1.Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked in a mouse model of concanavalin A-induced immune-mediated liver injury
Zhenzhen PAN ; Ling XU ; Xianru ZHU ; Zihao FAN ; Yaling CAO ; Yinkang MO ; Sai YAN ; Feng REN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):134-142
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked (DDX3X) in immune-mediated liver injury (ILI), and to clarify its mechanism by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-dependent apoptotic pathway and its association with the clinical progression of hepatitis B. MethodsMice were given injection of concanavalin A (ConA) via the caudal vein to establish a model of ILI, PBS (control group) and different concentrations of ConA were injected into the tail vein of hepatocyte-specific DDX3X-knockout mice (DDX3XΔHep and DDX3X-flox mice (DDX3Xfl/fl), respectively.. The log-rank survival analysis, measurement of the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HE staining of liver tissue were performed to assess liver injury, and qRT-PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), and DDX3X in liver tissue. Intraperitoneal injection of 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA, 100 mg/kg) was performed to inhibit ERS. Serum samples (n=30) and liver tissue samples (n=6) were collected from healthy controls, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and hepatitis B virus-associated liver failure (HBV-LF) patients; ELISA was used to measure the serum level of DDX3X, and qRT-PCR/Western Blot was used to analyze the expression of targets in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group of mice, the expression of DDX3X in the liver of mice induced by ConA was significantly increased after liver injury (P<0.05), and hepatocyte-specific DDX3X knockout increased the 72-hour survival rate of mice by 55% (compared with 20% in the DDX3Xfl/fl group), with significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT and AST (P<0.000 1) and the expression levels of the ERS markers GRP78 and CHOP (P<0.05). After ERS was inhibited by 4-PBA, there was alleviation of liver injury (with reductions in ALT and AST, P <0.001) and a reduction in DDX3X expression (P<0.01). The analysis of clinical samples showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of liver DDX3X in CHB patients and HBV-LF patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (all P<0.01), and there was a significant increase in the serum level of DDX3X in HBV-LF patients (P<0.000 1). ConclusionDDX3X exacerbates ILI by regulating the ERS-dependent apoptotic pathway (GRP78/CHOP), and its expression is associated with the progression of hepatitis B. Therefore, it can be used as a potential therapeutic target.
2.Effectiveness of group skills training intervention on social ability of high functional autism spectrum disorder children
HU Shasha, ZHAO Xiao, ZHU Zhenzhen, LIU Xiaoli, WANG Rong, HU Zhenyu, ZHANG Wenwu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):167-171
Objective:
To evaluate the intervention efficacy of integrated group social skills training on social ability in school age patients with high functioning ASD, so as to provide a reference for improving social skills in children with high functioning ASD.
Methods:
From January 2021 to December 2023, 62 children aged 7-12 with high functioning ASD who visited the Children s Psychiatry Outpatient Department of the Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University were recruited, and were randomly divided into a training ( n =31) and a control group ( n =31) by a random number table method. The training group received a 20 week structured group social training program (mental interpretation courses and social courses), while the control group received only conventional treatment. Chinese version of Griffith Empathy Measure Parent Ratings (GEM-PR) and Social Response Scale (SRS) were used to assess the symptoms of social deficits before and after treatment. Emotional face recognition tasks and eye movement trajectories were used to test the characteristics of social visual attention in children with ASD. Group comparison was conducted using t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results:
At baseline, there were no significant differences in GEM-PR score ( t = -1.20 to -0.81), SRS score ( t =-0.36-1.75), emotional face recognition accuracy and reaction time ( t =-0.58-1.85), and eye movement trajectory ( U/t =-1.63-0.29) between the two group ( P >0.05). After intervention, the total GEM-PR score and empathic cognitive factor score of training group [18.00(10.00,24.00),9.00(8.00,13.00)] were significantly higher than those of the control group [12.00(-1.00,18.00),2.00(-2.00,7.00)], and the total SRS score and social cognition, social perception, social communication, social motivation (73.23±14.20, 16.16±2.72, 6.58±2.50, 24.29±5.61, 9.52±3.73) were significantly lower than those of the control group (95.26±15.29, 19.90±2.84, 12.58±2.49,31.94±6.38, 13.74±4.81) ( U/t =-2.38, -4.59; -5.88, -5.29, -9.47, -5.01, -3.87, P <0.05). The overall correct rate of emotional face recognition and the correct rate of angry, fearful and neutral faces recognition in the training group [(81.55±6.62)%,(76.86±12.06)%,(79.61±12.42)%,(94.27±6.26)%] were significantly higher than the control group [(70.55±13.82)%,(62.82±18.77)%,(67.18±18.85)%,(79.60±20.05)%], and the average reaction time [(2 226.70±274.43)ms] was lower than the control group [(2 417.27±324.10)ms] (t=4.00, 3.50, 3.07, 3.89, -2.42, P<0.05). The time to first eye gaze [764.74 (748.64, 793.73) ms] in the training group was significantly lower than that in the control group [810.92 (782.86, 877.42) ms], and the proportion of moderatetohigh intensity attention area in the face [(37.37±1.27)%] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(30.34±1.23)%] (U/t=3.44, 8.89, P<0.05).
