1.Effect of Danggui Buxuetang on PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway of Vascular Dementia Rats
Guifang QI ; Yue JIANG ; Yunxiang TAN ; Nanbu WANG ; Xinghua CHEN ; Ting WAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):15-24
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Danggui Buxuetang (DBT) in the treatment of vascular dementia (VAD). MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned to the sham-operated group, model group, DBT low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, and the donepezil group. Except for the sham-operated group, rats in all other groups underwent bilateral common carotid artery ligation. After successful modeling, DBT was administered at doses of 9.2, 18.4, 36.8 g·kg-1 for the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, respectively, while the donepezil group received 3 mg·kg-1 donepezil solution by gavage once daily. After 4 consecutive weeks of drug treatment, rats underwent the Morris water maze test, novel object recognition test, Nissl staining to observe hippocampal neurons, and immunofluorescence staining to detect the expression of neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN) in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to assess the expression of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), Parkin, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe hippocampal neuronal ultrastructure. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits p22phox and p47phox in hippocampal tissues. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity were measured to evaluate oxidative stress levels. ResultsIn the Morris water maze test, escape latency changed significantly over time in all groups except the model group. Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed significantly prolonged escape latency (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in the DBT groups and the donepezil group exhibited significantly shorter escape latency (P<0.05, P<0.01). The number of crossings over the original platform was significantly reduced in the model group compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.01), whereas rats in the DBT and donepezil groups showed significantly increased platform crossings compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the sham-operated group, exploration time of new objects was significantly reduced in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, exploration time of new objects increased significantly in the medium- and high-dose DBT groups and the donepezil group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while no significant change was observed in the low-dose DBT group. Compared with the high-dose DBT group, rats in the donepezil group had significantly prolonged escape latency and reduced platform crossings and new-object exploration time (P<0.05). Nissl staining showed decreased density of healthy neurons in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus in the model group, with loss of Nissl bodies and nuclear atrophy or disappearance. In the high-dose DBT group, neuronal density in CA1 and CA3 increased, with neurons arranged closely and displaying normal morphology. Immunofluorescence showed that compared with the sham-operated group, the hippocampal NeuN⁺ cell count in the VAD model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01), compared with the VAD model group, the hippocampal NeuN⁺ cell count in the high-dose DBT group was significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the sham-operated group, the expression of PINK1, Parkin, LC3Ⅱ, and Bax proteins was significantly increased(P<0.01), while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in the VAD model group(P<0.01). Compared with the VAD model group, the high-dose DBT group showed significantly decreased expression of PINK1, Parkin, LC3Ⅱ, and Bax proteins(P<0.01)and significantly upregulated Bcl-2 expression(P<0.01). The medium-dose DBT group exhibited significantly reduced expression of Parkin, LC3Ⅱ, and Bax proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01) and significantly increased Bcl-2 expression(P<0.01), while no statistically significant differences were observed in the low-dose DBT group. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial pyknosis, thickened cristae, increased electron density, and the presence of mitochondrial autophagy in the model group. In contrast, hippocampal neurons in the high-dose DBT group contained abundant mitochondria with intact morphology, clear cristae, and uniform matrix. Compared with the sham-operated group, total antioxidant capacity, SOD activity, and GSH levels were significantly decreased, while MDA levels were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant levels (SOD, GSH) increased significantly, and MDA decreased significantly in the medium- and high-dose DBT groups (P<0.01), while no significant changes were observed in the low-dose DBT group. Compared with the sham-operated group, mRNA expression of p22phox and p47phox was significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, expression of p22phox and p47phox was significantly decreased in the DBT groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDBT may exert neuroprotective effects by regulating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy, thereby improving learning and memory abilities and treating VAD.
