1.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
2.Status Analysis of Acupoint Selection and Stimulation Parameters Application for Acupuncture Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia
Siyi ZHENG ; Han ZHANG ; Yang YU ; Chuanlong ZHOU ; Yan SHI ; Xiaohu YIN ; Shouhai HONG ; Na NIE ; Jianqiao FANG ; Yi LIANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1293-1299
Based on commonly used acupoints in the clinical acupuncture treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD), this study systematically analyzes the therapeutic differences and synergistic effects between local and distal point selection. It also examines the suitability of primary acupoint selection for different FD subtypes, postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). The findings suggest that a combination of local and distal acupoints may be more appropriate as primary points for PDS, whereas local acupoints alone may be more suitable for EPS. Additionally, the study explores the impact of various factors, such as stimulation techniques, needling order, intensity or stimulation parameters, and depth, on the efficacy of acupuncture. It concludes that the intrinsic properties of acupoints are the primary determinants of therapeutic direction. Other factors mainly influence the magnitude rather than the direction of the effect. Future research may further investigate how different acupoint combinations, local versus distal, affect the treatment outcomes of FD subtypes, providing new insights for clinical acupuncture prescriptions.
3.Associations between lifestyle and comorbid anxiety and depression in pregnant women
Jiaqi ZHENG ; Liyao HUANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Mengbi SHEN ; Xiaojin WANG ; Hong LI ; Zhiwei LIU ; Ying TIAN ; Xiaoning LEI ; Yu GAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(3):235-242
Background Anxiety and depression are common perinatal mental health issues that often occur together and can have serious negative effects on both maternal and infant health. Objective To examine the relationships between lifestyle factors and comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) among pregnant women in Shanghai. Methods The study estimated the prevalence of CAD during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) based on data from the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) embryonic-derived diseases with assisted reproductive technology (ART) sub-cohort. Information on demographics, sleep status, nutritional intake, and exercise during each trimester was collected through self-made questionnaires, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Lifestyle factors (such as sleep status, nutritional intake, and exercise during each trimester) were analyzed using logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to determine their impacts on the prevalence of CAD (yes or no) among pregnant women. Results A total of 2876 pregnant women were included in this study. The prevalence of CAD was 10.6% (305), 3.6% (103), and 5.5% (159) in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that poor sleep quality throughout the entire pregnancy were statistically associated with an increased prevalence of CAD, and the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 2.817 (1.845, 4.301), 2.840 (1.855, 4.347), and 9.316 (5.835, 14.876) for the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, when compared to good sleep quality. Additionally, compared to an intake frequency of 7 times per week, the frequency of egg intake ≤3 times per week in the first trimester (OR=2.025, 95%CI: 1.197, 3.425) and the frequency of egg intake of 4–6 times per week (OR=1.896, 95%CI: 1.117, 3.216) or ≤3 times per week (OR=1.906, 95%CI: 1.082, 3.357) in the third trimester were associated with an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). Moreover, when compared to a frequency of exercise >3 times per week, never or almost never exercising in the second trimester (OR=2.218, 95%CI: 1.220, 4.035) was associated with an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). The GLMM analysis also demonstrated a significant association between poor sleep quality, lower exercise frequency, or lower intake frequency of vegetables, eggs, or milk and an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of CAD among pregnant women in Shanghai follows a U-shaped distribution, with the highest rate occurring in early pregnancy and the lowest rate in mid-pregnancy. Factors such as poor sleep quality, inadequate intake of vegetables, eggs, or milk, and lack of exercise during pregnancy may increase the risk of CAD. Implementing lifestyle interventions during pregnancy could potentially reduce the risk of mental health problems and improve the overall health of both mothers and babies.
4. Effect of safflower yellow on learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 at different months based on TLR4/NF-KB signaling pathway
Meng-Yu ZHANG ; Yan-Jie ZHENG ; Hong-Xia YE ; Chun-Hui WANG ; Yan-Li HU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):76-82
Aim To investigate the effect of safflower yellow (SY) on learning and memory ability of APP/ PS1 mice at different disease stages, and to explore the mechanism of SY anti- Alzheimer's disease by using 3-,6- and 9-month-old APP/PS 1 transgenic mice as experimental animal models. Methods Behavioral experiments were conducted to observe the effects of SY on learning and memory of APP/PS1 mice of different months. ELISA was used to detect the effect of SY on the expression of inflammatory factors in cortex of mice of different months. Western blot was used to detect the microglia activation marker protein, and its mechanism of action was further analyzed. Results SY could enhance the learning and memory ability of mice aged 3, 6 and 9 months, reduce the content of IL-6 and increase the content of TGF-β1 in brain tissue, up-regulate the expression levels of arginase-1 (arg-1) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (tREM2) in brain tissue of mice of different months, and down-regulate the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Toll-like receptors 4 (tlr4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (nf-KB). Conclusions Compared with 3- and 9-month-old mice, SY is the most effective in improving learning memory in 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice. SY inhibits TLR4/NF-KB pathway activation by inducing TREM2 expression in brain tissue of APP/PS 1 transgenic mice, promotes microglia phenotype shift to anti-inflammatory phenotype, reduces chronic neuroinflammatory response, and improves learning memory in APP/PS1 mice at all months of age.
5. 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.
6. Network pharmacology-based study on mechanism of Zhi-Huang-Zhi-Tong powder in rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Xiao-Yun TIAN ; Ying-Jie YANG ; Wan-Ting ZHENG ; Ming-Qing HUANG ; Li-Hong NAN ; Jian-Yu CHEN ; Hai-Yu ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):381-389
Aim To discover the potential active compounds and possible mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment with Zhi-Huang-Zhi-Tong powder (ZHZTP) by using network pharmacology and in vitro study. Methods The active ingredient targets and disease targets of Zhihuang Zhitong Powder were searched and screened by database; they intersected to get a common target; and the "drug-component-target" relationship network diagram was constructed for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of the overlapping genes; then the core components were docked with the core targets. Finally, based on the inflammation model of HUVECs in vitro, the efficacy and mechanism of Zhihuang Zhitong powder were verified by MTT method, plate scratch test and Western blot. Results Active compounds involved in RA treatment were screened in the present study, and the top two were ursolic acid and emodin, all playing crucial roles in RA treatment with ZHZTP. Additionally, the key target was AKTA, TNF and IL-6. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that ZHZTP regulated BP, MF and CC, and also focused on regulating AKTA, TNF and IL-6 signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that interactions between key active compounds and key targets were stable. In vitro ZHZTP significantly inhibited cell viability and migration of TNF-a-stimulated HUVECs, and the involved mechanism may be associated with PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signaling. Conclusions The present study reveals that the potential active compounds of ZHZTP are ursolic acid and emodin, and moreover, the involved mechanisms of ZHZTP for RA treatment are associated with PI3 K/AKT/m-TOR signaling.
7.Estimation of genotoxicity threshold induced by acute exposure to neodymium nitrate in mice using benchmark dose
Junli LIU ; Yu DING ; Xueqing CHENG ; Zhengli YANG ; Kelei QIAN ; Jing XU ; Yiyun FAN ; Dongsheng YU ; Zhiqing ZHENG ; Jun YANG ; Ning WANG ; Xinyu HONG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(4):425-430
Background The benchmark dose (BMD) method calculates the dose associated with a specific change in response based on a specific dose-response relationship. Compared with the traditional no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) method, the BMD method has many advantages, and the 95% lower confidence limit of benchmark dose lower limit (BMDL) is recommended to replace NOAEL in deriving biological exposure limits. No authority has yet published any health-based guideline for rare earth elements. Objective To evaluate genotoxicity threshold induced by acute exposure to neodymium nitrate in mice using BMD modeling through micronucleus test and comet assay. Methods SPF grade mice (n=90) were randomly divided into nine groups, including seven neodymium nitrate exposure groups, one control group (distilled water), and one positive control group (200 mg·kg−1 ethyl methanesulfonate), 10 mice in each group, half male and half female. The seven dose groups were fed by gavage with different concentrations of neodymium nitrate solution (male: 14, 27, 39, 55, 77, 109, and 219 mg·kg−1; female: 24, 49, 69, 97, 138, 195, and 389 mg·kg−1) twice at an interval of 21 h. Three hours after the last exposure, the animals were neutralized by cervical dislocation. The bone marrow of mice femur was taken to calculate the micronucleus rate of bone marrow cells, and the liver and stomach were taken for comet test. Results The best fitting models for the increase of polychromatophil micronucleus rate in bone marrow of female and male mice induced by neodymium nitrate were the exponential 4 model and the hill model, respectively. The BMD and the BMDL of female mice were calculated to be 31.37 mg·kg−1 and 21.90 mg·kg−1, and those of male mice were calculated to be 58.62 mg·kg−1 and 54.31 mg·kg−1, respectively. The best fitting models for DNA damage induced by neodymium nitrate in female and male mouse hepatocytes were the exponential 5 model and the exponential 4 model, respectively, and the calculated BMD and BMDL were 27.15 mg·kg−1 and 11.99 mg·kg−1 for female mice, and 16.28 mg·kg−1 and 10.47 mg·kg−1 for male mice, respectively. The hill model was the best fitting model for DNA damage of gastric adenocytes in both female and male mice, and the calculated BMD and BMDL were 36.73 mg·kg−1 and 19.92 mg·kg−1 for female mice, and 24.74 mg·kg−1 and 14.08 mg·kg−1 for male mice, respectively. Conclusion Taken the micronucleus rate of bone marrow cells, DNA damage of liver cells and gastric gland cells as the end points of genotoxicity, the BMDL of neodymium nitrate is 10.47 mg·kg−1, which can be used as the threshold of genotoxic effects induced by acute exposure to neodymium nitrate in mice.
8.Clinical Observation on Abdominal Penetrating Moxibustion Combined with Acupuncture at Four Chong Acupoints for the Treatment of Stroke in the Convalescent Stage
Nan YU ; Jie HU ; Hai-Ning LI ; Shan-Shan SONG ; De-Song ZHENG ; Xin-Hong XUE ; Ying GAO
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):116-122
Objective To observe the effects of abdominal penetrating moxibustion combined with acupuncture at the"four chong points"on balance,walking function and trunk control in patients recovering from stroke.Methods Seventy-eight patients recovering from stroke were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 39 patients in each group.The control group was given conventional rehabilitation exercises,while the observation group was given abdominal penetrating moxibustion combined with acupuncture at the"four chong points"on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated for 2 consecutive months.After 2 months of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the Berg Scale score and the Timed Up and Go Test(TUGT)were observed before and after treatment.The changes in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.The Sheikh Trunk Control Scale scores were also evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate of the observation group was 94.87%(37/39),and the total effective rate of the control group was 80.00%(31/39),and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the Berg scores of the patients in the two groups were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the Berg scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the TUGT time and NIHSS score of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the TUGT time of the observation group was shorter than that of the control group,and the NIHSS score was lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the Sheikh trunk control scores of the two groups were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the Sheikh trunk control score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Abdominal penetrating moxibustion method combined with acupuncture at the four chong points for the treatment of stroke recovery can effectively restore the patients'balance and walking function,improve the patients'trunk control ability,and the therapeutic effect is precise.
9.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.
10.Drug resistance and genetic diversity of clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori in the Qiannan Prefecture and Guiyang City,and their relationships with diseases
Yuan-Yuan ZHANG ; Ke PAN ; Meng-Heng MI ; Yu-Zhu GUAN ; Qiu-Dan LU ; Juan ZHENG ; Jin ZHANG ; Tian-Shu WANG ; Qi LIU ; Zheng-Hong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(1):46-55
To understand Helicobacter pylori's drug resistance,genetic diversity,and relationship with clinical diseases in the Guiyang and Qiannan minority areas of Guizhou Province,we collected samples through endoscopy,and isolated and cul-tured H.pylori.The drug resistance and genotype characteristics were determined.The differences in different regions and dis-ease types were compared,and the structural characteristics of H.pylori and mixed infections with different strains of H.py-lori in Qiannan Prefecture were analyzed.A difference in the composition ratio of EPYIA typing in the cagA variable region was observed between the two areas(P=0.012),and the composition ratio of the vacA genotype differed(P=0.000).A total of 94.6%(53/56)new sequences of H.pylori strains from two regions were obtained by MLST.The rate of infection by H.pylori mixed with different strains was 44.4%in Qiannan Pre-fecture,and no significant difference was observed in the com-position of H.pylori mixed infections among patients with dif-ferent clinical diseases(P=0.349).Differences in EPI YA typ-ing and the vacA genotype composition ratio in the cagA varia-ble region of H.pylori were observed between the Qiannan Prefecture and Guiyang City.

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