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.A Behavior and Event-Related Potentials Study on the of the Effects of Long-Term Emotional Disturbance and Liver Failing to Govern Conveyance and Dispersion on Prospective Memory in Middle-Aged and Elderly People in the Community
Zhongpeng QIN ; Xianghong ZHAN ; Yong LIU ; Junlin HOU ; Ning LI ; Ziwei ZHAO ; Huanghong ZHAO ; Lei HUO ; Yan ZHANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):739-751
Objective To explore the neuroelectrophysiological mechanism of the decline of overall cognitive function and prospective memory,the syndrome manifestation of liver failing to govern conveyance and dispersion of the middle-aged and elderly people in the community with long-term emotional disturbance were evaluated.Methods Eysenck personality questionnaire(EPQ)and general condition questionnaire were used to screen the middle-aged and elderly people from 46 to 65 years old in the community who met the high and low neuroticism criteria,which were included in the long-term emotional disturbance group and the control group.According to the principle of matching sex,age(±2 years)and years of education(±2 years),60 subjects in each group were included.The scores of livers meridian syndrome,anxiety factor,depression factor and the total scores of three factors in the two groups were detected with the emotion rating scale for Ganzangxiang of traditional Chinese medicine.The overall cognitive function,the overall level of prospective memory and the dual-task paradigm of event-related memory were evaluated and event-related potential components were detected.Results Compared to the control group,the total scores of emotion rating scale for Ganzangxiang of traditional Chinese medicine and the scores of liver meridian syndrome factor,anxiety factor and depression factor all increased in the long-term emotional disturbance group significantly(P<0.05).The total scores of MoCA scale(after correction)and the level scores of visual space and executive function,attention and delayed recall decreased significantly(P<0.05),and the total scores of prospective memory questionnaire decreased significantly(P<0.05).The correct rates of ongoing tasks and prospective memory tasks in the event-based prospective memory dual task paradigm were decreased,and the reaction time was prolonged in the long-term emotional disorder group significantly(P<0.05).The amplitude of P200 of ongoing task and prospective memory task were increased in the long-term emotional disorder group(0.05
3.Cohort study of effects of shift work on renal function in oil workers in northern China
Zhikang SI ; Xuelin WANG ; Rui MENG ; Zekun ZHAO ; Ziwei ZHENG ; Jianhui WU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(5):379-384
Objective:To analyze the effects of shift work on the renal function of oil workers and investigate whether there is a measured response relationship between shift work and renal dysfunction.Methods:In this study, oil workers who participated in physical examinations at the North China Oilfield Downhole Hospital were selected as the study subjects, and the physical examinations as well as questionnaires of the study subjects in 2017 and 2018 were collected as the baseline data, which included blood biochemical indexes, socio-demographic characteristics, history of life behaviors, occupational exposures, and occupational histories. Three follow-up surveys were subsequently conducted in April 2019, April 2020, and January 2021. The presence of renal dysfunction in the study population was determined based on the glomerular filtration rate tested at the medical examination hospital. The exposure of the study subjects to shift work was assessed using the weighted shift index (WSI), the relationship between different levels of shift work and renal dysfunction was analyzed using Cox regression, and the measure of WSI and renal dysfunction was explored by restricted cubic spline (RCS). response relationship.Results:A total of 2292 study participants were included in this study, and the prevalence density of renal dysfunction was 87.44 k/year, of which the prevalence of renal dysfunction in females (30.31%), those with per capita monthly income <2, 000 yuan (27.00%), those who consume alcohol (27.10%), those who are hypertensive (23.05%), those who are exposed to high temperatures (27.37%), those who are exposed to organic solvents (30.42%), and those who are engaged in shift work (25.87%) were to be found had a higher prevalence of renal dysfunction ( P<0.05). After correcting for age, sex, and other risk factors, there was a nonlinear association between intensity of shift work and renal dysfunction, with a hazard ratio ( HR) of 1.29 (95% CI: 0.98-1.59) for the development of renal dysfunction in petroleum workers for shift work performed at higher intensities, and moderate intensity of exposure to shift work reduced the risk of renal dysfunction in petroleum workers ( HR=0.54 with a 95% CI: 0.39-0.75, P<0.001) . Conclusion:Prolonged shift work increases the risk of renal dysfunction in oil workers, and the occurrence of renal dysfunction in oil workers is influenced by multiple factors.
4.Establishment of Allogeneic Kidney Transplantation Technical System in Banna Miniature Pig Inbred Strain
Ying ZHANG ; Ziwei PENG ; Chang YANG ; Jing WANG ; Hongfang ZHAO ; Gen CHEN ; Hongye ZHAO ; Hongjiang WEI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(5):623-633
Objective To establish a technical system for allogeneic kidney transplantation surgery in pigs using the Banna miniature pig inbred strain,and to evaluate it through routine blood tests,liver and kidney function tests,thus providing reference data for the preparation of allogeneic kidney transplantation models.Methods A total of 4 cases of allogeneic kidney transplantation surgeries were performed,including 1 case of single kidney transplantation in a healthy pig,2 cases of kidney transplantation after unilateral nephrectomy,and 1 case of kidney transplantation after bilateral nephrectomy.Before kidney transplantation,cross-matching and complement-dependent cytotoxicity(CDC)tests were used for matching between donor and recipient pigs.After kidney transplantation,peripheral blood samples were regularly collected from pigs for routine blood tests,liver function tests,and kidney function tests,and color Doppler ultrasound technology was used to detect blood supply to the transplanted kidneys.After reaching the experimental endpoint,both kidneys of pig DR1 and the left kidney of pig DR3 were collected and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to evaluate pathological changes in the transplanted kidneys.Results Recipient pigs DR1 and DR3 died at 17 days and 30 days after surgery respectively,while recipient pigs R and DR2 remained in good condition during the 30-day observation period.The results of liver and kidney function test showed that in pig DR1,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels increased on postoperative day 1(>1 000 U/L),peaked on postoperative day 7(1 300 U/L),and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels peaked on postoperative day 1(>3 000 U/L).On postoperative day 17,ALT and AST levels remained high(ALT,500 U/L;AST,700 U/L).In pigs R,DR2,and DR3,ALT and AST levels returned to normal around day 17.Serum creatinine(Crea)levels in pig R remained stable without postoperative increase.Crea levels in pigs DR1 and DR2 showed transient elevation on postoperative day 1,then gradually returned to normal(<100 μmol/L).Crea levels in pig DR3 remained below 500 μmol/L from postoperative days 2-10,but increased between days 11-28,reaching up to 1 500 μmol/L,indicating gradual loss of kidney function.Ultrasound results showed that the preoperative resistive index(RI)of recipient pig R was 0.91.On postoperative day 24,renal cortex and medulla showed abundant blood flow signals with RI value of 0.88,which was close to the pre-transplantation RI value.For pig DR2,the RI value on postoperative day 17 was 0.89,with poor renal cortex blood flow and relatively good renal medulla blood flow.In pig DR1 on postoperative day 17,no blood flow signals were detected in the transplanted kidney.HE staining results showed that the non-transplanted healthy right kidney of pig DR1 had normal structure,while the transplanted left kidney showed blurred glomerular structure and nuclear dissolution,indicating that the left kidney had lost function before removal.In the transplanted left kidney of pig DR3,large numbers of red blood cells and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in glomeruli and renal tubules,indicating possible coagulation dysfunction and rejection reactions after kidney transplantation.Conclusion Banna miniature pig inbred strain is used as experimental animals to perform four cases of allogeneic pig-to-pig kidney transplantation.The physiological parameters of the recipient pig and the function of the transplanted kidney are monitored after surgery using routine blood tests,liver and kidney function tests,color Doppler ultrasound,and pathological examinations.The allogeneic pig-to-pig kidney transplantation technical system established in the study can provide a foundation for clinicians to conduct kidney transplantation surgeries.
5.Association of histone methylation modification with cardiovascular diseases
Ziwei WANG ; Meifei WANG ; Qiqi WANG ; Haopeng WANG ; Rong ZHOU ; Ziqiao YUAN ; Wen ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(4):286-296
Histone methylation modification,as one of the post-translational modifications,has been increasingly shown by studies to play a crucial role in the development of cardiovascular diseases(CVD).Due to its reversibility,tar-geting related modifying enzymes is expected to provide new strategies for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CVD.This article reviews the relevant methylation modifications and their important regulatory mechanisms in CVD,and discusses the research progress of histone methylation inhibitors in the cardiovascular field.
6.Loneliness in mid- to late pregnancy and risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms in late pregnancy: a longitudinal cohort study
Ziwei DING ; Lanfang ZHAO ; Le WANG ; Shuangqin YAN ; Lanci XIE ; Guopeng GAO ; Tianli ZHU ; Jingjing LIU ; Tuyan FAN ; Fengyu YANG ; Hui GAO ; Huayan MO ; Wenjing QIANG ; Beibei ZHU ; Fangbiao TAO
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(12):1107-1114
Objective:To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and longitudinal associations of loneliness during mid- to late pregnancy with anxiety and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, 1 107 pregnant women at 24-28 weeks' gestation were enrolled between June 2021 and December 2022. Psychological status was assessed during mid-pregnancy (24-28 weeks) and late pregnancy (≥32 weeks) using standardized electronic questionnaires, including the Revised University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA) Loneliness Scale-Short Form (Cronbach's α=0.82), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ( α=0.86), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 ( α=0.88). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors for loneliness. Cross-lagged path models analyzed the longitudinal predictions between loneliness and anxiety/depressive symptoms. Results:The prevalence of loneliness decreased significantly from 10.8% (120/1 107) in mid-pregnancy to 4.8% (37/777) in late pregnancy ( χ2=21.81, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors for loneliness: age <30 years ( OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.15-2.50), annual household income <50 000 CNY ( OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.28-5.02), unemployment during pregnancy ( OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.39), history of alcohol consumption ( OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.03-2.56), and the presence of mid-pregnancy depressive ( OR=2.76, 95% CI: 1.51-5.04) and anxiety symptoms ( OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.01-2.71) (all P<0.05). Cross-lagged path models indicated bidirectional associations between loneliness and both anxiety ( β=0.32, P<0.01) and depressive symptoms ( β=0.28, P<0.01). However, the predictive effect of loneliness on subsequent depressive and anxiety symptoms ( β=0.28-0.32) was substantially stronger than the reverse prediction (mid-pregnancy anxiety on late-pregnancy loneliness: β=0.12; mid-pregnancy depression on late-pregnancy loneliness: β=0.11). Loneliness demonstrated high temporal stability (autoregressive effects β=0.29-0.32). Conclusion:Loneliness in mid-pregnancy exhibits a symmetric bidirectional association with anxiety and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy, suggesting it may be a core driver in the development of these emotional symptoms. Younger maternal age (<30 years), low household income (<50 000 CNY/year), unemployment during pregnancy, and a history of alcohol consumption were associated with a higher risk of loneliness and should be prioritized for psychological screening and intervention.
7.Role of TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in progesterone regulating IL-8 expression in decidual stromal cells
Ziwei ZHAO ; Na LI ; Meixia YANG ; Xiaoling GONG ; Zhaojin LUAN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1383-1387
Objective:To explore the mechanism of TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in progesterone regulating expression of IL-8 in decidual stromal cells(DSCs).Methods:Human DSCs on early pregnancy were isolated and cultured in vitro.The cells were treated with 0.01 μmol/L,0.1 μmol/L and 1 μmol/L progesterone,respectively.Expressions of IL-8,TLR4,ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were detected by Western blot.TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242 and ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 were further treated,and expression of IL-8 in progesteron+inhibitor group,progesterone group and control group was detected by Western blot.Results:With the increase of pro-gesterone concentration,expression of IL-8 in DSCs decreased gradually.Expressions of DSCs IL-8,TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in 0.01 μmol/L progesterone group were lower than those in control group(P=0.035 8,P=0.019 4 and P=0.047 1).Expressions of IL-8,TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in DSCs in 0.1 μmol/L progesterone group were significantly lower than those in control group(P=0.003 5,P=0.004 0 and P=0.009 9).Expressions of IL-8,TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in DSCs in 1 μmol/L progesterone group were significantly lower than those in control group(P=0.003 3,P=0.001 6 and P=0.005 0).Expression of IL-8 in progesterone+TAK-242 group was signifi-cantly lower than that in progesterone group(P=0.009 1),and expression of IL-8 in progesterone+U0126 group was significantly lower than that in progesterone group(P=0.004).Conclusion:TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in the physiological process of progesterone regulating expression of IL-8 in DSCs,and progesterone reduces IL-8 expression by inhibiting expression of TLR4 and phosphorylation activation of ERK1/2.
8.Research on ERPs Affecting Selective Attention Distraction Inhibition Function of College Students Due to Long Term Emotional Distress
Ruyuan CAO ; Yong LIU ; Junlin HOU ; Ziwei ZHAO ; Zhongpeng QIN ; Chuan ZHAO ; Zhuo CHEN ; Xianghong ZHAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1105-1112
Objective Using event-related potentials(ERPs)technology to study the effect of long term emotional distress on selective attention distraction inhibition function in college students and its neuroelectrophysiological mechanism.Methods The Eysenck personality questionnaire(EPQ)adult version was used to screen the high and low neuroticism groups among college students,and 35 subjects in each group were included in the long term emotional distress group and the emotional smoothness control group,respectively,and the response time,correct rate,N2 and P3 amplitude and latency results of the participants to complete the negative priming paradigm task were collected and analyzed.Results Compared with the control group,① the long term emotional distress group showed a prolonged response trend(P=0.072).② the long term emotional distress group had a prolonged N2 and P3 latency(P<0.05).Conclusion Selective attention distraction inhibition in college students with long term emotional distress decreased,and the decline mechanism may be related to the decline of inhibition processing and attention resource allocation ability.
9.Application of competency models in public hospital recruitment
Wenqing FAN ; Jun ZHAO ; Ziwei LI ; Mengling LIU ; Shengchao JIANG ; Yanji CAI ; Fan ZHONG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(5):755-758
Recruitment is a critical part of human resource management.Conducting recruitment with competency models can significantly enhance match candidates to positions.This paper outlines the theoretical support for competency models.By analyzing the construction process of competency models in public hospitals and their application in recruitment,it aims to explore problems in the implementation of competency models in recruitment and provide suggestions.
10.Exploring the Effect of Qi-Stagnation on Inhibitory Control Function and Its Neuroelectrophysiological Mechanism in College Students Based on ERP Technology
Xiaoqi DING ; Yong LIU ; Junlin HOU ; Ziwei ZHAO ; Zhongpeng QIN ; Ruyuan CAO ; Xianghong ZHAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(5):1219-1227
Objective To investigate the effect of Qi stagnation on inhibitory control function and its neuroelectrophysiological mechanism in college students.Methods The population of peace and Qi depression was screened from college students through the scale of"Classification and Judgment Criteria of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution",and 35 subjects were included in each group.Combined with event-related potential technology,the two groups were collected to complete the Flanker paradigm behavioral indicators(accuracy,response time)and EEG data indicators(amplitude and latency of N2 and P3 components),and the behavioral differences and neuroelectrophysiological mechanisms between the two groups under the Flanker paradigm were explored.Results Compared with the flat group,the reaction time of the gas depression group was longer(P=0.07).Compared with the consistent dondition,the reaction time was longer under the inconsistent condition(P<0.001),and the accuracy rate was lower under the inconsistent condition significantly(P<0.001).Compared with the peaceful group,the N2 amplitude of the air depression group was higher(P<0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the main effect of brain regions in the N2 latency period(P<0.001).Frontal lobe zero(Fz)in frontal region was greater than Frontal lobe central zero(FCz)in frontal region and greater than Central zero(Cz)in central region(P<0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the main effect of brain region(P<0.001).FCz in the frontal central region was significantly greater than that in the frontal region Fz(P<0.001),and the difference was statistically significant in the central region Cz was significantly greater than that in the frontal region(P<0.001).The incubation period of P3 component was significantly smaller than that of inconsistent stimulation(P<0.001).Conclusion Qi stagnation has a negative effect on the inhibitory control function of college students,and the decline of conflict monitoring and control ability is one of the possible mechanisms.

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