2.Multiple applications of metal-organic framework materials in bone tissue engineering and orthopedic disease treatment
Yunxiang LIU ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Hao LI ; Rong ZHANG ; Liping LI ; Chongwei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(10):2151-2161
BACKGROUND:Metal-organic frameworks exhibited great potential for bone tissue engineering and bone disease treatment because of its unique merits including tunable porosity,a large specific surface area,good biocompatibility,and easy structure modification. OBJECTIVE:To review the advancements,application,strengths,and weaknesses of metal-organic framework materials in bone repair,arthritis,bone infection,and bone tumors,offering guidance and strategies for future research. METHODS:Web of Science,PubMed,and CNKI databases were searched using Chinese and English keywords"metal-organic frameworks,MOFs,orthopedics,bone repair,bone regeneration,orthopaedic applications,bone tissue engineering,bone infection,arthritis,bone tumor,osteosarcoma"for related literature published from 2015 to 2023.Following initial screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,72 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)During bone repair,metal ions of metal-organic frameworks can induce bone formation by activating specific signaling pathways,which include stimulating osteogenic gene expression,inhibiting osteoclasts,encouraging blood vessel formation,and speeding up bone mineralization.Hence,metal-organic frameworks with metals like calcium,strontium,cobalt,copper,and magnesium ions show significant potential in enhancing bone implant performance.(2)Metal-organic framework materials,especially zinc/cobalt-based metal-organic frameworks,exhibit enzyme-like activities and promote cartilage regeneration by scavenging reactive oxygen species.Compared with natural enzymes,it has the advantages of not easy inactivation and better stability.(3)Zinc-based metal-organic framework materials characterized with wide band gaps,efficient separation and migration of photogenerated carriers,and high stability,the enhancement of photocatalytic activity results from enhancing the excited electron-hole widely used for the eradication of bacteria and tumor cells.(4)Bimetallic metal-organic frameworks,the doping of additional metals,showed critical advantages in optimizing structural performance,such as zinc/magnesium-based metal-organic framework 74 offering increased stability for durable antibacterial activity,and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic efficiency of tantalum/zirconium-based metal-organic framework greatly improved and thus enhancing the radiation therapy.(5)However,metal-organic framework materials still face challenges in clinical applications,such as the uncertainty of drug release,in vivo safety,and potential immune responses from long-term presence.
3.α2-macroglobulin alleviates glucocorticoid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in mice by promoting proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of vascular endothelial cells
Qi ZHU ; Yunxiang LU ; You PENG ; Jiale HE ; Zeyu WEI ; Zhiyong LI ; Yuxian CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):712-719
Objective To explore the mechanism underlying the protective effect of α2-macroglobulin (A2M) against glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis. Methods In a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model with injuries induced by gradient concentrations of dexamethasone (DEX;10-8-10-5 mol/L), the protective effects of A2M at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL were assessed by examining the changes in cell viability, migration, and capacity of angiogenesis using CCK-8 assay, Transwell and scratch healing assays and angiogenesis assay. The expressions of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting. In BALB/c mouse models of avascular necrosis of the femoral head induced by intramuscular injections of methylprednisolone, the effects of intervention with A2M on femoral trabecular structure, histopathological characteristics, and CD31 expression were examined with Micro-CT, HE staining and immunohistochemical staining. Results In cultured HUVECs, DEX treatment significantly reduced cell viability, migration and angiogenic ability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05), and these changes were obviously reversed by treatment with A2M in positive correlation with A2M concentration (P<0.05). DEX significantly reduced the expression of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in HUVECs, while treatment with A2M restored CD31 and VEGF-A expressions in the cells (P<0.05). The mouse models of femoral head necrosis showed obvious trabecular damages in the femoral head, where a large number of empty lacunae and hypertrophic fat cells could be seen and CD31 expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05). A2M treatment of the mouse models significantly improved trabecular damages, maintained normal bone tissue structures, and increased CD31 expression in the femoral head (P<0.05). Conclusion A2M promotes proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of DEX-treated HUVECs and alleviates methylprednisolone-induced femoral head necrosis by improving microcirculation damages and maintaining microcirculation stability in the femoral head.
4.Effective of repeated peripheral magnetic stimulation treatment over patients with lumbar disc herniation was observed based on neuroelectrophysiological examination
Jia YUAN ; Wenfeng FENG ; Yunxiang DOU ; Xuanjun CHEN ; Zhihong ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(12):1665-1670
Objective To explore the efficacy of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation(rPMS)in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH).Methods From March 2023 to March 2024,60 LDH patients were recruited in the inpatient or outpatient department of the rehabilitation department of a tertiary hospital.All patients were randomly assigned to the rPMS group or the conventional group,30 cases in each group.Both groups received routine physical therapy,and the rPMS group was treated with rPMS on this basis.VAS,JOA,and neurophysiological tests were performed before intervention and 2 weeks after intervention.Results The VAS and JOA scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the conventional group,the VAS and JOA scores of the rPMS group were significantly lower(P<0.05).Compared before and after treat-ment,the neuroelectrophysiological examination of the rPMS group was significantly improved(P<0.05).After 2 weeks of treatment,the tibial nerve motor conduction velocity,H reflex latency and IP peak in the conventional group were significantly faster than those before treatment(P<0.05).After 2 weeks of treatment,compared with the conventional group,there were significant differences in tibial nerve motor conduction velocity,peroneal nerve motor conduction velocity,superficial peroneal nerve sensory conduction velocity,sural nerve sensory conduction velocity,H reflex latency and IP peak(P<0.05).Conclusion rPMS can significantly improve and restore pain and nerve injury in patients with LDH.rPMS can be used as an effective adjuvant therapy.
5.Predictive value of preoperative pelvic floor electrophysiological parameters on early urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy
Shuhui YU ; Jianing HAN ; Lijun ZHONG ; Congyu CHEN ; Yunxiang XIAO ; Yanbo HUANG ; Yang YANG ; Xinyan CHE
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(4):594-599
Objective:To explore the predictive value of preoperative pelvic floor electromyography(EMG)parameters for the risk of urinary incontinence after prostate cancer surgery.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 271 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in the urology department of Peking University First Hospital from January 2020 to October 2022.The data included patient age,body mass index(BMI),international prostate symptom score(IPSS),prostate-specific antigen(PSA)levels,Gleason score,type of surgery,urethral reconstruction,lymph node dis-section,nerve preservation,catheterization duration,D'Amico risk classification,American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)score,Charlson comorbidity index,postoperative duration,prostate volume,and pelvic floor EMG parameters(pre-resting mean,fast muscle mean,and slow muscle mean scores).Independent risk factors affecting early postoperative urinary incontinence were identified through multiva-riate Logistic regression analysis.The predictive efficacy of pelvic floor EMG results was evaluated by cal-culating the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the optimal threshold for early postoperative urinary incontinence was determined based on the Youden index and clinical signifi-cance.Results:The study included 271 prostate cancer patients,with an 81.9%rate of voluntary urinary control post-surgery.The median score for fast pelvic floor muscles was 23.5(18.2,31.6),and for slow muscles,it was 12.5(9.6,17.3).Among the patients,179(66.1%)did not preserve nerves,and 110(40.6%)underwent urethral reconstruction.Advanced age and low fast muscle scores were identified as independent risk factors for urinary incontinence.Patients aged ≤60 had 5.482 times the voluntary urinary control rate compared with those aged ≥70(95%CI:1.532-19.617,P<0.05).There was a significant correlation between fast muscle scores and urinary incontinence recovery(OR=1.209,95%CI:1.132-1.291,P<0.05).When the optimal threshold for preoperative fast muscle score was set at 18.5,the ROC sensitivity and specificity were 80.6%and 61.2%,respectively.Con-clusion:Preoperative pelvic floor EMG parameters show good predictive accuracy and clinical applicabili-ty for the risk of urinary incontinence after prostate cancer surgery.These parameters can be used for ear-ly identification of urinary incontinence risk,with age and fast muscle scores being important predictors.
6.α2-macroglobulin alleviates glucocorticoid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in mice by promoting proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of vascular endothelial cells
Qi ZHU ; Yunxiang LU ; You PENG ; Jiale HE ; Zeyu WEI ; Zhiyong LI ; Yuxian CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):712-719
Objective To explore the mechanism underlying the protective effect of α2-macroglobulin (A2M) against glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis. Methods In a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model with injuries induced by gradient concentrations of dexamethasone (DEX;10-8-10-5 mol/L), the protective effects of A2M at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL were assessed by examining the changes in cell viability, migration, and capacity of angiogenesis using CCK-8 assay, Transwell and scratch healing assays and angiogenesis assay. The expressions of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting. In BALB/c mouse models of avascular necrosis of the femoral head induced by intramuscular injections of methylprednisolone, the effects of intervention with A2M on femoral trabecular structure, histopathological characteristics, and CD31 expression were examined with Micro-CT, HE staining and immunohistochemical staining. Results In cultured HUVECs, DEX treatment significantly reduced cell viability, migration and angiogenic ability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05), and these changes were obviously reversed by treatment with A2M in positive correlation with A2M concentration (P<0.05). DEX significantly reduced the expression of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in HUVECs, while treatment with A2M restored CD31 and VEGF-A expressions in the cells (P<0.05). The mouse models of femoral head necrosis showed obvious trabecular damages in the femoral head, where a large number of empty lacunae and hypertrophic fat cells could be seen and CD31 expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05). A2M treatment of the mouse models significantly improved trabecular damages, maintained normal bone tissue structures, and increased CD31 expression in the femoral head (P<0.05). Conclusion A2M promotes proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of DEX-treated HUVECs and alleviates methylprednisolone-induced femoral head necrosis by improving microcirculation damages and maintaining microcirculation stability in the femoral head.
7.Feasibility analysis of dose calculation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy planning using MRI-only simulation
Xuejie XIE ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Siqi YUAN ; Yuxiang LIU ; Yunxiang WANG ; Bining YANG ; Ji ZHU ; Xinyuan CHEN ; Kuo MEN ; Jianrong DAI
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2024;33(5):446-453
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of using MRI-only simulation images for dose calculation of both photon and proton radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma cases.Methods:T 1-weighted MRI images and CT images of 100 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. MRI images were converted to generate pseudo-CT images by using deep learning network models. The training set, validation set and test set included 70 cases, 10 cases and 20 cases, respectively. Convolutional neural network (CNN) and cycle-consistent generative adversarial neural network (CycleGAN) were exploited. Quantitative assessment of image quality was conducted by using mean absolute error (MAE) and structural similarity (SSIM), etc. Dose assessment was performed by using 3D-gamma pass rate and dose-volume histogram (DVH). The quality of pseudo-CT images generated was statistically analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results:The MAE of the CNN and CycleGAN was (91.99±19.98) HU and (108.30±20.54) HU, and the SSIM was 0.97±0.01 and 0.96±0.01, respectively. In terms of dosimetry, the accuracy of pseudo-CT for photon dose calculation was higher than that of the proton plan. For CNN, the gamma pass rate (3 mm/3%) of the photon radiotherapy plan was 99.90%±0.13%. For CycleGAN, the value was 99.87%±0.34%. The gamma pass rates of proton radiotherapy plans were 98.65%±0.64% (CNN, 3 mm/3%) and 97.69%±0.86% (CycleGAN, 3 mm/3%). For DVH, the dose calculation accuracy in the photon plan of pseudo-CT was better than that of the proton plan.Conclusions:The deep learning-based model generated accurate pseudo-CT images from MR images. Most dosimetric differences were within clinically acceptable criteria for photon and proton radiotherapy, demonstrating the feasibility of an MRI-only workflow for radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal cancer. However, compared with the raw CT images, the error of the CT value in the nasal cavity of the pseudo-CT images was relatively large and special attention should be paid during clinical application.
8.XU Yunxiang's clinical experience in treatment of tic disorder.
Yipeng YANG ; Jian ZHU ; Jiazi XU ; Jingjing QIU ; Guizhen CHEN ; Yunxiang XU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2024;44(12):1427-1430
The paper introduces Professor XU Yunxiang's experience in treatment of tic disorder with Xu's manual flying needling therapy by both hands. This therapy is characterized by the integration of yinyang regulation and the painless technique of manual flying needling. It is especially applicable to pediatric encephalopathy. Professor XU Yunxiang believes that tic disorder is related to the liver hyperactivity and spleen weakness, and the imbalance in the sea of marrow in pathogenesis. The treatment should focus on inhibiting the wood, supporting the earth, eliminating the wind and regulating the mind. The acupoints are specially selected on the head and from the back-shu points, the front-mu points and the affected meridians. The needling technique is featured by "flying for calming down the mind, manipulating with both hands simultaneously, combining the back-shu points and the front-mu points, inducing the sensation transmission, obtaining the reinforcing and reducing with both hands and removing the needles for tranquilizing the mind". This therapy is aimed at regulating the mind, qi and body movement. It increases the efficiency of acupuncture, reduces needling pain, strengthens needling sensation and improves children's compliance.
Humans
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Acupuncture Points
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Tic Disorders/physiopathology*
9.Preoperative MRI radiomics models for predicting risk stratification of endometrial cancer
Wei KONG ; Yuzhen YU ; Kang WANG ; Long CHEN ; Yunxiang HU ; Weiguo CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2023;39(12):1857-1861
Objective To observe the value of preoperative MRI radiomics models for predicting risk stratification of endometrial cancer(EC).Methods Data of 219 EC patients who underwent pelvic MR examination before surgery were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into high risk group(n=104)or low risk group(n=115)according to postoperative pathological findings,also assigned into training set(n=153)or test set(n=66)according to examination time and further divided into high or low risk subgroups in each set.ROI was manually sketched on MRI using 3D Slicer,and each 1 130 features were extracted from axial and sagittal fat suppression(FS)T2WI as well as axial and sagittal enhanced FS-T1WI,respectively.Then the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)was used to select a total of 54 merged MRI features,including 12,14,16 and 12 features,respectively.Finally,25 merged LASSO features were reduced dimensionality and selected by reusing LASSO.Extremely randomized trees algorithm was used to construct radiomics models based on each single sequence features,merged MRI features and merged LASSO features,respectively.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,the area under the curve(AUC),the accuracy and F1 score were obtained to evaluate the predicting efficacy of each model.AUC was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the models and subjective diagnosis of test set.Results In training set,the accuracy(0.784,0.777),F1 score(0.730,0.731)and AUC(0.835,0.855)of modelmerged MRI and modelmerged LASSO were both higher than those of each single sequence model,while in test set,the sensitivity(0.794,0.882),specificity(0.909,0.969)and AUC(0.904,0.934)of modelmerged MRI and modelmerged LASSO were both higher than those of subjective diagnosis and each single sequence model.The predictive effiency of modelmerged LAsSo was better than that of modelmerged MRI,which was the best model.Conclusion Preoperative MRI radiomics model was effective for predicting risk stratification of endometrial cancer.Modelmerged LASSO had the best performance.
10.Drinking behavior among government employees in Changsha and its influencing factors.
Cheng HU ; Dan LUO ; Yunxiang HUANG ; Zhiheng CHEN ; Zhijun HUANG ; Shuiyuan XIAO
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2021;46(3):283-292
OBJECTIVES:
To analyze the prevalence and influencing factors for drinking behavior and heavy drinking among government employees in Changsha and provide a basis for carrying out interventions for drinking behaviors and formulating public health promotion plans for government employees.
METHODS:
Government employees were recruited consecutively from the Health Management Center of a general hospital in Changsha between December 2017 and December 2018. Information on sociodemograpic characteristics, drinking behaviors, life events, and psychosocial characteristics was collected using a standard set of questionnaire. Drinking behavior was defined as drinking once or more per week for the past 12 months. The differences in drinking rates and excessive drinking rates among groups with different characteristics were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to analyze the associated factors of drinking behaviors and heavy drinking for government employees.
RESULTS:
A total of 6 190 people completed this investigation. The overall drinking rate of government employees in Changsha was 21.9%, and the rate of drinking was higher in males than that in females (44.7% vs 4.0%,
CONCLUSIONS
The drinking and heavy drinking rates of government employees are high in Changsha. Marital status, physical exercise, and frequency of social intercourse are the common influencing factors of male drinking behavior and female drinking behavior. The life events stimulation is the influencing factor of heavy drinking.
Adult
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Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology*
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Female
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Government Employees
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Health Behavior
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Risk Factors
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Smoking

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