1.Identification of Cuproptosis-related Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease Based on Bioinformatics and Machine Learning and Clinical Validation and Prediction of Potential Traditional Chinese Medicine
Guofang YU ; Chenling ZHAO ; Liwei TIAN ; Wenming YANG ; Ting DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):160-167
ObjectiveThis study aims to identify cuproptosis-related gene biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease(AD) using bioinformatics and machine learning methods, validate them at the clinical specimen level, and predict potential traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). MethodsDifferentially expressed genes in the AD group and normal group were obtained using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and intersections were taken with reported cuproptosis-related genes to obtain differentially expressed cuproptosis-related genes. Machine learning methods were applied to identify core differential genes of cuproptosis in AD. Peripheral blood's single nucleated cells from clinical AD patients were collected, and the relative gene expression was clinically verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). Potential TCM regulating cuproptosis for AD were predicted by COREMINE database. ResultsA total of 12 cuproptosis-related genes were obtained, mainly involved in pathways of tricarboxylic acid cycle, 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, and carbon metabolism. Five core cuproptosis-related genes, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), glutaminase (GLS), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit beta (PDHB), full name nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor 2 (NFE2L2), and dihydrolipoamide branched-chain transacylase E2 (DBT) were finally screened using four machine methods. Thirty cases each of normal and AD patients were collected clinically. Compared with those in the normal group, minimum mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were significantly decreased in the AD group (P<0.01), Homocysteine(Hcy), interleukin(IL)-6, C-reactive protein(CRP) , and β amyloid protein(Aβ) indexes were significantly increased (P<0.01), and malondialdehyde(MDA) indexes were decreased (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase(SOD) levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA relative expressions of NFE2L2 and DBT were up-regulated (P<0.05), and those of DLD, GLS, and PDHB were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). The TCM regulating cuproptosis-related genes for the treatment of AD were mainly based on the four Qi such as warmth, calmness, and cold, and the five flavors including bitterness, sweetness, and pungency, and it was attributed to the meridians of the liver, spleen, stomach, and kidney, with the efficacy of tonifying Qi, activating blood, eliminating phlegm, and resoling dampness. ConclusionDLD, GLS, NFE2L2, PDHB, and DBT can be used as novel diagnostic molecular markers for AD cuproptosis-related genes, and the corresponding potential therapeutic TCM can provide new ideas for the treatment of AD by TCM.
2.YOD1 regulates microglial homeostasis by deubiquitinating MYH9 to promote the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
Jinfeng SUN ; Fan CHEN ; Lingyu SHE ; Yuqing ZENG ; Hao TANG ; Bozhi YE ; Wenhua ZHENG ; Li XIONG ; Liwei LI ; Luyao LI ; Qin YU ; Linjie CHEN ; Wei WANG ; Guang LIANG ; Xia ZHAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):331-348
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major form of dementia in the elderly and is closely related to the toxic effects of microglia sustained activation. In AD, sustained microglial activation triggers impaired synaptic pruning, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, and cognitive deficits. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that aberrant expression of deubiquitinating enzymes is associated with regulating microglia function. Here, we use RNA sequencing to identify a deubiquitinase YOD1 as a regulator of microglial function and AD pathology. Further study showed that YOD1 knockout significantly improved the migration, phagocytosis, and inflammatory response of microglia, thereby improving the cognitive impairment of AD model mice. Through LC-MS/MS analysis combined with Co-IP, we found that Myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9), a key regulator maintaining microglia homeostasis, is an interacting protein of YOD1. Mechanistically, YOD1 binds to MYH9 and maintains its stability by removing the K48 ubiquitin chain from MYH9, thereby mediating the microglia polarization signaling pathway to mediate microglia homeostasis. Taken together, our study reveals a specific role of microglial YOD1 in mediating microglia homeostasis and AD pathology, which provides a potential strategy for targeting microglia to treat AD.
4.Gandou Fumu Decoction improves liver steatosis by inhibiting hepatocyte ferroptosis in mice with Wilson's disease through the GPX4/ACSL4/ALOX15 signaling pathway.
Mengying ZHANG ; Chenling ZHAO ; Liwei TIAN ; Guofang YU ; Wenming YANG ; Ting DONG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1471-1478
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism of Gandou Fumu Decoction (GDFMD) for improving Wilson's disease (WD) in tx-J mice.
METHODS:
With 6 syngeneic wild-type mice as the control group, 30 tx-J mice were randomized into WD model group, low-, medium- and high-dose GDFMD treatment groups, and Fer-1 treatment group. Saline (in control and model groups) and GDFMD (3.48, 6.96 or 13.92 g/kg) were administered by gavage, and Fer-1 was injected intraperitoneally once daily for 14 days. Oil red and HE staining were used to observe lipid deposition and pathological conditions in the liver tissue; ALT, AST, albumin, AKP levels were determined to assess liver function of the mice. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect hepatic protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4, ACSL4, ALOX15, FTH1, FLT, TFR1, FAS, SCD1, and ACOX1, and Fe2+, MDA, ROS, SOD, GSH and 4-HNE levels were analyzed to assess oxidative stress.
RESULTS:
The mouse models of WD showed obvious fatty degeneration in the liver tissue significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST and AKP, decreased albumin level, increased Fe2+, MDA, ROS, 4-HNE levels, decreased SOD and GSH levels (P<0.05), lowered protein expressions of ACOX1, GPX4, FTH1, FLT, FAS, and SCD1, and increased protein contents of TFR1, ACSL4 and ALOX15 in the liver. Treatment with GDFMD and Fer-1 improved liver histopathology and liver function of the mouse models, decreased the levels of Fe2+, MDA and ROS, increased SOD and GSH levels, and reversed the changes in hepatic protein expressions.
CONCLUSIONS
GDFMD improves liver steatosis in mouse models of WD possibly by inhibiting hepatocyte ferroptosis through the GPX4/ACSL4/ALOX15 signaling pathway.
Animals
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Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Mice
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Hepatolenticular Degeneration/drug therapy*
;
Hepatocytes/metabolism*
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Fatty Liver/metabolism*
;
Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase/metabolism*
;
Coenzyme A Ligases/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Male
5.Effects of GW501516 on the injury of pulmonary artery endothelial cells induced by hypoxia and its mechanism
Changgui CHEN ; Chunfeng YI ; Zhihua YU ; Dong WANG ; Liwei LI ; Liqun HE
China Pharmacy 2024;35(2):179-185
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors δ (PPARδ) agonist GW501516 on the injury of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) induced by hypoxia and its mechanism. METHODS The cytotoxic effects of GW501516 were observed by detecting the relative survival rate of PAECs; the protein expression of PPARδ was determined by Western blot assay. The cellular model of PAECs injury was established under hypoxic conditions; using antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as positive control, the effects of GW501516 on cell injury and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were investigated by detecting cell apoptotic rate, cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and ROS levels. Using nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2) activator dimethyl fumarate (DMF) as positive control, PAECs were incubated with GW501516 and/or Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 under hypoxic conditions; the mechanism of GW501516 on PAECs injury induced by hypoxia was investigated by detecting cell injury (cell apoptosis, cell viability, LDH activity), the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS, the expressions of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and cleaved-caspase-3 (C-caspase-3) protein. RESULTS The results demonstrated that hypoxia inhibited the protein expression of PPARδ (P<0.05), while GW501516 promoted the protein expression of PPARδ in hypoxia- exposed PAECs without obvious cytotoxic effects. GW501516 inhibited the apoptosis of PAECs, improved cell viability, and reduced LDH activity and ROS levels. GW501516 could up-regulate the protein expression of HO-1 in PAECs and the levels of SOD, GPx and CAT, while down-regulated the levels of MDA and ROS by activating the Nrf2 pathway (P<0.05); but Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 could reverse the above effects of GW501516 (P<0.05). GW501516 exerted similar effects to Nrf2 activator DMF in down-regulating the expression of C-caspase-3 and inhibiting the injury of PAECs under conditions of hypoxia (P<0.05). Moreover, Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed the 163.com inhibition effects of GW501516 on PAECs injury (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS GW501516 can relieve the hypoxia-induced injury of PAECs via the inhibition of oxidative stress, the mechanism of which may be associated with activating Nrf2.
6.Comparative analysis of the CT, clinical, and pathological features of patients with invasive lung adenocarcinoma positive and negative for spread through air spaces
Liwei ZHANG ; Guiping YUAN ; Juanjuan FANG ; Minmin TENG ; Dewei SONG ; Bo YU ; Yuanwei SHAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(4):459-465
Objective To investigate the correlations of computed tomography (CT), clinical, and pathological features in patients with invasive lung adenocarcinoma positive and negative for spread through air spaces (STAS). Methods A total of 236 patients with invasive lung adenocarcinoma confirmed by surgery and pathology were selected, including 118 patients in STAS-positive group and 118 patients in STAS-negative group. The clinical data, CT signs, and pathological features of the two groups were collected and analyzed. Results There was a correlation between age and the occurrence of STAS. The age of the positive group was higher than that of the negative group. Smoking history and family history of tumor had no correlation with the occurrence of STAS. CT features signs such as nodule type and shape, tumor-lung interface, lobulation sign, spiculation sign, vacuole/cavity, air-bronchogram, pleural indentation sign, vascular changes, mean diameter of tumor, mean diameter of solid component, and the percentage of tumor solid components were significantly different between patients with and without STAS. The incidence of STAS in patients with solid nodules and partial solid nodules was significantly higher than that in patients with ground glass nodules. Multivariate analysis showed that the percentage of tumor solid components, air-bronchogram sign, lobulation sign, and tumor-lung interface were independent risk factors for predicting the occurrence of STAS. Conclusion The clinical data and CT signs of patients with invasive lung adenocarcinoma are related to the occurrence of STAS. CT signs such as the percentage of tumor solid components, air-bronchogram, lobulation sign, and tumor-lung interface are of great significance to STAS prediction. Our findings provide an important basis for selection of personalized clinical treatment plans.
7.AngioJet-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis versus catheter-directed thrombolysis alone in the treatment of acute deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity: a mid-term controlled clinical study
Xinqing LI ; Aimin QIAN ; Chenglong LI ; Xiaobin YU ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Fengrui LEI ; Liwei ZHU ; Zhixin CAI ; Hongfei SANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;39(2):110-114
Objective:To compare the mid-term clinical effects of AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis (ART+CDT) with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in the treatment of acute deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities.Methods:Ninety-one patients admitted to the Department from Jan 2016 to Dec 2017 were placed with inferior vena cava filters and divided into ART+CDT group (30 cases)and CDT group (61 cases). Total urokinase dosge, thrombolytic time, operative cost, length of hospital stay, detumescence rate, thrombus clearance rate, cumulative patency rate of lower limb veins, Villalta score at 2 years and 5 years, thrombosis recurrence rate and chronic venous insufficiency quality of life questionnaire were compared between the two groups.Results:The success rate of surgery was 100% in both groups, there was no mortality. There were significant differences in the short-term postoperative outcomes between the two groups in terms of total dosage of urokinase, thrombolysis time, total cost of surgery, length of hospital stay, detumescence rate, venous patency scores before and after treatment, and venous patency rate (all P<0.05). For the mid- and long-term postoperative outcomes of 2 and 5 years, there were no significant differences in the incidence of PTS, recurrence rate of thrombus, chronic venous function scale, and cumulative patency rate at 2 years (all P>0.05). Conclusions:ART+CDT has a significant advantage over CDT alone in terms of early efficacy and early reopening of blood flow in patients. Both ART+CDT and CDT have a low incidence of PTS and a low recurrence rate of thrombus in the mid-term follow-up, and both have satisfactory performance in the mid- and long-term efficacy of interventional treatment of deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs.
8.Epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus among acute respiratory infection cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023
Aili CUI ; Baicheng XIA ; Zhen ZHU ; Zhibo XIE ; Liwei SUN ; Jin XU ; Jing XU ; Zhong LI ; Linqing ZHAO ; Xiaoru LONG ; Deshan YU ; Bing ZHU ; Feng ZHANG ; Min MU ; Hui XIE ; Liang CAI ; Yun ZHU ; Xiaoling TIAN ; Bing WANG ; Zhenguo GAO ; Xiaoqing LIU ; Binzhi REN ; Guangyue HAN ; Kongxin HU ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):945-951
Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.
9.Action research on the implement of a self-management program for patients with diabetic foot amputation
Hongjuan ZHU ; Hongli YU ; Qian WANG ; Liwei WANG ; Peng YUE
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(11):1346-1352
Objective Action research methodology was used in a constructed self-management program for diabetic foot amputees to continuously improve the program and ensure the smooth implementation of the program.Methods Using the action research method,from February to June,2023,the self-management program constructed by the author was continuously revised and improved through the cyclic process of"planning-action-observation-reflection"for patients with diabetic foot amputation.Results After 2 rounds of action research,the action research refined the delivery of the program and the timing of the intervention,and the level of patient self-management behaviors increased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion Using the action research method,the researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of the problems that existed in the process of patients'behavioral health interventions,and adjusted the program through feedback from the patients'hospitalization period,transition period,and home period,to ensure that the corresponding indexes at each stage could basically satisfy the patients'self-management needs,and to improve the smooth implementation of the self-management program for patients with diabetic foot amputation.
10.Caregiving dilemmas of carers of patients with diabetic foot ulcers at different stages:a qualitative study/
Qian WANG ; Hongjuan ZHU ; Dengfen ZENG ; Siyu YAO ; Hongli YU ; Liwei WANG ; Yubo SUN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(19):2340-2345
Objective To explore the dynamics of carers'caregiving dilemmas during different stages of disease progression in patients with diabetic foot ulcers,and to provide a basis for giving precise intervention strategies.Methods Based on the theory of Timing It Right,the phenomenological study was adopted.A purposive sampling method was used to select carers of patients with diabetic foot ulcers who were hospitalised in the Wound Repair Unit of a tertiary hospital in Beijing from March 2023 to February 2024 to conduct semi-structured interviews,and the data were analysed using the Colaizzi 7-step analysis method.Results Combined with the theory of Timing It Right,5 stages of diabetic foot ulcer development were formed,and 5 themes were extracted(①diagnostic period:mixed emotions,facing the dilemma of being unable to do anything;②therapeutic period:lack of knowledge of the disease,and the difficulties of bedside care;③recovery period:contradictions of the desire for rapid healing and the lack of caregiving ability;④transition period:poor patient adherence,and the hope for professional support;⑤adaptation period:the accumulation of negative emotions,and the persistence of caregiving difficulties),and 12 sub-themes.Conclusion At different stages of disease development in patients with diabetic foot ulcers,the caregiving dilemma of caregivers changes dynamically,and healthcare professionals should provide professional,personalised,and high-quality professional support according to their caregiving experience and needs at different stages to improve their quality of care and promote patients'recovery.

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