1.Exploring Chemical Constituent Distribution in Blood/Brain(Hippocampus) and Emotional Regulatory Effect of Raw and Vinegar-processed Products of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride
Yi BAO ; Yonggui SONG ; Qianmin LI ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Ming YANG ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Yiting HUANG ; Zihan GAO ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):189-197
ObjectiveTo investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of chemical constituents in blood and hippocampal tissues before and after vinegar processing of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride(CRPV), and to explore the potential material basis and mechanisms underlying their regulatory effects on emotional disorders by comparing the effects of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to characterize and identify the chemical constituents of raw and vinegar-processed products of CRPV extracts, as well as their migrating components in blood and hippocampal tissues after oral administration. Reference standards, databases, and relevant literature were utilized for compound annotation, with data processing performed using PeakView 1.2 software. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into seven groups, including the blank group, model group, diazepam group(2.5 mg·kg-1), raw CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), and vinegar-processed CRPV low/high dose groups(0.6, 1.2 g·kg-1), with 10 mice per group. Except for the blank group, all other groups underwent chronic restraint stress(2 h·d-1) for 20 d. Each drug-treated group received oral administration at the predetermined dose starting 10 d after modeling, with a total treatment duration of 10 d. Following model-based drug administration, mice underwent open-field, forced swimming, and elevated plus maze tests. After anesthesia with isoflurane, whole brains were collected from each group of mice, and hippocampi were dissected. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) level in hippocampal tissues was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe hippocampal tissue morphology. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect neuronal nuclei(NeuN) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα) expressions in hippocampal tissue. Then, pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted to assess the effects of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV on mood disorders, exploring the potential mechanisms. ResultsVinegar processing caused significant changes in the chemical composition of CRPV, with 18 components showing increased relative content and 35 components showing decreased relative content. The primary changes occurred in flavonoid compounds, including 20 flavonoids, 20 flavonoid glycosides, 3 triterpenes, 3 phenolic acids, 1 alkaloid, and 6 other compounds. Twenty-one components were detected in blood(15 methoxyflavones, 4 flavonoid glycosides, and 2 phenolic acids), with 17 shared between raw and vinegar-processed CRPV. Seven components reached hippocampal tissues(all common to both forms). In regulating emotional disorders, Vinegar-processed CRPV exhibited superior antidepressant-like effects compared to raw products. HE staining revealed that both treatments improved hippocampal neuronal morphology, particularly in the damaged CA1 and CA3 regions. Immunofluorescence and ELISA analyses demonstrated that both raw and vinegar-processed CRPV significantly modulated NeuN and PPARα expressions in hippocampal tissue while alleviating oxidative stress induced by excessive ROS(P<0.05). ConclusionThe chemical composition of CRPV undergoes changes after vinegar processing, but the migrating components in blood and hippocampus are primarily methoxyflavonoids. These components may serve as the potential material basis for activating the PPARα pathway, thereby negatively regulating ROS generation in the hippocampus, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting the development of NeuN-positive neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence for enhancing quality standards, pharmacodynamic material research, and active drug development of raw and vinegar-processed CRPV.
2.Association of vegetables and fruits intake with depressive symptoms in Yunnan multi ethnic first year junior high school students
CHEN Yiyao*, DU Yeming, YIN Wan, HUANG Jianhong, LIU Zihan, JIANG Yinghong, YU Qiaoying, PAN Lijuan, XU Honglü ;
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):32-36
Objective:
To explore the association of vegetables and fruits intake with depressive symptoms among multi ethnic first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province, so as to provide data support for preventing and reducing depressive symptoms among first year junior high school students.
Methods:
From October to December 2022, a cluster random sampling method was used to select 8 500 first year junior high school students from 11 ethnic minority areas in Yunnan Province (Fugong County, Longling County, Longyang District, Luchun County, Mojiang County, Nanjian County, Qiaojia County, Shuangjiang County, Tengchong City, Yuanmou County, Zhenyuan County), to investigate with a questionnaire. The Dietary Frequency Questionnaire was used to collect dietary behavior datas, and the Chinese version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess depressive symptoms. The generalized linear model was used to analyze the association of vegetable and fruit intake with depressive symptoms in students, and stratified analysis was performed according to ethnicity.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province was 29.5%. The detection rates of depressive symptoms in Han and minority first year junior high school students were 26.9% and 31.6%. After controlling for demographic variables such as gender, age, family residence and other confounding factors, the generalized linear model analysis results showed that the intake of leafy vegetables ( β= -0.07 , 95%CI =-0.12 to -0.01), flat fruits ( β=-0.06, 95%CI =-0.12 to -0.00) and hot natured fruits ( β=0.11, 95%CI = 0.04- 0.17) were associated with depressive symptoms in Han first year junior high school students (all P <0.05). The intake of melon and fruit vegetables ( β=-0.06, 95%CI =-0.11 to -0.01) and hot natured fruits ( β=0.06, 95%CI =0.01-0.12) were associated with depressive symptoms in ethnic minority first year junior high school students (both P <0.05).
Conclusions
The intake of vegetables and fruits among multi ethnic first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province is related to the risk of depressive symptoms. It is suggested to strengthen the consumption guidance and education of vegetables and fruits to prevent depressive symptoms among first year junior high school students.
3.Structures and functions of the MICOS: Pathogenesis and therapeutic implications in Alzheimer's disease.
Zihan WANG ; Kaige ZHANG ; Minghao HUANG ; Dehao SHANG ; Xiaomin HE ; Zhou WU ; Xu YAN ; Xinwen ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):2966-2984
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) plays a pivotal role in shaping the inner mitochondrial membrane, forming cristae junctions and establishing interaction sites between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes and thereby serving as a cornerstone of mitochondrial structure and function. In the past decade, MICOS abnormalities have been extensively linked to AD pathogenesis. In particular, dysregulated expression of MICOS subunits and mutations in MICOS-related genes have been identified in AD, often in association with hallmark pathological features such as amyloid-β plaque accumulation, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, MICOS subunits interact with several etiologically relevant proteins, significantly influencing AD progression. The intricate crosstalk between these proteins and MICOS subunits underscores the relevance of MICOS dysfunction in AD. Therapeutic strategies targeting MICOS subunits or their interacting proteins may offer novel approaches for AD treatment. In the present review, we introduce current understanding of MICOS structures and functions, highlight MICOS pathogenesis in AD, and summarize the available MICOS-targeting drugs potentially useful for AD.
4.A multi-constraint representation learning model for identification of ovarian cancer with missing laboratory indicators.
Zihan LU ; Fangjun HUANG ; Guangyao CAI ; Jihong LIU ; Xin ZHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):170-178
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the performance of a multi-constraint representation learning classification model for identifying ovarian cancer with missing laboratory indicators.
METHODS:
Tabular data with missing laboratory indicators were collected from 393 patients with ovarian cancer and 1951 control patients. The missing ovarian cancer laboratory indicator features were projected to the latent space to obtain a classification model using the representational learning classification model based on discriminative learning and mutual information coupled with feature projection significance score consistency and missing location estimation. The proposed constraint term was ablated experimentally to assess the feasibility and validity of the constraint term by accuracy, area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. Cross-validation methods and accuracy, AUC, sensitivity and specificity were also used to evaluate the discriminative performance of this classification model in comparison with other interpolation methods for processing of the missing data.
RESULTS:
The results of the ablation experiments showed good compatibility among the constraints, and each constraint had good robustness. The cross-validation experiment showed that for identification of ovarian cancer with missing laboratory indicators, the AUC, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the proposed multi-constraints representation-based learning classification model was 0.915, 0.888, 0.774, and 0.910, respectively, and its AUC and sensitivity were superior to those of other interpolation methods.
CONCLUSIONS
The proposed model has excellent discriminatory ability with better performance than other missing data interpolation methods for identification of ovarian cancer with missing laboratory indicators.
Female
;
Humans
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Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis*
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Machine Learning
;
ROC Curve
5.Screening and identification of a biocontrol strain CXG2-5 against kiwifruit bacterial canker and preparation of microcapsules.
Jing HUANG ; Ruolan YANG ; Xinying LIU ; Zihan ZHANG ; Nana WANG ; Lili HUANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(10):3734-3746
To develop biocontrol agents for the control of kiwifruit bacterial canker, we isolated a strain CXG2-5 with inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the pathogen of kiwifruit bacterial canker, from the rhizosphere soil of kiwifruit by the plate confrontation test. The strain was identified by morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests, and molecular biological methods. The indoor control efficacy of the strain was determined by the inoculation of the strain into detached branches with wounds and into leaf discs by vacuum infiltration. The ability of the strain to expand and colonize leaf veins was determined by fluorescent labeling and scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, the strain was prepared into microcapsules, the field control efficacy of which was evaluated. The strain CXG2-5 was identified as Pseudomonas benzenivorans. It demonstrated good antagonistic activity against Psa, with an inhibition zone diameter of 22 mm and an inhibition rate of 72.7%. The preventive effects of the strain on kiwifruit bacterial canker were better than the therapeutic effects on both detached branches and leaves, with the preventive effects reaching 65% and 92.4%, respectively. The control effect of microcapsules of this strain in the field reached 60.89%, which was slightly lower than that of 20% kasugamycin and higher than that of Bacillus subtilis wettable powder. In conclusion, strain CXG2-5 serves as a candidate for the control of kiwifruit bacterial canker, and the prepared microcapsules have good value for development and application.
Actinidia/microbiology*
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Plant Diseases/prevention & control*
;
Pseudomonas syringae
;
Pseudomonas/isolation & purification*
;
Capsules
;
Antibiosis
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Biological Control Agents
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Pest Control, Biological/methods*
6.Effects of Hewei Anshe Formula (和胃安神方) on the CLOCK and BMAL1 Gene Expression of Hypothalamic Biological Clock in Insomnia Rat Models
Shuo WANG ; Changzhen WANG ; Zhihui LI ; Tianke HUANG ; Liang WANG ; Chujiao TIAN ; Tao ZOU ; Zihan LIU ; Qi CHEN ; Shaodan LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(20):2145-2151
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Hewei Anshen Formula (和胃安神方) in the treatment of insomnia. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the eszopiclone group and the low-, medium- and high-dose Hewei Anshen Formula groups. The insomnia model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) for 2 days in all groups except the normal group. After successful modelling, the eszopiclone group was given 0.33 mg/(kg·d) eszopiclone aqueous solution by gavage, the low-, medium- and high-dose Hewei Anshen Formula groups were given 10 ml/kg of Hewei Anshen Formula with a concentration of 1, 2 and 4 g/ml, respectively, and the rats in the normal group and the model group were given 10 ml/kg of saline by gavage, once a day for 7 consecutive days. The general condition of the rats was observed during the experiment, and the body mass of the rats was measured every day after medication administration. The following day after the last medication administration, pentobarbital sodium co-test was used to observe the sleep condition, and the sleep latency and sleep duration were recorded; immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of hypothalamic clock rhythm regulating protein (CLOCK) and brain and muscle aromatic hydrocarbon receptor nuclear transporter-like protein 1 (BMAL1) in the rats. ResultsThe body mass of rats in the model group was lower than that of rats in the normal group at all time points (P<0.01); compared with the same time in the eszopiclone group, the body mass of rats in the low-dose Hewei Anshen Formula group was elevated on the 5th, 6th and 7th days of medication administration (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the sleep duration of rats in the model group was shortened (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the sleep duration of rats in each dosage group increased (P<0.01), and the difference between the high-dose Hewei Anshen Formula group and the eszopiclone group showed no statistically significant (P>0.05), while the sleep duration of the low- and medium-dose Hewei Anshen Formula groups were shorterned than the eszopiclone group (P<0.01). The difference in sleep latency showed no statistically significant among each group (P>0.05). The results of both immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed that the expression of CLOCK and BMAL1 in the hypothalamus of rats in the model group was significantly reduced compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01); the expression of CLOCK and BMAL1 in the hypothalamus of rats in the low- and high-dose Hewei Anshen Formula groups increased than that in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionHewei Anshen Formula can improve insomnia in model rats, and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of the hypothalamic biological clock genes CLOCK and BMAL1 protein.
7.Antioxidant activity of water extract from bamboo stems and its protective effect on t-BHP induced oxidative damage in Caco-2 cells
Xin YUAN ; Yunlong HUANG ; Xiaomin XIE ; Zihan ZHONG ; Jiarui CHEN ; Cuiyu BAO ; Xu YANG ; Ping MA
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(6):50-54
Objective To investigate the antioxidant activity of bamboo stem extracts and the therapeutic effect of bamboo stem water extract on oxidative inflammation induced by tert butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in human colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2). Methods In this study, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays were used to determine the extracellular antioxidant activity of petroleum ether extract, ethyl acetate extract, n-butanol extract, 95% ethanol extract, and distilled water extract from bamboo stems. The human intestinal Caco-2 cell line was used as the model cell, and t-BHP was selected as the oxidative stress modeling agent. The CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability and the optimal oxidative damage concentration of t-BHP. The content of MDA, 8-OHdG, TNF-α and IL-1β were detected to assess antioxidant stress effect. Results The five extracts of bamboo all had certain antioxidant activity, among which the water extract of bamboo stem had the best comprehensive antioxidant activity with high cell viability in Caco-2 cells. The optimal modeling concentration of t-BHP was 200 μMol/L. The water extract of bamboo stem significantly reduced the content of oxidative stress related biomarkers and inflammatory factors in Caco-2 cells induced by t-BHP. Conclusion The stem extracts of bamboo in Xianning City have strong in vitro antioxidant activity. Among them, the water extract of bamboo stem has a protective effect on t-BHP induced oxidative damage in Caco-2 cells, suggesting that the water extract possesses a potential to be developed as new antioxidant products for clinical prevention and treatment of oxidative damage related diseases.
8.Antiviral Efficacy and Mechanism of BD-77 Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
Lei BAO ; Qinhai MA ; Shanshan GUO ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Wen XIA ; Zihan GENG ; Jing SUN ; Yanyan BAO ; Zhou XU ; Shenglong YAN ; Jinxin XIAO ; Huarong CHEN ; Chenggang HUANG ; Xiaolan CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):45-51
ObjectiveThe human angiotensin converting enzyme2 (hACE2) transgenic mouse model was used to clarify the antiviral efficacy of BD-77 against a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and explore the action mechanism of BD-77 against SARS-CoV-2. MethodSARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variant strains-infected VeroE6 cell models were established and administered with BD-77 to observe the antiviral effect of BD-77 in vitro. A kit was used to detect the effect of BD-77 in vitro on the binding of spike S protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus (Delta/Omicron) to angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2). Chromatography was adopted to detect the binding of BD-77 to the S protein and N protein of the novel coronavirus. hACE2 transgenic C57BL/6 mice were divided into a blank control group, SARS-CoV-2 infection group, BD-77 administration groups of 37.5 mg·kg-1 and 75 mg·kg-1, with eight mice in each group. The pneumonia model of SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2 transgenic mice was built to observe the survival of the mice, detect the virus titer of the lung tissue of the mice, and observe the lesions in the lung tissue. ResultBD-77 had a certain inhibitory effect on Omicron and Delta variant strains in vitro, with median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 526.3 mg·L-1 and 653.0 mg·L-1, respectively. BD-77 had no significant inhibitory effect on the binding of the S protein of WT, Omicron, and Delta variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 and had no binding effect with the S protein and N protein of the novel coronavirus. No mice in the blank group died, while the mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2-infected mice was 75%. There was a large amount of virus replication in the lung tissue of the mice and large areas of inflammatory infiltration in the lung tissue and interstitium. Compared with the model group, BD-77 administration groups of 37.5 mg·kg-1 and 75 mg·kg-1 could reduce the mortality of mice, significantly lower the virus titer in the lung tissue of mice (P<0.05), and improve lung lesions. ConclusionBD-77 demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro and in vivo. However, its mechanism of action did not involve direct inhibition of the virus itself or intervention in the virus-host binding process. This finding suggests that the mechanism of action of BD-77 needs to be thoroughly investigated and elucidated by further experiments.
9.Preliminary Proteomics-based Investigation of Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of BD-77 by Nebulized Inhalation on Respiratory Viral Infections
Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Shanshan GUO ; Lirun ZHOU ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Jing SUN ; Yanyan BAO ; Xing LI ; Cigang HUANG ; Kun JIANG ; Feiyan PENG ; Zhou XU ; Chenggang HUANG ; Xiaolan CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):52-59
ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of BD-77 by nebulized inhalation on animal models of various respiratory viral infections and investigate the mechanism of broad-spectrum antiviral action of BD-77 using proteomics. MethodThe influenza virus H1N1/FM1 experiment used ICR mice and divided them into a normal group, model group, Tamiflu group, and BD-77 groups of 75 and 37.5 g·L-1 for inhalation of 20 min and 25 min. Human coronavirus 229E and OC43 experiment divided the BALB/c mice into a normal group, model group, chloroquine phosphate group, and BD-77 groups of 75, 37.5, 18.75, and 9.375 g·L-1, with 10 mice in each group. Influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 infection-induced pneumonia models were used to detect mouse lung index, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the viral load in lung tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect related inflammatory factors in lung tissue, and proteomics analysis was performed on the lung tissue of OC43-infected mice. ResultCompared with that in the normal group, the lung index of mice in each infection group was significantly increased (P<0.01), and viral nucleic acid could be detected in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronaviruses 229E and OC43. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronavirus 229E were all significantly increased (P<0.01). BD-77 could significantly reduce the lung index of mice infected with influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 (P<0.05, P<0.01), cut down the viral load in the lungs of mice infected with human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 (P<0.01), and lower the contents of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronavirus 229E (P<0.01). Proteomics analysis of the lung tissue of OC43-infected mice showed that BD-77 regulated the AMPK signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, Forkhead box protein O (FoxO) signaling pathway, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, and other signaling pathways. ConclusionNebulized inhalation of BD-77 is effective in treating pneumonia caused by influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 infection in mice and may exert its antiviral effects by regulating the balance of cellular metabolism, enhancing the immune function of the host, and attenuating inflammatory responses.
10.Characteristics of event-related potential and frequency on working memory of post-stroke aphasia
Xing HUANG ; Jingling CHANG ; Zihan ZHANG ; Ying LI
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(3):316-325
Objective To explore the task-state electroencephalogram(EEG)characteristics of working memory in patients with post-stroke aphasia(PSA). Methods From September,2020 to February,2021,a total of eight patients with PSA(PSA group)and eight healthy adults(HC group)were recruited to collect EEG and memory scale data.The EEG data of working memory task-states were used to analyze the characteristics of the EEG frequency band indicators in time domain event-related potentials(ERP)and frequency;and the correlation with the items in the memory scale. Results Finally,five patients and five controls were included.N1 and P2 components were induced in the frontal area,and P300 components were induced in the parieto-occipital area.Compared with HC group,the activation of N1 and P2 increased in central prefrontal region,while the activity of P300 decreased in the right parieto-occipital re-gion in PSA group(|t|>2.193,P<0.05).The energy of theta band decreased in the right prefrontal region and the central parieto-occipital region,the energy of alpha1 band decreased in the left parieto-occipital region,and the energy of gamma band increased in the left central region(t>2.398,P<0.05).The energy of gamma band correlated with immediate recall(r = 0.914,P = 0.030)and correct recognition(r = 0.931,P = 0.022)of Auditory Verbal Learning Test,and inverting(r = 0.924,P = 0.025)and anterograde(r = 0.889,P = 0.044)of Digit Span Test. Conclusion Visual working memory task can activate the compensatory processing activity of memory related brain re-gions after PSA,which can be used as an objective indication for the evaluation of PSA working memory related research.There is close relationship between language impairment and working memory.


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