1.Overview of the Research on Mechanisms and Application of Essential Oil of Aromatic Chinese Medicinals in Prevention of Respiratory Infectious Disease
Wan Ling LI ; Xinxin WU ; Xiaolei LI ; Mingzhao HAO ; Fang ZHANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Haoyue LI ; Jing ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):638-644
Aromatic Chinese medicinal essential oils are volatile oils extracted from aromatic Chinese herbs, which can prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases through multiple synergistic mechanisms including pathogen inhibition, immune regulation, and inflammatory response regulation. Essential oils are primarily used externally on the body to prevent infections and alleviate symptoms through methods like inhalation, smearing, topical application, bathing, gargling or as a suppository. They can also be utilized in the environment for disinfection and air purification, through methods like diffusion, vaporization, or spraying. The external application of essential oils extracted from Chinese aromatic herbs has the advantages of convenience, quick absorption, and simultaneous influence on both the body and mind. However, there are still challenges and deficiencies in aspects such as the positioning of functions, indications, safety, and the research on the mechanism of action. It has been proposed to combine the theory of aromatic Chinese medicinals with the characteristics of essential oils, and formulate prescriptions of Chinese medicinal essential oils under the principles of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation, and prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases efficiently, accurately, and safely, thereby expanding the clinical application of aromatic Chinese medicinals and the preventive theory of traditional Chinese medicine.
2.A multidimensional analysis of the UK students mental health assessment system and implications
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):460-464
Abstract
The mental health assessment work for students in the UK is based on mental health promotion theory, employing a multidimensional approach to evaluate emotional disorders, conduct disorders, hyperactivity disorders, and other aspects across the entire educational continuum from preschool to university. Utilizing international validated standardized scales and customized questionnaires, the system has demonstrated significant preventive efficacy against student mental health issues. China stands to gain valuable insights from the UKs experience, particularly in implementing the Special Action Plan for Comprehensively Strengthening and Improving Students Mental Health Work in the New Era (2023-2025). Strategic adaptation could involve expanding assessment populations, refining evaluation criteria, standardizing measurement tools, and strengthening implementation protocols to systematically enhance Chinas students mental health assessment framework.
3.Modified probiotics and the related combinatorial therapeutics.
Luo ZHAO ; Mengya NIU ; Zilin MA ; Fengyun HE ; Xinxin LIU ; Xunwei GONG ; Zhanfei CHAI ; Ziqing WANG ; Qianhua FENG ; Lei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2431-2453
Probiotics have shown excellent application prospects in preventing and treating many diseases. However, their sensitivity to the harsh environment in vivo always leads to a massive loss of viability and insufficient therapeutic effect. Fortunately, modified probiotics have emerged and provide multiple possibilities for their use in various diseases. Modification not only endows probiotics with extra capacity to resist severe environments but also gives them exogenous characteristics, such as prolonged retention time and improved therapeutic effects. Modified probiotics could combine with other therapies, which has opened up new avenues to enhance the efficacy of probiotic-based therapy. In this review, we have summarized the current physicochemical and biological modification strategies of probiotics. In addition, the progress of research on probiotic-based combination therapy has also been extensively reviewed, which contributes to the enhanced delivery of probiotics or other active constituents and provides new ideas for disease treatment, bioimaging, and diagnosis.
4.Cardiomyocyte-specific long noncoding RNA Trdn-as induces mitochondrial calcium overload by promoting the m6A modification of calsequestrin 2 in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Xiaohan LI ; Ling LIU ; Han LOU ; Xinxin DONG ; Shengxin HAO ; Zeqi SUN ; Zijia DOU ; Huimin LI ; Wenjie ZHAO ; Xiuxiu SUN ; Xin LIU ; Yong ZHANG ; Baofeng YANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(2):329-346
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a medical condition characterized by cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload in cardiomyocytes have been recognized as biological hallmarks in DCM; however, the specific factors underlying these abnormalities remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of a cardiac-specific long noncoding RNA, D830005E20Rik (Trdn-as), in DCM. Our results revealed the remarkably upregulation of Trdn-as in the hearts of the DCM mice and cardiomyocytes treated with high glucose (HG). Knocking down Trdn-as in cardiac tissues significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in the DCM mice. Conversely, Trdn-as overexpression resulted in cardiac damage resembling that observed in the DCM mice. At the cellular level, Trdn-as induced Ca2+ overload in the SR and mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses identified calsequestrin 2 (Casq2), a primary calcium-binding protein in the junctional SR, as a potential target of Trdn-as. Further investigations revealed that Trdn-as facilitated the recruitment of METTL14 to the Casq2 mRNA, thereby enhancing the m6A modification of Casq2. This modification increased the stability of Casq2 mRNA and subsequently led to increased protein expression. When Casq2 was knocked down, the promoting effects of Trdn-as on Ca2+ overload and mitochondrial damage were mitigated. These findings provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of DCM and suggest Trdn-as as a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
Animals
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Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/pathology*
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RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*
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Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
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Mice
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Calsequestrin/genetics*
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Calcium/metabolism*
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Male
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Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism*
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Methyltransferases/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mitochondria, Heart/metabolism*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
5.Screening of soil biocontrol bacteria and evaluation of their control effects on Fusarium head blight of wheat.
Dongfang WANG ; Xinxin ZHAI ; Chunlin YANG ; Huilan ZHANG ; Jie WU ; Zerong SONG ; Pan ZHAO ; Yu CHI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(10):3764-3773
Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, not only leads to severe yield losses but also poses a threat to food safety due to the mycotoxins produced by the pathogen. Since this disease is preventable but not curable, the current control mainly relies on chemical fungicides, the long-term use of which may lead to pathogen resistance and environmental pollution. To develop green control methods, we screened 13 biocontrol strains from the rhizosphere soil of wheat, among which strain No. 12 (identified as Pythium aphanidermatum) showed significant antifungal effects. In the plate confrontation test, this strain reduced the colony diameter of the pathogen by 69.2% (1.47 mm vs. 4.78 mm in the control group), with an inhibition rate of 77% (P < 0.01). Microscopic observation revealed obvious deformations in the pathogen hyphae, suggesting a lysing effect. The coleoptile experiment further confirmed that the pre-treatment with this strain reduced the incidence rate to 0. These findings provide new candidate strains for the biocontrol of FHB and offer a scientific basis for reducing the use of chemical fungicides and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Triticum/growth & development*
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Fusarium/growth & development*
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Plant Diseases/prevention & control*
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Soil Microbiology
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Pest Control, Biological/methods*
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Pythium/physiology*
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Biological Control Agents
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Rhizosphere
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Fungicides, Industrial
6.Construction, breeding, and gene identification of TREM2 knockout mice
Rong Huang ; Xinxin Zhao ; Hui Xue ; Mengjuan Zhu ; Jiajie Tu ; Xinming Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(6):977-983
Objective :
To construct triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM2) gene knockout(TREM2-/-) mice using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, to breed TREM2-/- mice and to analyze the genotype of TREM2-/- mice.
Methods :
CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to selectively knock out exon 2-3 regions of TREM2 gene to construct a TREM2-/- mouse model, and the genetic background of all mice was C57BL/6J. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was used to identify the genotype of mice. Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression level of TREM2 in major tissues of mice, and the authenticity and scientific nature of PCR identification results were verified from mRNA level and protein level. According to the sgRNA sequence, the possible off-target sites were predicted on the CCTop website, and the tail DNA of mice was extracted and amplified by PCR and then Sanger sequencing was performed to detect whether there was off-target effect in TREM2-/- mice.
Results :
TREM2-/- mice were successfully constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and the mice were genotyped. The results of agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the mouse genotype with only 415 bp band amplified was wild type(WT), the mouse genotype of the 449 bp band amplified only was TREM2-/-, and the mouse genotypes amplified with 415 bp and 449 bp double bands were heterozygous. qPCR results showed that compared with WT mice, the mRNA expression of TREM2 in heart and brain tissues of TREM2-/- mice was down-regulated(P-/- mice was reduced(P-/- mice.
Conclusion
TREM2-/- mice are successfully constructed and bred, a reliable genotype identification method is established, the genetic stability of the mouse model is verified, which will provide an important genetic animal model for the study of TREM2 gene function.
7.Research progress and future trends of early-onset gastric cancer
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(5):521-526
Early onset gastric cancer (EOGC), defined as gastric cancer occurring at a younger age. Early-onset gastric cancer tends to be poorly differentiated and highly malignant. Genetic material and environmental exposure factors may be the main causes of early occurrence of gastric cancer. Prolonging the survival and improving the quality of life of patients with early-onset gastric cancer is our main research goal in the future. This article aims to elaborate on the current research status and progress of EOGC in terms of its clinicopathological characteristics, molecular genetics, microecological environment, prediction methods, treatment plans, and prognosis, while also exploring potential avenues for future research.
8.Research progress and future trends of early-onset gastric cancer
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(5):521-526
Early onset gastric cancer (EOGC), defined as gastric cancer occurring at a younger age. Early-onset gastric cancer tends to be poorly differentiated and highly malignant. Genetic material and environmental exposure factors may be the main causes of early occurrence of gastric cancer. Prolonging the survival and improving the quality of life of patients with early-onset gastric cancer is our main research goal in the future. This article aims to elaborate on the current research status and progress of EOGC in terms of its clinicopathological characteristics, molecular genetics, microecological environment, prediction methods, treatment plans, and prognosis, while also exploring potential avenues for future research.
9.Comparative Study on the Pharmacodynamics of Xiangzhu Fanggan Formula (香术防感方) by Sniffing and Nasal Drops for Prevention of Influenza A H1N1 Virus Infection in Mice
Yue ZHANG ; Yizhi DONG ; Haoyue LI ; Xinxin WU ; Xiaolei LI ; Jing ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(12):1279-1286
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness and mechanism of Xiangzhu Fanggan Formula (香术防感方) by sniffing and nasal drops for preventing influenza A H1N1flu. MethodsFifty-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, zanamivir group, high-concentration sachet group, low-concentration sachet group, high-concentration nasal drops group, and low-concentration nasal drops group, with 8 mice in each group. In the low- and high-concentration sachet groups, 15 g and 30 g of Xiangzhu Fanggan Formula sachet were used for sniffing for 24 h per day; while in the low- and high-concentration nasal drops groups, nasal drops of Xiangzhu Fanggan Formula were given at a concentration of 0.11 and 0.22 g/ml, 20 μl each time, twice a day; in the zanamivir group, zanamivir was given at a concentration of 1.025 mg/ml of 20 μl each time, twice a day; in the normal group and the model group, nasal drops of normal saline were given at 20 μl each time, twice a day. Each group was given prophylactic intervention for 5 days. On day 5, 1 h after the administration of the drug, the mice in all groups except the normal group received 35 μl of 50 LD50 A/PR/8/34/H1N1 viral solution as nasal drops to prepare influenza A H1N1 model mice. The body mass of the mice was recorded and the rate of change of body mass was calculated daily from day 5 to day 9 of the experiment, and the general status was observed. The mice were sampled on day 9, and the lung index and the inhibition rate of lung index were calculated; HE staining was used to detect pathological changes in lung tissues and to score lung tissue lesions; RT-qPCR was used to detect viral load in lung tissues; and ELISA was used to detect secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and serum tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the lavage fluid of the upper respiratory tract. ResultsOn days 7, 8 and 9 of the experiment, the rate of change in body mass of mice in the model group significantly lower than that in the normal group at the same time points (P<0.05 or P<0.01). On days 8 and 9 of the experiment, the rate of change in body mass of mice in the zanamivir group and the high-concentration nasal drops group increased when compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, mice in the model group had significantly higher lung index, lung tissue lesion score, lung tissue viral load, significantly higher serum TNF-α, IL-6, IL-2, IFN-γ levels, and significantly lower sIgA levels in the upper respiratory lavage fluid (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the lung index and lung tissue viral load reduced, serum IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6 levels reduced, and sIgA levels increased in the zanamivir group and the high-concentration nosal drops group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); except for low-concentration sachet group, lung tissue lesion scores of the drug intervention groups reduced compared with those of the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the zanamivir group, the lung index increased in the low-concentration sachet group and the low- and high-concentration nasal drops groups, and the serum TNF-α and IL-2 levels increased in all Xiangzhu Fanggan Formula intervention groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with high-concentration nasal drops group, serum TNF-α and IFN-γ levels elevated in the high-concentration increased group, and lung tissue viral load elevated in the low-concentration nasal drops group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The lung index inhibition rate was 80.84% in the zanamivir group, 41.61% and 17.90% in the high- and low-concentration sachet groups, and 35.40% and 25.40% in the high- and low-concentration nasal drops groups, respectively. HE staining showed that the lung tissues of the model group showed thickening of alveolar septa, alveolar collapse, and infiltration of inflammatory cells; whereas, in each drug intervention group, the inflammation of the lung tissues of the mice and the damage reduced, and the most obvious improvement was in the zanamivir group and the high-concentration nasal drops group. ConclusionXiangzhu Fanggan Formula by sniffing and nasal drops could both prevent influenza A H1N1 virus infection, with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, also could improve the pathological damage of lung tissue, and improve the immunity of respiratory mucosa. The nasal drops may be better than sachets in inhibiting inflammatory response, especially the high-concentration nasal drops showed more effective.
10.Mechanism of miRNA Intervention in Osteoporosis and Intervention Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Mingyue NIU ; Wantao DONG ; Shiming QIU ; Jingyi LIU ; Peng YUAN ; Yanlong GONG ; Xinxin LI ; Zhangkai ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(9):228-235
Osteoporosis (OP) is a skeletal metabolic disease characterized by bone loss and destruction of bone microstructure. Changes in estrogen levels are not the only pathogenic factors for the occurrence and development of OP. MicroRNA (miRNA) plays an important regulatory role in cells. The complementary sequences of miRNA and targeted mRNA combine to inhibit the expression of targeted mRNA through post-transcriptional regulation, forming a complex regulatory network. Research suggests that miRNA is closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases, including inflammatory diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer. Targeted mRNA participates in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation in OP, mainly regulating the balance among bone construction, bone resorption, and osteoblast differentiation. Therefore, miRNA-based gene therapy is a rapidly developing disease treatment strategy. Traditional Chinese medicine can improve bone metabolism by intervening in miRNA differential expression to target and regulate osteogenic/osteoclast differentiation. This article summarized the targeting effects of miRNAs in physiological and developmental processes such as bone cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis, reviewed and classified their mechanisms of action and targets, and sorted out the current treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating OP and drugs that exert bone protective functions through miRNAs. This review is expected to provide theoretical reference and research guidance for future research on OP treatment by regulating miRNA.


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