1.Role of lateral habenula and its associated neural circuitry projections in pain regulation
Yanjuan REN ; Dongxu WANG ; Ya CAO ; Yuxuan ZHANG ; Lu QIAN ; Danru WU ; Zhonghua LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Yu SHEN ; He LIU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(5):465-469
Pain modulation encompasses a complex neurobiological process, in which the lateral habenula (LHb) plays a crucial role in integrating, regulating and modulating pain signals. It is also involved in pain-related memory functions associated with perception, transmission and regulation of pain. Furthermore, the LHb collaborates with structures such as the spinal dorsal horn, forebrain, and amygdala to form an essential neural circuit that contributes to sensitization, development of tolerance, and adaptation processes related to pain. However, there remains limited understanding regarding the specific roles and interactions among different neuron subtypes within the LHb concerning pain regulation. Additionally, further investigation is warranted to explore functional changes and plasticity within both the LHb and its associated neural circuits in chronic pain models. Future research endeavors should utilize advanced neuroimaging techniques alongside optogenetics and gene editing technologies to elucidate intricate neural circuits, cellular architecture, and molecular mechanisms governing LHb function in pain regulation. In conclusion, this paper aims to comprehensively review existing literature on the involvement of the LHb and its neural circuits in modulating pain, thereby enhancing our understanding of their neurobiological mechanisms while providing novel targets for precise therapeutic strategies aimed at alleviating pain.
2.Prevalence of hospital-associated infections in tertiary psychiatric hospital from 2019 to 2024
Aiqin ZHU ; Ting SHEN ; Ling LI ; Taojing YU ; Liwei LIAO ; Ting SUN ; Xiaosong LENG ; Xuanhong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(19):2985-2988
OBJECTIVE T o analyze the current situation and characteristics of hospital-associated infection in a psy-chiatric hospital,providing references for formulation of control measures for hospital-associated infection.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospital-associated infection data from Shanghai Mental Health Center between Jan.1,2019,and Oct.31,2024.The infection rates and infection sites across different years,patient populations,and departments were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 47 051 inpatients were investiga-ted,with 1 798 cases of hospital-associated infections,resulting in an infection rate of 3.82%.The highest inci-dence rate was observed in 2020(4.13%).The top three departments with the highest incidence rates were the in-fectious disease department(12.13%),geriatric psychiatry(7.67%),and the Traditional Chinese Medicine De-partment department(4.90%).The primary infection sites were the lower respiratory tract(57.06%),urinary tract(18.24%),skin and soft tissue(14.29%).The incidence rate was higher in males(5.32%)than in females(2.72%)(P<0.001).Statistically significant differences were found in the incidence rates among different age groups(P<0.001),with the highest rate observed in patients aged over 90 years(17.11%).The lowest infection rate was found in patients hospitalized for less than 60 days(0.69%),while the highest was in those hospitalized for more than 1 000 days(49.94%).CONCLUSIONS The patients in psychiatric hospitals are susceptible to infec-tions in the respiratory tract,urinary tract,skin and soft tissue.Targeted prevention and control measures can be implemented based on high-risk factors such as age,length of stay,and gender to reduce the occurrence of in-fections.
3.Research progress of renin-angiotensin system in hypertensive depression
Lu-fan SHEN ; Xiao-ke WANG ; Hong WANG ; Ling-na ZHANG ; Jia-wei LI ; Yu-yuan LU ; Jiao TIAN ; Wan-rong KANG ; A-ni YANG ; Lin YI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1629-1635
With the establishment of bio-psycho-social medical model,both social and psychological factors play an important role in the occurrence,development and treatment of diseases.Hypertension is a common chronic multiple disease in China,and patients are often complicated with depression and other e-motional disorders.The interaction between hypertension and depression significantly increases the risk of poor prognosis.Current studies have shown a bidirectional promoting relationship between hypertension and depression,and they have some com-mon pathogenesis.However,the specific mechanism of their co-morbidity has not been fully elucidated.Renin-angiotensin sys-tem(RAS)plays an important role in the regulation of hyperten-sion and depression and other emotions.It is composed of two antagonistic pathways.The balance is maintained by angioten-sin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2).Therefore,this article reviews the relationship and mechanism of RAS in hypertension,depres-sion and comorbid states,in order to provide new treatment ide-as for hypertension and depression.
4.Whole lung CT radiomics combined with clinical and conventional CT features for distinguishing non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease and pulmonary tuberculosis
Jie SHEN ; Minlin YU ; Xiaomei JIN ; Lin ZHANG ; Zeyang YU ; Shicheng FENG ; Ling WEN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(1):16-21
Objective To investigate the value of whole lung CT radiomics combined with clinical and conventional CT features for differentiating non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease(NTM-PD)and pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB).Methods Fifty-three NTM-PD(NTM-PD group)and 111 PTB(PTB group)patients diagnosed by mycobacteria culture were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into training set(n=115,including 37 cases of NTM-PD and 78 cases of PTB)and test set(n=49,including 16 cases of NTM-PD and 33 cases of PTB)at the ratio of 7∶3.Patients'clinical and pulmonary CT manifestations of lesions were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression,and the independent impact factors for differentiating NTM-PD and PTB lesions were screened.The best radiomics features were extracted and screened based on whole lung CT.Based on independent impact factors,the best radiomics features and their combination,clinical-CT,radiomics and combined models were constructed with random forest,and the differential efficacy of each model was evaluated.Results Patients'age(OR=0.264),gender(OR=0.956),immunoglobulin G(OR=3.416),C reactive protein(OR=3.418)and bronchiectasis shown on CT(OR=0.285)were all independent impact factors for differentiating NTM-PD and PTB.Twelve best radiomics features were screened based on whole lung ROI.The AUC of combined model in training set and test set was 0.915 and 0.901,respectively,both higher than that of clinical model(AUC=0.832,0.801,Z=1.340,3.710,both P<0.05)and radiomics model(AUC=0.877,0.821,Z=-2.520,-5.240,both P<0.05).Conclusion Whole lung CT radiomics combined with clinical and conventional CT features could effectively distinguish NTM-PD and PTB.
5.Role of lateral habenula and its associated neural circuitry projections in pain regulation
Yanjuan REN ; Dongxu WANG ; Ya CAO ; Yuxuan ZHANG ; Lu QIAN ; Danru WU ; Zhonghua LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Yu SHEN ; He LIU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(5):465-469
Pain modulation encompasses a complex neurobiological process, in which the lateral habenula (LHb) plays a crucial role in integrating, regulating and modulating pain signals. It is also involved in pain-related memory functions associated with perception, transmission and regulation of pain. Furthermore, the LHb collaborates with structures such as the spinal dorsal horn, forebrain, and amygdala to form an essential neural circuit that contributes to sensitization, development of tolerance, and adaptation processes related to pain. However, there remains limited understanding regarding the specific roles and interactions among different neuron subtypes within the LHb concerning pain regulation. Additionally, further investigation is warranted to explore functional changes and plasticity within both the LHb and its associated neural circuits in chronic pain models. Future research endeavors should utilize advanced neuroimaging techniques alongside optogenetics and gene editing technologies to elucidate intricate neural circuits, cellular architecture, and molecular mechanisms governing LHb function in pain regulation. In conclusion, this paper aims to comprehensively review existing literature on the involvement of the LHb and its neural circuits in modulating pain, thereby enhancing our understanding of their neurobiological mechanisms while providing novel targets for precise therapeutic strategies aimed at alleviating pain.
6.Research progress on the molecular mechanism and therapeutic targets of ferroptosis in acute kidney injury
Yang ZHANG ; Fanyi HE ; Kongchun SUN ; Rui YANG ; Xuezhi YU ; Ling ZHANG ; Ruixiang CHEN ; Baochun SHEN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(2):315-321
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common and severe nephropathy syndromes in clinical practice and also one of the most common serious complications after organ transplantation, with high incidence and fatality. Iron is an essential trace element in the body. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death induced by the accumulation of iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, and its occurrence is closely related to iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and multiple signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis plays a key role in the occurrence and development of AKI and provides therapeutic targets for AKI. This article summarizes the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis and its role in AKI, as well as the compounds that play an important role in the prevention and treatment of AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis, providing new ideas for the future treatment and research of AKI.
7.Effects of acupuncture on SATB1/p21 signaling pathway and SASPs in MPTP-induced Parkinson disease model mice
Guona LI ; Chen ZHAO ; Zhaoqin WANG ; Xuegui HUA ; Luyi WU ; Xiyin ZHANG ; Lin SHEN ; Ziyi CHEN ; Wenqing HU ; Yiyi CHEN ; Ling CHENG ; Yu QIAO
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(1):1-11
Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture on the motor function of Parkinson disease(PD)model mice and to investigate the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on PD from the perspective of cellular senescence.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group,a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)group,an acupuncture(ACU)group,and a rasagiline(RAS)group,with 6 mice in each group.Except for the mice in the NC group,all mice were injected intraperitoneally with MPTP[30 mg/(kg·bw)]to establish a PD mouse model.After the models were successfully established,mice in the ACU group received acupuncture at Baihui(GV20)and bilateral Yanglingquan(GB34)for 15 min,once a day for 14 consecutive days.Mice in the RAS group were treated with gavage of rasagiline mesylate[0.5 mg/(kg·bw)],once daily for 14 d.Mouse balance and motor functions were detected using the mouse fatigue rotating rod apparatus.Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive neurons and the protein expression levels of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1(SATB1),p21,and p53 in the substantia nigra(SN)region of the mouse brain in each group.The glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity of mouse brain SN tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The protein expression levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)in the SN tissue of mice in each group were detected by Western blotting.The relative expression of SATB1,p21,and p53 mRNA in the SN of each group was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:Compared to the NC group,the overall rod performance(ORP)score,the number of TH-positive neurons,and GSH-Px activity in the SN region were significantly lower in the mice in the MPTP group(P<0.01);compared to the MPTP group,the ORP score,the number of TH-positive neurons,and GSH-Px activity were significantly increased in the ACU group and the RAS group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared to the NC group,the protein levels of IL-6 and SA-β-gal in the SN tissue,the protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 and p53 were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared to the MPTP group,the protein levels of IL-6 and SA-β-gal in the SN tissue,the protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 and p53 were significantly decreased in the ACU group and the RAS group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared to the NC group,the relative expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA in the SN of mice in the MPTP group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared to mice in the MPTP group,mice in the ACU group and the RAS group showed significant increases in the relative expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can improve motor function and increase the number of TH-positive neurons in the SN of PD model mice.Its neuroprotective effect may relate to the regulation of the SATB1/p21 signaling pathway and the inhibition of cellular senescence-related biomarker expression in the SN.
8.Summary of best evidence on feeding management for very low and extremely low birth weight infants during the peridischarge period
Ting SHEN ; Wenying YAO ; Ling JIANG ; Ling NIE ; Ting YU ; Ting TU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(19):2550-2559
Objective:To systematically identify and summarize the best available evidence on feeding management during the peridischarge period for very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), providing a reference for clinical nursing practice.Methods:Evidence on feeding management for VLBWI/ELBWI during the peridischarge period was retrieved from decision support systems, guideline repositories, major databases, and relevant professional organizations' websites. Sources included clinical decisions, guidelines, evidence summaries, systematic reviews, expert consensus documents and so on. The search spanned from database inception to April 2024. Guidelines were reviewed by four researchers, while other documents were screened and appraised by two researchers.Results:A total of 24 documents were included: six clinical decision tools, four guidelines, three systematic reviews, three evidence summaries, and eight expert consensus statements. A total of three primary themes, 10 secondary themes, and 49 best evidence items were synthesized. These covered: pre-discharge feeding management (establishing a peridischarge feeding team, parental feeding education, assessing feeding status of VLBWI/ELBWI, evaluating parental feeding competence, preparing feeding materials/environment and assessing community resources) ; discharge feeding management (providing feeding-related medical records and developing individualized feeding plans) ; post-discharge feeding management (setting growth and development goals, conducting follow-up and growth monitoring, and supplementing necessary nutrients) .Conclusions:The summarized best evidence provides a practical reference for healthcare professionals to effectively implement feeding management for VLBWI/ELBWI during the peridischarge period. Evidence-based strategies should be selectively applied in clinical practice based on individual conditions to ensure a successful transition to home feeding and support healthy growth and development of VLBWI/ELBWI.
9.Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways.
Ying HUANG ; Chen-Ling CHU ; Wen-Hui QIU ; Jia-Yi CHEN ; Lu-Xi CAO ; Shui-Yu JI ; Bin ZHU ; Guo-Kun WANG ; Quan-Quan SHEN
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(6):694-705
OBJECTIVE:
Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an adverse event that occurs during long-term peritoneal dialysis, significantly impairing treatment efficiency and adversely affecting patient outcomes. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a principal active component derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has exhibited anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in various settings. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of PF.
METHODS:
The PF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid (100 mL/kg). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 cells was induced by the addition of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The differentially expressed genes in HMrSV5 cells treated with AS-IV were screened using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The potential targets of AS-IV were screened using network pharmacology and analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.
RESULTS:
Administration of AS-IV at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg effectively mitigated the increase in peritoneal thickness and the development of fibrosis in mice with PF. The expression of the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin in the peritoneum was significantly decreased in AS-IV-treated mice. The treatment of AS-IV (10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) significantly delayed the EMT of HMrSV5 cells induced by TGF-β, as demonstrated by the decreased number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, reduced migrated area, and decreased expression of fibrosis markers. A total of 460 differentially expressed genes were detected in AS-IV-treated HMrSV5 cells through transcriptome sequencing, with notable enrichment in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway. The reduced levels of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and p-AKT were detected in HMrSV5 cells with AS-IV treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted as a direct target of AS-IV, exhibiting strong hydrogen bond interactions. The activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by the compound 740Y-P, and the activation of the EGFR pathway by NSC 228155 each partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on the EMT of HMrSV5 cells.
CONCLUSION
AS-IV delayed the EMT process in peritoneal mesothelial cells and slowed the progression of PF, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for the early prevention and treatment of PF. Please cite this article as: Huang Y, Chu CL, Qiu WH, Chen JY, Cao LX, Ji SY, Zhu B, Wang GK, Shen QQ. Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):694-705.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Saponins/pharmacology*
;
Triterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Mice
;
Peritoneal Fibrosis/pathology*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
ErbB Receptors/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Humans
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Cell Line
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
10.Comprehensive Analysis of Oncogenic, Prognostic, and Immunological Roles of FANCD2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Potential Predictor for Survival and Immunotherapy.
Meng Jiao XU ; Wen DENG ; Ting Ting JIANG ; Shi Yu WANG ; Ru Yu LIU ; Min CHANG ; Shu Ling WU ; Ge SHEN ; Xiao Xue CHEN ; Yuan Jiao GAO ; Hongxiao HAO ; Lei Ping HU ; Lu ZHANG ; Yao LU ; Wei YI ; Yao XIE ; Ming Hui LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):313-327
OBJECTIVE:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sensitive to ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death that occurs in most tumor types. However, the mechanism through which ferroptosis modulates HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the oncogenic role and prognostic value of FANCD2 and provide novel insights into the prognostic assessment and prediction of immunotherapy.
METHODS:
Using clinicopathological parameters and bioinformatic techniques, we comprehensively examined the expression of FANCD2 macroscopically and microcosmically. We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the prognostic value of FANCD2 in HCC and elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of FANCD2 in oncogenesis by promoting iron-related death.
RESULTS:
FANCD2 was significantly upregulated in digestive system cancers with abundant immune infiltration. As an independent risk factor for HCC, a high FANCD2 expression level was associated with poor clinical outcomes and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that FANCD2 was mainly involved in the cell cycle and CYP450 metabolism.
CONCLUSION
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively elucidate the oncogenic role of FANCD2. FANCD2 has a tumor-promoting aspect in the digestive system and acts as an independent risk factor in HCC; hence, it has recognized value for predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for poor responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis*
;
Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis*
;
Immunotherapy
;
Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein/metabolism*
;
Prognosis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

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