1.From Gene Expression to Transcriptome-wide Association Study: Development and Comparison of Methodology
Kun FANG ; Guozhuang LI ; Linting WANG ; Qing LI ; Kexin XU ; Lina ZHAO ; Zhihong WU ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Nan WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):223-229
Over the past two decades, genome-wide association study(GWAS) has identified numerous genetic variants and loci associated with heritable diseases. With the gradual maturation and saturation of GWAS methodologies, transcriptome-wide association study(TWAS) offers a novel perspective by linkinggenetic phenotypes to gene expression levels. By integrating TWAS with other multi-omics analyses, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of heritable diseases. This article provides an overview of recent groundbreaking and representative TWAS methods and tools, analyzes their strengths and limitations, and discusses future trends in TWAS development.
2.Mechanism of Astragaloside Ⅳ in Regulating PI3K/Akt Molecular Pathway in Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes Complications: A Review
Kexin HU ; Jinru ZHU ; Qing WU ; Shengmao WANG ; Mengfan WANG ; Ai QIAN ; Zhaohui FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):307-314
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease caused by absolute or relative insulin deficiency and reduced insulin sensitivity in peripheral cells, posing a serious threat to global health. Chronic complications arising in the later stages of DM can lead to the decline or even loss of function in multiple organs, including the eyes, heart, liver, kidneys, nerves, and feet, making them the primary cause of mortality in DM patients. Although modern medicine has made some progress in the treatment of these complications, challenges such as high costs and adverse drug reactions remain. Thus, identifying highly effective drugs with minimal adverse effects has become a top priority. Astragalus membranaceus is a shining gem in the treasure trove of Chinese medicine. Numerous studies have shown that its primary active component, astragaloside Ⅳ, possesses various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects, as well as benefits for cardiac and cerebral function, nerve conduction, and myocardial protection. Meanwhile, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and autophagy. Extensive research has highlighted the significant role of this pathway in various DM complications, leading to widespread studies on its interaction with astragaloside Ⅳ. This review summarizes research findings on how astragaloside Ⅳ alleviates pancreatic cytotoxicity in DM patients by modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Additionally, it highlights its protective effects on basic cardiac function, inhibition of retinal cell damage, improvement of cerebral nerve dysfunction, reduction of chronic kidney and liver damage, and mitigation of neurovascular toxicity in the lower limbs. These insights provide a valuable reference for the clinical application of A. membranaceus and its active monomer, astragaloside Ⅳ, in the treatment of DM and its complications.
3.Quality Evaluation of Cisatracurium Besilate Injection
Jing FANG ; Xinying YU ; Kai DUO ; Biwei BAI ; Yu HAN ; Kexin XIAO ; Xinying MA ; Liqun LIU ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(1):31-38
Objective To evaluate the quality of cisatracurium besilate injection produced by domestic manufacturers.Methods A comprehensive evaluation of 104 batches of samples was carried out using statutory testing methods combined withexploratory research,including related substances,1,5-pentanediol diacrylate,residual solvents,genotoxic impurities of benzenesulfonate esters,infrared spectrum,and endotoxin examination.The quality of domestic products and the controllability of current specifications were comprehensively evaluated.Results According to the statutory tests,the qualified rate of 104 batches of samples was 100.0%.The exploratory research showed that the results of related substances in the samples produced by 6 manufacturers were far below the limit,and no genotoxic impurities of benzenesulfonate esters were detected.However,the results showed that there was variability in 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate,as well as residual solvents.Conclusions The quality of the cisatracurium besilate injection is good,and the current specifications should be further improved and unified.It was proposed that the infrared spectrum,related substance,and 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate method be added or revised,and the limit of endotoxin strictly controlled.It was proposed that manufacturers pay attention to the quality of API and control injection production.
4.Medication rules and mechanism of Xin'an physicians in the treatment of diabetes mellitus based on data mining and network pharmacology
Jinru ZHU ; Qing WU ; Kexin HU ; Mengfan WANG ; Zhaohui FANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(3):260-272
Objective To explore the medication rules and mechanism of Xin'an physicians in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.Methods The prescriptions for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Xin'an medical writings were collected.The core drug prescriptions were obtained by using IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 for dispensing association rules as well as complex network analysis,and the cluster analysis of high-frequency traditional Chinese medicines was carried out by using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0.The active ingredients and targets of the core drugs were extracted from the BATMAN-TCM database.The GeneCards database was used to search for diabetes gene targets,and after obtaining the intersecting targets,the STRING online platform was imported to construct the protein interactions network,and screened the core genes by using the Cytoscape 3.9.1 software,and imported into the DAVID database for GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.Results A total of 135 valid prescriptions were included,involving 184 flavors of traditional Chinese medicines,with cold and mild properties.Sweet,bitter and pungent flavors,and the main attributes of lung,spleen,kidney,stomach and heart meridians.The association rules mined 14 pairs of commonly used medicine pairs.Cluster analysis clustered the top 20 traditional Chinese medicines into five cluster groups.Complex network visualization analysis formed a core prescription consisting of honey-fried licorice root,ginseng,rhizoma anemarrhenae,ophiopogon japonicus,poria cocos.The core prescription drugs were screened for 164 effective active ingredients,1,498 action targets,1,995 diabetes gene targets,404 intersecting targets,10 core targets were extracted,and a total of 1,363 items covering BP were obtained from GO functional enrichment analysis,129 items involving CC,264 items containing MF,and 206 items of KEGG signaling pathway.Conclusion The prescriptions and medicines used by Xin'an doctors in the treatment of diabetes mellitus reflect the academic idea of"treating both the symptoms and the root cause"as well as the therapeutic thought of"using cold and warmth,supplementing with sweetness and warmth,opening up and lowering with bitterness,cultivating the earth and generating gold,and consolidating the root and cultivating the elements",which provide references for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in today's clinics.
5.Investigation of anti-inflammatory effect of titania nanotubes surface through enhancing autophagy under inflammatory microenvironment
Kaixiu FANG ; Kexin LIU ; Wen SONG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(4):450-455
Objective:To explore the role of autophagy in the effects of titanium(Ti)nanotopography on macrophage polarization and inflammatory cytokine secretion under inflammatory microenvironment.Methods:4 groups were set as negative control(NC,on tissue culture plate),polished pure Ti surface(P),30 nm diameter nanotube(NT-30),and NT-30 with 3-Methyladenine(3-MA)treatment.Macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was cultured on different surfaces for 3 d and treated by LPS for 24 h.The autophagy was examined by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot while the cell morphology was observed by scanning electron mi-croscopy.The secretion of inflammatory cytokines was measured by Cytokine Array.Results:Under LPS stimulation,the autophagic degradation activity was significantly enhanced on Ti samples.On NT-30 surface,the autophagosomes formation was significantly in-creased,which was decreased after 3-MA treatment.Meanwhile,cells were obviously elongated on NT-30 surface and returned to spherical shape after 3-MA treatment.In addition,the pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased and increased respectively on Ti surfaces,in which the NT-30 surface was the most obvious.After 3-MA treatment,the anti-inflammatory effect of NT-30 surface was inhibited.Conclusion:In inflammatory microenvironment,titania nanotubes surface could enhance autophagy activity to realize anti-inflammatory effect.
6.Medication rules and mechanism of Xin'an physicians in the treatment of diabetes mellitus based on data mining and network pharmacology
Jinru ZHU ; Qing WU ; Kexin HU ; Mengfan WANG ; Zhaohui FANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(3):260-272
Objective To explore the medication rules and mechanism of Xin'an physicians in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.Methods The prescriptions for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Xin'an medical writings were collected.The core drug prescriptions were obtained by using IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 for dispensing association rules as well as complex network analysis,and the cluster analysis of high-frequency traditional Chinese medicines was carried out by using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0.The active ingredients and targets of the core drugs were extracted from the BATMAN-TCM database.The GeneCards database was used to search for diabetes gene targets,and after obtaining the intersecting targets,the STRING online platform was imported to construct the protein interactions network,and screened the core genes by using the Cytoscape 3.9.1 software,and imported into the DAVID database for GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.Results A total of 135 valid prescriptions were included,involving 184 flavors of traditional Chinese medicines,with cold and mild properties.Sweet,bitter and pungent flavors,and the main attributes of lung,spleen,kidney,stomach and heart meridians.The association rules mined 14 pairs of commonly used medicine pairs.Cluster analysis clustered the top 20 traditional Chinese medicines into five cluster groups.Complex network visualization analysis formed a core prescription consisting of honey-fried licorice root,ginseng,rhizoma anemarrhenae,ophiopogon japonicus,poria cocos.The core prescription drugs were screened for 164 effective active ingredients,1,498 action targets,1,995 diabetes gene targets,404 intersecting targets,10 core targets were extracted,and a total of 1,363 items covering BP were obtained from GO functional enrichment analysis,129 items involving CC,264 items containing MF,and 206 items of KEGG signaling pathway.Conclusion The prescriptions and medicines used by Xin'an doctors in the treatment of diabetes mellitus reflect the academic idea of"treating both the symptoms and the root cause"as well as the therapeutic thought of"using cold and warmth,supplementing with sweetness and warmth,opening up and lowering with bitterness,cultivating the earth and generating gold,and consolidating the root and cultivating the elements",which provide references for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in today's clinics.
7.Emerging breakthroughs and future prospects of Claudin18.2 in targeted therapy and immuno-therapy for gastric cancer
Jiayu JIANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kexin ZHENG ; Baoshan CAI ; Yulong ZHAO ; Zhaodong LIU ; Changqing JING ; Leping LI ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(3):343-349
Gastric cancer, a highly malignant tumor, has seen a persistent rise in global incidence in recent years. Claudin 18.2, a protein with highly specific expression in gastric cancer, has emerged as a prominent research target in therapeutic development. The overexpression of Claudin 18.2 in gastric cancer cells and its abnormal surface exposure provide novel opportunities for targeted and immunotherapeutic interventions. Therapeutic approaches targeting Claudin 18.2 have shown promising initial results in clinical trials, primarily including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. The authors systematically summarize the biological characteristics, mechanism of action, clinical research progress, and future treatment prospects and challenges of Claudin 18.2.
8.Investigation of anti-inflammatory effect of titania nanotubes surface through enhancing autophagy under inflammatory microenvironment
Kaixiu FANG ; Kexin LIU ; Wen SONG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(4):450-455
Objective:To explore the role of autophagy in the effects of titanium(Ti)nanotopography on macrophage polarization and inflammatory cytokine secretion under inflammatory microenvironment.Methods:4 groups were set as negative control(NC,on tissue culture plate),polished pure Ti surface(P),30 nm diameter nanotube(NT-30),and NT-30 with 3-Methyladenine(3-MA)treatment.Macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was cultured on different surfaces for 3 d and treated by LPS for 24 h.The autophagy was examined by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot while the cell morphology was observed by scanning electron mi-croscopy.The secretion of inflammatory cytokines was measured by Cytokine Array.Results:Under LPS stimulation,the autophagic degradation activity was significantly enhanced on Ti samples.On NT-30 surface,the autophagosomes formation was significantly in-creased,which was decreased after 3-MA treatment.Meanwhile,cells were obviously elongated on NT-30 surface and returned to spherical shape after 3-MA treatment.In addition,the pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased and increased respectively on Ti surfaces,in which the NT-30 surface was the most obvious.After 3-MA treatment,the anti-inflammatory effect of NT-30 surface was inhibited.Conclusion:In inflammatory microenvironment,titania nanotubes surface could enhance autophagy activity to realize anti-inflammatory effect.
9.Emerging breakthroughs and future prospects of Claudin18.2 in targeted therapy and immuno-therapy for gastric cancer
Jiayu JIANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kexin ZHENG ; Baoshan CAI ; Yulong ZHAO ; Zhaodong LIU ; Changqing JING ; Leping LI ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(3):343-349
Gastric cancer, a highly malignant tumor, has seen a persistent rise in global incidence in recent years. Claudin 18.2, a protein with highly specific expression in gastric cancer, has emerged as a prominent research target in therapeutic development. The overexpression of Claudin 18.2 in gastric cancer cells and its abnormal surface exposure provide novel opportunities for targeted and immunotherapeutic interventions. Therapeutic approaches targeting Claudin 18.2 have shown promising initial results in clinical trials, primarily including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. The authors systematically summarize the biological characteristics, mechanism of action, clinical research progress, and future treatment prospects and challenges of Claudin 18.2.
10.Quality Evaluation of Cisatracurium Besilate Injection
Jing FANG ; Xinying YU ; Kai DUO ; Biwei BAI ; Yu HAN ; Kexin XIAO ; Xinying MA ; Liqun LIU ; Jialiang ZHU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(1):31-38
Objective To evaluate the quality of cisatracurium besilate injection produced by domestic manufacturers.Methods A comprehensive evaluation of 104 batches of samples was carried out using statutory testing methods combined withexploratory research,including related substances,1,5-pentanediol diacrylate,residual solvents,genotoxic impurities of benzenesulfonate esters,infrared spectrum,and endotoxin examination.The quality of domestic products and the controllability of current specifications were comprehensively evaluated.Results According to the statutory tests,the qualified rate of 104 batches of samples was 100.0%.The exploratory research showed that the results of related substances in the samples produced by 6 manufacturers were far below the limit,and no genotoxic impurities of benzenesulfonate esters were detected.However,the results showed that there was variability in 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate,as well as residual solvents.Conclusions The quality of the cisatracurium besilate injection is good,and the current specifications should be further improved and unified.It was proposed that the infrared spectrum,related substance,and 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate method be added or revised,and the limit of endotoxin strictly controlled.It was proposed that manufacturers pay attention to the quality of API and control injection production.

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