1.Mechanism of Guihuang Formula in Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome-mediated Pyroptosis in Treatment of Chronic Prostatitis
Qinghe GAO ; Jianhua FU ; Shengjing LIU ; Ziwei ZHAO ; Ming ZHAO ; Boda GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):108-116
ObjectiveTo observe the mechanism of Guihuang formula in regulating the activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and inhibiting pyroptosis in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis. Methods(1) In an animal experiment, 50 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the type Ⅲ prostatitis rat model was prepared for the other four groups.After the modeling was successful, the blank group and the model group were given normal saline intragastrically, and the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula were given intragastrically with Guihuang formula (4.9, 9.8, 19.6 g·kg-1). After 30 days of intragastrical administration, samples were taken for detection. Inflammatory cell infiltration in prostate tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were determined by biochemistry. NLRP3 expression in prostate tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of NLRP3, cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1 (Caspase-1), and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in prostate tissue was measured by Western blot. (2) In a cell experiment, human normal prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1 cells) were divided into a blank group, a model group, a Guihuang formula group, and an NLRP3 inhibitor group (MCC950 group). Except for the blank group, the other three groups were stimulated by 100 μg·L-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 4 h and 5 mol·L-1 adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for 30 min to prepare the pyroptosis model. After successful modeling, blank serum was given to the blank group and the model group. 6.25 μg·mL-1 Guihuang formula drug-containing serum was added to the Guihuang formula group, and MCC950 was added to the MCC950 group on the basis of the model group. Propidium iodide (PI) uptake and Caspase-1 expression were detected by flow cytometry, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in the cell supernatant was measured by biochemistry. Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels of the cell supernatant were determined by ELISA, and the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD was detected in Western blot. Results(1) For the animal experiment, compared with the blank group, the model group showed significant infiltration of inflammatory cells in prostate tissue, while the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula showed reduced infiltration of acinar inflammatory cells, reduced degree of glandular epithelial degeneration and interstitial edema, and significantly reduced degree of damage. Compared with those in the blank group, the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula showed a significant decrease in serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels (P<0.01). Compared with that in the blank group, the serum MDA level in the model group significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the MDA level in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with those in the blank group, the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in the serum of the model group significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula showed a significantly increase in SOD (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula showed a significantly increase in GSH-Px (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had high expression of NLRP3 molecule in prostate tissue. The expression of NLRP3 in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula was significantly lower than that in the model group. Compared with those in the blank group, the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD proteins in the prostate tissue of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD proteins in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Guihuang formula were significantly inhibited (P<0.01). (2) For the cell experiment, compared with that in the blank group, the PI uptake rate of RWPE-1 cells in the model group significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the PI uptake rate of the Guihuang formula group and the inhibitor group significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with that in the blank group, the expression of Caspase-1 in the model group was significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the Caspase-1 in the Guihuang formula group and the inhibitor group significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed an increase in LDH release (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Guihuang formula group and the inhibitor group showed a significantly decrease in LDH release (P<0.01). Compared with those in the blank group, the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Guihuang formula group and the inhibitor group showed a significantly decrease in the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.01). Compared with those in the blank group, the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD proteins significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD were significantly reduced in the Guihuang formula group and inhibitor group (P<0.01). ConclusionGuihuang formula can inhibit the activation of Caspase-1, prevent GSDMD cleavation and lysis, and inhibit cell pyrodeath in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.
2.Discussing the pathogenesis and treatment of varicocele based on the essence chamber collaterals
Anmin WANG ; Dongyue MA ; Ziwei ZHAO ; Hao WANG ; Hongyuan CHANG ; Dicheng LUO ; Fu WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(2):229-234
Varicocele is a common disease of the male reproductive system, and the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord manifests abnormal dilatation, extension, and circuity, which is a vasculopathy. In this article, we believe that the relevance of the essence chamber collaterals to the spermatic vein in terms of anatomical morphology and physiological function is high and that when pathogenic qi invades the essence chamber, the qi and collaterals of the essence chamber are out of harmony, the fluid collaterals are impassable, and the blood collaterals are obstrcuted, and the essence chamber collaterals are blockaded with several pathological products, and even intermingled phlegm and blood stasis in the blood collaterals and form vascular clusters, resulting in the formation and development of varicocele. Based on this, this article proposes the core treatment principle of healing, harmonizing, activating, and dredging the collaterals, with the basic treatment method of nourishing qi and harmonizing collaterals, activating blood collaterals, and dredging blood stasis to, respectively treat degree Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ varicocele, aiming to prevent the change of the varicocele, dredge the curvature of the varicocele, and dissipate the knots of the varicocele. The proposal of essence chamber collaterals is of great significance to understanding the common law and pathological aspects of the occurrence and development of essence collateral and vascular lesions from the perspective of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
3.Methods for enhancing image quality of soft tissue regions in synthetic CT based on cone-beam CT.
Ziwei FU ; Yechen ZHU ; Zijian ZHANG ; Xin GAO
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(1):113-122
Synthetic CT (sCT) generated from CBCT has proven effective in artifact reduction and CT number correction, facilitating precise radiation dose calculation. However, the quality of different regions in sCT images is severely imbalanced, with soft tissue region exhibiting notably inferior quality compared to others. To address this imbalance, we proposed a Multi-Task Attention Network (MuTA-Net) based on VGG-16, specifically focusing the enhancement of image quality in soft tissue region of sCT. First, we introduced a multi-task learning strategy that divides the sCT generation task into three sub-tasks: global image generation, soft tissue region generation and bone region segmentation. This approach ensured the quality of overall sCT image while enhancing the network's focus on feature extraction and generation for soft tissues region. The result of bone region segmentation task guided the fusion of sub-tasks results. Then, we designed an attention module to further optimize feature extraction capabilities of the network. Finally, by employing a results fusion module, the results of three sub-tasks were integrated, generating a high-quality sCT image. Experimental results on head and neck CBCT demonstrated that the sCT images generated by the proposed MuTA-Net exhibited a 12.52% reduction in mean absolute error in soft tissue region, compared to the best performance among the three comparative methods, including ResNet, U-Net, and U-Net++. It can be seen that MuTA-Net is suitable for high-quality sCT image generation and has potential application value in the field of CBCT guided adaptive radiation therapy.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography/methods*
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Humans
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
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Artifacts
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Algorithms
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Bone and Bones/diagnostic imaging*
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Neural Networks, Computer
4.Biological Basis of Premature Ejaculation Based on Theory of "Brain-heart-kidney-semen Chamber" Axis
Dongyue MA ; Anmin WANG ; Jiutian YANG ; Dicheng LUO ; Ziwei ZHAO ; Jun GUO ; Fu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):203-209
The theory of "brain-heart-kidney-semen chamber" axis is proposed based on the basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine, the modern physiological characteristics of men's diseases, and clinical practice. According to this theory, dysfunctions of the brain, heart, kidney, and semen chamber are the core mechanisms for the occurrence of premature ejaculation, and the loss of control of the opening and closing of the seminal orifices due to the dysfunction of the semen chamber is the final link in the occurrence of premature ejaculation. The treatment of premature ejaculation based on the theory of "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis highlights the overall regulation of the Zang-fu organs involved in the disease, while focusing on the simultaneous treatment of the mind and body. By exploring the biological basis of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis and premature ejaculation, we propose that the biological basis of premature ejaculation and the axis is mainly related to the function decline of the local brain area, neuromodulation malfunction, central neurotransmitter imbalance, endocrine disorders, and enhanced sensory afferents of the penis. This study aims at providing a new approach for the prevention and treatment of premature ejaculation by traditional Chinese medicine and a scientific basis for the development of more effective therapeutic methods.
5.TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children
Xi MING ; Liqun WU ; Ziwei WANG ; Bo WANG ; Jialin ZHENG ; Jingwei HUO ; Mei HAN ; Xiaochun FENG ; Baoqing ZHANG ; Xia ZHAO ; Mengqing WANG ; Zheng XUE ; Ke CHANG ; Youpeng WANG ; Yanhong QIN ; Bin YUAN ; Hua CHEN ; Lining WANG ; Xianqing REN ; Hua XU ; Liping SUN ; Zhenqi WU ; Yun ZHAO ; Xinmin LI ; Min LI ; Jian CHEN ; Junhong WANG ; Yonghong JIANG ; Yongbin YAN ; Hengmiao GAO ; Hongmin FU ; Yongkun HUANG ; Jinghui YANG ; Zhu CHEN ; Lei XIONG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(7):722-732
Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.
6.Exploring the traditional Chinese medicine differentiation and treatment of male infertility based on the theory of"maintaining with the sweet and restoring the body fluids"
Hongyuan CHANG ; Hao WANG ; Anmin WANG ; Dongyue MA ; Ziwei ZHAO ; Dicheng LUO ; Jun GUO ; Fu WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(7):948-952
Male infertility,a common condition in andrology,falls under the category of"no son"in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Unhealthy eating habits and excessive sexual activity,prevalent due to improved living standards,have contributed to the increasing incidence of male infertility.YE Tianshi proposed the theory of"maintaining with the sweet and restoring the body fluids",which emphasizes the importance of ample body fluid for the nourishment of the male essence chamber.Sufficient body fluid is crucial for normal sperm generation.In TCM,the primary pathogenesis of male infertility involves the loss of body fluids and insufficiency of yin essence.Sweet Chinese herbal medicinal is recommended as it nourishes yin,enriches essence,and replenishes male reproductive essence without producing phlegm and dampness.Therefore,when treating male infertility,attention should be given to the use of sweet Chinese herbal medicinal,adhering to the principle of"abundant body fluids nourish kidney yin,and abundant kidney yin supports semen production".Therapies such as purging fire to preserve body fluids with Zengye Decoction,nourishing yin to enrich essence with Guilu Erxian Decoction,benefiting qi to promote fluid production with Buzhong Yiqi Decoction,and warming yang and transporting fluids with Xianfu Shezi Decoction should be considered.Medication and dosage adjustments should be made based on the specific etiology,pathology,and related symptoms to improve the quality of male sperm and enhance the chances of conception.
7.Study on the effect of chin morphology on orthodontic treatment.
Yu FU ; Ziwei LI ; Menghan ZHAO ; Ruixin SHI
West China Journal of Stomatology 2023;41(4):443-449
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of different soft-tissue morphologies on the treatment of skeletal class Ⅰ malocclusion patients by analyzing measurement data before and after treatment.
METHODS:
Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of 55 adult female Angle class Ⅰ patients were collected in the Department of Orthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University from January 2012 to December 2020. Chin soft-tissue morphologies in the lateral cranial radiographs were used to divide the patients into an abnormal chin morphology group (flat and retracted chins, n=27) and a normal chin morphology group (rounded and prominent chins, n=28). Relevant soft- and hard-tissue indexes were selected to study in-group varieties and intergroup differences in the varying chin morphologies before and after treatment.
RESULTS:
The chin-lip angle, mandibular chin angle, mandibular chin vertex angle, PP-MP, LL-E, UL-E, Po-Pos, and B-B' thickness in the abnormal chin morphology group were significantly higher than those in the normal chin morphology group (P<0.05). Furthermore, m∶BMe and n∶B'Mes in the abnormal chin morphology group were signi-ficantly lower than those in the normal chin morphology group (P<0.05). After treatment, the mandibular chin angle, mandibular chin vertex angle, U1-SN, L1-MP, LL-E, UL-E, SNA, SNB, and B-B' thickness of the abnormal chin morphology group significantly decreased (P<0.05), whereas the nasolabial angle, m∶BMe, n∶B' Mes, and Po-Pos significantly increased (P<0.05). In the normal chin morphology group, the U1-SN, L1-MP, LL-E, UL-E, and B-B' thicknesses decreased significantly (P<0.05), whereas the nasolabial angle significantly increased (P<0.05). Among them, m∶BMe and n∶B' Mes were positively correlated.
CONCLUSIONS
Chin morphology affects the formulation of treatment plans. Compared with the normal chin morphology group, the abnormal chin morphology group required a larger retraction of incisors. Although the chin of soft-tissue morphology is related to the morphology of bones, the changes in soft tissue chin after treatment cannot be directly predicted according to the bone changes. Soft-tissue chin morphology affects the aesthetic assessment of the soft-tissue lateral profile and the change in soft tissue before and after treatment. The method of predicting the change in soft-tissue chin after treatment should consider the morphology of the soft-tissue chin.
Adult
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Humans
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Female
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Chin
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Lip
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Cephalometry/methods*
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Esthetics, Dental
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Mandible
8.Research progress on enteric-soluble soft capsule
Xiaoqian TAO ; Huimin FU ; Zitong QIAO ; Qiang ZHANG ; Ziwei BAO ; Lan CHENG ; Chungang ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2022;33(7):891-896
Enteric-soluble soft capsule is a kind of new preparation that does not disintegrate in the stomach ,but releases rapidly in the intestinal tract to play a pharmacodynamic role. It has the unique advantages of improving drug stability ,reducing drug irritation ,delivering drugs directionally to the intestinal tract ,and prolonging drug action time. In this paper ,the decomposition and release mechanism ,application advantages ,classification of enteric-soluble coating materials and preparation methods of enteric-soluble soft capsule are sorted and summarized ,in order to provide reference for further development of this type of preparation.
9.Clinical characteristics and prognosis of multiple primary colorectal carcinoma
Ziwei XU ; Yifei FENG ; Yong WANG ; Junwei TANG ; Zan FU ; Yueming SUN
Cancer Research and Clinic 2020;32(3):154-156
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of multiple primary colorectal carcinoma.Methods:The clinical data of 42 cases of colorectal cancer admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2013 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinicopathological features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were summarized.Results:There were 42 patients with multiple primary colorectal carcinoma, accounting for 1.20% (42/3 499) of all colorectal carcinoma patients in the same period. The main pathological type was adenocarcinoma. Among them, 32 cases were synchronous multiple primary carcinoma. And the age ranged 38-86 years old, and the median age was 66 years old. A total of 73 colorectal cancer lesions were detected, mostly located in the proximal colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. A total of 527 lymph nodes were detected, and the positive rate was 1.9% (10). Patients with positive lymph nodes accounted for 37.5% (12/32), including 27 cases of multiple primary carcinoma, 3 cases of triple primary carcinoma, 2 cases of five primary carcinoma. The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 83.75% and 74.38%, respectively. There were 10 cases of metachronous multiple primary carcinoma. Patients were aged 33-86 years old. The first cancer was mostly located in the rectum and sigmoid colon, and the second cancer was mostly located in the ascending colon area. A total of 276 lymph nodes were detected, and the positive rate was 12.3% (34). The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 100.00% and 66.67%, respectively.Conclusions:Multiple primary colorectal cancer is not rare clinically and its distribution shows a certain regularity. More attention should be paid to improve the early diagnosis rate. Early operation is needed to improve the survival rate of patients.
10.Clinical study of ultrasound evaluation of fiberoptic bronchoscope guided tracheotomy
Maoliang FU ; Nana ZHANG ; Ziwei LIU ; Hua ZHAO ; Xihua GENG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2020;32(8):1013-1015
Objective:To explore the clinical effect of ultrasound evaluation of fiberoptic bronchoscope (FB) guided tracheotomy, which can provide help for difficult tracheotomy and new operators.Methods:The operating protocol was standardized for ultrasound evaluation of FB guided tracheotomy. Ten patients with difficult tracheotomy admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Donge Hospital from October 2019 to January 2020 were enrolled. According to this protocol, FB guided tracheotomy was performed under the ultrasound evaluation, and the amount of blood loss, operation time and related complications during procedures were collected.Results:The preparation of supplies, personnel, patients and the operation, the process of FB guided tracheotomy under the ultrasound evaluation were standardized. When tracheotomy was preformed for patients with difficult tracheotomy, it was necessary to use ultrasound first to evaluate the neck condition and vascular disorientation of patients, and the tracheotomy plan (tracheotomy site, incision size, and incision depth) was designed, and then the tracheotomy process was monitored under the guidance of FB. Among the 10 patients with difficult tracheotomy, 6 were male and 4 were female; body mass index was (32.2±1.4) kg/m 2. Tracheotomy was successfully completed within 10 minutes in all the 10 patients, with less than 5 mL blood loss, and no complications occurred. Conclusion:Ultrasound evaluation of FB guided tracheotomy can improve the clinical operations and ensure patient safety.


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