1.The level of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue and its clinical significance in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Zhekai CAI ; Long XU ; Wenli LIU ; Yingqun XIAO ; Qingmei ZHONG ; Wei ZHANG ; Min WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):57-62
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of HBV cccDNA in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) and its correlation with HBV markers and liver histopathological changes. MethodsA total of 30 patients in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACL who were hospitalized in The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from January 2015 to October 2023 were enrolled as liver failure group, and 9 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), matched for sex and age, were enrolled as control group. The content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was measured, and its correlation with clinical data and laboratory markers was analyzed. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and a one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups; the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsThe liver failure group had a significantly lower content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue than the control group (-0.92±0.70 log10 copies/cell vs -0.13±0.91 log10 copies/cell, t=2.761, P=0.009). In the liver failure group, there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the HBeAg-positive patients and the HBeAg-negative patients (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different grades (G0-G2, G3, and G4) of liver inflammatory activity (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different stages (S0-S2, S3, and S4) of liver fibrosis (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with negative HBV DNA and those with positive HBV DNA (P>0.05). For the liver failure group, the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was positively correlated with the content of HBV DNA in liver tissue (r=0.426, P=0.043) and was not significantly correlated with the content of HBV DNA in serum (P>0.05). ConclusionThere is a significant reduction in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACLF. HBV cccDNA exists continuously and stably in liver tissue and can better reflect the persistent infection and replication of HBV than HBV DNA in serum and liver tissue.
2.Study on the mechanism of hyperoside regulating hepatic lipid synthesis to ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Changrui LONG ; Shijian XIANG ; Zhenhua ZHANG ; Huixing WU ; Benjie ZHOU ; Chengyu LU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(6):668-673
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement mechanism of hyperoside (HYP) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal (NFD) group, model (HFD) group and HYP group, with 8 mice in each group. Except for NFD group, the mice in other groups were fed with HF60 high-fat diet to establish NAFLD model; HYP group was simultaneously given HYP 100 mg/kg intragastrically every day, for 16 consecutive weeks. The body weight and liver weight of mice in each group were recorded 16 h after the last medication; the histopathological changes and lipid accumulation in the liver were observed, and the contents of triglyceride (TAG) in liver tissue and serum contents of TAG, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured; LC-MS/MS method was adopted to detect lipid changes in the liver tissue of mice for lipidomics analysis, and protein expressions of lipid synthesis-associated proteins peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) were also tested. Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was divided into normal control group, model group, HYP low-concentration group (50 μmol/L), HYP high-concentration group (100 μmol/L), HYP low-concentration+GW6471 (PPARαinhibitor) group, and HYP high-concentration+GW6471 group. Except for normal control group, the remaining cells were induced with oleic acid and palmitic acid to establish a high-fat cell model. The accumulation of lipid droplets in each group of cells was observed, and the TAG content was detected. RESULTS Compared with HFD group, HYP group exhibited significant reductions in liver fat vacuoles, lipid accumulation, liver weight, and TAG content in liver tissue, as well as serum contents of ALT, AST and TAG (P<0.05). Additionally, the expression of PPARα protein in liver tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the pathological morphological changes associated with NAFLD were alleviated. Lipidomic analysis revealed that HYP significantly reduced the levels of TAG, diacylglycerol and other lipids in the liver. Compared with model group, cellular lipid droplet accumulation and TAG content decreased significantly in HYP low- and high-concentration groups (P<0.05); GW6471 could significantly reverse the improvement effect of HYP on above indicators (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS HYP can effectively ameliorate NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in mice, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of PPARα to regulate hepatic lipid synthesis.
3.Status of Clinical Practice Guideline Information Platforms
Xueqin ZHANG ; Yun ZHAO ; Jie LIU ; Long GE ; Ying XING ; Simeng REN ; Yifei WANG ; Wenzheng ZHANG ; Di ZHANG ; Shihua WANG ; Yao SUN ; Min WU ; Lin FENG ; Tiancai WEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):462-471
Clinical practice guidelines represent the best recommendations for patient care. They are developed through systematically reviewing currently available clinical evidence and weighing the relative benefits and risks of various interventions. However, clinical practice guidelines have to go through a long translation cycle from development and revision to clinical promotion and application, facing problems such as scattered distribution, high duplication rate, and low actual utilization. At present, the clinical practice guideline information platform can directly or indirectly solve the problems related to the lengthy revision cycles, decentralized dissemination and limited application of clinical practice guidelines. Therefore, this paper systematically examines different types of clinical practice guideline information platforms and investigates their corresponding challenges and emerging trends in platform design, data integration, and practical implementation, with the aim of clarifying the current status of this field and providing valuable reference for future research on clinical practice guideline information platforms.
4.A Case Report of Pachydermoperiostosis by Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment
Jie ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Li HUO ; Ke LYU ; Tao WANG ; Ze'nan XIA ; Xiao LONG ; Kexin XU ; Nan WU ; Bo YANG ; Weibo XIA ; Rongrong HU ; Limeng CHEN ; Ji LI ; Xia HONG ; Yan ZHANG ; Yagang ZUO
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):75-82
A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in
5.Study on chemical composition,pharmacodynamic consistency and mechanism between Hugan qingzhi formula decoction and its formulated granules
Zhenhua ZHANG ; Changrui LONG ; Huixing WU ; Shijian XIANG ; Benjie ZHOU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(12):1442-1448
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the contents of characteristic components in Hugan qingzhi formula (HGQZ) decoction and formulated granules and the pharmacodynamic consistency of them on high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model mice, and explore their potential underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze and compare the contents of six characteristic components in HGQZ decoction and formulated granules. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, HGQZ decoction low- dose and high-dose groups (13, 26 g/kg, calculated by crude drugs), and HGQZ formulated granules low-dose and high-dose groups (13, 26 g/kg, calculated by crude drugs), with 6 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, which was fed a regular diet, the mice in the other groups were fed a high-fat diet for 20 weeks to establish the NAFLD model; at the same time, the mice in each group were gavaged with the corresponding drugs/water once. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glucose and insulin tolerance, body weight, liver index, white adipose Δ 基金项目 国家自然科学基金项目(No.82074078);广东省基础 tissue index, brown adipose tissue index, as well as lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides) and liver function indicators (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase) were measured. Additionally, histopathological changes and lipid accumulation in liver tissues were observed. The serum samples of mice in the model group, HGQZ decoction high-dose group and HGQZ formulated granules high-dose group were taken for metabolomics analysis, and validation of the underlying mechanisms was conducted. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in the contents of ginsenoside Rb1, typhaneoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, hyperoside, nuciferine, and 23-acetylalismol B between HGQZ decoction and HGQZ formulated granules (P>0.05). Compared with the model group, the hepatic histopathological changes in mice were alleviated in both the HGQZ decoction group and all dose groups of HGQZ formulated granules. Inflammatory cell infiltration and lipid vacuoles were reduced. Additionally, there was a general improvement in FBG levels, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, body weight, liver index, white/brown adipose tissue index, lipid levels, and liver function indicators (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between these treatment groups (P>0.05). There were 234 and 136 differentially expressed serum metabolites identified in the model group versus HGQZ decoction high-dose group, and model group versus HGQZ formulated granules high-dose group, respectively. After taking the intersection, 65 common differentially expressed metabolites were obtained, which were enriched in metabolic pathways such as purine metabolism and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolism. Among these, the content of citrate in the model group was significantly lower than that in both the HGQZ decoction group and HGQZ formulated granules high-dose group (P<0.05). Both high-dose HGQZ decoction and formulated granules could significantly elevate the phosphorylation levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS HGQZ decoction and formulated granules contain comparable amounts of characteristic components, and both exhibit equivalent efficacy on NAFLD model mice. The anti-NAFLD effects of HGQZ are associated with the activation of the AMPK energy metabolism pathway.
6.PES1 Repression Triggers Ribosomal Biogenesis Impairment and Cellular Senescence Through p53 Pathway Activation
Chang-Jian ZHANG ; Yu-Fang LI ; Feng-Yun WU ; Rui JIN ; Chang NIU ; Qi-Nong YE ; Long CHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1853-1865
ObjectiveThe nucleolar protein PES1 (Pescadillo homolog 1) plays critical roles in ribosome biogenesis and cell cycle regulation, yet its involvement in cellular senescence remains poorly understood. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the functional consequences of PES1 suppression in cellular senescence and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulatory role. MethodsInitially, we assessed PES1 expression patterns in two distinct senescence models: replicative senescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and doxorubicin-induced senescent human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Subsequently, PES1 expression was specifically downregulated using siRNA-mediated knockdown in these cell lines as well as additional relevant cell types. Cellular proliferation and senescence were assessed by EdU incorporation and SA-β-gal staining assays, respectively. The expression of senescence-associated proteins (p53, p21, and Rb) and SASP factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8) were analyzed by Western blot or qPCR. Furthermore, Northern blot and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate pre-rRNA processing and nucleolar morphology. ResultsPES1 expression was significantly downregulated in senescent MEFs and HepG2 cells. PES1 knockdown resulted in decreased EdU-positive cells and increased SA‑β‑gal-positive cells, indicating proliferation inhibition and senescence induction. Mechanistically, PES1 suppression activated the p53-p21 pathway without affecting Rb expression, while upregulating IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8 production. Notably, PES1 depletion impaired pre-rRNA maturation and induced nucleolar stress, as evidenced by aberrant nucleolar morphology. ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that PES1 deficiency triggers nucleolar stress and promotes p53-dependent (but Rb-independent) cellular senescence, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining nucleolar homeostasis and regulating senescence-associated pathways.
7.Oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus and its complications: From pathophysiology to therapeutic strategies.
Xingyu CHEN ; Na XIE ; Lixiang FENG ; Yujing HUANG ; Yuyao WU ; Huili ZHU ; Jing TANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(1):15-27
Oxidative stress due to aberrant metabolism is considered as a crucial contributor to diabetes and its complications. Hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia boost excessive reactive oxygen species generation by elevated mitochondrial respiration, increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity, and enhanced pro-oxidative processes, including protein kinase C pathways, hexosamine, polyol, and advanced glycation endproducts, which exacerbate oxidative stress. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the onset of diabetes and its associated complications by impairing insulin production, increasing insulin resistance, maintaining hyperglycemic memory, and inducing systemic inflammation. A more profound comprehension of the molecular processes that link oxidative stress to diabetes is crucial to new preventive and therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this review discusses the mechanisms underlying how oxidative stress contributes to diabetes mellitus and its complications. We also summarize the current approaches for prevention and treatment by targeting the oxidative stress pathways in diabetes.
Oxidative Stress/physiology*
;
Humans
;
Diabetes Mellitus/physiopathology*
;
Diabetes Complications/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Glycation End Products, Advanced/metabolism*
;
Animals
8.Polarized light microscopic mineral phase authentication and health risk assessment of raw and calcined fossil mineral Chinese medicinal material Draconis Os.
Yan-Qiong PAN ; Zheng LIU ; Li-Wen ZHENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Liu ZHOU ; Xi-Long QIAN ; Fang FANG ; Xiao WU ; Sheng-Jin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4238-4247
This study aims to investigate the polarized microscopic mineral phase characteristics, inorganic element content, and potential health risks associated with the intake of raw and calcined fossil mineral Chinese medicinal material Draconis Os. Microscopy was employed to observe the mineralogical characteristics of Draconis Os and compare the microscopic features and phase composition of raw and calcined Draconis Os under monochromatic and orthogonal polarized light. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was employed to determine the content of 30 inorganic elements. Health risk assessment was conducted by calculating the single pollution index(P_i), average daily intake of elements for adults(ADI), target hazard quotient(THQ), non-carcinogenic assessment method-hazard quotient(HQ), and the carcinogenic risk of elements(CR). The results indicated that under monochromatic polarized light, the Draconis Os powder sections exhibited light gray-brown to gray-brown irregular fragments, some with undulating textures that were slightly curved. Under crossed polarized light, they appeared dark gray, grayish-white, and yellowish-white. Clear apatite was visible in the ground sections of Draconis Os under crossed polarized light. P_i results indicated that Draconis Os samples were free from contamination and were of good quality. According to the maximum allowable limits of heavy metals stipulated in ISO Traditional Chinese Medicine: Determination of heavy metals in herbal medicines used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ADI, THQ, HQ, and CR were taken as assessment indicators. Only the THQ value for As(arsenic) in raw Draconis Os was greater than 1, while the THQ values for other heavy metal elements in the Draconis Os samples were all less than 1. The study demonstrates that the primary mineral phase of raw and calcined Draconis Os is apatite, with some samples co-existing with calcite, which can serve as one of the means for quality control of Draconis Os. The elemental analysis results from ICP-MS provide scientific evidence for the safety assessment of Draconis Os, indicating that Draconis Os is safe in clinical application.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
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Risk Assessment
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Minerals/chemistry*
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Fossils
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Humans
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Drug Contamination
;
Mass Spectrometry
9.Digital study of IdebergⅡregional pelvic fracture anatomical plate based on 3D metal printing technology.
Yi ZHANG ; Jia-Kai ZHANG ; Jun-Long WU ; Yi ZHENG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(3):293-297
OBJECTIVE:
To establish digital model of Ideberg typeⅡregional glenoid fracture anatomical plate with 3D metal printing technology.
METHODS:
The scapular imaging data of a 34-year-old healthy male volunteer were retrospectively selected. Mimics 15.01, NX 12.0 and other software were used to design Ideberg typeⅡ regional scapular fracture guide plate system. STL data were input into a metal 3D printer to print 1∶1 scapular model and anatomical plate of scapular pelvis with guide sleeve. The fit of the plate was tested in vitro and the accuracy of the screw position was evaluated by imaging. The printing time of scapular model, design of the nail path and making time of the anatomic guided plate were recorded.
RESULTS:
3D metal-printed Ideberg typeⅡ guide plate for scapular fracture fitted well to 3D printed scapular model, the locking screw was oriented accurately, and X-ray and CT showed good screw position. The printing time of scapula model, time of nail path design and special-shaped anatomical guide plate production were 52.0, 15.0 and 320 min, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Anatomical plates based on 3D metal printing technology could achieve good adhesion of Ideberg typeⅡ regional fractures and precise screw placement, providing a new and accurate surgical method for the treatment of Ideberg typeⅡ glenoid fractures.
Humans
;
Printing, Three-Dimensional
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Male
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Adult
;
Bone Plates
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Fractures, Bone/diagnostic imaging*
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Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
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Pelvic Bones/surgery*
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Metals
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Scapula/surgery*
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Models, Anatomic
10.Impact of posterior cruciate ligament resection on the elasticity of the periarticular soft tissue sleeve in the knee joint.
Yun-Feng ZHANG ; De-Jin YANG ; Zhao-Lun WANG ; Yi-Xin ZHOU ; Hao TANG ; Xiang-Dong WU ; Han-Long ZHENG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(10):1055-1060
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effects of posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) resection on soft tissue elasticity and knee stability in total knee arthroplasty(TKA).
METHODS:
Six adult cadaveric knee specimens (involving 10 knees) were included in the study. With the assistance of the robotic system(TiRobot Recon, TINAVI, Beijing), total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed sequentially using cruciate retaining (CR) prostheses and posterior stabilizing (PS) prostheses. Between the two surgical procedures, the femoral and tibial osteotomy surfaces were not altered;only the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was resected and the intercondylar fossa was treated. After installing the femoral trial component, a soft tissue balance solver was used to apply tension ranging from 30 N to 90 N in 5 N increments at 0°, 10°, and 90° of knee flexion. Meanwhile, the medial and lateral joint gaps were measured synchronously. Based on the tension-gap coupling data, the equivalent elastic coefficients of the medial and lateral soft tissue sleeves at different knee flexion angles, as well as the range of the joint line convergence angle (JLCA) under fixed varus-valgus stress, were calculated. Additionally, the gap balance status under 80 N of tension was analyzed. Self-control comparisons of each indicator were conducted before and after PCL resection to analyze the change patterns.
RESULTS:
After PCL resection, in the fully extended position (knee flexion 0°). The medial equivalent elastic coefficient was 32.2 (25.7, 63.3) N·mm-1 for the CR prosthesis and 27.7 (22.0, 51.9) N·mm-1 for the PS prosthesis, and the statistically significant difference (P=0.013). The range of JLCA was 0.41°(0.26, 0.55)° for the CR prosthesis, which was smaller than 0.75° (0.40, 0.98)° for the PS prosthesis, and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.041). At 90° of knee flexion, the medial joint gap was 10.7(10.1, 11.7) mm for the CR prosthesis, which was smaller than 12.1(10.9, 15.1) mm for the PS prosthesis, with a statistically significant difference(P=0.011). No statistically significant differences were observed in other joint gaps.
CONCLUSION
PCL resection reduces the rigidity of the medial soft tissues in the fully extended knee and increases the medial joint gap in the flexed position, thereby affecting knee stability and balance. This finding suggests that PS and CR prostheses may require different morphological designs, and there should be differences in indications and osteotomy strategies between CR-TKA and PS-TKA. CR-TKA is more suitable for patients with preoperative medial soft tissue laxity.
Humans
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Posterior Cruciate Ligament/physiopathology*
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Knee Joint/physiopathology*
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Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee
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Elasticity
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Aged
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Adult

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