1.Effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023
Shuai WANG ; Huatang LUO ; Yang LI ; Hao WANG ; Cong LIU ; Yuelin XIONG ; Jiajing ZHANG ; Wen ZHU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):176-183
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023, so as to provide insights into precision control and elimination of schistosomiasis. Methods The integrated measures for schistosomiasis control implemented by health, agriculture, water resources, and forestry departments of Wuhan City, and the epidemiological data of schistosomiasis in Wuhan City were collected from 2005 to 2023, and the prevalence of human schistosomiasis, prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and bovines, areas of S. japonicum-infected snail habitats, areas of snail habitats in inner embankments, and actual areas of snail habitats were retrieved. In addition, the trends in prevalence of schistosomiasis in humans and livestock and snail status were evaluated in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 using Mann-Kendall test and a Joinpoint regression model. Results Mann-Kendall test revealed a tendency towards a decline in the prevalence of human schistosomiasis (Z = -4.41, P < 0.01), prevalence of S. japonicum infections in humans (Z = -4.89, P < 0.01) and bovines (Z = -4.50, P < 0.01), areas of S. japonicum-infected snail habitats (Z = -3.91, P < 0.01), areas of snail habitats in inner embankments (Z = -2.28, P = 0.02), and actual areas of snail habitats (Z = -5.95, P < 0.01) in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023. Joinpoint regression analysis showed an average annual reduction of 8.58% in the prevalence of human schistosomiasis in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [average annual percent change (AAPC) = -8.58%, 95% confidence interval (CI): (-10.02%, -6.65%), P < 0.01], with two joinpoints in 2013 and 2016, respectively, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2013 through 2016 [annual percent change (APC) = -34.41%, 95% CI: (-40.36%, -20.01%), P < 0.01]. The prevalence of S. japonicum human infections appeared an average annual reduction of 51.91% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -51.91%, 95% CI: (-58.12%, -44.25%), P < 0.01], with two joinpoints in 2014 and 2017, respectively, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2014 through 2017 [APC = -98.17%, 95% CI: (-99.17%, -90.87%), P < 0.01]. The prevalence of S. japonicum infections in bovines appeared an average annual reduction of 53.12% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -53.12%, 95% CI: (-59.65%, -42.44%), P < 0.01], with two joinpoints in 2011 and 2014, respectively, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2014 through 2017 [APC = -98.63%, 95% CI: (-99.44%, -90.93%), P < 0.01]. The areas of S. japonicum-infected snail habitats appeared an average annual reduction of 47.09% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -47.09%, 95% CI: (-52.92%, -38.26%), P < 0.01], with two joinpoints in 2011 and 2014, respectively, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2011 through 2014 [APC = -97.27%, 95% CI: (-98.65%, -88.06%), P < 0.01]. The areas of snail habitats in inner embankments appeared an average annual reduction of 4.45% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -4.45%, 95% CI: (-5.18%, -3.82%), P < 0.01], with three joinpoints in 2011, 2015 and 2018, respectively, and statistical significance was seen in the tendency towards a decline during the period from 2005 through 2011 [APC = -16.38%, 95% CI: (-20.15%, -14.25%), P < 0.01]. In addition, the actual areas of snail habitats appeared an average annual reduction of 2.65% in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023 [AAPC = -2.65%, 95% CI: (-2.89%, -2.40%), P < 0.01], with a joinpoint in 2013, and the tendency towards a decline showed statistical significance during the period from 2013 through 2023 [APC = -4.06%, 95% CI: (-4.66%, -3.58%), P < 0.01]. Conclusions The integrated schistosomiasis control programme achieved significant effectiveness in Wuhan City from 2005 to 2023, with a tendency towards a decline in morbidity due to schistosomiasis in humans and livestock and snail status. The integrated schistosomiasis control strategy with emphasis on management of the source of S. japonicum infections should continue to be implemented to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements and achieve the goal of schistosomiasis elimination in the city.
2.Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification Unraveled The Mechanism of Pachymic Acid in The Treatment of Neuroblastoma
Hang LIU ; Yu-Xin ZHU ; Si-Lin GUO ; Xin-Yun PAN ; Yuan-Jie XIE ; Si-Cong LIAO ; Xin-Wen DAI ; Ping SHEN ; Yu-Bo XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2376-2392
ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB.
3.Diagnosis and treatment of 131 adult patients with bronchopulmonary sequestration: A retrospective analysis
Xiaobo GU ; Qiankun CHEN ; Ziwei WAN ; Cong YE ; Yuming ZHU ; Shijian DU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(01):105-110
Objective To explore the safety and feasibility of uni-portal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS). Methods The clinical data of BPS patients with surgical resection in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from February 2010 to June 2021 were reviewed. The patients were divided into a VATS group and a thoracotomy group according to the operation method. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay and postoperative complication rate were compared between the two groups. The VATS group was subdivided into a uni-portal VATS group and a multi-portal VATS group for subgroup analysis. Results Finally 131 patients were enrolled, including 62 males and 69 females with an average age of 39.3±13.2 years. There were 103 patients in the VATS group and 28 patients in the thoracotomy group. A total of 104 patients were diagnosed with left lower BPS, 26 with right lower BPS and 1 with bilateral lower BPS. The main symptom was cough (88 patients, 67.2%). There were 119 patients diagnosed by thoracic enhanced CT before operation. Compared with the thoracotomy group, the operation time was not statistically different (P=0.717), but the blood loss was less, the rate of postoperative complication was lower and hospital stay was shorter in the VATS group (P<0.05). The rate of conversion to open surgery in the uni-portal VATS group and multi-portal VATS group was 11.8% and 13.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, patients in the uni-portal VATS group had shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay, less blood loss and lower postoperative complication rate than those in the multi-portal VATS group (P<0.05). Conclusion In order to improve the rate of diagnosis, the lung enhanced CT scan should be selected as an optimal noninvasive method in adult suspected patients (especially those with solid cystic and solid lesions in the lower lobe). Uni-portal VATS is a safe and feasible method for BPS which can be widely promoted.
4.Association between prolactin/testosterone ratio and breast cancer in Chinese women.
Qian CAI ; Xiaohan TIAN ; Yuyi TANG ; Han CONG ; Jie LIU ; Song ZHAO ; Rong MA ; Jianli WANG ; Jiang ZHU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(3):368-370
5.Analysis of phenotype formation mechanism of a new variety of Lonicera japonica Flos "Huajin 6" at long bud stage
Run-zhu LI ; Cong-lian LIANG ; Zhen-hua LIU ; Jia LI ; Yong-qing ZHANG ; Hai-yan LIU ; Gao-bin PU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):476-481
Based on the long bud stage phenotype of a new
6.Diagnostic quality for imported malaria in Hubei Province in 2019 - 2022
Jia YI ; Xiaorong DONG ; Zhen TU ; Lingcong SUN ; Cong ZHANG ; Wen LIN ; Hong ZHU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(3):46-49
Objective To analyze the diagnostic quality of imported malaria in Hubei Province from 2019 to 2022, and to further improve the diagnostic level and consolidate the achievements in eliminating malaria. Methods The samples of reported malaria cases in Hubei were collected by the provincial reference laboratory (PRL) from 2019 to 2022. The microscopy and fluorescent PCR were performed to confirm the infection of plasmodium species of each case.The positive coincidence rate and species coincidence rate were analyzed and compared. Results A total of 257 imported malaria cases were reported in Hubei Province from 2019 to 2022. Among 229 malaria cases were confirmed, the overall coincidence for malaria diagnosis was 91.24% (229/251), and the overall coincidence rate for parasite species identification was 86.03% (197/229). The difference in species coincidence rate among different years was statistically significant (χ2=10.458, P<0.05). The coincidence rates of malaria diagnosis and parasite species identification in different cities (prefectures) of Hubei Province were 71.43% to 100.00% and 50.00% to 100.00%, respectively, with significant differences among different regions (χ2=29.283, P<0.05). The coincidence rates of malaria diagnosis and parasite species identification were 72.73% to 100.00% and 0.00% to 100.00% in different diagnostic institutions, and the coincidence rate of species identification in hospitals (87.61%) was higher than that in Centers for Disease Control institutions (54.55%) (χ2=81.275, P<0.05). The coincidence rates of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale identification were 91.50%, 88.57%, 80.00%, and 58.06%, respectively (χ2=19.777, P<0.05). Conclusion The quality of the qualitative diagnosis of malaria cases reported online from 2019 to 2022 is generally high. However, the ability of Plasmodium typing needs to be improved. In the future, technical training and quality control should be strengthened to improve the malaria surveillance capability during the post-elimination stage.
7.Application of WHO molecular classification in endometrial cancer(2020)and its clinicopathological significance
Liyu CAO ; Zhuangzhuang TIAN ; Lili ZHU ; Zhenzhen BAI ; Cong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(3):279-284
Purpose To explore the application and clini-copathological significance of molecular classification in endome-trial cancer(EC)of WHO(2020)tumors of the female repro-ductive system.Methods Sixty-two EC patients were collected and categorized into four subgroups,namely POLE mutation type,mismatch repair deficient(MMRd)type,non-specific molecular spectrum(NMSP)type,and p53 mutation type,based on WHO molecular classification tested by PCR and im-munohistochemistry.The correlation among four molecular sub-groups and their clinicopathological features were analyzed.Re-sults The molecular classification was distributed as follows:3(4.8%)cases were POLE-mutated,15(24.2%)cases MMRd,36(58.1%)cases NSMP and 8(12.9%)cases p53 abnormal expression.There were no significant differences a-mong POLE-mutated and infiltration depth,grade,lymph vascu-lar space invasion and other pathological factors such as lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage(P>0.05).Among 15 patients with MMRd,the proportion of FIGO stage Ⅱ+Ⅲ significantly increased.One case showed abnormal overexpression of p53 pro-tein,while two cases showed complete loss of expression in MMRd subgroup.36 cases of NSMP were associated with low histopathological grade(Grade Ⅰ+Ⅱ)(P<0.05),and no significant differences were observed among NSMP and other clinicopathological factors(P>0.05).The p53 abnormal ex-pression in 8 cases was related to high histopathological grade(Grade Ⅲ)(P<0.05),and the rate of lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage Ⅱ+Ⅲ significantly increased in patients with p53 abnormal expression,and although the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion The molecu-lar subgroups of EC have certain clinical application value,the cases with MMRd and p53 abnormal expression may have poor prognosis than these with POLE-mutated and NSMP.
8.The assessment of hepatic hemodynamic characteristics in cirrhotic patients with splenectomy based on iodine map of dual-source CT
Yongyue ZHU ; Zhou ZHOU ; Chengli ZHAO ; Yinghan SUN ; Cong ZHOU ; Daoqing WANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(2):302-305
Objective To investigate the hepatic hemodynamic characteristics of cirrhotic patients with splenectomy using iodine map of dual-source computed tomography(DSCT).Methods Twenty-four cirrhotic patients with splenectomy were selected as a study group,41 cirrhotic patients without splenectomy as a cirrhosis group and other 32 patients with normal liver as a control group.The iodine concentration(IC)in hepatic arterial and venous phases was measured on the iodine map,and the arterial iodine fraction(AIF)and portal venous iodine concentration(PVIC)were calculated.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted and the area under the curve(AUC)was recorded to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter using the DeLong test.Results IC in arterial phase and AIF were significantly higher,and IC in venous phase and PVIC were significantly lower in study group(P<0.05).The AUC values of the four parameters between study group and cirrhosis group were 0.735,0.992,0.943,and 0.994,respectively.Conclusion DSCT iodine map is helpful for clinical quantitative assessment of hepatic hemodynamic characteristics in cirrhotic patients with splenectomy,and the PVIC has optimal independent diagnostic performance.
9.Dayuanyin Regulates TLR/MAPK/NF-κB Pathway for Preventing and Treating Acute Lung Injury Induced by H1N1 Infection
Chengze LI ; Fuhao CHU ; Yuan LI ; Yunze LIU ; Haocheng ZHENG ; Sici WANG ; Yixiao GU ; Wanhong ZHU ; Ruoshi ZHANG ; Xingjian SONG ; Cong GAI ; Xia DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):52-60
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Dayuanyin on acute lung injury induced by H1N1 infection and decipher the potential mechanism. MethodThe constituents in Dayuanyin were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). Forty-eight female BALB/c mice were randomized into normal, model, oseltamivir (19.5 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.73, 5.46, 10.92 g·kg-1) Dayuanyin groups. The normal and model groups were administrated with deionized water by gavage, and the other groups were administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage. On day 3 of drug administration, the normal group received nasal inhalation of normal saline, and the other groups were inoculated intranasally with A/RP/8/34 (H1N1) for the modeling of influenza virus infection. Mice were administrated with drugs continuously for 7 days and weighed daily. Sampling was performed 12 h after the last administration, and the lung tissue was weighed to calculate the lung index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological and morphological changes of the lung tissue and bronchi. The cytometric bead array (CBA) was used to measure the serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70), chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-beta (IFN-β), interferon-alpha (IFN-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). According to the results of mass spectrometry and network pharmacology, we analyzed the mechanism of Dayuanyin in treating acute lung injury caused by H1N1. The protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and their phosphorylated forms were determined by Western blot. The mRNA levels of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), and Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) in the lung tissue were measured by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultA total of 57 compounds, including paeoniflorin and baicalein, were detected in Dayuanyin. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight (P<0.01), lung edema and hemorrhage, increased lung index (P<0.01), and elevated levels of IFN-γ, IL-12p70, CCL5, IL-1β, CXCL10, GM-CSF, IFN-β, and IL-6 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Dayuanyin attenuated alveolar wall thickening, capillary congestion, and immune cell infiltration, reduced the alterations in body weight and lung index (P<0.01), and down-regulated the protein levels of IFN-γ, IL-12p70, CCL5, IL-1β, CXCL10, GM-CSF, IFN-β, and IL-6 (P<0.01). A total of 57 key genes were predicted by network pharmacological analysis, of which the MAPK signaling pathway was the main target signaling pathway. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed up-regulation in the protein levels of phosphorylation (p)-ERK1/2, p-p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB (P<0.01) and the mRNA levels of TLR7, TLR8, MyD88, and TLR3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Dayuanyin lowered the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB p65 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01) and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and MyD88 (P<0.01). ConclusionDayuanyin can prevent and control H1N1 infection-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting the TLR/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
10.The role of brevican regulation in the antidepressant effects of electroacupuncture in a chronic stress rat model
Cong Gai ; Zhenyu Guo ; Kai Guo ; Shixin Yang ; Yi Zhang ; Huimin Zhu ; Feifei Kan ; Hongmei Sun ; Die Hu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(4):513-521
Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) for treating depression and to explore the role of brevican in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in modulating stress susceptibility and the antidepressant effects of EA in rats.
Methods:
Twenty-four Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were equally divided into three groups: green fluorescent protein (GFP) + control, GFP + chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS), and short-hairpin RNA targeting on brevican (shBcan) + CUMS. Another 24 SD rats were equally divided into CUMS + GFP, CUMS + GFP + EA, and CUMS + shBcan + EA groups. Behavioral tests were conducted to assess depression-like behavior. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the expression of brevican, aggrecan, GLuA1, and PSD95 in mPFC subregions.
Results:
Behavioral parameter evaluation show that rats in the shBcan + CUMS group exhibited a significantly reduced sucrose preference (P = .0002) and increased immobility time (P = .0011) compared to those in rats in the GFP + CUMS group. Western blotting showed that brevican expression was significantly downregulated in the PrL of the shBcan + CUMS group compared with that in the GFP + CUMS group (P = .0192). Furthermore, compared to the CUMS + GFP + EA group, the CUMS + shBcan + EA group exhibited a significantly decreased sucrose preference (P = .0334), increased immobility time (P = .0465), and increased latency to food (P = .0261). In the CUMS + shBcan + EA group, the EA-induced brevican and PSD95 overexpression was reversed, compared with that in the CUMS + GFP + EA group (P = .0454 and P = .0198, respectively).
Conclusion
EA exerts its antidepressant effects through the modulation of brevican expression in rats. Our findings highlight the important role for brevican in stress susceptibility, which could be a potential target for treating depression.


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