1.Research on Magnetic Stimulation Intervention Technology for Alzheimer’s Disease Guided by Heart Rate Variability
Shu-Ting CHEN ; Du-Yan GENG ; Chun-Meng FAN ; Wei-Ran ZHENG ; Gui-Zhi XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1264-1278
ObjectiveNon-invasive magnetic stimulation technology has been widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but there is a lack of convenient and timely methods for evaluating and providing feedback on the effectiveness of the stimulation, which can be used to guide the adjustment of the stimulation protocol. This study aims to explore the possibility of heart rate variability (HRV) in diagnosing AD and guiding AD magnetic stimulation intervention techniques. MethodsIn this study, we used a 40 Hz, 10 mT pulsed magnetic field to expose AD mouse models to whole-body exposure for 18 d, and detected the behavioral and electroencephalographic signals before and after exposure, as well as the instant electrocardiographic signals after exposure every day. ResultsUsing one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, we found that some HRV indicators could identify AD mouse models as accurately as behavioral and electroencephalogram(EEG) changes (P<0.05) and significantly distinguish the severity of the disease (P<0.05), including rMSSD, pNN6, LF/HF, SD1/SD2, and entropy arrangement. These HRV indicators showed good correlation and statistical significance with behavioral and EEG changes (r>0.3, P<0.05); HRV indicators were significantly modulated by the magnetic field exposure before and after the exposure, both of which were observed in the continuous changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) (P<0.05), and the trend of the stimulation effect was more accurately observed in the continuous changes of ECG. ConclusionHRV can accurately reflect the pathophysiological changes and disease degree, quickly evaluate the effect of magnetic stimulation, and has the potential to guide the pattern of magnetic exposure, providing a new idea for the study of personalized electromagnetic neuroregulation technology for brain diseases.
2.Therapeutic Effect of Wenweishu Granules on Functional Dyspepsia Rats with Spleen-stomach Deficiency Cold Syndrome Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation
Xinyu YANG ; Xiaoyi JIA ; Zihua XUAN ; Shuangying GUI ; Yanfang WU ; Yuhan MA ; Qin RUAN ; Jia ZHENG ; Zhiyong JIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):30-40
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Wenweishu granule (WWSG) on functional dyspepsia (FD) with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome in rats by integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. MethodsActive components and corresponding targets of WWSG were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Disease-related targets for FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome were screened using GeneCards and the Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP). Core therapeutic targets were identified via Cytoscape and validated by molecular docking. A rat model of FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome was established using vinegar gavage combined with tail-clamping. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose WWSG groups (2.0, 4.0, 8.0 g·kg-1), a domperidone group (3.0 mg·kg-1), a Fuzi Lizhong pillwan (0.8 g·kg-1), and a normal control group (n=10 per group). Drugs were administered once daily by gavage for 14 consecutive days. After treatment, body weight, symptom scores, and gastrointestinal motility indices were recorded. Gastric and duodenal pathologies changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Brain-gut peptides were measured in serum and tissue using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to assess stem cell factor (SCF) and receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) protein expression in gastric tissues. ResultsA total of 305 drug targets, 1 140 disease targets, and 116 overlapping targets were identified. Cytoscape analysis revealed 104 core targets. Enrichment analysis indicated that the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway was the key mechanism. Molecular docking confirmed a strong binding affinity between active components of WWSG and SCF/c-Kit proteins (binding energy<-5.1 kcal·mol-1). Compared with the normal group, model rats exhibited slower weight gain (P<0.05), reduced gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion (P<0.01), mild gastric mucosal shedding, duodenal inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased levels of gastrin (GAS), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (P<0.05, P<0.01), and elevated somatostatin (SS) expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). WWSG treatment ameliorated weight gain, symptom scores, and low-grade inflammation in gastric/duodenal tissues. High-dose WWSG significantly improved gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion, upregulated GAS, 5-HT, and VIP, and downregulated SS expression in serum and tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot demonstrated that SCF and c-Kit protein expression was decreased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), which was reversed by WWSG intervention (P<0.05). ConclusionWWSG exerts therapeutic effects on FD with spleen-stomach deficiency cold syndrome in rats, potentially by regulating the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway to enhance gastrointestinal motility.
3. The neuroprotective effects of Herba siegesbeckiae extract on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats
Hui-Ling WU ; Qing-Qing WU ; Jing-Quan CHEN ; Bin-Bin ZHOU ; Zheng-Shuang YU ; Ze-Lin YANG ; Wen-Fang LAI ; Gui-Zhu HONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):70-75
Aim To study the neuroprotective effects of Herba siegesbeckiae extract on cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion rats and its mechanism. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into model group, low, middle and high dose groups of Herba siegesbeckiae, and Sham operation group, and the drug was given continuously for seven days. The degree of neurologic impairment was evaluated by mNSS, and the infarct volume was measured by MRI. The number of Nissl-posi- tive cells was detected by Nissl staining, and the apop- tosis was accessed by Tunel staining. Furthermore, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and NeuN was observed by Western blot, and the expression of NeuN was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of IL- 1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA was performed by RT- qPCR. Results The mNSS score and the volume of ischemic cerebral infarction in the model group were significantly increased, and Herba siegesbeckiae extract treatment significantly decreased the mNSS score and infarct volume (P<0.05, P<0.01). Herba siegesbeckiae extract could increase the number of Nissl-pos- itive cells and the expression of NeuN (P<0.01), and reduce the number of Tunel-positive cells (P<0.01). Western blot showed that Herba siegesbeckiae extract inhibited the expression of Bax, increased Bcl-2 and NeuN in ischemic brain tissue (P<0.01). RT-qPCR showed that Herba siegesbeckiae extract inhibited the expression of IL-1 β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the is-chemic brain tissue (P<0.01). Conclusions Herba siegesbeckiae extract can reduce the cerebral infarction volume, improve the neurological function damage, inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells and the expression of inflammatory factors and promote the expression of NeuN, there by exerting protective effects on MCAO rats.
4.Nanomaterial-based Therapeutics for Biofilm-generated Bacterial Infections
Zhuo-Jun HE ; Yu-Ying CHEN ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; De-Liang LIU ; Meng-De LIU ; Jian-Hui GAO ; Ze CHEN ; Jia-Yu DENG ; Guang-Yan LIANG ; Li WEI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(7):1604-1617
Bacterial biofilms gave rise to persistent infections and multi-organ failure, thereby posing a serious threat to human health. Biofilms were formed by cross-linking of hydrophobic extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), such as proteins, polysaccharides, and eDNA, which were synthesized by bacteria themselves after adhesion and colonization on biological surfaces. They had the characteristics of dense structure, high adhesiveness and low drug permeability, and had been found in many human organs or tissues, such as the brain, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skeleton. By releasing pro-inflammatory bacterial metabolites including endotoxins, exotoxins and interleukin, biofilms stimulated the body’s immune system to secrete inflammatory factors. These factors triggered local inflammation and chronic infections. Those were the key reason for the failure of traditional clinical drug therapy for infectious diseases.In order to cope with the increasingly severe drug-resistant infections, it was urgent to develop new therapeutic strategies for bacterial-biofilm eradication and anti-bacterial infections. Based on the nanoscale structure and biocompatible activity, nanobiomaterials had the advantages of specific targeting, intelligent delivery, high drug loading and low toxicity, which could realize efficient intervention and precise treatment of drug-resistant bacterial biofilms. This paper highlighted multiple strategies of biofilms eradication based on nanobiomaterials. For example, nanobiomaterials combined with EPS degrading enzymes could be used for targeted hydrolysis of bacterial biofilms, and effectively increased the drug enrichment within biofilms. By loading quorum sensing inhibitors, nanotechnology was also an effective strategy for eradicating bacterial biofilms and recovering the infectious symptoms. Nanobiomaterials could intervene the bacterial metabolism and break the bacterial survival homeostasis by blocking the uptake of nutrients. Moreover, energy-driven micro-nano robotics had shown excellent performance in active delivery and biofilm eradication. Micro-nano robots could penetrate physiological barriers by exogenous or endogenous driving modes such as by biological or chemical methods, ultrasound, and magnetic field, and deliver drugs to the infection sites accurately. Achieving this using conventional drugs was difficult. Overall, the paper described the biological properties and drug-resistant molecular mechanisms of bacterial biofilms, and highlighted therapeutic strategies from different perspectives by nanobiomaterials, such as dispersing bacterial mature biofilms, blocking quorum sensing, inhibiting bacterial metabolism, and energy driving penetration. In addition, we presented the key challenges still faced by nanobiomaterials in combating bacterial biofilm infections. Firstly, the dense structure of EPS caused biofilms spatial heterogeneity and metabolic heterogeneity, which created exacting requirements for the design, construction and preparation process of nanobiomaterials. Secondly, biofilm disruption carried the risk of spread and infection the pathogenic bacteria, which might lead to other infections. Finally, we emphasized the role of nanobiomaterials in the development trends and translational prospects in biofilm treatment.
5.Expression of miR-182-5p in patients with chronic heart failure and its correlation with left ventricular remodeling and prognosis
Xuelu TANG ; Lei GUI ; Jie ZHENG ; Xiuhua DI
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2024;26(2):132-136
Objective To investigate the serum expression level of miR-182-5p in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF),and analyze its correlation with left ventricular remodeling and prog-nosis.Methods A total of 138 CHF patients admitted to Liaocheng People's Hospital from Janu-ary 2019 to December 2021 were enrolled as CHF group,and another 120 healthy volunteers who took physical examinations at the same time served as the healthy group.The expression level of miR-182-5p in serum was detected in the two groups.Pearson analysis was used to analyze the correlation between its expression level and left ventricular remodeling.ROC curve was plotted to analyze the diagnostic value of miR-182-5p expression level.During 1 year of follow-up,their sur-vival status was collected and analyzed in the CHF patients.The prognostic value of miR-182-5p expression level was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival curve.Results The CHF patients had significantly lower LVEF value,but higher left ventricular remodeling index(LVRI)and miR-182-5p expression level than the healthy group(P<0.05,P<0.01).The expression level of miR-182-5p was negatively correlated with LVEF(r=-0.496,P=0.000)and positively with LVRI(r=0.460,P=0.000).The AUC value of miR-182-5p expression level in diagnosing CHF was 0.964,the cutoff value was 0.905,the sensitivity was 91.3%,and the specificity was 86.7%.Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the high expression level of miR-182-5p could predict the overall survival of CHF patients(P=0.039).Conclusion The expression level of miR-182-5p is higher in CHF patients than healthy people,and the patients with higher level indi-cate more serious left ventricular remodeling.Detecting the expression level of miR-182-5p is help-ful for the diagnosis and poorgnosis prediction of CHF patients.
6.Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in patients with primary biliary cholangitis and their family members
Gui JIA ; Chunmei YANG ; Xiufang WANG ; Juan DENG ; Ruiqing SUN ; Linhua ZHENG ; Yulong SHANG ; Ying HAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(7):1370-1374
Objective To investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)on the symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection in patients with primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)and their family member.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect related information from 171 PBC patients who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University before March 22,2023 and 128 family members,including demographic information,comorbidities,UDCA administration,SARS-CoV-2 infection,vaccination,symptoms,therapeutic medication,and the changes in liver disease-related symptoms.The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups,and the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.Results The median age was 51 years in the PBC patients and 49 years in the family members,with no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the family member group,the PBC group had significantly lower body mass index(22.2±2.4 kg/m2 vs 23.3±2.9 kg/m2,P<0.001)and proportion of male individuals(10%vs 55%,P<0.001).All PBC patients received UDCA at a dose of 13—15 mg/kg,and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was 100%in both groups.The family members had a significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rate than the PBC patients(91%vs 57%,P<0.001).Compared with the family members,the PBC patients had significantly milder symptoms of sneezing,nasal obstruction,chest pain,and abnormal taste(P<0.05).Compared with the family members,the PBC patients had significantly lower rates of use of compound cold medicine(11%vs 20%,P<0.05)and Lianhua Qingwen capsules(12%vs 21%,P<0.05).For the PBC patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection,the liver disease-related symptoms such as fatigue,abdominal distension,dry mouth and dry eyes,pruritus,and yellow skin were aggravated by 37%,2%,27%,10%,and 3%,respectively.Conclusion Compared with the immediate family members of PBC patients who do not take UDCA,the PBC patients receiving UDCA do not show a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection rate,but UDCA may have a certain effect on alleviating infection-related symptoms in such patients.PBC patients may still experience the aggravation of liver disease-related symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection,and the long-term effect on PBC patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection should be taken seriously in clinical practice.
7.Correlation analysis of miR-4500,NGF expressions with preoperative magnetic resonance signs in breast cancer
Fan YANG ; Jing CHEN ; Bin ZHENG ; Jiao-Jiao LI ; Li ZHANG ; Gui-Feng BIAN ; Ya-Jing BIAN ; Xiao-Yan LANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(1):47-50
Objective To analyze the correlations of the expressions of miR-4500 and nerve growth factor(NGF)in breast cancer patients with preoperative magnetic resonance(MR)signs.Methods A total of 105 patients with breast cancer admitted to our hospital were selected,the mRNA expression levels of miR-4500 and NGF in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of patients were detected by qRT-PCR,and the positive expression rates of NGF in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry method.The correlations of the expressions of miR-4500 and NGF in breast cancer tissues with clinicopathological features and MR signs of patients were analyzed.The targeting relationship between miR-4500 and NGF was predicted by the bioinformatics website,and the correla-tion between the expressions of the two was analyzed.Results Compared with the adjacent tissues,the expression level of miR-4500 in breast cancer tissue decreased(P<0.05),while the level of NGF mRNA and the positive expression rate of NGF increased(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in age,pathological type,tumor classification,parenchymal background,apparent diffusion coefficient or enhancement curve among different expressions of miR-4500 and NGF(P>0.05).The histological grade,lymph node metastasis,tumor diameter,tumor morphology,ring-like enhancement,and peritu-moral brain edema were related to the expressions of miR-4500 and NGF(P<0.05).The bioinformatics website prediction showed that miR-4500 and NGF had binding sites,and the expressions of miR-4500 and NGF mRNA in breast cancer tissues were negatively correlated(r=-0.576,P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of miR-4500 in breast cancer tissue is low,and the expression of NGF is high,which are correlated with the preoperative MR signs in patients,providing a molecu-lar basis for MR signs.
8.Correlation of CD200-CD200R axis and diseases and its research progress
Han XU ; Yu-xin BI ; Gui-xia LI ; Jian LI ; Liu-li WANG ; Rui-jia HAO ; Xue-min ZHENG ; Rui-jing HUANG ; Jin HAN ; Fei LI ; Gen-bei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(4):822-830
CD200 and its receptor CD200R constitute an endogenous inhibitory signal. The binding of CD200 and CD200R can regulate the immune response to pathogenic stimuli, which has received much attention in recent years. It has been found that CD200-CD200R is involved in the regulation of many kinds of pathological inflammation, including autoimmune diseases, cardiac cerebrovascular disease, infection and tumor. This paper reviews the protein structure, distribution, expression, biological function of CD200-CD200R and the correlation with diseases, and analyses the current status and development ideas of CD200-CD200R as drug targets. It aims to provide theoretical support for new drug research and development based on this target.
9.Predicting the potential suitable areas of Platycodon grandiflorum in China using the optimized Maxent model
Yu-jie ZHANG ; Han-wen YU ; Zhao-huan ZHENG ; Chao JIANG ; Juan LIU ; Liang-ping ZHA ; Xiu-lian CHI ; Shuang-ying GUI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(9):2625-2633
italic>Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC is one of the most commonly used bulk medicinal herbs. It has important value in the fields of medicine, food and cosmetics, and its market demand is increasing year by year, and it has a good development prospect. In this study, based on 403 distribution records and 8 environmental variables, we used Maxent model to predict the potential distribution of
10.IgG4-related hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor complicated with hepatic tissue infection:a case report and literature review
Si-Min LIAO ; Gui LUO ; Jing-Yu JIN ; Qian-Qian ZHAO ; Jian ZHU ; Jiang-Lin ZHANG ; Zheng ZHAO
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(7):783-789
Objective To report the clinical and imaging characteristics of a case with the clinical manifestation of multiple lung and liver nodules,diagnosed as IgG4-related hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor(HIPT)complicated by hepatic tissue-infection,and review the literature in order to facilitate clinical diagnosis and differential identification of IgG4-related HIPT.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of a patient with IgG4-related disease(IgG4-RD)characterized by multiple lung and liver nodules.A literature review was performed by searching Chinese and English databases to summarize the clinical and imaging characteristics of IgG4-related HIPT and hepatic tissue infection.Results The case involved a 64-year-old female admitted to the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital due to"poor appetite and fatigue for over a year,and dry cough for four months".She presented with multiple nodules in the lungs and liver,without involvement of the eyelids,salivary glands,submandibular glands,or pancreas.Laboratory test results revealed elevated serum IgG4 levels at 14.1 g/L and C-reactive protein(CRP)at 82.1 mg/L.Pulmonary CT scans indicated multiple solid nodules in both lungs with clear boundaries.Abdominal contrast-enhanced MRI revealed a nodule in liver segment S7 with a pseudocapsule around it,clear boundaries,and uniform enhancement;another nodule in liver segment S5 with blurred boundaries and ring enhancement.The final diagnosis of the liver nodules was confirmed by pathological and metagenomic sequencing to be an IgG4-related HIPT in segment S7 and hepatic tissue infection in segment S5.After a full course of anti-infection and treatment with methylprednisolone and leflunomide,follow-up imaging showed near-complete resolution of the lung and liver nodules.Literatures were searched in China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang,and PubMed databases(up to September 2023),and no case of IgG4-RD complicated with both liver involvement and infection was found.A total of 26 cases of IgG4-RD involving the liver have been reported so far,predominantly in males(92.3%),with an average age of 51 years.Most patients presented with abnormal liver function as the initial symptom,with normal blood inflammatory markers.Imaging typically shows a single nodule in 88.5%of cases,with clear boundaries and uniform enhancement,as well as ring enhancement.Concurrent involvement of the pancreas and biliary tract is common.Pathology is the gold standard for confirming the disease.Conclusions This case reports coexistence of IgG4-related HIPT and infection within multiple hepatic nodules.In the diagnosis and treatment of patients with IgG4-RD presenting with multiple hepatic nodules,if the imaging characteristics of the nodules are inconsistent,it is necessary to consider the possibility of the underlying disease coexisting with other conditions,which can be easily misdiagnosed.Actively obtaining pathological tissue is crucial for aiding in the definitive diagnosis.

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