1.Epidemiological investigation of a maternal Listeria monocytogenes ST2 infection case
XU Wei ; LIN Yun ; ZHU Guoying ; SONG Hejia ; JIA Juanjuan ; SUN Yangming
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):189-191
Abstract
On September 26, 2024, a municipal hospital in Jiaxing City reported a maternal case of Listeria monocytogenes infection. In order to clarify the source of infection, the Jiaxing Center for Disease Control and Prevention immediately conducted the epidemiological investigation, laboratory testing and related disposal work. The case presented with fever (37.9 ℃), gradually intensifying paroxysmal abdominal pain without obvious cause, and went to hospital on the day of onset. Due to fetal intrauterine distress, a male infant was delivered by cesarean section on the same day. The epidemiological investigation identified that the case usually consumed fruits, often store fruits such as watermelon and grapes in the refrigerator alongside raw meat, and the refrigerator had never been cleaned or disinfected, posing a risk of cross contamination. Laboratory tests on amniotic fluid sample from the pregnant woman, infant blood sample showed positive results for Listeria monocytogenes infection. One strain of Listeria monocytogenes was detected in a smear sample from the inner wall of the refrigerator, and all the strains were ST2 type. Consuming fruits contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may be the main source of infection. Food safety education for pregnant women and their family members should be strengthened to reduce the risk of infection.
2.Modified Ditan Tang Regulates Biorhythm-related Genes in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Zhiwen PANG ; Yu LIU ; Nan SONG ; Jie WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Zhen HUA ; Yupeng PEI ; Qun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):115-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Ditan tang on genes related to the transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL) of biorhythm in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its mechanism for prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsSixty-five healthy SPF male SD rats were randomly assigned into blank (n=20), model (n=15), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.68, 5.36, and 10.72 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) modified Ditan tang (n=10) groups. Other groups except the blank group were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The modified Ditan tang groups were treated with the decoction at corresponding doses by gavage, and the blank and model groups were treated with an equal volume of normal saline from the 9th week for 4 weeks. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the serum were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. TG and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) assay kits were used to measure the levels of TG and NEFA in the liver. The pathological changes in the hypothalamus and liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the lipid deposition in the liver was observed by oil red O staining. The levels of brain-muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1/ARNTL) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein levels of BMAL1, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), period circadian clock 2 (PER2), and cryptochrome1 (Cry1) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT (P<0.01) and a lowered level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, elevated levels of TG and NEFA in the liver (P<0.01), pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, and a large number of vacuoles in the brain area. In addition, the model group showed lipid deposition in the liver, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. Compared with the model group, all the three modified Ditan tang groups showed lowered levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, and AST (P<0.05, P<0.01) and an elevated level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, and lowered levels of TG and NEFA (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the liver. Furthermore, the three groups showed alleviated pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, reduced lipid deposition in the liver, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. ConclusionModified Ditan tang can reduce lipid deposition in the liver and regulate the expression of CLOCK, BMAL1, Cry1, and PER2 in the TTFL of NAFLD rats.
3.Screening of Antidepressant Active Components from Curcumae Rhizoma and Its Mechanism in Regulating Nrf2/GPX4/GSH Pathway
Yonggui SONG ; Delin DUAN ; Meixizi LAI ; Yali LIU ; Zhifu AI ; Genhua ZHU ; Huanhua XU ; Qin ZHENG ; Ming YANG ; Dan SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):211-221
ObjectiveTo screen and evaluate the antidepressant compounds of Curcumae Rhizoma, and explore its mechanism of regulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/glutathione(GSH) peroxidase 4(GPX4)/GSH pathway from an antioxidant perspective. MethodsThe antioxidant activities in vitro of 11 characteristic components from Curcumae Rhizoma, including curcumol, curgerenone, curdione, curzerene, curcumenol, curcumenone, dehydrocurdione, isocurcumenol, furanodienone, furanodiene and zederone, were detected using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt(ABTS) radical scavenging assays. The depression in Drosophila melanogaster was induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS), and W1118 wild-type male D. melanogaster were randomly divided into blank group, model group, curcumol group, curgerenone group, curdione group, curzerene group, curcumenol group,curcumenone group, dehydrocurdione group, isocurcumenol group, furanodienone group, furanodiene group, zederone group and fluoxetine group(10 μmol·L-1). The treatment groups received a dose of 0.1 g·L-1 of 11 characteristic components from Curcumae Rhizoma, while the blank and model groups were administered equivalent volumes of solvent. The sucrose preference test, climbing test and forced swimming test were used to evaluate the behavioral indicators of depression in D. melanogaster. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) was used to detect the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and dopamine(DA) in the brain of D. melanogaster, and the entropy weight method was used to comprehensively evaluate neurobehavioral and neurotransmitter indicators, resulting in the identification of the antidepressant active components of Curcumae Rhizoma. In addition, a mouse depression model was established by CUMS, and C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, low and high dose groups of curzerene(0.5, 1 mg·kg-1), and fluoxetine group(10 mg·kg-1) to confirm the antidepressant effect of the optimal active ingredient by behavioral analysis. Flow cytometry was used to detect the content of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in the hippocampus of mice from each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of adenosine triphosphate(ATP), superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT) and GSH. Transmission electron microscope(TEM) was used to observe the effect of curzerene on the ultrastructure of mitochondria in hippocampal tissue. Western blot was performed to determine the level of Nrf2 protein, and Nrf2 inhibitor(ML385) was used to verify the relationship between the antidepressant effect of curzerene and regulation of Nrf2. Real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was employed to detect the effect of curzerene on the mRNA expression level of GPX. ResultsIn vitro antioxidant experiments showed that curzerene and curgerenone exhibited the most significant ability to scavenge free radicals, and comprehensive evaluation results of entropy weight method indicated that curzerene stood out as the most promising active component. Compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited a significant decrease in sucrose preference coefficient and the number of times entering the open field center(P<0.01), as well as a significant increase in immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests(P<0.01), and the ROS content in hippocampus significantly elevated(P<0.01), while the ATP content significantly reduced(P<0.01). In the hippocampal neurons of the model group, mitochondrial cristae were disordered, with vacuolation of the inner membrane and severe damage. Nrf2 protein expression level in the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05), and the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GSH contents were also significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the gene expression levels of GPX1, GPX4 and GPX7 were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose group of curzerene showed a significant increase in the sucrose preference coefficient and the number of times entering the open field center(P<0.05), as well as a significant decrease in immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests(P<0.05, P<0.01). The ROS content in the hippocampus of the high-dose group of curzerene was significantly reduced(P<0.01), while the ATP content was significantly increased(P<0.05). The neuronal mitochondrial damage in the hippocampus of the high-dose group of curzerene was alleviated, and the expression level of Nrf2 protein was significantly increased(P<0.05). The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed the improvement of curzerene on depressive behaviors in CUMS mice. The GSH content in the hippocampal neurons of the high-dose group of curzerene was significantly increased(P<0.01), while there were no significant differences in SOD and CAT contents. The expression level of GPX4 gene in the hippocampal neurons of the high-dose group of curzerene was significantly increased(P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in other GPX genes. ConclusionCurzerene is the best component with antidepressant activity in Curcumae Rhizoma. It may improve mitochondrial dysfunction to exert its antidepressant effect by regulating Nrf2 and its downstream GPX4/GSH pathway rather than CAT or SOD pathways.
4.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.
5.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.
6.Impact of Onset-to-Door Time on Endovascular Therapy for Basilar Artery Occlusion
Tianlong LIU ; Chunrong TAO ; Zhongjun CHEN ; Lihua XU ; Yuyou ZHU ; Rui LI ; Jun SUN ; Li WANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Jianlong SONG ; Xiaozhong JING ; Adnan I. QURESHI ; Mohamad ABDALKADER ; Thanh N. NGUYEN ; Raul G. NOGUEIRA ; Jeffrey L. SAVER ; Wei HU
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):140-143
7.Correlation between social jetlag and psychological behavior in upper primary school students
ZHAO Ruilan*, ZHU Guiyin, PENG Tao, ZHEN Guoxin, ZHAO Fangfang, SONG Qingqing, LI Li, MA Yinghua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):364-367
Objective:
To investigate the correlation between social jetlag and psychological behavior in upper primary school students,so as to provide reference for sleep health promotion in primary school students.
Methods:
From April to June 2024, a survey was conducted among 4 341 fourth and fifth grade students from 9 public primary schools in a district in Beijing. Sleep patterns were assessed using a self designed questionnaire, while psychological behavior was evaluated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)(parent version). A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to examine the association between different levels of social jetlag and psychological behavior problem scores in primary school students.
Results:
The proportions of students with social jetlag of <1.0, 1.0-<2.0, and ≥2.0 h were 57.6%, 30.6%, and 11.8%, respectively. The GEE model analysis found that after adjusting for covariates, compared with primary school students with social jetlag of <1.0 h, those with 1.0 -<2.0 and ≥2.0 h had higher scores for internalizing behavior problems [ β (95% CI ) =0.23(0.05-0.41),0.28(0.02-0.54), P < 0.01]. Primary school students with ≥2.0 h of social jetlag had higher scores for externalizing behavior problems [ β (95% CI )=0.42 (0.13-0.71), P <0.01]. Among boys and primary school students with an average nighttime sleep duration of ≥9 h, comparied with social jetlag of <1.0 h,those with sucial jetlag 1.0-<2.0 h had higher scores on internalizing and externalizing behavior problems[ β (95% CI )=0.32(0.07-0.56),0.51 (0.11-0.90), 0.26 (0.06-0.46),0.58 (0.25-0.91), P <0.05].
Conclusions
Greater social jetlag may be a risk factor for internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in upper primary school students. Reducing social jetlag may help decrease the occurrence of psychological behavior problems in primary school students.
8.Improvement of myocardial injury by traditional Chinese medicine:mitochondrial calcium homeostasis mediates macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathway
Lingyun LIU ; Guixin HE ; Weibin QIN ; Hui SONG ; Liwen ZHANG ; Weizhi TANG ; Feifei YANG ; Ziyi ZHU ; Yangbin OU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1276-1284
BACKGROUND:The repair process of myocardial injury involves complex cellular and molecular mechanisms,especially mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathways.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has shown significant clinical efficacy in improving myocardial injury,but its mechanism of action needs to be thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis-mediated macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathways in myocardial injury,and to summarize the progress of TCM in this field. METHODS:A computerized search was performed for relevant literature from the database inception to March 2024 in the Web of Science,PubMed and CNKI.The search terms were"mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,macrophage autophagy,macrophage pyroptosis,traditional Chinese medicine,myocardial injury,myocardial injury reperfusion"in Chinese and English.Through literature review,we analyzed the relationship between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis,explored the mechanism of their roles in myocardial injury,and summarized the pathways of multi-targeted,multi-pathway effects of TCM. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The maintenance of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis has been found to be closely related to the normal function of cardiomyocytes.Macrophages can participate in the repair process of myocardial injury through autophagy and pyroptosis pathways.Autophagy contributes to cell clearance and regulation of inflammatory response,while pyroptosis affects myocardial repair by releasing inflammatory factors.TCM regulates mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and macrophage function through multiple mechanisms.For example,astragalosid regulates calcium homeostasis by lowering mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting cytochrome C,and epimedium glycoside plays a role in reducing β-amyloid deposition.In addition,herbal compounds and single drugs promote myocardial repair by activating or inhibiting specific signaling pathways,such as PI3K/AKT and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways.Future studies should focus on the interactions between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,autophagy and pyroptosis pathways,as well as how TCM can exert therapeutic effects through these pathways to provide new strategies and drugs for the treatment of myocardial injury.
9.Association between thyroid function levels and phenotypes associated with sarcopenia
Jiatong LI ; Yue JIN ; Runjia LIU ; Bowen SONG ; Xiaoqian ZHU ; Nianhu LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1312-1320
BACKGROUND:Several observational studies have found a close relationship between thyroid function levels and sarcopenia,but the causal relationship between thyroid function levels and the onset of sarcopenia is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal relationship between thyroid function levels and sarcopenia using a two sample Mendelian randomization method. METHODS:A two sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using genome-wide association study data on thyrotropin,free triiodothyronine,free tetraiodothyronine,subclinical hyperthyroidism,subclinical hypothyroidism,and four related phenotypes of sarcopenia-lefthand grip strength,right hand grip strength,limb lean mass,and gait speed.The inverse-variance weighted method,weighted median method,simple mode method,weighted median estimator method,and MR Egger regression method were used as analysis methods,while heterogeneity test,pleiotropy test,MR-PRESSO,leave-one-out method,funnel plot and other methods were used for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone increased left-(β=0.02,SE=0.01,P=0.01)and right-handed grip strength(β=0.02,SE=0.01,P=0.01),an increase in free triiodothyronine decreased left-(β=-0.06,SE=0.02,P=9.5×10-5)and right-handed grip strength(β=-0.07,SE=0.02,P=9.3×10-5),and subclinical hyperthyroidism decreased gait speed(β=-4.4×10-3,SE=1.7×10-3,P=0.01).The sensitivity analysis results were basically consistent with the main analysis results.To conclude,an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone is a protective factor for sarcopenia,and elevation of free triiodothyronine and subclinical hyperthyroidism may increase the risk of sarcopenia.
10.Mitophagy regulates bone metabolism
Hanmin ZHU ; Song WANG ; Wenlin XIAO ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Xi ZHOU ; Ye HE ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1676-1683
BACKGROUND:In recent years,numerous studies have shown that autophagy and mitophagy play an important role in the regulation of bone metabolism.Under non-physiological conditions,mitophagy breaks the balance of bone metabolism and triggers metabolism disorders,which affect osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,etc. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of mitophagy in regulating bone metabolic diseases and its application in clinical treatment. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang and VIP databases were searched by computer using the keywords of"mitophagy,bone metabolism,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells"in English and Chinese.The search time was from 2008 to 2023.According to the inclusion criteria,90 articles were finally included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mitophagy promotes the generation of osteoblasts through SIRT1,PINK1/Parkin,FOXO3 and PI3K signaling pathways,while inhibiting osteoclast function through PINK1/Parkin and SIRT1 signaling pathways.Mitophagy leads to bone loss by increasing calcium phosphate particles and tissue protein kinase K in bone tissue.Mitophagy improves the function of chondrocytes through PINK1/Parkin,PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways.Modulation of mitophagy shows great potential in the treatment of bone diseases,but there are still some issues to be further explored,such as different stages of drug-activated mitophagy,and the regulatory mechanisms of different signaling pathways.


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