1.Arsenic trioxide preconditioning attenuates hepatic ischemia- reperfusion injury in mice: Role of ERK/AKT and autophagy.
Chaoqun WANG ; Hongjun YU ; Shounan LU ; Shanjia KE ; Yanan XU ; Zhigang FENG ; Baolin QIAN ; Miaoyu BAI ; Bing YIN ; Xinglong LI ; Yongliang HUA ; Zhongyu LI ; Dong CHEN ; Bangliang CHEN ; Yongzhi ZHOU ; Shangha PAN ; Yao FU ; Hongchi JIANG ; Dawei WANG ; Yong MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2993-3003
BACKGROUND:
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI.
METHODS:
In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTS:
A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent.
CONCLUSION
Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals
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Arsenic Trioxide
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Autophagy/physiology*
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Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control*
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Mice
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Male
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology*
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Arsenicals/therapeutic use*
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Oxides/therapeutic use*
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Liver/metabolism*
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Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
2.Artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction for abdominal and pelvic CT examination after total hip arthroplasty
Yongzhi HU ; Binbin WANG ; Yaxin ZHU ; Pengfei WU ; Da CAO ; Yuxia TANG ; Chuanbing WANG ; Weiding CUI ; Shouju WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(4):553-556
Objective To observe the value of artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction(AIIR)for abdominal and pelvic CT examination after total hip arthroplasty(THA).Methods Totally 64 patients after THA who underwent abdominal and pelvic CT examinations were retrospectively collected,including 31 patients received routine CT scanning and 33 patients received dual-energy CT scanning.AIIR and hybrid iterative reconstruction(HIR)algorithms were used to obtain AIIR and HIR images based on conventional CT images,respectively,while 70-140 keV(interval of 5 keV)virtual monoenergetic images(VMI)were reconstructed based on dual-energy CT images.VMI with the best comprehensive imaging qualities were selected for analysis.Subjective scores and objective evaluation results of imaging quality were compared among different kinds of images.Results The subjective scores of artifacts,bones,diagnostic confidence,as well as displaying of pelvic organs and blood vessels on both AIIR images and VMI were all higher than those of HIR images(all P<0.001),while no significant difference was found between AIIR images and VMI(all P>0.017).Pairwise comparison of high-density artifact fraction and skeletal artifact fraction on AIIR,HIR images and VMI showed significant differences(all P<0.001).No significant difference of low density artifact fraction nor high density noise fraction was detected between AIIR image and VMI(both P>0.017),and the objective evaluation results were different from those of HIR images(both P<0.017).The low density noise fraction of AIIR images was lower than that of HIR images(P<0.017),while no significant difference was found between AIIR or HIR images and VMI(both P>0.017).The bone noise fraction of AIIR and HIR images were both higher than that of VMI(both P<0.017),while no significant difference was found between these two kinds of images(P>0.017).Conclusion AIIR could reduce artifacts and image noise of abdominal and pelvic CT examination after THA and improve imaging quality.
3.The application and prospects of nucleic acid vaccine technology in animal diseases
Rining ZHU ; Hongliang CHEN ; Xin XING ; Yongzhi WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(6):1348-1356
The pandemic of the COVID-19 accelerated the research and developing process of nucle-ic acid vaccines worldwide.Biopharmaceutical companies represented by Pfizer BioNTech and Mod-erna of the United States completed the marketing of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine at an aston-ishing speed.In a short time,COVID-19 nucleic acid vaccine from development to commercial pro-duction,and then to the rapid expansion of the industry,giving researchers great shock and inspira-tion.Can we utilize advanced technology platforms and develop veterinary nucleic acid vaccines un-der the concept of One Health to ensure the common health of animals and humans.This article summarizes the research progress of nucleic acid vaccines in companion animals and foodborne ani-mal diseases in recent years,and puts forward prospects for the application of nucleic acid vac-cines,especially mRNA vaccines.
4.Correlation between positioning techniques using body membrane combined with thermoplastic pad,the body shape characteristics and setup errors in cervical cancer radiotherapy
Shanyu WU ; Yongzhi HUANG ; Dongrong CAI ; Qiuping FU ; Yaotong CHEN ; Yanhong WANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(6):1334-1338
Objective To investigate the relationship between different body position fixation tech-niques,umbilical plane volume change(ΔV),body weight change rate(ΔW%),and radiotherapy setup errors in cervical cancer patients,and to provide recommendations for determining the margin of planning target vol-ume(MPTV).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 57 cervical cancer pa-tients who underwent radiotherapy at this hospital from June 2022 to May 2023.Patients were divided into the observation group(fixed with body membrane+thermoplastic pad,n=24)and the control group(fixed with body membrane alone,n=33)based on different positioning fixation methods.They were also further strati-fied by median BMI into BMI≥23.82 kg/m2 and BMI<23.82 kg/m2 patients.Setup errors in the left-right(X),cranio-caudal(Y),and anterior-posterior(Z)directions were recorded.Meanwhile,the umbilical plane volume on the first CT positioning image and the patient's body weight before positioning were recorded,as well as umbilical plane volume of cone-beam CT(CBCT)verification images during weekly radiotherapy and body weight before scan,the ΔV and ΔW%were calculated.Setup errors were compared between two groups,and correlations between ΔV,ΔW%and setup errors were analyzed in all patients,in two groups(the obser-vation group and the control group)and in two BMI subgroups.MPTV values in X,Y,and Z directions were calculated,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve determined the cut off values of ΔV and ΔW%when setup errors met the department's MPTV criteria.Results Compared with the control group,the ob-servation group showed significantly smaller setup errors in X,Y,and Z directions(P<0.05).Both ΔV and ΔW%were positively correlated with setup errors in X and Y direction in all patients,patients in the control group,and patients with BMI≥23.82 kg/m2(P<0.05).In the observation group,ΔW%was positively corre-lated with setup errors in Z direction in patients with BMI<23.82 kg/m2(P<0.05);In the control group,ΔV and ΔW%were positively correlated with setup errors in X and Y direction in patients with BMI≥23.82 kg/m2.ROC curve analysis showed that when setup errors in Y direction reached the department's MPTV criteria(8.41 mm),the cutoff values ΔV and ΔW%were 8.045 cm2 and 4.12%,respectively.Conclusion The body membrane+thermoplastic pad fixation technique reduces setup errors and mitigates the impact of ΔV and ΔW%on setup errors in X and Y directions.When ΔV or ΔW%exceeds the cutoff values,increasing CBCT verification frequency and re-fabricating the body membrane are recommended.
5.Application and research progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine in radiation environmental protection
Yuanbing ZHU ; Jiaping WANG ; Yongzhi LI ; Weihong LU
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(4):317-321
With the ongoing development of nuclear energy,radiotherapy,and space exploration,ionizing radiation poses a growing threat to human health.Studies have confirmed that high-intensity or prolonged exposure can lead to apoptosis,genetic damage,immune dysfunction,and multisystem disorders,underscoring the urgent need for effective protective strategies.This review aims to explore the molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in radiation protection and assess its potential applications in extreme environments such as aerospace.A systematic literature review was conducted to summarize existing research on anti-radiation effects of single herbs,compound prescriptions,and Chinese patent medicines.The pharmacological features and action mechanisms of heat-clearing and detoxifying,tonifying,blood-activating,and tranquilizing herbs were analyzed,with emphasis on their applications in radiotherapy support and aerospace radiation protection.TCM exerts radioprotective effects through multiple biological pathways,including antioxidation,free radical scavenging,DNA repair,immune regulation,and tissue regeneration.Some Chinese patent medicines have been clinically applied as adjuncts to chemo-and radiotherapy,demonstrating benefits in reducing side effects and improving treatment tolerance.Certain herbal components have also shown promising potential in space radiation protection research.TCM has significant potential in radiation protection,particularly in high-risk settings such as spaceflight,where it offers integrated regulatory and protective effects.Future research should focus on elucidating mechanisms,standardizing efficacy evaluation,and promoting clinical translation to support its broader application in nuclear energy,medical radiotherapy,and deep space exploration.
6.Protective effects of Qiang Gu Kang Wei extraction against muscle atrophy induced by simulated microgravity in rats
Dan WU ; Leiyu TIAN ; Shuyu LI ; JiaPeng LIU ; Junlian LIU ; Yongzhi LI ; Qian WANG
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(4):367-371
Objective Observe the impact of Qang Gu Kang Wei extraction(KW)on skeletal muscle atrophy in simulated weightlessness rats by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial fusion.Methods SD rats were randomy divided the control group(Control),the simulated weightlessness group(TS),and the KW group(TS+KW).Rats were treated with KW with or without tail suspension(TS)for 28 days,and the cross-sectional areas of the gastrocnemius muscle were compared with a control group.The expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)and key proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion were also analyzed.Results KW treatment reduced the loss of muscle cross-sectional area caused by TS.TS increased the protein expression of glucose-regulated Protein 78(GRP78)and components of the ERS signaling pathways,while KW treatment reduced this increase.TS also inhibited the expression of mitofusin 2(MFN2),which was increased by KW treatment.Additionally,KW treatment promoted the interaction between GRP78 and the endoplasmic reticulum protein sigma-1 receptor(Sig-1R).Conclusion KW may attenuate muscle atrophy caused by simulated weightlessness by regulating ERS and mitochondrial fusion fusion.
