1.Visualization analysis of macrophage polarization in tissue repair process
Jinxia CHANG ; Yufei LIU ; Shaohui NIU ; Chang WANG ; Jianchun CAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1486-1496
BACKGROUND:During tissue repair and regeneration,macrophages exhibit multiple activities such as promoting inflammation,anti-inflammation,fibrosis,and wound healing at various stages of tissue damage.The heterogeneity and balanced polarization of macrophages are decisive in organ repair. OBJECTIVE:To explore the research hotspots and development trends in the field of macrophage polarization in tissue repair through visualization analysis methods,as well as the research level of global scientific and clinical workers in this field. METHODS:Using bibliometric analysis methods,this study employed Citespace literature visualization analysis software and VOSviewer tools,retrieving related literature from 2013 to 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection's Science Citation Index Expanded(SCI-Expanded)and Social Sciences Citation Index Expanded(SSCI-Expanded)databases.The analysis results were presented in a dynamic map format,revealing the main trends and focuses of the research. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The number of publications in this field had dramatically increased from 2013 to 2023,with a significant rise starting in 2017.Chinese researchers had the highest number of publications,with 642 papers,while American researchers began focusing on this field early on.Professor Elisseeff Hennifer H had made a substantial contribution to the research in this area.Shanghai Jiao Tong University had produced the most publications.In recent years,keywords such as"hyaluronic acid"and"regulation"had been prevalent.Macrophage polarization research in tissue repair primarily concentrates on its multifunctional regulatory mechanisms,interactions with other cell types,and its behavior under specific pathological conditions.The main research areas include the role of macrophages in wound healing,cardiovascular diseases,chronic inflammation,tumor microenvironments,and regenerative medicine.A deeper understanding of the multifunctionality and polarization mechanisms of macrophages can lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to enhance tissue repair and regeneration,thereby improving patient treatment outcomes.
2.The Solomon Four-Group Design:Key Considerations in Design and Statistical Analysis and Their Significance in Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wenqian ZHANG ; Yufei LI ; Tong LIN ; Xintong WEI ; Yingjie WANG ; Jianping LIU ; Ying ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1649-1655
The Solomon four-group design, a critical method for improving internal validity in clinical research, can reduce bias and control the interference of Hawthorne effects and pretest sensitization on research results, which offers unique advantages in evaluating complex intervention outcomes. This paper systematically outlined the core framework and key points of statistical analysis of the Solomon four-group design, summarized its applications in clinical research at home and abroad, explored its advantages and limitations, and discussed the potential value in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical trials. It is believed that the Solomon four-group design can help distinguish between testing effects and intervention effects in TCM clinical studies, and reduce the bias in the evaluation of subjective indicators. Meanwhile, given the complexity of the Solomon four-group design and the particularity of TCM clinical research, it is proposed that future TCM clinical studies should focus on using psychological scales, know-ledge, attitude, and behavior measurements, and other similat evaluations as endpoints. It also advocates strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration to provide new methodological paths for TCM clinical research.
3.Improvement effects and mechanism of Zhichi suanzaoren decoction on oxidative stress injury of hippocampal neurons in perimenopausal insomnia mice
Yufei LIU ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Yonghua ZHANG ; Linlin HU ; Xin ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2372-2378
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Zhichi suanzaoren decoction (ZSD) on hippocampal oxidative stress injury in hippocampal neurons of mice with perimenopausal insomnia. METHODS The potential targets of active ingredients in ZSD were predicted using TCMSP and TCMIP databases; the targets related to insomnia were searched through GeneCards, OMIM and DisGeNET databases; protein-protein interaction network of intersecting targets of ZSD ingredients and insomnia was constructed; Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were conducted on key targets. Sixty mice were divided into sham operation group, model group, ZSD low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (11, 22, and 33 g/kg), and eszopiclone group (positive control, 1 mg/kg). Except for sham operation group, the perimenopausal insomnia model was constructed by ovariectomy (OVX) in the other groups. After successful modeling, mice in each group were gavaged with normal saline or the corresponding drug solution, once a day, for three consecutive weeks. The sleep status of mice was evaluated through the pentobarbital sodium sleep synergy experiment, and the pathological changes of hippocampal neurons and the expressions of related genes and proteins in mice were observed by HE staining, immunohistochemistry staining, immunofluorescence staining, transcriptome sequencing technology and Western blot. RESULTS The results of network pharmacology showed that there were 296 intersection targets between ZSD and perimenopausal insomnia. Protein kinase B1 (Akt1) was a key target for treating insomnia with ZSD. After administration of ZSD, the sleep latency of mice was shortened, the sleep duration was prolonged significantly, and the mean optical density value of neuron-specific nuclear protein in the hippocampal CA1 region was significantly increased (P<0.01). Additionally, hippocampal neuron damage in OVX mice was significantly alleviated. The results of transcriptome sequencing showed that ZSD significantly upregulated the transcriptional levels of Nfe2l2 gene in hippocampal tissue of OVX mice (P<0.05). After administration of ZSD, protein expressions of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in hippocampal tissue of OVX mice, as well as the phosphorylated Akt level, were increased significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS ZSD can ameliorate hippocampal oxidative stress injury of hippocampal neurons in perimenopausal insomnia mice by activating the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
4.Analysis of the demands for pharmaceutical clinic service and influential factors based on Kano model
Han SHAN ; Xuan YE ; Zihan GUO ; Jing WU ; Jinwei HU ; Xiaopei TONG ; Yufei BIN ; Jiyong LIU ; Qiong DU ; Mengmeng WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2850-2855
OBJECTIVE To explore the characteristics and influential factors of pharmaceutical clinic service demands, providing evidence for optimizing pharmaceutical service models and facilitating pharmaceutical service models of pharmacist role transformation. METHODS A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and 410 outpatient participants were selected from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center through convenience sampling for questionnaire administration from February to May 2025. Kano model was applied to analyze the demand attributes of 25 pharmaceutical services, while questionnaires were used to assess patients’ awareness and demand status. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on key demographic variables such as gender, age, educational attainment, and economic burdens, to SACA- systematically examine the differences in Kano attribute classification among patients in each subgroup. RESULTS The awareness rate of pharmaceutical outpatient services among patients was only 14.63%, yet those who were aware demonstrated a significantly higher demand rate for such services compared to those who were unaware (P<0.001). The demand for pharmaceutical clinic services exhibited a hierarchical characteristic: twelve items were identified as attractive attributes (e. g., providing suggestions for more affordable treatment options, offering online consultation services, etc.), five items as expected attributes (e.g., having a good attitude and being able to patiently answer your questions, etc.), three items as must-have attributes (e.g., providing guidance on medication dosage and usage, providing guidance on medication precautions, etc.), five items as indifferent attributes (e.g., providing treatment plan recommendations based on the patient’s condition). There were zero items classified as reverse attribute. Subgroup analysis revealed that female patients showed greater concern for “neat and clean attire of medical staff” than male patients (P<0.001); patients under 60 years of age demonstrated stronger demand for “providing treatment plan recommendations based on patients’ conditions” compared to patients aged 60 or above (P=0.016); those with below high school education placed greater emphasis on “providing guidance on medication precautions” compared to those with a high school education or above (P=0.011); patients with lower economic burdens exhibited stronger preferences for “neat and clean attire of medical staff ” (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS The public awareness rate of pharmaceutical clinic services is considerably low; however, those who are aware of such services demonstrate significantly higher demand. The medication safety-related services and convenience-oriented demands should be prioritized in the development of pharmaceutical clinics. Moreover, the study also revealed that factors such as gender, age, educational level, and economic burdens exert significant influences on patients’ service demands.
5.Quercetin ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats by regulating L-type calcium channels.
Hongyan SUN ; Guoqing LU ; Chengwen FU ; Mengwen XU ; Xiaoyi ZHU ; Guoquan XING ; Leqiang LIU ; Yufei KE ; Lemei CUI ; Ruiyang CHEN ; Lei WANG ; Pinfang KANG ; Bi TANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(3):531-541
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effects of quercetin on cuproptosis and L-type calcium currents in the myocardium of diabetic rats.
METHODS:
Forty SD rats were randomized into control group and diabetic model groups. The rat models of diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection were further divided into DM model group, quercetin treatment group, and empagliflozin treatment group (n=10). Blood glucose and body weight were measured every other week, and cardiac function of the rats was evaluated using echocardiography. HE staining, Sirius red staining, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) analysis were used to observe the changes in myocardial histomorphology, and serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression were detected. In cultured rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells with high-glucose exposure, the effects of quercetin and elesclomol, alone or in combination, on intracellular CK-MB and LDH levels and FDX1 expression were assessed, and the changes in L-type calcium currents were analyzed using patch-clamp technique.
RESULTS:
The diabetic rats exhibited elevated blood glucose, reduced body weight, impaired left ventricular function, increased serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression, decreased L-type calcium currents, and prolonged action potential duration. Quercetin and empagliflozin treatment significantly lowered blood glucose, improved body weight, and restored cardiac function of the diabetic rats, and compared with empagliflozin, quercetin more effectively reduced serum copper levels, downregulated FDX1 expression, and enhanced myocardial L-type calcium currents in diabetic rats. In H9c2 cells, high glucose exposure significantly increased myocardial expressions of FDX1, CK-MB and LDH, which were effectively lowered by quercetin treatment; Elesclomol further elevated FDX1, CK-MB and LDH levels in the exposed cells, and these changes were not significantly affected by the application of quercetin.
CONCLUSIONS
Quercetin ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats possibly by suppressing myocardial cuproptosis signaling and restoring L-type calcium channel activity.
Animals
;
Quercetin/pharmacology*
;
Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects*
;
Myocardium/pathology*
;
Male
7.Recombinant yeast-cell microcapsules carrying the DNA vaccine against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.
Xiafang ZHAO ; Lihong DU ; Baoxia MA ; Shaona JIA ; Yufei LIU ; Yufei ZHU ; Xiaotao MA ; Xiaojun YANG ; Kun XU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(6):2388-2404
The enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection is a major factor restricting the development of animal husbandry. However, the abuse of antibiotics will lead to the antibiotic residues and emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The existing vaccines face challenges in stimulating intestinal immunity, demonstrating limited prevention effects. Therefore, it is indispensable to develop a new vaccine that is safe and suitable as a feed additive to activate intestinal immunity. This study constructed yeast-cell microcapsules (YCM) carrying the DNA vaccine against ETEC by genetic engineering. Furthermore, animal experiments were carried out to explore the regulatory effects of feeding YCM on the intestinal immune system and intestinal microbiota. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was selected as the oral delivery vehicle (microcapsules) of the DNA vaccine. The codon-optimized nucleic acid sequence of K88, the main antigen of mammal-derived ETEC, was synthesized, and the yeast shuttle vector containing the corresponding DNA vaccine expression cassette was constructed by DNA recombination. The recombinant strain of YCM was prepared by transforming JMY1. Additionally, the characteristics of the YCM strain and its feasibility as an oral vaccine were comprehensively evaluated by the fluorescence reporter assay, gastrointestinal fluid tolerance assay, intestinal epithelial cell adhesion assay, intestinal retention assessment, antiserum detection, and intestinal microbiota detection. The experimental results showed that the DNA vaccine expression cassette was expressed in mammals, and the recombinant strain of YCM could tolerate up to 8 hours of gastrointestinal fluid digestion and had good adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. The results of mouse feeding experiments indicated that the recombinant strain of YCM could stay in the intestinal tract for at least two weeks, and the DNA vaccine expression cassette carried by YCM entered the intestinal immune system and triggered an immune response to induce the production of specific antibodies. Moreover, feeding YCM recombinant bacteria also improved the abundance of gut microbiota in mice, demonstrating a positive effect in regulating intestinal flora. In summary, we prepared the recombinant strain of YCM carrying the DNA vaccine against ETEC and comprehensively evaluated its characteristics and feasibility as an oral vaccine. Feeding the recombinant YCM could induce specific immune responses and regulate intestinal microbiota. The findings provide a reference for the immunoprevention of ETEC-related animal diseases.
Animals
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Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli/genetics*
;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism*
;
Vaccines, DNA/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Escherichia coli Infections/immunology*
;
Escherichia coli Vaccines/genetics*
;
Capsules
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Female
8.Multidimensional value analysis of standardized and graded pharmaceutical services in hospitalized patients with chronic airway diseases
Yufei LIAN ; Xuejia QIU ; Jingnan YANG ; Lingzhi FANG ; Yupeng YANG ; Hongtao LIU ; Zhanjun DONG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(19):2404-2410
OBJECTIVE To provide reference for constructing scientific and reasonable pharmaceutical service mode for hospitalized patients with chronic airway diseases. METHODS From October 2023 to March 2024, 250 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute exacerbation of asthma who were hospitalized in the respiratory department of Hebei General Hospital and received pharmaceutical care (PC) were randomly divided into control group (125 cases) and observation group (125 cases). The control group received general pharmaceutical services throughout their hospitalization, while the observation group received standardized and graded pharmaceutical services throughout their hospitalization. The differences in clinical value indicators, humanistic value indicators, and quality management indicators were compared among different PC service models. RESULTS Among clinical value evaluation indicators, the observation group had better achievement rate of disease treatment goals, correct use score of inhalation devices, the incidence of adverse drug reactions, and the number of drug-related problems solved than the control group (P<0.05). Among the humanistic evaluation indicators, compared with the control group, the observation group had better medication compliance scores, pharmacist intervention success rates, and patient satisfaction scores (P<0.05). Among quality management evaluation indicators, the proportion of drug costs, the proportion of intravenous medication, the use rate of antibiotics, the intensity of antibiotic use, and the number of pharmaceutical services in the observation group were significantly better than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Standardized and graded pharmaceutical care services have improved the efficiency of pharmacists and service effectiveness, making it a new pharmaceutical service model worth promoting.
9.Chinese Translation of the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale and Its Application Evaluation on Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Liver-Constraint and Spleen-Deficiency Syndrome
Shibing LIANG ; Yingying ZHANG ; Zhijie WANG ; Zeyu YU ; Mei HAN ; Huijuan CAO ; Guoyan YANG ; Shihuan CAO ; Hongjie CHENG ; Qiaoyan ZHANG ; Youzhu SU ; Yufei LI ; Jianping LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(19):1994-2001
ObjectiveTo adapt the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale(SETS) into Chinese(C-SETS) and test the feasibility, validity and reliability of its application in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D) with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome treated with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). MethodsWe obtained authorisation from the developer of the SETS, and followed the principle of "two-way translation" to translate the SETS by literal translation and back translation to form the C-SETS. Ninety-six IBS-D patients with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome were enrolled as respondents and filled out C-SETS before receiving treatment; the feasibility was assessed by the recall rate, completion rate and the duration of filling out the scale; the reliability was assessed by Cronbach's α; the structural validity was assessed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and the content validity was assessed by correlation analysis. ResultsThe C-SETS consists of 10 items, with the 1st, 3rd, and 5th rating items constituting the Positive Expectations subscale, and the 2nd, 4th, and 6th rating items constituting the Negative Expectations subscale, each of which is rated on a 7-point Likert Scale. The recall of C-SETS was 100%(96/96), the completion rate was 89.58%(86/96); Cronbach's α for the Positive and Negative Treatment Expectations subscales were 0.845 and 0.854, respectively; exploratory factor analysis showed that the coefficient of commonality for all six entries was larger than 0.4, and that the six entries could be used by both factors to explain 77.092% of the total variance; validation factor analysis showed that the goodness-of-fit index, comparative fit index, root mean square of approximation error, canonical fit coefficient, and chi-square degrees of freedom ratio took the values of 0.943, 1.003, 0, 0.943, and 0.626, respectively; and the results of Spearman's analysis suggested that the C-SETS had good content validity. ConclusionThe C-SETS has well feasibility, reliability, and validity, which initially proves that it can be used as a tool to assess the treatment expectation of patients with IBS-D with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome before receiving TCM treatment.
10.Effect of ganoderic acid A on a mouse model of concanavalin A-induced acute immune liver injury and its mechanism
Yi CUI ; Fengjie QIAO ; Jiahao QIU ; Yufei LIU ; Zhujun GAO ; Zhi SHANG ; Yueqiu GAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(12):2415-2423
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of ganoderic acid A (GA-A) on a mouse model of concanavalin A (ConA)-induced autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). MethodsA total of 35 mice were randomly divided into control group (NC group), model group (ConA group), and low-, middle-, and high-dose GA-A treatment groups (GA-A-L, GA-A-M, and GA-A-H groups, respectively), with 7 mice in each group. ConA was injected via the caudal vein of mice to establish a classic mouse model of AIH, and different doses of GA-A were administered via intraperitoneal injection 1 hour later for treatment. Proteomic techniques were used to investigate the protective mechanism of GA-A on hepatocytes, and HL-60 cells were differentiated into dHL-60 neutrophils by all-trans retinoic acid in vitro to validate the mechanism of action of GA-A. Related indicators were measured, including inflammatory markers (the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST], HE staining, and inflammation-related genes), apoptosis markers (TUNEL staining), neutrophils, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) markers (myeloperoxidase [MPO], citrullinated histone H3 [CitH3], Ly6G, and free double-stranded DNA [dsDNA]), and p38 phosphorylation markers. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the NC group, the ConA group had significant increases in the serum levels of ALT and AST (both P<0.001), and compared with the ConA group, GA-A treatment significantly reduced the levels of ALT and AST (both P<0.01). HE staining showed that the mice in the ConA group had significant liver necrosis, while GA-A treatment significantly reduced the area of liver necrosis and the number of TUNEL-positive cells (both P<0.05). Compared with the ConA group, the GA-A group had significant reductions in the expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon gamma in serum and liver tissue (all P<0.05). The proteomic analysis showed that GA-A alleviated ConA-induced acute immune liver injury by inhibiting the release of NET and the p38 MAPK pathway. Immunofluorescent staining of mouse liver tissue showed that compared with the ConA group, the GA-A group had significant reductions in the number of MPO-positive neutrophils and the number of cells with positive Ly6G and CitH3 (all P<0.01). Western Blot and dsDNA testing showed that GA-A significantly inhibited the levels of the NET markers dsDNA and CitH3 and the level of p38 phosphorylation in liver tissue and dHL-60 cells (all P<0.05). ConclusionGA-A alleviates liver inflammatory response and hepatocyte death by inhibiting the p38 MAPK pathway and the release of NET, thereby alleviating ConA-induced acute immune liver injury. This study provides a theoretical basis for the use of GA-A to treat immune liver injury by regulating neutrophil function.

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