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.Locally producing antibacterial peptide to deplete intratumoral pathogen for preventing metastatic breast cancer.
Shizhen GENG ; Tingting XIANG ; Yaru SHI ; Mengnian CAO ; Danyu WANG ; Jing WANG ; Xinling LI ; Haiwei SONG ; Zhenzhong ZHANG ; Jinjin SHI ; Junjie LIU ; Airong LI ; Ke SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1084-1097
Metastatic dissemination is the major cause of death from breast-cancer (BC). Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.n) is widely enriched in BC and has recently been identified as one of the high-risk factors for promoting BC metastasis. Here, with an experimental model, we demonstrated that intratumoral F.n induced BC aggressiveness by transcriptionally activating Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated genes. Therefore, the F.n may be a potential target to prevent metastasis. Given the fact that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant in BC and located near blood vessels, we report an optogenetic system that drives CAF to in situ produce human antibacterial peptide LL37, with the characteristics of biosafety and freely intercellular trafficking, for depleting intratumoral F.n, leading to a 72.1% reduction in lung metastatic nodules number without affecting the balance of the systemic flora. Notably, mild photothermal treatment was found that could normalize CAF, contributing to synergistically inhibiting BC metastasis. In addition, the system can also simultaneously encode a gene of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand to suppress the primary tumor. Together, our study highlights the potential of local elimination of tumor pathogenic bacteria to prevent BC metastasis.
4.Effect of Cordyceps sinensis on podocyte damage induced by high glucose by regulating the AMPK/mTOR pathway
Bingxin LI ; Junying XU ; Yaru ZHANG ; Xiaobing ZHOU
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(3):225-229
Objective To investigate effects of Cordyceps sinensis(CS)on high glucose(HG)induced podocyte injury by regulating the adenylate activated protein kinase(AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway.Methods Mouse podocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into the normal glucose(NG)group,the HG group,the HG+CS group,the HG+CS+autophagy inhibitor(HG+CS+3MA)group and the HG+CS+AMPK inhibitor(HG+CS+Compound C)group.Podocyte viability was detected by CCK-8 method.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression levels of podocyte marker proteins podocin and nephrin,autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1 and P62,and pathway related proteins p-AMPK and p-mTOR.Results Compared with the NG group,the cell viability of podocytes decreased,the expression levels of podocin,nephrin,Beclin-1 and p-AMPK protein were decreased,and the expression levels of P62 and p-mTOR protein were increased in the HG group(P<0.05).Compared with the HG group,the cell viability of podocytes was increased,the expression levels of podocin,nephrin,Beclin-1 and p-AMPK protein were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of P62 and p-mTOR protein were decreased in the HG+CS group(P<0.05).Compared with the HG+CS group,the cell viability decreased in the HG+CS+3MA group and the HG+CS+Compound C group(P<0.05).Compared with the HG+CS group,the HG+CS+3MA group and the HG+CS+Compound C group showed decreased expression levels of podocin,nephrin and Beclin-1 protein,and increased expression of P62 protein(P<0.05).Compared with the HG+CS group,the expression of p-AMPK protein decreased and the expression of p-mTOR protein increased in the HG+CS+Compound C group(P<0.05).Conclusion Cordyceps sinensis may play a protective role in diabetic nephropathy by up-regulating AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway to induce podocyte autophagy,alleviate high glucose induced podocyte injury and apoptosis.
5.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.
6.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.