7.Olfactory diagnostic analysis system based on a low-pressure chamber,simulated weightless human bedridden volunteers,and general population oral odor mapping analysis
Quanchun FAN ; Chong XU ; Junlian LIU ; Xiaorui WU ; Yu LIU ; Jiaping WANG ; Shuang ZHAO ; Yongzhi LI
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(4):380-384
Objective Hypobaric chamber and simulated weightless bed are essential methods for aerospace medical research,and conducting state assessment of volunteers before and after hypobaric chamber and simulated weightless bed tests is an essential guideline for aerospace implementation medicine.To further improve the efficiency of human condition assessment,in addition to the conventional biochemical and physiological indicators,the human oral exhaled gas can be used for condition assessment,and the olfactometry acquisition equipment and analysis software can collect and detect most volatile gases to complete the human oral exhaled gas data acquisition.Conducting comparative analysis of olfactory mapping data from different populations may be a means to assess the status of the body.Methods The olfactometry acquisition equipment was used to collect the oral exhaled breath olfactometry profiles of the general population,hypobaric cabin volunteers,and ambulatory volunteers.The olfactometry analysis software was used to calculate the 12 eigenvalues of the olfactometry profiles and the t-SNE downscaling,and the radar plots were used to analyze the olfactometry profiles of the general population,low-pressure cabin volunteers,and ambulatory volunteers respectively.A comparative analysis of different populations was conducted.Results(1)The t-SNE mapping data of the general population and the ambulatory volunteers were almost indistinguishable;(2)the t-SNE mapping data of the hypobaric cabin volunteers and the general population had a slight overlap,but the distinguishability of the vast majority of the t-SNE mapping data was obvious;(3)the t-SNE mapping data of the hypobaric cabin volunteers and the ambulatory volunteers were distinguishable with no overlap,and the ambulatory t SNE data are highly aggregated,and the distribution of t-SNE data in low-pressure cabin is more discrete;(4)there are 2-3 sensors with large eigenvalues and a large range of variation for both low-pressure cabin volunteers and recumbent volunteers after training activities,and the common sensor with a large range of variation is S6.Conclusion Olfactory diagnostic analysis mapping may be a means to assess the health status of the body and may be useful for spaceflight health status assessment in the future.The analysis and application of flight health state assessment can be a reference in the future.
8.Serum Metabolomics of Simulated Weightless Rats Treated with Taikong Yangxin Pills
Xiaodi LIU ; Xuemei FAN ; Yiming WANG ; Mengjia YAN ; Yongzhi LI ; Jiaping WANG ; Junlian LIU ; Guoan LUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):147-153
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Taikong Yangxin Pills on the metabolism of simulated weightless rats based on metabolomics and discuss the metabolism mechanism. MethodsIn the simulated space capsule environment on the ground, the rat model of simulated weightlessness was established by the tail suspension method. Rats were randomly grouped as follows: out-of-capsule control, in-capsule control, model, and high (3.0 g·kg-1) and low (1.5 g·kg-1) doses of Taikong Yangxin Pills, and they were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 28 days. The serum levels of endogenous metabolites in rats were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The obtained data were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to screen for differential metabolites and potential biomarkers. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for pathway enrichment analysis to explain the metabolic regulation mechanism of the drug. ResultsCompared with the out-of-capsule control group, the in-capsule control group showed elevated levels of thirteen metabolites, including 14-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid (P<0.05), which suggested that the space capsule environment mainly affected the metabolism of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in the rats. Compared with the in-capsule control group, the model group showed lowered levels of fourteen metabolites, including 4-imidazolone-5-propionic acid, isocitric acid/citric acid, and L-tyrosine (P<0.05), which were recovered after the treatment with Taikong Yangxin pills (P<0.05). The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that weightlessness induced by tail suspension and drug intervention mainly involved the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, histidine metabolism, and citric acid cycle. ConclusionThe simulated space capsule environment and simulated weightlessness induced by tail suspension can both affect the metabolism level of rats. Taikong Yangxin pills can ameliorate the metabolic abnormality in the rat model of weightlessness by regulating various amino acids and energy metabolism-related pathways.
9.Juanbi Decoction-containing serum inhibits interleukin-1beta induced articular chondrocyte damage via regulating mitophagy
Yongzhi ZHENG ; Feifei CHEN ; Qian KANG ; Chunyang JIN ; Ruoqin WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(14):2882-2891
BACKGROUND:Defective outgrowth of chondrocyte mitophagy causes degenerative chondrocyte pathological changes such as apoptosis and matrix loss.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects and possible mechanism of Juanbi Decoction-containing serum on interleukin-1β-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis of rat knee joint chondrocytes.METHODS:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly given saline,Juanbi Decoction in low,medium and high doses(1.24,2.48 and 4.96 g/kg),and celecoxib(positive drug)group.Drug-containing serum was obtained by continuous gavage for 2 weeks.(1)Chondrocytes were isolated and randomly divided into control group,interleukin-1β group,Juanbi Decoction low,medium and high dose containing serum groups and positive drug serum group.Cell counting kit-8 assay was used to detect cell viability;immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect mitophagy level;immunofluorescence was used to detect the phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase level;western blot was used to detect the expression of PTEN induced putative kinase 1/Parkin pathway-related protein and cleaved caspase-3;and ELISA was used to detect inflammatory factor level.(2)PTEN induced putative kinase 1 siRNA and Compound C were used for intervention to explore the role of AMP-activated protein kinase/PTEN induced putative kinase 1/Parkin pathway in the regulation of mitophagy by Juanbi Decoction-containing serum.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,chondrocyte survival,type II collagen,phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase,PTEN induced putative kinase 1,Parkin,and microtubule-associated proteins 1 light chain 3 protein levels,and mitophagy levels were significantly lower in the interleukin-1β group(P<0.05),while cleaved caspase-3 protein levels,interleukin-6,interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were significantly higher(P<0.05).Compared with the interleukin-1β group,opposite changes in all the above indexes were observed in Juanbi Decoction low,medium and high dose containing serum groups and positive drug serum group(P<0.05).(2)PTEN induced putative kinase 1 siRNA significantly inhibited the effect of Juanbi Decoction-containing serum on mitophagy in interleukin-1β-treated chondrocytes and reduced the protective effect of Juanbi Decoction-containing serum on interleukin-1β-induced inflammation and apoptosis in chondrocytes;Compound C reversed the effect of Juanbi Decoction-containing serum on the PTEN induced putative kinase 1/Parkin signaling pathway in interleukin-1β-treated chondrocytes.To conclude,Juanbi Decoction-containing serum inhibits chondrocyte inflammation and apoptosis by affecting the level of mitochondrial autophagy,thereby attenuating interleukin-1β-induced chondrocyte degradation by a mechanism that may be related to the regulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase/PTEN induced putative kinase 1/Parkin pathway.
10.Emerging zoonotic pathogens carried by ticks at border crossing areas between China and Mongolia
Yuhan LIU ; Houshuang ZHANG ; Jie CAO ; Yanan WANG ; Yongzhi ZHOU ; Jinlin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(8):794-800
We surveyed tick species and their carried pathogens for three important emerging zoonotic diseases(Babesiosis,Lyme disease,and fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome)at border areas between China and Mongolia,to provide data support for the construction of a database on cross-border transmission of important tick-borne diseases and the prevention and control of zoonotic tick-borne diseases in border areas.In 2023-2024,tick samples were collected from 12 border areas along the Sino-Mongolian bor-der,and tick species were identified according to morphology and molecular biology,then tested for the pathogens of three newly emerging zoonotic diseases with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and conventional PCR.Positive samples were verified through gene sequencing.A total of 2 477 ticks of five genera and nine species were collected from the border areas of China and Mongolia.The dominant tick species were identified as the grassland leatherback tick,the full-groove tick,and the small glaucous-eyed tick.The overall positivity rates of ticks carrying Babesia,Lyme disease spirochetes,and fever with thrombocytopenia virus in the 12 border ar-eas were 8.32%,11.59%,and 0%,respectively.Babesia,the most widely distributed tick species,was detected in ticks at eight areas in the eastern,central,and western parts of the China-Mongolia border.This species was found in eastern,central,and western ports along the Sino-Mongolian border;showed tick positivity rates of 0.37%-38.82%;and was most frequently carried by full-groove hard ticks.Spirochetes of Lyme disease were the next most widely distributed,and were detected in samples from four port areas,primarily in the eastern ports along the Sino-Mongolian border;97.2%of positive samples were detected in full-groove hard ticks.Zoonotic Babe-sia spp.were widely distributed in the border crossing areas of China and Mongolia,and included five species of Babesia microti,Ba-besia venatorum,and Babesia divergens,whereas the Lyme disease spirochetes were prevalent mainly in the east,including five geno-types of Borreliella garinii,Borreliella afzelii,and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto.Co-infection with Babesia and Lyme disease spiro-chetes was present in hard ticks throughout the groove,and co-infected samples accounted for 74.27%of Babesia positive and 53.31%of Lyme disease positive samples.Thus,Babesia and Lyme disease spirochetes were found to be important tick-borne emerging zoo-notic pathogens in the Sino-Mongolian border crossing areas,the infected ticks were primarily full-grooved hard ticks,and co-infections were found.

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