1.Dendrobium Officinale Polysaccharide Alleviates Hepatic Fibrosis via Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Liuqing YANG ; Qin FAN ; Yajie BAI ; Ying XU ; Jina LUO ; Jiamao CHENG ; Haiyan CHEN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(1):76-84
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP)on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis(HF)and its mechanism. MethodsA total of 56 male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups: normal group(NG),model group(MG),colchicine group(CG, 0.1 mg/kg), Fuzheng Huayu group(FG, 0.45 g/kg),low-dose DOP group(LDG, 0.05 g/kg),middle-dose DOP group(MDG, 0.1 g/kg)and high-dose DOP group(HDG,0.2 g/kg),with 8 rats in each group. HF rat model was established by subcutaneous injection with 40% CCl4 olive oil mixture, every 3-day for 10 weeks. At the end of the sixth week, the drug groups were treated with colchicine, Fuzheng Huayu and DOP solution by gavage respectively, once a day for 4 weeks. NG and MG groups were similarly handled with an equal amount of 0.9 % normal saline. Liver histopathology was detected using hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson and Sirius red staining; blood biochemistry was tested for liver function and four indicators of HF; RT-qPCR and Western Blot were used to measure the expression of α-SMA, Col-I, E-cadherin, and ZEB1 genes and proteins in the liver tissues of rats, respectively. ResultsHE, Masson, and Sirius red staining showed that the liver tissue of MG rats had typical pathologic features of HF, and the degree of HF was alleviated in LDG, MDG, and HDG rats, respectively. Liver function test results showed that the serum AST, TBIL, and AKP levels were significantly lower in LDG, MDG, and HDG, compared with those of the MG (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). Meanwhile, ALT levels in serum deceased remarkably except in LDG (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The four results of HF showed that the serum HA, LN, PC-Ⅲ, and COL-Ⅳ levels in LDG, MDG, and HDG rats were significantly decreased compared with those of the MG (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The relative expressions of α-SMA, COL-I, and ZEB1 genes and proteins were significantly decreased in the liver tissues of LDG, MDG, and HDG (P < 0.05 or < 0.01), and the relative expression of E-cadherin gene and protein increased (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). In addition, the expressions of HA, α-SMA, COL-I, ZEB1 and E-cadherin were dependent on the dose of DOP. ConclusionDOP alleviated the degree of CCl4 induced HF in rats by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in liver tissue.
2.Effect of group counseling integrating tea drinking on mental health improvement of college students
DENG Xuyang, LIN Qixiu, ZHU Siyu, LIU Xiaogang, XU Liuqing, HE Jing,WANG Zhilin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(6):826-830
Objective:
To explore the intervention effect of group counseling integrating teadrinking on depression, social avoidance and distress, coping styles and selfesteem among college students, so as to provide references for promoting the psychological health of students.
Methods:
From March to June 2021, a convenience sampling method was used to recruit 46 college students from a university in Nanjing for intervention project. There were 23 students in intervention group and control group, respectively. The intervention was conducted for 2.5 hours per week across a 6 week period. The intervention group received two sessions of group counseling that incorporated teadrinking experience, and the sessions involved tea knowledge explanation, observation and learning, embodied experience, emotional expression, interpersonal assistance and emotional support, cultural customs and life integration. After the intervention was completed, the control group received onetime group counseling that integrated teadrinking. The Wilcoxon difference test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed to compare the scores of each scale within and between the groups, and the χ2 test was used to compare the detection rates.
Results:
There were no statistically significant differences in the scores of positive coping, negative coping, selfesteem, social avoidance and distress between the intervention group and the control group (Z=-1.20, -0.33, -0.35, 1.31,P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in positive coping styles, selfesteem, social avoidance and distress between the intervention group and the control group after the intervention(27.70±5.60,22.05±4.30;30.52±3.63,28.27±4.06;7.43±7.38,13.64±6.79) (Z=-3.31, -2.10, 3.22, P<0.05). The intervention group showed statistically significant differences in social avoidance and distress scores before and after the intervention(11.96±7.47,7.43±7.38) (Z=-2.88), and the depression detection rate decreased(60.9%,30.4%) (χ2=4.29) (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in positive coping, negative coping, selfesteem, social avoidance and distress scores, and depression detection rate between the control group before and after the intervention (Z/χ2=-0.28, -0.42, -1.24, -1.25;1.39, P>0.05). The followup results 1year later showed that there was a statistically significant difference in social avoidance and distress(6.57±6.21,14.16±9.22), and in the detection rates of depression(21.7%,52.2%) between the intervention group and the control group (Z/χ2=2.70,4.57,P<0.05).
Conclusions
Group counseling integrating teadrinking could improve interpersonal relationships, emotional states, selfesteem levels and coping strategies among college students. Group psychological counseling that incorporates teadrinking can be adopted to improve the mental health status of college students.
3.Effect of Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharides in Reversing Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats via Notch Signaling Pathway and Ultrasound Evaluation
Ying XU ; Jina LUO ; Liuqing YANG ; Qianqian TIAN ; Jiamao CHENG ; Haiyan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):70-77
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOP) in reversing carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis (HF) in rats via the Notch signaling pathway and evaluate the therapeutic effect of DOP by ultrasound elastography. MethodFifty-six male SD rats were randomized into normal, model, colchicine (1×10-4 g·kg-1), Fuzheng Huayu powder (0.45 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 g·kg-1) DOP groups (n=8). The rats in the model group and each treatment group were injected subcutaneously with a mixture of CCl4-olive oil (2∶3) once every 3 days for 10 weeks. After 6 weeks of modelling, the rats were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for 4 weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining were employed to observe the pathomorphological changes of the liver tissue. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bile acids (TBA). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type Ⅲ precollagen (PC-Ⅲ), and type Ⅳ collagen (Col-Ⅳ). The mRNA and protein levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 in the liver tissue were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The Young's modulus (YM) of the rat liver was measured by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography before and after treatment. Then, the correlations of YM with the serum levels of HA, LN, PC-Ⅲ, and Col-Ⅳ and the protein levels of α-SMA and Notch1 signaling pathway-related factors in the liver tissue were analyzed. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed disordered arrangement of liver cell cords, obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells, appearance of a large number of fat vacuoles, and fibrous proliferation, elevated levels of ALT, AST, TBA, ALP, HA, LN, PC-Ⅲ, and Col-Ⅳ in the serum, and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA, Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 in the liver tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, drug interventions alleviated the pseudolobule formation and the collagen deposition in confluent areas. Except that the serum level of ALT in the low-dose DOP group had no significant changes, drug interventions, especially high-dose DOP, lowered the levels of ALT, AST, TBA, ALP, HA, LN, PC-Ⅲ, and Col-Ⅳ in the serum and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA, Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of ARFI and correlation analysis showed that the YM of the liver tissue was increased in the model group (P<0.01) compared with that in the normal group, Compared with the model group, drug interventions decreased YM (P<0.01). YM was positively correlated with the expression levels of HA, LN, PC-Ⅲ, α-SMA, Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1s (r=0.754, 0.734, 0.801, 0.885, 0.896, 0.757, and 0.800, respectively, P<0.01), and it had a moderate correlation with Col-Ⅳ (r=0.688, P<0.01). ConclusionDOP can reverse HF by down-regulating the Notch1/Jagged1/Hes1 signaling pathway. YM can be used as an indicator in the assessment of the efficacy of DOP against HF.
4.Advances in the study of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of astrocytes
Liuqing XU ; Peiyuan ZHAO ; Xihong LIU ; Xiaodan DU ; Mengyang FAN ; Junlin HOU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(5):126-133
Astrocytes(AS)are the most abundant glial cells in the central nervous system and are involved in many physiological and pathological processes in the nervous system.Alterations in their phenotype are particularly important for the health of the CNS.Epigenetic mechanisms,including DNA methylation,histone modification,non-coding RNA regulation,and chromatin remodeling,are closely linked to alterations in AS proliferation,differentiation,inflammation,and other phenotypic features,but how these mechanisms function needs to be explored and summarized.By reviewing the recent advances in the role of epigenetic mechanisms in AS under various physiological and pathological states,we aim to provide new ideas for the understanding and treatment of related diseases.
5.Study on the Mechanism of Liuling Jiedu Pills Inhibiting Acute Pharyngitis Induced by Staphylococcus Aureus in Rats
Yuyan GAO ; Jinfu LU ; Gaohong LYU ; Hengbin WANG ; Niancui LUO ; Fangyu YANG ; Huiqin XU ; Bin YU ; Liuqing DI ; Ping DU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2023;34(12):1736-1742
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Liuling Jiedu Pills on acute pharyngitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in rats.Methods The rat model of acute pharyngitis was replicated using the method of injecting 1×109 CFU·mL-1 of Staphylococcus aureus solution into the pharynx of rats.SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a Lanqin Oral Solution group(5 mL·kg-1),and a low-,medium-,and high-dose group of Liuling Jiedu Pills(4.375,8.750,and 17.500 mg·kg-1),with 10 rats in each group.Rats in each group were administered the drug by gavage once a day for 7 days.The general conditions of the rats were observed and recorded every day during the modeling and drug administration periods,and the local inflammation in the pharynx was scored;histopathological changes in the pharynx of the rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;serum interleukin 1β(IL-1β),interleukin 6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by ELISA.Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in rat pharyngeal tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group had significantly increased pharyngeal erythema,significantly higher inflammation scores(P<0.01),significantly lower body mass on days 5-7 after modeling(P<0.05,P<0.01),significantly higher pathological scores(P<0.01),significantly higher levels of the serum inflammatory factors IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α(P<0.01),and significantly higher pharyngeal tissues showed significantly higher levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α proteins(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the pharyngeal erythema was significantly reduced in the Lanqin Oral Solution group and the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of Liuling Jiedu Pills,and the inflammation scores were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly reduced(P<0.01);the body mass of the rats in the Lanqin Oral Solution group,and in the medium-and high-dose groups of Liuling Jiedu Pills,were significantly increased on the seventh day of the modeling(P<0.01);the histopathological scores and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α proteins in pharyngeal tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Liuling Jiedu Pills can significantly improve the symptoms and inflammatory pathological changes of pharyngeal tissues in rats with acute pharyngitis,and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the expression levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α.
6.Gather wisdom to overcome barriers: Well-designed nano-drug delivery systems for treating gliomas.
Jiwei CUI ; Yuanxin XU ; Haiyan TU ; Huacong ZHAO ; Honglan WANG ; Liuqing DI ; Ruoning WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2022;12(3):1100-1125
Due to the special physiological and pathological characteristics of gliomas, most therapeutic drugs are prevented from entering the brain. To improve the poor prognosis of existing therapies, researchers have been continuously developing non-invasive methods to overcome barriers to gliomas therapy. Although these strategies can be used clinically to overcome the blood‒brain barrier (BBB), the accurate delivery of drugs to the glioma lesions cannot be ensured. Nano-drug delivery systems (NDDS) have been widely used for precise drug delivery. In recent years, researchers have gathered their wisdom to overcome barriers, so many well-designed NDDS have performed prominently in preclinical studies. These meticulous designs mainly include cascade passing through BBB and targeting to glioma lesions, drug release in response to the glioma microenvironment, biomimetic delivery systems based on endogenous cells/extracellular vesicles/protein, and carriers created according to the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines. We reviewed these well-designed NDDS in detail. Furthermore, we discussed the current ongoing and completed clinical trials of NDDS for gliomas therapy, and analyzed the challenges and trends faced by clinical translation of these well-designed NDDS.
7.Serum mitochondrial tsRNA serves as a novel biomarker for hepatocarcinoma diagnosis.
Shoubin ZHAN ; Ping YANG ; Shengkai ZHOU ; Ye XU ; Rui XU ; Gaoli LIANG ; Chenyu ZHANG ; Xi CHEN ; Liuqing YANG ; Fangfang JIN ; Yanbo WANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2022;16(2):216-226
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which makes up the majority of liver cancer, is induced by the infection of hepatitis B/C virus. Biomarkers are needed to facilitate the early detection of HCC, which is often diagnosed too late for effective therapy. The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) play vital roles in tumorigenesis and are stable in circulation. However, the diagnostic values and biological functions of circulating tsRNAs, especially for HCC, are still unknown. In this study, we first utilized RNA sequencing followed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR to analyze tsRNA signatures in HCC serum. We identified tRF-Gln-TTG-006, which was remarkably upregulated in HCC serum (training cohort: 24 HCC patients vs. 24 healthy controls). In the validation stage, we found that tRF-Gln-TTG-006 signature could distinguish HCC cases from healthy subjects with high sensitivity (80.4%) and specificity (79.4%) even in the early stage (Stage I: sensitivity, 79.0%; specificity, 74.8%; 155 healthy controls vs. 153 HCC patients from two cohorts). Moreover, in vitro studies indicated that circulating tRF-Gln-TTG-006 was released from tumor cells, and its biological function was predicted by bioinformatics assay and validated by colony formation and apoptosis assays. In summary, our study demonstrated that serum tsRNA signature may serve as a novel biomarker of HCC.
Biomarkers
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis*
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Hepatitis B virus
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Humans
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Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis*
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RNA, Transfer/genetics*
8.Evaluation of the impact of clinical pathway on medical efficiency and medical expenses of patients with two rheumatoid immune disease based on DRG data
Hongwei DU ; Xuelian HONG ; Liuqing WANG ; Yujie JIANG ; Li HUA ; Ni JIN ; Minhui XU ; Jiayi GUO
Journal of Chinese Physician 2022;24(9):1331-1334
Objective:To evaluate the effect of clinical pathway implementation on medical efficiency and medical expenses of patients with two common rheumatic immune diseases " rheumatoid arthritis" and " ankylosing spondylitis" diseases by using diagnosis related group (DRG) related indicators.Methods:The data of patients with two common rheumatic immune diseases " rheumatoid arthritis" and " ankylosing spondylitis" included in the clinical pathway management from January 2017 to December 2019 in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were carried out. The impact of clinical pathway implementation on the average hospital stay, average cost and average drug cost of patients with the two diseases were analyzed and compared , so as to evaluate the effect of the implementation of the clinical pathway.Results:From the implementation of clinical pathway in 2017 to 2019, the number of patients admitted and total medical specialty services in the two groups of " rheumatoid arthritis" and " ankylosing spondylitis" increased year by year ( P<0.01). The average length of stay, average cost and average drug cost of patients in the " rheumatoid arthritis" disease group decreased year by year, with statistically significant differences between groups (all P<0.01). The average length of stay in the ankylosing spondylitis group was shortened year by year, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Compared with 2017, the average cost in 2018 decreased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in average cost between 2018 and 2019 ( P>0.05). The average cost in 2018 was significantly higher than that in 2017 ( P<0.05). After analyzing the causes and optimizing the clinical pathway, the average cost in 2019 was significantly lower than that in 2018 ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Through the implementation of clinical pathways and continuous optimization of pathway connotation during use, the diagnosis and treatment efficiency of patients with " rheumatoid arthritis" and " ankylosing spondylitis" can be significantly improved, and medical costs can be reduced, which is in line with the current medical reform needs.
9.Study of setup error and dosimetry of postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy for breast cancer using skin lead marker and iSCOUT image-guided positioning system
Fangfen DONG ; Liyan DAI ; Miaoyun HUANG ; Xing WENG ; Liuqing JIANG ; Benhua XU ; Xiaobo LI
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2021;30(10):1059-1064
Objective:To explore the application value of skin lead marker combined with iSCOUT image-guided positioning system in monitoring and correcting the setup error of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for breast cancer and calculate the PTV margin, aiming to provide reference for clinical practice.Methods:25 breast cancer patients treated with IMRT after modified radical mastectomy in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from April to August 2019 were enrolled in this study. The skin lead marker combined with iSCOUT image-guided positioning system was employed for image-guided positioning based on the gold standard registration algorithm. Initial setup errors on the x (lateral), y (craniocaudal) and z (anteroposterior) axis and residual errors after the position correction were recorded and analyzed. The effect of the errors before and after image-guided correction upon the plan dose was compared and the reasonable PTV margin was calculated.Results:25 patients received 150 times of positioning verification using skin lead marker combined with iSCOUT image-guided positioning system. The absolute residual errors on the x-, y-and z-axis were (1.53±0.96), (1.30±0.99) and (1.34±0.92) mm, significantly smaller than the initial setup errors of (2.63±2.12), (2.41±2.45) and (3.07±2.77) mm (all P<0.001). The percentage of dose deviation due to residual errors was also smaller than that of the initial errors. Significant differences were observed in D 98%, D 2%, D max of PTV, D max of the heart, D max of the healthy breast, and D mean of the affected lung and both lungs. The percentage deviation from the original plan was decreased from 2.18%, 3.19%, 10.66%, 8.75%, 48.21%, 10.50%, and 3.66% to 0.38%, 0.23%, 2.31%, 0.04%, 13.78%, 6.35% and 0.41%, respectively (all P<0.05). PTV margins on the x-, y-and z-axis after correction were calculated as 1.87, 1.75 and 1.69 mm, respectively. Conclusion:It is feasible and valuable to apply the skin lead marker combined with iSCOUT image-guided positioning system in the positioning verification and correction of breast cancer radiotherapy position, providing novel reference for clinical PTV margin.
10.Misdiagnosis of iatrogenic botulinum toxin poisoning:one case report and review of the literature
Ji XU ; Liuqing WANG ; Shoucheng ZHANG ; Hong WANG ; Haodong CAI
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2020;27(4):417-422
Objective To report 1 case of iatrogenic botulinum poisoning misdiagnosed as myasthenia gravis,to discuss the clinical manifestation,distinguishing feature and prognosis of iatrogenic botulinum poisoning combined with literature.Methods We briefly introduced one patient with botulinum toxin poisoning misdiagnosed as myasthenia gravis.A 26-year old female was admitted in June 2017 in Gaochun People's Hospital of Nanjing,who received two injections of botulinum toxin 500 U for a short period of time due to cosmetic needs,then she suffered from fatigue,chest distress,eyelid ptosis and other symptoms.The patient was once misdiagnosed as myasthenia gravis,but the results of neostigmine test and repeated nerve stimulation examination were negative.After careful examination of the body (mandibular swelling) and repeated medical history requiring,the final diagnosis was clarified.After the treatment such as fluid infusion for 10 days,her discomforts were relieved.The literature was retrieved from "US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (Pubmed) "," China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)" and "Wanfang Medicine Data China Information",a total of 17 articles were included in the analysis,including 30 effective cases.We analyzed the general characteristics,clinical manifestations and prognosis of botulinum toxin injection.Results Of the 30 cases,28 cases (96.7%) were female,2 cases (3.0%) were male,aged from 3 to 80 years old.Most of them were botulinum toxin type A,except 2 cases unknown.The clinical onset began from the injection day to 3 weeks after injection.The duration of the disease lasted from 10 days to 6 months.Most of the prognosis was good after treatment.Conclusion Careful attention should be paid to the serious reaction of botulinum toxin to ensure safe medication use.


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