1.Sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum Improves Neuroinflammation by Regulating JNK Phosphorylation
Ziyu YIN ; Yun GAO ; Junjiao WANG ; Weigang XUE ; Xueping PANG ; Huiting LIU ; Yunfang ZHAO ; Huixia HUO ; Jun LI ; Jiao ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):139-145
ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group, the model group, and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups (10, 20 μmol·L-1). The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay (CCK-8 kit). Nitric oxide (NO) release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit (Griess method). The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the 20 μmol·L-1 ZH-13 treatment group, the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups, the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced (P<0.05). After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin (Ani), both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group (P<0.01). ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.
2.Availability and use of child safety seats among children aged 0-3 years
CHEN Bo ; WANG Xihui ; QIU Fengqian ; YU Yan ; GAO Shuna ; HE Lihua ; LI Weiyi ; JI Yunfang ; CHEN Weihua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):21-25
Objective:
To investigate the availability and use of child safety seats among children aged 0-3 years, so as to provide the basis for improving riding safety for children.
Methods:
Parents of children aged 0-3 years in Huangpu District, Shanghai Municipality, were recruited using the stratified multistage random sampling method from May to July 2024. Demographic information, family travel patterns, the use of child safety seat and related health beliefs were collected using questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting the use of child safety seats were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
Totally 514 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 96.98%. The respondents included 122 fathers (23.74%) and 392 mothers (76.26%), with a median age of 34.00 (interquartile range, 5.00) years. There were 446 families equipping with child safety seats, accounting for 86.77%; and 169 families using child safety seats, accounting for 32.88%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the parents who had children aged >1-2 years (OR=0.597, 95%CI: 0.366-0.973), travelled 2-4 times per month (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.213-0.607) or once per month or less (OR=0.384, 95%CI: 0.202-0.729), and scored high in perceived barrier (OR=0.634, 95%CI: 0.486-0.827) were less likely to use child safety seats; the parents who had children with local household registration (OR=2.506, 95%CI: 1.356-4.633), travelled 5-<10 km (OR=1.887, 95%CI: 1.148-3.101) or ≥10 km (OR=2.319, 95%CI: 1.355-3.967), always wore seat belts (OR=2.342, 95%CI: 1.212-4.524), scored high in perceived susceptibility (OR=1.392, 95%CI: 1.091-1.778) and self-efficacy (OR=1.413, 95%CI: 1.156-1.727) were more likely to use child safety seats.
Conclusions
Equipping family cars with child safety seats and using them can prevent and reduce traffic injuries among children aged 0-3 years. It is recommended to strengthen publicity to promote the use of child safety seats.
3.Advances in influential factor and drug treatment studies for taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy
Yunfang ZHU ; Jinglin GAO ; Haopeng ZHAO ; Hongxin QIE ; Xiaonan GAO ; Mingxia WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(3):374-378
There are millions of patients with taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN), and there is no effective treatment or prevention measure in clinical practice. The occurrence of TIPN may be related to the dosage form of paclitaxel drugs, genetic and molecular markers, drug dosage and chemotherapy cycle, patient factors, etc. At present, drugs for treating TIPN mainly include those that inhibit axonal degeneration (such as dosazosin, tamsulosin), prevent mitochondrial dysfunction (such as glutathione trisulfides, antioxidants α -lipoic acid), improve calcium imbalance in the internal environment (Shaoyao gancao decoction, N-type voltage-gated calcium channel inhibitor IPPQ), and inhibit neuroinflammation (such as chemokine inhibitors and selective interleukin-8 receptor inhibitors DF2726A). Further exploration of drug treatment strategies targeting different induction mechanisms is expected to become a new direction for precise clinical prevention and personalized treatment of TIPN.
4.Percutaneous Kirschner wire leverage plus plaster fixation versus elastic intramedullary nailing for radial neck fractures in children
Fuyong ZHANG ; Wendong LIU ; Xiaodong WANG ; Yunfang ZHEN ; Tantan ZHAO ; Ya LIU ; Yuhao YANG ; Mincheng ZOU ; Yunpeng MAO
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2024;26(2):143-148
Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes between percutaneous Kirschner wire leverage plus plaster fixation and elastic intramedullary nailing in the treatment of radial neck fractures in children.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 60 children with radial neck fracture who had been treated by percutaneous Kirschner wire leverage plus plaster fixation at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 2016 to July 2023 (set as an internal fixation-free group). They were 30 males and 30 females (34 left and 26 right sides) with an age of (7.7±3.0) years. At the same time, another cohort of 60 patients were chosen as an intramedullary nailing group who had been treated by percutaneous Kirschner wire leverage plus elastic intramedullary nailing and matched in age and gender with those in the internal fixation-free group. The preoperative fracture angulation, operative time, hospitalization time, fracture angulation on the first postoperative day, fracture angulation at 1 month postoperatively, rate of angulation loss after reduction, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) at the last follow-up and complications were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in their preoperative general data, showing comparability ( P<0.05). The 120 pediatric patients were followed up for (7.5±3.2) months. The operative time [(27.4±15.0) min] and hospitalization time [(3.4±1.9) d] in the internal fixation-free group were significantly shorter than those in the intramedullary nailing group [(45.4±13.5) min and (4.4±1.3) d] ( P<0.05). The preoperative fracture angulation (50.8°±1.9°), fracture angulation on the first postoperative day (11.3°±1.2°), fracture angulation at 1 month postoperatively (12.1°±1.3°), rate of angulation loss after reduction (2.9%±0.5%), and MEPS at the last follow-up [(90.4±2.0) points] in the internal fixation-free group showed no significant differences from those in the intramedullary nailing group [49.5°±1.7°, 11.1°±1.2°, 13.3°±1.5°, 3.9%±1.4%, and (90.2±2.3) points] ( P>0.05). None of the patients in the internal fixation-free group developed pin-tail irritation sign or premature epiphyseal closure after surgery, whereas 3 patients in the intramedullary nailing group developed pin-tail irritation sign and 2 ones premature epiphyseal closure after surgery, showing a significant difference in the complication rate between the 2 groups [0 (0/60) versus 8.3% (5/60)] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Percutaneous Kirschner wire leverage plus plaster fixation and close elastic intramedullary nailing can both achieve satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of radial neck fractures in children. However, percutaneous Kirschner wire leverage plus plaster fixation needs shorter operative time and hospitalization time, leads to fewer complications, and requires no reoperation to remove internal fixation.
5.The principle and practice of vidian neurectomy
Changqing ZHAO ; Xicai SUN ; Yuzhu WAN ; Jing YE ; Guolin TAN ; Jianfeng LIU ; Yanjie WANG ; Fengli CHENG ; Yunfang AN
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;59(1):51-56
The latest research findings on bidirectional regulation of neuro-immunity through traditional neural circuits shed new light on the theoretical basis of the role of vidian neurectomy (VN). This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of VN, including the history of VN, the principle of neuroimmuno-interaction, the applied anatomy of VN as well as the methods of transnasal endoscopic surgery. Additionally, we introduce the concept of the nose-brain axis, which was proposed based on the advancement in the area of neuro-immune interactions.
6.Prenatal diagnosis of a case with Congenital myasthenic syndrome due to compound heterozygous variants of SCN4A gene
Fanrong MENG ; Yunfang SHI ; Duan JU ; Xiuyan WANG ; Haiwei DONG ; Xuebing LI ; Xiaozhou LI ; Xuexia ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(4):450-455
Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a fetus diagnosed with Congenital myasthenic syndrome type 16 (CMS16).Methods:A couple who had visited Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in February 2018 due to "adverse outcome of two pregnancies" was selected as the study subject. Clinical data was gathered. Peripheral blood and amniotic fluid samples were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. Low-depth whole-genome sequencing was carried out to detect copy number variation (CNV) in the fetus.Results:The couple′s first pregnancy had resulted in a miscarriage at 27 + 5 weeks, when ultrasound had revealed pleural effusion and polyhydramnios in the fetus. Their second pregnancy was terminated at 30 + 5 weeks due to fetal hand malformations, polyhydramnios and pleural fluid. Both couple had denied family history of genetic conditions. For their third pregnancy, no CNV abnormality was detected, whilst a compound heterozygous variants, including a maternally derived c. 3172C>T (p.R1058W) and paternal c. 1431delG (p.K477fs*89) in the SCN4A gene were detected. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the c. 3172C>T (p.R1058W) was predicted as a likely pathogenic variant (PM1+ PM2_supporting+ PP3+ PP4), whilst the c. 1431delG (p.K477fs*89) was predicted as a pathogenic variant (PVS1+ PM2_supporting+ PP4). Conclusion:The c. 3172C>T (p.R1058W) and c. 1431delG (p.K477fs*89) compound heterozygous variants of the SCN4A gene probably underlay the CMS16 in the third fetus.
7.Genetic analysis and prenatal diagnosis of a Chinese pedigree affected with Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome due to a novel variant of AR gene
Fanrong MENG ; Xiaozhou LI ; Yunfang SHI ; Duan JU ; Xiuyan WANG ; Chunying WANG ; Xuebing LI ; Wenjun YU ; Yingmei WANG ; Xuexia ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(10):1206-1212
Objective:To explore the clinical and molecular basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS).Methods:A CAIS pedigree presented at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between 2019 and 2021 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the proband was collected, along with peripheral blood samples from the proband and her family members. Chromosomal karyotyping, sex-determining region of the Y chromosome ( SRY) testing, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were carried out for the proband, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of her family members. Prenatal diagnosis was provided for the sister of the proband. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital (Ethics No. IRB2023-WZ-070). Results:The 18-year-old proband, who has a social gender of female, underwent laparoscopic examination, which showed no presence of uterus and ovaries. The karyotype of peripheral blood sample was 46, XY, with SRY gene detected. NGS indicated that the proband has harbored a heterozygous c. 1988C>G (p.Ser663Ter) variant of the AR gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that her mother and sister had both harbored the same variant, whilst her father and younger sister were of the wild-type. Prenatal diagnosis revealed that her sister′s first fetus had harbored carried the same variant, which had led to termination of pregnancy. Her second fetus did not carry the variant, and a healthy boy was born. Based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+ PM4+ PP3_Moderate+ PP4). Conclusion:The c. 1988C>G (p.Ser663Ter) variant of the AR gene probably underlay the CAIS in the proband. The accurate diagnosis of sex development disorders will rely on the physicians′ thorough understanding of the clinical symptoms and pathogenic genes. Genetic testing and counseling can enable precise diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis, and guidance for reproduction
8.The combined detection of S100β,IL-6 and hs CRP significantly improves the sensitivity of acute TBI diagnosis
Xiaogai NIE ; Chuanmei PENG ; Yunfang ZHANG ; Kun TU ; Jiao WANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(11):1580-1585
Objective Through the combined detection method,we tried to find more sensitive biomarkers for the diagnosis of acute TBI,which might provide the exact diagnosis,treatment and monitoring indicators for the clinic.Methods A total of 156 patients with acute TBI admitted to the Emergency Traumatic Center of Yan'an Hospital of Kunming from October 2022 to June 2023 were collected and included the normal and fracture control groups.Peripheral blood samples of the enrolled patients were collected and monitored,S100β and IL-6 were tested and clinical data such as hs-CRP was collected immediately upon admission,then statistical analysisanalysis was conducted.Results Peripheral blood in patients with acute TBI,The levels of S100β,IL-6 and hs-CRP significantly increased,and the area under the ROC curve for diagnosing acute TBI was 0.944,0.915,and 0.897.The combined detection of the three indicators showed an area under the ROC curve of up to 0.975.Person correlation analysis found a positive correlation between the three indicators,especially S100β with IL-6,The correlation coefficient between them is 0.715.Binary logistic regression analysis found that S100β,IL-6 and hs-CRP are independent risk factors for acute TBI.Conclusions The combined detection of S100β,IL-6 and hs-CRP can effectively improve the sensitivity of acute TBI diagnosis.The mutual promotion of S100β and IL-6 may aggravate the secondary craniocerebral injury caused by inflammatory mechanism,and early targeted treatment may improve the prognosis.
9.Effect of oral probiotics on intestinal microecology in patients with chronic heart failure
Yunling LI ; Yazhou ZHANG ; Yunfang ZHANG ; Jing TONG ; Weiwei WANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(9):73-77
Objective To investigate the effect of probiotics in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and its impact on intestinal microecology. Methods A total of 112 patients with CHF were selected as research subjects and randomly divided into study group and control group, with 56 patients in each group. The control group received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) combined with angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB) for treatment, while the study group received bifidobacterium viable capsules on the basis of treatment in the control group. The levels of myocardial fibrosis markers[type Ⅰ collagen precursor C-propeptide (PⅠCP), type Ⅲ collagen precursor N-propeptide (PⅢNP), PⅠCP/PⅢNP, type Ⅰ collagen carboxyl-terminal peptide (ⅠCTP)], cardiac function indicators[leftventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV)], intestinal flora abundance, plasma trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) levels, and serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) levels were measured in both groups. The therapeutic effects, drug safety, re-hospitalization rate, and mortality rate within 3 months after discharge were observed in both groups. Results The total effective rate in the study group was 71.43 %, which was higher than 51.79 % in the control group (
10.Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic kidney disease in plain-sand areasand loess hilly areas of Gansu province
Jianning YANG ; Doudou HONG ; Jinxing QUAN ; Limin TIAN ; Yunfang WANG ; Jing YU ; Zibing QIAN ; Panpan JIANG ; Changhong DONG ; Qian GUO ; Jing LIU ; Qi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2023;22(8):810-817
Objective:To investigate the risk factors of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in plain-sand areas and loess hilly areas of Gansu province.Methods:A total of 1 599 T2DM patients who participated in chronic disease and risk factors monitoring and basic public health service management were selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling method in the sandy plain areas and loess hilly areas of Gansu province. Questionnaire survey, physical measurement and laboratory tests were performed. Multivariate binary logistic model was used to analyze the influencing factors.Results:The prevalence of DKD was 22.1% (174/787) among T2DM patients in the sandy plain areas and 19.1%(155/812) in the loess hilly area, respectively. Hypertension ( OR=3.022), hyperuricemia ( OR=2.114) and HbA1c≥7%( OR=2.231) were the risk factors for DKD in the plain-sand areas, and the risk of DKD increased with age. In the loess hilly areas, female sex ( OR=0.379) was the protective factor for DKD; while duration of disease≥10 years ( OR=2.476), hyperuricemia ( OR=1.907), HbA1c≥7% ( OR=1.927) were the risk factors for DKD; and the risk of DKD increased with the increase of age, and decreased with the increase of per capita monthly income. Conclusions:The prevalence of DKD and its influencing factors are different between sandy plain areas and loess hilly areas in Gansu province. The prevention and treatment of hypertension should be given more attention in sandy plain areas. In addition, the screening of DKD should be conducted among T2DM patients, particularly for those with old age, hyperuricemia and HbA1c≥7% in both areas of the province.


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