1.Tongnao Decoction Promotes Angiogenesis and Alleviates Cerebral Ischemic Injury via PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling Pathway
Yan LIU ; Yang WU ; Wanhui PENG ; Jingyi CHEN ; Jiale GAN ; Li LI ; Yangjingyi XIA ; Yunze LI ; Zhaoyao CHEN ; Wenlei LI ; Minghua WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):100-110
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Tongnao decoction (TND) in mice with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). MethodsFifty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group, model group, TND low-dose group (1.86 g·kg-1), TND high-dose group (3.72 g·kg-1), and butylphthalide (NBP) group (10 mg·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. A mouse model of cerebral ischemic injury was established using photochemical thrombosis (PT). The sham operation group and model group were administered an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. All five groups were treated once daily for 14 consecutive days. Behavioral tests were performed before modeling and at the end of administration. T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) was performed 3 days after modeling to evaluate the extent of injury. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histological changes in the cerebral cortex, and Nissl staining was used to observe neuronal morphology. Cerebral blood flow in mice was detected using a laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) system. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the cell proliferation marker bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and the highly glycosylated type I transmembrane glycoprotein CD34. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and their phosphorylation levels, as well as tight junction-related proteins zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-5 in the peri-infarct tissue. Thirty-five zebrafish were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, TND low and high dose groups (0.16, 0.32 g·L-1) and NBP group (10 μmol·L-1), with 7 in each group. A stereoscopic fluorescence microscope was used to observe vascular growth in zebrafish. ResultsImaging showed that PT caused ischemia in the right cortical region. Behavioral tests indicated that, compared with the model group, the drug-treated groups reduced the error rate of irregular balance ladder climbing on the affected side and shortened the tape removal time (P<0.05). HE staining and Nissl staining showed that, compared with the model group, the drug-treated groups exhibited reduced brain tissue damage, fewer scars, and improved neuronal morphology. LSCI results showed that the drug-treated groups partially restored cerebral blood perfusion and promoted the establishment of collateral circulation compared with the model group. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that the drug-treated groups increased the positive rates of BrdU and CD34 compared with the model group (P<0.01), promoting angiogenesis. Meanwhile, compared with the model group, the drug-treated groups upregulated the expression levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, and tight junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 (P<0.05,P<0.01), and increased the number of intersegmental vessels in zebrafish (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionTND can promote angiogenesis around the infarct in PT model mice by regulating the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway, thereby improving cerebral ischemic injury.
2.Avatrombopag for platelet engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children: a retrospective clinical study.
Xin WANG ; Yuan-Yuan REN ; Xia CHEN ; Chao-Qian JIANG ; Ran-Ran ZHANG ; Xiao-Yan ZHANG ; Li-Peng LIU ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Li ZHANG ; Yao ZOU ; Fang LIU ; Xiao-Juan CHEN ; Wen-Yu YANG ; Xiao-Fan ZHU ; Ye GUO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(10):1233-1239
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of avatrombopag in promoting platelet engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children, compared with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO).
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 53 pediatric patients who underwent allo-HSCT at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from April 2023 to August 2024. Based on medications used during the periengraftment period, patients were divided into two groups: the avatrombopag group (n=15) and the rhTPO group (n=38).
RESULTS:
At days 14, 30, and 60 post-transplant, platelet engraftment was achieved in 20% (3/15), 60% (9/15), and 93% (14/15) of patients in the avatrombopag group, and in 39% (15/38), 82% (31/38), and 97% (37/38) in the rhTPO group, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in platelet engraftment rates at each time point, cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment, overall survival, and relapse-free survival (all P>0.05). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that acute graft-versus-host disease was an independent risk factor for delayed platelet engraftment (P=0.043).
CONCLUSIONS
In children undergoing allo-HSCT, avatrombopag effectively promotes platelet engraftment, with efficacy and safety comparable to rhTPO, and represents a viable therapeutic option.
Humans
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Retrospective Studies
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects*
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Male
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Female
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Infant
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Adolescent
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Transplantation, Homologous
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Blood Platelets/drug effects*
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Thiazoles/therapeutic use*
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Thrombopoietin/therapeutic use*
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Thiophenes
3.FRMD4A promotes autophagy in placental trophoblast cells in preeclampsia
Wen-xia LI ; Xiao-ye WANG ; Zhi-hui LI ; Li-juan HUANG ; Ke-ping QIANG ; Qi-peng ZHAO ; Yan-hua WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2268-2274
Aim To investigate the role of FRMD4A in autophagy of placental trophoblast cells in preeclampsia(PE).Methods The placental tissues and clinical data of normal pregnancy and PE were obtained,and the histopathological changes were observed by HE staining.An in vitro model of hypoxia-induced HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells was established.The expres-sions of LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62 in placental tissues and hypoxic cell models were analyzed by Western blot.The expression of FRMD4A was detected by qRT-PCR,Western blot and immunofluorescence,and the correlation between the expression level of FRMD4A and the clinical characteristics of the subjects was ana-lyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Hypoxia induced trophoblast cells were transfected with si-FRMD4A,and the expression of LC3 B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62 was analyzed by Western blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the expression of LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ in PE placental tissues and hypoxia-induced trophoblast models was significantly upregulated,while the expression of p62 was significantly downregulated.Meanwhile,the ex-pression of FRMD4A increased significantly.Moreo-ver,its expression was positively correlated with the maternal systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pres-sure,and platelet count,but negatively correlated with the neonatal weight(P<0.01).In addition,hypoxia-induced trophoblast cells transfected with si-FRMD4A showed a significant decrease in LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and an increase in p62 expression.Conclusions The expres-sion of FRMD4A is upregulated in PE placenta and hy-poxia-induced trophoblast cell model.Interfering with it can significantly hinder the autophagy process of trophoblast cells,suggesting that it may serve as a po-tential molecular target to participate in the pathologi-cal process of PE.
4.Effects of TREM2 on synaptic plasticity induced by cocaine addiction
Rui-ke XU ; Zhi-wen WANG ; Jiao-jiao OUYANG ; Qi DU ; Li-hua LI ; Shi-jun HONG ; Yan-xia PENG ; Gen-meng YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2341-2347
Aim To investigate the role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloidcells 2(TREM2)in syn-aptic plasticity induced by cocaine addiction.Methods C57BL/6J mice and Trem2 knockout mice were uti-lized in this study to evaluate the alterations in postsyn-aptic density protein 95(PSD-95)and synapsin 1(SYN1)within the cortex and hippocampus of co-caine-addicted mice by using immunological tech-niques.Results HE staining and Nissl staining showed increased neuronal damage in the hippocampus and cortex of mice after cocaine addiction.The results of immunohistochemistry and fluorescence of PSD-95 and SYN1 were consistent with the expression trend of Western blot.In the wild type mouse model,the ex-pression level of PSD-95 in the hippocampus and cortex was lower than that in the saline group,and the ex-pression of SYN1 was higher than that in the saline group.In the knockout mouse model,the expression levels of PSD-95 and SYN1 in the hippocampus and cortex were significantly higher than those in the saline group after cocaine addiction.The expression levels of PSD-95 and SYN1 in the hippocampus and cortex of cocaine knockout mice were higher than those of co-caine wild type mice.Conclusion Cocaine addiction can change the synaptic plasticity,and TREM2 plays a regulatory role in the synaptic plasticity of hippocampus and cortex in mice with cocaine injury.TREM2 is ex-pected to be a new target for studying the mechanism of cocaine addiction.
5.Analyzing the heart-oriented view of the treatment of mental illness in Synopsis of Golden Chamber based on the theory of five-spirit-viscera
ZOU Peng ; Kai CHENG ; Minlong XIA ; Menghan LI ; Shuxian WANG ; Hui KONG ; Yan ZHAO ; Changming ZHAI ; Fang LU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):495-500
Mental state is an important part of the normal life activities of the human body, and it is also the most external expression and the most easily obtained information of the physical condition. The normal activities of the mind depend on the normal operation of the viscera, qi, and blood, and are a unified whole that prospers together and suffers together. The theory of the five-spirit-viscera in the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic revealed that the normal mental activities of the human body were dominated by the five internal organs, that is, the five internal organs were the body and the five spirits were the function. And it highlighted the viewpoint that the five internal organs store the spirits and are actually one. The heart governs the spirit and belongs to the four internal organs. On this basis, Synopsis of Golden Chamber used the internal organs to diagnose and treat mental diseases, integrating the theory of the five spirits into it, forming a unique method of diagnosis and treatment with the heart as the leading factor and regulating the qi and blood of the four internal organs. It identified the pathogenesis of diseases such as pathogenic crying, lily disease, and hysteria from five levels: heart deficiency and weak qi, heart-lung disharmony, heart-liver disharmony, the heart of the loss of the spleen nourishment, and disharmony between heart and kidney. The treatment was mainly to replenish the deficiency of the viscera and eliminate the pathogens, reflecting the characteristics of regulating the mind and calming the four internal organs. This unique view on diagnosis and treatment has profoundly influenced the diagnosis and treatment theories of mental illnesses by later doctors, and is of great significance to the current clinical treatment of such illnesses.
6.Inhibition of interferon regulatory factor 4 orchestrates T cell dysfunction, extending mouse cardiac allograft survival.
Wenjia YUAN ; Hedong ZHANG ; Longkai PENG ; Chao CHEN ; Chen FENG ; Zhouqi TANG ; Pengcheng CUI ; Yaguang LI ; Tengfang LI ; Xia QIU ; Yan CUI ; Yinqi ZENG ; Jiadi LUO ; Xubiao XIE ; Yong GUO ; Xin JIANG ; Helong DAI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1202-1212
BACKGROUND:
T cell dysfunction, which includes exhaustion, anergy, and senescence, is a distinct T cell differentiation state that occurs after antigen exposure. Although T cell dysfunction has been a cornerstone of cancer immunotherapy, its potential in transplant research, while not yet as extensively explored, is attracting growing interest. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) has been shown to play a pivotal role in inducing T cell dysfunction.
METHODS:
A novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin, targeting IRF4 inhibition, was employed to investigate T cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, expression of T-cell dysfunction-associated molecules, effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, and allograft survival in both in vitro and BALB/c to C57BL/6 mouse cardiac transplantation models.
RESULTS:
In vitro , blockade of IRF4 in T cells effectively inhibited T cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and significantly upregulated the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Helios, CD160, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA-4), markers of T cell dysfunction. Furthermore, it suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17. Combining ultra-low-dose Trametinib (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) and Rapamycin (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) demonstrably extended graft survival, with 4 out of 5 mice exceeding 100 days post-transplantation. Moreover, analysis of grafts at day 7 confirmed sustained IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) inhibition, enhanced PD-1 expression, and suppressed IFN-γ secretion, reinforcing the in vivo efficacy of this IRF4-targeting approach. The combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically inhibited the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to a more pronounced suppression of IRF4 expression.
CONCLUSIONS
Targeting IRF4, a key regulator of T cell dysfunction, presents a promising avenue for inducing transplant immune tolerance. In this study, we demonstrate that a novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically suppresses the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to profound IRF4 inhibition, promoting allograft acceptance, and offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for improved transplant outcomes. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and facilitate translation to clinical practice.
Animals
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolism*
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Heart Transplantation/methods*
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T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
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Sirolimus/therapeutic use*
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Pyridones/therapeutic use*
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Graft Survival/drug effects*
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Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Male
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
7.Review of chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and quality control status of Eucommiae Cortex and prediction of its Q-markers.
Meng-Fan PENG ; Bao-Song LIU ; Pei-Pei YAN ; Cai-Xia LI ; Xiao-Fang ZHANG ; Yi ZHENG ; Ya-Gang SONG ; Tong LIU ; Lei YANG ; Ming-San MIAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):946-958
Eucommiae Cortex, the dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides( Eucommiaceae), has both medicinal and edible values.Modern research has shown that Eucommiae Cortex contains various components such as flavonoids, lignans, iridoids, phenolic acids,terpenoids, and steroids, which have anti-osteoporosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood glucose-lowering, and gastrointestinal tract-protecting effects. Eucommiae Cortex has applications in multiple fields such as healthcare, industry, and animal husbandry,demonstrating broad development prospects. This article reviews the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and quality control status of Eucommiae Cortex. Furthermore, according to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), this article predicts the Q-markers of Eucommiae Cortex from traditional medicinal properties, traditional medicinal effects, new medicinal effects, measurability of chemical components, compatibility, harvesting periods, and geographical origins. The components such as pinoresinol diglucoside,chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, baicalein, baicalin, olivil, coniferyl ferulate, and kaempferol can be used as Q-markers for Eucommiae Cortex, which provide reference for establishing a systematic quality control system for Eucommiae Cortex.
Eucommiaceae/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Quality Control
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Humans
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Animals
8.Dual-modal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents Based on Polymetallic Nanoclusters for Targeted Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Qing-Dong LI ; Peng WANG ; Jian-Min XIAO ; Wen-Juan GAO ; Zhen-Hong XIA ; Gui-Long ZHANG ; Zheng-Yan WU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(4):602-611
Fe/Mn/Gd polymetallic nanooxide(FMGN)were prepared by one-step solvent thermal reaction by using Fe(acac)3,Mn(acac)2 and Gd(acac)3 as reaction precursors.Next,hyaluronic acid(HA)was used to modify FMGN to fabricate tumor-targeting T 1-T 2 dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)contrast agent(HA-FMGN)for accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.The structure and morphology of FMGN were observed by transmission electron microscope(TEM).It was found that FMGN exhibited a uniform nanocluster spherical structure when the feeding ratio of iron acetylacetonate,manganese acetylacetonate,and gadolinium acetylacetonate was 3:2:1.X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis showed that FMGN had a typical inverse spinel structure of Mn doped Fe 3O 4,with Gd existing in the form of amorphous gadolinium oxide.The longitudinal relaxivity(r 1)and transverse relaxivity(r 2)of FMGN were 13.395 and 428.535 L/(mmol·s),respectively,measured by 0.5 T MRI analyzer,which proved that FMGN had excellent T 1-T 2 dual-mode MRI contrast capability.The cytotoxicity and hemolysis test found that HA-FMGN didn't damage red cells and induce toxicity for normal cells,indicating that HA-FMGN had excellent cell biocompatibility.The internalization efficacy of HA-FMGN was observed by CLSM,and the results showed that HA-FMGN possessed excellent prostate tumor-targeting ability.In vivo MRI experiment showed that HA-FMGN significantly enhanced T 1 and T 2 weighted MRI signal to noise ratio(SNR)of prostate tumor,which promoted the accurate diagnosis of orthotopic prostate cancer.
9.Influence of Outdoor Light at Night on Early Reproductive Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization and Its Threshold Effect: Evidence from a Couple-Based Preconception Cohort Study.
Wen Bin FANG ; Ying TANG ; Ya Ning SUN ; Yan Lan TANG ; Yin Yin CHEN ; Ya Wen CAO ; Ji Qi FANG ; Kun Jing HE ; Yu Shan LI ; Ya Ning DAI ; Shuang Shuang BAO ; Peng ZHU ; Shan Shan SHAO ; Fang Biao TAO ; Gui Xia PAN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):1009-1015
10.Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of the Application of in situ Simulation in Medical Field.
Peng-Xia SUN ; Di JIANG ; Shu-Ya LI ; Yan SHI ; Shao-Wen HU ; Jing CHEN ; Fan LI
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(5):830-842
Objective To analyze the research status of in situ simulation in the medical field and explore its hotspots and trends. Methods Relevant literature was searched in China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Web of Science core collection from the inception to February 2024.CiteSpace 6.3.R1 was used to analyze the authors,institutions,and keywords and draw visual knowledge maps. Results A total of 25 Chinese articles and 438 English articles were included.Only 14 English articles were from China.In Chinese articles,the authors with the largest number of articles were Dai Hengmao and Liu Shangkun,and the institution with the largest number of articles was Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.There was little cooperation between the authors and institutions.In English articles,the author and institution with the largest number of articles was Auerbach Marc and Yale University,respectively,and the cooperation between authors and institutions was close.Emergency medicine,emergency event handling,and on-the-job training were the keywords with high frequency in Chinese articles.Patient safety,medical education,and cardiac arrest were the keywords with high frequency in English articles.A total of 4 clusters were generated for Chinese keywords and 13 clusters for English keywords. Conclusions The application of in situ simulation in the medical field is still in the initial stage,and the development is not balanced at home and abroad.The number of articles published and the cooperation between authors and institutions in China obviously lags behind those abroad.Treatment and care of emergency critical patients,emergency event handling and skill training,identification of latent safety threats,improvement of readiness,and promotion of medical quality improvement are the future research hotspots and research trends in this field.
Bibliometrics
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Humans
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China
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Simulation Training
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Education, Medical
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Emergency Medicine/education*


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