1.Discovery of a novel AhR-CYP1A1 axis activator for mitigating inflammatory diseases using an in situ functional imaging assay.
Feng ZHANG ; Bei ZHAO ; Yufan FAN ; Lanhui QIN ; Jinhui SHI ; Lin CHEN ; Leizhi XU ; Xudong JIN ; Mengru SUN ; Hongping DENG ; Hairong ZENG ; Zhangping XIAO ; Xin YANG ; Guangbo GE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):508-525
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes. Activating the AhR-CYP1A1 axis has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against various inflammatory diseases. Here, a practical in situ cell-based fluorometric assay was constructed to screen AhR-CYP1A1 axis modulators, via functional sensing of CYP1A1 activities in live cells. Firstly, a cell-permeable, isoform-specific enzyme-activable fluorogenic substrate for CYP1A1 was rationally constructed for in-situ visualizing the dynamic changes of CYP1A1 function in living systems, which was subsequently used for discovering the efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis. Following screening of a compound library, LAC-7 was identified as an efficacious activator of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis, which dose-dependently up-regulated the expression levels of both CYP1A1 and AhR in multiple cell lines. LAC-7 also suppressed macrophage M1 polarization and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced bone marrow-derived macrophages. Animal tests showed that LAC-7 could significantly mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice, and markedly reduced the levels of multiple inflammatory factors. Collectively, an optimized fluorometric cell-based assay was devised for in situ functional imaging of CYP1A1 activities in living systems, which strongly facilitated the discovery of efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis as novel anti-inflammatory agents.
2.High-efficient discovering the potent anti-Notum agents from herbal medicines for combating glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
Yuqing SONG ; Feng ZHANG ; Jia GUO ; Yufan FAN ; Hairong ZENG ; Mengru SUN ; Jun QIAN ; Shenglan QI ; Zihan CHEN ; Xudong JIN ; Yunqing SONG ; Tian TIAN ; Zhi QIAN ; Yao SUN ; Zhenhao TIAN ; Baoqing YU ; Guangbo GE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4174-4192
Notum, a negative feedback regulator of the Wnt signaling, has emerged as a promising target for treating glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). This study showcases an efficient strategy for discovering the anti-Notum constituents from herbal medicines (HMs) as novel anti-GIOP agents. Firstly, a rapid-responding near-infrared fluorogenic substrate for Notum was rationally engineered for high-throughput identifying the anti-Notum HMs. The results showed that Bu-Gu-Zhi (BGZ), a known anti-osteoporosis herb, potently inhibited Notum in a competitive-inhibition manner. To uncover the key anti-Notum constituents in BGZ, an efficient strategy was adapted via integrating biochemical, phytochemical, computational, and pharmacological assays. Among all identified BGZ constituents, three furanocoumarins were validated as strong Notum inhibitors, while 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MP) showed the most potent anti-Notum activity and favorable safety profiles. Mechanistically, 5-MP acted as a competitive inhibitor of Notum via creating strong hydrophobic interactions with Trp128 and Phe268 in the catalytic cavity of Notum. Cellular assays showed that 5-MP remarkably promoted osteoblast differentiation and activated Wnt signaling in dexamethasone (DXMS)-challenged MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. In dexamethasone-induced osteoporotic mice, 5-MP strongly elevated bone mineral density (BMD) and improved cancellous and cortical bone thickness. Collectively, this study constructs a high-efficient platform for discovering key anti-Notum constituents from HMs, while 5-MP emerges as a promising anti-GIOP agent.
3.Expert consensus on orthodontic treatment of patients with periodontal disease.
