1.Study on Reducing Hepatotoxicity and Retaining Anti-osteoporosis Activity of Psoraleae Fructus Though Salt Processing Based on Zebrafish
Yiqi LIU ; Xuan WANG ; Qiqi FAN ; Zehua CHANG ; Shuo FAN ; Na WANG ; Zheng LI ; Xinfang XU ; Chongjun ZHAO ; Xiangri LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):79-90
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of salt processing of Psoraleae Fructus (PF) through modern analytical techniques and biotechnology, focusing on its effects related to hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporosis activity. MethodsThe zebrafish model was utilized to evaluate the impact of PF and salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus (SPF) on the hepatotoxicity (using 134.17 , 178.89, 268.34 mg·L-1 as low, medium, and high dose groups of PF, 135.04, 180.06, 270.08 mg·L-1 as low, medium, and high dose groups of SPF, respectively) and anti-osteoporotic activity (using 33.54 , 67.08 and 134.17 mg·L-1 as low, medium, and high dose groups of PF, 33.76, 67.52, 135.04 mg·L-1 as low, medium, and high dose groups of SPF, respectively), which was using alizarin red skull staining of zebrafish as an indicator of different batches of PF. The specific dosage of a batch of PF was taken as an example. Then ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) analysis was employed to identify the chemical composition of PF before and after salt processing, and PCA, OPLS-DA, and independent sample t-test were used to elucidating the compositional changes associated with the effects of salt processing on hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporosis activity. ResultsUnder specific conditions, PF induced notable hepatotoxicity in zebrafish while simultaneously demonstrating protective effect against prednisolone-induced osteoporosis. In comparison to PF, SPF showed alleviated hepatotoxicity while retaining significant anti-osteoporosis activity. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis revealed that after salt processing, the overall chemical composition of PF showed a downward trend, with 69 components showing a decrease in content, represented by psoralen, and 13 components showing an increase, represented by 4′-O-methyl psoralen B. Further multivariate statistical analysis revealed 11 key differential components before and after salt processing of PF, including psoralen and bakuchiol. ConclusionSalt processing effectively diminishes hepatotoxicity without impairing therapeutic efficacy against osteoporosis of PF, which may be related to the compositional changes before and after salt processing of PF and provides key evidence to reveal the scientific significance of salt processing of PF.
2.Patients' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Non-pharmacologicalTreatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chengwen LI ; Qiong LIU ; Jianan CAO ; Xuan XU ; Haolong HE ; Yingchun HUANG ; Xinye LIU ; Rong LUO ; Xiaorong CHANG ; Mi LIU
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2026;32(2):276-289
Background/Aims:
Non-pharmacological treatments are crucial for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), yet patient engagement remains a challenge. Understanding patients' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding these treatments is essential for improving care.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted across 5 hospitals, from October 2023 to February 2024. A self-designed knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire along with the IBS quality of life and IBS severity scoring system was administered, and 496 valid responses were analyzed. Statistical analyses included correlation tests, multivariate linear regression, and mediation effect analysis.
Results:
The median scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 28, 25.5, and 21, respectively. Significant positive correlations were found between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.195), knowledge-practice (r = 0.364), and attitude-practice (r = 0.151). The multivariate linear regression analysis further indicated that knowledge (β = 0.399, P < 0.001) and attitude (β = 0.219, P = 0.022) positively correlated with the practical performance. SEM revealed that knowledge had a significant direct effect on both attitude (β = 0.186, P = 0.013) and practice (β = 0.356, P = 0.006). However, the direct effect of attitude on practice was not significant, and attitude did not mediate the relationship between knowledge and practice.
Conclusions
IBS patients exhibit a significant gap between their positive attitudes and their actual practices concerning non-pharmacological treatments. Knowledge is a direct driver of practice, but positive attitudes alone are insufficient to translate into behavior. Healthcare providers must move beyond simply fostering positive attitudes and focus on targeted educational interventions that provide actionable knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes.
3.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
4.Risk Assessment of Radiation Prevention and Treatment Drugs
Ran ZHANG ; Chang LU ; Huan LONG ; Keer XUAN ; Wanlong ZHANG ; Yuxian ZHANG ; Hongzhu LIU ; Dong CHAI ; Jian GONG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1648-1654
Radiation prevention and treatment drugs are a rapidly developing field.Radiation prevention and treatment drugs can be roughly divided into four categories:chemical synthetic drugs,biological products,natural plant extracts and traditional Chinese medicine compounds,which are widely used in medical,scientific research and other fields.This paper reviews the classification of radiation prevention and treatment drugs,which can be roughly divided into four categories:chemical synthetic drugs,biological products,natural plant extracts and traditional Chinese medicine compounds.At the same time,its mechanism of action and clinical application are elaborated in detail,and the risk assessment is carried out from the aspects of effectiveness,safety and drug interaction.Finally,the risk reduction strategies are summarized from the aspects of clinical medication specification and monitoring,continuous drug safety research,improvement of emergency reserve and support capacity and construction of full-cycle regulatory system,so as to provide reference for the rational application and further research of radiation prevention and treatment drugs.
5.Integrated-omics analysis defines subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma based on circadian rhythm.
Xiao-Jie LI ; Le CHANG ; Yang MI ; Ge ZHANG ; Shan-Shan ZHU ; Yue-Xiao ZHANG ; Hao-Yu WANG ; Yi-Shuang LU ; Ye-Xuan PING ; Peng-Yuan ZHENG ; Xia XUE
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(4):445-456
OBJECTIVE:
Circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) is a risk factor that correlates with poor prognosis across multiple tumor types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to define HCC subtypes based on CRD and explore their individual heterogeneity.
METHODS:
To quantify CRD, the HCC CRD score (HCCcrds) was developed. Using machine learning algorithms, we identified CRD module genes and defined CRD-related HCC subtypes in The Cancer Genome Atlas liver HCC cohort (n = 369), and the robustness of this method was validated. Furthermore, we used bioinformatics tools to investigate the cellular heterogeneity across these CRD subtypes.
RESULTS:
We defined three distinct HCC subtypes that exhibit significant heterogeneity in prognosis. The CRD-related subtype with high HCCcrds was significantly correlated with worse prognosis, higher pathological grade, and advanced clinical stages, while the CRD-related subtype with low HCCcrds had better clinical outcomes. We also identified novel biomarkers for each subtype, such as nicotinamide n-methyltransferase and myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate-like 1.
CONCLUSION
We classify the HCC patients into three distinct groups based on circadian rhythm and identify their specific biomarkers. Within these groups greater HCCcrds was associated with worse prognosis. This approach has the potential to improve prediction of an individual's prognosis, guide precision treatments, and assist clinical decision making for HCC patients. Please cite this article as: Li XJ, Chang L, Mi Y, Zhang G, Zhu SS, Zhang YX, et al. Integrated-omics analysis defines subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma based on circadian rhythm. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 445-456.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology*
;
Liver Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
;
Prognosis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Machine Learning
;
Computational Biology
6.The Disease Burden of Asthma in China, 1990 to 2021 and Projections to 2050: Based on the Global Burden of Disease 2021.
Rui Yi ZHANG ; Miao Miao ZHANG ; Yu Chang ZHOU ; Jia Huan GUO ; Xuan Kai WANG ; Mai Geng ZHOU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(5):529-538
OBJECTIVE:
Asthma imposes a significant global health burden. This study examines changes in the asthma-related disease burden from 1990 to 2021 and projects future burdens for 2050 under different scenarios.
METHODS:
Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, we analyzed asthma incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021. We projected the disease burden for 2050 based on current trends and hypothetical scenarios in which all risk factors are controlled. Temporal trends in age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY rates were explored using Annual Percent Change.
RESULTS:
In 2021, the age-standardized rates for asthma incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs in China were 364.17 per 100,000 (95% uncertainty interval [ UI]: 283.22-494.10), 1,956.49 per 100,000 (95% UI: 1,566.68-2,491.87), 1.47 per 100,000 (95% UI: 1.15-1.79), and 103.76 per 100,000 (95% UI: 72.50-145.46), respectively. A higher disease burden was observed among Chinese men and individuals aged 70 years or older. Compared to the current trend, a combined scenario involving improvements in environmental factors, behavioral and metabolic health, child nutrition, and vaccination resulted in a greater reduction in the disease burden caused by asthma.
CONCLUSION
Addressing modifiable risk factors is essential for further reducing the asthma-related disease burden.
Humans
;
Asthma/mortality*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Child
;
Adolescent
;
Global Burden of Disease/trends*
;
Child, Preschool
;
Young Adult
;
Infant
;
Cost of Illness
;
Disability-Adjusted Life Years
;
Prevalence
;
Incidence
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Risk Factors
7.Comparative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal the Mechanism by Which Foam Macrophages Restrict Survival of Intracellular Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.
Xiao PENG ; Yuan Yuan LIU ; Li Yao CHEN ; Hui YANG ; Yan CHANG ; Ye Ran YANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; An Na JIA ; Yong Bo YU ; Yong Li GUO ; Jie LU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):781-791
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to investigate the impact of foam macrophages (FMs) on the intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and identify the molecular mechanisms influencing MTB survival.
METHODS:
An in vitro FM model was established using oleic acid induction. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted to identify the key molecular pathways involved in FM-mediated MTB survival.
RESULTS:
Induced FMs effectively restricted MTB survival. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling revealed distinct changes in gene and metabolite expression in FMs during MTB infection compared with normal macrophages. Integrated analyses identified significant alterations in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, indicating that its activation contributes to the FM-mediated restriction of MTB survival.
CONCLUSIONS
FMs inhibit MTB survival. The cAMP signaling pathway is a key contributor. These findings enhance the understanding of the role of FMs in tuberculosis progression, suggest potential targets for host-directed therapies, and offer new directions for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis/physiology*
;
Transcriptome
;
Metabolomics
;
Foam Cells/microbiology*
;
Humans
;
Metabolome
;
Tuberculosis/microbiology*
;
Gene Expression Profiling
9.Effect of the ribosome biogenesis factor BMS1 on proliferation of neuroblastoma cells
Jinxin GUO ; Anna JIA ; Shijia ZHAN ; Yao ZHANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Yongli GUO ; Yan CHANG
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(2):296-305
Objective To elucidate the functional role and underlying mechanisms of the ribosome biogenesis factor BMS1 in neuroblastoma(NB)cellular proliferation.Methods We utilized the R2 genomics analysis and visualization platform to analyze the correlation between BMS1 expression levels and clinical characteristics of NB children.The BMS1 mRNA level in three human neuroblastoma cells SK-N-BE(2),BE(2)-C,IMR-32 and two normal cells hTERT RPE-1,IMR-90 was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Two distinct small interfering RNA(siRNA)sequences were used to target BMS1 mRNA in NB cells SK-N-BE(2)and BE(2)-C,with normal cells hTERT RPE-1 serving as controls.We used RT-qPCR to quantify the mRNA levels of BMS1 and two key neuroblastoma-associated molecules(MYCN and p53).After transfection with siRNA,cellular proliferation was detected by various experimental approaches:crystal violet staining,real-time cell analysis(RTCA),colony-forming unit assay and immunofluorescence.Results By analyzing two independent neuroblastoma clinical cohorts(GSE85047/NRC-283 and Westermann-144 datasets),it was found that the BMS1 mRNA level in MYCN-amplified NB was significantly higher than that in MYCN-non-amplified NB(P<0.05).Furthermore,the overall survival rate of NB children in the BMS1 high-expression group was decreased(P<0.05).Consistent with these clinical observations,the BMS1 mRNA level in NB cells SK-N-BE(2),BE(2)-C and IMR-32 was significantly higher than that in normal cells hTERT RPE-1,IMR-90(P<0.05).The targeted transient knockdown of BMS1 in NB cell lines SK-N-BE(2)and BE(2)-C resulted in decreased intracellular MYCN mRNA expression levels(P<0.05),significantly reduced cell proliferation capacity and colony-forming ability(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence revealed that the expression of Ki-67,a proliferation marker,was decreased(P<0.05).At the molecular level,RT-qPCR showed that the p53 mRNA level was significantly elevated in the BMS1-knockdown groups(si BMS1-1#and si BMS1-2#)compared with the control group(P<0.05).However,transient knockdown of BMS1 had no significant impact on the proliferative capacity of normal cells hTERT RPE-1.Conclusion BMS1 expression was up-regulated in MYCN-amplified NB and negatively correlated with the prognosis of the NB children.Mechanistically,interfering with BMS1 expression may transcriptionally activate p53 in NB cells,thereby inhibiting their proliferative ability,while having minimal impact on normal cells growth kinetics.These findings suggest that BMS1 serves as an important proliferation driver in NB and is expected to be a promising therapeutic target for NB children,particularly MYCN-amplified pediatric patients.
10.Model establishment for quantitative analysis of saponins of Paris polyphylla by near-infrared spectroscopy
Ping XU ; Qi MI ; Wen-xiu LUO ; You LU ; Meng-wen YU ; Xuan ZHANG ; Guo-wei ZHENG ; Chang-gui QIU ; Jia CHEN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(4):1069-1076
AIM To establish a rapid quantitative analysis model for saponins in Paris polyphylla var.yunnanensis(PPY)by near infrared spectroscopy.METHODS The contents of polyphyllins Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅶ and there total content in PPY were determined by HPLC,while spectral data within the range of 10 000 to 4 000 cm-1 were collected.A quantitative analysis model was established by combining these data with partial least squares regression(PLSR).Multivariate scatter correction(MSC)and vector normalization(SNV)were applied prior to further preprocessing the spectra with original,first-order derivative(1stD),or second-order derivative(2ndD)treatments.Lastly,the model was optimized through non-smoothing(NS),Norris Derivative filtering(Nd),and Savitzky-Golay filtering(S-G)method.Model stability was evaluated based on correlation coefficients and variance.The predicted contents of each saponin component in the validation set samples were calculated.RESULTS The contents of polyphyllins Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅶ were 0.42-17.98,0.46-10.44,0.23-3.86 mg/g,respectively.The total content ranged from 2.91 to 22.1 mg/g.The optimal parameters of three saponins were achieved when selecting the MSC+2ndD+S-G pretreatment method.The corresponding ratio of line segment length to segment gap was 13∶5,15∶5,11∶5,with correlation coefficients of 0.982,0.930,0.958,respectively.The root mean square errors of calibration(RMSEC)were 0.702,0.797,0.238,and the root mean square errors of prediction(RMSEP)were 1.120,0.835,0.304,respectively.The optimal parameters for the total content were obtained when selecting the MSC+2ndD+NS pretreatment method,with a correlation coefficient of 0.970,a RMSEC of 1.090,and a RMSEP of 1.740.CONCLUSION This accurate and rapid method can be used for detection of saponin contents in P.Polyphylla.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail