1.Overview of Physical Biological Research on the Activation of Acupoint Effects by Acupuncture
Junyi LI ; Shiwei TU ; Yangyang LIU ; Baomin DOU ; Zezhi FAN ; Jiangjiang FU ; Jiangqi ZHOU ; Kaiyuan DENG ; Yanwei LI ; Yi GUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(10):1130-1136
By reviewing the physical biological research on the activation of acupoint effects by acupuncture, this paper explains the activation mechanism from the perspective of the generation and transmission of mechanical signals caused by acupuncture, and reveals the physical-chemical coupling processes in the acupoint microenvironment. Future research should focus on locally mechanosensitive cells, further exploring how acupuncture mechanical signals trigger dynamic changes in cells and molecules in the acupoints, and the physical-chemical information transduction mechanism, which will provide scientific evidence for the acupoint activation during acupuncture. Related studies will contribute to a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind acupuncture and promote its clinical application and development.
2.Intervention Mechanism of Guizhi Fulingwan in Delaying Colitis-associated Colon Cancer via Modulating and Restoring MDSCs and Reshaping Immune Microenvironment
Yanwei HAO ; Chunrun LI ; Zhengwu QU ; Junmei TANG ; Jing GUO ; Yi ZHANG ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):185-194
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the efficacy and related actions of Guizhi Fulingwan in intervening in the mice with colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) based on the immunosuppressive microenvironment associated with myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MethodsSixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to a blank group, a model group, an aspirin group (0.04 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose Guizhi Fulingwan groups (4.87, 9.75, and 19.50 g·kg-1), with ten mice per group. The CAC mouse model was established via combined induction of azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). Drug intervention commenced in week five, with continuous intragastric administration for nine weeks. The food intake, body weight, fecal characteristics, and haematochezia were observed and recorded, and disease activity index (DAI) scores were calculated according to scoring criteria. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the colon tissues of the mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine proliferating cell nuclear antigen-67 (Ki67) expression in the colon tissues, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum of the mice. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the proportion levels of MDSCs, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells in the spleen tissues of the mice. The mRNA expressions of MDSC-associated effector molecules, including arginase 1 (Arg1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). After that, an in vitro co-culture model of MDSCs and CD8+ T cells was established, and drug-containing serum of Guizhi Fulingwan was used for intervention. The Flow cytometry was employed to assess the effects of drug-containing serum of Guizhi Fulingwan with different concentrations on the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and iNOS in MDSCs and the proliferation of CD8+ T cells. The levels of granzyme B (GZMB) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in cell supernatant were detected by ELISA. ResultsCompared with those in the control group, the mice in the model group exhibited significantly reduced body weight, elevated DAI scores, shortened colon length (P<0.01), increased number of tumors and Ki67 expression (P<0.01), and significantly elevated contents of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the serum (P<0.01). Significant increases in the number of MDSCs were observed in mouse spleens, alongside marked reductions in the levels of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells (P<0.01). Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of MDSC function-associated effector molecules Arg1 and iNOS were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the mice in the middle-dose Guizhi Fulingwan group exhibited increased body weight and significantly decreased DAI scores (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mice in the middle- and high-dose Guizhi Fulingwan groups exhibited significantly improved colon shortening, significantly decreased number of tumors and Ki67 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly decreased contents of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the serum (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, administration of Guizhi Fulingwan markedly reduced MDSC infiltration in the spleen of the mice, with different degrees of increase in the levels of both CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells (P<0.05, P<0.01), alongside significant decreases in the mRNA expressions of Arg1 and iNOS (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro cell co-culture shows that administration of drug-containing serum of Guizhi Fulingwan significantly decreases the activity levels of ROS and iNOS in MDSCs and promotes the proliferation of CD8+ T cells and the secretion of GZMB and IFN-γ (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionGuizhi Fulingwan can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and inhibit tumor proliferation in the colon tissues of CAC mice. Its potential mechanism may involve reducing MDSC infiltration, enhancing effector T cells, particularly CD8+ T cell response, and improving the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment.
3.Palmitoylated SARM1 targeting P4HA1 promotes collagen deposition and myocardial fibrosis: A new target for anti-myocardial fibrosis.
Xuewen YANG ; Yanwei ZHANG ; Xiaoping LENG ; Yanying WANG ; Manyu GONG ; Dongping LIU ; Haodong LI ; Zhiyuan DU ; Zhuo WANG ; Lina XUAN ; Ting ZHANG ; Han SUN ; Xiyang ZHANG ; Jie LIU ; Tong LIU ; Tiantian GONG ; Zhengyang LI ; Shengqi LIANG ; Lihua SUN ; Lei JIAO ; Baofeng YANG ; Ying ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4789-4806
Myocardial fibrosis is a serious cause of heart failure and even sudden cardiac death. However, the mechanisms underlying myocardial ischemia-induced cardiac fibrosis remain unclear. Here, we identified that the expression of sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1), was increased significantly in the ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, dilated cardiomyopathy patients (GSE116250) and fibrotic heart tissues of mice. Additionally, inhibition or knockdown of SARM1 can improve myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function of myocardial infarction (MI) mice. Moreover, SARM1 fibroblasts-specific knock-in mice had increased deposition of extracellular matrix and impaired cardiac function. Mechanically, elevated expression of SARM1 promotes the deposition of extracellular matrix by directly modulating P4HA1. Notably, by using the Click-iT reaction, we identified that the increased expression of ZDHHC17 promotes the palmitoylation levels of SARM1, thereby accelerating the fibrosis process. Based on the fibrosis-promoting effect of SARM1, we screened several drugs with anti-myocardial fibrosis activity. In conclusion, we have unveiled that palmitoylated SARM1 targeting P4HA1 promotes collagen deposition and myocardial fibrosis. Inhibition of SARM1 is a potential strategy for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis. The sites where SARM1 interacts with P4HA1 and the palmitoylation modification sites of SARM1 may be the active targets for anti-fibrosis drugs.
4.Study on the 90-day Feeding Experimental Background Data of SD Rats for Drug Safety Evaluation
Chao QIN ; Shuangxing LI ; Tingting ZHAO ; Chenchen JIANG ; Jing ZHAO ; Yanwei YANG ; Zhi LIN ; Sanlong WANG ; Hairuo WEN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(4):439-448
ObjectiveTo establish background data for a 90-day feeding trial of SD rats to ensure the reliability of research data. MethodsBackground data from six independent 90-day feeding trials of SD rats conducted by the National Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs from 2020 to 2023 were summarized. These studies involved a blank control group of 120 SPF-grade 4-week-old SD rats, with an equal number of males and females, which were only given standard full-nutrient pelleted rat feed. After the quarantine period, the animals were observed for an additional 90 days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of Zoletil (50 mg/mL) for anesthesia, blood sampling, euthanasia, and necropsy. By analyzing the data from the blank control group, a relevant background database for SD rats was established. ResultsBoth male and female rats exhibited steady weight gain, with a more pronounced increase in male rats. Within 90 days, the average body weight of male and female rats increased to over 500 g and 300 g, respectively. Three weeks later, the average daily food intake of male rats stabilized at approximately 25~28 g per rat, while that of female rats remained stable at approximately 16~19 g per rat. The food utilization rate of all animals gradually decreased from the first week of the experiment. In the white blood cell (WBC) differential count results, significant differences were observed in the counts of WBCs, neutrophils (Neut), lymphocytes (Lymph), and monocytes (Mono) between males and females (P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the percentages of neutrophil (%Neut), lymphocyte (%Lymph), and monocyte (%Mono) between the sexes (P>0.05). The average red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), platelet count (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were higher in male animals than in female animals (P<0.05). The average values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine phosphokinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose (GLU), and triglyceride (TG) in male rats were higher than those in female rats (P<0.05). The urinary pH range for male animals was 5.0 to 8.5, while for female animals it was 6.5 to 9.0. The majority of male animals had a urinary specific gravity lower than 1.020, and the majority of female animals had a urinary specific gravity lower than 1.015. The weights of various organs (excluding the adrenal glands and reproductive organs) in male animals were heavier than those in female animals (P<0.001), while the organ/body weight ratios (excluding the kidneys and reproductive organs) of female animals were higher than those of male animals (P<0.001). ConclusionThis study summarizes the background reference ranges for body weight, food intake, hematology, and serum biochemistry indicators in SPF-grade SD rats in the untreated control group from six 90-day feeding trials conducted by the National Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs. It provides important reference data for related research. By summarizing the background and spontaneous histopathological changes in rats, this study aids in the standardization and normalization of subsequent research, as well as in the evaluation and analysis of abnormal results.
5.Small bowel video keyframe retrieval based on multi-modal contrastive learning.
Xing WU ; Guoyin YANG ; Jingwen LI ; Jian ZHANG ; Qun SUN ; Xianhua HAN ; Quan QIAN ; Yanwei CHEN
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(2):334-342
Retrieving keyframes most relevant to text from small intestine videos with given labels can efficiently and accurately locate pathological regions. However, training directly on raw video data is extremely slow, while learning visual representations from image-text datasets leads to computational inconsistency. To tackle this challenge, a small bowel video keyframe retrieval based on multi-modal contrastive learning (KRCL) is proposed. This framework fully utilizes textual information from video category labels to learn video features closely related to text, while modeling temporal information within a pretrained image-text model. It transfers knowledge learned from image-text multimodal models to the video domain, enabling interaction among medical videos, images, and text data. Experimental results on the hyper-spectral and Kvasir dataset for gastrointestinal disease detection (Hyper-Kvasir) and the Microsoft Research video-to-text (MSR-VTT) retrieval dataset demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of KRCL, with the proposed method achieving state-of-the-art performance across nearly all evaluation metrics.
Humans
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Video Recording
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Intestine, Small/diagnostic imaging*
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Machine Learning
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
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Algorithms
6.Lnx1 expression in cortical neurons of rats with traumatic brain injury and mechanisms involved in secondary brain injury
Yanxia MA ; Yanwei YANG ; Yuhang MA ; Di LI ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Mingming ZOU ; Shanwen WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):24-30
BACKGROUND:Apoptosis plays an important role in secondary brain injury.Therefore,to explore the pathophysiological mechanism of promoting nerve cell survival after traumatic brain injury provides a new direction and theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of traumatic brain injury. OBJECTIVE:To explore the expression changes of Lnx1 molecule in mammalian cortical neurons after brain injury and the possible mechanism involved in secondary brain injury. METHODS:Eighty adult SD rats were divided into 20 male and 20 female mice in sham operation group and 20 male and 20 female mice in traumatic brain injury group.The traumatic brain injury rat model was established by heavy falling method.At 6,12,24,48,and 72 hours after brain injury,the expression of related molecules in damaged cortical neurons was analyzed by RT-qPCR,western blot assay,and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The brain tissue of traumatic brain injury group was bleeding and obvious tissue injury could be observed.Water content of brain tissue increased after traumatic brain injury.(2)Compared with the sham operation group,the expression of Lnx1 in cortical neurons after traumatic brain injury increased significantly at 24 hours after injury.(3)After traumatic brain injury,the expression of PBK and BCR protein decreased,and the pro-survival factor ctgf increased.(4)These findings suggest that after traumatic brain injury,the expression of Lnx1 is up-regulated in neurons,which may be due to the decrease of the expression of its target molecules PBK and BCR,and further promote the expression of living factor ctgf,which has a protective effect on the damaged neurons.
7.Finite element analysis of stress distribution on mandibular All-on-4 implant fixed denture with different occlusion
Zhengmin WU ; Changxu LI ; Yanwei CUI ; Su CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(28):6020-6029
BACKGROUND:The long-term effect of All-on-4 implant fixed denture is closely related to biomechanics.Its occlusion design affects the stress distribution of every part of the restoration.However,there is limited and inconclusive biomechanical research on All-on-4 implant fixed denture both domestically and internationally so far.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effect of different occlusal contacts on the stress distribution of mandibular All-on-4 implant fixed denture.METHODS:A model of mandibular All-on-4 implant fixed denture was established.By changing the loading force,direction,and position,10 loading conditions were set up to simulate centric occlusion,laterotrusive occlusion,and protrusive occlusion.The stress distribution and maximum stress values of every part of the model in different loading conditions were analyzed and compared among each group of models by loading different tooth positions to simulate different occlusal contact types.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The stress distribution cloud diagrams of each group of models were basically similar.The stress of the implant was mainly concentrated at the implant neck.The stress of the surrounding bone tissue was mainly concentrated around the implant neck,and the stress of the cortical bone was significantly higher than that of the cancellous bone.The stress of the abutment was mainly concentrated at the connection between the abutment and the implant and the abutment and the upper restoration.The stress of the titanium bracket in the upper restoration was mainly concentrated at the connection between the abutment and the titanium bracket,and the stress of the resin surface in the upper restoration was mainly concentrated on each loading point.(2)In simulating centric occlusion,the maximum stress value of the implant significantly increased when the cantilever was not loaded.It indicates that the mandibular All-on-4 implant fixed denture can have occlusal contact in the distal cantilever during centric occlusion.(3)In simulating laterotrusive occlusion,the maximum stress values of every part of the model significantly increased when simulating canine-guided occlusion.The maximum stress value of the simulated laterotrusive balanced occlusion was slightly lower than that of the simulated group functional occlusion.It indicates that group functional occlusion can be selected in the permanent prosthesis after osseointegration and laterotrusive balanced occlusion can be selected in the provisional restoration of mandibular All-on-4 implant fixed denture.(4)In simulating protrusive occlusion,the maximum stress values of every part of the model significantly increase when only the front tooth is loaded.In simulating protrusive balanced occlusion,the maximum Von-Mises stress value is relatively small.It indicates that the protrusive occlusion of mandibular All-on-4 implant fixed denture can choose protrusive balanced occlusion.
8.The clinical value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting the prognosis of patients with HCC after receiving TACE with sequential microwave ablation
Jie CHEN ; Yangdingxin LI ; Yong WANG ; Yan LI ; Junbiao LI ; Yanwei QIN ; Wei XU
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(1):79-84
Objective To discuss the clinical value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)in predicting the prognosis of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with micro wave ablation(MWA).Methods The clinical data of 110 patients with unresectable HCC,who received TACE with sequential MWA at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University of China from March 2018 to March 2022,were retrospectively analyzed.The median NLR and PLR values were used as the cut-off values.Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences in the baseline characteristics between the high NLR/PLR group and low NLR/PLR group.Overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)curves were plotted by using Kaplan-Meier method,which were compared by using log-rank test.Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was adopted to determine the factors associated with OS and PFS.Multivariate analysis of the variables,which had a P<0.05 in the univariate analysis,was performed.Results The median NLR and PLR were 2.05 and 90 respectively.Compared with the high NLR/PLR group,in the low NLR/PLR group the OS was obviously better[1 100 days(95%CI=1 047.7-1 153.7)vs 683 days(95%CI=552.5-814.8);1 076 days(95%CI=996.4-1 156.2)vs 721 days(95%CI=583.0-859.8)](all P<0.01),and the PFS was longer[720 days(95%CI=361.6-1 078.4)vs 298 days(95%CI=47.0-205.8);545 days(95%CI=292.3-797.7)vs 270 days(95%CI=213.5-326.5)](all P<0.05).High NLR(HR=2.193,95%CI=1.358-3.541,P=0.001;HR=37.883,95%CI=4.83-296.760,P=0.001)and high PLR(HR=2.117,95%CI=1.306-3.434,P=0.002;HR=6.547,95%CI=2.367-18.113,P<0.01)were the predictors of poor PFS and OS.Conclusion The preoperative NLR and PLR have a good predictive value for the therapeutic effect of TACE with sequential MWA for HCC.
9.Endovascular recanalization for symptomatic non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion:analysis of its short-term efficacy
Junlei CUI ; Xinyu XIE ; Dayong DU ; Yanwei HOU ; Wenlong ZHANG ; Bo LI ; Hongwu ZHANG ; Heliang ZHANG ; Zaiyu GUO
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(10):1105-1109
Objective To discuss the short-term efficacy of endovascular recanalization for symptomatic non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion.Methods A total of 90 patients with symptomatic non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion,who were admitted to the Department of Neurology of Tianjin Municipal Teda Hospital of China from August 2017 to December 2021,were selected as the research objects.The patients were divided into study group(n=45)and control group(n=45).Percutaneous endovascular recanalization of internal carotid artery occlusion was performed for the patients of the study group,and standardized antiplatelet aggregation and anti-lipid therapy(including oral aspirin,clopidogrel bisulphate and atorvastatin)was adopted for the patients of the control group.The symptom recurrence rate at one year after treatment in both groups was analyzed.Results Of the 45 patients in the control group,4 were lost in touch,and 41 completed the one-year follow-up.Of the 45 patients in the study group,2 patients had failure of surgery,one patient had lost contact visit,and 42 completed the one-year follow-up.Postoperative intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 2 patients.After one year of follow-up,in the control group 26 patients(63.41%)developed recurrence of symptoms,presenting as transient ischemic attack(TIA,n=13,31.7%)and cerebral infarction(n=13,31.7%),and in the study group 8 patients(4.76%)developed recurrence of symptoms,presenting as TIA(n=6,14.3%)and cerebral infarction(n=2,4.8%);the incidence of cerebral infarction in the study group was strikingly lower than that in the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).In the patients with grade Ⅲ compensation,the recurrence rate of symptoms was remarkably decreased after endovascular recanalization of internal carotid artery occlusion,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).However,in the patients with grade Ⅰ or grade Ⅱ compensation,although the recurrence rate of symptoms was decreased after endovascular recanalization of internal carotid artery occlusion,the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of patients with symptomatic non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion,percutaneous endovascular recanalization of internal carotid artery occlusion is clinically safe,it can significantly decrease the recurrence rate of symptoms.
10.Exploring the association between mental stress, lymphocyte subset variations, and coronary lesion severity
Yunpeng CHI ; Lijun ZHANG ; Xiaorong HUANG ; Xiaoran SHEN ; Peijun RAO ; Yanwei LI ; Haiyang CHEN ; Meiyan LIU
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(1):36-44
Objectives:This study aimed to explore the association between perceived mental stress (MS), lymphocyte subset variations, and coronary lesion severity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods:Patients with CAD were enrolled in this study from September 2023 to May 2024. Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) was used to evaluate MS during the last 1 month. Lymphocyte subsets were analyzed, including the percentage and absolute counts of CD3 +, CD3 +CD4 +, CD3 +CD8 +, CD3 -CD19 +, CD3 -CD56 +16 +, and the Th/Ts ratio. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 24.0. Results:This study recruited patients with 323 CAD, with an average age of 61 (56, 68) years, including 203 males and 120 females. According to the PSS-14, a score of 14-42 and 43-70 were categorized as normal and increased MS, respectively. Patients with CAD with increased MS had significantly higher Gensini scores than those with normal MS [37(19,64) vs. 28(12,50), Z=-2.19, P=0.029]. Male CAD patients with increased MS exhibited significantly higher Gensini scores [39(20, 58) vs. 26(12, 45), Z=-2.37, P=0.018], levels of CD3 +CD8 +%[28.3%(23.6%,36.6%) vs. 25.9%(21.0%,32.4%), Z=-2.05, P=0.041], and CD3 +CD8 +absolute value [485 (346, 675) vs. 396 (309, 510) cells/μl, Z=-2.55, P=0.011] than those with normal MS. In male patients with CAD, a positive correlation was observed between Gensini scores (correlation coefficient: 0.181, P=0.011), PSS-14 scores, and CD3 +CD8 +absolute value (correlation coefficient: 0.162, P=0.038). Conclusion:This study reveals a positive correlation between MS and coronary stenosis severity, with notable sex differences. In male patients with CAD, higher levels of MS are associated with more severe coronary stenosis. The potential underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of lymphocyte subsets .

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