Conclusion
Integrated group social training can significantly improve the social communication and empathy ability of high functioning ASD children, increase active attention and recognition ability of faces, and improve mental development of children with ASD.
3.Effect of Scutellariae Radix Combined with EGFR-TKIs on Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Yaya YU ; Chenjing LEI ; Zhenzhen XIAO ; Qi MO ; Changju MA ; Lina DING ; Yadong CHEN ; Yanjuan ZHU ; Haibo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):106-115
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Scutellariae Radix combined with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cancer stem cell (CSC) marker expression, and metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. MethodsThe anti-tumor effects of Scutellariae Radix and EGFR-TKIs (gefitinib or osimertinib) in NSCLC cells were evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) double staining apoptosis assay. The activity of Scutellariae Radix and EGFR-TKIs in three-dimensional (3D) cultures of NSCLC cells was assessed using the CellTiter-Glo® 3D cell viability assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CSC markers, sex determining region y box protein 2 (SOX2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (ALDH1A1), were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by ROS staining, and the redox ratio was detected by femtosecond laser labeling free imaging (FLI). ResultsUnder both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D culture conditions, compared with the blank group and EGFR-TKI group, the combination group showed significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis rate (P<0.05). Compared with the EGFR-TKI group, the mRNA and protein levels of CSC markers were significantly downregulated in the combination group (P<0.05). Additionally, the redox ratio was significantly elevated (P<0.05), and ROS levels were also increased in the combination group compared with the EGFR-TKI group. ConclusionIn NSCLC cells, Scutellariae Radix enhances the redox ratio and increases ROS levels, thereby inhibiting the expression of CSC markers and strengthening the anti-tumor effects of EGFR-TKIs. This provides a novel molecular mechanism by which Scutellariae Radix may enhance the sensitivity of targeted therapies.
4.Practice of project management for investigator-initiated trials in a hospital
Bingzhe LI ; Zhenzhen LU ; Fei LIANG ; Ziyan ZHU ; Zhen CHEN ; Jinling WANG ; Lihong HUANG ; Guoming SHI ; Zhenju SONG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2024;40(9):672-676
Establishing a comprehensive mechanism for the initiation and review of investigator-initiated trial(IIT) plays an important role in ensuring the scientific validity of clinical research and improving research quality.Since 2021, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University had actively explored improvements in the project management of IIT. The hospital had established a standardized grading review management process, developed an integrated clinical research management system, established a three-level clinical research training system, built a methodological support platform, and formulated research plan templates, gradually formed a standardized grading project approval review management mode. As of February 2024, the hospital had completed 400 quick reviews and more than 400 expert letter reviews based on the integrated clinical research management system. The efficiency and quality of IIT project approval had been improved. At the same time, over 40 academic salons and forums had been held, cultivating a group of young clinical research talents, providing data management training for more than 30 clinical departments, and promoting the improvement of the quality of research protocol. In the future, hospitals should further optimize their information systems, expand the influence of their training systems, enhance the capabilities of their methodological support platforms, and improve the efficiency of the application of clinical research protocol templates, so as to escort the establishment and implementation of high-quality clinical research projects and provide references for other hospitals′ IIT project management.
