1.Research on modulation of fear memory at different time windows by ketamine
Yufan FANG ; Hongji WANG ; Yuxuan HE ; Han WANG ; Lin SUN
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(1):181-187
Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)is a severe mental disorder that significantly impacts an indi-vidual's health,with its primary symptom being fear-based memories.In the pathological state of PTSD,fear-based memo-ries are prolonged and intensified by certain physiological mechanisms.Therefore,expediting the extinction of fear-based memories and preventing their excessive consolidation are crucial for successful treatment.Recently,researchers have dis-covered that ketamine,beyond its role as an anesthetic,also plays a substantial part in regulating fear-based memories.This paper aims to elucidate the role of ketamine in modulating conditioned fear-based memories across various time frames and brain regions,as well as the associated molecular mechanisms.Furthermore,it seeks to clarify the specificity of dif-ferent molecular mechanisms in distinct time frames of fear-based memories and assess whether ketamine could be a prima-ry medication for treating PTSD.
2.Research on ethical issues and coping strategies of voice biomarkers in medical applications
Sikai SHAN ; Shuyu HAN ; Wenxia WANG ; Yufan YANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Wenmin ZHANG ; Siye CHEN ; Mo CHEN ; Zhiwen WANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(10):1233-1239
Voice biomarkers, as an emerging smart medical technology, are now being used in applications such as assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, facilitating accurate and personalized medical services for patients. However, it also raises many ethical issues, including informed consent, privacy protection, accuracy and reliability, data security, legal risks, and other issues. This paper systematically sorted out the ethical issues in the applications of voice biomarkers in the medical field, summarized these issues, such as informed consent, privacy protection, accuracy and reliability, data security, and legal risks, as well as explored the corresponding coping strategies. These countermeasures encompassed utilizing new media platforms to raise public awareness of voice biomarkers, strengthening supervision and management to promote the privacy protection of voice biomarkers, reducing algorithm biases to promote the general benefits of voice biomarkers to the public, establishing multidisciplinary teams to protect the data security of voice biomarkers, and encouraging medical professionals and researchers to participate in policy research, with a view to providing references for promoting and regulating the applications of voice biomarkers in the medical field.
3.Mechanisms of Zhuyuwan in Treating both Intrahepatic Cholestasis and Ulcerative Colitis Based on Homotherapy for Heteropathy
Jun HAN ; Yueqiang WEN ; Zongying XU ; Dan LUO ; Li ZHOU ; Xueyi LI ; Yufan DAI ; Lele YANG ; Tao SHEN ; Han YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):46-53
ObjectiveThe theory of homotherapy for heteropathy is one of the classical rules in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking this theory as a breakthrough point, this study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to elucidate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of Zhuyuwan on both intrahepatic cholestasis (IC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) from the viewpoint of serum metabolic homeostasis. MethodsThe rat models of α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis and 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced UC were treated with low (0.6 g·kg-1) and high (1.2 g·kg-1) doses of Zhuyuwan by gavage. In the experiment regarding IC, 24 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into four groups: normal, ANIT model, low-dose Zhuyuwan, and high-dose Zhuyuwan. In the experiment regarding UC, 24 SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups: normal, TNBS model, low-dose Zhuyuwan, and high-dose Zhuyuwan. Firstly, the two disease models and the intervention effects of Zhuyuwan on the two diseases were evaluated based on serum levels of biochemical indicators [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), and total bile acid (TBA)], colon damage score, colon weight index, disease activity index, and histopathological changes in rats. Secondly, the rat serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to screen the common core pathways of the two disease models, and the expression of core genes in the pathways was determined by Real-time PCR, on the basis of which the biological mechanism of the treatment of the two disease models by Zhuyuwan was ultimately elucidated. ResultsThe results of the experiment regarding IC showed that the ANIT model group had higher ALT, AST, γ-GT, and TBA levels than the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the ANIT model group, the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showed declined ALT and TBA levels (P<0.01) and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed lowered ALT, TBA, AST, and γ-GT levels (P<0.01). The results of the experiment regarding UC showed that compared with the normal group, the TNBS model group presented increases in the colonic damage score, colon weight index, and disease activity index (P<0.01). Compared with the TNBS model group, the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showcased declines in colon weight index (P<0.01) and disease activity index (P<0.05), and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed reductions in the colon damage score, colon weight index, and disease activity index (P<0.01). GC-MS metabolomics analysis combined with qRT-PCR demonstrated that Zhuyuwan had a similar inverse regulatory effect on arginine metabolism disruption in the above two disease models. ConclusionZhuyuwan exhibited definite therapeutic effects on both IC and UC, and the regulation of arginine biosynthesis pathway is the core mechanism for the treatment of both diseases by Zhuyuwan.
4.Mechanisms of Zhuyuwan in Treating both Intrahepatic Cholestasis and Ulcerative Colitis Based on Homotherapy for Heteropathy
Jun HAN ; Yueqiang WEN ; Zongying XU ; Dan LUO ; Li ZHOU ; Xueyi LI ; Yufan DAI ; Lele YANG ; Tao SHEN ; Han YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):46-53
ObjectiveThe theory of homotherapy for heteropathy is one of the classical rules in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking this theory as a breakthrough point, this study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to elucidate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of Zhuyuwan on both intrahepatic cholestasis (IC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) from the viewpoint of serum metabolic homeostasis. MethodsThe rat models of α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis and 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced UC were treated with low (0.6 g·kg-1) and high (1.2 g·kg-1) doses of Zhuyuwan by gavage. In the experiment regarding IC, 24 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into four groups: normal, ANIT model, low-dose Zhuyuwan, and high-dose Zhuyuwan. In the experiment regarding UC, 24 SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups: normal, TNBS model, low-dose Zhuyuwan, and high-dose Zhuyuwan. Firstly, the two disease models and the intervention effects of Zhuyuwan on the two diseases were evaluated based on serum levels of biochemical indicators [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), and total bile acid (TBA)], colon damage score, colon weight index, disease activity index, and histopathological changes in rats. Secondly, the rat serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to screen the common core pathways of the two disease models, and the expression of core genes in the pathways was determined by Real-time PCR, on the basis of which the biological mechanism of the treatment of the two disease models by Zhuyuwan was ultimately elucidated. ResultsThe results of the experiment regarding IC showed that the ANIT model group had higher ALT, AST, γ-GT, and TBA levels than the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the ANIT model group, the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showed declined ALT and TBA levels (P<0.01) and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed lowered ALT, TBA, AST, and γ-GT levels (P<0.01). The results of the experiment regarding UC showed that compared with the normal group, the TNBS model group presented increases in the colonic damage score, colon weight index, and disease activity index (P<0.01). Compared with the TNBS model group, the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showcased declines in colon weight index (P<0.01) and disease activity index (P<0.05), and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed reductions in the colon damage score, colon weight index, and disease activity index (P<0.01). GC-MS metabolomics analysis combined with qRT-PCR demonstrated that Zhuyuwan had a similar inverse regulatory effect on arginine metabolism disruption in the above two disease models. ConclusionZhuyuwan exhibited definite therapeutic effects on both IC and UC, and the regulation of arginine biosynthesis pathway is the core mechanism for the treatment of both diseases by Zhuyuwan.
5.Research on modulation of fear memory at different time windows by ketamine
Yufan FANG ; Hongji WANG ; Yuxuan HE ; Han WANG ; Lin SUN
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(1):181-187
Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)is a severe mental disorder that significantly impacts an indi-vidual's health,with its primary symptom being fear-based memories.In the pathological state of PTSD,fear-based memo-ries are prolonged and intensified by certain physiological mechanisms.Therefore,expediting the extinction of fear-based memories and preventing their excessive consolidation are crucial for successful treatment.Recently,researchers have dis-covered that ketamine,beyond its role as an anesthetic,also plays a substantial part in regulating fear-based memories.This paper aims to elucidate the role of ketamine in modulating conditioned fear-based memories across various time frames and brain regions,as well as the associated molecular mechanisms.Furthermore,it seeks to clarify the specificity of dif-ferent molecular mechanisms in distinct time frames of fear-based memories and assess whether ketamine could be a prima-ry medication for treating PTSD.
