1.Application of Zebrafish in Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiaqi LI ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Jiarui WU ; Xiaoyu TAO ; Qiqi FAN ; Shengyun DAI ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):58-70
As a new type of model organism, zebrafish is gradually gaining prominence in the field of scientific research. The unique biological characteristics and advantages of zebrafish make them play an increasingly important role in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. Compared with other common experimental animals, zebrafish have a fast reproductive and growth speed and high embryo transparency, making them an ideal model for evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. This provides a new perspective and method for research on traditional Chinese medicine. With the growing global interest in traditional Chinese medicine, it has become crucial to find scientific and accurate methods to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. The introduction of the zebrafish model has brought new breakthroughs in the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine. To further promote the application of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine, this article systematically searched and sorted out the previous studies related to the application of zebrafish for this purpose since 2023. The commonly used disease models and indicators of zebrafish in evaluating the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the mechanism of zebrafish in exploring the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, were primarily reviewed. The application of zebrafish in evaluating the safety of traditional Chinese medicine and the typical examples in ensuring the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were demonstrated. The limitations encountered by zebrafish models in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine were highlighted. The resolution of these problems will help further improve the accuracy and reliability of zebrafish in evaluating the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. The article discussed the evaluation of effectiveness, safety, and quality control of zebrafish applied in traditional Chinese medicine, so as to provide a reference for establishing standards for traditional Chinese medicine and promoting its modernization in the future.
2.Hepatotoxicity and Anti-osteoporotic Mechanism of Evodiamine
Jiaqi LI ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Xiaoyu TAO ; Shan LU ; Qiqi FAN ; Jiarui WU ; Chongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):79-86
ObjectiveBased on the zebrafish model, the hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporotic activity of evodiamine (EVO) were studied. The mechanism of EVO in treating osteoporosis was explored by using network pharmacology and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). MethodsThree days after fertilization (3 dpf), zebrafish were randomly selected and exposed to different concentrations of EVO solution for 96 hours. The mortality rate of zebrafish at different concentrations was calculated at the exposure endpoint, and a "dose-toxicity" curve was drawn. The 10% lethal concentration (LC10) was calculated. Liver phenotype, acridine orange staining, and pathological tissue sections of liver-transgenic zebrafish [CZ16 (gz15Tg.Tg (fabp 10a: ds Red; ela31: EGFP))] were used to confirm hepatotoxicity of EVO. On this basis, prednisolone was used to create a model of osteoporosis in zebrafish. The skull development, area of the skull stained by alizarin red, and cumulative optical density were used as indicators to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activity of EVO in a safe dose. Based on network pharmacology, the mechanism of action of EVO in the treatment of osteoporosis was predicted and verified through Real-time PCR. ResultsThe LC10 of EVO on zebrafish (7 dpf) was determined to be 0.4 mg·L-1. Compared with the control group, sublethal concentrations (
3.Platelet-rich plasma injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome
Xiang SHANG ; Fei WANG ; Qiqi YANG ; Tianxin JIANG ; Fen ZHANG ; Sanbing WU ; Yonghui YANG ; Fei LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(2):270-279
Objective:
To determine the clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome.
Methods:
One hundred and twenty-eight patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome who visited the Rehabilitation Department and Orthopedics Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to March 2024 and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into an experimental (n=64) and control group (n=64) using the random number table method. The experimental group was treated with PRP injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion, whereas the control group was treated with normal saline injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. PRP and normal saline injections were administered once every two weeks, a total of four times. Patients were treated with warm acupuncture and moxibustion once a day, six times a week, for four consecutive weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome, visual analog scale (VAS), and Lysholm scores were determined before treatment, at week 4 and week 8 of treatment, and week 16 of follow-up. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone gla protein(BGP), and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels were compared between the two groups before and after 8 weeks of treatment. The clinical efficacy and safety indicators between the two groups were also compared.
Results:
There was no statistical difference in baseline data such as gender, age, disease duration, and body mass index between the two groups of patients. Compared with before treatment, both groups showed decreased WOMAC total and subscale, TCM syndrome total score and symptom scores, and VAS scores, and an increase in Lysholm scores at 4, 8, and 16 weeks after treatment. After treatment, serum IL-6, MMP-3, TNF-α, and COMP levels decreased, whereas serum OPG and BGP levels increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, patients in the experimental group showed decreased WOMAC total and subscale, TCM syndrome total score and symptom scores, and VAS scores, and an increase in Lysholm score at 4, 8, and 16 weeks after treatment. Compared with the control group, patients in the experimental group showed decreased serum IL-6, MMP-3, TNF-α, and COMP levels and an increase in serum OPG and BPG levels after treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the experimental group was 91.94%, higher than that of the control group (81.97%; P<0.05).
Conclusion
PRP injection combined with warm acupuncture and moxibustion can improve various TCM symptoms, improve knee joint function and bone metabolism, and reduce inflammation in patients with knee osteoarthritis and cold dampness obstruction syndrome.
4.Genomic characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli infection in diarrhea outpatients in Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Qiqi CUI ; Yuchen LU ; Suping WU ; Yinwen ZHANG ; Bing ZHAO ; Lifeng PAN ; Yingjie ZHENG ; Lipeng HAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(4):342-349
ObjectiveTo investigate the whole genomic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of clinical isolates of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) in diarrhea outpatients in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. MethodsBased on the diarrheal disease surveillance network in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, whole-genome sequencing was performed on a total of 55 EAEC strains isolated from fecal samples of the diarrhea outpatients from January 2015 to December 2019. The genome analyses based on raw sequencing data encompassed genome size, coding genes, dispersed repeat sequences, genomic islands, and protein coding regions, and pan-genome analyses were conducted simultaneously. Contigs sequences assays were performed to analyze molecular characteristics including serotypes, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors. The phylogenetic clusters and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were identified, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. ResultsEAEC exhibited an open pan-genome. The predominant serotype of EAEC in diarrhea outpatients in Pudong New Area was O130:H27, and the carriage rate of β-lactam resistance genes was the highest (67.27%, 37/55). A total of 29 virulence factors and 106 virulence genes were identified, phylogenic group B1 was the predominant group, and clonal group CC31 was the dominant clonal group. The strain distribution was highly heterogeneous. ConclusionThe genomic characteristics of EAEC displayed significant strain polymorphism. It is necessary to develop effective strategies for differential diagnosis and improve detection capabilities for infection with EAEC of different serotypes and genotypes.
5.Unveiling the metabolic fate of drugs through metabolic reaction-based molecular networking.
Haodong ZHU ; Xupeng TONG ; Qi WANG ; Aijing LI ; Zubao WU ; Qiqi WANG ; Pei LIN ; Xinsheng YAO ; Liufang HU ; Liangliang HE ; Zhihong YAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3210-3225
Effective annotation of in vivo drug metabolites using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a metabolic reaction-based molecular networking (MRMN) strategy is introduced, which enables the "one-pot" discovery of prototype drugs and their metabolites. MRMN constructs networks by matching metabolic reactions and evaluating MS2 spectral similarity, incorporating innovations and improvements in feature degradation of MS2 spectra, exclusion of endogenous interference, and recognition of redundant nodes. A minimum 75% correlation between structural similarity and MS2 similarity of neighboring metabolites was ensured, mitigating false negatives due to spectral feature degradation. At least 79% of nodes, 49% of edges, and 97% of subnetworks were reduced by an exclusion strategy of endogenous ions compared to the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform. Furthermore, an approach of redundant ions identification was refined, achieving a 10%-40% recognition rate across different samples. The effectiveness of MRMN was validated through a single compound, plant extract, and mixtures of multiple plant extracts. Notably, MRMN is freely accessible online at https://yaolab.network, broadening its applications.
6.Ameliorating vascular endothelial injury for lipolysacharide-induced via mitochondrial targeting function of octaarginine-modified essential oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (EOFAZ) lipid microspheres.
Lingyan LI ; Zengqiu YANG ; Qiqi LI ; Qianqian GUO ; Xingjie WU ; Yu'e WANG ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Ying CHEN ; Ling TAO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(2):340-351
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the therapeutic potential of octaarginine (R8)-modified essential oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (EOFAZ) lipid microspheres (EOFAZ@R8LM) for cardiovascular therapy.
METHODS:
EOFAZ@R8LM was developed by leveraging the volatilization of EOFAZ and integrating it with the oil phase of LM, followed by surface modification with cell-penetrating peptide R8 to target the site of vascular endothelial injury. The therapeutic effects of this formulation in alleviating lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular endothelial inflammation were evaluated by assessing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels.
RESULTS:
EOFAZ@R8LM effectively delivered EOFAZ to the site of injury and specifically targeted the mitochondria in vascular endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction through regulation of MMP and reduction of intracellular ROS levels. Moreover, it attenuated the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β, exerting protective effects on the vascular endothelium.
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlight the significant therapeutic potential of EOFAZ@R8LM in cardiovascular therapy, providing valuable insights for developing novel dosage forms utilizing EOFAZ for effective treatment against cardiovascular diseases.
7.Risk factors for 1-year death after surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures and accuracy of prediction model: based on LASSO-logistic regression
Hong WU ; Weicha CAI ; Qiqi JIN ; Yingfeng ZHOU ; Kaiming YUAN ; Ting LI ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2024;44(1):15-19
Objective:To identify the risk factors for 1-year death after surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures and evaluate the accuracy of the prediction model based on LASSO-logistic regression analysis.Methods:A case-control study was conducted on elderly patients (age ≥65 yr) who underwent surgical treatment for hip fractures in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January to December 2019. Patients were divided into death group and survival group according to their survival status at 1-year after surgery. General data and preoperative laboratory indicators were obtained. The variables were selected by utilizing LASSO regression and incorporated into multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for 1-year death after surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures. Then a prediction model was established based on the results and evaluated.Results:There were 63 patients in death group and 564 in survival group. The results of LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, preoperative cognitive dysfunction, Chalson comorbidity index ≥3 points and preoperative serum prealbumin level were the independent risk factors for 1-year death after surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures ( P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the prediction model was 0.788 (95% confidence interval [0.731-0.846]), with the sensitivity and specificity of 76.2% and 68.6% respectively. The average absolute error of the calibration curve was 0.007. The results of Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that there was no significant difference between the predicted value and actual observed value ( χ2=5.065, P=0.751). Decision curve analysis showed that patients had a high net benefit rate when the threshold probability range was 0-0.7. Conclusions:Age, preoperative cognitive dysfunction, Chalson comorbidity index ≥3 points and preoperative serum prealbumin level are the independent risk factors for 1-year death after surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures, and the prediction model developed based on LASSO-logistic regression has high accuracy.
8.Identification of banana ADA1 gene family members and their expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses.
Qiqi ZHAO ; Wenhui REN ; Huifei ZHU ; Qiuzhen WU ; Chunyu ZHANG ; Xiaoqiong XU ; Binbin LUO ; Yuji HUANG ; Yukun CHEN ; Yuling LIN ; Zhongxiong LAI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2024;40(1):190-210
The Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) is an ancillary transcription initiation complex which is highly conserved. The ADA1 (alteration/deficiency in activation 1, also called histone H2A functional interactor 1, HFI1) is a subunit in the core module of the SAGA protein complex. ADA1 plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as stress resistance. In this paper, we performed genome-wide identification of banana ADA1 gene family members based on banana genomic data, and analyzed the basic physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, selection pressure, promoter cis-acting elements, and its expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses. The results showed that there were 10, 6, and 7 family members in Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana and Musa itinerans. The members were all unstable and hydrophilic proteins, and only contained the conservative SAGA-Tad1 domain. Both MaADA1 and MbADA1 have interactive relationship with Sgf11 (SAGA-associated factor 11) of core module in SAGA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that banana ADA1 gene family members could be divided into 3 classes. The evolution of ADA1 gene family members was mostly influenced by purifying selection. There were large differences among the gene structure of banana ADA1 gene family members. ADA1 gene family members contained plenty of hormonal elements. MaADA1-1 may play a prominent role in the resistance of banana to cold stress, while MaADA1 may respond to the Panama disease of banana. In conclusion, this study suggested ADA1 gene family members are highly conserved in banana, and may respond to biotic and abiotic stress.
Musa/genetics*
;
Phylogeny
;
Fungal Proteins
;
Cell Nucleus
;
Histones
;
Stress, Physiological/genetics*
9.Research progress on platelet count detection methodology
Ping DENG ; Wei WU ; Qiqi ZHANG ; Lin ZHENG ; Rongrong CHENG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(7):172-177,181
Platelet count is an important basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions,and accurate platelet count can assist in making correct clinical diagnosis and taking effective treatment measures in clinical practice.The common detection methods for platelet counting were reviewed,including peripheral blood smear platelet estimation,sheath flow impedance,optical method,microscope digital imaging technology and flow cytometry indirect counting.The advantages and disadvantages and the application conditions of the above methods were analyzed,and the new detection technology of platelet count was introduced,it provides ideas for developing new platelet counting methods.
10.Construction and validation of a risk assessment model for frailty in elderly patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis
Jiaoni SHEN ; Hangting LI ; Jia WU ; Qiqi NI ; Xinrui WAN ; Guijuan HE
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(18):2206-2213
Objective To analyze the influencing factors of frailty in elderly patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis,and to construct and validate the risk assessment model.Methods Convenient sampling method was used to select 535 elderly patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis from tertiary hospitals and community health service centers in Hangzhou from January to September 2022 as the survey subjects including 357 in the modeling group and 178 in the validation group.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors of frailty,construct a risk assessment model and draw a nomogram.The discrimination and calibration of the model were evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.The Bootstrap method was used for intemal validation of the model,and the time verification method was used for external validation.Results The model variables included the number of affected joints,age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index,pain,nutritional status,sedentary time,activity of daily living,osteoarthritis index,lower limb muscle strength,and Social Support Rating Scale score.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results of the model showed that P=0.202,the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.942,the optimal critical value was 0.392,the sensitivity was 0.914,the specificity was 0.893,and the accuracy rate was 0.902.The internal and external validation showed that the C-statistics were 0.935 and 0.919,respectively,and the calibration curve showed good fitting.Conclusion The risk assessment model has a good degree of discrimination and calibration,which can more intuitively and easily screen elderly patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis at high risk of frailty,and provide references for early monitoring,identification,prevention and control.


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