7.Sinicization and test of reliability and validity of Chinese version of Hybrid Education Competence Instrument
Ji REN ; Kefang WANG ; Yuqi ZHANG ; Yaru JIN ; Lin ZHANG ; Yanan WANG ; Binbin ZHANG ; Chunyan TANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(2):228-235
Objective The Hybrid Education Competence Instrument(HybridEduCom)was sinicized,and its reliability and validity were tested.Methods The translation,cultural adjustment and pre-investigation of HybridEduCom were followed by the Brislin translation model.The reliability and validity of the HybridEduCom was tested by surveying 553 educators in medical and nursing related fields by convenience sampling from March to April 2024.Results The Chinese version of HybridEduCom consisted of 46 items in 5 dimensions:planning and resourcing competence,technology competence,interaction competence,digital pedagogy competence,and ethical competence in the hybrid education.The confirmatory factor analysis resulted in the second-order five-factor model,with the chi-square and degree of freedom ratio being 1.274,approximate root mean square error being 0.022,goodness of fit index being 0.913,and standard fit index(NFI)being 0.934,and Tucker-Lewis and comparative fit index being 0.985.All main evaluation indexes were within the acceptable range of the judgment criteria.The item-content validity index was 0.833-1.000,and the scale-content validity index was 0.968.The Cronbach's α for the whole scale was 0.982,while varied from 0.892 to 0.936 for each dimension.The test-retest reliability of the scale was 0.978.Conclusion The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of HybridEduCom were satisfactory,and it can serve as a valid assessment instrument for the implementation of hybrid education competence of Chinese higher medical and nursing educators.
8.Effects of Yifei Jianpi Prescription on Airway Mucus Hypersecretion and Protein Expressions of EGFR/PKC/NF-κB Pathway in Rats with Acute Lung Injury
Yaru YANG ; Yujie YANG ; Zhongbo ZHU ; Xuhui ZHANG ; Xiping LIU ; Hongmei LI ; Shixia LI ; Shixin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(9):83-90
Objective To observe the effects of Yifei Jianpi Prescription on airway mucus hypersecretion and protein expressions of EGFR/PKC/NF-κB pathway in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)model rats;To explore its mechanism in the treatment of ALI.Methods Ten of 60 SPF SD rats were randomly selected as blank group,and the other rats were intratracheal instilled with LPS to establish ALI model.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,dexamethasone group and Yifei Jianpi Prescription high-,medium-and low-dosage groups,with 8 rats in each group.Each treatment group was given corresponding drug solution by gavage,and the blank group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline by gavage,once a day for 14 days.The pulmonary functions of rats were measured[peak expiratory flow(PEF),tidal volume(TV),expiratory volume(EV),50%expiratory flow rate(EF50)],HE staining was used to observe the morphology of lung tissue,AB-PAS staining was used to evaluate the proliferation and mucus secretion of goblet cells,the expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),protein kinase C(PKC),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65 and MUC5AC in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence staining,the mRNA expressions of EGFR and MUC5AC in lung tissue were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR,and the content of MUC5AC in lung tissue was detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the blank group,PEF,TV,EV and EF50 of the model group rats significantly decreased(P<0.01);the bronchial wall was significantly thickened,the lumen narrowed,pulmonary interstitial edema and hyperemia,the thickness of alveolar wall increased,accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration,and the lung tissue injury score increased significantly(P<0.01);goblet cells proliferated significantly,mucus secretion increased significantly(P<0.01);the protein expressions of EGFR,PKC,NF-κB p65,MUC5AC and mRNA expressions of EGFR and MUC5AC in lung tissue increased significantly(P<0.01),and the content of MUC5AC in lung tissue increased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,PEF,TV,EV and EF50 in dexamethasone group and Yifei Jianpi Prescription each dosage groups increased in varying degrees;the pathological injury of lung tissue was alleviated to varying degrees,the score of lung tissue injury was reduced;the proliferation of goblet cells was reduced,and the secretion of mucus was reduced,the expressions of EGFR,PKC,NF-κB p65,MUC5AC protein and EGFR,MUC5AC mRNA in lung tissue decreased,and the content of MUC5AC in lung tissue decreased.There was statistical significance in dexamethasone group and Yifei Jianpi Prescription high-and medium-dosage groups(P<0.01).Conclusion Yifei Jianpi Prescription can inhibit the hypersecretion of airway mucus and the high expression of EGFR/PKC/NF-κB pathway protein in rats with ALI induced by LPS.
9.Constructing disability eligibility standards using ICF:conceptual framework,approaches and methodological systems
Yaru YANG ; Zhuoying QIU ; Di CHEN ; Zhongyan WANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Guiyun SONG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(7):745-754
Objective To construct a conceptual framework and methodology for developing disability eligibility/standard using the bio-psycho-social model of disability,and classification theory and methods of the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health(ICF).Methods Based on the ICF's bio-psycho-social model,and aliged with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the World Health Organization technical documents in the fields of disability statis-tics and services,this study explored the systematic implementation of ICF to construct a conceptual framework and methodology for disability eligibility/standards,including core concepts and terminology of functioning and disability,methods and system of classification and grading,coding system,standardization of disability survey questionnaires and protocols,and assessment/evaluation tools,as well as standard system of disability data.Results The establishment of disability standards should be based on specific application contexts and functions.Stan-dards for surveys and statistics emphasized data collection and analysis,applied to the design of survey question-naires and methodologies.Standards for service eligibility focused on determining service qualification through structured assessments/evaluation of functioning and disability.Comprehensive standards served both purposes.A well-rounded disability standard integrated a clear theoretical framework,scientific classification,grading and coding systems,and standardized disability reporting and evaluation/assessment methods/tools.The conceptual framework and methodological system for disability standards based on ICF comprised five core aspects:a core conceptual and terminological system for disability;disability classification and grading methods and systems;a scientifically structured classification,grading,and coding system;standardized disability reporting and assess-ment/evaluation methods and procedures;and standardized disability data systems.Applying ICF in practice in-volved systematically integrating the theoretical framework into the development of disability classification and grading systems,constructing coding systems using ICF,implementing standardized disability reporting and as-sessment/evaluation tools derived from the ICF,designing and standardizing disability survey instruments,ques-tionnaires/protocols,and assessment/evaluation tools and protocols,and establishing ICF-based disability data standards.Conclusion ICF provides a robust conceptual framework and methodology for the development of disability eligibility/standards.The bio-psycho-social model,conceptual framework and methodological approaches of classification,grading and coding of functioning and disability,and ICF-based standardized survey and assessment/evaluation tools,enable the establishment of core disability concepts and terminology,disability classification and grading systems,disability coding systems,disability survey questionnaires and protocols and assessment/evaluation tools and programs,and disability data standards.The systematic application of the ICF framework and method-ology enhances the scientific rigor,inclusivity and applicability of disability eligibility/standards.
10.The predictive value of the systemic inflammation response index for non-curative resection after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early colorectal cancer
Jiyue ZHU ; Bo ZHANG ; Yaru LI ; Liuye HUANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(5):716-723
Objective To evaluate the predictive value of the Systemic Inflammation Response Index(SIRI)for non-curative resection during endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)treatment of early-stage colorectal cancer(CRC),and to develop a nomogram-based prediction model.Methods Retrospective data were collected from 235 patients diagnosed with early-stage CRC who underwent ESD at our hospital between January 2016 and August 2024.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were constructed to evaluate the predictive performance of inflamma-tory markers,such as the SIRI,for non-curative resection following ESD.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors associated with non-curative resection,and a prediction model was developed based on these factors.The model was internally validated.Results The incidence of non-curative resection in the study population was 26.38%(62 out of 235 cases).Inflammatory markers,specifically SIRI and SII,demonstrated predictive value for non-curative resection following ESD in patients with early-stage CRC,with SIRI exhibiting a higher predictive accuracy(AUC=0.704).Logistic regression analysis identified age,family history,CEA,SIRI,and SII as independent risk factors for non-curative resection(all P<0.05).Based on these findings,a nomogram prediction model incorporating age,family history,CEA,and SIRI was developed,achieving a C-index of 0.741(95%CI:0.675~0.806).The model′s performance was validated using the Bootstrap method,and the decision curve analysis indicated satisfactory predictive accuracy.Conclusions SIRI demonstrates superior predictive value compared to SII for non-curative resection following ESD in patients with early-stage CRC.Independent risk factors for non-curative resection after ESD include age,family history,CEA levels,SIRI,and SII.A nomogram prediction model constructed using these risk factors-specifically age,family history,CEA levels,and SIRI-can effectively pre-dict the likelihood of non-curative resection after ESD.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail