1.Spatial Distribution Patterns and Environmental Influencing Factors of Flavonoid Glycosides in Epimedium sagittatum
Mengxue LI ; Wenmin ZENG ; Yiting WEI ; Fengqin LI ; Shengfu HU ; Xinyi WANG ; Zhangjian SHAN ; Yanqin XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):217-226
ObjectiveTo explore the spatial distribution patterns of flavonoid glycosides in Epimedium sagittatum and the influences of environmental factors on the accumulation of these components. MethodsThe spatial statistical analysis and GeoDetector model were used to analyze the distribution patterns of epimedin A,epimedin B,epimedin C,icariin,and total flavonoid glycosides in E. sagittatum samples from 92 different production areas in 36 cities of 13 provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions of China,as well as the effects of 28 environmental factors on the accumulation of each component. ResultsThe average content of flavonoid glycosides 64 (69.56%) producing areas and 30 (83.33%) cities met the quality standard of no less than 1.50% of total flavonoid glycosides in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Epimedin A,epimedin B,epimedin C,icariin,and their sum showed significantly high accumulation.The hot spots regions of epimedin A and epimedin B were similar with each other,mainly located in western Hunan,eastern Hubei,eastern Guizhou,and northern Guangxi.The common hot spot areas of epimedin C and total flavonoid glycosides were in western and southwestern Hunan,southern Henan,northern Anhui,eastern Guizhou,and southern Chongqing.The hot spots areas of icariin were in southern Chongqing,western Hunan,and eastern and northeastern Guizhou.The interactions between environmental factors had stronger explanatory power for the accumulation of components than single factors.The strongest single factor and interactive factor affecting the accumulation of epimedin C were precipitation of wettest quarter (q=0.16) and its interaction with temperature seasonality (q=0.35),respectively.The strongest single factor influencing both the accumulation of icariin and total flavonoid glycosides was the precipitation of coldest quarter (q equals 0.15 and 0.22,respectively).The strongest interactions were observed between precipitation of coldest quarter and gravel content (q=0.34),as well as between precipitation of coldest quarter and aspect (q=0.35). ConclusionThirteen cities,including Zhumadian and Nanyang in Henan,Huaihua,Shaoyang,and Zhangjiajie in Hunan,and Zunyi,Qiandongnan,and Tongren in Guizhou,were hot spots of total flavonoid glycosides in E.sagittatum.Precipitation,gravel content,temperature seasonality,and aspect significantly influence the accumulation of flavonoid glycosides in E.sagittatum.This study provides reference for the utilization and production zoning of E.sagittatum.
2.Efficient strategies for microglia replacement in spinal cord injury models
Fanzhuo ZENG ; Yuxin LI ; Jiachen SUN ; Xinyang GU ; Shan WEN ; He TIAN ; Xifan MEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(7):1007-1014
BACKGROUND:As the incidence of spinal cord injury increases with the years and axon regeneration after spinal cord injury was very difficult.How to promote the recovery from spinal cord injury and improve the transplantation efficiency of stem cells and other therapeutic cells after spinal cord injury has been the focus of clinical and scientific research. OBJECTIVE:To establish the efficient transplantation and replacement of mouse spinal cord microglia in the spinal cord injury model. METHODS:CX3CR1 creER-/+::LSL-BDNF-/+-tdTomato mice,CX3CR1+/GFP mice,β-actin GFP mice and C57 BL/6J wild-type mice at 8-10 weeks of age were selected.According to the requirements of the experiment,they were randomly divided into six groups.(1)Sham operation group:eight C57 BL/6J wild-type mice were used when only the lamina was removed without injury.(2)Spinal cord contusion injury group:eight C57 BL/6J wild-type mice were used.(3)Spinal cord crush injury group:eight C57 BL/6J wild-type mice were used.(4)Conjoined symbiotic spinal cord strike injury group:β-actin GFP mice with green fluorescent blood were surgically stitched together with C57 BL/6J wild-type mice,using eight β-actin GFP mice and eight C57 BL/6J wild-type mice.(5)Mr BMT-X Ray group(using PLX5622 to eliminate the spinal microglia and bone marrow transplantation with X-ray radiation):Bone marrow cells from four CX3CR1 creER-/+::LSL-BDNF-/+-tdTomato mice were extracted and transplanted into eight C57 BL/6J wild-type mice for spinal cord injury modeling.(6)Mr BMT-Busulfan group(using PLX5622 to eliminate the spinal microglia and bone marrow transplantation with Busulfan):Bone marrow cells from four CX3CR1+/GFP mice were transplanted into eight C57 BL/6J wild-type mice.The percentage of cell transplantation replacement in this group was observed,and the spinal cord injury model was not established in this group.The sham operation group,spinal cord contusion injury group and spinal cord crush injury group were sampled by perfusion on day 14 after spinal cord injury.The conjoined symbiotic spinal cord strike injury group was sampled by perfusion on day 7 after spinal cord injury.Mr BMT-X Ray group was sampled by perfusion on day 28 after spinal cord injury.Mr BMT-Busulfan group was sampled by perfusion on day 28 after transplantation.The sampling site was a 1.2 cm long spinal cord with the T10 segment as the center.In the Mr BMT-X Ray group and Mr BMT-Busulfan group,additional mouse brain tissue was retained to see if it would lead to brain transplantation and replacement.The number and proportion of transplanted and replaced cells in the damaged area were measured using transgenic mice,symbiosis and immunofluorescence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the traditional peripheral blood transplantation(9.8%)of mice in the conjoined symbiotic spinal cord strike injury group,the new transplantation methods,Mr BMT-X Ray and Mr BMT-Busulfan,could greatly improve the proportion of spinal microglia transplantation and replacement,which could reach 84.8%and 95.6%,respectively.The difference was significant(P<0.05).The results showed that Mr BMT-X Ray and Mr BMT-Busulfan could achieve efficient replacement of spinal microglia cells,and could improve the problems of low cell transplantation efficiency,few survival numbers and unclear differentiation of the traditional cell transplantation methods.In addition,Mr BMT-X Ray can only replace the microglia in the spinal cord,while Mr BMT-Busulfan could avoid brain inflammation and injury caused by X-ray radiation transplantation.
3.A multicenter study of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China
Li-Xiu SHI ; Jin-Xing FENG ; Yan-Fang WEI ; Xin-Ru LU ; Yu-Xi ZHANG ; Lin-Ying YANG ; Sheng-Nan HE ; Pei-Juan CHEN ; Jing HAN ; Cheng CHEN ; Hui-Ying TU ; Zhang-Bin YU ; Jin-Jie HUANG ; Shu-Juan ZENG ; Wan-Ling CHEN ; Ying LIU ; Yan-Ping GUO ; Jiao-Yu MAO ; Xiao-Dong LI ; Qian-Shen ZHANG ; Zhi-Li XIE ; Mei-Ying HUANG ; Kun-Shan YAN ; Er-Ya YING ; Jun CHEN ; Yan-Rong WANG ; Ya-Ping LIU ; Bo SONG ; Hua-Yan LIU ; Xiao-Dong XIAO ; Hong TANG ; Yu-Na WANG ; Yin-Sha CAI ; Qi LONG ; Han-Qiang XU ; Hui-Zhan WANG ; Qian SUN ; Fang HAN ; Rui-Biao ZHANG ; Chuan-Zhong YANG ; Lei DOU ; Hui-Ju SHI ; Rui WANG ; Ping JIANG ; Shenzhen Neonatal Data Network
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(5):450-455
Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75%(27/36);boys accounted for 64%(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86%)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53%)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61%)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36%)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75%)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72%)and seizures in 10 neonates(34%).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33%,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44%(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.
4.Effect of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang on Cartilage Destruction and JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway in Mice with Collagen-induced Arthritis
Nan LI ; Haixin YANG ; Shan ZENG ; Qingyu MA ; Jiaxu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(2):52-58
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang (GSZMD) on cartilage destruction in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and its mechanism. MethodThirty-six DBA/1 mice in SPF grades were randomly divided into 6 groups, namely, the normal group, the model group, the methotrexate (MTX) group, the low-dose GSZMD group, the medium-dose GSZMD group, and the high-dose GSZMD group. Except the normal group, mice in the other 5 groups were used to establish the model of CIA by secondary immunization. The mice were given normal saline, MTX (1.5 mg·kg-1, 2 times a week), and low, medium, and high-doses GSZMD (6.3, 12.6, 25.2 g·kg-1·d-1) by intragastric administration on the day of the onset of hind limb swelling for 4 weeks. The changes in the degree of foot swelling of mice in each group were observed and recorded. The content of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pathological changes in the ankle joint were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the cartilage destruction was observed by red fast green staining. The protein expression of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in ankle joints were detected by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group, the degree of foot swelling, the content of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in serum and the expression levels of phosphorylation (p)-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in ankle joints of the model group were increased (P<0.01), and the joint damage was aggravated. As compared with the model group, the degrees of foot swelling of the mice in the MTX group and the low, medium, and high-dose GSZMD group were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the content of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in serum was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The pathological joint damage was alleviated, and the expression levels of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 in ankle joints were decreased in the MTX group and GSZMD groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionGSZMD can reduce the degree of joint swelling in mice with CIA, inhibit the expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13, and alleviate the destruction of articular cartilage. Its mechanism is related to the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
5.Construction of iPSC-derived Inhibitory Neural Network Tissue with Synaptic Transmission Potentials
Li-zhi PENG ; Qing-shuai WEI ; Yuan-huan MA ; Jin-hai XU ; Bin JIANG ; Yuan-shan ZENG ; Xiang ZENG ; Ying DING
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(1):18-25
ObjectiveDirected differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into spinal cord γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic progenitor cells were implanted into an decellularized optical nerve (DON) bioscaffold to construct a hiPSC-derived inhibitory neural network tissue with synaptic activities. This study aimed to provide a novel stem cell-based tissue engineering product for the study and the repair of central nervous system injury. MethodsThe combination of stepwise directional induction and tissue engineering technology was applied in this study. After hiPSCs were directionally induced into human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) in vitro, they were seeded into a DON for three-dimensional culture, allowing further differentiation into inhibitory GABAergic neurons under the specific neuronal induction environment. Transmission electron microscopy and whole cell patch clamp technique were used to detect whether the hiPSCs differentiated neurons could form synapse-like structures and whether these neurons had spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents, respectively, in order to validate that the hiPSC-derived neurons would form neural networks with synaptic transmission potentials from a structural and functional perspective. ResultsThe inhibitory neurons of GABAergic phenotype were successfully induced from hiPSCs in vitro, and maintained good viability after 28 days of culture. With the transmission electron microscopy, it was observed that many cell junctions were formed between hiPSC-derived neural cells in the three-dimensional materials, some of which presented a synapse- like structure, manifested as the slight thickness of cell membrane and a small number of vesicles within one side of the cell junctions, the typical structure of a presynatic component, and focal thickness of the membrane of the other side of the cell junctions, a typical structure of a postsynaptic component. According to whole-cell patch-clamp recording, the hiPSC-derived neurons had the capability to generate action potentials and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents were recorded in this biotissue. ConclusionsThe results of this study indicated that hiPSCs can be induced to differentiate into GABAergic progenitor cells in vitro and can successfully construct iPSC-derived inhibitory neural network tissue with synaptic transmission after implanted into a DON for three-dimensional culture. This study would provide a novel neural network tissue for future research and treatment of central nervous system injury by stem cell tissue engineering technology.
6.Temporal trends in disease burden of major human parasitic diseases in China from 1990 to 2019
Ting ZENG ; Shan LÜ ; Liguang TIAN ; Shizhu LI ; Leping SUN ; Tiewu JIA
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2023;35(1):7-14
Objective To analysize the temporal trends in the disease burden of major human parasitic diseases in China from 1990 to 2019, so as to provide the evidence for improving the parasitic disease control strategy in China.. Methods The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of malaria, intestinal nematode infections, schistosomiasis, food-borne trematodiases, cysticercosis and echinococcosis in China from 1990 to 2019 were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019), and age- and gender-specific DALYs of parasitic diseases were estimated. The temporal trends in DALYs of malaria, intestinal nematode infections, schistosomiasis, food-borne trematodiases, cysticercosis and echinococcosis were evaluated in China from 1990 to 2019 using average annual percent change (AAPC) with Joinpoint regression analysis. Results The DALYs were 643 836.42 person-years due to food-borne trematodiases, 156 853.03 person-years due to cysticercosis, 79 764.62 person-years due to schistosomiasis, 70 989.73 person-years due to intestinal nematode infections, 4 258.61 person-years due to echinococcosis and 264.86 person-years due to malaria in China in 2019, respectively. The overall DALYs of six parasitic diseases were higher among men (546 441.93 person-years) than among women (409 525.33 person-years), and were greater among adults at ages of 14 to 65 years (684 780.84 person-years) than among children at 14 years and lower (35 437.38 person-years) and the elderly at ages of 65 years and older (235 749.04 person-years). During the period from 1990 to 2019, food-borne trematodiases were the leading cause of DALYs among the six parasitic diseases, and cysticercosis shifted from the fourth leading cause in 1990 to the second leading cause of DALYs in China in 2019, while intestinal nematode infections shifted from the second leading cause in 1990 to the fourth leading cause of DALYs in 2019. The DALYs of major human parasitic diseases appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019, with the fastest drop seen in DALYs due to malaria (AAPC = −19.6%, P = 0.003), followed by due to intestinal nematode infections (AAPC = −8.2%, P < 0.001) and schistosomiasis (AAPC = −3.1%, P < 0.001), and a slow decline was seen in the DALYs of food-borne trematodiases (AAPC = −1.0%, P < 0.001), while there were no significant decrease in the DALYs of echinococcosis (AAPC = −0.5%, P = 0.264) and the DALYs of cysticercosis appeared a tendency towards a rise (AAPC = 0.7%, P < 0.001). Conclusions The disease burden of major human parasitic diseases appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019, with a high disease burden seen due to food-borne parasitic diseases, no remarkable reduction seen in echinococcosis, and a tendency towards a rise seen in cysticercosis. It is recommended to focus on echinococcosis control, and continue to consolidate the control achievements of other major human parasitic diseases in China; meanwhile, the surveillance and prevention of food-borne parasitic diseases should be reinforced.
7.Construction of hiPSC-derived Excitatory Neural Network-like Tissue
Qi-song SU ; Ge LI ; Jin-hai XU ; Bin JIANG ; Qing-shuai WEI ; Xiang ZENG ; Yuan-shan ZENG ; Ping ZHU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(4):625-633
ObjectiveTo construct a neural network-like tissue with the potential of synaptic formation in vitro by seeding human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural precursor cells (hiPSC-NPCs) on decellularized optic nerve (DON), so as to provide a promising approach for repair of nerve tissue injury. MethodsThrough directional induction and tissue engineering technology, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and 3D DON scaffolds were combined to construct neural network-like tissues. Then the hiPSCs were directionally induced into human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) and neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify cell differentiation efficiency. 3D DON scaffolds were prepared. Morphology and cytocompatibility of scaffolds were identified by scanning electron microscopy and Tunnel staining. Induced hiPSC-NPCs were seeded on DON scaffolds. Immunofluorescence staining, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and patch clamp were used to observe the morphology and functional identification of constructed neural network tissues. Results①The results of immunofluorescence staining suggested that most of hiPSC-NPCs differentiated into neurons in vitro. We had successfully constructed a neural network dominated by neurons. ② The results of scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry suggested that a neural network-like tissue with predominating excitatory neurons in vitro was successfully constructed. ③The results of immunohistochemical staining, transmission electron microscopy and patch clamp indicated that the neural network-like tissue had synaptic transmission function. ConclusionA neural network-like tissue mainly composed of excitatory neurons has been constructed by the combination of natural uniform-channel DON scaffold and hiPSC-NPCs, which has the function of synaptic transmission. This neural network plays a significant role in stem cell derived replacement therapy, and offers a promising prospect for repair of spinal cord injury (SCI) and other neural tissue injuries.
9.Enzymatic properties and degradation characterization of a bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate hydrolase from Saccharothrix sp.
Jie ZHANG ; Ruida SHAN ; Xia LI ; Zhixiong ZENG ; Dengyue SUN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2023;39(5):2027-2039
The discovery of new enzymes for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) degradation has been a hot topic of research globally. Bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) is an intermediate compound in the degradation of PET and competes with PET for the substrate binding site of the PET-degrading enzyme, thereby inhibiting further degradation of PET. Discovery of new BHET degradation enzymes may contribute to improving the degradation efficiency of PET. In this paper, we discovered a hydrolase gene sle (ID: CP064192.1, 5085270-5086049) from Saccharothrix luteola, which can hydrolyze BHET into mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET) and terephthalic acid (TPA). BHET hydrolase (Sle) was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli using a recombinant plasmid, and the highest protein expression was achieved at a final concentration of 0.4 mmol/L of isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactoside (IPTG), an induction duration of 12 h and an induction temperature of 20 ℃. The recombinant Sle was purified by nickel affinity chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography, and its enzymatic properties were also characterized. The optimum temperature and pH of Sle were 35 ℃ and 8.0, and more than 80% of the enzyme activity could be maintained in the range of 25-35 ℃ and pH 7.0-9.0 and Co2+ could improve the enzyme activity. Sle belongs to the dienelactone hydrolase (DLH) superfamily and possesses the typical catalytic triad of the family, and the predicted catalytic sites are S129, D175, and H207. Finally, the enzyme was identified as a BHET degrading enzyme by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This study provides a new enzyme resource for the efficient enzymatic degradation of PET plastics.
Actinomycetales/genetics*
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Hydrolases/metabolism*
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Phthalic Acids/chemistry*
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Polyethylene Terephthalates/metabolism*
10.Effect of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation combined with rehabilitation robot on upper limb and hand function in patients with subacute stroke
Yaqin ZENG ; Ruidong CHENG ; Li ZHANG ; Shan FANG ; Yunlan DAI ; Qian LÜ ; Xinyi GONG ; Xiangming YE
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2023;29(11):1327-1332
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) combined with rehabilitation robot on upper limb and hand dysfunction in patients with subacute stroke. MethodsFrom December, 2019 to December, 2021, 50 inpatients with subacute stroke in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 25) and experimental group (n = 25). Both groups received routine rehabilitation therapy, while the control group added sham HD-tDCS combined with rehabilitation robot, and the experimental group added HD-tDCS combined with rehabilitation robot, for four weeks. The upper limb and hand function was assessed with Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the scores of ARAT, FMA-UE and MAS increased in the two groups (∣Z∣ > 3.320, t > 6.379, P < 0.01), while the scores of FMA-UE and MAS were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (Z = -2.379, t = 3.181, P < 0.05), as well as the scores of grasping and gross motor of ARAT (∣Z∣ > 2.033, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe combination of HD-tDCS and rehabilitation robot can be more effective on upper limb and hand function in patients with subacute stroke than rehabilitation robot alone.

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