1.Effect of paeoniflorin regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on inflammatory response in diabetic retinopathy rats
Zhaoliang ZHU ; Shuwei BAI ; Peng DUAN ; Huping SONG ; Tao CHEN
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):365-371
AIM:To investigate the effect of paeoniflorin on the inflammatory response of diabetic retinopathy rats by regulating phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway.METHODS: A total of 70 SPF male SD rats were selected, and 12 rats were randomly selected as the control group(normal saline gavage). The remaining 58 rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)to establish diabetic rat models. Rats with diabetic retinopathy were randomly divided into model group(normal saline), paeoniflorin low-dose group(100 mg/kg paeoniflorin), paeoniflorin high-dose group(200 mg/kg paeoniflorin)and metformin group(100 mg/kg metformin), with 12 rats in each group. The body mass of the rats in each group were compared. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the rat retina. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), total cholesterol and triglyceride in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum superoxide dismutase(SOD), reactive oxygen species(ROS), malondialdehyde(MDA), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in the rats. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Occludin, p-PI3K, tight junction protein-1(ZO-1), p-Akt and VE-Cadherin in the rat retina.RESULTS: The expression levels of Occludin, ZO-1 and VE-cadherin in low-dose and high-dose paeoniflora groups were higher than those in the model group, while the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, p-PI3K and p-Akt in serum were lower than those in the model group. The high-dose group of paeoniflorin was significantly better than the low-dose group of paeoniflorin(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Paeoniflorin may reduce inflammatory response in diabetic retinopathy rats by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
2.Effect of paeoniflorin regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on inflammatory response in diabetic retinopathy rats
Zhaoliang ZHU ; Shuwei BAI ; Peng DUAN ; Huping SONG ; Tao CHEN
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):365-371
AIM:To investigate the effect of paeoniflorin on the inflammatory response of diabetic retinopathy rats by regulating phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway.METHODS: A total of 70 SPF male SD rats were selected, and 12 rats were randomly selected as the control group(normal saline gavage). The remaining 58 rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)to establish diabetic rat models. Rats with diabetic retinopathy were randomly divided into model group(normal saline), paeoniflorin low-dose group(100 mg/kg paeoniflorin), paeoniflorin high-dose group(200 mg/kg paeoniflorin)and metformin group(100 mg/kg metformin), with 12 rats in each group. The body mass of the rats in each group were compared. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the rat retina. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), total cholesterol and triglyceride in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum superoxide dismutase(SOD), reactive oxygen species(ROS), malondialdehyde(MDA), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in the rats. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Occludin, p-PI3K, tight junction protein-1(ZO-1), p-Akt and VE-Cadherin in the rat retina.RESULTS: The expression levels of Occludin, ZO-1 and VE-cadherin in low-dose and high-dose paeoniflora groups were higher than those in the model group, while the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, p-PI3K and p-Akt in serum were lower than those in the model group. The high-dose group of paeoniflorin was significantly better than the low-dose group of paeoniflorin(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Paeoniflorin may reduce inflammatory response in diabetic retinopathy rats by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
3.Evaluation of the performance of the artificial intelligence - enabled snail identification system for recognition of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni and Tricula
Jihua ZHOU ; Shaowen BAI ; Liang SHI ; Jianfeng ZHANG ; Chunhong DU ; Jing SONG ; Zongya ZHANG ; Jiaqi YAN ; Andong WU ; Yi DONG ; Kun YANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(1):55-60
Objective To evaluate the performance of the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled snail identification system for recognition of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni and Tricula in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province. Methods Fifty O. hupensis robertsoni and 50 Tricula samples were collected from Yongbei Township, Yongsheng County, Lijiang City, a schistosomiasis-endemic area in Yunnan Province in May 2024. A total of 100 snail sample images were captured with smartphones, including front-view images of 25 O. hupensis robertsoni and 25 Tricula samples (upward shell opening) and back-view images of 25 O. hupensis robertsoni and 25 Tricula samples (downward shell opening). Snail samples were identified as O. hupensis robertsoni or Tricula by schistosomiasis control experts with a deputy senior professional title and above according to image quality and morphological characteristics. A standard dataset for snail image classification was created, and served as a gold standard for recognition of snail samples. A total of 100 snail sample images were recognized with the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system based on a WeChat mini program in smartphones. Schistosomiasis control professionals were randomly sampled from stations of schistosomisis prevention and control and centers for disease control and prevention in 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts, cities) of Yunnan Province, for artificial identification of 100 snail sample images. All professionals are assigned to two groups according the median years of snail survey experiences, and the effect of years of snail survey experiences on O. hupensis robertsoni sample image recognition was evaluated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Youden’s index and the area under the curve (AUC) of the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification were calculated for recognition of snail sample images. The snail sample image recognition results of AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification were compared with the gold standard, and the internal consistency of artificial identification results was evaluated with the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha. Results A total of 54 schistosomiasis control professionals were sampled for artificial identification of snail sample image recognition, with a response rate of 100% (54/54), and the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Youden’s index, and AUC of artificial identification were 90%, 86%, 94%, 0.80 and 0.90 for recognition of snail sample images, respectively. The overall Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of artificial identification was 0.768 for recognition of snail sample images, and the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was 0.916 for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images and 0.925 for recognition of Tricula snail sample images. The overall accuracy of artificial identification was 90% for recognition of snail sample images, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni (86%) and Tricula snail sample images (94%) (χ2 = 1.778, P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images with upward (88%) and downward shell openings (92%) (χ2 = 0.444, P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images between schistosomiasis control professionals with snail survey experiences of 6 years and less (75%) and more than 6 years (90%) (χ2 = 7.792, P < 0.05). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system were 88%, 100%, 76% and 0.88 for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images between the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification (χ2 = 0.204, P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images with upward (90%) and downward shell openings (86%) (χ2 = 0.379, P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images between schistosomiasis control professionals with snail survey experiences of 6 years and less and more than 6 years (χ2 = 5.604, Padjusted < 0.025). Conclusions The accuracy of recognition of snail sample images is comparable between the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification by schistosomiasis control professionals, and the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system is feasible for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni and Tricula in Yunnan Province.
4.Correlation between depressive symptom and traditional Chinese medicine constitution among school aged children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1222-1225
Objective:
To explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution and depressive symptom among school aged children and adolescents, so as to provide evidences for informing constitution based regulation and prevention of depressive symptom.
Methods:
From June to December 2024, a total of 4 729 students aged 6-14 were recruited by cluster random sampling from 10 primary schools in Baoding (Hebei Province), Heze and Liaocheng (Shandong Province). General information, TCM constitution and depressive symptom were collected. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to analyze related factors and threshold effects of depressive symptom. Binary Logistic regression was applied to examine the association between depressive symptom and TCM constitution, with subgroup analyses conducted.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptom among the included children and adolescents was 25.82%. RCS analyses indicated non linear associations between depressive symptom and age (inflection point at 10 years old), bedtime (inflection point at 22:00), and wake up time (inflection point at 6:30 ) (all P non linearity <0.01). Linear associations were observed with body mass index (BMI) and sleep duration (all P non linearity > 0.05 ). After adjusting for covariates such as age, BMI and sleep status, binary Logistic regression analyses showed that Yin deficient constitution ( OR =1.26, 95% CI =1.09-1.45) and Phlegm-dampness constitution ( OR =1.42, 95% CI =1.11-1.82) were significantly associated with depressive symptom among children and adolescents (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Depressive symptom among school aged children and adolescents is primarily associated with Yin deficiency and Phlegm dampness constitutions in TCM constitution. Active attention should be paid to susceptible TCM constitution among children and adolescents. Targeted health guidance and interventions should be implemented to improve TCM constitution health status for preventing the occurrence of depressive symptom.
5.Activation of Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 Signaling Pathway by Shenqi Tangluo Pill Improves Oxidative Stress Injury of Skeletal Muscle of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice
Xiaoli PEI ; Yonglin LIANG ; ⁎ ; Yongqiang DUAN ; ⁎ ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Bing SONG ; Min BAI ; Yunhui ZHAO ; Sichen ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):131-139
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Shenqi Tangluo pill (SQTLP) on oxidative stress injury of skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice based on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) pathway. MethodA total of 60 7-week-old male db/db mice [specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade] were selected and fed for one week for adaption. They were divided into the model control group, SQTLP low-, medium- and high-dose (19, 38, and 76 g·kg-1) groups and metformin group (0.26 g·kg-1) by gavage. Each group consisted of 12 mice. Twelve male db/m mice of the same age were selected as the blank group. The intervention was implemented continuously for 8 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was detected. Fasting serum insulin (FINS) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and the homeostasis model assessment-insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-ISI) were calculated. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were conducted. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in skeletal muscle tissues were detected by biochemical kits. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in skeletal muscle tissues. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in skeletal muscle tissue were detected by immunofluorescence (IF). The expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) proteins in skeletal muscle tissues were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with those in the blank group, FBG, FINS and HOMA-IR in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.05), while HOMA-ISI was decreased (P<0.05). The results of OGTT and ITT showed that blood glucose was significantly increased at all time points (P<0.05), and glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance were significantly impaired. SOD and GSH-Px activities in skeletal muscle tissues were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and MDA and NADPH contents were significantly increased (P<0.05). In skeletal muscle tissues, the arrangement of muscle fibers was loose, the nucleus was disordered, and inflammatory cells were infiltrated. The expression levels of ROS and 4-HNE in skeletal muscle tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC in skeletal muscle tissues were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with those in the model group, FBG, FINS and HOMA-IR in the metformin group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while HOMA-ISI was increased (P<0.05). The results of OGTT and ITT showed that blood glucose in the metformin group was significantly decreased at all time points (P<0.05). The activities of SOD and GSH-Px in skeletal muscle tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the contents of MDA and NADPH were significantly decreased (P<0.05). No obvious abnormality was found in the skeletal muscle tissue of the metformin group. The expressions of ROS and 4-HNE in skeletal muscle tissues were decreased (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC in skeletal muscle tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with those in the model group, FBG, FINS and HOMA-IR in the SQTLP medium- and high-dose groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while HOMA-ISI was increased (P<0.05). The results of OGTT and ITT showed that the glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance of mice were improved in each dose group of SQTLP. The GSH-Px activity in the SQTLP low-dose group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the NADPH content was decreased (P<0.05). The activities of SOD and GSH-Px in the SQTLP medium- and high-dose groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the contents of MDA and NADPH were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The skeletal muscle tissue injury of mice in each dose group of SQTLP was ameliorated to different degrees. In the SQTLP medium- and high-dose groups, the expressions of ROS and 4-HNE were decreased (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with those in the SQTLP low-dose group, FBG and HOMA-IR in the SQTLP high-dose group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while HOMA-ISI was increased (P<0.05). The results of OGTT and ITT showed that the SQTLP high-dose group significantly improved the glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance of mice. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px in skeletal muscle tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the contents of MDA and NADPH were significantly decreased (P<0.05). No obvious abnormality was found in the skeletal muscle tissue, the expressions of ROS and 4-HNE were decreased (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC were significantly increased (P<0.05) in the skeletal muscle tissue of the SQTLP high-dose group. ConclusionSQTLP can significantly improve IR in T2DM mice, and the mechanism is related to SQTLP activating the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway, promoting the expression of antioxidant enzymes, and thus improving the oxidative stress injury in the skeletal muscle.
6. Mechanism of action of formononetin in alleviating allergic asthma through DRP1-NLRP3 signaling pathway
Mu CHEN ; Qiao-Yun BAI ; Yi-Lan SONG ; Jiao CHEN ; Yong-De JIN ; Guang-Hai YAN ; Jiao CHEN ; Yong-De JIN ; Qiao-Yun BAI ; Yi-Lan SONG ; Guang-Hai YAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):529-536
Aim To investigate the mechanism by which formononetin (FN) inhibits mitochondrial dynamic-related protein 1 (DRP1) -NLRP3 axis via intervening the generation of ROS to reduce allergic airway inflammation. Methods In order to establish allergic asthma mouse model, 50 BALB/c mice aged 8 weeks were divided into the control group, model group, FN treatment group and dexamethasone group after ovalbumin (OVA) induction. Airway inflammation and collagen deposition were detected by HampE and Masson staining. Th2 cytokines and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and IgE levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA, ROS in BEAS-2B cells was assessed by DCFH-DA staining, DRP1 expression in lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells was detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and the DRP1-NLRP3 pathway was analyzed by immunoblotting. Results FN treatment could effectively ameliorate the symptoms of asthmatic mouse model, including reducing eosinophil accumulation, airway collagen deposition, decreasing Th2 cytokine and IgE levels, reducing ROS and MDA production, increasing SOD and CAT activities, and regulating DRP1-NLRP3 pathway-related protein expression, thereby relieving inflammation. Conclusion FN ameliorates airway inflammation in asthma by regulating DRP1-NLRP3 pathway.
7.A Precise and Portable Detection System for Infectious Pathogens Based on CRISPR/Cas Technology
Yi-Chen LIU ; Ru-Jian ZHAO ; Bai-Yang LYU ; De-Feng SONG ; Yi-Dan TANG ; Yan-Fang JIANG ; Bing-Ling LI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(2):187-197
Nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostic methods are considered the gold standard for detecting infectious pathogens.However,when applied to portable or on-site rapid diagnostics,they still face various limitations and challenges,such as poor specificity,cumbersome operation,and portability difficulties.The CRISPR(Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/CRISPR-associated protein(Cas)-fluorescence detection method holds the potential to significantly enhance the specificity and signal-to-noise ratio of nucleic acid detection.In this study,we developed a portable grayscale reader detection system based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)-CRISPR/Cas.On one hand,in the presence of CRISPR RNA(crRNA),the CRISPR/Cas12a system was employed to achieve precise fluorescent detection of self-designed LAMP amplification reactions for influenza A and influenza B viruses.This further validated the high selectivity and versatility of the CRISPR/Cas system.On the other hand,the accompanying independently developed portable grayscale reader allowed for low-cost collection of fluorescence signals and high-reliability visual interpretation.At the end of the detection process,it directly provided positive or negative results.Practical sample analyses using this detection system have verified its reliability and utility,demonstrating that this system can achieve highly sensitive and highly specific portable analysis of influenza viruses.
8.Advances on reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism in pulmonary fibrosis
Lu BAI ; Jiaxin WANG ; Xue WANG ; Wei ZENG ; Meiyue SONG ; Tiantian ZHANG ; Jing WANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(4):548-552
Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive interstitial fibrotic lung disease with high mortality.Its pathogenesis is complex and involves the reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism.This reprogramming includes changes in de novo fatty acid synthesis,uptake,oxidation,and derivatives.It crucially influences alveolar epithelial cell survival,macrophage polarization,and fibroblast activation,thereby playing a significant role in either exacerbating or miti-gating the disease.Understanding and intervening in the reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism offers potential strategies for prevention,diagnosing and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
9.Construction of evaluation index system and theory-skill-humanity model for core competence of radiation specialist nurses
Yuanyuan SONG ; Qiaofang YANG ; Tiying DING ; Ruonan HAO ; Shan BAI ; Yajuan KANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(11):839-845
Objective:To construct of evaluation index system and theory-skill-humanity (TSH) model for core competence of radiation specialist nurses, to provide reference for clinical training of radiation specialist nurses.Methods:In January 2023, the draft of the evaluation index system of core competence for radiation specialist nurses was development by literature reviews and semi-structured interviews; from February to March 2023, 20 experts were consulted with 2 rounds of Delphi consultations to determine the index system and determine indicator weights based on the importance assigned by experts to each indicator.Results:Among 20 experts, 17 were female and 3 were male, aged 35-65 (46.48 ± 8.19) years old. The effective recovery rate of the questionnaires was 100.0% (20/20) and 95.0% (19/20) in the first and second round, respectively. The authority coefficient of the experts was 0.937 in the second round, the Kendall coefficients of concordance in the first-level indexes, second-level indexes and third-level indexes were 0.448, 0.407, 0.464, respectively, the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 53.60, 148.81, 58.18, all P<0.001). The final evaluation index system of the core competence of radiation specialist nurses included 3 first-level indicators, 11 second-level indicators and 56 third-level indicators. Conclusions:The evaluation index system of the core competence of radiation specialist nurses constructed based on TSH model in the present study has certain feasibility and practicality, which can be used as the basis for the training and evaluation of radiation specialized nurses.
10.Effect of minimalist shoes on foot muscle morphology:systematic evaluation and Meta-analysis
Xiaotian BAI ; Zhaoying CHEN ; Yiling SONG ; Ye WANG ; Jingmin LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(4):646-650
OBJECTIVE:With the popularity of simulated barefoot running,minimalist shoes have become a new way of foot exercise.As an important muscle group of the foot,the maintenance of foot muscle morphology is important for the execution of foot functions.In this paper,by combing the literature about the effect of minimalist shoes on foot muscle morphology in recent years,we systematically evaluate the effect of minimalist shoes on foot muscle morphology compared with traditional running shoes. METHODS:The relevant articles published from 2012 to 2022 were searched in Chinese and English databases(PubMed,Web of Science,ProQuest,CNKI and WanFang databases)with"minimal shoes,minimal footwear,minimalist shoes,minimalist footwear,foot muscle,feet muscle"as Chinese and English keywords,respectively.Meta-analysis,sensitivity tests were performed on the included literature using Review Manager 5.4.1 and Stata 14 software,the Egger method was used to test for publication bias in the literature,and Meta-regression was used to identify the subgroups with heterogeneity. RESULTS:Compared with traditional running shoes,minimalist shoes increased muscle circumference of the abductor hallucis[standardized mean difference=2.034,95%confidence interval(1.192,2.877),Z=4.73,P<0.001].And the results were not reversed after clipping and patching,with a more robust combined effect size(P<0.05).For the toe short flexors,the total combined effect size did not show a difference between traditional running shoes and minimalist shoes[standardized mean difference=0.470,95%confidence interval(-0.45,1.39),Z=1.00,P=0.318]. CONCLUSION:Compared with traditional running shoes,minimalist shoes intervention can effectively improve muscle circumference of the abductor hallucis,but the promoting effect on the flexor digitorum brevis muscle is not obvious.Running in minimalist shoes has positive implications for the maintenance of the medial longitudinal arch,but it is necessary to enrich the research content of minimalist shoes on different foot muscles and different populations in order to further explore the mechanisms by which minimalist shoe interventions promote foot function.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail