1.Role of autophagy in treatment of paracetamol-induced liver injury
Guojing XING ; Lifei WANG ; Longlong LUO ; Xiaofeng ZHENG ; Chun GAO ; Xiaohui YU ; Jiucong ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):389-394
N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP) is an antipyretic analgesic commonly used in clinical practice, and APAP overdose can cause severe liver injury and even death. In recent years, the incidence rate of APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) tends to increase, and it has become the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide. Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process that removes unwanted cytosolic proteins and organelles through lysosomal degradation to achieve the metabolic needs of cells themselves and the renewal of organelles. A large number of studies have shown that autophagy plays a key role in the pathophysiology of AILI, involving the mechanisms such as APAP protein conjugates, oxidative stress, JNK activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory response and apoptosis. This article elaborates on the biological mechanism of autophagy in AILI, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of AILI and the development of autophagy regulators.
2.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
3.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
4.Application of intravenous anesthesia without intubation in transurethral blue laser vaporization of the prostate
Zhenwei FAN ; Zhen HAO ; Guoxiong LIU ; Quan DU ; Yu WANG ; Xiaoliang FU ; Wanglong YUN ; Xiaofeng XU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(6):493-496
Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of transurethral blue laser vaporization of the prostate (BVP) under intravenous anesthesia without intubation. Methods: Clinical data of 30 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (prostate volume <40 mL) patients undergoing BVP under intravenous anesthesia without intubation in our hospital during Jul.and Nov.2024 were retrospectively analyzed.Preoperative and 1-month postoperative international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life score (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual volume (PVR) were compared.The operation time, cumulative blue laser activation time, recovery time, postoperative bladder irrigation time, postoperative catheter indwelling time, postoperative 2-hour visual analog scale (VAS) score and incidence of surgical and anesthetic complications were recorded. Results: All 30 patients successfully completed BVP under intravenous anesthesia without intubation.The operation time was (12.5±5.0) min, cumulative laser activation time (9.8±4.1) min, recovery time (6.8±1.2) min, postoperative bladder irrigation time (11.0±4.6) h, postoperative catheter indwelling time (2.7±1.1) days and postoperative 2-hour VAS score was (3.0±1.3).No cases required conversion to intubated general anesthesia, and no severe perioperative surgical or anesthetic complications occurred.Significant improvements in IPSS, QoL, Qmax, and PVR were observed 1 month postoperatively (P<0.001). Conclusion: BVP under intravenous anesthesia without intubation in the treatment of prostate volume <40 mL BPH is clinically feasible, significantly improving lower urinary tract symptoms without significant surgical or anesthetic complications.
5.POU2F1 inhibits miR-29b1/a cluster-mediated suppression of PIK3R1 and PIK3R3 expression to regulate gastric cancer cell invasion and migration.
Yizhi XIAO ; Ping YANG ; Wushuang XIAO ; Zhen YU ; Jiaying LI ; Xiaofeng LI ; Jianjiao LIN ; Jieming ZHANG ; Miaomiao PEI ; Linjie HONG ; Juanying YANG ; Zhizhao LIN ; Ping JIANG ; Li XIANG ; Guoxin LI ; Xinbo AI ; Weiyu DAI ; Weimei TANG ; Jide WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(7):838-850
BACKGROUND:
The transcription factor POU2F1 regulates the expression levels of microRNAs in neoplasia. However, the miR-29b1/a cluster modulated by POU2F1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown.
METHODS:
Gene expression in GC cells was evaluated using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and RNA in situ hybridization. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to evaluate protein interactions. Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the biological behavior of GC cells. MiR-29b1/a cluster promoter analysis and luciferase activity assay for the 3'-UTR study were performed in GC cells. In vivo tumor metastasis was evaluated in nude mice.
RESULTS:
POU2F1 is overexpressed in GC cell lines and binds to the miR-29b1/a cluster promoter. POU2F1 is upregulated, whereas mature miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p are downregulated in GC tissues. POU2F1 promotes GC metastasis by inhibiting miR-29b-3p or miR-29a-3p expression in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, PIK3R1 and/or PIK3R3 are direct targets of miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p , and the ectopic expression of PIK3R1 or PIK3R3 reverses the suppressive effect of mature miR-29b-3p and/or miR-29a-3p on GC cell metastasis and invasion. Additionally, the interaction of PIK3R1 with PIK3R3 promotes migration and invasion, and miR-29b-3p , miR-29a-3p , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 regulate migration and invasion via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway in GC cells. In addition, POU2F1 , PIK3R1 , and PIK3R3 expression levels negatively correlated with miR-29b-3p and miR-29a-3p expression levels in GC tissue samples.
CONCLUSIONS
The POU2F1 - miR-29b-3p / miR-29a-3p-PIK3R1 / PIK3R1 signaling axis regulates tumor progression and may be a promising therapeutic target for GC.
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Movement/physiology*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Octamer Transcription Factor-1/metabolism*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics*
;
Male
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Female
6.N 6-Methyladenosine modification of circDcbld2 in Kupffer cells promotes hepatic fibrosis via targeting miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis.
Sai ZHU ; Xin CHEN ; Lijiao SUN ; Xiaofeng LI ; Yu CHEN ; Liangyun LI ; Xiaoguo SUO ; Chuanhui XU ; Minglu JI ; Jianan WANG ; Hua WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Xiaoming MENG ; Cheng HUANG ; Jun LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):296-313
Kupffer cells (KCs), as residents and sentinels of the liver, are involved in the formation of hepatic fibrosis (HF). However, the biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in KCs to HF have not been determined. In this study, the expression levels of circRNAs, microRNAs, and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in KCs from a mouse model of HF mice were investigated using microarray and circRNA-Seq analyses. circDcbld2 was identified as a candidate circRNA in HF, as evidenced by its up-regulation in KCs. Silver staining and mass spectrometry showed that Wtap and Igf2bp2 bind to cirDcbld2. The suppression of circDcbld2 expression decreased the KC inflammatory response and oxidative stress and inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation, attenuating mouse liver fibrogenesis. Mechanistically, Wtap mediated the N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of circDcbld2, and Igf2bp2 recognized m6A-modified circDcbld2 and increased its stability. circDcbld2 contributes to the occurrence of HF by binding miR-144-3p/Et-1 to regulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. These findings indicate that circDcbld2 functions via the m6A/circDcbld2/miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis and may act as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.
7.Hypaphorine alleviates Crohn's disease-like colitis in mice by inhibiting intestinal epithelial inflammatory response and protecting intestinal barrier function.
Qingqing HUANG ; Jingjing YANG ; Xuening JIANG ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Yu WANG ; Lugen ZUO ; Lian WANG ; Yueyue WANG ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Xue SONG ; Jianguo HU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2456-2465
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of hypaphorine (HYP) on Crohn's disease (CD)‑like colitis in mice and its molecular mechanism.
METHODS:
Thirty male C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into WT, TNBS, and HYP groups, and in the latter two groups, mouse models of CD-like colitis were established using TNBS with daily gavage of 15 mg/kg HYP or an equivalent volume of saline. The treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing the disease activity index (DAI), body weight changes, colon length and histopathology. The effect of HYP was also tested in a LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cell model mimicking intestinal inflammation by evaluating inflammatory responses and barrier function of the cells using qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. GO and KEGG analyses were conducted to explore the therapeutic mechanism of HYP, which was validated in both the cell and mouse models using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
In the mouse models of CD-like colitis, HYP intervention obviously alleviated colitis as shown by significantly reduced body weight loss, colon shortening, DAI and inflammation scores, and expressions of pro-inflammatory factors in the colon tissues. HYP treatment also significantly increased the TEER values, reduced bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, lowered serum levels of I-FABP and FITC-dextran, increased the number of colonic tissue cup cells, and upregulated colonic expressions of MUC2 and tight junction proteins (claudin-1 and ZO-1) in the mouse models. In LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells, HYP treatment significantly inhibited the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors and increased the expressions of tight junction proteins. Western blotting showed that HYP downregulated the expressions of the key proteins in the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in both the in vitro and in vivo models.
CONCLUSIONS
HYP alleviates CD-like colitis in mice possibly by suppressing intestinal epithelial inflammation and improving gut barrier function.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Crohn Disease/drug therapy*
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
Caco-2 Cells
;
Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*
;
Colitis/drug therapy*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Inflammation
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
;
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism*
;
Intestinal Barrier Function
8.Exploration of research evaluation methods for implementing S&T evaluation reform in health science
Zhimin HU ; Yu XIE ; Qing CHENG ; Xiaofeng JIA
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2024;37(4):278-283
Objective:This study aimed to explore and put forward adaptive methods for implementing S&T (Science and Technology) evaluation reform in health science, according to the development requirements of achieving high level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement.Methods:This article used theoretical research and policy analysis to summarize the reform requirements of S&T evaluation and proposed the methodology of S&T evaluation in health science by comparative analysis with the main S&T evaluations of typical countries.Results:A five-step evaluation framework for health science was proposed, including classifying achievements, determining evaluation methods, clarifying value judgment, selecting evaluation contents, and applying evaluation results.Conclusions:Besides the evaluation method framework, implementing the S&T evaluation reforms in health science needed to promote the consensus evaluation ecology in some aspects comprehensively, i. e., evaluating subject, pathway and method, value orientation and purpose, etc.
9.Effects of eicosanoic acid on proliferation and migration of human retinal vascular endothelial cells by mediating increased expression of angiopoietin-like protein 4 after binding to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 8
Yuhang YANG ; Hui QI ; Lijun DONG ; Zixin FAN ; Xiaofeng LU ; Mingliang WANG ; Zhen YU ; Hetian LEI ; Guoming ZHANG
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(9):679-685
Objective To investigate the effects of eicosanoic acid(C20DC)on the proliferation and migration of human retinal endothelial cells(HRECs)and its mechanism.Methods The optimal working concentration of C20DC in human retinal pigment epithelium 19(ARPE-19)cells and HRECs was determined as 30 mg·L-1 and 25 mg·L-1,respec-tively.HRECs were divided into the C20DC treatment group(HRECs treated with C20DC)and the control group[HRECs treated with dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)].The effects of C20DC on the migration and proliferation of HRECs were detec-ted by cell proliferation and migration experiments.The molecular docking method was used to simulate the binding ability of C20DC to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ(PPARδ).ARPE-19 cells were divided into the C20DC+ARPE-19 group(ARPE-19 cells treated with C20DC)and the DMSO+ARPE-19 group(ARPE-19 cells treated with DMSO).The ex-pression levels of PPARδ and angiopoietin-like protein 4(ANGPTL4)in ARPE-19 cells and ANGPTL4 protein in HRECs were detected using Western blot.The ANGPTL4 protein expression levels in ARPE-19 cells and HRECs were quantitatively analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results Compared with the control group,the prolifera-tion and migration of cells in the C20DC treatment group significantly increased(both P<0.05),and C20DC could stably bind to PPAR8(binding energy:-7.20 kcal·mol-1).Western blot showed that the expression level of ANGPTL4 protein in the C20DC+ARPE-19 group was higher than that in the DMSO+ARPE-19 group,and the difference was statistically sig-nificant(P<0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in the expression level of PPARδ receptor protein be-tween the two groups(P>0.05).The expression level of ANGPTL4 protein in the C20DC treatment group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).ELISA quantitative analysis showed that the expression level of ANGPTL4 in the C20DC+ARPE-19 group was higher than that in the DMSO+ARPE-19 group(P<0.001);the expression level of ANGPTL4 in the C20DC treatment group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion C20DC can promote the expression of ANGPTL4 pro-tein by binding to PPARδ and thus increase the proliferation and migration of retinal related cells(HRECs and ARPE-19 cells).Its mechanism may be related to the increased angiogenesis in retinopathy of prematurity.
10.Expression of topoisomerase Ⅱαand cyclin G1 in gastric adenocarcinoma and its relationship with clinicopathological features and Helicobacter pylori infection
Wenyan CHEN ; Xiaofeng LIU ; Yu QI
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2024;47(8):760-764
Objective:To analyze the expression of topoisomerase Ⅱα(Topo Ⅱα) and cyclin G1 in gastric adenocarcinoma and their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection.Methods:From May 2018 to May 2022, 217 gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissue samples were collected in Lu′an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The streptavidin-peroxidase method (S-P) was used to detect the expression of Topo Ⅱα and cyclin G1. The expression of Topo Ⅱα and cyclin G1 in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues were compared. The relationship between Topo Ⅱα and cyclin G1 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and clinicopathological features were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression. In addition, the Hp infection of gastric adenocarcinoma patients with different expressions of Topo Ⅱα and cyclin G1 was compared. Kendall tau-b correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between Topo Ⅱα expression, cyclin G1 expression and Hp infection.Results:The positive rates of Topo Ⅱα and cyclin G1 in gastric adenocarcinoma were higher than those in adjacent tissues: 60.83%(132/217) vs. 29.95%(65/217), 62.67%(136/217) vs. 0, there were statistical differences ( χ2 = 41.73, 198.07, P<0.01). There were significant differences in the positive expression rates of Topo Ⅱα and cyclin G1 in gastric adenocarcinoma patients with different histological differentiation degrees, T stage, N stage and TNM stage ( P<0.05). The positive expression rate of Topo Ⅱα in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues with distant metastasis was significantly higher than that in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues without distant metastasis ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that histological differentiation degree, T stage, histological differentiation degree and N stage were the influencing factors of Topo Ⅱα expression ( P<0.05); histological differentiation degree, T stage, N stage, TNM stage were the influencing factor of cyclin G1 expression ( P<0.05). The positive rate of Hp in 217 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma was 81.57% (177/217). The positive rates of Hp in gastric adenocarcinoma patients with positive Topo Ⅱα and positive cyclin G1 were significantly higher than those with negative Topo Ⅱα and cyclin negative G1 expression: 87.12%(115/132) vs. 72.94%(62/85), 87.50% (119/136) vs. 71.60%(58/81), there were statistical differences ( χ2 = 6.92, 8.53, P<0.05). Kendall tau-b correlation coefficient analysis showed that the expression of Topo Ⅱα and cyclin G1 were positively correlated with Hp infection ( r = 0.179, 0.198, P<0.05). Conclusions:The positive rate of Topo Ⅱα and cyclin G1 in gastric adenocarcinoma is high, and it is correlated with histological differentiation, T stage, N stage and Hp infection.

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