5.Effects of semaglutide on glucolipid metabolism and bone metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Xiaohuan ZHU ; Zhenzhen SHI ; Xiaofang HAN
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2024;47(10):944-948
Objective:To explore the effects of semaglutide on glucolipid metabolism and bone metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:A total of 96 T2DM patients treated in the Second People′s Hospital of Hefei from May 2022 to May 2023 were divided into the study group (48 cases) and the control group (48 cases) by treatment methods. The patients in the study group were treated with semaglutide, and the patients in the control group were treated with metformin, respectively, they were treated for 12 weeks. The levels of glucolipid metabolism, body mass index (BMI), bone metabolism, serum levels of adipocytokine 13 (apelin-13), feeding inhibitory factor 1 (nesfatin-1) and chemerin were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the incidence of adverse reactions was recorded.Results:After treatment, the improvement of glucolipid metabolism index in the study group were better than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After treatment, the BMI in the study group was lower than that in the control group: (24.26 ± 1.08) kg/m 2 vs. (25.40 ± 1.36) kg/m 2, there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of total type Ⅰ collagen amino terminal lengthening peptide (TPINP) and bone gla protein (BGP) in the study group were higher than those in the control group and β C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰcollagen (β-CTX) was lower than that in the control group: (48.50 ± 9.27) μg/L vs. (44.85 ± 8.20) μg/L, (20.73 ± 6.34) μg/L vs. (18.05 ± 6.20) μg/L, (0.30 ± 0.10) μg/L vs.(0.36 ± 0.08) μg/L, there were statistical differences ( P< 0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum apelin-13 in the study group was higher than that in the control group, while the levels of nesfatin-1 and chemerin were lower than those in the control group: (1 500.43 ± 153.36) ng/L vs. (1 350.24 ± 142.30) ng/L, (3.06 ± 0.65) μg/L vs. (3.75 ± 0.78) μg/L, (9.85 ± 2.46) μg/L vs. (11.37 ± 2.34) μg/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups had no statistical difference ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Semaglutide can significantly improve glucolipid metabolism, bone metabolism, decrease BMI, nesfatin-1 and chemerin levels, and increase apelin-13 level in T2DM patients.
6.Clinical Validation of a Prototype Smart Non-Invasive Pregnancy Glucose Monitor
Heqing LU ; Lirui CHENG ; Qiaoling DU ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Zhenzhen SUN ; Zhigang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2024;48(5):539-543
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a smart non-invasive blood glucose monitor prototype during pregnancy through clinical validation.The monitor utilizes near-infrared spectroscopy combined with AI big data analysis of photoelectric volumetric pulse wave data to achieve non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose in women during pregnancy.The research team developed a monitor that employs a sensing chip,effectively overcoming the problems of weak signals and individual differences in non-invasive blood glucose monitoring.The user experience is enhanced by visualizing the test results on the accompanying cell phone APP(application)of the smart non-invasive pregnancy blood glucose monitor.Clinical validation revealed that the non-invasive monitoring data for pregnant women aged 20~30 years significantly differed from those obtained via traditional blood glucose measurement methods,whereas no significant difference(P<0.05)was observed for pregnant women aged 31~42 years.The study concluded that further calibration of the monitor and an expansion of the sample size are necessary to enhance consistency with invasive glucose monitoring results.
7.Efficacy and safety of modified VIALE-A regimen for treatment of elderly patients with intermediate or high risk myelodysplastic syndromes
Qixin SUN ; Zhenzhen WEN ; Xiaoyan CHEN ; Ahui WANG ; Guiping CHEN ; Ziyuan ZHAO ; Zhigang ZHU
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2024;33(8):462-465
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of the modified VIALE-A regimen in the treatment of elderly (>75 years old) patients with intermediate or high risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted. Clinical data were collected from 7 MDS patients aged >75 years who were continuously treated with the modified VIALE-A regimen (azacytidine 75 mg/m 2 per day from day 1 to day 7 + venetoclax 200 mg per day from day 8 to day 28) from May 2021 to August 2023, and the patients were diagnosed according to the World Health Organization 2016 staging criteria and were determined to be at intermediate or high risk according to the revised International Prognostic Scoring System. The patients' efficacy and common adverse reactions were analyzed, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results:Of the 7 patients, 5 were female and 2 were male; the median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 84 years old (80 years old, 90 years old). One patient failed the initial treatment, and the remaining 6 achieved complete remission or complete remission in bone marrow after induction therapy with the modified VIALE-A regimen in 1-2 courses. By the follow-up cut-off date of December 31st, 2023, the median follow-up was 10 months (5 months, 18 months) and the median overall survival time was 18 months (95% CI: 0-39 months). Grade 3-4 myelosuppression occurred in all 7 patients during the induction phase, with granulocytopenia lasting 7-10 d; Of the 64 courses of maintenance treatment, 54 (84%) had grade 1-3 myelosuppression; non-hematologic adverse reactions were mild; no treatment interruptions occurred in the cumulative 73 courses. Conclusions:The modified VIALE-A regimen is moderately efficacious in elderly patients with intermediate or high risk MDS, with controllable adverse reactions.
8.Correlation between CGRP,Msr1 and pulmonary function,blood gas indexes in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Hao ZHANG ; Zhenzhen HU ; Dongsheng XIE ; Yong ZHU ; Na ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(10):1228-1232
Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression levels of serum calcitonin gene related peptide(CGRP),macrophage clearance receptor 1(Msr1)and pulmonary function and blood gas inde-xes in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Methods A to-tal of 114 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)who visited the hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were selected as study subjects,including 47 patients with AECOPD as AECOPD group and 67 patients with stable condition as COPD stable group.The gender,body mass index(BMI),age,smoking history,white blood cell count(WBC),pulmonary function index[ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC),and percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first sec-ond to predicted value(FEV1%pred)],blood gas indexes[arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2)]and other basic data of patients were collected,114 healthy volun-teers who were examined in the hospital at the same time were selected as the control group.The levels of ser-um CGRP and Msr1 were detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay(ELISA).The correlation be-tween the expression levels of CGRP and Msr1 in serum of patients with AECOPD and lung function and blood gas indexes was analyzed.The diagnostic value of CGRP and Msr1 expression levels in AECOPD was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to ana-lyze the influencing factors of AECOPD.Results The proportion of smoking history,WBC and PaCO2 levels in AECOPD group were higher than those in stable COPD group and control group,PaO2,FEV1/FVC and FEV1%pred levels were lower in stable COPD group and control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of serum CGRP and Msr1 in the control group,stable COPD group and AE-COPD group increased in turn,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Serum CGRP and Msr1 expression levels in AECOPD patients were positively correlated with smoking history,WBC and PaCO2(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with PaO2,FEV1/FVC,FEV1%pred(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the combination of CGRP and Msr1 in the diagnosis of AECOPD was 0.927(95%CI:0.863-0.967),which was greatly higher than that of single detection of CGRP and Msr1(Z combination vs.cGRP=2.417,P=0.016;Z combination vs.Msr1=2.3 84,P=0.017).Smoking history,CGRP and Msr1 were risk factors for AECOPD in COPD patients(P<0.05),FEV1/FVC and FEV1%pred were protective factors(P<0.05).Conclusion CGRP and Msr1 are highly expressed in the serum of patients with AECOPD.Both of them are closely related to the lung function and blood gas indexes of patients,and have certain value in clinical diagno-sis of AECOPD.
9.Characterizing immune microenvironment cell composition of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps based on mass cytometry technology
Lei WANG ; Weiqing WANG ; Surita AODENG ; Yuzhuo LIU ; Zhenzhen ZHU ; Jingjing LI ; Wei LYU
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;59(6):532-542
Objective:To analyze the cellular composition characteristics of the nasal tissue immune microenvironment in patients with control, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (neCRSwNP), and eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (eCRSwNP) using mass cytometry flow technology.Methods:Thirteen CRS patients who underwent endoscopic nasal surgery at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March to December 2022 were recruited, including 8 males and 5 females, aged 22.3 to 58.3 years. Three control mucosae were obtained from normal ethmoid or sphenoid sinuses of patients with benign tumors of the temporal fossa or non-functional pituitary adenomas who underwent endoscopic surgery, excluding allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. Sixteen clinical tissue samples (3 of control, 3 of CRSsNP, 4 of neCRSwNP, and 6 of eCRSwNP) were prepared into single-cell suspensions. Mass cytometry flow detection was performed using a combination of 42 molecular markers to analyze the differences in cell subpopulations among the groups. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9.Results:Based on the mass cytometry flow results, cells from control, CRSsNP, neCRSwNP, and eCRSwNP were divided into seven main cell subgroups, with detailed subgrouping of T/NK cells and myeloid cells. In T/NK cells, compared with the control group, the number of NK CD56bright cells increased in the CRSsNP group, while NK CD56dim cells decreased; compared with the CRSsNP group, the eCRSwNP group showed a decrease in NKT cells and CD4 +Tem cells; compared with the CRSsNP group, the eCRSwNP group showed a significant increase in CD25 expression within Treg cells; compared with the CRSsNP group, the eCRSwNP group showed a significant decrease in Tbet expression in CD8 +Teff cells and CD8 +TRM cells; in eCRSwNP, the expression of CD103 in CD8 +TRM cells was significantly lower than in CRSsNP. In myeloid cells, compared with the other three groups, the eCRSwNP group showed a significant increase in macrophages and a significant decrease in cDC1 and monocytes; compared with the control group and CRSsNP, the eCRSwNP group also showed a significant decrease in resting state macrophages; compared with the CRSsNP group, the eCRSwNP group showed a significant decrease in the level of CX3CR1 within cDC2 and monocytes; the expression levels of NLRP3 in cDC2 and macrophages in the eCRSwNP group were significantly higher than in the other three groups; compared with the control group, the expression levels of Gata3 in cDC2 and macrophages in the eCRSwNP group were also significantly increased; additionally, the expression of CCR2 within monocytes in the eCRSwNP group was lower than in the CRSsNP group. In ILC, compared with the control group, the expression of CCR6 decreased in the eCRSwNP group. Conclusions:Compared with the control group, CRSsNP, and neCRSwNP, eCRSwNP shows an increase in macrophage number, a decrease in cDC1 and resting state macrophages, and depletion of protective cells CD103 +CD8 +TRM. Additionally, the expression levels of CCR2 and CX3CR1 in monocytes of eCRSwNP are decreased.
10.Evaluation of the treatment effect on sinus elevation and implant restoration in cases with odontogenic maxil-lary sinusitis after tooth extraction
Yunying ZHU ; Yun LIU ; Ting XU ; Zhenzhen LIU ; Shaoping CAO ; Zhangsong WANG ; Donghui WU
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2024;(3):202-208
Objective To investigate the clinical effects of sinus elevation surgery and implant restorationdue to in-sufficient bone massafter tooth extraction in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis(OMS)and to provide a refer-ence for use in clinical practice.Methods This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee,and in-formed consent was obtained from the patients.Forty-five teeth were extracted from patients with OMS in the maxillary posterior area(the study group).Sinus elevation and implantation were performed due to insufficient bone height in the implant area 6-8 months after tooth extraction in the study group.Forty-eight teeth were extracted from patients without"OMS"in the maxillary posterior area(the control group),and sinus elevation and implantation were performed due to insufficient bone height in the implant area 6-8 months after tooth extraction inthe control group.In the study group,13 cases of discontinuous maxillary sinus floor bone and residual alveolar bone height of the maxillary sinus floor less than 4 mm were addressed with lateral wall sinus elevation,and the other 32 cases were addressed with crest-approach sinus elevation.In the control group,8 cases of residual alveolar bone height less than 4 mm in the maxillary sinus floor were addressed with lateral wall sinus,and the other 40 cases were addressed with crest approach sinus elevation.Restora-tions were placed 6 to 8 months after surgery.The patients were followed up 21 days,3 months,and 8 months after im-plantation and every 6 months after the placement of the restorations.The sinus bone gain(SBG),apical bone height(ABL)and marginal bone loss(MBL)were statistically analyzed 24 months after the restoration.Results The average preoperative mucosal thickness in the 45 patients in the study group was(1.556±0.693)mm,which was significantly larger than that in the control group(1.229±0.425)mm(P<0.001).There were no perforations in either group.Twenty-four months after restoration,there was no significant difference in the SBG,ABH or MBL between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion After the extraction of teeth from patients with OMS,the inflammation of the maxillary sinus de-creased,and the bone height and density in the edentulous area were restored to a certain degree.The effects of sinus floor lifting surgery and implant restoration do not differ between patients with and without OMS.


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