1.Mahoniae Caulis Alkaloids Ameliorate Depression by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via cAMP Pathway
Junhui HE ; Chunlian JIA ; Kedao LAI ; Guili ZHOU ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Yi LI ; Dongmei LI ; Jiaxiu XIE ; Guining WEI ; Juying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):132-140
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids (MA) in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by protein interaction analysis (STRING) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed through Bioinformatics (DAVID) database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone (CORT) once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control (0.9% normal saline), model (CORT, 20 mg·kg-1), positive control (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 3.6 mg·kg-1), and MA (10, 5, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 (Cx43). ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained, including 84 common targets, among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes, 15 cell components, and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain tissue (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) and BDNF (P<0.05) and the protein levels of protein kinase (PRKACA), phosphorylation (p)-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group, high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming (P<0.05) and tail suspension (P<0.01) tests, raised the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF (P<0.01) and protein levels of PRKACA, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05). ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway, improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function, and reducing neuroinflammation. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Mahoniae Caulis Alkaloids Ameliorate Depression by Regulating Synaptic Plasticity via cAMP Pathway
Junhui HE ; Chunlian JIA ; Kedao LAI ; Guili ZHOU ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Yi LI ; Dongmei LI ; Jiaxiu XIE ; Guining WEI ; Juying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):132-140
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids (MA) in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP, Genecards, HPO, DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by protein interaction analysis (STRING) database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed through Bioinformatics (DAVID) database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone (CORT) once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control (0.9% normal saline), model (CORT, 20 mg·kg-1), positive control (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 3.6 mg·kg-1), and MA (10, 5, and 2.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 (Cx43). ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained, including 84 common targets, among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes, 15 cell components, and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the brain tissue (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) and BDNF (P<0.05) and the protein levels of protein kinase (PRKACA), phosphorylation (p)-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group, high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming (P<0.05) and tail suspension (P<0.01) tests, raised the serum levels of NE, BDNF, and 5-HT (P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB (P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF (P<0.01) and protein levels of PRKACA, p-CREB/CREB, BDNF, and Cx43 (P<0.05). ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway, improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function, and reducing neuroinflammation. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Construction of nomogram prediction model for risk of mild cognitive impairment in elderly people
Dongmei HUANG ; Huiqiao HUANG ; Jinjin WEI ; Caili LI ; Yanfei PAN ; Lichong LAI ; Shujie LONG
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(11):1630-1635
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To construct a nomogram prediction model for the risk of mild cognitive impair-ment (MCI) in elderly people aged ≥ 60-year-old.Methods A total of 502 elderly permanent residents in Guangxi were selected as the research subjects by the multi-stage stratified random sampling method,and the general situation questionnaire and the Beijing edition of MoCA-BJ scale were used to investigate the elderly people,and their anthropometric indicators were collected.The minimum absolute shrinkage rate and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to screen the characteristic variables.The MCI risk nomogram pre-diction model was constructed.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve were adopted to conduct the fitting effect test on the prediction model.Results Among the 502 elderly people,244 cases (46.04%) had the normal cognition and 258 cases (48.68%) had MCI.The logistic regression analysis showed that the age,education background,month income,children support,calf circumference,BMI and body fat index were the influencing factors of MCI in the elderly people,and the nomogram prediction model of the MCI risk in the elderly people was constructed by these seven variables.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the model was 0.790 (95%CI:0.750-0.829),the sensitivity was 0.64,the specificity was 0.62,the C-index index was 0.790,and the model fitting x2=8.111,P=0.454,the predictive value was basically consistent with the actual value.Conclusion The nomogram prediction model of MCI risk in the elderly peo-ple is successfully constructed with good predictive effect.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Comparative study on nomogram and machine learning algorithms for predicting dental caries in middle-aged and elderly people
Lichong LAI ; Faye WEI ; Dongmei HUANG ; Xiaoying CAO ; Jie PENG ; Xiaoling FENG ; Huiqiao HUANG
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(14):2130-2137
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To compare the efficiency of nomogram and different machine learning algo-rithms for constructing the dental caries predictive models for middle-aged and elderly people.Methods The multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select 510 middle-aged and elderly people from Nanning City,Guigang City and Chongzuo City as the research subjects for conducting the questionnaire sur-vey and oral cavity examination.The univariate analysis and Lasso regression were used to screen the related variables,and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the final independent influen-cing factors.Based on the salient features,the nomogram predictive model was established,and the seven ma-chine learning algorithms,including linear discriminant analysis (LDA),partial least squares (PLS),range Doppler algorithm (RDA),generalized linear models (GLM),random forest (RF),support vector machine (SVM) kernel function (SVM-Radial),and SVM linear kernel function (SVM-Linear),were used to construct the seven kinds of dental caries risk predictive models.The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was adopted to evaluate the predictive performance of various models and the predictive performance of models constructed using different variable screening methods.Results The detection rate of dental caries in middle-aged and elderly people was 71.18%.After feature screening,the five predictive factors were ultimately retained,which were the age (OR=0.945,95%CI:0.917-0.973),brushing frequency (OR=0.688,95%CI:0.475-0.997),whether having teeth cleaning in the past one year (OR=0.303,95%CI:0.103-0.890),number of remaining teeth (OR=1.062,95%CI:1.038-1.087) and oral health assess-ment tool (OHAT) score (OR=1.363,95%CI:1.234-1.505).The results of comparison of various models showed that the predictive model constructed by the RF algorithm performed the best,the median of AUC was 0.747,followed by the nomogram,and the median of AUC was 0.733.The median of AUCs in the predic-tion model constructed by single factor+Lasso+multivariate logistic (Lasso+logistic) screening independent variables were higher than those constructed by RF algorithm screening independent variables.ConclusionBased on Lasso+logistic screening variables,RF provide more reliable predictive efficiency in predicting dental caries in middle-aged and elderly people than nomogram and the other machine learning algorithms.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Analysis of gastric background mucosa and lesion characteristics of early gastric cancer in older adults
Wenbin LI ; Jihua SHI ; Xue XU ; Linlin LAI ; Yonglian TANG ; Dongmei FU ; Jun DU ; Qingfeng LUO
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2024;43(10):1278-1284
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To compare the characteristics of background mucosa, lesion features, and the efficiency of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)between elderly and non-elderly patients with early gastric cancer(EGC).Methods:This study retrospectively collected data on patients with EGC who underwent ESD treatment at Beijing Hospital from April 2020 to December 2022.The clinical characteristics, background mucosa, lesion features, ESD outcomes, and pathological results of the patients were analyzed to compare the differences between elderly and non-elderly patients.Results:A total of 100 patients with EGC were selected, comprising 57 patients in the elderly group and 43 patients in the non-elderly group, with a total of 111 lesions identified(64 lesions in the elderly group and 47 lesions in the non-elderly group).The proportion of patients with a history of chronic atrophic gastritis was significantly higher in the elderly group(89.5%、51/57)compared to the non-elderly group(74.4%、32/43), with a statistically significant difference( P=0.047).Additionally, the difference in the extent of atrophy between elderly patients with EGC and their non-elderly counterparts was statistically significant( P=0.022).Among these patients, the proportion of those classified as Kimura-Takemoto C0 to C1 in the elderly group(15.6%、10/64)was lower than that in the non-elderly group(40.4%、19/47).In contrast, the proportion of patients classified as C2 to C3 in the elderly group(65.6%、42/64)was higher than that in the non-elderly group(51.1%、24/47), and the proportion of those classified as O1 to O3 in elderly patients(12.5%、8/64)was also higher than in the non-elderly group(4.3%、2/47).Furthermore, the difference in the extent of intestinal metaplasia between elderly and non-elderly patients with early gastric cancer was statistically significant( P=0.007).The overall proportion of total intestinal metaplasia in elderly patients(85.9%、55/64)was significantly higher than that in non-elderly patients(61.7%、29/47).Notably, the proportion of patients exhibiting extensive intestinal metaplasia(intestinal metaplasia present in both the gastric antrum and gastric body)was greater in the elderly group(43.8%、28/64)compared to the non-elderly group(23.4%、11/47).The Kyoto gastric cancer risk endoscopic score for elderly patients with EGC was(2.43±1.28)points, significantly higher than that of the non-elderly group(1.72±1.41)points, with a statistically significant difference observed( t=2.778, P=0.006).No statistically significant differences were observed in the proportions of total resection rates, R0 resections, curative resections, or postoperative complications following ESD when comparing elderly patients with EGC to their non-elderly counterparts. Conclusions:The proportion of extensive atrophy and intestinal metaplasia was higher in the background mucosa of elderly patients with EGC, and correspondingly, the Kyoto endoscopic gastric cancer risk score was elevated.Therefore, endoscopic examinations for elderly patients with chronic atrophic gastritis should be conducted with greater care and comprehensiveness.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics of fetal cortical dysplasia during second trimester
Li HOU ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Liuying ZHOU ; Qi ZHOU ; Yi YANG ; Caiwei YE ; Chuanqin LUO ; Hua LAI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2023;32(6):523-529
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To analyze the fetal ultrasonographic features of malformation of cortical development (MCD) during the second trimester, and explore and summarize the relevant diagnostic clues, so as to improve the ability of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fetal MCD.Methods:A total of 313 fetuses with brain abnormalities suspected on ultrasound in Chengdu Women′s and Children′s Central Hospital from April 2018 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The fetuses were examined using MRI. The ultrasonographic characteristics of fetal MCD were summarized, and the fetal ultrasound and MRI imaging data were compared for fetal MCD.Results:Nineteen fetuses were diagnosed with MCD from 313 fetuses(6.07%, 19/313). Seventeen cases of MCD were identified by ultrasonography and subsequently validated by fetal MRI, including 6 cases of schizencephaly, 2 cases of hemimegalencephaly(HMEG), 3 cases of periventricular nodular heterotopia(PVNH), 3 cases of lissencephaly, 2 cases of microcephaly and 1 case of polymicrogyria(PMG). There were 3 cases with two concurrent MCD, 1 case of HMEG, and MRI increased the diagnosis of left parietal PMG; 1 case of lissencephaly, and MRI increased the diagnosis of PVNH. The other case was PMG, and MRI increased the diagnosis of lissencephaly. Two cases of fetal MCD were not indicated by ultrasonography, one of which was diagnosed as tuberous sclerosis and another one as schizencephaly by MRI, both due to ventriculomegaly.Conclusions:Various types of MCD in the second trimester have ultrasonographic characteristics. Abnormal lateral ventricles, intracranial structural changes such as sulci and gyrus can provide reliable ultrasound diagnostic clues for fetal MCD.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Status of health-promoting lifestyle and influencing factors for caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders
Yanna ZHANG ; Ting HUANG ; Wenwen LAI ; Fang HOU ; Dongmei CHEN ; Wendan WANG ; Li LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2021;30(8):740-744
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To describe the health-promoting lifestyle of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A total of 352 caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in a hospital in Shenzhen were investigated by questionnaire.The main caregivers were investigated with health-promotion lifestyle scale Ⅱ.Generalized linear model was used to analyze the influencing factors of the health promoting lifestyle score of the caregivers by SPSS 20.0 and R 3.6.0 softwares.Results:The total score of health promotion lifestyle for caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders was (127.66±17.87). The standardized score was (62.05±8.96), with the highest standardized score being (69.62±11.04) for the nutrition dimension and the lowest score being (51.67±11.45) for the physical activity dimension.The difference between the groups was statistically significant ( F=62.780, P<0.01). The results of linear regression analysis showed that the education level ( "junior college" vs "primary and junior high school" : β=14.524, t=3.054, P=0.002; "undergraduate and above" vs "primary and junior high school" : β=18.561, t=3.936, P<0.001), care time ( ">3 years" vs " <1 year" : β=-7.156, t=-3.687, P=0.003), and family income ( "10 000-20 000 yuan/ month" vs "<5 000 yuan/month" : β=14.351, t=3.050, P=0.002) were the influencing factors of health promotion lifestyle of caregivers. Conclusion:The life style of caregivers should be paid attention to.It is necessary to help them improve their health-promoting lifestyle through multiform health promotion methods.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Genetic changes and biological potential of proliferative nodule in congenital pigmented nevus
Yan CAO ; Zhongwu LI ; Xin YANG ; Yumei LAI ; Qiang ZHUANG ; Ling JIA ; Dongmei LIN
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2020;49(5):458-463
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To study the genetic changes and biological potential of proliferative nodule in congenital melanocytic nevus.Methods:Whole-exome sequencing was carried out using the technique of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in order to detect the genomic alterations of two cases of proliferative nodules (PN) in congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN). Twelve cases of CMN and ten cases of malignant melanoma were used as benign and malignant controls, respectively. Mutated genes that possessed statistically significant difference between benign and malignant controls were listed, according to what benign and malignant statuses were classified and clustered. The heatmaps of clustering analyses were depicted using heatmap package. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was also used to validate the above results.Results:Eighty-six common somatic gene mutations were detected in two samples of PN. Compared with CMN, PN had 52 more mutated genes. Furthermore, 22 of these 52 mutated genes were also detected in malignant melanoma samples. Two cases of PN fell between benign CMN and malignant melanoma in germline mutation clustering. Both cases of PN were positive in the FISH tests.Conclusions:The genetic changes of PN partially overlap with those of CMN and malignant melanoma. Therefore, although most of the PN manifest as a benign lesion clinically, it may have certain malignant potential at the genetic level, and warrant long-term monitoring and follow-up.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Research progresses in the effects of folate metabolism on ovarian function
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2017;37(6):853-858
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			As one of important B vitamins,folate is an essential nutrient for the body and involves in various biochemical and metabolic reactions.Studies have shown that as an important methyl donor in the carbon metabolism cycle,folate has an important impact on pregnancy,pregnancy complications,and birth defects.Further studies have shown that in the folate metabolic pathway,the gene polymorphism and folic acid metabolism of a key enzyme,5,10-methylenetetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR),play an important role in ovarian function.Gene polymorphism and the high homocysteine levels caused by it can lead to the damage of reproductive function and endocrine function,including follicular development,embryonic development,and hormone secretion.Gene polymorphism is also associated with the occurrence and development of ovarian disease and its response to treatment.With the deep understanding of folate metabolism,MTHFR gene polymorphism may become a new genetic marker for predicting the risk of disease and a new target for related gene therapies.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Study of effect and molecule mechanism of Bushen Guchong decoction on URSA treatment by revising Th1/Th2 shift
Li PENG ; Nannan LAI ; Dongmei WANG ; Fei GUO ; Li WANG ; Yuqi GUO ; Chengfang YAO ; Honghai ZHANG ; Xia LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2014;(10):1334-1338,1343
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the role of Th1/Th2 shift in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and to study the effect and molecular mechanism of Bushen Guchong decoction on URSA treatment by regulating Th 1/Th2 paradigm.Methods:30 cases of URSA patients were given Bushen Guchong decoction administration ; meanwhile,30 cases of normal pregnancy women were taken as control group.Th1/Th2 paradigm in peripheral blood monocytes of URSA patients before and after Bushen Guchong decoction administration was detected by flow cytometry.Moreover,the mRNA expression of the specific transcription factors for Th1 and Th2 subsets -T-bet and GATA-3 were detected by RT-PCR assay.Furthermore,the relationship between the Th1/Th2 paradigm and the uterine bleeding time after Bushen Guchong decoction administration was analyzed by Pearson correlation and re -gression tests.Results: Compared with normal pregnancy women , the proportion of Th1 subset of URSA patients was increased significantly (P<0.05),while the proportion of Th2 subset was decreased markedly (P<0.05).Additionally,the ration of Th1/Th2 subsets was increased in URSA women (P<0.05).After Bushen Guchong decoction treatment ,the proportion of Th1 subsets in URSA patients and T-bet mRNA expression were up-regulated significantly ( P<0.05 ) , whereas the Th2 proportion and GATA-3 mRNA expression were down-regulated obviously (P<0.05).Moreover,the ratio of Th1/Th2 was decreased significantly (P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the uterine bleeding time was positively related to both the proportion of Th 1 and the ratio of Th1/Th2, while negatively related to the proportion of Th 2 subsets.Conclusion:Th1/Th2 shift was involved in URSA.Bushen Guchong decoction up-regulated the transcription level of GATA-3 and down-regulated the transcription level of T-bet.Thereby, Bushen Guchong decoction exerted the curative effect on URSA by revising Th 1/Th2 shift.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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