1.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
2.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
3.Intervention effect of school based salt reduction health education on knowledge attitude behavior and urinary sodium among primary school students
YANG Zheng, XU Jie, MAO Tao, CHENG Luyao, YANG Zeguang, QU Chen, ZHEN Shiqi, LIN Jiajin, ZHANG Yang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(5):637-641
Objective:
To evaluate the intervention effect of school based salt reduction health education, so as to provide a scientific basis for constructing a more effective and sustainable salt reduction intervention model for children.
Methods:
According to a randomized controlled trial design, in June 2022, probability proportional to size sampling was used to select 501 second grade students (248 in the control group and 253 in the intervention group) from 10 primary schools in Zhenjiang (intervention group) and 10 primary schools in Yangzhou (control group), Jiangsu Province. An one year school based salt reduction health education intervention was implemented. This included 20 online and 8 offline health education sessions, monitoring of salt consumption in the canteen, and the establishment of a salt reduction environment on campus. The control group received no additional salt reduction interventions. A questionnaire survey and 24 hour urinary sodium test were conducted before and after the intervention. The difference in differences method was used to evaluate the intervention effect.
Results:
After the intervention, the intervention group showed significant net intervention effects in knowledge aspects, including knowing that primary school students consume less salt than adults ( OR=3.55,95%CI =1.69-7.47), daily salt intake of primary school students ( OR=6.64,95%CI =3.71-11.87), long term high salt intake leading to hypertension ( OR=6.83,95%CI =3.93-11.91), low salt intake not causing hair graying ( OR= 1.66 ,95%CI =1.00-2.75), salt content in food labels ( OR=4.56,95%CI =2.63-7.91), and common high salt foods ( OR=3.39,95%CI =1.87-6.14) (all P <0.05). In terms of attitude, the net intervention effect for having a positive attitude toward using less salt in home cooking was significantly increased ( OR=1.88,95%CI =1.13-3.12, P <0.05). There were no statistically significant net intervention effects for salt reduction related behaviors (all P >0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the changes of 24 hour urinary sodium between the intervention group and the control group before and after intervention ( P >0.05).
Conclusions
School based salt reduction health education effectively improves students salt reduction knowledge and attitudes but has a limited effect on behavior change. The home-school collaboration should be strengthened, and the dietary environment should be optimized simultaneously.
4.Application and development of pulsed electric field ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation
Zhen WANG ; Ming LIANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Jingyang SUN ; Yaling HAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):270-276
With the continuous development of China's aging society and the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, the incidence of cardiovascular disease in China has been increasing in recent years. Among them, atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia disease. In recent years, pulsed field ablation (PFA) has been continuously applied to AF treatment as a novel treatment. This paper first introduces the principle of PFA applied to AF treatment, and introduces the research progress of PFA in different directions, such as the comparison of different ablation methods, the study of physical parameters, the study of ablation area, the study of tissue specificity and clinical research. Then, the clinical prior research of PFA is discussed, including the use of simulation software to obtain the simulation effect of different parameters, the evaluation of ablation effect during animal research, and finally the current AF treatment. Various prior studies and clinical studies are summarized, and suggestions are made for the shortcomings found in the study of AF treatment and the future research direction is prospected.
5.Liraglutide may alleviate acetaminophen-induced liver injury by enhancing autophagy
Guo-jing XING ; Wen-bin LI ; Long-long LUO ; Li-fei WANG ; Yuan DENG ; Zhen WANG ; Zhao-jie ZHANG ; Xiao-hui YU ; Jiu-cong ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1867-1875
Aim To investigate the protective effect of liraglutide(LIRA)on acetaminophen(APAP)-in-duced hepatotoxicity at the in vivo level and to reveal the underlying mechanism.Methods Forty SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the Control,LIRA(200 μg·kg-1),APAP(500 mg·kg-1),LIRA+APAP,LIRA+APAP+3-methylade-nine(3-MA,30 mg·kg-1)groups,with eight mice in each group.The mice were administered for three con-secutive days,and the materials were taken after 24 h.The general condition and body weight of mice in each group were recorded,and liver morphology was ob-served.Serum ALT and AST levels,as well as SOD ac-tivity,MDA,and GSH content in liver homogenates,were measured using biochemical assay kits.The levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β in serum were detected by ELISA.Liver pathological changes were assessed by HE staining,while mitochon-drial and autophagosome structures in liver tissues were observed using transmission electron microscopy.The number of PCNA-positive cells in liver tissues was e-valuated using immunohistochemical staining.The pro-tein expression levels of LC3Ⅱ,p62,Bax,Bcl-2,PC-NA,and CyclinD1 in liver tissues were determined by Western blot.Results LIRA pretreatment can im-prove the general condition of mice with acetamino-phen-induced liver injury(AILI),reduce serum ALT and AST levels,and effectively ameliorate the appear-ance and morphology of the liver as well as the patho-logical damage to liver tissue.Simultaneously,the lev-els of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1βare significantly decreased;SOD activity and GSH con-tent are significantly increased,while MDA content is significantly reduced.Transmission electron microsco-py observations reveal the presence of numerous auto-phagosomes in the cytoplasm of liver tissue.Immuno-histochemical staining results indicate a significant in-crease in the number of PCNA-positive cells.Further-more,the expression of LC3Ⅱ,Bcl-2,PCNA,and Cy-clinD1 proteins in liver tissue is significantly upregulat-ed,while the expression of p62 and Bax proteins is significantly downregulated.However,after interven-tion with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,the aforemen-tioned protective effects of LIRA are significantly.Conclusions LIRA pretreatment can significantly im-prove liver injury in AILI mice.Its protective mecha-nism may be related to enhancing autophagy in hepato-cytes,thereby reducing oxidative stress,inflammatory response and apoptosis in liver of AILI mice.
6.Cognitive analysis of multidisciplinary clinicians in fertility preservation in China
Xueling SONG ; Xinyu ZHANG ; Xiumei ZHEN ; Caihong MA ; Jie YAN ; Rong LI ; Jie QIAO
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(5):448-452
Objective:To investigate the awareness levels of doctors from various departments regarding fertility preservation to provide reference and suggestions for further improving awareness and promoting multidisciplinary development in fertility preservation.Methods:From November to December 2023, the China Alliance of Fertility Preservation initiated this survey covering 88 hospitals in 23 cities across 20 provinces in China. The survey focused on the degree of understanding of basic concepts, technological perceptions, treatment concepts, and related challenges regarding fertility preservation. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the difference in awareness levels across various departments.Results:There was a significant difference in the awareness of fertility preservation guidelines among physicians from different departments ( P<0.001). Reproductive center physicians had the highest level of understanding [68.3% (41/60)]. Doctors in the reproductive centers had a higher awareness rate of the five fertility preservation techniques (ovarian tissue cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation, sperm cryopreservation, testicular tissue cryopreservation, and embryo cryopreservation) than that in other departments (all P<0.05). Regarding treatment concepts, more reproductive center physicians believed that psychological counselling about fertility preservation before oncological treatment was necessary ( P=0.016). Hematologists had more worries and concerns about fertility preservation treatment. Additionally, 96.7% (58/60) of reproductive center physicians expressed the need to establish effective referral mechanisms within the same city, province, or across provinces. However, 55.6% (35/63) of oncologists, 64.6% (31/48) of hematologists, and 77.8% (7/9) of pediatricians considered treating primary tumors far more important than fertility preservation. Conclusion:Doctors from different departments have varying levels of understanding regarding fertility preservation. It is necessary to strengthen the dissemination and training of fertility preservation knowledge among physicians from various departments, as well as to promote a multidisciplinary treatment model to improve efficiency, to establish a comprehensive referral mechanism to improve patients' opportunities for fertility preservation.
7.Effect of drug-eluting bead DACE combined with systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in different locations
Xingli YAN ; Zhen LI ; Jie LI ; Luqi HU ; Yifan LI ; Yanan ZHAO ; Yuyuan ZHANG ; Junying LIU ; Pengchao ZHAN ; Xin LI ; Peijie LYU ; Yancang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(4):238-242
Objective To investigate the effect of drug-eluting bead DACE(DEB-TACE)combined with systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in different locations.Methods A total of 204 HCC patients who underwent DEB-TACE combined with systemic therapy(targeted and immunotherapy)were retrospectively collected.According to the anatomical location of HCC,86 cases with lesions located at the main trunk of portal vein(PV)or within 1 cm of the first PV branch were classified into central type group,while 118 cases with lesions located at the other areas were classified as peripheral type group.Follow-up was regularly performed after DEB-TACE until August,2024.The objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR)at 1,3,6 and 12 months after DEB-TACE,also patients'progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were compared between groups.Results All patients were followed up for a median of 32.6 months,during which 164 cases died.Significant differences of ORR at 1 and 3 months after DEB-TACE(77.91%[67/86]vs.89.83%[106/118],34.88%[30/86]vs.54.24%[64/118])and DCR at 3 and 6 months after DEB-TACE(51.16%[44/86]vs.66.95%[79/118],34.88%[30/86]vs.50.00%[59/118])were found between groups(all P<0.05).Patients'PFS(30.18[9.12,48.54]months)and OS(37.36[17.79,56.68])in peripheral type group were better than those in central type group(20.11[11.35,28.87]months and 23.24[3.11,43.47]months,x2=3.971,4.162,P=0.048,0.041).Conclusion The effect of DEB-TACE combined with systemic treatment for peripheral type HCC was better than for central type HCC.
8.Interventional blockade of the internal mammary artery for the treatment of coronary artery disease:anatomy,clinical studies,and future perspectives
Shao-hui XIONG ; Li ZHANG ; Kong-jie LU ; Zhen-feng CHENG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(5):284-287
In the mid-20th century,internal mammary artery(IMA)ligation attracted attention for improving myocardial ischemia survival and relieving angina symptoms in animals,but was eliminated after sham-operation trials confirmed that its efficacy stemmed from a placebo effect.Recent advances in interventional techniques have led to the revival of distal IMA blockade,which has been shown to improve myocardial perfusion by modulating collateral circulation.Randomized controlled trials further showed that angina relief was significantly better in the blockade group than in the sham-operated group,especially in right coronary artery(RCA)and left anterior descending(LAD)lesions,but not in the ileocecal branch due to the lack of IMA collateral connections.Anatomy suggests that the internal mammary artery forms a natural collateral pathway to the RCA/LAD via the pericardial phrenic artery,which is the anatomic basis for its efficacy.Current technical limitations include incomplete occlusion,device-related complications,and insufficient evidence of long-term prognosis.Future studies are needed to optimize the design of occlusion devices,explore combined therapeutic strategies,and conduct controlled studies with conventional revascularization techniques.In this review,we systematically review the 100-year evolution of IMA occlusion,the paradigm shift from surgical ligation to precision intervention,analyze its anatomical and hemodynamic mechanisms,integrate evidence-based evidence and propose screening criteria for indications,and provide a new pathway for individualized treatment of high-risk patients who cannot tolerate coronary artery bypass grafting/percutaneous coronary intervention.
9.Effects of Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R on iron death and lipid peroxidation regulation in chronic unpredictable mild stress depressed rats
Zhen ZHANG ; Ming CHENG ; Zhaoshu JIANG ; Jie YANG ; Zhenliang LUO ; Feng CAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(16):2507-2514
Objective To investigate whether orexin A(orexin-A),orexin receptor 1(OX1R)and orexin receptor 2(OX2R)are involved in iron death and lipid peroxidation regulation in chronically unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)depressed rats.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into a normal group(NC group),a modeling group(Mod group),an exogenous Orexin-A group(Orexin-A group,),and an OX1R/OX2R blocker group(TCS1102 group),with 10 rats in each group.After modeling,behavioral changes were observed using the absent field test(OFT),sugar-water preference test(SPT)and forced swimming test(FST),action potential(PA)and resting membrane potential(Vm)were detected by diaphragm-clamp technique,Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression in orbital frontal cortex(OFC)tissues was detected by protein immunoblotting(WB)method,RT-PCR The mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),long chain acyl coenzyme A synthase 4(ACSL4)and cysteine/glutamate transporter light chain(SLC7A11)were detected by RT-PCR method,and the intensity of the expression of rat glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynon-enal(4-HNE)was labeled by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the NC group,there were significant differences in OFT,SPT and FST behavioral in the Mod group(P<0.01),with lower number of PA issuance(P<0.001),higher Vm(P<0.01),and higher expression of Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R proteins(P<0.01,P<0.001,and P<0.001).GPX4/SLC7A11 mRNA expression was decreased(P<0.01),ACSL4 mRNA expression was elevated(P<0.01),and the fluorescence intensity expression of both GFAP and 4-HNE was elevated(P<0.001);the number of PA issuance was decreased in the Orexin-A group compared to the Mod group(P<0.05),and the Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression was elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01),GPX4/SLC7A11 mRNA ex-pression was decreased(P<0.05),ACSL4 mRNA expression was elevated(P<0.05),and the fluorescence in-tensity of GFAP and 4-HNE expression was elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01);the TCS1102 group had higher expres-sion of GFAP and 4-HNE in the behavioral,Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R protein expression,PA and Vm,GPX4/SLC7A11/ACSL4 mRNA,and GFAP and 4-HNE fluorescence intensity expression showed a reversed trend.Con-clusions Orexin-A/OX1R/OX2R is involved in the regulation of iron death and lipid peroxidation in CUMS de-pressed rats,and the mechanism may be that Orexin-A enhances the excitability of OFC neurons by activating the OX1R/OX2R signaling pathway,up-regulates the expression of the key factor of iron death,ACSL4/4-HNE,and decreases the expression of GPX4/SLC7A11,which promotes lipid peroxidation and iron death.
10.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail