1.Ethical dilemmas and solutions of informed consent in psychological counseling
Cheng YANG ; Xiaoai ZHANG ; Ni NI ; Zhaoyang CHEN ; Boyuan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):220-226
Informed consent in psychological counseling is the first step for clients to initiate the counseling process, and the degree and effectiveness of informed consent are important factors that determine the subsequent effectiveness and development of psychological counseling. By elaborating on the connotation and importance of informed consent in psychological counseling, the ethical dilemmas of the issue of informed consent in psychological counseling were classified and summarized. There were ethical dilemmas, such as the lack of consensus, procedural guarantee mechanisms, special clients procedures and informed consent principles, as well as non-standard informed consent procedures in online psychological counseling. The paper also proposed to clarify the explanatory obligations of counselors, strengthen procedural ethical constraints, formulate special norms for informed consent for special subjects, and enhance the ethical education and capacity building of psychological counselors.
2.Effect of Dingchuan Granule (定喘颗粒) on Lung Tissue Oxidative Stress and Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1/NQO1 Pathway in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pneumonia Model Rats
Lai ZHANG ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Chenhao WEI ; Shiyao ZHANG ; Zhaoyang LI ; Rui WANG ; Hangyu ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1588-1596
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Dingchuan Granule (定喘颗粒, DG) in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia. MethodsA total of 60 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, ribavirin group, DG low-dose group, DG middle-dose group, and DG high-dose group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group, rats were administrated with RSV via intranasal drip. After model establishment, the DG low-, middle-, and high-dose groups were administrated via oral gavage with DG at 3.47, 6.93, and 13.86 g/(kg·d) respectively, while the ribavirin group was administrated via oral gavage with ribavirin at 15.75 mg/(kg·d). The drug was given once daily for one week. The rats in the control group and the model group were not given any drug, only subjected to the grasping action. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, the pathological changes of lung tissues were observed and scored using HE staining. The levels of serum inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were detected by colorimetry. The protein levels of nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) in lung tissues were measured by Western Blot. The RSV load as well as the gene expression levels of Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, and NQO1 in lung tissues were determined by qRT-PCR. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rat lung tissues was detected using chemiluminescence. The levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat lung tissues were measured by a microassay. ResultsCompared with the control group, other groups had significant increases in pathological score of lung tissue, RSV load, levels of ROS, MDA, serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6; decrease in GSH level, increases in expression level of Keap1 protein and its mRNA in lung tissue, and significant decrease in levels of Nrf2, HO-1, expression level of NQO1 protein and its mRNA (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all the above-mentioned indicators in the DG low-, middle-, and high-dose groups and the ribavirin group were improved to varying degree (P<0.05). The levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in rats of DG dose groups showed a dose-dependent pattern, the DG high-dose group exhibiting the best effect (P<0.05). The DG high-dose group was superior to the DG low- and middle-dose groups in reducing the levels of ROS and MDA, and increasing the level of GSH in lung tissues (P<0.05). The DG high-dose group and the ribavirin group had better effect than the DG middle-dose group in reducing the RSV load (P<0.05). The DG high-dose group was superior to the ribavirin group in improving the protein levels of Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, and NQO1 (P<0.05). ConclusionDG could inhibit oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway to improve pulmonary inflammation and treat RSV pneumonia, with the DG high-dose group showing the best effect.
3.Advances in ketamine therapy for multiple psychiatric disorders
Kai ZHANG ; Zhaoyang CHENG ; Yuting WANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):289-294
Ketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has gained increasing attention for its rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and suicidal ideation. Its mechanisms include NMDA receptor blockade, AMPA receptor activation, and upregulation of BDNF/mTOR signaling. Its enantiomers, esketamine and R-ketamine, as well as its metabolites, exhibit differences in efficacy and mechanisms. Intranasal esketamine has been approved in the Europe, United States, and China for TRD, demonstrating rapid efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms and acute suicidal ideation. In contrast, R-ketamine demonstrates potential for longer-lasting effects and a improved safety profile. This review summarizes recent advances in the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical applications of ketamine and its enantiomers in depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Despite ketamine's multifaceted therapeutic potential, safety concerns such as dissociation, cognitive impairment, and abuse liability warrant continued attention.[Funded by Key Project of Natural Science Research for Universities of Anhui Provincial Education Department (number, 2023AH050647); Anhui Provincial Department of Education Outstanding Young Talent Support Program Project 2022 (number, gxyqZD2022022)]
4.Mechanisms of tumor immune microenvironment remodeling in current cancer therapies and the research progress.
Yuanzhen YANG ; Zhaoyang ZHANG ; Shiyu MIAO ; Jiaqi WANG ; Shanshan LU ; Yu LUO ; Feifei GAO ; Jiayue ZHAO ; Yiru WANG ; Zhifang XU
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(4):372-377
The cellular and molecular components of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and their information exchange processes significantly influence the trends of anti-tumor immunity. In recent years, numerous studies have begun to evaluate TIME in the context of previous cancer treatment strategies. This review will systematically summarize the compositional characteristics of TIME and, based on this foundation, explore the impact of current cancer therapies on the remodeling of TIME, aiming to provide new insights for the development of innovative immune combination therapies that can convert TIME into an anti-tumor profile.
Tumor Microenvironment/immunology*
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Humans
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Neoplasms/therapy*
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Immunotherapy/methods*
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Animals
5.Impact of tyrosine phosphorylation site mutation in FUNDC1 protein on mitophagy in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.
Zhaoyang ZHANG ; Yanli YU ; Jieyun WU ; Wei TIAN ; Jingman XU
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(7):629-636
Objective To investigate the effect of FUNDC1 tyrosine phosphorylation site mutations on mitophagy in H9c2 myocardial cells by constructing tyrosine site mutant plasmids (Y11 and Y18) of the FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1). Methods The mutant plasmids constructed by whole-gene synthesis were transfected into rat myocardial H9c2 cells and divided into five groups: empty plasmid group, FUNDC1 overexpression group, Y11 mutant group, Y18 mutant group, and Y11 combined with Y18 mutant group. The viability of H9c2 cells was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Additionally, tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) staining was utilized to detect mitochondrial membrane potential. The protein expression levels of FUNDC1, translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOM20), and cytochrome c oxidase IV (COX IV) were detected by Western blot analysis. Confocal microscopy was used to evaluate transfection efficiency as well as the co-localization of mitochondria and lysosomes. Results The FUNDC1 overexpression, Y11, Y18, and Y11 combined with Y18 mutant plasmids were successfully constructed. After plasmid transfection, widespread GFP fluorescence expression was observed under confocal microscopy. Compared with the empty plasmid group, FUNDC1 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the FUNDC1 overexpression group, Y11 mutation group, Y18 mutation group, and Y11 combined with Y18 mutation group, while cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential showed no significant changes. Compared to the empty plasmid group, cells transfected with Y18 and Y11 combined with Y18 mutant plasmids showed increased TOM20 and COX IV expression levels and decreased mitochondrial-lysosomal co-localization. Conclusion Transfection with FUNDC1 Y18 or Y11 combined with Y18 mutant plasmids inhibited mitophagy in H9c2 myocardial cells.
Animals
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Rats
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Mitophagy/genetics*
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Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology*
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Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism*
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Mutation
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Phosphorylation
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Tyrosine/genetics*
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Cell Line
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Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
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Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
6.Identification of a JAK-STAT-miR155HG positive feedback loop in regulating natural killer (NK) cells proliferation and effector functions.
Songyang LI ; Yongjie LIU ; Xiaofeng YIN ; Yao YANG ; Xinjia LIU ; Jiaxing QIU ; Qinglan YANG ; Yana LI ; Zhiguo TAN ; Hongyan PENG ; Peiwen XIONG ; Shuting WU ; Lanlan HUANG ; Xiangyu WANG ; Sulai LIU ; Yuxing GONG ; Yuan GAO ; Lingling ZHANG ; Junping WANG ; Yafei DENG ; Zhaoyang ZHONG ; Youcai DENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):1922-1937
The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.
7.Construction of recognition models for subthreshold depression based on multiple machine learning algorithms and vocal emotional characteristics.
Meimei CHEN ; Yang WANG ; Huangwei LEI ; Fei ZHANG ; Ruina HUANG ; Zhaoyang YANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):711-717
OBJECTIVES:
To construct vocal recognition classification models using 6 machine learning algorithms and vocal emotional characteristics of individuals with subthreshold depression to facilitate early identification of subthreshold depression.
METHODS:
We collected voice data from both normal individuals and participants with subthreshold depression by asking them to read specifically chosen words and texts. From each voice sample, 384-dimensional vocal emotional feature variables were extracted, including energy feature, Meir frequency cepstrum coefficient, zero cross rate feature, sound probability feature, fundamental frequency feature, difference feature. The Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) method was employed to select voice feature variables. Classification models were then built using the machine learning algorithms Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), Random Forest (RF), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Logistic Regression (LR), Lasso Regression (LRLasso), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), and the performance of these models was evaluated. To assess generalization capability of the models, we used real-world speech data to evaluate the best speech recognition classification model.
RESULTS:
The AdaBoost, RF, and LDA models achieved high prediction accuracies of 100%, 100%, and 93.3% on word-reading speech test set, respectively. In the text-reading speech test set, the accuracies of the AdaBoost, RF, and LDA models were 90%, 80%, and 90%, respectively, while the accuracies of the other 3 models were all below 80%. On real-world word-reading and text-reading speech data, the classification models using AdaBoost and Random Forest still achieved high predictive accuracies (91.7% and 80.6% for AdaBoost and 86.1% and 77.8% for Random, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Analyzing vocal emotional characteristics allows effective identification of individuals with subthreshold depression. The AdaBoost and RF models show excellent performance for classifying subthreshold depression individuals, and may thus potentially offer valuable assistance in the clinical and research settings.
Humans
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Machine Learning
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Emotions
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Depression/diagnosis*
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Algorithms
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Voice
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Support Vector Machine
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Male
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Female
8.Identification and expression pattern analysis of α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase gene family members in melon.
Yushan LIANG ; Zhaoyang ZHANG ; Tingru YUE ; Lichao ZHANG ; Qingjie DU ; Jiqing WANG ; Huaijuan XIAO ; Meng LI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):791-808
Glucosidases are an indispensable class of enzymes in the sugar metabolism of organisms. To investigate the biological functions and expression patterns of α-glucosidases (AGLUs) and β-glucosidases (BGLUs), we identified the two family members in the genome of melon (Cucumis melo). The number, location on chromosomes, gene structure, subcellular localization, conserved motifs, and phylogenetic relationship of the two family members were analyzed. Based on the cis-acting elements in the promoter region and protein interaction models, their functions were preliminarily predicted. Furthermore, the gene expression of the two family members was determined by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the melon genome contained five AGLU family members on five chromosomes, and all of the five members were located in the extracellular matrix, with the amino acid sequence lengths ranging from 899 aa to 1 060 aa. The melon genome carried 18 BGLU family members on 8 chromosomes, and all the members were located in the cell membrane or cytoplasm, with the amino acid lengths ranging from 151 aa to 576 aa. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of about 50% of the genes was down-regulated upon cold stress. CmAGLU5 and CmBGLU7 may be key members of the two families, respectively, in response to cold stress. The expression of all members of the two families was up-regulated under abscisic acid (ABA), high salt, and drought stress. In the AGLU family, CmAGLU3 was the key gene in response to ABA and high salt stress, while CmAGLU4 was the key gene in response to drought stress. In the BGLU family, CmBGLU18 was the key gene in response to ABA, while CmBGLU6 was the key gene in response to high salt and drought stress.
beta-Glucosidase/metabolism*
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Phylogeny
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alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Cucurbitaceae/enzymology*
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Multigene Family
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Cucumis melo/enzymology*
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Stress, Physiological
9.Efficacy and safety of camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy in elderly patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Long CHENG ; Yue ZHANG ; Yushen LIU ; Zhaoqing DU ; Zhaoyang GUO ; Yangwei FAN ; Ting LI ; Xu GAO ; Enrui XIE ; Zixuan XING ; Wenhua WU ; Yinying WU ; Mingbo YANG ; Jie LI ; Yu ZHANG ; Wen KANG ; Wenjun WANG ; Fanpu JI ; Jiang GUO ; Ning GAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(10):2034-2041
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy in elderly patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the patients with unresectable/advanced HCC who attended six hospitals from January 1,2019 to March 31,2021,and all patients received camrelizumab monoclonal antibody treatment,among whom 84.8%also received targeted therapy.According to the age of the patients,they were divided into elderly group(≥65 years)and non-elderly group(<65 years).The two groups were assessed in terms of overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and immune-related adverse events(irAE).The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups;the independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups.The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival curves.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to determine the independent influencing factors for PFS and DCR at 6 months.Results A total of 99 HCC patients were enrolled,with 27 in the elderly group and 72 in the non-elderly group.The elderly group had an OS rate of 67.8%,an ORR of 44.4%,and a DCR of 74.1%at 12 months and a median PFS of 6.4(95%confidence interval[CI]:3.0-12.4)months,with no significant differences compared with the non-elderly group(all P>0.05).The median OS was unavailable for the elderly group,while the non-elderly group had an OS of 18.9(95%CI:13.0-24.8)months;there was no significant difference between the two groups(P=0.485).The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that major vascular invasion(MVI)was an independent risk factor for PFS(hazard ratio[HR]=2.603,95%CI:1.136-5.964,P=0.024)and DCR(HR=3.963,95%CI:1.671-9.397,P=0.002)at 6 months,while age,sex,etiology of HBV infection,presence of extrahepatic metastasis,Child-Pugh class B,and alpha-fetoprotein>400 ng/mL were not associated with PFS or DCR at 6 months.For the elderly group,the incidence rates of any irAE and grade 3/4 irAE were 51.9%and 25.9%,respectively,with no significant differences compared with the non-elderly group(P>0.05),and skin disease was the most common irAE in both groups(39.4%).Conclusion Camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy has similar efficacy and safety in patients with unresectable/advanced HCC aged≥65 years and those aged<65 years.MVI is associated with suboptimal response to immunotherapy and poor prognosis.
10.Association between impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormones and ischemic stroke in euthyroid population with hypertension and sex difference in this association
Youyou ZHANG ; Ruirui JIA ; Long WANG ; Dong CHEN ; Hui WANG ; Zhaoyang LI
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(5):763-768
Objective To investigate the associations between thyroid hormone sensitivity indices in euthyroid patients with hypertension and the risk of ischemic stroke,as well as gender difference in this association.Methods We selected 760 hypertensive patients admitted to the Geriatric Neurology Department and outpatient clinic in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between April 2021 and May 2022.We collected their basic characteristics,blood biochemical parameters,thyroid indices,and brain magnetic resonance imaging information.All the patients were divided into two groups based on the clinical manifestations and brain magnetic resonance imaging:hypertension combined with ischemic stroke(n=526)and control(n=234)groups.Independent sample t-tests or non-parametric tests were used to compare the differences in thyroid hormone sensitivity indicators between the two groups.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum thyroid indices and ischemic stroke.Multivariate conditional Logistic regression analysis was made to estimate odds ratios(ORs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for thyroid indices and ischemic stroke.Results There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age,gender,TC,LDL-c,HDL-c,systolic blood pressure,FT3/FT4,TFQI,and PTFQI(all P<0.05).However,there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in weight,smoking,drinking,history of diabetes,TG,FBG,diastolic blood pressure,TSHI,or TT4RI(all P>0.05).The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between FT3/FT4 and ischemic stroke(P<0.05),but a positive correlation of TFQI and PTFQI with ischemic stroke(P<0.05)in euthyroid patients with hypertension.Logistic regression analysis showed that FT3/FT4 was significantly associated with ischemic stroke in euthyroid patients with hypertension(P=0.001),with OR(95%CI)of 0.001(0.000,0.058).After stratifying by gender,Logistic regression analysis found that FT3/FT4,TFQI,and PTFQI were associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in female patients,with OR(95%CI)of 0.000(0.000,0.001),3.132(1.415,6.930),and 3.010(1.406,6.445),respectively.Conclusion Lower serum FT3/FT4 ratio is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in euthyroid patients with hypertension,and the significant association of TFQI and PTFQI with the risk of ischemic stroke is found in females.

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