1.Mechanism of Yueju Wan in Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia Based on Regulation of 5-HT Signaling Pathway
Haoran SHEN ; Yaru GU ; Muqing ZHANG ; Zhikuo DONG ; Xingxing GAO ; Dantong LI ; Ying GU ; Yixin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):20-28
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Yueju Wan on the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) signaling pathway in rats with functional dyspepsia (FD) and to explore its therapeutic mechanism in the treatment of FD. MethodsSixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, model group, mosapride group (1.575 mg·kg-1), and Yueju Wan low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (0.735, 1.47, and 2.94 g·kg-1, respectively). The FD rat model was established using GUO's tail-clamping stimulation combined with irregular feeding. After 14 days of modeling, rats were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage for 28 days. After treatment, gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were measured. Serum levels of 5-HT, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and substance P (SP) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and acetylcholine (ACh) levels were determined by chemical methods. Histopathological changes in the gastric antrum were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein expression levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor (5-HT4R), SP, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in colon tissue, as well as 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor (5-HT3R), SP, and AChE in hypothalamic tissue. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine the expression of 5-HT and 5-HT4R in the colon and 5-HT and 5-HT3R in the hypothalamus. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Serum levels of 5-HT, SP, ACh, and TPH were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Histopathological examination revealed irregular arrangement of glands in the gastric antrum, slight mucosal atrophy, and mild inflammatory cell infiltration. The mRNA and protein expression levels of 5-HT4R, SP, and AChE in colon tissue, as well as 5-HT3R, SP, and AChE in hypothalamic tissue, were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and 5-HT protein expression in both the colon and hypothalamus was also significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all Yueju Wan groups showed significantly increased gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate (P<0.01). The glands in the gastric antrum were more regularly arranged, with no inflammatory cell infiltration observed. Serum levels of 5-HT, SP, ACh, and TPH were significantly increased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of 5-HT4R, SP, and AChE in colon tissue and 5-HT3R, SP, and AChE in hypothalamic tissue were significantly upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and 5-HT protein expression in both the colon and hypothalamus was significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionYueju Wan has preventive and therapeutic effects on FD, and its mechanism may be related to regulation of the 5-HT signaling pathway, promotion of brain-gut peptide secretion, and enhancement of gastric motility.
2.Research progress on the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety
WANG Liwen ; CAI Yutai ; RUAN Yaru ; ZHANG Fan ; YU Hongmei ; GAO Yanhui
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(3):281-291
There are practical and cost-effective opportunities for the prevention and early intervention of periodontal disease, a common oral condition. Depression and anxiety represent major global mental health challenges, and they are characterized by high prevalence rates and an elevated suicide risk. Their clinical management is complicated by extended treatment timelines and substantial healthcare costs. Accumulating evidence demonstrates a statistically significant bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety disorders. However, established clinical pathways integrating these conditions remain lacking. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of current research examining the relationship between periodontal disease and mood disorders, specifically depression and anxiety. This study explored the bidirectional mechanisms within the microbiota-oral-brain axis, which includes both periodontal disease inducing neuroinflammation through pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activating the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and depression and anxiety leading to “glucocorticoid resistance” through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, thus causing dual immune dysfunction that exacerbates periodontal tissue destruction, as well as the mechanisms by which biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety. We propose implementing bidirectional referral protocols between dental and psychiatric services in clinical practice, incorporating mental health screening tools, such as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7), for patients with moderate-to-severe periodontal disease, and incorporating periodontal examination into routine assessment during psychiatric services. This multidisciplinary approach aims to break the vicious circle between these conditions and provide clinicians with pragmatic intervention strategies.
