1.Thesium chinense Turcz. alleviates antibiotic-associated diarrhea in mice by modulating gut microbiota structure and regulating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Haonan XU ; Fang ZHANG ; Yuying HUANG ; Qisheng YAO ; Yueqin GUAN ; Hao CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):285-295
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Thesium chinense Turcz. (TCT) for antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).
METHODS:
Network pharmacology, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and molecular docking were used to identify the shared targets and genes of TCT and AAD, the key signaling pathways and the binding between the active components in TCT and the core protein targets. In a Kunming mouse model of AAD established by intragastric administration of lincomycin hydrochloride, the effects of daily gavage of 1% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium or TCT gel solutions at 1.5 g/kg and 3 g/kg (n=10) on body weight and diarrhea were observed. HE staining, ELISA, 16S rRNA sequencing, and Western blotting were used to examine pathologies, expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, changes in gut microbiota, and protein expressions of EGFR, p-EGFR, PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt in the colon tissues of the mice.
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 66 active components of TCT and 68 core targets including EGFR, STAT3 and PIK3CA. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the therapeutic effects of TCT was mediated primarily through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that EGFR had the highest binding affinity with coniferin, and the EGFR-coniferin complex maintained a stable conformation at 10 ns, whose stability was also confirmed by Gibbs free energy analysis. In the mouse models of AAD, treatment with TCT significantly improved colonic tissue morphology, decreased colonic levels of TNF-α and IL-6, increased gut microbiota diversity, and modulated the relative abundances of the key genera including Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. TCT treatment also markedly reduced protein expressions of p-EGFR, p-PI3K and p-Akt in the colon tissues of the mice.
CONCLUSIONS
TCT can alleviate AAD in mice by modulating gut microbiota composition, regulating the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and reducing TNF‑α and IL-6 expressions.
Animals
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
ErbB Receptors/metabolism*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Diarrhea/drug therapy*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
2.Construction of a nomogram identification model for the risk of bipolar depression
Yongyan DENG ; Xiaoyi TIAN ; Tingting ZHANG ; Peilin XU ; Jiana MUHAI ; Liang ZHOU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Zhaorui LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(7):577-584
Objective:To explore the differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between pa-tients with unipolar depression bipolar depression and to establish a nomogram for identifying bipolar depression.Methods:Using data from the China Mental Disorders Cohort Study,the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 2 643 patients with unipolar depression and 250 patients with bipolar depression diagnosed accord-ing to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition(DSM-5)were includ-ed to compare their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.These characteristics included general demograph-ic information,disease-related information,clinical examination results,and the severity of the disease assessed with the Global Assessment of Functioning(GAF)and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors influencing bipolar depression,and a nomogram was constructed for its identifica-tion.Results:The risk factors for bipolar depression included being male(OR=1.48),being employed(OR=1.38),having non-melancholic features during episodes(OR=2.33),a Body Mass Index ranging from normal to obese(OR=2.48,2.49,4.65),psychotic features(OR=2.14),mixed episode(OR=9.36),comorbid physical diseases(OR=2.47),four or more depressive episodes(OR=1.67),earlier age of onset(OR=0.95),longer ill-ness duration(OR=1.03),and higher GAF scores(OR=1.02).The nomogram model achieved an AUC of 0.81(95%CI:0.78-0.84).The Hosmer-Lemeshow test result was x2=6.96(P>0.05),indicating good model fit.The calibration curve showed good performance.The decision curve analysis revealed that the nomogram pro-vides significant clinical benefit when the risk of bipolar depression was within the range of 0 to 0.9.Conclusion:The nomogram established based on the identified sociodemographic and clinical factors can accurately assess the risk of bipolar depression,providing a useful tool for early identification and intervention.
3.Trends of suicide rate in China,2016 to 2021
Zhaorui LIU ; Junjie HUANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Yueqin HUANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(7):604-610
Objective:To describe the time trend of suicide rate in China from 2016 to 2021,and to identify key populations and regions for targeted prevention.Methods:The crude suicide rates were obtained from China Health Statistical Yearbook,and the standardized suicide rate was calculated based on Population Census of China as the standard population.Poisson regression model was used to test the time trend of the average annual rate of sui-cide rate.The average suicide rates(average annual percentage change,AAPC)were calculated to describe suicide rates and trend in China.Results:From 2016 to 2021,the crude suicide rate(AAPC=-1.4%,95%CI:-3.6%-0.8%)and the standardized suicide rate(AAPC=-0.7%,95%CI:-2.5%-1.2%)showed a decreasing trend,but no statistically significance was found.Crude suicide rate in urban residents was lower than that in rural resi-dents.Crude suicide rate of the male was higher than that of the female in both urban and rural regions.The suicide rate of adolescents(AAPC=7.7%-25.2%),urban men aged 35-39 years(AAPC=3.4%)and men aged55-59 years(AAPC=2.1%-2.2%)in urban and rural regions had significantly increasing trends.The average annu-al suicide rate from 2016 to 2021 was 6.03/100 000,with a trend of increasing with age.Rural residents and men had higher average annual suicide rate.Conclusion:While overall suicide rates showed declining trends from 2016 to 2021,rising rates among adolescents and middle-aged men warrant targeted intervention.Continued efforts are needed to prevent suicide in rural areas and in old population.
4.Associations between dietary habits and self-perceived cognitive decline
Xue CHONG ; Xueyi WANG ; Xingmeng NIU ; Yi ZHENG ; Fuqin MU ; Zhaorui LIU ; Yanfei HOU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Yan LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(8):698-704
Objective:To investigate the self-perceived cognitive decline status in the community population,and to explore the association between different dietary habits and self-perceived cognitive decline.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out in 11 879 community residents in the three regions of Weifang,Jining,and Zoucheng in Shandong Province.The Ascertain Dementia-8 and dietary habits information questionnaire were used to assess self-perceived cognitive decline and dietary habits,and their association were analyzed using single factor and multivariate logistic regression.Results:The detection rate of self-perceived cognitive decline was 21.4%.Lo-gistic regression showed that smoking in the past was positively associated with self-perceived cognitive decline(OR=1.40,95%CI:1.14-1.73).However,intake of fruits(often,OR=0.70,95%CI:0.52-0.94;everyday,OR=0.60,95%CI:0.44-0.81),nuts(daily,OR=0.62,95%CI:0.44-0.88),mushrooms(often,OR=0.74,95%CI:0.57-0.92)and high tryptophan foods(sometimes,OR=0.79,95%CI:0.68-0.91;everyday,OR=0.54,95%CI:0.34-0.87)were negatively associated with self-perceived cognitive decline.Conclusion:Smoking history might be a risk factor for self-perceived cognitive decline,and high frequency intake of fruits,nuts,mush-rooms,and high tryptophan foods might protective factors for it.
5.Network analysis of the symptom structure and associated factors of subjective cognitive decline among middle-aged and older adults
Yangziye GUO ; Yu SUN ; Xingmeng NIU ; Yan QIN ; Zhaorui LIU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Yan LIU ; Fuqin MU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(8):705-712
Objective:To investigate the symptom network structure of subjective cognitive decline(SCD)and its associated factors in middle-aged and older adults.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 8,262 community residents aged 45 years and over in Shandong Province(Jining,Weifang,and Zoucheng).SCD was assessed using the 8-item Ascertain Dementia(AD8)questionnaire,while mental health status was evaluated with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7.SPSS and R were applied to construct the SCD symptom network model and examine its association with psychological factors.Results:The prevalence of SCD was 24.53%."Difficulty using household appliances"emerged as the core symptom,with the strongest connections to"forgetting appointments"(edge=2.13)and"declining daily memory and thinking ability".Additionally,"poor self-rated mental health"was most strongly linked to"loss of interest,change in hobbies and reduced activities"(edge=0.38).Conclusion:SCD symptoms in middle-aged and older adults exhibits strong interconnections and are closely linked to the individual's mental health condition.
6.Association analysis between comorbidity with chronic diseases and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older population
Yu SUN ; Yangziye GUO ; Sifang NIU ; Fuqin MU ; Hongguang CHEN ; Yan LIU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Ning LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(8):713-719
Objective:To investigate the comorbidity rate of chronic diseases and prevalence of depressive symptoms among the middle-aged and elderly population,and explore the association between comorbidity with-chronic disease and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older people.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong Province.A total of 9 535 middle-aged and older people aged 45 years and over were recrui-ted.General information questionnaire,the chronic disease information questionnaire and Patient Health Question-naire were used for face-to-face interview to screen symptoms and collect information.Univariate analysis and mult-ivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to explore the association between comorbidity with chronic dis-ease and depressive symptoms.Results:The prevalence of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older peo-ple was 8.7%,while among those with comorbid chronic diseases,the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 29.6%.Respectively,demonstrating an increasing trend with the number of chronic diseases(P<0.001).Multiva-riate analysis revealed that comorbid chronic disease(OR=1.47,95%CI:1.22-1.78)were risk factors of depres-sive symptoms.Conclusion:Middle-aged and older people with multiple chronic conditions are more likely to be di-agnosed with depressive symptoms,and the detection rate of these symptoms increases with the number of comorbid chronic conditions.Therefore,it is recommended to strengthen mental health interventions for those with multiple chronic conditions.
7.AHP Combined with Response Surface Method to Optimize the Simmering Process of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Correlation Analysis between Composition and Color
Huilian DAI ; Yu DING ; Ziyu LIANG ; Xinyuan LIU ; Wei HUANG ; Chanming LIU ; Yueqin ZHU ; Dianhua SHI ; Yanpeng DAI ; Lin LI
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(5):652-660
OBJECTIVE To explore the optimal parameters of simmered Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and the correlation between the chroma values and the intrinsic composition of simmered Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces powder.METHODS The single-factor-response surface method was used to investigate the simmering temperature,simmering time,paper dosage and plant ash dos-age,the response surface experiment was carried out on the basis of the single factor experiment,the appearance traits,total anthraqui-nones,free anthraquinones,leachables,sennoside A and B contents were taken as indicators,the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)was used to give weights to each index,and the process was optimized.The chroma values of raw and simmered products were deter-mined by electronic eye,the correlation and regression analysis were carried out by SPSS22.0 software,and the chroma-component re-gression equation was constructed.RESULTS The optimal process of simmering Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was 140 ℃,5 times of plant ash,2 layers of wet paper wrapped and being simmered for 2.5 h.CONCLUSION The simmering process of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma optimized by AHP combined with response surface method is reasonable and feasible,the color of decoction pieces has a significant correlation with the component content,and the regression equation constructed is reliable,which can predict the intrinsic component content of decoction pieces through chroma values.
8.Anxiety symptoms and associated factors among relocated elderly residents in new townships
Xueyi WANG ; Xue CHONG ; Fuqin MU ; Shuzhang HU ; Yi ZHENG ; Zhaorui LIU ; Hongguang CHEN ; Yueqin HUANG ; Yan LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(2):151-156
Objective:To investigate anxiety symptoms and associated factors in relocated elderly residents of new townships,and to provide evidence for prevention interventions.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conduc-ted in relocated elderly residents in new townships of three urban areas in Shandong Province from 2021 to 2023.The study instruments included Ascertain Dementia-8,Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7,self-administered de-mographic characteristics information questionnaire.Multivariate analysis of factors associated with anxiety symp-toms in elderly residents was performed using multivariate logistic regression.Results:The prevalence rate of mild anxiety symptoms was 5.8%,and the rate of moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms was 1.3%in 3 313 resi-dents.Multivariate analysis found that self-assessed general psychological condition(OR=0.52),good family envi-ronment(OR=0.34),no self-perceived cognitive impairment(OR=0.31),no chronic diseases(OR=0.42),and only one chronic disease(OR=0.61)were protective factors for mild anxiety symptoms,and very good dietary structure(OR=2.15)and fair dietary structure(OR=2.39)were risk factors for those.Very good family environ-ment(OR=0.11)and average family environment(OR=0.16),and no self-perceived cognitive impairment(OR=0.14)were protective factors for moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms,and 0-3 years(OR=3.24)and 4-6 years(OR=3.28)of relocation were risk factors for those.Conclusion:Family environment,dietary structure,and duration since relocation are key factors associated with anxiety symptoms among relocated elderly residents in new townships.Targeted interventions should be implemented to address their mental health needs.
9.Interaction between perceived social support and TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism and its association with risk of developing depression
Xingmeng NIU ; Hanyun LI ; Xueyi WANG ; Sifang NIU ; Yan QIN ; Yi ZHENG ; Fuqin MU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Yan LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(2):107-114
Objective:To explore the association between perceived social support,TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism,and their interaction with incidence of depressive symptoms in the freshmen.Methods:A total of 9928 freshmen from two medical universities were investigated at baseline and follow-up two years later during 2018-2020 by cluster sampling.A self-report demographic characteristics questionnaire was used to collect information of general demographic characteristics.Perceived Social Support Scale,Beck Depression Inventory,Beck Anxiety Inventory and Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List were used to measure the level of perceived social support,depressive symptoms,anxiety symptoms and the number of negative life events of individuals.Blood sam-ples were collected and typed for DNA by professionals.Results:Family support and other support were all nega-tively associated with depressive symptoms in the freshmen(OR=0.96,95%CI:0.93-0.99;OR=0.94,95%CI:0.91-0.98).There was no correlation between friend support and depressive symptoms in the freshmen(OR=0.99,95%CI:0.95-1.02).TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism(AG)was positively associated with de-pressive symptoms in the freshmen(OR=1.58,95%CI:1.12-2.23).The interactions of friend support with TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism(AG)(OR=1.13,95%CI:1.02-1.26)and other support with TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism(AG)(OR=1.13,95%CI:1.02-1.25)had significant effects on the incidence of depressive symptoms in the females and no significant effect in the males.Conclusion:The perceived social support,TMEM161B gene rs768705 polymorphism and their interaction are associated with influence of de-pressive symptoms,and have sex difference in the freshmen.
10.Impacts of traumatic experiences on panic attack,depression and anxiety symptoms among community residents
Shuzhang HU ; Xueyi WANG ; Yu SUN ; Zhaorui LIU ; Fuqin MU ; Yan LIU ; Yueqin HUANG ; Ning LIU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(3):239-243
Objective:To investigate the impact of traumatic experiences on panic attack,depression and anxi-ety symptoms among community residents.Methods:Totally 11 280 community residents were recruited.The Com-posite International Diagnostic Interview-3.0,Patient Health Questionnaire,7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and general information questionnaire were used for face-to-face interview to collect information.Propensity Score Matching was conducted to match 5 184 community residents for analysis.Logistic regression was employed to analyze the impact of traumatic events on panic attack,depressive symptoms,and anxiety symptoms among the study sample.Results:Traumatic events were associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing panic attack(OR=3.26,95%CI:2.26-4.70),depression symptoms(OR=1.92,95%CI:1.56-2.37)and anxiety symptoms(OR=1.57,95%CI:1.24-1.99).Conclusion:Traumatic events extensively impact the mental health of commu-nity residents.Timely psychological support and early intervention are essential to prevent mental health issues in community residents affected by trauma.

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