ELISA and LFIA showed close correlation with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the test of blind lettuce samples. The experimental results demonstrated that the two immunoassays proposed here were suitable for rapid detection of deltamethrin with high sensitivity and high accuracy.
10.Investigation of medical humanistic practice ability of nurses and factors affecting their practices: a questionnaire-based analysis of 1196 cases in a general hospital in Hunan Province.
Ling ZHANG ; Jun LI ; Ming YANG ; Qiong ZHANG ; Xiu Ying WU ; Qing Xia WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(1):139-144
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate humanistic practice ability of nurses in a general hospital in Hunan Province and analyze the factors affecting their practices to provide evidence for interventions to improve humanistic practice ability of the nurses.
METHODS:
A total of 1196 nurses were surveyed using a self-designed questionnaire and a nurse humanistic practice ability assessment scale questionnaire for assessment of their abilities for humanistic care practice, psychological adjustment, interpersonal communication, self-management, ethics and legal practice. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for analysis of the factors affecting the practice abilities of the nurses.
RESULTS:
The total score of humanistic practice ability of the 1196 nurses was 105.69±16.45 (the full score of the scale was 130), and the scores of humanistic care practice ability, psychological adjustment ability, interpersonal communication ability, self-management ability, ethics and legal practice ability were 40.95±6.46, 16.41±2.66, 16.41±2.66, 11.32±2.05 and 12.43±2.00, respectively. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender (P=0.033), age (P < 0.001), department (P=0.015), working years (P < 0.001), professional title (P < 0.001), first academic degree (P < 0.001), highest academic degree (P < 0.001), family location (P=0.010), marital status (P=0.023), number of patients to care for (P=0.022), number of children (P=0.001), previous humanities related training (P < 0.001), training times (P < 0.001), and care received from family members (P < 0.001) and colleagues (P < 0.001) were all the factors affecting humanistic practice ability of the nurses. Among these factors, age, working in department of obstetrics and gynecology and emergency department, professional title, humanities training, and care from family and colleagues explained 20.7% of the variance.
CONCLUSION
The humanistic practice ability of nurses in this general hospital is above the average level, but their self-management ability needs to be improved. Intervention measures should be implemented to improve the nurses' humanistic practice ability including more attentions to the key groups and departments, strengthening the training of humanistic practice ability, and improving the promotion assessment system.
Child
;
Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Humans
;
Hospitals, General
;
Emergency Service, Hospital
;
Multivariate Analysis
;
Research Design

Result Analysis
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