1.Mechanism of action of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in a mouse model of acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury
Wenshang CHEN ; Mingjing YIN ; Jijin ZHU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):110-117
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in a mouse model of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury. MethodsA total of 16 wild-type (WT) male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group and APAP group, with 8 mice in each group, and the mice in the APAP group were given intraperitoneal injection of APAP solution at a dose of 400 mg/kg to establish an animal model, while those in the control group were given injection of an equal volume of normal saline, with samples collected after 6 hours. An automatic chemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST); quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in liver tissue; the kit was used to measure the content of glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue homogenate; quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the transcriptional level and protein expression level of TSLP. Furthermore, 22 WT male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group with 8 mice, APAP group with 8 mice, and APAP+recombination TSLP (rTSLP) group with 6 mice; the mice in the APAP+rTSLP group were given intraperitoneal injection of rTSLP solution, while those in the control group and the APAP group were given injection of the solvent PBS; after 30 minutes, the mice in the APAP+rTSLP group and the APAP group were given injection of APAP solution, while those in the control group were given injection of an equal volume of normal saline. The serum levels of ALT and AST were measured; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the liver; kits were used to measure the levels of the oxidative stress indices malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue homogenate; Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of the autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ, Beclin1, and P62 and the molecules such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR). In addition, 16 WT male C57BL/6J mice and 16 TSLP receptor-silenced (TSLPR-/-) mice were divided into WT mouse control group, WT mouse APAP group, TSLPR-/- mouse control group, and TSLPR-/- mouse APAP group, with 8 mice in each group; the mice in the WT mouse APAP group and the TSLPR-/- mouse APAP group were used for modeling by intraperitoneal injection of APAP solution at a dose of 400 mg/kg, and those in the WT mouse control group and the TSLPR-/- mouse control group were given injection of an equal volume of normal saline. The serum levels of ALT and AST and the content of MDA in liver tissue were measured for these four groups, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ, Akt, and p-Akt. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsAfter the mouse model of APAP-induced acute liver injury was established successfully, there were significant increases in the mRNA and protein expression levels of TSLP compared with the control group (both P<0.01). In the study of rTSLP, compared with the control group, the APAP group had significant increases in ALT and AST (both P<0.001) and radial necrosis along the central vein observed by HE staining of liver tissue, as well as significant reductions in the protein expression levels of the oxidative stress indices SOD and Nrf2 and a significant increase in the level of MDA (all P<0.01); compared with the APAP group, the APAP+rTSLP group had significant reductions in ALT and AST, a significant reduction in necrotic area of liver tissue, significant increases in the protein expression levels of SOD and Nrf2, and a significant reduction in MDA (all P<0.05); there were significant differences in the protein expression levels of LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ, Beclin1, P62, p-Akt, and p-mTOR between the APAP+rTSLP group and the control group (all P<0.01). In the study of TSLPR-/- mice, compared with the WT mice after modeling, the TSLPR-/- mice had significant increases in the levels of ALT, AST, and MDA and significant reductions in the expression levels of LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ and p-Akt (all P<0.05). ConclusionTSLP can increase autophagy, reduce oxidative stress, and thus improve acute liver injury induced by APAP overdose, possibly by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibiting mTOR.
2.Mining and verification of inflammation-related genes in skeletal muscle of exhaustive exercise rats undergoing cannabidiol intervention
Wenning ZHU ; Lili SUN ; Lina PENG ; Juncheng SI ; Wanli ZANG ; Weidong YIN ; Mengqi LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2347-2356
BACKGROUND:Cannabidiol is effective in ameliorating the body's inflammatory response,but no clear mechanistic studies have been conducted to ameliorate skeletal muscle inflammation induced by exhaustive exercise. OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism by which cannabidiol improves skeletal muscle inflammation during exhaustive exercise by using transcriptome sequencing technology. METHODS:Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups:blank control group,exercise coconut oil group,exercise control group,50 mg/kg cannabidiol group,60 mg/kg cannabidiol group,and 70 mg/kg cannabidiol group,with six rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank control group,rats in each group were subjected to swimming exercise for 9 days to produce the exhaustive exercise model.At the end of each swimming exercise,rats in the cannabidiol groups were given 2 mL of fat-soluble cannabidiol at different concentrations(50,60,and 70 mg/kg)by gavage;rats in the exercise coconut oil group were given the same volume of coconut oil by gavage until the end of the exercise on the 9th day;and rats in the blank control group and the exercise control group were not given any special treatment.The levels of inflammatory factors and differentially expressed genes in the skeletal muscle of rats in each group were determined using ELISA and transcriptome sequencing techniques.Differentially expressed genes obtained were subjected to KEGG analysis,and the accuracy of the sequencing data was verified by fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results of ELISA showed that the contents of interleukin-6(P<0.05),tumor necrosis factor-α(P<0.01),interleukin-10 and other inflammatory factors in the exercise group increased significantly compared with the blank control group and the coconut oil group.After cannabidiol intervention,the mass concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α showed a sequential decrease with increasing cannabidiol concentration.By comparing GO and KEGG databases,the functional properties of differentially expressed genes were analyzed,and the results showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway.RT-qPCR results showed that the trends of five randomly selected differentially expressed genes were in agreement with the transcriptome sequencing results.To conclude,cannabidiol can improve skeletal muscle inflammation caused by exhaustive exercise.
3.Textual Research on Key Information of Classic Formula Shengma Gegentang
Yuli LI ; Ping JIANG ; Zhenyi YUAN ; Yuanyuan HE ; Ya'nan MAO ; Shasha WANG ; Wenyan ZHU ; Zhouan YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):187-197
Shengma Gegentang is one of the classic formulas in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Prescriptions (Second Batch). This study reviewed ancient and modern literature and used literature tracing and bibliometric methods to analyze the historical evolution, efficacy, indications, dosage decoctions, and modern clinical disease spectrum of Shengma Gegentang. The results indicated that the earliest record of Shengma Gegentang can be found in the Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang of the Song dynasty, but its origin can be traced back to the Shaoyao Siwu Jiejitang in the Beiji Qianjin Yaofang of the Tang dynasty. The composition dosage of Shengma Gegentang is 413 g of Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 619.5 g of Puerariae Lobatae Radix, 413 g of Paeoniae Radix Alba, and 413 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, which are ground into coarse powder. Each dose is 12.39 g, and the amount of water added is 300 mL. 100 mL of solution is decocted and taken at the right time. The four drugs in the formula play the role of relieving exterior syndrome, penetrating pathogenic factors, and detoxicating together. Its indications are widely involved in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, obstetrics and gynecology, sexually transmitted diseases, and other diseases, such as measles, sores, acne, spots, surgical gangrene, red eyes, toothache, chancre, and fetal poison. The epidemic diseases treated by Shengma Gegentang are complicated, including rash, pox, macula, numbness, summer diarrhea, dysentery, sha disease, febrile symptoms, spring warmth, winter warmth, and cold pestilence. At the same time, it is a plague prevention formula. Although Shengma Gegentang has a wide range of indications, it cannot be separated from the pathogenic mechanism of evil Qi blocking the muscle surface and heat in the lungs and stomach. The modern clinical disease spectrum of Shengma Gegentang involves the ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology system, nervous system, pediatric-related diseases and syndromes, skin system, hepatobiliary system, and digestive system. It plays a key role in the treatment of epidemic diseases such as measles, chronic hepatitis B, dysentery, and tetanus.
4.Intense pulsed light combined with Tobramycin and Dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment for the treatment of dry eye with meibomian gland dysfunction after phacoemulsification
Huanrong JIANG ; Xiaojian YIN ; Min ZHOU ; Yannan ZHU ; Li REN
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):676-679
AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light(IPL)combined with meibomian gland massage and tobramycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment in treating dry eye(DE)with meibomian gland dysfunction after phacoemulsification(PHACO).METHODS: A total of 100 cases(100 eyes)of DE patients with meibomian gland dysfunction after receiving PHACO in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected and divided into control group(receiving meibomian gland massage + eye ointment)and observation group(receiving IPL + meibomian gland massage + eye cream treatment)according to different treatment methods, with 50 cases(50 eyes)in each group. The score of meibomian gland secretion, tear film break-up time(BUT), clinical efficacy and safety were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of the meibomian gland secretion status decreased in both groups, and the observation group had lower scores(all P<0.05). After treatment, the BUT increased in both groups, and the observation group had higher BUT(P<0.05). The clinical efficacy of the observation group(98%)was higher than that of the control group(84%; P<0.05). In addition, the incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group(6%)was lower than that in the control group(20%; P<0.05).CONCLUSION: IPL combined with meibomian gland massage and tobramycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment can effectively improve the clinical efficacy of DE patients after PHACO surgery, reduce adverse reactions, and have high safety.
5.Study on secondary metabolites of Penicillium expansum GY618 and their tyrosinase inhibitory activities
Fei-yu YIN ; Sheng LIANG ; Qian-heng ZHU ; Feng-hua YUAN ; Hao HUANG ; Hui-ling WEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):427-433
Twelve compounds were isolated from the rice fermentation extracts of
6.Correlation among picky eating levels in preschool children, parenting self-efficacy and parenting stress
YANG Jing, LIU Qian, YIN Xia, GU Ling, ZHU Jie
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(5):681-684
Objective:
To explore the correlation among picky eating levels in preschool children, parental self-efficacy and parenting stress.
Methods:
A convenience sampling method was employed to conduct an electronic questionnaire survey among 459 children aged 3-6 years and their parents from five kindergartens in Urumqi in November 2023. The survey included a general information questionnaire, the Children s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for twogroup comparisons, and the Kruskal-Wallis H-test was applied for multi-group comparisons. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between children s picky eating levels and parenting selfefficacy as well as parenting stress.
Results:
The picky eating score of preschool children was 10.00 (4.00), and the parenting self-efficacy score was 58.00 (12.00), both indicating a moderate level. The parenting stress score was 75.00 (16.00), reflecting a moderately low level. Spearman correlation analysis showed that children s picky eating levels were negatively correlated with the total score of parenting self-efficacy ( r =-0.28) and positively correlated with the total score of parenting stress( r =0.25)( P <0.01).
Conclusions
Picky eating levels of preschool children are closely associated with parenting self-efficacy and parenting stress. Picky eating behaviors in children can be reduced by implementing various effective measures to enhance parenting self-efficacy and alleviate parenting stress.
7.Shugan Jianpi Granules (疏肝健脾颗粒) Combined with Chushi Zhiyang Oinement (除湿止痒软膏) for Atopic Dermatitis with Sleep Disturbance of Liver Constraint and Spleen Deficiency Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Danyang LI ; Qiang YIN ; Zebing ZHU ; Xingwu DUAN ; Jiuli ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1133-1139
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and potential mechanism of Shugan Jianpi Granules (疏肝健脾颗粒) combined with Chushi Zhiyang Ointment (除湿止痒软膏) in the treatment of atopic dermatitis with sleep disturbance of liver constraint and spleen deficiency syndrome. MethodsSixty-six patients with atopic dermatitis combined with sleep disturbance of liver constraint and spleen deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into 33 cases each in the treatment group and the control group. Both groups were treated with Chushi Zhiyang Ointment for external use. The treatment group additionally received Shugan Jianpi Granules orally, one dose per day; and the control group received cetirizine hydrochloride tablets orally, 10mg per day, taken before bedtime. Both groups were under the treatment for 4 weeks. Clinical effectiveness was evaluated after treatment, and the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, pruritus visual analog scale (VAS) score, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score were recorded before and after treatment, and serum levels of melatonin (MLT), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-13 (IL-13), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured. The patients were also tested for blood routine, liver function and kidney function before and after treatment, and the occurrence of adverse events was also observed. ResultsThe total effective rate in the treatment group (90.63%, 29/32) was significantly higher than that in the control group (66.67%, 20/30, P<0.05). After the interventions, the scores for SCORAD, VAS, ISI, and PSQI, as well as the levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-α, were significantly reduced in both groups. In contrast, the MLT levels in treatment group significantly elevated compared to that before treatment (P<0.05). Comparing between the two groups after treatment, the scores of SCORAD, ISI, PSQI, and VAS, as well as the levels of serum IL-4 and IL-13 in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group, while the MLT levels were markedly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no obvious abnormality in blood routine, liver function and kidney function in both groups when compared before and after treatment. The incidence rate of adverse reactions was 9.38% (3/32) in the treatment group and 13.33% (4/30) in the control group, and the difference between groups showed no statistical difference (P>0.05). ConclusionOn the basis of topical application of Chushi Zhiyang Ointment, the combined application of Shugan Jianpi Granules can significantly alleviate the degree of skin lesions and itching, and improve the quality of sleep in atopic dermatitis patients with sleep disturbance of liver constraint and spleen deficiency syndrome, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the immune balance, reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors, and elevating the level of MLT.
8.Clinical characteristics and influencing factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients complicated with heart failure in Nanjing
Yumin ZHU ; Guoxin ZHANG ; Liping YIN ; Fan CHEN ; Bowen HUANG ; Qian LI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(4):64-68
Objective To analyze the clinical features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with heart failure (HF) in Nanjing and explore the influencing factors. Methods A total of 773 COPD inpatients were selected from January 2021 to January 2024 in Nanjing Combined Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing Qixia District Hospital, Nanjing Lishui District People's Hospital, Nanjing Pukou District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nanjing First Hospital., and were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of combined HF. The general data and medical records of the two groups were compared, the clinical characteristics of COPD patients with HF were summarized, and the influencing factors of COPD patients with HF were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results Among the 242 patients (31.31%) with COPD had HF, chronic paroxysmal dyspnea was the most common first symptom, 169 patients (69.83%) had left heart failure, 63 patients (30.17%) were diagnosed as right heart failure or global heart failure , 17 patients (7.02%) had myocardial infarction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of HF was 1.678 times and 1.691times higher in COPD groups ≥ 50 years old and male COPD groups than in < 50 years old and female groups, respectively; the risk of HF was 1.491 times higher in COPD groups engaged in physical work than in physical work groups; the risk of HF was 1.447 times and 1.580 times higher in COPD groups with hypertension and coronary heart disease than in COPD groups without hypertension and coronary heart disease, respectively; the risk of HF was 1.859 times higher in COPD groups smoking>400 vial/year than in COPD groups≤400 vial/ year; the risk of HF was 1.757 times higher in COPD groups with acute exacerbation frequency≥2 times/year than in COPD groups<2 times/year; the above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Attention should be paid to elderly, male and heavy physical work group of COPD patients. Active treatment of hypertension and coronary heart disease, effective tobacco control and reduction of the frequency of acute exacerbation are effective ways to reduce the risk of HF in COPD patients in Nanjing.
9.Analysis of evaluation results for the implementation of Specification for testing of quality control in medical X-ray diagnostic equipment (WS 76-2020)
Ling ZHANG ; Weidong ZHU ; Hezheng ZHAI ; Tingting YE ; Tinggui HE ; Wanyan CHENG ; Cheng ZHANG ; Chunxu YIN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):559-565
Objective To evaluate the overall implementation of the WS 76-2020 standard in Anhui Province, China and identify and analyze the factors affecting the implementation of the standard, and to provide a basis for the effective implementation and revision of WS 76-2020. Methods According to the requirements of the Notice of the Department of Regulations in National Health Commission on the 2024 assessment of implementation of mandatory standards, an evaluation of radiological health standards was organized and conducted in Anhui Province. The evaluation involved the three dimensions of standard implementation status, technical content of the standards, and effectiveness of standard implementation, with subsequent data analysis. Results The total evaluation score for WS 76-2020 was 87.83 points, indicating that the standard effectively guided the quality control testing of medical X-ray diagnostic equipment. However, stability testing was either underutilized or not performed in practice. The qualified rate of X-ray diagnostic equipment in the province was 94.26%, with equipment performance issues identified as the leading contributor to non-qualified instances. Expert discussions highlighted recommendations particularly concerning the operability, applicability, and scientific rigor of the standard. Conclusion It is recommended to strengthen the dissemination and training for the standard, promote medical institutions to voluntarily conduct stability testing, provide supplementary clarifications or revisions for problematic clauses, and standardize quality control testing techniques for radiological diagnostic equipment.
10.Expression and Clinical Significance of MKI67 in Pancreatic Cancer
Hu WANG ; Yanmei YIN ; Haoxuan DU ; Hao CHEN ; Xiaopeng MA ; Aibin DAI ; Kexiang ZHU
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2024;51(2):91-98
Objectives To explore the expression, biological function, and mechanism of MKI67 in pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance. Methods The expression level, diagnosis, and prognostic value of MKI67 in pancreatic cancer were analyzed using public databases. We also investigated the association between the MKI67 with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint molecules. We analyzed the functional pathway enrichment to uncover the possible molecular mechanisms. qRT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to verify the expression of MKI67 mRNA and protein. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the expression of MKI67 in tissue protein. Results The high expression of MKI67 was significantly associated with high histological grades and poor outcomes in pancreatic cancer. High MKI67 expression was correlated with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients (


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail