1.Mechanism of Modified Erxian Decoction Regulating Perimenopausal Syndrome via SIRT1/Kisspeptin/GnRH Signaling Pathway
Ruiyu HUANG ; Fang LEI ; Wuchaonan LIU ; Jingjing YANG ; Qianru ZENG ; Shengping LUO ; Yanling CHEN ; Mengge ZHANG ; Fanshun SHEN ; Yihui DENG ; Dingxiang LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):51-62
ObjectiveTo explore the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by modified Erxian decoction in rats with perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) and to further analyze the expression of proteins related to the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kisspeptin)/gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling pathway in the arcuate nucleus region (ARC) of the hypothalamus, so as to reveal the potential target of action and molecular biological mechanism of modified Erxian decoction for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. MethodsAn animal model was established via the incomplete castration method, with successful modeling confirmed by the exfoliated cervical cell smear method. The 48 rats were divided into six groups based on the randomization principle after successful modeling, including a sham operation group, a model group, an estradiol valerate group (0.09 mg∙kg-1∙d-1), high-, medium-, and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups (7.614, 3.807,1.903 5 g∙kg-1∙d-1), with 8 rats in each group. The estradiol valerate group and the high-, medium- and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups were continuously administered by gavage for 28 days, and the indicators were detected 24 hours after the last administration. Body weights and uterine indices were measured. The pathological changes of the uterus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of SIRT1, Kisspeptin, kisspeptin receptor (GPR54), and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) in pituitary. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, rats in the model group had a significantly increased body weight (P0.01), reduced wet weight and index of uterus (P0.01), endometrial thinning or atrophy, glandular atrophy, and a decreasing number of glands. Additionally, serum levels of E2 and the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus significantly decreased (P0.01). Serum levels of FSH, LH, and GnRH, the expression of Kisspeptin, GPR54, and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus, and GnRH-R in pituitary significantly increased (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the estradiol valerate group and the high-, medium-dose modified Erxian decoction groups had significantly reduced body weight, serum levels of FSH, LH, and GnRH, and expression of Kisspeptin, GPR54, and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and GnRH-R in pituitary (P0.05, P0.01) and significantly increased wet weight and index of uterus, serum level of E2, and expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus (P0.05, P0.01). In addition, they showed thickened endometrium, increased number of endometrial glands, and improved glandular atrophy. ConclusionModified Erxian decoction regulates the function of the HPG axis through multi-targets, and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus, the inhibition of the over-activation of the Kisspeptin/GnRH signaling pathway, the regulation of the expression of GnRH-R in the pituitary, the restoration of secretion balance of gonadotropins, and the elevation of the estrogen level. This study provides an experimental basis for the interpretation of the scientific connotation of modified Erxian decoction in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome and a theoretical reference for the development of a novel therapeutic strategy based on the SIRT1/Kisspeptin/GnRH pathway.
2.Role of group 3 innate lymphoid cells in skin wound healing and underlying mechanisms
Wei ZHANG ; Xingyu MU ; Qianru HANG ; Yijie HUANG ; Tengjiao XU ; Xiaojie HE ; Yan DING
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(6):516-523
Objective:To investigate the role of group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in skin wound healing, and to explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods:Twenty-four 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly and equally allocated into 3 groups: the skin wound + ILC3 inhibitor group (referred to as ILC3 inhibitor group), the skin wound group, and the control group, with 8 mice in each group. Four days before the establishment of the wound model, mice in the ILC3 inhibitor group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 μg of ILC3 inhibitor every 2 days for a total of 2 doses, mice in the skin wound group were injected with an equal volume of physiological saline solution, and mice in the control group were fed normally. To establish a mouse skin wound model, a full-thickness circular incision with a diameter of 0.6 cm was made around the midpoint of the dorsal midline using a biopsy punch after the intraperitoneal injection of anesthetics, which was histologically confirmed to be a full-thickness injury. The size of the wounds was observed and recorded, photographs of the wounds were taken on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 after wounding, and corresponding wound healing rates were calculated. On day 9 after wounding, tissue samples were collected from the wound edges, and subjected to flow cytometry analysis to quantify ILC3 infiltrating around the skin wound, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess the healing status of the skin wounds. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to determine the mRNA expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR), Notch1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) -17A, IL-17F, and IL-22 in the wound-edge tissues, and Western blot analysis to determine their protein expression. Statistical analysis was carried out by using one-way analysis of variance and t test. Results:On day 9 after wounding, the skin wound group showed an increased number of ILC3 in the wound-edge tissues (5.31% ± 1.47% vs. 3.10% ± 0.54%, P < 0.01), increased mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-22, IL-17A, and IL-17F (all P < 0.05), but decreased mRNA and protein expression of VDR (both P < 0.05) compared with the control group; the protein expression of Notch1 was significantly higher in the skin wound group than in the control group ( P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in its mRNA expression between the two groups ( P > 0.05). On days 1, 3 and 5, the wound healing rates were significantly higher in the ILC3 inhibitor group (45.17% ± 9.90%, 61.58% ± 11.61%, 75.61% ± 9.12%, respectively) than in the skin wound group (25.87% ± 10.96%, 47.78% ± 13.81%, 64.55% ± 10.29%, respectively, all P < 0.05). On day 9, the ILC3 inhibitor group showed a decreased number of ILC3 around the wound (2.69% ± 0.95%, P < 0.01), decreased mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-22, IL-17A, and IL-17F in the wound-edge tissues (all P < 0.05), but increased mRNA and protein expression of Notch1 and VDR in the wound-edge tissues (all P < 0.05) compared with the skin wound group. On day 9 after wounding, histopathological examination with HE staining revealed continuous and intact epithelial structure, as well as dense and neatly arranged collagen fibers in the ILC3 inhibitor group, and the structures of hair follicles, blood vessels, and sebaceous glands were similar to those in the control group. Conclusions:Skin ILC3 infiltrated local wounds and were involved in the skin wound healing process through inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22. Downregulating the number of ILC3 may promote skin wound healing by activating VDR and Notch1, as well as inhibiting the TNF-α signaling pathway and the expression of downstream inflammatory factors.
3.Evaluation and optimization of pre-pregnancy and pregnancy thalassaemia screening programmes in Hainan Province
DOU Qianru ; CAO Xia ; HUANG Cuimin ; NIAN Huiyu ; XIAO Meifang ; ZHOU Qiaomiao ; CHENG Lengmei ; KONG Lingwan ; FAN Xialin ; WU Guihua ; FAN Lichun
China Tropical Medicine 2023;23(10):1088-
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the free thalassaemia screening programme for preconception and pregnancy in Hainan Province, and to provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the screening process for thalassaemia. Methods From November 2020 to July 2021, a survey was conducted on 10 396 adults with Hainan household registration who participated in the Epidemiological Survey of Thalassemia in Hainan Residents in 19 cities and counties of Hainan Province. All of them underwent routine blood tests, haemoglobin electrophoresis tests and genetic tests for thalassaemia. The optimal diagnostic cut-off values for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and haemoglobin adult type 2 (HbA2) were determined using screening test indexes such as receiver operating characteristic curve and sensitivity. The diagnostic effectiveness of different primary screening programs for thalassemia gene carriers was evaluated. Results Using the existing MCV single-indicator thalassemia primary screening protocol in Hainan Province, where individuals with MCV<82 fL undergo thalassemia gene testing, resulted in a high missed diagnosis rate (34.06%) and low sensitivity (65.94%). The optimal cut-off values for MCV screening for alpha-and beta-thalassaemia were 84.45 fL and 79.05 fL, respectively; the optimal cut-off values for MCH screening for alpha-and beta-thalassaemia were 27.95 pg and 25.15 pg, respectively. The optimal cut-off value for HbA2 screening for alpha-thalassaemia was less than 2.55% and greater than 3.35% for beta-thalassaemia. The "combined HbA2 or MCH or MCV screening protocol" with the cut-off values recommended in this study had a better performance in primary screening for thalassemia, with the highest sensitivity (92.96%) and negative predictive value (92.67%) and the lowest underdiagnosis rate (7.04%), statistically significant differences compared with the existing protocol (P<0.05). Conclusions The current process of screening for thalassemia in Hainan Province may lead to missed diagnoses. The combined use of MCV, MCH and HbA2 for thalassemia screening, adopting locally suitable cutoff values for primary screening indicators, can improve the incidence of missed reporting of thalassemia and enhance diagnostic effectiveness.
4.Trend and forecast analysis of maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province, 2003-2022
HUANG Cuimin ; WU Guihua ; ZHAN Huiyu ; DOU Qianru ; CAO Xia ; FAN Xialin ; CHENG Lengmei ; LIU Shen ; FAN Lichun
China Tropical Medicine 2023;23(11):1164-
Abstract: Objective To explore the trend of maternal mortality in Hainan Province during the period of 2003-2022, both in the province and in urban and rural areas, and to forecast the maternal mortality rate for the period 2023-2025. Methods The 2003-2022 data collected from Hainan Province's three-tier network for maternal mortality surveillance was examined using the Chi-square test for trend (CMH) to analyze the province-wide and urban-rural maternal mortality trends. The time series model forecasting using exponential smoothing was used to predict the maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province from 2023 to 2025. Results From 2003 to 2022, a total of 201 011 616 live births and 463 maternal deaths were reported in Hainan Province, with a maternal mortality rate of 23.03 per 100 000. Over 20 years, the maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province showed a downward trend, with an annual rate of decline of -4.13%. The rate decreased significantly during this period.. From 2003 to 2022, the maternal mortality rate in rural areas of Hainan Province was 25.74/100 000 (373/1 448 943), and it was significantly higher than that in urban areas, 16.04/100 000 (90/561 173). In the first 10 years, the gap between urban and rural areas progressively reduced, but it widened significantly in the last decade, especially after 2017. The maternal mortality rate was significantly lower in urban than rural areas, and the differences had statistical significance. The annual rates of decline in maternal mortality in Hainan Province and in urban and rural areas from 2003 to 2022 were -5.0% and -3.71%, respectively, showing a negative growth with the decrease rate in rural areas lower than urban areas. The maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province showed a fluctuating downward trend, different from the stable trend of national decrease. The mortality rates for direct obstetric causes of death (233 cases) and indirect obstetric causes of death (230 cases) were 11.59/100 000 and 11.44/100 000, respectively. The results of the maternal mortality review showed a predominance of avoidable deaths (315 cases, 68.03%). Brown's cubic exponential smoothing predicted the maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province for 2023-2025 as 9.45/100 000, 8.17/100 000, and 6.89/100 000. Conclusions The maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province is largely influenced by maternal deaths in rural areas, and maternal health care in rural areas should be emphasized. Measures such as intervening to address the main factors influencing avoidable maternal deaths, strengthening high-risk maternal management, improving the level of critical maternal care, and providing subsidies for critical maternal care can sustainably reduce the maternal mortality rate in Hainan.
5.Longitudinal proteomic investigation of COVID-19 vaccination.
Yingrui WANG ; Qianru ZHU ; Rui SUN ; Xiao YI ; Lingling HUANG ; Yifan HU ; Weigang GE ; Huanhuan GAO ; Xinfu YE ; Yu SONG ; Li SHAO ; Yantao LI ; Jie LI ; Tiannan GUO ; Junping SHI
Protein & Cell 2023;14(9):668-682
Although the development of COVID-19 vaccines has been a remarkable success, the heterogeneous individual antibody generation and decline over time are unknown and still hard to predict. In this study, blood samples were collected from 163 participants who next received two doses of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (CoronaVac®) at a 28-day interval. Using TMT-based proteomics, we identified 1,715 serum and 7,342 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) proteins. We proposed two sets of potential biomarkers (seven from serum, five from PBMCs) at baseline using machine learning, and predicted the individual seropositivity 57 days after vaccination (AUC = 0.87). Based on the four PBMC's potential biomarkers, we predicted the antibody persistence until 180 days after vaccination (AUC = 0.79). Our data highlighted characteristic hematological host responses, including altered lymphocyte migration regulation, neutrophil degranulation, and humoral immune response. This study proposed potential blood-derived protein biomarkers before vaccination for predicting heterogeneous antibody generation and decline after COVID-19 vaccination, shedding light on immunization mechanisms and individual booster shot planning.
Humans
;
COVID-19 Vaccines
;
Leukocytes, Mononuclear
;
Proteomics
;
COVID-19/prevention & control*
;
Vaccination
;
Antibodies
;
Antibodies, Viral
;
Antibodies, Neutralizing
6.Establishment and application of suitable technology for screening, diagnosis and evaluation of neonatal congenital heart disease in Hainan Province
KONG Lingwan ; FAN Lichun ; CHEN Renwei ; CAO Xia ; HUANG Cuimin ; WU Guihua ; FAN Xialin ; DOU Qianru
China Tropical Medicine 2023;23(7):704-
Abstract: Objective To establish a screening-diagnosis-evaluation system of neonatal congenital heart disease (CHD) suitable for Hainan Province based on the application of percutaneous blood oxygen saturation measurement and cardiac auscultation screening, and to provide a basis for further promotion of the evaluation effect. Methods Screening agencies (all midwifery institutions) used the "double index method" to screen newborns for congenital heart disease. Those who were screened positive for any index were transferred to diagnostic institutions (the people's hospitals of all cities and counties and some tertiary hospitals) for echocardiography examination within 1 week. Those with abnormal results were transferred to the treatment institution (two tertiary hospitals) for reconfirmation and evaluation. All data were managed online. Results In this study, 96 913 newborns born in midwifery institutions in 19 cities and counties were screened, with a response rate of 99.44%. The ratio of male infants (50 836) to female infants (46 077) was 1.10∶1. A total of 2 284 positive patients were screened by dual index method, and ultrasound diagnosis was performed, with the rate of cardiac ultrasonography of 98.07% (2 240/2 284) and a high response rate. A total of 238 cases of congenital heart disease were diagnosed (incidence rate of 0.25%), with the top three main types were ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and patent ductus arteriosus. The sensitivity (88.24%) and Youden index (0.86) of dual-indicator screening for CHD detection were significantly higher than the other separate indicators. Through Kappa consistency test analysis, the consistency of dual-indicator screening with simple heart murmur screening results was excellent, with a Kappa coefficient value of 0.835 (>0.75); the consistency of dual-indicator screening and simple POX screening results was good, with a Kappa coefficient value of 0.429 (between 0.40-0.75), and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). By the end of the study, 136 children had undergone open-chest/occlusion surgery, with good postoperative recovery, and the rest were followed up. Conclusions The neonatal CHD screening-diagnosis-assessment technology system established in this study, with close connections between various blocks, high screening response rate and echocardiography examination rate, is beneficial for the early diagnosis and treatment of CHD children, and has certain application value in institutions at all levels in Hainan Province, and is worth further promotion.
7.Awareness of human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge and willingness to receive human papillomavirus vaccination among women in Hainan Province
DOU Qianru ; HUANG Cuimin ; CAO Xia ; FAN Lichun
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;35(4):359-364
Objective:
To investigate the awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine knowledge among women in Hainan Province and the willingness to receive HPV vaccination among women and their daughters, so as to provide insights into HPV vaccine promotion and cervical cancer control.
Methods:
Women aged 20 to 64 years who participated in the cervical cancer screening program in Hainan Province from July 2021 to February 2022 were enrolled, and participants' demographics, awareness of knowledge about HPV vaccine, and willingness to receive HPV vaccination among themselves and their daughters using a questionnaire survey. The factors affecting willingness to receive HPV vaccination were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 4 300 questionnaires were allocated and 4 023 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 93.56%. The respondents had a mean age of (35.52±6.48) years, and their daughters had a mean age of (8.93±4.83) years. There were 826 participants knowing HPV vaccine-related knowledge, with an awareness rate of 20.35%. The proportions of willingness to receive HPV vaccination were 75.07% among respondents and 71.36% among their daughters. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age (20 to <30 years, OR=1.474, 95%CI: 1.167-1.862; 30 to <40 years, OR=1.455, 95%CI: 1.199-1.765), urban-registered residence (OR=1.251, 95%CI: 1.016-1.541), monthly household income (3 000 to <5 000 Yuan, OR=1.568, 95%CI: 1.314-1.873; 5 000 Yuan and more, OR=1.231, 95%CI: 1.014-1.496), affordable fees for a single dose of HPV vaccination (100 to <500 Yuan, OR=1.358, 95%CI: 1.159-1.590; 500 Yuan and higher, OR=1.609, 95%CI: 1.188-2.180), and awareness of HPV vaccine-related knowledge (OR=4.473, 95%CI: 3.416-5.855) as factors affecting respondents' willingness to receive HPV vaccination, and participation in New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance (OR=1.652, 95%CI: 1.087-2.511), affordable fees for a single dose of HPV vaccination (100 to <500 Yuan, OR=1.905, 95%CI: 1.633-2.221; 500 Yuan and higher, OR=1.683, 95%CI: 1.275-2.223), awareness of HPV vaccine-related knowledge (OR=3.625, 95%CI: 2.847-4.615), daughter's active request for HPV vaccination (OR=1.695, 95%CI: 1.293-2.222), and frequency of sexual health education for daughters (frequently, OR=2.142, 95%CI: 1.789-2.564; occasionally, OR=1.707, 95%CI: 1.416-2.059) as factors affecting the willingness to receive HPV vaccination among respondents' daughters.
Conclusions
The awareness of HPV vaccine-related knowledge is low among women aged 20 to 64 years in Hainan Province, and the women's and their daughters' willingness to receive HPV vaccination is associated with age, household registration, economic level, price of HPV vaccine and awareness of HPV vaccine-related knowledge.
8.Moral Schema Based on the Integration of the Mechanism of Moral Injury
Ziwen FENG ; Qianru GUO ; Qiang HUANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2022;35(7):736-740
Moral injury is a kind of trauma symptom caused by the impact of external immoral events on the internal moral value system of individuals or groups. Its origin lies in the deviation between individual’s internal moral schema and external moral situation. As a collection of moral consciousness units with value orientation in the regular activities of individuals in the moral environment, moral schema is composed of periphery and core. Moral schema realizes the domination of moral ego by supervising individual’s speech and behavior, exercising moderate control over individuals based on moral practice, and examining individual behavior with self-guilt as the tool of judgment. Moral schema is selective about what happened and acts as a filter for trauma events. Based on this, individuals can interpret or be subverted by moral events, thus playing a preventive role in moral injury.
9.Effects of abdominal massage on the exercise and balance of rats with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury via 5-HTR1A/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway
Wei WANG ; Chutao CHEN ; Kun AI ; Xiqin YI ; Yumei HUANG ; Qianru CAO ; Dejun WANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2022;44(12):1389-1394
Objective:To explore the effect of abdominal massage on the behavior of rats with neonatal hypoxia-ischemia and its mechanism.Methods:7-day-old SD rats were made as the HIBD model by the classical method of RICE and then the HIBD model rats were divided into the abdominal massage group and model group according to the random number table method, with 12 rats in each group, and 12 rats were selected as the normal group. The abdominal massage group was given abdominal massage 24 hours after the modeling, and the intervention continued for 28 days. Rats in each group underwent a balance beam test on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of the intervention. After the intervention, HE staining was applied to observe the morphological structure of the hippocampal CA1 region of the rats; Quantitative Real-time PCR method was used to measure the serotonin receptor (5-HTR1A) in the hippocampus. The expression of cAMP, PKA and CREB in the hippocampus were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of SYP protein was measured by Western blotting.Results:After the intervention, the cells in the hippocampal CA1 area of the model group were diffusely distributed, the number of neurons reduced, and the condition of inflammatory edema appeared; the cells in hippocampal CA1 area of the abdominal massage group were arranged clearly, and the condition of inflammatory edema has significantly improved; on the 21st and 28th day of the intervention, the balance beam test scores in the abdominal massage group significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the relative expression of 5-HTR1A mRNA (1.18±0.08 vs. 0.77±0.04) in the abdominal massage group significantly increased ( P<0.05). The expression of cAMP (0.32±0.02 vs. 0.31±0.01), PKA (0.32±0.02 vs. 0.29±0.01),CREB (0.31±0.02 vs. 0.28±0.01) and SYP in the abdominal massage group significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Abdominal massage could improve the behavior of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rats, which may play a role on nerve repair by regulating 5-HTR1A/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.
10.Analysis of the current situation of internet plus nursing service for the elderly and promotion effect of the pilot policy in Ningbo
Chun CHEN ; Xiaoyi WANG ; Qianru ZHAO ; Yunyun HUANG ; Qingren YANG ; Rujia ZHANG ; Liming SHUI
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2022;38(11):852-856
Objective:To investigate the current situation of the " Internet plus nursing services" for the elderly in Ningbo, and evaluate the promotion effect of the pilot policy, for reference to further optimize such service policy of China nationwide.Methods:The data came from the orders for " Internet plus nursing services" by elderly users over 60 years on the " cloud hospital" platform in Ningbo from 2016 to 2021. Descriptive analysis was used to study major demographic information, types of service items and number of person-times of the elderly users; The promotion effect of the pilot policy on " Internet plus nursing services" for the elderly in 2019 was analysed by Chow test.Results:The number of elderly users increased from 76 person-times in 2016 to 5 923 person-times in 2021, accumulating up to 12 209 person-times. The number of nursing service items increased from 18 in 2016 to 36 in 2021. The person-times of users of common clinical nursing and specialized nursing service items were 11 850 and 359 respectively. After the pilot policy was issued, the number of service items and the number of users were significantly increased in 2020( P<0.05). Conclusions:The development of " Internet plus nursing services" for the elderly in Ningbo had achieved certain results, especially with the promotion of the pilot policy in 2019, the types of service items and the number of elderly users had increased year by year. In the future, we should continue to focus on the elderly living alone and other special elderly groups with the support of relevant policies, further expand the scale of elderly users, improve the types of service items, and optimize the charging standards to help China′s healthy aging process.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail