1.The 512th case: fever, cough, acute kidney injury
Xiaochen YU ; Hanxue LI ; Minting CHEN ; Ning MA ; Kun HE ; Jian SUN ; Jianing NIU ; Qiang WANG ; Peng XIA
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(10):1017-1022
A 70-year-old female patient presented with fatigue and edema for 3 months and was found to have elevated serum creatinine for 3 weeks. During the course of the disease, she had fever and cough. Examinations revealed multiple ground-glass opacities in both lungs and positivity for myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), leading to a diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis. The patient′s condition initially improved after pulse glucocorticoid therapy combined with cyclophosphamide. During treatment, however, the patient developed hematochezia, and colonoscopy revealed multiple colonic ulcers. Immunohistochemistry of colonic mucosal biopsy confirmed cytomegalovirus (CMV) positivity, establishing a diagnosis of CMV colitis. The patient was found to have concurrent Clostridioidesdifficile and pulmonary infections. During the disease course, the patient also developed deep vein thrombosis and roxadustat-associated central hypothyroidism. Given the presence of multiple comorbidities, rituximab was subsequently used for vasculitis treatment, resulting in sustained remission. This case highlights the importance of highly individualized treatment strategies for older patients with vasculitis, requiring adjustment of immunosuppressive therapy intensity based on disease progression.
2.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):189-207
Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
3.The role of microglia activated by the deletion of immune checkpoint receptor CD200R1 gene in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.
Jia-Li GUO ; Tao-Ying HUANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Kun NIU ; Xarbat GONGBIKAI ; Xiao-Li GONG ; Xiao-Min WANG ; Ting ZHANG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(1):13-24
The study aimed to investigate the effect of the CD200R1 gene deletion on microglia activation and nigrostriatal dopamine neuron loss in the Parkinson's disease (PD) process. The CRISPR-Cas9 technology was applied to construct the CD200R1-/- mice. The primary microglia cells of wild-type and CD200R1-/- mice were cultured and treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Microglia phagocytosis level was assessed by a fluorescent microsphere phagocytosis assay. PD mouse model was prepared by nigral stereotaxic injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus vector carrying human α-synuclein (α-syn). The changes in the motor behavior of the mice with both genotypes were evaluated by cylinder test, open field test, and rotarod test. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the loss of dopamine neurons in substantia nigra. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression level of CD68 (a key molecule involved in phagocytosis) in microglia. The results showed that CD200R1 deletion markedly enhanced LPS-induced phagocytosis in vitro by the microglial cells. In the mouse model of PD, CD200R1 deletion exacerbated motor behavior impairment and dopamine neuron loss in substantia nigra. Fluorescence intensity analysis results revealed a significant increase in CD68 expression in microglia located in the substantia nigra of CD200R1-/- mice. The above results suggest that CD200R1 deletion may further activates microglia by promoting microglial phagocytosis, leading to increased loss of the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in the PD model mice. Therefore, targeting CD200R1 could potentially serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of early-stage PD.
Animals
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Microglia/physiology*
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Mice
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Phagocytosis
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Parkinson Disease/genetics*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology*
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Dopaminergic Neurons/pathology*
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Antigens, CD/metabolism*
;
Gene Deletion
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Substantia Nigra
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Cells, Cultured
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Male
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alpha-Synuclein
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CD68 Molecule
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Orexin Receptors
4.Bilirubin encephalopathy leads to PARP-1-dependent cell death in the hippocampus of neonatal rats
Junnan HU ; Han LI ; Qiyi HUANG ; Anni PENG ; Yuyuan NIU ; Heng TAN ; Kun DU ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(5):606-612
Objective:To investigate the role and underlying mechanism of parthanatos death in neonatal SD rats with bilirubin encephalopathy(BE).Methods:Eighty 3-day-old neonatal SD rats were selected and randomly divided into control group and BE group.The BE model was established by intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin solution,and the pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Nissl staining.The protein expressions of the phosphorylation of the core histone protein H2AX(termed gamma H2AX),poly ADP-ribose polymerasw-1(PARP-1)and apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF)in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Immuno-fluorescence staining was used to detect the expression and distribution of AIF in hippocampus.Results:Compared with the control group,neonatal SD rats developed jaundice 12 hours after bilirubin injection,accompanied by slow weight gain.HE staining and Nissl staining showed that the hippocampus in BE group were damaged and the content of Nissl bodies was decreased.Western blot results showed that the expression of γ-H2AX protein in hippocampus began to increase at 72 h after modeling(P<0.05),and the levels of PARP-1 and AIF protein in hippocampus increased signif-icantly at 72 h after modeling(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed increased AIF expression and nuclear translocation.Conclusion:Intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin can induce DNA damage in hippocampal neurons of neonatal SD rats and activate the PARP-1/AIF pathway to cause parthanatos death of hippocampal neurons.
5.Prediction model for extraprostatic extension of prostate based on MRI and clinical indicators
Yunpeng FAN ; Tianyu XIONG ; Kun YANG ; Zhanliang LIU ; Song JIN ; Ping XIE ; Yinong NIU
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(2):243-251
Objective To develop a Nomogram clinical prediction model for the pathological occurrence of extraprostatic extension(EPE)after radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer patients,using simplified site-specific magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)indicators and other clinical parameters.Methods A total of 181 prostate cancer patients[mean age(69.0±7.3)years]who underwent radical prostatectomy were included.These patients had received 3-Tesla multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging(3-T mpMRI)within 6 months prior to surgery.Based on mpMRI measurements[capsular contact length(CCL)>15 mm,capsular bulging/irregularities,diameter of index lesion(dIL),and evident extraprostatic extension(eEPE)],the dIL?sEPE grading system was derived.The optimal cut-off value of dIL(denoted as dIL)was determined using the Youden J index,and categorized it into a binary variable.A Logistic regression model was established based on the dIL?sEPE grading and clinical scores.The predictive performance of clinical indicators,MRI indicators,and combined clinical and MRI indicators were compared.Finally,a clinical prediction model integrating both clinical and MRI data was developed.Results Pathological EPE was found in 46 out of 181 cases(25.4% ).A Nomogram prediction model for EPE was established with a combination of the dIL?sEPE grading and clinical indicators.Conclusion The combination of dIL?sEPE grading with clinical indicators accurately predicts extracapsular extension in prostate cancer.The Nomogram model that established,based on MRI imaging characteristics and clinical indicators has good performance and is easy to use.It is beneficial to stratifying management for prostate cancer patients,and it provides valuable guidance for patients suitable for nerve-sparing surgery.
6.Bilirubin encephalopathy leads to PARP-1-dependent cell death in the hippocampus of neonatal rats
Junnan HU ; Han LI ; Qiyi HUANG ; Anni PENG ; Yuyuan NIU ; Heng TAN ; Kun DU ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(5):606-612
Objective:To investigate the role and underlying mechanism of parthanatos death in neonatal SD rats with bilirubin encephalopathy(BE).Methods:Eighty 3-day-old neonatal SD rats were selected and randomly divided into control group and BE group.The BE model was established by intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin solution,and the pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Nissl staining.The protein expressions of the phosphorylation of the core histone protein H2AX(termed gamma H2AX),poly ADP-ribose polymerasw-1(PARP-1)and apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF)in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Immuno-fluorescence staining was used to detect the expression and distribution of AIF in hippocampus.Results:Compared with the control group,neonatal SD rats developed jaundice 12 hours after bilirubin injection,accompanied by slow weight gain.HE staining and Nissl staining showed that the hippocampus in BE group were damaged and the content of Nissl bodies was decreased.Western blot results showed that the expression of γ-H2AX protein in hippocampus began to increase at 72 h after modeling(P<0.05),and the levels of PARP-1 and AIF protein in hippocampus increased signif-icantly at 72 h after modeling(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed increased AIF expression and nuclear translocation.Conclusion:Intraperitoneal injection of bilirubin can induce DNA damage in hippocampal neurons of neonatal SD rats and activate the PARP-1/AIF pathway to cause parthanatos death of hippocampal neurons.
7.Comparison of clinical manifestations,laboratory characteristics,and treatment outcomes of 258 patients with acute and chronic brucellosis
Xu ZHAO ; Ke-mei NIU ; Xia GAO ; Chun-xu SONG ; Yu FAN ; Qing-qing XU ; Zhong-rong LU ; Kun LI ; Feng GAO ; Mei-chun HAO ; Bing-zhi LIU ; Hai JIANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(6):660-667
To compare and analyze the clinical manifestations,laboratory characteristics,imaging findings,and treatment outcomes of patients with acute and chronic brucellosis,a retrospective analysis was conducted on 258 patients with brucellosis(202 in the acute group and 56 in the chronic group)hospitalized in Xinkang Hospital in Dalad Banner,Ordos City,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,from November 2023 to November 2024.General data,epidemiological characteristics,clinical presentations,laboratory test results,imaging findings,treatment outcomes,and prognosis were collected.The incidences of fever(51.5%vs 7.1%),fatigue(30.2%vs 12.5%),joint pain(42.9%vs 16.1%),and muscle pain(9.9%vs.1.8%)were significantly higher in the acute phase group(all P<0.05).The incidence of osteoarthritis complications was higher in the chronic brucellosis group(51.8%vs 8.9%,χ2=75.697,P<0.01).Univariate ANOVA analysisshowed that the Serum Agglutination Tests(SAT),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),creatinine(CRE),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and bone destructionexhibited statistically significant differences between the acute and chronic phases of brucellosis(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that abnormal ALT(OR=14.18,95%CI:1.11-181.72;P=0.041)and bone destruction(OR=0.16,95%CI:0.04-0.63;P=0.009)were associated with chronic brucellosis.After treatment,all patients experienced have symptom relief in varying degrees,with 157 patients(60.9%)cured and 101 patients(39.1%)symptomatic improved(P<0.01).In conclusion,the incidences of fever,fatigue,and joint pain in patients during the acute phase is significantly higher than that those in patients during the chronic phase,while the incidence of osteoarthritis complications is higher in chronic phase patients.The incidences of abnormal SAT,ALT,AST,TBIL,CRE,CRP,and ESR,and bone destruction varies at different stages of brucellosis.Of those,abnormal ALT and bone destruction show a stronger association with,which can assist the clinical staging of brucellosis.
8.Comparison of clinical manifestations,laboratory characteristics,and treatment outcomes of 258 patients with acute and chronic brucellosis
Xu ZHAO ; Ke-mei NIU ; Xia GAO ; Chun-xu SONG ; Yu FAN ; Qing-qing XU ; Zhong-rong LU ; Kun LI ; Feng GAO ; Mei-chun HAO ; Bing-zhi LIU ; Hai JIANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(6):660-667
To compare and analyze the clinical manifestations,laboratory characteristics,imaging findings,and treatment outcomes of patients with acute and chronic brucellosis,a retrospective analysis was conducted on 258 patients with brucellosis(202 in the acute group and 56 in the chronic group)hospitalized in Xinkang Hospital in Dalad Banner,Ordos City,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,from November 2023 to November 2024.General data,epidemiological characteristics,clinical presentations,laboratory test results,imaging findings,treatment outcomes,and prognosis were collected.The incidences of fever(51.5%vs 7.1%),fatigue(30.2%vs 12.5%),joint pain(42.9%vs 16.1%),and muscle pain(9.9%vs.1.8%)were significantly higher in the acute phase group(all P<0.05).The incidence of osteoarthritis complications was higher in the chronic brucellosis group(51.8%vs 8.9%,χ2=75.697,P<0.01).Univariate ANOVA analysisshowed that the Serum Agglutination Tests(SAT),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),creatinine(CRE),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and bone destructionexhibited statistically significant differences between the acute and chronic phases of brucellosis(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that abnormal ALT(OR=14.18,95%CI:1.11-181.72;P=0.041)and bone destruction(OR=0.16,95%CI:0.04-0.63;P=0.009)were associated with chronic brucellosis.After treatment,all patients experienced have symptom relief in varying degrees,with 157 patients(60.9%)cured and 101 patients(39.1%)symptomatic improved(P<0.01).In conclusion,the incidences of fever,fatigue,and joint pain in patients during the acute phase is significantly higher than that those in patients during the chronic phase,while the incidence of osteoarthritis complications is higher in chronic phase patients.The incidences of abnormal SAT,ALT,AST,TBIL,CRE,CRP,and ESR,and bone destruction varies at different stages of brucellosis.Of those,abnormal ALT and bone destruction show a stronger association with,which can assist the clinical staging of brucellosis.
9.Clinical analysis of comprehensive surgical treatment for brucellosis with chest wall cyst as its main manifestation
Dingfeng QIAN ; Dingding WU ; Xia ZHANG ; Shijie NIU ; Jinzhi YANG ; Jiang GUO ; Kun LU ; Shengqiang GU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(2):133-136
Objective:To study the comprehensive surgical treatment of brucellosis with chest wall cysts as the main manifestation.Methods:Retrospective analysis was made on the general information epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, imaging examinations, treatment and outcomes of five patients with brucellosis mainly manifested by chest wall cysts admitted to the 948 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army from July 2019 to June 2022.Results:Among the 5 patients, there were 4 males and 1 female, aged between 23 and 64 years old, with a clear history of contact with cattle and sheep. The main clinical manifestation was painless cystic masses on the chest wall. Both the serum tiger red plate agglutination test (RBPT) and the test tube agglutination test (SAT) were positive. Four cases were infected with Brucella and one case was infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (considered as Brucella infection based on the overall condition). All patients exhibited abnormal chest wall signals (manifesting as hypointense on T1-weighted imaging and hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging) on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and were ultimately diagnosed with brucellosis presenting predominantly as chest wall cysts. After complete removal of the chest wall cyst through surgery, a combination treatment of rifampicin capsules and doxycycline hyclate tablets was given for 6 weeks. There were no significant adverse reactions and the wound healed in one stage. During the postoperative follow-up period of 11 - 40 months, MRI reexamination demonstrated no evidence of chest wall cyst recurrence, and all SAT results were negative. Conclusions:Patients with brucellosis presenting as chest wall cysts are clinically rare and lack specific symptoms. Surgical resection of the affected lesion combined with early, standardized, combined, and full course antimicrobial therapy results in a good prognosis for the patient.
10.Study on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets based on HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Yuan-hong LIAO ; Jing-kun LU ; Yan NIU ; Jun LI ; Ren BU ; Peng-peng ZHANG ; Yue KANG ; Yue-wu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):449-458
The analysis presented here is based on the blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets, the key anti-atherosclerosis pathway of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was screened by network pharmacology, and the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was clarified and verified by cell experiments. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technique was used to analyze the components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood, to determine the precise mass charge ratio of the compounds, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the components by using secondary mass spectrometry fragments and literature comparison. Finally, a total of 42 components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood were identified. To better understand the interactions, we employed the Swiss Target Prediction database to predict the associated targets. Atherosclerosis (AS) disease targets were searched in disease databases Genecard, OMIM and Disgent, and 181 intersection targets of disease targets and component targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 software. Protein interactions were analyzed by String database. The 32 core targets were selected by Cytscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database. It was found that the anti-atherosclerosis pathways of Guanxin Qiwei tablets mainly include lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The core targets and the core compounds were interlinked, and it was found that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone ⅡA in Guanxin Qiwei tablets were well bound to TNF, PPAR

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