1.Dynamics of eosinophil infiltration and microglia activation in brain tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Fanna WEI ; Renjie ZHANG ; Yahong HU ; Xiaoyu QIN ; Yunhai GUO ; Xiaojin MO ; Yan LU ; Jiahui SUN ; Yan ZHOU ; Jiatian GUO ; Peng SONG ; Yanhong CHU ; Bin XU ; Ting ZHANG ; Yuchun CAI ; Muxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):163-175
Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.
2.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Threatened Abortion
Xinchun YANG ; Shuyu WANG ; Huilan DU ; Songping LUO ; Zhe JIN ; Rong LI ; Xiangyan RUAN ; Qin ZHANG ; Xiaoling FENG ; Shicai CHEN ; Fengjie HE ; Shaobin WEI ; Qun LU ; Yanqin WANG ; Yang LIU ; Qingwei MENG ; Zengping HAO ; Ying LI ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Ruihua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):241-246
Threatened abortion is a common disease of obstetrics and gynecology and one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in TCM obstetrics and gynecology, Western medicine obstetrics and gynecology, and pharmacology to deeply discuss the advantages of TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment as well as the medication plans for threatened abortion. After discussion, the experts concluded that chromosome, endocrine, and immune abnormalities were the key factors for the occurrence of threatened abortion, and the Qi and blood disorders in thoroughfare and conception vessels were the core pathogenesis. In the treatment of threatened abortion, TCM has advantages in preventing miscarriages, alleviating clinical symptoms and TCM syndromes, relieving anxiety, regulating reproductive endocrine and immune abnormalities, personalized and diversified treatment, enhancing efficiency and reducing toxicity, and preventing the disease before occurrence. The difficulty in diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with traditional Chinese and Western medicine lies in identifying the predictors of abortion caused by maternal factors and the treatment of thrombophilia. Recurrent abortion is the breakthrough point of treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It is urgent to carry out high-quality evidence-based medicine research in the future to improve the modern diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with TCM.
3.Dynamic observation on capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells induced by Echinococcus multilocularis infection
Renjie ZHANG ; Jun XIE ; Fanna WEI ; Xiaojin MO ; Peng SONG ; Yuchun CAI ; Yan LU ; Jiahui SUN ; Yan ZHOU ; Lin LIN ; Ting ZHANG ; Muxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(1):34-43
Objective To investigate the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and its association with hepatic fibrosis during the development of alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the mechanisms underlying the role of LSEC in the development and prognosis of hepatic injuries and hepatic fibrosis caused by alveolar echinococcosis. Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and 1-, 2- and 4-week infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was intraperitoneally injected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while each mouse in the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline using the same method. All mice were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-infection and mouse livers were collected. The pathological changes of livers were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and hepatic fibrosis was evaluated through semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining-positive areas. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were examined using immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and the fenestrations on the surface of LSECs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Primary LSECs were isolated from mouse livers, and the mRNA expression of LSEC marker genes Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Results Destruction of local liver lobular structure was observed in mice 2 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces, and hydatid cysts, which were surrounded by granulomatous tissues, were found in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection. Semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining showed a significant difference in the proportion of collagen fiber contents in mouse livers among the four groups (F = 26.060, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of collagen fiber contents was detected in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group [(11.29 ± 2.58)%] than in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining revealed activation of a few HSCs and ECM deposition in mouse livers 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, and abundant brown-yellow stained α-SMA and COL1A1 were deposited in the lesion areas in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection, which spread to surrounding tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in α-SMA (F = 7.667, P < 0.05) and COL1A1 expression (F = 6.530, P < 0.05) in mouse levers among the four groups, with higher α-SMA [(7.13 ± 3.68)%] and COL1A1 expression [(13.18 ± 7.20)%] quantified in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences in the fenestration frequency (F = 37.730, P < 0.001) and porosity (F = 16.010, P < 0.001) on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups, and reduced fenestration frequency and porosity were observed in the 1-[(1.22 ± 0.48)/μm2 and [(3.05 ± 0.91)%] and 2-week infection groups [(3.47 ± 0.10)/μm2 and (7.57 ± 0.23)%] groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the average fenestration diameter on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups (F = 15.330, P < 0.001), and larger average fenestration diameters were measured in the 1-[(180.80 ± 16.42) nm] and 2-week infection groups [(161.70 ± 3.85) nm] than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Stabilin-1 (F = 153.100, P < 0.001), Stabilin-2 (F = 57.010, P < 0.001), Ehd3 (F = 31.700, P < 0.001), CD209b (F = 177.400, P < 0.001), GATA4 (F = 17.740, P < 0.001), and Maf mRNA expression (F = 72.710, P < 0.001), and reduced mRNA expression of Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf genes was quantified in three infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). Conclusions E. multilocularis infections may induce capillarization of LSECs in mice, and result in a reduction in the expression of functional and phenotypic marker genes of LSECs, and capillarization of LSECs occurs earlier than activation of HSC and development of hepatic fibrosis.