6.Detection and recognition of urinary VOCs marker gases for bladder cancer based on electronic nose technology
Zhijian HUANG ; Yutong HAN ; Yufan SUN ; Zhigang ZHU
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2024;47(2):115-122
Objective:To design an electronic nose that can detect and identify urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as marker gases for bladder cancer.Methods:Isopropyl alcohol, ethylbenzene, acetic acid, and ammonia were selected as target gases, and 8 metal oxide gas sensors were used to construct sensor arrays for testing and collecting experimental data, and different characteristics were normalized. Recursive feature elimination (RFE) was used to select the best feature subset, and principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were further introduced to reduce the data dimension and facilitate visual analysis. In addition, three machine learning algorithms, including support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN), were combined to train and verify the model.Results:When the feature number was 12, the accuracy of the model classification had the best performance. The feature subset consisted of 5 differences, 5 sensitivities, and 2 integrals, and the data was reduced to 12 dimensions. Only PCA couldn’t distinguish the four gases. The LDA classification performance was significantly better than that of PCA, except that isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid had a small overlap area. LDA could distinguish ethylbenzene and ammonia from isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid; the sample points were gathered, which means the clustering performance was also better. The prediction accuracy of SVM, RF, and KNN was 0.85, 0.56, and 0.79, respectively. After model verification, the classification accuracy of PCA+SVM, LDA+RF, and LDA+KNN was 0.97, 0.94, and 0.97, respectively.Conclusions:An electronic nose was designed to detect and identify urinary VOCs marker gases for bladder cancer.
7.Protective Effect of Huazhuo Jiedu Huoxue Tongluo Prescription on Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury via Regulating Autophagy Based on JNK Signaling Pathway
Minhan ZHAO ; Xinqiao CHU ; Xiaohui CAO ; Ruiqing HUO ; Kuo SUN ; Fangzhao LI ; Yufan HAN ; Junbiao TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(7):115-125
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu Huoxue Tongluo prescription in alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via regulating nerve cell autophagy based on c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)signaling pathway . MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham group, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) group (model group), Huazhuo Jiedu Huoxue Tongluo prescription group [traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group(25.0 g·kg-1)], JNK inhibitor SP600125 (SP) group(5 mg·kg-1), TCM+SP group and JNK agonist Anisomycin (Ani) group(15 mg·kg-1). After 24 h of modeling, TCM group and TCM+SP group were given TCM decoction (ig) for 3 consecutive days, and the other groups were given equal volume of normal saline (ig). Neurological deficit was evaluated by neurological function score and cerebral infarct volume was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazole chloride (TTC) staining. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the structural changes of brain tissue and the damage of neurons, respectively. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) was performed to detect cell apoptosis. The ultrastructure of autophagosomes was observed by transmission electron microscope. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expressions of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3A/B (LC3A/B), autophagy related 5 (Atg5), the ortholog of yeast Atg6 (Beclin1), p62, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), JNK, phosphorylated (p)-JNK and c-Jun in brain tissue. The mRNA expressions of LC3A/B, Beclin1, p62, Atg5, Bcl-2, JNK and c-Jun were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the sham group, the model group had elevated neurological deficit score (P<0.05), enlarged cerebral infarct volume (P<0.05)and typical infarction manifestations formed in hippocampal region and its surrounding brain tissue. In addition, there were a large number of neuronal cell degeneration, necrosis, liquefaction, nucleus pyknosis and deep staining, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the cortex in the model group, and severe swelling of mitochondria, lysosomes, autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes were clearly seen under electron microscope. TUNEL positive cells were increased (P<0.05), and cell apoptosis was severe. The nuclear membrane and nucleolus of neurons in brain tissue were blurred with discontinuous processes, and Nissl bodies in cytoplasm were stained light with reduced number. Western blot revealed that the model group had up-regulated protein expressions of LC3A/B, Beclin1, Atg5, JNK, p-JNK and c-Jun in brain tissue (P<0.05), while down-regulated protein expressions of p62 and Bcl-2 (P<0.05)as compared with the sham group. Real-time PCR indicated that the mRNA expressions of LC3A/B, Beclin1, Atg5, JNK and c-Jun in the model group were higher (P<0.05) while the mRNA expressions of p62 and Bcl-2 were lower (P<0.05) than those in the sham group. Compared with the conditions in model group, the neurological deficit scores of TCM, SP and TCM+SP groups were lowered (P<0.05), and the cerebral infarct volume was reduced (P<0.05), with improved pathological status of brain tissue, especially in the TCM group. Furthermore, there were abundant and basically normal mitochondrial cristae, slightly dilated endoplasmic reticulum, slightly swollen golgi apparatus, slightly fused nuclear membrane, and few visible lysosomes, autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes. TUNEL positive cells were decreased (P<0.05), displaying reduced apoptosis, especially in the TCM group. The nucleolus and nuclear membrane of neurons in brain tissue were discernible, and Nissl bodies in cytoplasm was reduced to a certain degree as compared with those in the model group. Western blot showed a decrease in the protein expressions of LC3A/B, Beclin1, Atg5, JNK, p-JNK and c-Jun in the TCM group ,the SP group,and the TCM+SP group(P<0.05),while an increase in the protein expressions of p62 in the TCM group and SP group(P<0.05),and an increase in the protein expressions of Bcl-2 in the TCM group and TCM+SP group. By Real-time PCR, the mRNA expressions of LC3A, LC3B, Beclin1, Atg5, JNK and c-Jun had a down-regulation(P<0.05) while the mRNA expression of p62 a up-regulation in the TCM group ,the SP group,and the TCM+SP group(P<0.05),and the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 a up-regulation in the TCM group and the TCM+SP group(P<0.05).Scores of the Ani group were raised (P<0.05), and infarct volume was increased significantly, with aggravated neuronal cell necrosis and obvious inflammatory infiltration. Moreover, there were neuronal nuclear membrane fusion with abnormal protrusion, increased heterochromatin aggregation in edge, severe mitochondrial swelling, endoplasmic reticulum expansion, increased lysosomes, increased intracytoplasmic vesicles, and visible autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes. TUNEL positive cells were increased (P<0.05), representing severe apoptosis. The number of Nissl bodies dropped with light staining, and the nucleolus and nuclear membrane were blurred. Real-time PCR found that the mNRA expressions of Atg5, c-Jun, JNK were up-regulated (P<0.05),while Beclin1, p62, Bcl-2 were were down-regulated in the Ani group (P<0.05). Compared with the TCM group and SP group,the protein expressions of LC3A/B, Beclin1, Atg5, JNK, p-JNK, c-Jun were decreased,and p62, Bcl-2 were increased in the Ani group(P<0.05). Compared with the TCM group,the mRNA expressions of JNK mRNA had a down-regulation in the SP group and TCM+SP group,while LC3A, LC3B, Atg5, c-Jun, JNK had an up-regulation(P<0.05) and Bcl-2 had a down-regulation in the Ani group(P<0.05). Compared with the SP group,the mRNA expressions of Atg5, c-Jun, JNK had an up-regulation(P<0.05), and Beclin1, p62, Bcl-2 had a down-regulation in the Ani group(P<0.05). ConclusionHuazhuo Jiedu Huoxue Tongluo prescription significantly up-regulates the protein and mRNA expressions of LC3A/B, Beclin1, Atg5, JNK, p-JNK and c-Jun, and down-regulates the protein and mRNA expressions of p62 and Bcl-2, suggesting that the prescription can inhibit autophagy through JNK signaling pathway to reduce ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.
8.Research progress in in vitro detection of urinary volatile organic compounds for early cancer diagnosis
Yuan DING ; Wenyu ZHANG ; Yufan SUN ; Zhijian HUANG ; Yutong HAN ; Zhigang ZHU
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2022;45(2):176-185
With the further increase of the global cancer burden, various cancers are increasingly challenging human health status and quality of life. Thus, early screening of cancer is crucial. Urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection techniques have the advantages of easy access to samples, high acceptance of patients, non-invasive, and so on, which have been favored and concerned by researchers. In this paper, existing techniques and methods for cancer diagnosis based on urine VOCs were described, relevant studies on the use of urine VOCs for cancer diagnosis were reviewed, and the barriers and future perspectives of the technique were discussed. This paper can be a reference for researchers working in the direction of urinary VOCs detection, a multidisciplinary field that spans medicine and materials science.
9.Long-term Outcomes after Second-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation and Analysis of Risk Factors Related to Recurrence
Yufan DAI ; Chenyuan WANG ; Zulu WANG ; Ming LIANG ; Guitang YANG ; Zhiqing JIN ; Jian DING ; Ping ZHANG ; Yaling HAN
Cardiology Discovery 2022;02(3):152-156
Objective::This study is aimed to analyze the long-term safety and effectiveness of second-generation cryoballoon (CB2) ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods::Data from 760 consecutive patients in the Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from August 2016 to December 2018 with drug-refractory symptomatic AF undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using CB2 were assessed. Procedure-related safety and freedom from AF and atrial flutter/atria tachycardia through 3 years were determined. The risk factors related to atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence were analyzed.Results::Acute PVI was achieved in 100% of the 760 patients. Radiofrequency application for additional focal ablation was needed in 11 (1.4%) patients and for 14 pulmonary veins (0.5%, 14/(760×4)) to achieve PVI. A total of 748 patients, including 539 with paroxysmal AF (PAF) and 209 with persistent AF (SAF) completed the follow-up, and only 12 (1.6%) patients were lost. The mean follow-up duration was (19±8) months. The rate of major complications was 0.9%, including 0.8% of right phrenic nerve injury, which resolved before discharge. Freedom from all tachyarrhythmias was achieved in 75.0%, 69.4%, and 63.2% of patients with PAF, respectively, at 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up, and in 75.1%, 67.4%, and 60.9% for SAF, with no significant differences between the PAF and SAF groups. AF course and the rate of body weight gain were independent risk factors for recurrence at 12 months after ablation ( P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Conclusion::PVI using CB2 has a high acute success rate and good safety in the treatment of PAF and SAF. Long course of AF and weight gain after ablation were independent risk factors for recurrence.
10.Long-term Outcomes after Second-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation and Analysis of Risk Factors Related to Recurrence
Yufan DAI ; Chenyuan WANG ; Zulu WANG ; Ming LIANG ; Guitang YANG ; Zhiqing JIN ; Jian DING ; Ping ZHANG ; Yaling HAN
Cardiology Discovery 2022;02(3):152-156
Objective::This study is aimed to analyze the long-term safety and effectiveness of second-generation cryoballoon (CB2) ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods::Data from 760 consecutive patients in the Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from August 2016 to December 2018 with drug-refractory symptomatic AF undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using CB2 were assessed. Procedure-related safety and freedom from AF and atrial flutter/atria tachycardia through 3 years were determined. The risk factors related to atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence were analyzed.Results::Acute PVI was achieved in 100% of the 760 patients. Radiofrequency application for additional focal ablation was needed in 11 (1.4%) patients and for 14 pulmonary veins (0.5%, 14/(760×4)) to achieve PVI. A total of 748 patients, including 539 with paroxysmal AF (PAF) and 209 with persistent AF (SAF) completed the follow-up, and only 12 (1.6%) patients were lost. The mean follow-up duration was (19±8) months. The rate of major complications was 0.9%, including 0.8% of right phrenic nerve injury, which resolved before discharge. Freedom from all tachyarrhythmias was achieved in 75.0%, 69.4%, and 63.2% of patients with PAF, respectively, at 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up, and in 75.1%, 67.4%, and 60.9% for SAF, with no significant differences between the PAF and SAF groups. AF course and the rate of body weight gain were independent risk factors for recurrence at 12 months after ablation ( P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Conclusion::PVI using CB2 has a high acute success rate and good safety in the treatment of PAF and SAF. Long course of AF and weight gain after ablation were independent risk factors for recurrence.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail