1.Naoqingtong Decoction Ameliorates Kidney Damage in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats via NLRP3 Inflammasomes
Jiaxin JU ; Caocao CHENG ; Teng GE ; Yalong KANG ; Fang GUAN ; Haifang WANG ; Juanjuan TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):125-131
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Naoqingtong decoction (NQT) on the kidney damage and the inflammatory factors NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). MethodsTwenty-four SHRs were randomized into a model group, a low-dose (12.9 g·kg-1·d-1) NQT (NQT-L) group, a high-dose (25.8 g·kg-1·d-1) NQT group (NQT-H), and a captopril (CTP, 20 mg·kg-1·d-1) group, with 6 rats in each group. In addition, 6 homozygous male Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the control group. The control and model groups were administrated with the same amount of normal saline by gavage for 8 weeks. General behaviors of rats were observed during the intervention period, and the blood pressure was measured periodically. At the end of intervention, the body mass was weighed, and both kidneys were collected and weighed for the calculation of the renal index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the kidney tissue. ResultsDuring the experiment period, the control group had normal mental status, food intake, and activity, while the model group showed thinning of hair, loss of luster, reduced activity, loss of appetite, fecal adhesion, and irritability, and some of the skin had scratches or blood scabs. The above symptoms were alleviated to different degrees after 8 weeks of NQT administration. An intelligent non-invasive sphygmomanometer was used to measure the tail artery pressure of rats, which showed that the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of rats in the model group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, drug interventions lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group showed severe pathological damage in the kidney tissue, which was alleviated in each drug intervention group. Compared with the control group, the model group showed up-regulated expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the kidney tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug intervention groups showed down-regulated expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the kidney tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionNQT can lower the blood pressure in SHRs by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, suppressing renal inflammation, and ameliorating hypertensive kidney damage.
2.Exercise Regulates Structural Plasticity and Neurogenesis of Hippocampal Neurons and Improves Memory Impairment in High-fat Diet-induced Obese Mice
Meng-Si YAN ; Lin-Jie SHU ; Chao-Ge WANG ; Ran CHENG ; Lian-Wei MU ; Jing-Wen LIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):995-1007
ObjectiveObesity has been identified as one of the most important risk factors for cognitive dysfunction. Physical exercise can ameliorate learning and memory deficits by reversing synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and cortex in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we aimed to determine whether 8 weeks of treadmill exercise could alleviate hippocampus-dependent memory impairment in high-fat diet-induced obese mice and investigate the potential mechanisms involved. MethodsA total of sixty 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, weighing between 20-30 g, were randomly assigned to 3 distinct groups, each consisting of 20 mice. The groups were designated as follows: control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet with exercise (HFD-Ex). Prior to the initiation of the treadmill exercise protocol, the HFD and HFD-Ex groups were fed a high-fat diet (60% fat by kcal) for 20 weeks. The mice in the HFD-Ex group underwent treadmill exercise at a speed of 8 m/min for the first 10 min, followed by 12 m/min for the subsequent 50 min, totally 60 min of exercise at a 0° slope, 5 d per week, for 8 weeks. We employed Y-maze and novel object recognition tests to assess hippocampus-dependent memory and utilized immunofluorescence, Western blot, Golgi staining, and ELISA to analyze axon length, dendritic complexity, number of spines, the expression of c-fos, doublecortin (DCX), postsynaptic density-95 (PSD95), synaptophysin (Syn), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and the number of major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) positive cells. ResultsMice with HFD-induced obesity exhibit hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, and treadmill exercise can prevent memory decline in these mice. The expression of DCX was significantly decreased in the HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group (P<0.001). Treadmill exercise increased the expression of c-fos (P<0.001) and DCX (P=0.001) in the hippocampus of the HFD-induced obese mice. The axon length (P<0.001), dendritic complexity (P<0.001), the number of spines (P<0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (P<0.001) in the hippocampus were significantly decreased in the HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group. Treadmill exercise increased the axon length (P=0.002), dendritic complexity(P<0.001), the number of spines (P<0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (P=0.001) of the hippocampus in the HFD-induced obese mice. Our study found a significant increase in MHC-II positive cells (P<0.001) and the concentration of IL-1β (P<0.001) in the hippocampus of HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group. Treadmill exercise was found to reduce the number of MHC-II positive cells (P<0.001) and the concentration of IL-1β (P<0.001) in the hippocampus of obese mice induced by a HFD. ConclusionTreadmill exercise led to enhanced neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by increasing the axon length, dendritic complexity, dendritic spine numbers, and the expression of PSD95 and DCX, decreasing the number of MHC-II positive cells and neuroinflammation in HFD-induced obese mice. Therefore, we speculate that exercise may serve as a non-pharmacologic method that protects against HFD-induced hippocampus-dependent memory dysfunction by enhancing neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of obese mice.
3.Correlation Analysis and Comparison of Adult CE-Chirp ABR Response Threshold and Pure Tone Hearing Threshold
He-Ying CHENG ; Yun-Ge ZHANG ; Yan CHEN ; Sun YIN ; Ming LÜ ; Chun-Xiao LI
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(1):15-19
Objective To study the application of CE-Chirp in the evaluation of hearing impairment in forensic medicine by testing the auditory brainstem response(ABR)in adults using CE-Chirp to ana-lyze the relationship between the V-wave response threshold of CE-Chirp ABR test and the pure tone hearing threshold.Methods Subjects(aged 20-77 with a total of 100 ears)who underwent CE-Chirp ABR test in Changzhou De'an Hospital from January 2018 to June 2019 were selected to obtain the V-wave response threshold,and pure tone air conduction hearing threshold tests were conducted at 0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 kHz,respectively,to obtain pure tone listening threshold.The differences and statistical differences between the average pure tone hearing threshold and V-wave response threshold were compared in different hearing levels and different age groups.The correlation,differences and statistical differences between the two tests at each frequency were analyzed for all subjects.The lin-ear regression equation for estimating pure tone hearing threshold for all subjects CE-Chirp ABR V-wave response threshold was established,and the feasibility of the equation was tested.Results There was no statistical significance in the CE-Chirp ABR response threshold and pure tone hearing threshold dif-ference between different hearing level groups and different age groups(P>0.05).There was a good correlation between adult CE-Chirp ABR V-wave response threshold and pure tone hearing threshold with statistical significance(P<0.05),and linear regression analysis showed a significant linear correla-tion between the two(P<0.05).Conclusion The use of CE-Chirp ABR V-wave response threshold can be used to evaluate subjects'pure tone hearing threshold under certain conditions,and can be used as an audiological test method for forensic hearing impairment assessment.
4.Data Mining of Medication Rules for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis the Children by Chinese Medical Master XUAN Guo-Wei
Jin-Dian DONG ; Cheng-Cheng GE ; Yue PEI ; Shu-Qing XIONG ; Jia-Fen LIANG ; Qin LIU ; Xiu-Mei MO ; Hong-Yi LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):752-758
Objective Data mining technology was used to mine the medication rules of the prescriptions used in the treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis by Chinese medical master XUAN Guo-Wei.Methods The medical records of effective cases of pediatric atopic dermatitis treated by Professor XUAN Guo-Wei at outpatient clinic were collected,and then the medical data were statistically analyzed using frequency statistics,association rule analysis and cluster analysis.Results A total of 242 prescriptions were included,involving 101 Chinese medicinals.There were 23 commonly-used herbs,and the 16 high-frequency herbs(frequency>100 times)were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Saposhnikoviae Radix,Glehniae Radix,Perillae Folium,Ophiopogonis Radix,Cynanchi Paniculati Radix et Rhizoma,Microctis Folium,Dictamni Cortex,Scrophulariae Radix,Coicis Semen,Cicadae Periostracum,Lilii Bulbus,Rehmanniae Radix,Kochiae Fructus,Sclerotium Poriae Pararadicis,and Euryales Semen.The analysis of the medicinal properties showed that most of the herbs were sweet and cold,and mainly had the meridian tropism of the spleen,stomach and liver meridians.The association rule analysis yielded 24 commonly-used drug combinations and 20 association rules.Cluster analysis yielded 2 core drug combinations.Conclusion For the treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis,Professor XUAN Guo-Wei focuses on the clearing,supplementing and harmonizing therapies,and the medication principle of"supporting the healthy-qi to eliminate the pathogen,and balancing the yin and yang"is applied throughout the treatment.
5.Remote Virtual Companion via Tactile Codes and Voices for The People With Visual Impairment
Song GE ; Xuan-Tuo HUANG ; Yan-Ni LIN ; Yan-Cheng LI ; Wen-Tian DONG ; Wei-Min DANG ; Jing-Jing XU ; Ming YI ; Sheng-Yong XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(1):158-176
ObjectiveExisting artificial vision devices can be divided into two types: implanted devices and extracorporeal devices, both of which have some disadvantages. The former requires surgical implantation, which may lead to irreversible trauma, while the latter has some defects such as relatively simple instructions, limited application scenarios and relying too much on the judgment of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide enough security. Here we propose a system that has voice interaction and can convert surrounding environment information into tactile commands on head and neck. Compared with existing extracorporeal devices, our device can provide a larger capacity of information and has advantages such as lower cost, lower risk, suitable for a variety of life and work scenarios. MethodsWith the latest remote wireless communication and chip technologies, microelectronic devices, cameras and sensors worn by the user, as well as the huge database and computing power in the cloud, the backend staff can get a full insight into the scenario, environmental parameters and status of the user remotely (for example, across the city) in real time. In the meanwhile, by comparing the cloud database and in-memory database and with the help of AI-assisted recognition and manual analysis, they can quickly develop the most reasonable action plan and send instructions to the user. In addition, the backend staff can provide humanistic care and emotional sustenance through voice dialogs. ResultsThis study originally proposes the concept of “remote virtual companion” and demonstrates the related hardware and software as well as test results. The system can not only achieve basic guide functions, for example, helping a person with visual impairment to shop in supermarkets, find seats at cafes, walk on the streets, construct complex puzzles, and play cards, but also can meet the demand for fast-paced daily tasks such as cycling. ConclusionExperimental results show that this “remote virtual companion” is applicable for various scenarios and demands. It can help blind people with their travels, shopping and entertainment, or accompany the elderlies with their trips, wilderness explorations, and travels.
6.Effect of storage temperature and time on coagulation factor after cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor melting
Yuan WANG ; Guoying LIU ; Dawei KONG ; Jianbin LI ; Xinli JIN ; Yuhong ZHANG ; Wenchao GE ; Lin CHENG ; Jiaxuan LIU ; Yuzhen LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(4):425-430
【Objective】 To study and compare the effects of different storage temperature and time on coagulation factor after cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor(CAF) melting, and to provide reference for the establishment of industry standards. 【Methods】 From June 2021 to May 2023, a total of 96 bags of CAF were sampled in 4 bags per month, and timely detected in the same month. After the CAF was melted in a 37℃ water bath, the mild to moderate lipemic blood was labeled. Each bag of CAF and two 50 mL transfer bags were divided into two bags and two groups of 20 mL each using a sterile adapter. One group was placed in a 4℃ refrigerator and the other in a 22℃ water bath for 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Then 2 mL of aseptic sample was taken separately and put into the test tube, and 1mL of sample and 3 mL of buffer were added into the other test tube with the sampling gun and mixed on the machine for testing. The experimental data of 60 bags without mild to moderate lipemic blood cryoprecipitation and coagulation factor were randomly selected and statistically analyzed by SPSS21.0. 【Results】 After melting, CAF was stored for 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h to detect the average content and growth rate of coagulation factor in the two groups: 1) Storage at 4℃, factor Ⅷ content was 118.62, 111.57(-5.95%), 105.51(-11.05%), 103.30(-12.92%), 94.35(-20.46%) and 83.25(-29.82%) IU/ bag, respectively; Storage at 22℃, the factor Ⅷ content was 118.62, 112.69(-5.00%), 111.41(-6.08%), 109.01(-8.10%), 101.55(-14.39%) and 92.75(-21.81%) IU/ bag, and the storage results of the two groups were compared. At 24 h at 4℃ and 48 h at 22℃, the content of factor Ⅷ had significant statistical significance(P<0.01), and when stored at 22℃, the decay rate of factor Ⅷ was slower; 2) When stored at 4℃, the content of factor V was 41.19, 41.31(0.29%), 40.52(-1.64%), 40.27(-2.23%), 39.05(-5.19%) and 36.99(-10.21%) IU/ bag, respectively; Stored at 22℃, the factor V content was 41.19, 41.71(1.25%), 42.54(3.28%), 41.94(1.80%), 39.21(-4.80%) and 35.64(-13.48%) IU/ bag, respectively. Comparison of storage results between the two groups showed that the content of factor V was statistically significant(P<0.05) and significantly significant(P<0.01) at 4℃48 h and 22℃48 h, respectively, and the decay rate of factor V was faster when stored at 22℃; 3) When stored at 4℃, the Fbg content was 268.86, 268.17(-0.26%), 262.46(-2.38%), 270.50(0.61%), 267.52(-0.50%) and 261.92(-2.58%) mg/ bag, respectively; Stored at 22℃, the Fbg content was 268.86, 265.86(-1.12%), 264.12(-1.77%), 265.89(-1.11%), 266.04(-1.05%) and 261.04(-2.91%) mg/ bag, respectively. There was no statistical significance between the 2 groups and the original 0 h content in each time period(P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 After CAF melting, coagulation factor decreased with the extension of storage time, especially the decrease of factor Ⅷ, followed by factor V, while Fbg basically unchanged. Comparison between the two groups showed that, factor Ⅷ decay rate is slower, factor V decay rate is faster of storage at 22℃. CAF should be transfused as soon as possible after melting. If the delay is unavoidable, for the delay time less than 12 h, storage at 4℃ is recommended, fot the delay time more than 12 h and less than 24 h, storage at 22℃ is recommended.
7.Pollution status and distribution characteristics of indoor air bacteria in subway stations and compartments in a city of Central South China
Shuyan CHENG ; Zhuojia GUI ; Liqin SU ; Guozhong TIAN ; Tanxi GE ; Jiao LUO ; Ranqi SHAO ; Feng LI ; Weihao XI ; Chunliang ZHOU ; Wei PENG ; Minlan PENG ; Min YANG ; Bike ZHANG ; Xianliang WANG ; Xiaoyuan YAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(7):801-806
Background Bacteria are the most diverse and widely sourced microorganisms in the indoor air of subway stations, where pathogenic bacteria can spread through the air, leading to increased health risks. Objective To understand the status and distribution characteristics of indoor air bacterial pollution in subway stations and compartments in a city of Central South China, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating intervention measures to address indoor air bacteria pollution in subways. Methods Three subway stations and the compartments of trains parking there in a city in Central South China were selected according to passenger flow for synchronous air sampling and monitoring. Temperature, humidity, wind speed, carbon dioxide (CO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and inhalable particulate matter (PM10) were measured by direct reading method. In accordance with the requirements of Examination methods for public places-Part 3: Airborne microorganisms (GB/T 18204.3-2013), air samples were collected at a flow rate of 28.3 L·min−1, and total bacterial count was estimated. Bacterial microbial species were identified with a mass spectrometer and pathogenic bacteria were distinguished from non-pathogenic bacteria according to the Catalogue of pathogenic microorganisms transmitted to human beings issued by National Health Commission. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the subway hygiene indicators in different regions and time periods, and Bonferroni test was used for pairwise comparison. Spearman correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between CO2 concentration and total bacterial count. Results The pass rates were 100.0% for airborne total bacteria count, PM2.5, and PM10 in the subway stations and train compartments, 94.4% for temperature and wind speed, 98.6% for CO2, but 0% for humidity. The overall median (P25, P75) total bacteria count was 177 (138,262) CFU·m−3. Specifically, the total bacteria count was higher in station halls than in platforms, and higher during morning peak hours than during evening peak hours (P<0.05). A total of 874 strains and 82 species were identified by automatic microbial mass spectrometry. The results of identification were all over 9 points, and the predominant bacteria in the air were Micrococcus luteus (52.2%) and Staphylococcus hominis (9.8%). Three pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii (0.3%), Corynebacterium striatum (0.1%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacilli (2.2%) were detected in 23 samples (2.6%), and the associated locations were mainly distributed in train compartments during evening rush hours. Conclusion The total bacteria count in indoor air varies by monitoring sites of subway stations and time periods, and there is a risk of opportunistic bacterial infection. Attention should be paid to cleaning and disinfection during peak passenger flow hours in all areas.
8.Results and Experience of Chronic Disease Health Management
Ge GAN ; Nian CHENG ; Daping SONG
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(1):31-33,66
The typical regions have established a coordinated chronic disease management organization system,promoted the coordinated management of health care,medical,and medicine systems,optimized the chronic disease service process,and empowered the grassroots through information technology construction.It has achieved different degrees of results in controlling the condition of patients,reducing the hospitalization rate and the level of medical expenses of patients with chronic diseases,and saving medical insurance funds.
9.Theoretical Connotation and Mechanism of Regulating Mental Activity by Dredging Collaterals in Treatment of Psycho-cardiological Diseases via Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor
Bo NING ; Cheng LUO ; Teng GE ; Yongqing WU ; Weiwei HE ; Hubin YU ; Mingjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):240-248
The incidence of psycho-cardiological diseases, i.e., cardiovascular diseases combined with psychological disorders, is increasing year by year. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in the pathogenesis of such diseases. According to the theory of collateral diseases, our team innovates the concept of regulating mental activity by dredging collaterals in the treatment of psycho-cardiological diseases and summarizes the concepts of "heart of Qi and collaterals" and "heart of vessels and collaterals". We believe that obstructed collaterals and disturbed mental activity run through the whole course of psycho-cardiological diseases, being the core pathogenesis. BDNF closely related to the core pathogenesis can regulate nerve and vascular inflammation, alleviate oxidative stress, and mediate a variety of signaling pathways, thereby promoting the survival and repair of nerve cells and vascular endothelial cells to regulate emotion and protect the heart. Therefore, BDNF is one of the potential biomarkers for clinical treatment of psycho-cardiological diseases. Collateral obstruction caused by blood stasis is specifically manifested as collateral deficiency, blood stasis, and Qi stagnation in collaterals. It can easily lead to inflammation, free radical generation, and antioxidant system changes in the patients with psycho-cardiological diseases, which can cause oxidative stress damage, affect the BDNF level, and result in mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Disturbed mental activity is mainly caused by the disturbance in the heart of Qi and collaterals, which is specifically manifested as the disturbance of the mind and liver soul. It is prone to cause anxiety or depression symptoms, which is closely related to the BDNF-mediated abnormal activation of neural circuits, nerve injury, and inflammation. This article elaborates on the theoretical connotation and pathological mechanism of regulating mental activity by dredging collaterals in the treatment of psycho-cardiological diseases from the perspective of BDNF, aiming to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of psycho-cardiological diseases and collateral diseases.
10.Silibinin inhibits lipogenic differentiation of 3T3-F442A adipocytes in murine through inhibition of MEK /ERK pathway and matrix metalloproteinase activity
Aiping Liu ; Tong Li ; Yaqing Cheng ; Renwen Zhang ; Yakun Ge ; Yuanxin Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(1):111-117
Objective :
To study the effect and mechanism of action of Silibinin on the differentiation of 3T3-F442A preadipocytes in murine.
Methods :
The effects of 0-400 μmol / L Silibinin on the proliferation of 3T3-F442A adi- pocytes at 24,48 and 72 h were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide ( MTT) assay,and the effects of Silibinin on the adipogenesis of 3T3-F442A adipocytes were visualized by Oil Red O stai- ning ; RT-qPCR , Western blot and ELISA assays were used to detect the effects of Silibinin on 3T3-F442A adipo- cyte differentiation-associated transcription factor CCAAT / enhancer binding protein ( C / EBP) α , C / EBP β , per- oxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ cular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -α and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) ,matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and MMP-9,mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) and phosphorylated MEK (p-MEK) ,and extracellular regu- lated protein kinase (ERK) and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) expression. (PPARγ) ,adipocyte protein 2 (aP2) ,adipose generation-associated vas
Results :
MTT assay showed that the cell proliferation rate of 3T3-F442A preadipocytes decreased after 100,200,and 400 μmol /L Silibinin treatment compared with the control group (P<0. 001) ; Oil Red O staining assay showed that the accumulation of red lipid droplets of the cells in the 160 μmol /L Silibinin assay group significantly decreased ; RT-qPCR assay showed that mRNA expression of C/EBPα , C/EBPβ , PPARγ , aP2,VEGF-α , VEGFR-2,MMP-2,and MMP-9 was down-reg- ulated in 3T3-F442A adipocytes treated with 160 μmol /L Silibinin compared with the control group (P<0. 001) ; Western blot assay showed that protein expression of C /EBPα , C /EBPβ , PPARγ and aP2 was down-regulated in 3T3-F442A adipocytes treated with 160 μmol /L Silibinin (P<0. 001) ,and the phosphorylation level of p-MEK/ MEK and p-ERK/ ERK proteins was down-regulated compared with the control group (P <0. 001) ; ELISA assay showed that the protein concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the cell supernatant were down-regulated (P < 0. 001) in 3T3-F442A adipocytes treated with 160 μmol /L Silibinin.
Conclusion
Silibinin inhibited 3T3-F442A adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis through inhibition of the MEK/ ERK pathway and matrix metalloproteinase activity.


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