3.Isolation,identification and pathogenicity analysis of two avain infectious bronchi-tis virus strain
Hanwen ZHANG ; Yaru GAO ; Yang WANG ; Yapeng SONG ; Wenming GAO ; Lin LIU ; Xiaoyang CAO ; Jingrui LIU ; Xinsheng LI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(10):2133-2141,2155
This study aims to investigate the isolate and identify of infectious bronchitis virus(IBV)in chickens,and study its genetic variation and pathogenicity.In 2023,two strains named CK/CH/HN/SQ202301 and CK/CH/HN/SQ202302 were obtained from suspected infectious bronchitis(IB)infected materials collected in a region of Henan Province,China.Further analysis showed that the two isolates belong to the G Ⅰ-13 and GⅥ genotypes,respectively.The cleavage sites of S protein were all RRSRR.The prediction of glycosylation sites showed that the two isolates had 18 and 12 N-glycosylation sites respectively,but no O-glycosylation site.Recombinant analysis shows that C2023-1 was a recombinant strain.Pathogenicity was assessed by infecting 1-day-old SPF chicks with the two isolates,and the results showed that C2023-1 strain infection could cause clini-cal symptoms such as depression and head shaking,as well as death in chicks,with a mortality rate of 37.5%.There were no clinical symptoms or deaths after infection with C2023-2 strain.Viral load test results showed that both isolates continued to detoxify until the 10th day,and had strong rep-lication capacity in the kidney,trachea and bursa of Fabricius.The results indicate significant differences in the genetic characteristics and pathogenicity of the two isolates due to their different genotypes.This study not only provides new epidemiological data on IB,which contributes to a bet-ter understanding of IBV's epidemiological features and control challenges,but also adds valuable bioinformatics resources for IBV by analyzing its variation mechanisms and biological information.
4.Preliminary study on coronary artery image quality and calcified plaque evaluation using ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT
Yaru YANG ; Yan'e ZHAO ; Huixin ZHANG ; Yong YUAN ; Qiuju HU ; Jiliang CHEN ; Yujie GAO ; Dongsheng JIN ; Song LUO ; Guangming LU
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(12):1361-1368
Objective:To investigate the differential impact of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT (UHR PCD-CT) and energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) on image quality and calcified plaque-induced luminal stenosis in coronary CT angiography (CCTA).Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent both EID-CT and UHR PCD-CT CCTA at the Geriatric Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2021 and November 2024. A total of 141 patients were included in the study, within 46 patients having scans within a 12-month interval. Image quality of all coronary artery segments was subjectively evaluated. Patients with paired scans (interval≤12 months) were included for calcified plaque analysis. Subjective visualization of calcified plaques evaluated. The blooming artifact was calculated as an objective evaluation index for assessing the calcified plaques. Additionally, the degree of coronary artery lumen stenosis resulting from calcified plaques was assessed, along with the measurement of plaque volume and the Agatston score. Changes in lumen stenosis between the two scans were also evaluated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the subjective scores of coronary artery image quality and calcified plaques between the two groups, and paired-sample t-tests were used to compare the blooming artifact and lumen stenosis degree. Results:The PCD-CT image quality score was significantly higher than that of EID-CT [PCD-CT : 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 4 (4,5); Z=-21.38, P<0.001]. Compared to EID-CT, PCD-CT reduced the blooming artifact (PCD-CT: 38.88%±9.09%, EID-CT: 50.11%±11.52%; t=-12.97, P<0.001), significantly improving the subjective score for visualization of calcified plaques [PCD-CT: 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 3 (2,3); Z=-9.68, P<0.001], and the measured lumen stenosis was notably lower in PCD-CT(PCD-CT:34.88%±18.20%, EID-CT:45.31%±23.42%; t=-9.93, P<0.001). Among 129 analyzed calcified plaques, luminal stenosis was reduced on PCD-CT in 110 plaques (85.3%) and increased in 19 (14.7%), including 4 plaques that had unclear boundaries with the adjacent lumen in EID-CT CCTA images, making the stenosis difficult to assess. Conclusion:Compared to EID-CT, UHR PCD-CT for CCTA significantly improves coronary artery image quality, provides clearer visualization of calcified plaques and adjacent lumen details, and it can reduce the overestimation of coronary artery caleified plaque stenosis.
5.An association study between ALOX15 gene polymorphisms and non-cardia gastric carcinogenesis
Ning Chu ; Wenjie Dong ; Fang Gao ; Yingze Li ; Yaru Chen ; Bin Zhang ; Yanbin Jia
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(10):1865-1873
Objective:
To explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) in the arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase(ALOX15) gene and Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection as well as the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer in Baotou Han population, and to provide experimental evidence and data support for the screening of susceptible population for non-cardia gastric cancer.
Methods:
A total of 458 cases with non-cardia gastric cancer and 460 healthy examination people were collected. The 14C urea breath test(UBT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) were used to detect H. pylori infection in the 460 healthy individuals. The genotypes of ALOX15 rs2619112, rs2619118, rs2664593, rs7220870 were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the association of SNP with H. pylori infection as well as the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer was statistically analyzed.
Results:
The positive rate of H. pylori infection was 42.4%. ALOX15 rs2619112, rs2619118, rs2664593, and rs7220870 had no association with H. pylori infection. ALOX15 rs2619112, rs2664593, and rs7220870 were not associated with the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer. Compared with the carriers of(CC + CT) genotype, the carriers of rs2619118 TT genotype had an increased onset risk of non-cardia gastric cancer [OR(95%CI)=1.512(1.110-2.060)]. The haplotype ACCC constructed by ALOX15 rs2619112, rs2619118, rs2664593, and rs7220870 could reduce the onset risk of non-cardia gastric cancer. The second-order interaction of ALOX15 rs2619112 and rs2619118 was associated with the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer ( P < 0. 05 ) .
Conclusion
ALOX15 rs2619112 , rs2619118 , rs2664593 , rs7220870 may not play a major role in H. pylori infection. ALOX15 rs2619118 TT genotype is a risk factor for the development of non⁃cardia gastric cancer. The haplotype ACCC constructed by ALOX15 rs2619112 , rs2619118 , rs2664593 , and rs7220870 reduces the onset risk of non⁃cardia gastric cancer. The interaction of ALOX15 rs2619112 and rs2619118 has a synergistic effect in the development of non⁃cardia gastric cancer.
6.Association of GPX4 gene polymorphisms with non-cardia gastric cancer
Yaru Chen ; Fang Gao ; Wenjie Dong ; Ning Chu ; Yanbin Jia
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(3):399-404
Objective :
To investigate the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) gene in the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer.
Methods:
A total of 1 031 samples were selected, including 506 normal examiners and 525 patients with non-cardia gastric cancer.GPX4rs4807542, rs713041, rs2074451 and rs3746162 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP). Unconditional Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between each SNP with the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer under the four genetic models.
Results :
The CT+TT genotype of rs713041 reduced the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer compared with the CC genotype(OR=0.699, 95%CI: 0.537-0.910). The GT+TT genotype of rs2074451 reduced the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer compared with the GG genotype(OR=0.681,95%CI: 0.520-0.893). The G-C-G-C haplotype, constructed by the four SNPs ofGPX4, was related to an increased risk of non-cardia gastric cancer(OR=1.262, 95%CI: 1.035-1.539), and G-T-T-C haplotype was related to a decreased risk of non-cardia gastric cancer(OR=0.784, 95%CI: 0.656-0.937). The fourth-order interaction ofGPX4rs4807542, rs713041, rs2074451 and rs3746162 played a synergistic effect in the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer(P<0.05).
Conclusion
GPX4rs713041 and rs2074451 are related to non-cardia gastric cancer susceptibility. The G-C-G-C haplotype composed ofGPX4rs4807542, rs713041, rs2074451 and rs3746162 is a risk factor for non-cardia gastric cancer, while the G-T-T-C haplotype is a protective factor. The interaction betweenGPX4rs4807542, rs713041, rs2074451 and rs3746162 is closely connected with the occurrence of non-cardia gastric cancer.
7.Association of sleep quality with overweight and obesity among middle school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):779-782
Objective:
To explore relationship of sleep quality with overweight and obesity among middle school students, so as to provide a reference basis for improving adolescent sleep health.
Methods:
From September to December 2023, 5 713 middle school students aged 13 to 18 were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method in six regions, including Shanghai, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Wuyuan, Xingyi and Urumqi. Sleep quality survey was conducted on middle school students by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Height and weight were measured, and World Health Organization s standards for growth and development of children and adolescents was used to evaluate their nutritional status. Both χ 2 test and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the association between sleep quality and nutritional status of middle school students.
Results:
The non compliance detection rate of sleep quality was 38.4% among girls, but 29.2% among boys, and the difference was of statistical significance( χ 2=54.08, P < 0.01 ). The detection rate of substandard sleep quality was 34.2% in the group with normal nutritional status, 38.3% in the group with overweight, 43.7% in the group with obesity and 26.0% in the group with emaciation, and the difference in the rates of substandard sleep quality among middle school students of different nutritional status was statistically significant ( χ 2=68.15, P <0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after controlling for mental health and physical activity, the detection rate of substandard sleep quality in the obese groups was 1.30 times higher than that in the normal group, respectively( OR =1.30, 95% CI =1.06- 1.59 , P <0.01).
Conclusions
Sleep quality is correlated with overweight and obesity among middle school students, and there are gender differences. Intervention policies should be formulated according to the characteristics of different genders.
8.Low-dose risperidone for bipolar disorder in a child onset at age 5: a case report and 4-year follow-up
Yaru ZHANG ; Yanmei SHEN ; Xingyue JIN ; Xueping GAO ; Chunxiang HUANG ; Xuerong LUO ; Jianping LU
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(5):373-376
Bipolar disorder in children, a serious mental illness, often leads to significant functional impairment. Bipolar disorder onset in children is rare and is difficult to diagnose correctly due to the atypical clinical manifestations. Risperidone, as a second-generation antipsychotic, shows satisfied efficacy in children with bipolar disorder with dual effects on mood stabilization and psychotic symptom control. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of risperidone for the treatment of children with bipolar disorder remains unknown. This paper reports a 5-year-old child with bipolar disorder who was treated with low-dose risperidone and followed up for 4 years. The child showed significant emotional stabilization and behavioral improvement at the beginning of treatment. No serious side effects occurred during long-term follow-up. This paper detailly describes the clinical manifestations and diagnostic process of bipolar disorder onset in children in aspects of detailed clinical observation and evaluation. It summarizes the efficacy and safety of risperidone in the treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder to provide valuable experience for clinicians.
9.Expression and immunogenicity study of IBV S1 fusion protein containing FAdV-4 Fiber 2 B cell epitopes
Yaru GAO ; Yang WANG ; Hanwen ZHANG ; Lin LIU ; Xiaoyang CAO ; Jingrui LIU ; Bingjie LI ; Jingjing CHANG ; Yapeng SONG ; Wenming GAO ; Xinsheng LI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1616-1623
To verify whether the two B-cell epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 in the FAdV-4 WZ fiber can be used as candidate epitopes for multivalent epitope vaccines,epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 were tandemly linked with the chicken infectious bronchitis virus strain M41 S1 protein gene in different patterns,and a recombinant fusion plasmid was constructed and expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3).It was confirmed by Western blot and ELISA tests that all four expressed fusion proteins reacted specific-ally with anti-M41 whole virus serum and WZ strain anti-Fiber 2-knob protein serum.After purifi-cation and immunization of BALB/c mice,specific antibodies against the peptide epitopes were de-tected in mouse sera.The results showed that the Pep4 epitope induced a stronger immune re-sponse than the Pep1 epitope.When Pep1 was connected with the amino and carboxyl termini of the fusion protein,respectively,both resulted in the production of the same level of anti-Pep1 anti-bodies in the immunized animals,whereas when Pep4 was connected with the carboxyl terminus of the fusion protein,the immunized animals produced a higher level of anti-Pep4-specific antibodies.This research indicates that the B cell epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 of the reactive WZ strain Fiber 2,when conjugated with proteins to form fusion proteins,can enhance the immunogenicity of Pep1 and Pep4 without affecting the antigenicity of the carrier protein.This study provides technical support and serves as a reference for the design and development of a multivalent epitope vaccine for FAdV-4.
10.Expression and immunogenicity study of IBV S1 fusion protein containing FAdV-4 Fiber 2 B cell epitopes
Yaru GAO ; Yang WANG ; Hanwen ZHANG ; Lin LIU ; Xiaoyang CAO ; Jingrui LIU ; Bingjie LI ; Jingjing CHANG ; Yapeng SONG ; Wenming GAO ; Xinsheng LI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1616-1623
To verify whether the two B-cell epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 in the FAdV-4 WZ fiber can be used as candidate epitopes for multivalent epitope vaccines,epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 were tandemly linked with the chicken infectious bronchitis virus strain M41 S1 protein gene in different patterns,and a recombinant fusion plasmid was constructed and expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3).It was confirmed by Western blot and ELISA tests that all four expressed fusion proteins reacted specific-ally with anti-M41 whole virus serum and WZ strain anti-Fiber 2-knob protein serum.After purifi-cation and immunization of BALB/c mice,specific antibodies against the peptide epitopes were de-tected in mouse sera.The results showed that the Pep4 epitope induced a stronger immune re-sponse than the Pep1 epitope.When Pep1 was connected with the amino and carboxyl termini of the fusion protein,respectively,both resulted in the production of the same level of anti-Pep1 anti-bodies in the immunized animals,whereas when Pep4 was connected with the carboxyl terminus of the fusion protein,the immunized animals produced a higher level of anti-Pep4-specific antibodies.This research indicates that the B cell epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 of the reactive WZ strain Fiber 2,when conjugated with proteins to form fusion proteins,can enhance the immunogenicity of Pep1 and Pep4 without affecting the antigenicity of the carrier protein.This study provides technical support and serves as a reference for the design and development of a multivalent epitope vaccine for FAdV-4.


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