1.Mechanism of Qingre antai decoction in improving pregnancy outcomes of threatened abortion rats with blood heat syndrome based on JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT dual signaling pathways
Liya MA ; Yanduo SHEN ; Jiale ZHANG ; Liujun WU ; Bingheng XIE ; Xingfei WU ; Chen LIU ; Minghao ZHANG ; Xuelin ZHANG ; Dawei ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1127-1133
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Qingre antai decoction improves pregnancy outcomes of threatened abortion rats with blood heat syndrome. METHODS The pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, dydrogesterone group (0.002 g/kg), and Qingre antai decoction group (44.1 g/kg), with 13 rats in each group. Except for normal group, other groups were given warming-yang Chinese medicine and corresponding drugs intragastrically, once a day, for 12 consecutive days. On the 13th day of pregnancy, a single intragastric administration of mifepristone (5 mg/kg) was performed to establish a model of threatened abortion with blood heat syndrome. On the 14th day of pregnancy, the abortion rate and uterine coefficient were calculated; the pathological morphology of pregnant uterine was observed; the serum levels of 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid hormone (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO) in the pregnant uterus were all determined; the expressions of mRNA and protein related to Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathways were detected. RESULTS Compared with normal group, the model group exhibited endometrial tissue damage, a reduced number of decidual cells, and a significant presence of blood stasis within the uterus; abortion rate, the serum levels of T3, T4 and TSH, the mRNA expressions of JAK2, STAT3 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) as well as protein expressions of p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and SOCS3 in the pregnant uterus were increased significantly ( P <0.05); uterine coefficient, the levels of VEGF and NO in pregnant uterus, mRNA expressions of VEGFR2, PI3K, AKT and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS), protein expressions of VEGFR2, PI3K and eNOS as well as phosphorylation level of AKT in the pregnant uterus were significantly reduced ( P <0.05). Compared with model group, the endometrial tissue damage and congestion in the Qingre antai decoction group were significantly improved, and the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly reversed ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Qingre antai decoction can improve the pregnancy outcomes in rats with threatened abortion of blood heat syndrome, the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway and activating PI3K/AKT pathway.
2.Signal Mining of Tacrolimus-related Cardiovascular Adverse Events Based on the US FAERS Database
Yatong ZHANG ; Yan LIANG ; Lili GENG ; Xuelin SUN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(4):1081-1088
To mine tacrolimus-related adverse event signals affecting the cardiovascular system based on an international authoritative database, aiming to provide a reference for clinical safe drug use. Adverse event reports with tacrolimus as the primary suspected drug were retrieved and extracted from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System(FAERS) database from January 1, 2004, to September 30, 2024, with a focus on cardiovascular system-related adverse events. Adverse events were categorized using the system organ class(SOC) and preferred terms(PTs) from the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities(MedDRA). Signal mining for cardiovascular system-related adverse drug events(ADEs) was performed using the information component(IC), empirical Bayesian geometric mean(EBGM), and reporting odds ratio(ROR) methods. A total of 58 357 ADE reports with tacrolimus as the primary suspected drug were retrieved, of which 3173 were related to cardiovascular system disorders. The top five most frequently reported cardiovascular adverse events were hypertension, cardiac arrest, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation. ADE signal detection identified correlations between tacrolimus and hypertension, cardiac arrest, heart failure, ventricular hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, and cardiac hypertrophy. Regarding the outcomes of cardiovascular adverse events, "hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization" was the most common(34.74%), followed by "death"(29.44%). Tacrolimus carries the risk of inducing various cardiovascular diseases. In clinical practice, when using tacrolimus, attention should be paid to the patient's underlying diseases and concomitant medications, adverse reactions should be closely monitored during the initial and long-term treatment phases, and the dosage should be adjusted in a timely manner to ensure patient safety during long-term therapy.
3.The value of orthopedic metal artifact reduction technology in dual-layer detector CT for improving postoperative CT image quality in patients with lumbar internal fixation implants
Yuting WEN ; Yu YANG ; Xinyue LI ; Yan ZHENG ; Xuelin PAN ; Xiaodi ZHANG ; Huafeng CUI ; Zhenlin LI
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(5):591-598
Objective:To evaluate the clinical utility of dual-layer detector CT integrated with virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) and an orthopedic metal artifact reduction (O-MAR) algorithm in improving the image quality of patients after lumbar pedicle screw fixation surgery, and to analyze its impact on different types of artifacts and image quality of different tissues.Methods:The study was a prospective study, The study enrolled patients who underwent lumbar pedicle screw fixation at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between March and September 2024. All patients underwent lumbar CT scans using a dual-layer detector system, and four image sets were reconstructed. CLumbar routine scans were performed using dual-layer detector CT, and four image sets were reconstructed:onventional images (CI non-O-MAR), conventional images with O-MAR (CI O-MAR), virtual monoenergetic images (VMI non-O-MAR), and VMI with O-MAR (VMI O-MAR). Objective metrics including artifact index (AI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were quantified, alongside subjective image quality assessment. One-way ANOVA or Friedman test were used to compare the objective evaluation indicators of image quality between VMI non-O-MAR and VMI O-MAR at different energy levels. Paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for CI non-O-MAR/VMI non-O-MAR versus CI O-MAR/VMI O-MAR comparisons. Results:A total of 30 patients were included, and all underwent internal fixation with titanium alloy pedicle screws. Objective analysis revealed that in both high-and low-density artifact regions, the AI values of the VMI O-MAR group decreased with the increase of energy levels, and were significantly lower than those of the corresponding VMI non-O-MAR group, with a statistically significant difference (all P<0.001). When the energy level≥140 keV, the AI value of the VMI O-MAR group was simultaneously lower than that of the CI non-O-MAR group and the CI O-MAR group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The SNR and CNR on the vertebral bodies in the VMI non-O-MAR group and the VMI O-MAR group showed a decreasing trend with increasing energy levels, and were always lower than those in the CI group at high energy levels (100-180 keV) (all P<0.05). At high energy levels (100-180 keV), the SNR of VMI O-MAR in the intervertebral disc and intraspinal tissues was higher than that of the VMI non-O-MAR group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Compared to other groups, subjective analysis indicated that the 140 keV VMI combined with O-MAR group received the highest image quality scores ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The combined application of VMI and O-MAR technology effectively reduces metal artifacts in post-lumbar fixation CT images. The 140 keV VMI with O-MAR reconstruction provides superior image quality and enhances diagnostic confidence.
4.MultiKano: an automatic cell type annotation tool for single-cell multi-omics data based on Kolmogorov-Arnold network and data augmentation.
Siyu LI ; Xinhao ZHUANG ; Songbo JIA ; Songming TANG ; Liming YAN ; Heyang HUA ; Yuhang JIA ; Xuelin ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Qingzhu YANG ; Shengquan CHEN
Protein & Cell 2025;16(5):374-380
5.Toxic effects of subacute exposure to pyrethrin on the nervous system of mice
Chan ZHANG ; Luolin BAO ; Fenglian ZENG ; Hongbo YANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Xuelin QUAN
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(5):556-564
Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of subchronic exposure to pyrethrin on the mice nervous system.Methods:Twenty-four male mice were randomly divided into a control group,low-,medium-,and high-dose groups,and were exposed continuously for 28 days.The control group received corn oil.The general condi-tion of the mice was observed,and the body weight and brain organ coefficient were measured.Neurobehavioral tests were conducted after the exposure period.The histopathological changes of the hippocampus in mice were observed by HE and nissl staining.The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),acetylcholine(ACh)and glutamate(Glu)in brain tissue of mice were detected by biochemical kit.The Western blot was employed to measure the expression levels of kelch-like ech-associated protein 1(Keap1),nuclearfactorerythroid2-relatedfactor2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)in brain tissue of mice.Results:Compared with the control group,the body weight of the mice in the high-dose group decreased,the brain organ coefficient increased,and the neurological function test showed that the mice had reduced autonomic activity,delayed nerve reflex,and impaired sensory and motor function.Histopathology showed that the hippocampal neurons in the middle-and high-dose groups presented with pyknosis,vacuolization,and disordered arrangement of the CA3 area.Biochemical analysis indicated that in the brain tissue of mice,the activity of LDH and the content of MDA were increased in the medium-and high-dose groups,while the activity of CAT and the content of GSH were decreased.The content of Glu was increased and the content of ACh was decreased.The activity of SOD was reduced in the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups.Western blot analysis showed that the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein in the brain tissue of mice in the middle-and high-dose groups was down-regulated,while the expression of Keap1 protein in the high-dose group was up-regulated.Conclusion:Pyrethrin may cause damage to the nervous system by affecting the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and neurotransmitter levels.
6.Impacts of LncRNA XIST on proliferation,apoptosis and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating miR-337/ADAM28
Jiayi LI ; Zhen XIAO ; Xuelin CHEN ; Xingyan ZHANG ; Rong QI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(5):623-629
Objective:To investigate the mechanism of LncRNA XIST on proliferation,apoptosis and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma(TSCC)cells by regulating miR-337/ADAM28.Methods:qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of XIST,miR-337,ADAM28 mRNA in TSCC tissues and cells.The expression of ADAM28,CyclinD1,MMP-9,MMP-14,Caspase-3 and Bax proteins was detected by Western blot.MTT assay was applied to detect cell activity.Transwell method was applied to detect the invasion ability of cells.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The double luciferase reporter gene experiment was applied to verify the targeting relationship between miR-337 and LncRNA XIST,miR-337 and ADAM28.Results:Compared with the adja-cent tissues,the expression of XIST and ADAM28 mRNA in TSCC increased,the expression of miR-337 decreased(P<0.05).Compared with human normal oral mucosa cell HOK,the expression of XIST and ADAM28 in human TSCC cell lines increased,the expression of miR-337 decreased(P<0.05).Silencing XIST reduced the expression of CyclinD1,MMP-9 and MMP-14,up-regula-ted the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins,restrained the proliferation and invasion of CAL27 cells,and induced apoptosis.Inhibition of miR-337 expression reversed the silencing XIST on the proliferation and invasion of CAL27 cells,as well as the promo-ting effect on apoptosis.The double luciferase reporter gene experiment showed that XIST targeted down-regulation of miR-337,and miR-337 targeted negative regulation of ADAM28 expression.Conclusion:LncRNA XIST down-regulates miR-337 expression,up-regulates the expression of ADAM28,induces the proliferation and invasion of TSCC cells,and inhibits cell apoptosis.
7.Signaling Pathways Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Regulation by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Manman YAO ; Liya MA ; Dawei ZHANG ; Xuelin ZHANG ; Xuan ZHOU ; Yu TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):301-312
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent gynecological diseases, and its incidence is increasing year by year, seriously affecting the physical and mental health of female patients. The pathogenesis of this disease is complex and has not been fully clarified. At present, PCOS is mainly treated by Western medicine, which, however, has poor efficacy and induces various adverse reactions. Therefore, developing safe and effective therapies has become a difficult problem that needs to be solved. Studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK), Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/NF-κB), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smads, secreted glycoprotein/β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and advanced glycation endproduct/receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (AGE/RAGE) signaling pathways to ameliorate insulin resistance, inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress, regulate endocrine hormone disorders, and intervene in apoptosis and autophagy, thus alleviating the symptoms, slowing down the disease progression, and improving the ovarian function. The treatment of PCOS with TCM has demonstrated definite effects and high safety. Therefore, exploring this disease from cellular and molecular perspectives can provide a theoretical basis for its clinical treatment and new drug development. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews on the modulation of relevant signaling pathways by TCM in the treatment of PCOS. This article reviews the research progress in the treatment of PCOS with the active ingredients and compound prescriptions of TCM by regulating relevant signaling pathways in recent years, with the aim of providing evidence to support the promotion of TCM for treating PCOS in the future.
8.Advances in Animal Modeling in the Study of Bone-Vascular Axis Comorbidities
Jiayang LI ; Yumeng ZHOU ; Yuwen LUO ; Xuelin HUANG ; Demao ZHANG ; Xiaoheng LIU
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(2):355-363
Osteoporosis and cardiovascular calcification,two major age-related chronic diseases that China is confronting today,pose serious threats to public health.Previous studies have reported overlapping connections in the pathological processes and molecular mechanisms of these two diseases,particularly concerning inflammation,oxidative stress,and dysregulation of mineral metabolism,and that these two diseases tend to share common pathogenic factors.However,research exploring the comorbidity mechanisms of the two diseases remains limited in both depth and scope,largely due to the lack of widely accepted comorbidity animal models.Herein,we analyzed the latest research findings on the comorbidity mechanisms of vascular calcification and osteoporosis,focusing on summarizing the animal disease models currently in extensive use and the relevant evaluation criteria.We aim to provide new references for comorbidity research models and offer scientific evidence for future studies on pathological mechanisms and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
9.Dynamic Succession of Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator in an Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Model
Yuwen LUO ; Xuelin HUANG ; Bomiao CUI ; Ning JI ; Ping ZHANG
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(4):1045-1050
Objective To systematically characterizes the temporal changes in urokinase-type plasminogen activator(uPA)over the course of neoplastic progression using a mouse oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)model induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide(4-NQO).Methods A total of 65 wild-type C57BL/6 mice of 5 weeks old were randomly assigned to two groups,a 4-NQO group(n=50),which received daily administration of 100 μg/mL 4-NQO in drinking water,and a control group(n=15),which received sterile water.At 12,16,20,22,and 24 weeks,10 mice from the 4-NQO group and 3 from the control group were randomly selected,weighed,and sacrificed.Tongue tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining to preliminarily assess OSCC development,and for immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate dynamic uPA expression in tongue tissues during OSCC progression.Results After 16 weeks of exposure,4-NQO-treated mice exhibited significantly lower body mass compared with that of the controls(P<0.05)and the weight loss became increasingly more pronounced over time.Histopathological changes in tongue tissues progressed in a clearly time-dependent manner—hyperplasia and mild dysplasia emerged at week 12,while moderate-to-severe dysplasia and carcinoma were observed by week 22,yielding a tumorigenic rate of 25%,which escalated to 70%by week 24.Immunofluorescence and qPCR analyses demonstrated a pronounced,progressive up-regulation of uPA expression in lesional tissues as OSCC progressed(P<0.000 1).Conclusion This study not only confirmed the uniqueness of the 4-NQO model in OSCC research,but also revealed the changes in uPA during tumor invasion.These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the development of early diagnosis and precision treatment strategies,holding significant potential clinical value and research importance for improving patient prognosis.
10.Effects of Shaoyao decoction on intestinal microecology in rats with damp-heat diarrhea
Xiao LING ; Li ZHANG ; Jianan ZHANG ; Chunxiao LI ; Xuelin LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(24):3048-3053
OBJECTIVE To explore the impact of Shaoyao decoction on the intestinal microecology of rats with damp-heat diarrhea. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into physiological group, model group, and Shaoyao decoction low-, medium- and high-dose groups (single dose of 5.62, 28.10 and 56.20 g/kg, by raw drugs), with 7 rats in each group. Except for the physiological group, the remaining groups were all fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet, raised in a high-temperature and high- humidity environment, and administered white liquor and Escherichia coli suspension by gavage to establish a rat model of damp- heat diarrhea. On the second day after modeling, rats in each dosage group of Shaoyao decoction were administered the corresponding solution by gavage, once in the morning and once in the evening, for 3 consecutive days. After the last administration, fecal metagenomic sequencing analysis and biological information analysis were performed to detect the activities of intestinal cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and intestinal flora metabolic enzymes. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the α diversity indexes of intestinal flora among the groups (P>0.05). The main phyla of rats in each group included Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota and Verrucomicrobiota, and the core dominant genera included Dubosiella, Lactobacillus and Romboutsia; low- , medium- and high-dose of Shaoyao decoction could reverse the decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Romboutsia, Bifidobacterium and Monoglobus, as well as the increase in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota, Escherichia-Shigella and Corynebacterium (P<0.05). Rats in each dosage group of Shaoyao decoction showed higher relative abundance of intestinal flora involved in carbon metabolism and cofactor biosynthesis pathways. Compared with the model group, the elimination rates of aminophenol and midazolam, as well as the concentration (except for the low-dose group) and metabolic rate of p-nitrophenol in rats of each dose group of Shaoyao decoction were significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Shaoyao decoction can correct intestinal flora disorder in rats with damp-heat diarrhea, promote the recovery of intestinal CYP metabolic enzymes and intestinal flora metabolic enzymes, and thereby comprehensively improve intestinal microecology. Δ 基金项目 国家自然科学基金青年科学基金项目 (No. 82104726);河南省软科学研究项目(No.252400410455)

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