1.Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula ameliorating hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in diabetic rats with depression by inhibiting JNK signaling pathway
Hongqing ZHAO ; Qingrui MOU ; Jiaqi JIANG ; Xuan ZHU ; Zhuo LIU ; Yuhong WANG
Digital Chinese Medicine 2024;7(2):195-208
Objective To investigate the effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula(左归降糖解郁方,ZJJF)on hippocampal neuron apoptosis in diabetic rats with depression and to ascertain whether its mechanism involves the regulation of JNK signaling pathway. Methods(i)A total of 72 specific pathogen-free(SPF)grade male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into six groups,with 12 rats in each group:control,model,metformin(Met,0.18 g/kg)+fluoxetine(Flu,1.8 mg/kg),and the high-,medium-,and low-ZJJF dosages(ZJJF-H,20.52 g/kg;ZJJF-M,10.26 g/kg;ZJJF-L,5.13 g/kg)groups.All groups except control group were injected once via the tail vein with streptozotocin(STZ,38 mg/kg)combined with 28 d of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)to establish diabetic rat models with de-pression.During the CUMS modeling period,treatments were administered via gavage,with control and model groups receiving an equivalent volume of distilled water for 28 d.The effi-cacy of ZJJF in reducing blood sugar and alleviating depression was evaluated by measuring fasting blood glucose,insulin,and glycated hemoglobin levels,along with behavioral assess-ments,including the open field test(OFT),forced swim test(FST),and sucrose preference test(SPT).Hippocampal tissue damage and neuronal apoptosis were evaluated using hema-toxylin-eosin(HE)staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL)staining.Apoptosis-related proteins Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3,and the ex-pression levels of JNK/Elk-1/c-fos signaling pathway were detected using Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).(ii)To further elucidate the role of JNK signaling pathway in hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and the pharmacological ef-fects of ZJJF,an additional 50 SPF grade male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups,with 10 rats in each group:control,model,SP600125(SP6,a JNK antagonist,10 mg/kg),ZJJF(20.52 g/kg),and ZJJF(20.52 g/kg)+Anisomycin(Aniso,a JNK agonist,15 mg/kg)groups.Ex-cept for control group,all groups were established as diabetic rat models with depression,and treatments were administered via gavage for ZJJF and intraperitoneal injection for SP6 and Aniso for 28 d during the CUMS modeling period.Behavioral changes in rats were evaluated through the OFT,FST,and SPT,and hippocampal neuron damage and apoptosis were ob-served using HE staining,Nissl staining,TUNEL staining,and transmission electron mi-croscopy(TEM).Changes in apoptosis-related proteins and JNK signaling pathway in the hippocampal tissues of rats were also analyzed. Results(i)ZJJF significantly reduced the high blood glucose,insulin,and glycated he-moglobin levels in model rats(P<0.01).It increased autonomous activity and decreased de-spair-like behaviors(P<0.01),improved the pathological damage of hippocampal neurons,increased the number of neuronal nuclei(P<0.01),and reduced the number of mechanocytes,vacuolar cells,and apoptotic neurons(P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.01,respec-tively).ZJJF down-regulated the expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3(P<0.01),up-regulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2(P<0.01),and significantly inhibit-ed the overexpression of phosphorylated JNK(p-JNK),Elk-1,and c-fos(P<0.01).(ii)SP6 in-creased autonomous activity and reduced despair time in model rats(P<0.05),although it had no significant effects on sucrose preference(P>0.05).It increased the number of Nissl bodies in hippocampal neurons(P<0.01),reduced the protein expression levels of Bax(P<0.01)and caspase-3(P<0.05),and decreased the number of apoptotic neurons(P<0.05).SP6 also increased the expression level of Bcl-2(P<0.01),and inhibited the high expression levels of p-JNK,Elk-1,and c-fos(P<0.01,P<0.01,and P<0.05,respectively),suggesting that hip-pocampal neuronal apoptosis in diabetic rats with depression is associated with abnormal ac-tivation of JNK signaling pathway.Compared with ZJJF group,ZJJF+Aniso group showed a decrease in sucrose preference(P<0.05)and an increase in despair time(P<0.01)with more notable hippocampal neuronal damage.This group also exhibited a decrease in expression level(P<0.01)Bcl-2 and an increase in expression levels of Bax,caspase-3,p-JNK,Elk-1,and c-fos(P<0.01,P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.05,respectively),indicating that the antidepressant effects of ZJJF,its improvement of neuronal apoptosis,and regulation of JNK signaling molecules could all be reversed by a specific JNK agonist. Conclusion ZJJF exerts a significant hypoglycemic effect and ameliorates the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons by inhibiting the activation of JNK signaling pathway,which is a promising formula for the treatment of diabetic depression in clinical settings.
2.Identification of benign and malignant nodules in thyroid ultrasound images based on deep convolutional neural network
Wenjun Yao ; Chaoran Yin ; Hongqing Zhu ; Jianmin Jiang ; Xiaoxi Pang ; Yining Sun
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2023;58(5):854-858
Objective:
To explore the clinical application value of deep convoluti onal neural network for automatic detection and classification of benign and malignant thyroid nodules ultrasound images.
Methods:
A total of 1 012 ultrasound images of thyroid nodules were retrospectively selected and labeled. The YOLOv5 network model was constructed to accurately locate the location of thyroid nodules and automatically trim the area of the nodules. At the same time , a GoogLeNet network model was constructed to classify benign and malignant nodules after reduction.
Results :
In the collected data set , the mean accuracy of the target detection network for thyroid nodule location detection was 96. 2% . Meanwhile , the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUC of the classification network for benign and malignant nodules were 0. 885 ,0. 822 ,0. 866 and 0. 92 respectively ,which were significantly higher than those of the AlexNet model (0. 81) , VGG model (0. 86) and MobileNet model (0. 76) .
Conclusion
The deep convo⁃ lutional neural network model has high localization and recognition ability for benign and malignant thyroid nodules in ultrasound images ,which is helpful to improve the accuracy of automatic image diagnosis.
3.Analysis on the current situation of pediatric nurses′ professional autonomy and its influencing factors
Yunyun WANG ; Li WU ; Jihong FANG ; Hongqing WANG ; Yuxia TANG ; Bing XU ; Haixia XU ; Hui ZHANG ; Yuping HU ; Changyu WANG ; Meiyun ZHU ; Lili DAI ; Li ZHAO ; Ping ZHONG ; Min WEI ; Xuezhi SHI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2021;37(17):1333-1339
Objective:To understand the degree of professional autonomy of nurses in Pediatric Nursing Alliance and the status of pediatric nursing practice environment, which providing guidance for the development of a series of specialized training in the alliance.Methods:Stratified random sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey on nursing staff of different professional levels in Pediatric Nursing Alliance, which through the questionnaire star by using the questionnaire general information and training demand questionnaire, nurses practice professional autonomy scale, pediatric nursing staff structural empowerment questionnaire and nursing practice influencing factors questionnaire through the questionnaire star.Results:The total score for professional autonomy of nurses in the pediatric alliance was 192.66±18.63, the structural empowerment ( OR=1.137, 95% CI=1.084-1.194), lack of caring team ( OR=2.763, 95% CI=1.443-5.292) and performance evaluation ( OR=0.498, 95% CI= 0.274-0.908), specialized education and professional experience ( OR=0.548, 95% CI= 0.334-0.871) were affecting the clinical nursing practice. Conclusion:The degree of professional autonomy of nurses in the Pediatric Nursing Alliance is in the middle and high level. Key factors affecting nursing practice including insufficient structural empowerment, lack of opportunities to continue learning, lack of nursing teams, lack of effectiveness evaluation and the lack of specialized education and work experience, which guiding the pediatric nursing alliance to continuously deepen the connotation of pediatric nursing professional and innovative team collaboration new model, utilize the advantages of resources to actively cultivate specialized nursing research personnel, carry out multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary cooperation, improve the nursing quality evaluation index system, so as to enhance the professional nursing service capacity and value.
4.Effect of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway on apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cell line induced by puerariae radix flavones
Ou JI ; Yejun SI ; Hongqing ZHU ; Lin LIN ; Hao YAO ; Wen DONG ; Qun SHEN
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2020;29(9):525-529
Objective:To investigate the relationship between mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway related signal molecules and the apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells induced by puerariae radix flavones (PRF) and its significance.Methods:The cells were divided into control group [0.025% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to replace PRF] and 10, 30, 50 μg/ml PRF groups. The proliferation inhibition rate of NB4 cells exposed with PRF for 24, 48 and 72 hours was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method, and the nuclear morphology was determined by confocal laser scanning microscope after 48 hours. NB4 cells were divided into control group (adding 0.025% DMSO) and 10, 30 and 50 μg/ml PRF with or without 10 μmol/L c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125) group, and the cells were treated for 48 hours and the changes in the expressions of MAPK pathway related proteins JNK, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 MAPK were tested by Western blot.Results:10, 30 and 50 μg/ml PRF inhibited the proliferation of NB4 cells in 24, 48 and 72 hours, which was in time- and dose-dependent manners (all P < 0.05). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) at 24, 48 and 72 hours were (40.03±2.23) μg/ml, (22.92±1.72) μg/ml and (17.99±1.48) μg/ml, respectively. The confocal laser scanning microscope showed that NB4 cells displayed distinct apoptotic characteristics after PRF treatment. After co-cultivating NB4 cells with 10 μmol/L SP600125 and different concentrations of PRF for 48 hours, the expression of JNK1 in NB4 cells was suppressed ( P < 0.05), and the expressions of JNK2/3 and p38 MAPK decreased, but the differences were not statistically significant (both P > 0.05). The expressions of ERK1 and ERK2 gradually increased in the single-drug group, while the expression in the combined drug group decreased. The expression of TNF-α in the 50 μg/ml PRF+SP600125 group was down-regulated compared with the 50 μg/ml PRF single-drug group, while the expressions in the 10 and 30 μg/ml PRF+SP600125 groups were up-regulated compared with the 10 and 30 μg/ml PRF single-drug groups. Conclusion:10-50 μg/ml PRF may activate the MAPK signaling pathway through TNF-α. JNK, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK interact with each other to activate pro-apoptotic related proteins and induce NB4 cells apoptosis.
5.Flavanols from thevar.and their hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities.
Xin WANG ; Quan LIU ; Hongbo ZHU ; Hongqing WANG ; Jie KANG ; Zhufang SHEN ; Ruoyun CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2017;7(3):342-346
-Glucosidase and lipase inhibitors play important roles in the treatment of hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia. To identify novel naturally occurring inhibitors, a bioactivity-guided phytochemical research was performed on the pu-erh tea. One new flavanol, named (-)-epicatechin-3---coumarate (), andknown analogs (-) were isolated from the aqueous extract of the pu-erh tea. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Furthermore, the water extract of pu-erh tea and its fractions exhibited inhibitory activities against-glucosidases and lipases; compoundshowed moderate inhibitory effect against sucrase with an ICvalue of 32.5 μmol/L and significant inhibitory effect against maltase with an ICvalue of 1.3 μmol/L. Compounds,,anddisplayed moderate activity against a lipase with ICvalues of 16.0, 13.6, 19.8, and 13.3 μmol/L, respectively.
6.CT and MRI features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of adults
Hongqing WU ; Lingling SONG ; Yining XIANG ; Xia ZHU ; He SUI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2017;33(7):1052-1056
Objective To explore the CT and MR features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of adults.Methods The CT and MRI findings of 20 patients of MPNST confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among 20 cases,the lesions were located in the lower extremities (n=4),shoulder and spine (n=4),abdomen (n=3),chest wall (n=2),mediastinum (n=2),breast (n=1),prostate (n=1),scrotum (n=1),scalp (n=1),left maxillary sinus and orbital bottom (n=1).Nineteen cases appeared as solid masses and 1 case appeared as diffuse lesion.The maximum cross section of the lesions were about 1.41 cm× 1.42 cm-17.10 cm× 18.08 cm.Sixteen cases were ill defined margin and 4 cases were well-defined margin.CT scan showed 14 cases were lower density or isodensity and with patchy inhomogeneous density.Multiple calcification were found in 2 cases and osteolytic destruction were found in 7 cases.Enhanced CT of 10 cases showed solid component and gradually delayed enhancement,while cystic lesion and necrosis were not enhancement.The tortuous arteries were displayed in 7 cases.Seven cases were performed MRI and the lesions appeared as hypo-intensity on T1WI and hypo-intensity on T2WI with obviously high intensity of cystic component.Enhanced MRI of 3 cases showed significantly heterogeneous enhancement,cyst and necrosis had no enhancement.MR dynamic enhancement of 1 case showed time-signal intensity curve was platform type.DWI showed high signal.Conclusion MPNST has certain CT and MR characteristics which are helpful to improve the diagnostic accuracy.
7.Effects of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Calcium and Rivaroxaban Combined with Atorvastatin on Relat-ed Indexes in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Kun XU ; Hongqing ZHAO ; Jinping FENG ; Xiangyun ZHU ; Shuguang HAN ; Xun WANG
China Pharmacy 2017;28(21):2940-2943
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of low molecular weight heparin calcium and rivaroxaban combined with atorvastatin on related indexes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism(APE). METHODS:The data of 72 APE patients were analyzed retrospectively. According to treatment plan,the patients were divided into group A(21 cases),group B(26 cases)and group C(25 cases). Group A was treated with intramuscular injection of Low molecular heparin calcium injection immediately after admission;2 days later,they were given Warfarin sodium tablets;7 days later,Low molecular heparin calcium injection was stopped while warfarin was still administrated,lasting for 3-6 months. Group B was given Low molecular heparin injection(same usage and dose as group A);2 days later,they were additionally treated with Rivaroxaban tablets;7 days later,Low molecular heparin calcium injection was stopped while rivaroxaban was still administrated,lasting for 3-6 months. Based on the treatment in group B,group C was treated with Atorvastatin calcium tablets 20 mg orally,once a day in the evening,lasting for 3-6 months. The time of dyspnea,chest pain and cyanosis disappearance were observed in 3 groups as well as the levels of HR,pa(O2),pa(CO2), CRP,D-dimer,TNF-α,IL-1,IL-6,ET-1 and NO before and after treatment. The occurrence of clinical outcome events and ADR were also observed. RESULTS:The time of dyspnea,chest pain and cyanosis disappearance in group A were longer than group B, and the group B was longer than the group A,with statistical significance(P<0.05). Before treatment,there was no statistical sig-nificance in the levels of HR,pa(O2),pa(CO2),CRP,IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,D-D,ET-1 and NO among 3 groups(P>0.05). After treatment ,HR of 3 groups were all lower than before ,and they showed group A
8.Clinical incremental values of extraosseous findings on CT during bone SPECT/CT imaging
Xiangyun ZHU ; Hongqing ZHAO ; Yanjun ZHAO ; Ping TANG ; Jianming NI
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2017;37(7):400-403
Objective To evaluate the prevalence of extraosseous findings on integrated CT images of routine SPECT/CT bone imaging and its clinical incremental values. Methods A total of 843 patients (470 males, 373 females, age range: 26-92 years) who underwent SPECT/CT bone imaging during May 2013 to December 2015 were enrolled in this retrospective study. A modified C-RADS was used to classify the extraosseous findings to E1, E2, E3 and E4. χ2 test was used for data analysis. Results The CT images in 78.6%(663/843) of patients were normal or with no additional clinical significance (E1 and E2), and those in 21.4%(180/843) of patients might need further assessment (E3 and E4). The rate of E4 extraosseous findings in patients with malignancy was higher than that in patients without malignancy: 9.5%(59/622) vs 5.0%(11/221); χ2=4.352, P<0.05. There was no significant difference of the rate between genders: 8.5%(40/470) in males vs 8.0%(30/373) in females; χ2=0.510, P>0.05. With age increasing, the prevalence of E4 finding increased and the rate was the highest in the patients over 80 years old (125%, 16/128). Seventy patients had E4 findings and chest masses and nodules were the most common, followed by the abdominal or pelvis lymph node enlargements. Conclusions Potentially important extraosseous findings are common on SPECT/CT. Systematic reviewing CT images and communicating the important unexpected findings to clinical physicians could enhance its clinical incremental values.
9.Markerless DNA deletion based on Red recombination and in vivo I-Sec I endonuclease cleavage in Escherichia coli chromosome.
Meiqin ZHU ; Jian YU ; Changlin ZHOU ; Hongqing FANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2016;32(1):114-126
Red-based recombineering has been widely used in Escherichia coli genome modification through electroporating PCR fragments into electrocompetent cells to replace target sequences. Some mutations in the PCR fragments may be brought into the homologous regions near the target. To solve this problem in markeless gene deletion we developed a novel method characterized with two-step recombination and a donor plasmid. First, generated by PCR a linear DNA cassette which comprises a I-Sec I site-containing marker gene and homologous arms was electroporated into cells for marker-substitution deletion of the target sequence. Second, after a donor plasmid carrying the I-Sec I site-containing fusion homologous arm was chemically transformed into the marker-containing cells, the fusion arms and the marker was simultaneously cleaved by I-Sec I endonuclease and the marker-free deletion was stimulated by double-strand break-mediated intermolecular recombination. Eleven nonessential regions in E. coli DH1 genome were sequentially deleted by our method, resulting in a 10.59% reduced genome size. These precise deletions were also verified by PCR sequencing and genome resequencing. Though no change in the growth rate on the minimal medium, we found the genome-reduced strains have some alteration in the acid resistance and for the synthesis of lycopene.
Chromosomes, Bacterial
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genetics
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DNA
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Endonucleases
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metabolism
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Escherichia coli
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genetics
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Genetic Engineering
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methods
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Recombination, Genetic
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Sequence Deletion
10.Efficacy of minimally invasive endovascular techniques treatment of hydronephrosis with infection during pengnancy
Mingsheng LIU ; Hongqing ZHOU ; Xiaode ZHANG ; Tibin DENG ; Tao SHAO ; Chenxiang XU ; Yao WU ; Shaojie ZHU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2014;(z1):220-221
To investigate the efficacy and safety of minimal y invasive endovascular techniques treatment of hydronephrosis in pregnancy complicated by infection.
65 cases of pregnancy hydronephrosis coinfected patients with minimal y invasive endovascular treatment. Patients were fol owed up for 3-12 months, compared with 48 patients with the same period of conservative treatment .
Ureteral perforation and other surgery-related complications occurred in 65 patients in the observation group has not occurred. The patient's duration of hospitalization、the recurrence rate of postoperative infection, antibiotic duration of treatment, fever days were significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05).
Compared with conservative treatment, minimal y invasive endovascular technical treatment of gestational hydronephrosis co-infection with faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, can significantly reduce the number of days of fever patients and reduce the number of days of antibiotic use, can be used as conventional means of treatment of gestational hydronephrosis infection combined conventional.


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