4.Effects of lung recruitment maneuver on postoperative hypoxemia in patients with acute type A aortic dissection
Yangchun LIU ; Qiwei LI ; Jianlin WEN ; Haisu LU ; Liqin MO ; Xiaochun ZENG
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(10):22-27
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of lung recruitment maneuver(LRM)on postoperative hypoxemia in patients with acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD).Methods A total of 56 ATAAD patients with postoperative hypoxemia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from November 2019 to May 2022 were selected and randomly divided into LRM group(n=36)and conventional treatment group(n=20).Patients in conventional treatment group received routine mechanical ventilation on the basis of lung protective ventilation.The patients in LRM group were treated with incremental positive end expiratory pressure(PEEP).Arterial blood gas analysis,respiratory parameters,hemodynamics parameters and serum interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-10 levels were compared between two groups before and after treatment.Results At 12h and 24h after treatment,arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),oxygenation index(OI),static compliance(Cstat)and dynamic compliance(Cdyn)in two groups were significantly higher than before treatment,the alveolar-arterial gradient of oxygen[PO2(A-a)],respiratory index(RI),peak inspiratory pressure(Ppeak)and plateau pressure(Pplat)were significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05).PaO2,OI,Cstat and Cdyn in LRM group were significantly higher than those in conventional treatment group,PO2(A-a),RI,Ppeak and Pplat were significantly lower than those in conventional treatment group(P<0.05).Systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure decreased and central venous pressure increased during pulmonary reexpansion in LRM group(P<0.05),and all patients returned to baseline level after pulmonary reexpansion.At 12h after treatment,serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in both groups were significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion Incremental PEEP can improve oxygenation and lung compliance in patients with hypoxemia after ATAAD surgery,but it has transient effects on hemodynamics,and should be closely monitored during treatment.
5.Study on characteristic chromatogram of Yao medicine Kadsura longipedunculata and its anwulignan content and anti-inflammatory activity
Binglan TANG ; Wei GAO ; Chengjian ZHAO ; Chunli OU ; Xiaoli HOU ; Lu CHEN ; Dandan MO
China Pharmacy 2024;35(14):1727-1731
OBJECTIVE To establish characteristic chromatogram of Yao medicine Kadsura longipedunculata and the method for the content determination of its main component anwulignan, and evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of anwulignan. METHODS HPLC method was performed with acetonitrile-0.5% phosphoric acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The characteristic chromatogram of K. longipedunculata was established and similarity was evaluated by Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM (2012 edition). The content of anwulignan in K. longipedunculata was determined. Lipopolysaccharide induced RAW264.7 macrophages were selected as inflammatory cell model to investigate the effects of anwulignan on the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. RESULTS The similarities of characteristic chromatogram for 10 batches of K. longipedunculata ranged 0.901-0.994, and 9 common peaks were determined; 3 components were identified, such as changnan schisantherin E, kadsulactone A, anwulignan. The contents of anwulignan were (0.72±0.05)-(1.21±0.03) mg/g(n=3). Anwulignan of 0.125-0.5 μg/mL greatly decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the supernatant of inflammatory model cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS HPLC characteristic chromatogram of K. longipedunculata and the method for the content determination of anwulignan are all established, and anwulignan may be the active ingredient of anti-inflammatory effect in K. longipedunculata.
6.Study on the correlation between Xiaochengqitang pieces(decoction and granules)based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography fingerprint
Jiangping CHEN ; Shan WEN ; Guihai DENG ; Qiuyi MO ; Wenting SHI ; Caiyue QIU ; Yun LU
China Pharmacist 2024;27(1):46-56
Objective To study the correlation of an ultra high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)fingerprint of Xiaochengqitang pieces(decoction and granules).Methods The UPLC method was used to establish the fingerprint of 15 batches of Xiaochengqitang pieces(decoction and granules).The correlation of the three UPLC fingerprints was evaluated by similarity analysis,pearson correlation analysis,cluster analysis(CA),principal component analysis(PCA)and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA).Results UPLC fingerprints of 15 batches of Xiaochengqitang pieces(decoction and granules)determined 16 common peaks,and 14 peaks were identified.The similarity of the fingerprints of the 15 batches of Xiaochengqitang pieces(decoction and granules)with the corresponding control fingerprints was greater than 0.90,and the similarity of the three control fingerprints was greater than 0.88.The results of pearson correlation analysis showed that 8 common peaks in Xiaochengqitang pieces(decoction and granules)had a very significant positive correlation.The results of CA showed that the properties of Xiaochengqitang decoction and granules were more similar.The results of PCA showed that the principal components with 4 eigenvalues greater than 1 contained 88%of the information of the original data.OPLS-DA screened 7 differential markers with variable importance projection value greater than 1.Conclusion The main chemical compositions of Xiaochengqitang pieces(decoction and granules)are consistent,which can provide data support for the quality control and clinical use of Xiaochengqitang compound preparation.
7.Effect of Qufu Shengji ointment combined with ulinastatin on postoperative wound healing and inflammatory factor levels in perianal surgery
Ming LU ; Ke WU ; Liping MO ; Guihong RONG ; Bo CHEN ; Haining HUANG ; Bingfen QIN
China Pharmacist 2024;27(1):117-124
Objective To investigate the effect of Qufu Shengji ointment combined with ulinastatin in the treatment of wound healing after perianal surgery and its effect on the level of inflammatory factors.Methods Patients who underwent perianal surgery in Guilin Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from July 2020 to January 2022 were randomly divided into control group and test group.The patients in both groups were treated with conventional debridement therapy and ulinastatin,and the test group was treated with Qufu Shengji ointment.The wound healing efficacy,TCM symptom score,inflammatory factor level,growth factor level and treatment safety of the two groups were compared.Results A total of 116 patients were included in the study,including 58 patients in the test group and 58 in the control group.The total effective rate of the test group(91.38%)was higher than that of the control group(75.86%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the TCM syndrome score levels of interleukin-17A(IL-17A),C-reactive protein(CRP)and serum amyloid A(SAA)in the test group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1(VEGFR1),fibroblast growth factor receptor(FGFR)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The anal function index was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was 13.79%and 8.62%,respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion The effect of Qufu Shengji ointment combined with ulinastatin in the treatment of wound healing after perianal surgery is significant,which can improve the TCM syndrome,reduce inflammatory factors,and upregulate growth factors,and has good safety.
8.Analysis of the Current Status and Prospects of Multi-Omics Technologies in the Field of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Hongye PENG ; Chunli LU ; Xiaoqiang HUANG ; Shuxia HUANG ; Mo ZHAO ; Jing LIU ; Wenliang LV
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(8):775-781
Due to the complexity of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions and the diversity of herbal components, single-omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics often cannot comprehensively elucidate the scientific connotations of TCM. Multi-omics technologies driven by system biology can analyze the theoretical connotations and application mechanisms of TCM from different levels such as genes, gene expression, proteins, and metabolites, in line with the holistic view of TCM, which helps to promote the modernization of TCM. By reviewing the literature on the application of omics technologies in the field of TCM, it is found that multi-omics technologies have been widely used in TCM for syndrome differentiation, evaluation of herbal quality, elucidation of pharmacological mechanisms, and drug toxicity assessment, providing comprehensive explanations of the mechanisms of action of TCM and overcoming the limitations of single-omics technologies, and having obtained significant achievements. However, multi-omics technologies also face challenges such as high cost, difficulties in data analysis due to large data volumes, and insufficient translation of research results. In the future, it is expected that through strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation, conducting long-term and dynamic clinical research, standardizing and normalizing data analysis processes, adopting appropriate and reasonable multi-omics integration patterns, establishing multi-omics databases for TCM, revealing the individualized characteristics, therapeutic mechanisms, and disease regulatory networks of TCM, the modernization of TCM will be promoted.
9.Research and determination of related substances in flumazenil
Xue-yan MIAO ; Yuan YANG ; Si-si LU ; Jin-mei MO ; Lin-kai HUANG ; Jia-jun WEI ; Yi-ping GU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(6):1765-1772
A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method utilizing correction factors was established for the quantitative detection of related substances in flumazenil. Separation was achieved using an Agilent Pursuit XRs C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with an isocratic elution of dilute phosphoric acid, methanol, and tetrahydrofuran as the mobile phases. Correction factors calculated from a standard curve method were applied to determine the impurity content. The quantification of impurities in flumazenil was conducted using both external standard and correction factor methods, followed by validation and comparison of the two. For the identification of degradation products, a forced degradation approach was employed to prepare a flumazenil degradation solution, and the resulting impurities were confirmed by LC-MS analysis. The separation of flumazenil and its impurities was found to be efficient. The limits of quantification for impurities A, B, D, and E were established at 0.169 9, 0.314 7, 0.143 9, and 0.270 8 ng, respectively, with the limits of detection at 0.055 8, 0.096 9, 0.048 8, and 0.089 0 ng. These impurities demonstrated a strong linear relationship across the concentration ranges of 0.034 9-7.847 0, 0.038 7-8.710 7, 0.034 6-7.794 1, and 0.032 4-7.292 8 µg·mL-1, respectively (
10.Tracking observation of fine motor development in children aged 6-8 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(6):831-834
Objective:
To examine the developmental trajectory of fine motor ability in schoolage children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for two years, so as to provide scientific evidence to promote motor development in ADHD children.
Methods:
From April to June 2019, 31 children aged 6-8 years old were selected from a public elementary school. They were diagnosed with ADHD by two psychiatric professionals according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria. Additionally, 31 typical developmental children, matched for age, sex and IQ with the ADHD group, were recruited as the control group. Fine motor ability was assessed with tasks of hand manual dexterity in Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MACB-2), and a followup assessment was conducted from April to June 2021. The development changes of fine motor ability between two groups of children were compared by using t test and repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results:
Between baseline and followup periods after two years, the total score of hand fine motor in the ADHD group did not show significant improvement (7.4±3.0, 8.0±3.4; t=-1.05, P>0.05), while there was a small effect size improvement in typically developing control group (9.5±2.1, 10.5±2.4; t=-2.12, effect size=0.38, P<0.05). Followup after two years, coin/peg throwing scores with dominant hand improved between ADHD group and control group (7.0±3.3, 9.5±3.2; 8.4±2.8, 11.6±1.6) (t=-3.74, -6.33, P<0.01; effect size=0.67, 1.14), with a smaller improvement in the ADHD group. The score for threading beads/threads decreased in between ADHD group and control group (7.9±2.4, 5.8±3.1; 9.2±1.1, 8.2±1.9) (t=3.89, 2.78, P<0.01; effect size=0.70, 0.50), with a greater decrease in the ADHD group.
Conclusions
The development speed of fine motor ability in children with ADHD aged 6-8 is slow and continues to lag behind normal developmental children. Fine motor development in children with ADHD should be closely monitored, and targeted interventions should be implemented when necessary.


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