Wenjie ZHONG ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Yuanyuan YIN ; Ge FENG ; Zhihe ZHAO ; Yaping PAN ; Yuxing BAI ; Zuolin JIN ; Yan XU ; Bing FANG ; Yi LIU ; Hong HE ; Faming CHEN ; Weiran LI ; Shaohua GE ; Ang LI ; Yi DING ; Lili CHEN ; Fuhua YAN ; Jinlin SONG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):27-27
Patients with periodontal disease often require combined periodontal-orthodontic interventions to restore periodontal health, function, and aesthetics, ensuring both patient satisfaction and long-term stability. Managing these patients involving orthodontic tooth movement can be particularly challenging due to compromised periodontal soft and hard tissues, especially in severe cases. Therefore, close collaboration between orthodontists and periodontists for comprehensive diagnosis and sequential treatment, along with diligent patient compliance throughout the entire process, is crucial for achieving favorable treatment outcomes. Moreover, long-term orthodontic retention and periodontal follow-up are essential to sustain treatment success. This expert consensus, informed by the latest clinical research and practical experience, addresses clinical considerations for orthodontic treatment of periodontal patients, delineating indications, objectives, procedures, and principles with the aim of providing clear and practical guidance for clinical practitioners.
Humans
;
Consensus
;
Orthodontics, Corrective/standards*
;
Periodontal Diseases/complications*
;
Tooth Movement Techniques/methods*
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
4.The Role of E3 Ligases in Macrophage-mediated Inflammation
Jia-Bei JIN ; Yi-Dong GE ; Xiao-Feng JIN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(9):2037-2060
Macrophages, existed in almost all organs of the body, are responsible for detecting tissue injury, pathogens, playing a key role in host defense against a variety of invading pathogens triggering inflammatory responses. Emerging evidence suggests that macrophage-mediated immune responses are efficiently regulated by the ubiquitination modification, which is responsible for normal immune responses. However, numerous studies indicates that the aberrant activation or inhibition of macrophage-mediated immune responses occurs in inflammation, mainly caused by dysregulated ubiquitination modification due to E3 ubiquitin ligases mutations or abnormal expression. Notably, E3 ubiquitin ligases, responsible for recognizing the substrates, are key enzymes in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) composed of ubiquitin (Ub), ubiquitin-activating E1 enzymes, ubiquitin-conjugating E2 enzymes, E3 ubiquitin ligases, 26S proteasome, and deubiquitinating enzymes. Intriguingly, several E3 ubiquitin ligases are involved in the regulation of some common signal pathways in macrophage-mediated inflammation, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Herein, we summarized the physiological and pathological roles of E3 ligases in macrophage-mediated inflammation, as well as the inhibitors and agonists targeting E3 ligases in macrophage-mediated inflammation, providing the new ideas for targeted therapies in macrophage-mediated inflammation caused aberrant function of E3 ligases.
5.Postnatal age-related change of brain volume and its association with neurobehavior outcome in term neonates
Yuying FENG ; Linlin ZHU ; Pengxuan BAI ; Yao GE ; Miaomiao WANG ; Congcong LIU ; Xianjun LI ; Jian YANG ; Chao JIN
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(1):133-138
Objective To analyze the relationship of the volume of 87 brain regions with postnatal age and neurobehavior in full-term neonates.Methods A total of 75 full-term newborns[gestational age(39.38±1.22)weeks;male/female(51/24);postnatal age(11.11±6.67)days]without abnormalities on brain MRI(three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging,3D T1WI)at our hospital between November 2010 and September 2017 were retrospectively included.Based on the template of 87 brain regions,the neonatal brains were divided into 87 brain regions and their volumes were calculated by using V-shape Bottleneck network(VB-Net)deep learning segmentation technique,Pearson partial correlation and regression analysis were used to explore the relationship of the volume of each brain region with postnatal age and neurobehavioral scores.Results After adjusting for gestational age,birth weight,head circumference,body length and sex,66.7%of the regional brain volumes(58/87 brain regions)significantly increased with the postnatal age(correlation coefficient r:0.2-0.7,P<0.05).The volumes of gray matter in bilateral lentiform nucleus,left caudate nucleus,right occipital lobe,right inferior temporal lobe,and bilateral anterior temporal lobe strongly correlated with the postnatal age(r>0.50,P<0.05).The gray matter volume of the right occipital lobe linearly increased with age(slope:100.67),and was positively correlated with behavioral scores(r=0.324,P<0.01).Conclusion Most of regional brain volumes increase with the postnatal age during the neonatal period,and the fastest growth occurs in primary sensorimotor-related brain regions,presenting the spatial heterogeneity.Partial brain region grows with the development of behavioral ability.
6.Preparation and evaluation of Indigo Naturalis dry suspension based on powder surface modification
Sheng-jie HUANG ; Juan SU ; Chun-li GE ; Jin XIE ; Zhi-ping GUO ; Ming YANG ; Zhen-feng WU ; Ding-kun ZHANG ; Li HAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2023;58(5):1347-1353
A dry suspension of Indigo Naturalis (IN) based on lactose-IN composite particles was designed by powder modification technology to meet the clinical needs of IN. The contact angle was used as an evaluation index to investigate the effects of the type of modifier lactose, the amount of lactose, and the co-grinding time of lactose and IN on the hydrophilicity of IN. The difference between IN before and after modification was compared through physical properties such as particle size and scanning electron microscope, as well as hydrophilic properties such as surface free energy and multiple light scattering. The optimal process of lactose-IN composite particles is as follows: after lactose is ground alone for 2 minutes, it is co-ground with IN at a ratio of 1∶1 for 6 minutes. The results of the investigation of powder properties show that the particle size
7.A hnRNPA2B1 agonist effectively inhibits HBV and SARS-CoV-2 omicron in vivo.
Daming ZUO ; Yu CHEN ; Jian-Piao CAI ; Hao-Yang YUAN ; Jun-Qi WU ; Yue YIN ; Jing-Wen XIE ; Jing-Min LIN ; Jia LUO ; Yang FENG ; Long-Jiao GE ; Jia ZHOU ; Ronald J QUINN ; San-Jun ZHAO ; Xing TONG ; Dong-Yan JIN ; Shuofeng YUAN ; Shao-Xing DAI ; Min XU
Protein & Cell 2023;14(1):37-50
The twenty-first century has already recorded more than ten major epidemics or pandemics of viral disease, including the devastating COVID-19. Novel effective antivirals with broad-spectrum coverage are urgently needed. Herein, we reported a novel broad-spectrum antiviral compound PAC5. Oral administration of PAC5 eliminated HBV cccDNA and reduced the large antigen load in distinct mouse models of HBV infection. Strikingly, oral administration of PAC5 in a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 omicron (BA.1) infection significantly decreases viral loads and attenuates lung inflammation. Mechanistically, PAC5 binds to a pocket near Asp49 in the RNA recognition motif of hnRNPA2B1. PAC5-bound hnRNPA2B1 is extensively activated and translocated to the cytoplasm where it initiates the TBK1-IRF3 pathway, leading to the production of type I IFNs with antiviral activity. Our results indicate that PAC5 is a novel small-molecule agonist of hnRNPA2B1, which may have a role in dealing with emerging infectious diseases now and in the future.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Antiviral Agents/pharmacology*
;
COVID-19
;
Hepatitis B virus
;
Interferon Type I/metabolism*
;
SARS-CoV-2/drug effects*
;
Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B/antagonists & inhibitors*
8.Clinical treatment outcomes and their changes in extremely preterm twins: a multicenter retrospective study in Guangdong Province, China.
Bi-Jun SHI ; Ying LI ; Fan WU ; Zhou-Shan FENG ; Qi-Liang CUI ; Chuan-Zhong YANG ; Xiao-Tong YE ; Yi-Heng DAI ; Wei-Yi LIANG ; Xiu-Zhen YE ; Jing MO ; Lu DING ; Ben-Qing WU ; Hong-Xiang CHEN ; Chi-Wang LI ; Zhe ZHANG ; Xiao RONG ; Wei SHEN ; Wei-Min HUANG ; Bing-Yan YANG ; Jun-Feng LYU ; Hui-Wen HUANG ; Le-Ying HUO ; Hong-Ping RAO ; Wen-Kang YAN ; Xue-Jun REN ; Yong YANG ; Fang-Fang WANG ; Dong LIU ; Shi-Guang DIAO ; Xiao-Yan LIU ; Qiong MENG ; Yu WANG ; Bin WANG ; Li-Juan ZHANG ; Yu-Ge HUANG ; Dang AO ; Wei-Zhong LI ; Jie-Ling CHEN ; Yan-Ling CHEN ; Wei LI ; Zhi-Feng CHEN ; Yue-Qin DING ; Xiao-Yu LI ; Yue-Fang HUANG ; Ni-Yang LIN ; Yang-Fan CAI ; Sha-Sha HAN ; Ya JIN ; Guo-Sheng LIU ; Zhong-He WAN ; Yi BAN ; Bo BAI ; Guang-Hong LI ; Yue-Xiu YAN
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2022;24(1):33-40
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the clinical treatment outcomes and the changes of the outcomes over time in extremely preterm twins in Guangdong Province, China.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed for 269 pairs of extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks who were admitted to the department of neonatology in 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 2008 to December 2017. According to the admission time, they were divided into two groups: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Besides, each pair of twins was divided into the heavier infant and the lighter infant subgroups according to birth weight. The perinatal data of mothers and hospitalization data of neonates were collected. The survival rate of twins and the incidence rate of complications were compared between the 2008-2012 and 2013-2017 groups.
RESULTS:
Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of severe asphyxia and smaller head circumference at birth (P<0.05). The mortality rates of both of the twins, the heavier infant of the twins, and the lighter infant of the twins were lower in the 2013-2017 group compared with the 2008-2012 group (P<0.05). Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (P-IVH), and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and a higher incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant increase in the survival rate over time in extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks in the 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province. The incidences of severe asphyxia, pulmonary hemorrhage, PDA, P-IVH, and NRDS decrease in both the heavier and lighter infants of the twins, but the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia increases. With the improvement of diagnosis and treatment, the multidisciplinary collaboration between different fields of fetal medicine including prenatal diagnosis, obstetrics, and neonatology is needed in the future to jointly develop management strategies for twin pregnancy.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology*
;
Female
;
Gestational Age
;
Humans
;
Infant
;
Infant, Extremely Premature
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Pregnancy
;
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/epidemiology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Treatment Outcome
9.Efficacy of fenestrated atrial septal defect occulders on pulmonary hypertension dogs.
Li Fan YANG ; Dan Dan CHEN ; Gao Feng WANG ; Yu Liang LONG ; Qin Chun JIN ; De Hong KONG ; Wen Zhi PAN ; Li Hua GUAN ; Da Xin ZHOU ; Jun Bo GE
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2022;50(2):166-171
Objective: To explore the short-term efficacy of fenestrated atrial septal defect (ASD) occulders in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: Thirty-six healthy dogs were divided into the balloon atrial septostomy (BAS)+fenestrated ASD occulders group (n=12), BAS group (n=12) and non-septostomy group (n=12). PAH was induced by intra-atrial injection of dehydrogenized monocrotaline (1.5 mg/kg) in all dogs. Animals in the BAS+fenestrated ASD occulders group underwent atrial septal puncture and fenestrated ASD occulders implantation. Animals in the BAS group underwent balloon atrial septostomy. The non-septostomy group received no surgical intervention. The hemodynamic indexes and blood N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) of dogs were measured before modeling, 2 months after modeling, 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, respectively. Echocardiography was performed to observe the patency of the shunt and atrial septostomy of the dogs in the BAS+fenestrated ASD occulders group and BAS group at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Three dogs were sacrificed in each group at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, respectively. Atrial septal tissue and fenestrated ASD occulders were removed to observe the patency and endothelialization of the device. Lung tissues were obtained for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the inflammatory cells infiltration and the thickening and narrowing of the pulmonary arterials. Results: Among 36 dogs, 2 dogs died within 24 hours after modeling, and 34 dogs were assigned to BAS+fenestrated ASD occulders group (n=12), BAS group (n=11), and non-septostomy group (n=11). Compared with BAS group, the average right atrial pressure (mRAP) and NT-proBNP of dogs in the BAS+fenestrated ASD occulders group were significantly reduced at 3 months after surgery (P<0.05), and the cardiac output (CO) was significantly increased at 6 months after surgery, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was also significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with non-septostomy group, dogs in the BAS+fenestrated ASD occulders group had significantly lower mRAP and NT-proBNP at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery (P<0.05), and higher CO and lower SaO2 at 6 months after surgery (P<0.05). Compared with the non-septostomy group, the dogs in the BAS group had significantly lower mRAP and NT-proBNP at 1 month after surgery (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference on mRAP and NT-proBNP at 3 and 6 months after surgery (P>0.05). Echocardiography showed that there was a minimal right-to-left shunt in the atrial septum in the BAS group at 1 month after the surgery, and the ostomy was closed in all the dogs in the BAS group at 3 months after the surgery. There was still a clear right-to-left shunt in the dogs of BAS+fenestrated ASD occulders group. The shunt was well formed and satisfactory endothelialization was observed at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. The results of HE staining showed that the pulmonary arterials were significantly thickened, stenosis and collapse occurred in the non-septostomy group. Pulmonary microvascular stenosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the pulmonary arterials were observed in the non-septostomy group. Pulmonary arterial histological results were comparable between BAS+fenestrated ASD occulders group and non-septostomy group at 6 months after surgery . Conclusions: The fenestrated ASD occulder has the advantage of maintaining the open fistula hole for a longer time compared with simple balloon dilation. The fenestrated ASD occulder can improve cardiac function, and it is safe and feasible to treat PAH in this animal model.
Animals
;
Atrial Septum/surgery*
;
Cardiac Catheterization/methods*
;
Dogs
;
Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
;
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/surgery*
;
Hypertension, Pulmonary
;
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
10.Evidence-based practice of perioperative enhanced recovery nursing for lung cancer patients based on the Stetler model of research utilization
Tingting LIU ; Jing FENG ; Shiying ZENG ; Ling GE ; Fengxia JIN ; Xiaoxin LIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2022;28(14):1908-1913
Objective:To apply the best evidence of perioperative enhanced recovery nursing for lung cancer patients to clinical practice, and to evaluate the effect of practice.Methods:Following the 5 steps of the Stetler model of research utilization, an evidence-based protocol was formed through literature search, quality assessment, evidence synthesis and revision by expert group meetings. From January to July 2021, convenience sampling was used to select 160 lung cancer patients admitted to the Thoracic Surgery of Shanghai Chest Hospital as the research object. Patients admitted from January to April 2021 were set as the control group ( n=80) for baseline review. Patients admitted from May to July 2021 were set as the intervention group ( n=80) , and an evidence-based protocol was applied. Results:Finally, one guideline and 7 consensus articles were included. The evidence-based protocol covered 10 modules of preoperative nursing assessment, nutritional management, dietary preparation, health education, postoperative dietary management, functional exercise, pipeline management, pain management, venous thrombosis management and symptom management, with a total of 22 recommendations. There were significant differences in the time of first ambulation, the completion of ambulation on the day of operation, the pain score of first ambulation, the time for the first eating, and the time for the first exhausting between the two groups ( P<0.05) . There were no complications and venous thrombosis in the two groups during hospitalization. Conclusions:The development of the evidence-based practice project is beneficial to accelerate the postoperative recovery of lung cancer patients, and is conducive to standardizing the nursing path, thereby promoting the improvement of nursing quality.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail