1.Clinical Observation of Modified Zhigancao Tang in Treating Patients with Liver and Kidney Deficiency of Parkinson's Disease and Its Effect on Neuronal Signal-related Proteins
Yifo WEI ; Furong LYU ; Jia YAO ; Guonian LI ; Xianyi LUO ; Meng LUO ; Zhengzheng WEN ; Qiuqi LI ; Yihan LIU ; Linlin YANG ; Rui ZUO ; Wenxin DANG ; Fang MI ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Zhigang CHEN ; Fan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):166-173
ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 (MAP-2), alpha-tubulin (α-tubulin), and synaptophysin (SYP) are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease (PD), analyzed their correlation, and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine, and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score, TCM syndrome score, and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment, the TCM syndrome score, UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% (19/30), and that of the treatment group was 86.7% (26/30). The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group (Z=-2.03, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group, were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.
2.Therapeutic effect and mechanism of hordenine on ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in rats
Junyan LI ; Tao LIU ; Fang SUN ; Jiahui HUANG ; Shuzhen MAO ; Jing YAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):80-90
To investigate the therapeutic effect and related mechanisms of hordenine on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) in rats, HE and AB-PAS staining were used to detect the improvement of pathological damage to the nasal mucosa induced by hordenine. ELISA was employed to detect the effect of hordenine on OVA-sIgE in serum and IL-4 in the nasal mucosa supernatant of rats. IHC and Western blot experiments were undertaken to examine the effect of hordenine on Th1/Th2 cell balance. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict pathways, which were verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. The experimental results showed that hordenine could alleviate the behavioral manifestations of OVA-induced AR rats, alleviate nasal mucosal pathological damage caused by AR, and reduce the secretion of OVA-sIgE and IL-4. In addition, hordenine could regulate the Th1/Th2 balance. Bioinformatics analysis results showed that the potential pathway of action of hordenine on AR was the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. The in vivo experimental results showed that the expression of PI3K and p-Akt proteins in the nasal mucosa of the model group rats was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and that the protein expression level was significantly decreased after the administration of hordenine, which was also confirmed by an in vitro experiment. This study suggests that hordenine may regulate Th1/Th2 cell balance through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby exerting an alleviating effect on OVA-induced AR.
3.Research on a COPD Diagnosis Method Based on Electrical Impedance Tomography Imaging
Fang LI ; Bai CHEN ; Yang WU ; Kai LIU ; Tong ZHOU ; Jia-Feng YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1866-1877
ObjectiveThis paper proposes a novel real-time bedside pulmonary ventilation monitoring method for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT). Four indicators—center of ventilation (CoV), global inhomogeneity index (GI), regional ventilation delay inhomogeneity (RVDI), and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC)—are calculated to enable the spatiotemporal assessment of COPD. MethodsA simulation of the respiratory cycles of COPD patients was first conducted, revealing significant differences in certain indicators compared to healthy individuals. The effectiveness of these indicators was then validated through experiments. A total of 93 subjects underwent multiple pulmonary function tests (PFTs) alongside simultaneous EIT measurements. Ventilation heterogeneity under different breathing patterns—including forced exhalation, forced inhalation, and quiet tidal breathing—was compared. EIT images and related indicators were analyzed to distinguish healthy individuals across different age groups from COPD patients. ResultsSimulation results demonstrated significant differences in CoV, GI, FEV1/FVC, and RVDI between COPD patients and healthy individuals. Experimental findings indicated that, in terms of spatial heterogeneity, the GI values of COPD patients were significantly higher than those of the other two groups, while no significant differences were observed among healthy individuals. Regarding temporal heterogeneity, COPD patients exhibited significantly higher RVDI values than the other groups during both quiet breathing and forced inhalation. Moreover, during forced exhalation, the distribution of FEV1/FVC values further highlighted the temporal delay heterogeneity of regional lung function in COPD patients, distinguishing them from healthy individuals of various ages. ConclusionEIT technology effectively reveals the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of regional lung function, which holds great promise for the diagnosis and management of COPD.
4.Relationship between metal exposure and blood pressure in rural primary school students in Shiyan City, Hubei Province
YAN Tinghua, FANG Wen, LI Junmin, ZHANG Yao, LU Yu, ZHANG Miao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(4):581-584
:
To explore the relationship between metal exposure level and blood pressure, so as to provide a scientific basis for verifying the relationship between metal exposure and elevated blood pressure among primary school students.
Methods:
In July 2022, a total of 555 students of second to sixth grade were selected by cluster random sampling method from two primary schools in Zhuxi County, Shiyan City, Hubei Province. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain the socio demographic characteristics and living habits of the participants. The height, weight, body mass index(BMI) and blood pressure were obtained by physical examination. At the same time, the urine of the subjects was collected, and the metal mass fraction in urine was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The relationship between metal mass fraction in urine and blood pressure was analyzed by generalized linear regression.
Results:
The detection rate of elevated blood pressure in primary school students was 15.86% , and there was a statistically significant difference in the detection rate of elevated blood pressure among obese primary school students (yes:37.25%,no:13.69%, χ 2=19.28, P <0.01).There were statistically significant differences in BMI[15.80( 14.69 , 17.92 ),17.87(15.49,20.89)kg/m 2] between the non elevated blood pressure group and the elevated blood pressure group of elementary school students ( Z =-4.67, P <0.01). The geometric mean mass fraction of zinc in urine was the highest ( 6 942.86 μg/g), titanium was the lowest (2.20 μg/g). Zinc and lead were positively correlated with elevated systolic blood pressure( β = 0.054 , 0.014), zinc and cadmium were positively correlated with elevated diastolic blood pressure ( β =0.038,0.029) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Metal zinc, lead and cadmium concentration are associated with elevated blood pressure. It is necessary to intervene and control the exposure of zinc, lead and cadmium in the environment to promote the blood pressure health of primary school students.
5.TUDCA promotes intracellular clearance of Burkholderia pseudomallei by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells
Guangqiang ZHAO ; Dongqi NAN ; Siqi YUAN ; Chenglong RAO ; Zhenquan XING ; Bin WANG ; Yao FANG ; Xuhu MAO ; Qian LI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(3):225-231
Objective To explore the action mechanism of tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA)promoting intracellular clearance of Burkholderia pseudomallei(B.pseudomallei)in RAW264.7 macrophages.Methods After TUDCA of different concentrations were used to treat RAW264.7 cells pre-infected with B.pseudomallei for 8 h or not,flow cytometry was applied to detect the apoptosis of the infected and control cells.In addition,another endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)inhibitor 4-PBA was used to detect the apoptosis and proliferation of host cells after B.pseudomallei infection with Annexin-V/PI double staining and MTT cell proliferation assay.Furthermore,after transfected with CHOP siRNA,Western blotting and flow cytometry were employed to detect the effect of TUDCA on the expression levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 and the changes in apoptotic rate after B.pseudomallei infection,respectively.Finally,the effect of TUDCA on intracellular multiplication of infected RAW264.7 cells were observed to estimate the CFU value in the presence and absence of CHOP siRNA.Results Under different concentrations of TUDCA,100 or 200 μmol/L TUDCA significantly reduced B.pseudomallei-induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells(P<0.05).Meanwhile,both TUDCA and 4-PBA treatment could decrease the apoptosis induced by B.pseudomallei infection by ERS(P<0.05).Further,the expression levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-12 were obviously increased after B.pseudomallei infection compared with uninfected groups,but their expression levels in the siCHOP group was significantly lower than that in the siC group.Besides,flow cytometry also showed that TUDCA could reduce apoptosis induced by B.pseudomallei infection(P<0.05),but no significant effect of TUDCA on apoptosis was observed under CHOP knockdown.Finally,intracellular CFU assay indicated that TUDCA treatment promoted the host cell clearance of B.pseudomallei(P<0.05),but no such effect was observed in siCHOP group.Conclusion In B.pseudomallei infected RAW264.7 cells,TUDCA promotes the intracellular clearance of the bacteria by inhibiting ERS-induced apoptosis.
6.A Sensor for Detection of Breast Tumor with Three-dimensional Electrical Impedance Tomography
Kai LIU ; An-Qi LI ; Fang LI ; Cheng-Jun ZHU ; Hang TIAN ; Jia-Feng YAO
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(2):248-255,中插16-中插18
An intensive breast array sensor was designed based on three-dimensional electrical impedance tomography in this work.Firstly,an electrical impedance sensor for detection of breast cancer was developed.The sensor adopted the integrated design of excitation electrode array and ground electrode to achieve structural simplification.It realized electric field densification through conical matrix and double-layer circumferentially arranged electrode array and improved the detection accuracy of target object through taper optimization.Secondly,the imaging system was designed,and the sensor was optimized by numerical simulation.The simulation results showed that halving the number of electrodes did not affect imaging accuracy of the sensor,but could improve the imaging speed.Finally,the performance of the sensor was verified by experiment.The signal-to-noise ratio and channel consistency of the system were at a good level.The sensor was used to reconstruct three-dimensional image of the experimental model with relative volume of the detection field of 0.4%.The image correlation coefficient of the single target imaging was above 0.6 and the position of the double target object could be clearly identified,and thus the visual detection of breast cancer was realized.
7.Study on the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution in Pregnant Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia and Its Influencing Factors
Ying WANG ; Jing-Wen ZHOU ; Ye-Yao YANG ; Li-Shan SU ; Yan-Fang LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):21-26
Objective To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia(IDA)and its related influencing factors,so as to provide a reference for the TCM prevention and treatment of IDA in pregnancy.Methods A total of 109 eligible patients with IDA during pregnancy were included in the study.The general data of pregnant women,the TCM constitution types and relevant laboratory indicators including serum ferritin(Fer),hemoglobin(Hb)and mean corpuscular volume(MCV)were collected.Statistical analyses were conducted on the distribution of TCM constitution types of IDA pregnant women and its related influencing factors as well as the pregnancy outcomes.Results(1)The 109 IDA pregnant women were predominated by biased constitution types,accounted for 60 cases(55.05%).The distribution of the constitution types of 109 IDA pregnant women was as follows:balanced constitution(49 cases,44.95%)>damp-heat constitution(13 cases,11.93%)>yang deficiency constitution(12 cases,11.01%)>yin deficiency constitution(11 cases,10.09%)>qi deficiency constitution(10 cases,9.17%)>qi stagnation constitution(9 cases,8.26%)>blood stasis constitution(3 cases,2.75%)>phlegm-damp constitution(2 cases,1.83%).(2)Comparison of Hb and MCV levels in IDA pregnant women with various constitution types showed no statistically significant differences(P>0.05),but Fer level in IDA pregnant women with damp-heat constitution was significantly higher than that in IDA pregnant women with balanced constitution(P<0.01),and the probability of occurrence of amniotic opacity in IDA pregnant women with damp-heat constitution was significantly higher than that in IDA pregnant women with balanced constitution and other biased constitution types(P<0.05).Conclusion Damp-heat constitution is the most common TCM constitution type in pregnant women with IDA,followed by yang deficiency constitution,yin deficiency constitution and qi deficiency constitution.The damp-heat constitution may be the susceptible constitution of pregnant women with IDA,and IDA pregnant women with damp-heat constitution have significantly higher Fer level than those with balanced constitution,and also have the higher probability of occurrence of amniotic opacity than those with balanced constitution and other biased constitution types.
8.Clinical study of perceptual eye position and fixation stability in adolescents with low myopia
Yao WANG ; Bolin DENG ; Ying MU ; Xuan LI ; Chenzhu ZHAO ; Ying FANG ; Yufeng HE ; Shasha PANG ; Li ZHANG ; Zhengzheng WU
International Eye Science 2024;24(9):1491-1495
AIM:To test and compare the perceptual eye position and fixation stability of adolescents with emmetropia and adolescents with low myopia, investigating the characteristics of the perceptual eye position and fixation stability of adolescents with low myopia.METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 132 adolescents(264 eyes)who visited in the ophthalmology clinic of our hospital from April to December 2023 were randomly selected as the research subjects. Participants were categorized into normal control group(n=45, 90 eyes), simple low myopia group(n=45, 90 eyes)and low myopia with anisometropia group(n=42, 84 eyes)according to their refractive status and were underwent assessments for perceptual eye position and fixation stability.RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the static and dynamic horizontal perceptual eye position deviation of the simple low myopia group and the low myopia with anisometropia group were significantly increased(P<0.05). Compared with the simple low myopia group, the static and dynamic horizontal perceptual eye position deviation of the low myopia with anisometropia group were significantly increased(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in static and dynamic vertical perceptual eye position deviation among the three groups(P>0.05); compared with the normal control group, the horizontal and vertical fixation stability of the simple low myopia group and the low myopia with anisometropia group were significantly worse(all P<0.01), but there was no differences in the simple low myopia group and the low myopia with anisometropia group(P >0.05).CONCLUSION: Abnormalities are observed in perceptual eye position and fixation stability function in adolescents with low myopia compared with those adolescents with emmetropia, even at best corrected visual acuity. The occurrence of anisometropia could lead to an increased degree of horizontal perceptual eye position displacement.
9.The Role of Mechanical Sensitive Ion Channel Piezo in Digestive System Diseases
Si-Qi WANG ; Xiang-Yun YAN ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Fang-Li LUO ; Jun-Peng YAO ; Pei-Tao MA ; Yu-Jun HOU ; Hai-Yan QIN ; Yun-Zhou SHI ; Ying LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(8):1883-1894
The Piezo protein is a non-selective mechanosensitive cation channel that exhibits sensitivity to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and shear stress. It converts mechanical signals into bioelectric activity within cells, thus triggering specific biological responses. In the digestive system, Piezo protein plays a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological activities, including digestion, absorption, metabolic regulation, and immune modulation. However, dysregulation in Piezo protein expression may lead to the occurrence of several pathological conditions, including visceral hypersensitivity, impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier function, and immune inflammation.Therefore, conducting a comprehensive review of the physiological functions and pathological roles of Piezo protein in the digestive system is of paramount importance. In this review, we systematically summarize the structural and dynamic characteristics of Piezo protein, its expression patterns, and physiological functions in the digestive system. We particularly focus on elucidating the mechanisms of action of Piezo protein in digestive system tumor diseases, inflammatory diseases, fibrotic diseases, and functional disorders. Through the integration of the latest research findings, we have observed that Piezo protein plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various digestive system diseases. There exist intricate interactions between Piezo protein and multiple phenotypes of digestive system tumors such as proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. In inflammatory diseases, Piezo protein promotes intestinal immune responses and pancreatic trypsinogen activation, contributing to the development of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and pancreatitis. Additionally, Piezo1, through pathways involving co-action with the TRPV4 ion channel, facilitates neutrophil recruitment and suppresses HIF-1α ubiquitination, thereby mediating organ fibrosis in organs like the liver and pancreas. Moreover, Piezo protein regulation by gut microbiota or factors like age and gender can result in increased or decreased visceral sensitivity, and alterations in intestinal mucosal barrier structure and permeability, which are closely associated with functional disorders like irritable bowel sydrome (IBS) and functional consitipaction (FC). A thorough exploration of Piezo protein as a potential therapeutic target in digestive system diseases can provide a scientific basis and theoretical support for future clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.
10.Interlaboratory consistency analysis of clinical grading interpretation of tumor gene variants
Lei DONG ; Qianlan YAO ; Xuqian FANG ; Jiayi ZHENG ; Anqi LI ; Xiaoyan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(10):1027-1032
Purpose To investigate the consistency of the"Standards and guidelines for the interpretation and reporting of sequence variants in cancer"published in 2017 by the Associa-tion for Molecular Pathology(AMP)/American Society of Clini-cal Oncology(ASCO)/College of American Pathologists(CAP).Methods Sixty variants of 26 genes from 11 types of cancer were selected.5 professionals from four hospitals e-quipped with in-hospital NGS detection ability were used to in-terpret the treatment,diagnosis and progenosis respectivly.In the first phase of the study,each researcher rated the variants individually according to their own understanding of the 2017 guideline.In the second phase,the details of the guidelines'e-valuation principles were discussed and interpreted again after reaching a consensus.Results Eleven principles recognized by all participants were summarized as a supplement to interpreta-tion.Fleiss consistency showed that the consistency of interpre-tation of treatment and prognostic significance in the second stage was higher than that in the first phase(κ value was 0.166 vs 0.276,0.014 vs 0.185).The consistency of interpretation of diagnostic significance in the second stage was lower than that in the first phase(κ value was 0.454 vs 0.035).Conclusion There is inconsistency in the clinical interpretation of tumor gene variation among different laboratories.It is feasible for laborato-ries to establish a mutually recognized interpretation system for the clinical diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of tumors.


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