1.The Mechanisms of Quercetin in Improving Alzheimer’s Disease
Yu-Meng ZHANG ; Yu-Shan TIAN ; Jie LI ; Wen-Jun MU ; Chang-Feng YIN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):334-347
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.
2.Working practices in eliminating the public health crisis caused by viral hepatitis in Hainan Province of China
Weihua LI ; Changfu XIONG ; Taifan CHEN ; Bin HE ; Dapeng YIN ; Xuexia ZENG ; Feng LIN ; Biyu CHEN ; Xiaomei ZENG ; Biao WU ; Juan JIANG ; Lu ZHONG ; Yuhui ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):228-233
In 2022, Hainan provincial government launched the project for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis with the goals of a hepatitis B screening rate of 90%, a diagnostic rate of 90%, and a treatment rate of 80% among people aged 18 years and above by the year 2025, and the main intervention measures include population-based prevention, case screening, antiviral therapy, and health management. As of December 31, 2024, a total of 6.875 million individuals in the general population had been screened for hepatitis B, with a screening rate of 95.6%. A total of 184 710 individuals with positive HBsAg were identified, among whom 156 772 were diagnosed through serological reexamination, resulting in a diagnostic rate of 84.9%. A total of 50 742 patients with chronic hepatitis B were identified, among whom 42 921 had hepatitis B-specific health records established for health management, with a file establishment rate of 84.6%. A total of 31 553 individuals received antiviral therapy, with a treatment rate of 62.2%. A total of 2.503 million individuals at a high risk of hepatitis C were screened, among whom 4 870 tested positive for HCV antibody and 3 858 underwent HCV RNA testing, resulting in a diagnostic rate of 79.2%, and 1 824 individuals with positive HCV RNA were identified, among whom 1 194 received antiviral therapy, with a treatment rate of 65.5%. In addition, 159 301 individuals with negative HBsAg and anti-HBs and an age of 20 — 40 years were inoculated with hepatitis B vaccine free of charge. Through the implementation of the project for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis, a large number of hepatitis patients have been identified, treated, and managed in the province within a short period of time, which significantly accelerates the efforts to eliminate the crisis of viral hepatitis.
3.Effects of Different Modes in Hypoxic Training on Metabolic Improvements in Obese Individuals: a Systematic Review With Meta-analysis on Randomized Controlled Trail
Jie-Ping WANG ; Xiao-Shi LI ; Ru-Wen WANG ; Yi-Yin ZHANG ; Feng-Zhi YU ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1587-1604
This paper aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of hypoxic training at different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) on body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in obese individuals, and to determine the optimal oxygen concentration range to provide scientific evidence for personalized and precise hypoxic exercise prescriptions. A systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI databases for randomized controlled trials and pre-post intervention studies published up to March 31, 2025, involving hypoxic training interventions in obese populations. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software to assess the effects of different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2≤14% vs. FiO2>14%) on BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), with subgroup analyses based on oxygen concentration. A total of 22 studies involving 292 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that hypoxic training significantly reduced BMI (mean difference (MD)=-2.29,95%CI: -3.42 to -1.17, P<0.000 1), body fat percentage (MD=-2.32, 95%CI: -3.16 to -1.47, P<0.001), waist circumference (MD=-3.79, 95%CI: -6.73 to -0.85, P=0.01), fasting blood glucose (MD=-3.58, 95%CI: -6.23 to -0.93, P=0.008), insulin (MD=-1.60, 95%CI: -2.98 to -0.22, P=0.02), TG (MD=-0.18, 95%CI: -0.25 to -0.12, P<0.001), and LDL-C (MD=-0.25, 95%CI: -0.39 to -0.11, P=0.000 3). Greater improvements were observed under moderate hypoxic conditions with FiO2>14%. Changes in HOMA-IR (MD=-0.74, 95%CI: -1.52 to 0.04,P=0.06) and HDL-C (MD=-0.09, 95%CI: -0.21 to 0.02, P=0.11) were not statistically significant. Hypoxic training can significantly improve body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism indicators in obese individuals, with greater benefits observed under moderate hypoxia (FiO>14%). As a key parameter in hypoxic exercise interventions, the precise setting of oxygen concentration is crucial for optimizing intervention outcomes.
4.Establishment and validation of a predictive model for survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with liver cirrhosis and esophagogastric variceal bleeding
Xiaochun YIN ; Yuzheng ZHUGE ; Feng ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1120-1127
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in patients with liver cirrhosis and esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), and to establish a predictive model for survival after TIPS. MethodsClinical data were collected from 352 patients with liver cirrhosis and EGVB who underwent TIPS in Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, from January 2015 to December 2018, and the patients were randomly divided into training group (n=248) and validation group (n=104) at a ratio of 7∶3. The Cox regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for survival after TIPS, and a nomogram predictive model was established. The index of concordance (C-index) and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the discriminatory ability of the model, and the calibration curve was used to assess the predictive value of the model. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate cumulative survival rate. ResultsFor the patients in the training group, the 1-,3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 91.1%,79.5%, and 77.0%, respectively. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age (hazard ratio [HR]=1.047, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.032 — 1.092,P<0.001), MELD score (HR=1.127,95%CI:1.003 — 1.268,P=0.045), and serum sodium (Na) (HR=0.928,95%CI:0.878 — 0.981,P=0.008) were independent influencing factors for survival, and a predictive model and a nomogram were established based on these factors. The predictive model had a C-index of 0.760 in the training group and 0.757 in the validation group. In the training group, the nomogram had an area under the ROC curve of 0.807,0.788, and 0.787, respectively, in predicting 1-,3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates. The calibration curve showed relatively high consistency between the results predicted by the nomogram and the actual results. ConclusionA nomogram model is established based on age, MELD score, and Na for predicting survival after TIPS in patients with liver cirrhosis and EGVB, and this model has good discriminatory ability and accuracy.
5.Association of physical activity and sedentary behavior with cardiorespiratory fitness among middle school students in Lhasa
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1318-1322
Objective:
To explore the relationship of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among middle schoold students in Tibet, so as to provide empirical references for improving the cardiorespiratory fitness and health levels of adolescents in Tibet.
Methods:
From August to December 2020, 1 225 junior and senior high school students were selected from 2 middle schools in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, using the stratified cluster random sampling method. Triaxial accelerometers were used to evaluate PA and SB behaviors, and the 20 meter shuttle run was employed to assess CRF among the middle school students. Isochronous substitution modeling was used to analyze the associations of SB, low intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with CRF, and the saturation threshold effect in the dose response relationship between MVPA and CRF was analyzed through restricted cubic spline and two stage linear regression.
Results:
After adjusting for covariates such as gender, body mass index and sleep quality score, isotemporal substitution analysis showed that among junior high school students aged 13-15, replacing 30 minutes of SB ( B =1.73) or LPA ( B =2.38) with MVPA were positively associated with CRF (both P <0.05). Among senior high school students aged 16-18, replacing SB ( B =0.99) or LPA ( B =1.38) with MVPA were also positively associated with CRF (both P <0.05). Restricted cubic spline and two piecewise linear regression analyses indicated that only middle school girls aged 13-18 exhibited a saturation threshold effect between MVPA and CRF (logarithmic likelihood ratio test=0.03), with the optimal CRF improvement observed at 60 minutes of MVPA per day ( B=0.13, P < 0.01).
Conclusions
Reducing SB and LPA while increasing MVPA can improve CRF in Tibetan middle school students. To maximize CRF improvement, middle school girls should engage in at least 60 minutes of MVPA daily.
6.Phillyrin inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of glioma U251 cells via the HMGB1/RAGE signaling pathway
LIU Ming ; FENG Xiaosong ; ZHANG Yin ; LIU Xipeng ; LIU Yongda ; ZHANG Xiufeng ; QIAO Jianxin
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(10):1053-1059
[摘 要] 目的:探究连翘苷(PHN)调节高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)/晚期糖基化终产物受体(RAGE)信号通路对胶质瘤U251细胞增殖、侵袭及上皮间质转化(EMT)的影响。方法:将人胶质瘤U251细胞分为PHN-0组(0 µmol/L PHN处理)、PHN低、中和高剂量组(PHN-50、PHN-100、PHN-200组,分别用50、100和200 µmol/L PHN处理)、PHN + pcDNA-NC组(转染pcDNA-NC质粒后200 µmol/L PHN处理)和PHN + HMGB1组(转染过表达HMGB1质粒后200 µmol/L PHN处理)。CCK-8法和克隆形成实验检测各组细胞的增殖能力,流式细胞术检测各组细胞的凋亡水平,Transwell实验检测各组细胞的迁移和侵袭能力,ELISA检测各组细胞分泌IL-8水平,免疫荧光法检测各组细胞中神经钙黏素(N-cadherin)和上皮钙黏素(E-cadherin)阳性率,WB法检测各组细胞中Toll样受体4(TLR4)、核因子-κB(NF-κB)、HMGB1、RAGE、N-cadherin、E-cadherin、细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclin D1)、细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶2(CDK2)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(BAX)蛋白的表达水平。结果:与PHN-0组相比,PHN-50、PHN-100、PHN-200组U251细胞增殖活力、克隆形成数、迁移和侵袭数、IL-8分泌水平、N-cadherin阳性率及其蛋白表达、TLR4、NF-κB、HMGB1、RAGE、cyclin D1、CDK2蛋白表达均显著降低(均P < 0.05),细胞凋亡率、E-cadherin阳性率及其蛋白表达、BAX/Bcl-2比值均显著升高(均P < 0.05);同时过表达HMGB1则可逆转PHN对U251细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭及EMT的抑制作用和对凋亡的促进作用(均P < 0.05)。结论:PHN通过HMGB1/RAGE信号通路抑制胶质瘤U251细胞增殖、侵袭及EMT进程。
7.Research progress in sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins in bacterial infectious diseases
Yue-Yue HE ; Yue-Jie ZHU ; Yi-Chen FAN ; Zheng-Wei YIN ; Juan SHI ; Feng-Bo ZHANG ; Jian-Bing DING
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(8):790-795
Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins(Siglecs)are expressed on most white blood cells and play a key role in signal transduction of immune cells.Recent studies have shown that many bacterial pathogens regulate the host immune response through the interaction between sialic acid(Sia)and Siglecs,thereby influencing the occurrence and development of diseases.Understanding bacterial pathogenic mechanisms is essential to identify potential effective therapeutic targets and help manage bacterial infectious diseases.Herein,the structure,biological function,and research progress in Siglecs in bacterial in-fectious diseases are briefly reviewed.
8.New evaluation of brucellosis vaccines and their adjuvant applications
Juan SHI ; Yue-Jie ZHU ; Zheng-Wei YIN ; Yue-Yue HE ; Feng-Bo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(8):796-806
Brucellosis is one of the most significant infectious diseases affecting both humans and animals.It poses a consid-erable risk to human health and the advancement of animal husbandry.Vaccination has emerged as a highly effective strategy for preventing and controlling brucellosis infection.Currently,numerous live attenuated vaccines for animals are available on the market.Despite the lack of a vaccine for human use,research in the fields of genetic engineering and molecular bioinformat-ics has led to the development of a number of subunit vaccines,including DNA vaccines,multi-epitope vaccines,recombinant protein vaccines,and vector vaccines.Vaccine adjuvants have been developed to address the varying requirements of different immune responses.This paper will review the research progress of brucellosis vaccines and introduce the commonly used vac-cine adjuvants,with a view to providing new ideas for the development of subsequent vaccines.
9.Report of six cases with mast cell leukemia and a literature review
Feng ZHU ; Yuan YU ; Chunyan CHEN ; Wenbing DUAN ; Qian JIANG ; Rui YAN ; Yu SUN ; Yanqiu HAN ; Jing ZHANG ; Huan WANG ; Qiurong ZHANG ; Suning CHEN ; Wanhui YAN ; Mengjie CAI ; Zhibo ZHANG ; Jia YIN ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2024;63(10):996-1000
From October 2021 to February 2023, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of six patients (three male and three female, median age: 54 years, age range: 29-73 years) with mast cell leukemia (MCL) diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (The Mastocytosis Collaborative Network of China). All patients had acute MCL, with at least one C-finding present. The main clinical presentations were hypoalbuminemia ( n=4), fatigue ( n=3), fever ( n=2), abdominal discomfort ( n=2), osteolytic lesions ( n=2), dizziness ( n=1), skin flushing ( n=1), and weight loss ( n=1). Splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy were noted in six and three patients, respectively. Six patients were strongly positive for CD117, five were positive for CD30 and CD25, and four were positive for CD2. Four patients had a normal karyotype and two patients had an abnormal karyotype. Gene mutations were detected in 4/6 cases. The median serum tryptase level was 24.9 (range: 20.1-171.9) μg/L. Two patients were treated with venetoclax and azacitidine for induction (one patient achieved partial remission by combination with afatinib, while there was no remission after combination with dasatinib in the other patient). Two patients did not achieve complete remission despite treatment with cladribine and imatinib, respectively. One patient treated with interferon combined with glucocorticoids was lost to follow-up, and one patient abandoned treatment. The follow-up time ranged from 1.1 to 21.7 months. Three patients died and two survived. Overall, MCL is a rare subtype of systemic mastocytosis with heterogeneous clinical course, and these patients have poor outcome. A better understanding of the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of MCL is urgently needed.
10.Comparison of endoscopic and intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for variceal bleeding combined with portal vein thrombosis
Wei WU ; Zihao CAI ; Chao CHEN ; Ming ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Qin YIN ; Yuzheng ZHUGE ; Jiangqiang XIAO
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(8):606-613
Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and endoscopic treatment for liver cirrhosis with esophageal gastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT).Methods:A total of 183 liver cirrhosis patients with EGVB and PVT in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School and the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University were selected from January 2017 to December 2019, and 66 patients were assigned to the endoscopic group (received endoscopi treatment) and 117 the TIPS group (received TIPS treatment). Propensity score matching was performed according to the 1∶1 ratio, yielding 58 patients in each group for analysis, with a median follow-up time of 36 months in both groups. Postoperative survival, postoperative rebleeding rate, and postoperative hepatic encephalopathy incidence were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Results:During the follow-up, the rebleeding rate in the endoscopic group was significantly higher [39.7% (23/58) VS 17.2% (10/58), P=0.005], and the TIPS group had a higher incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy [29.3% (17/58) VS 13.8% (8/58), P=0.048], and no significant difference in survival rate was observed between the two groups [74.1% (43/58) VS 75.9% (44/58), P=0.769]. In the subgroup analysis of mild degree of PVT, there was no significant difference in survival [88.0% (22/25) VS 72.0% (18/25), P=0.164], rebleeding rate [28.0% (7/25) VS 12.0% (3/25), P=0.164], or incidence of hepatic encephalopathy [8.0% (2/25) VS 20.0% (5/25), P=0.202] between the endoscopic group and the TIPS group. In the subgroup analysis of severe degree of PVT, the rebleeding rate in the endoscopic group was significantly higher than that in the TIPS group [48.5% (16/33) VS 21.2% (7/33), P=0.010], while there was no significant difference in the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy [18.2% (6/33) VS 36.4% (12/33), P=0.133], or the survival rate [63.6% (21/33) VS 78.8% (26/33), P=0.154]. Conclusion:For liver cirrhosis patients with mild PVT and EGVB, combining endoscopic therapy with anticoagulation may be superior to TIPS. Conversely, in patients with severe PVT, TIPS may be a more suitable option due to a significantly reduced rebleeding risk without a notable increase in hepatic encephalopathy incidence.


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