1.Key Genes in Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis Pathway of Lonicera macranthoides Based on Transcriptome and Metabolome Conjoint Analysis
Jiawei HE ; Jingyu ZHANG ; Juan ZENG ; Jiayuan ZHU ; Simin ZHOU ; Meiling QU ; Ribao ZHOU ; Xiangdan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):167-175
ObjectiveBased on the conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome, the key genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway of Lonicera macranthoides were explored, which provided a basis for further exploring the synthesis and regulation mechanism of phenylpropanoid compounds in "Xianglei" L. macranthoides. MethodsThe stem, leaves, and three flowering flowers of "Xianglei" L. macranthoides were selected as experimental materials to construct transcriptome and metabolome. The transcriptome and metabolomics were conjointly analyzed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and the key genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway of L. macranthoides were explored. ResultsIn this study, 77 differential phenylpropanoids and 315 differential genes were found. Through the joint analysis of transcription and metabolism, nine key differential metabolites and four key genes related to them were finally discovered. Among them, cinnamic acid, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid,sinapyl alcohol, and chlorogenic acid were higher in flowers, and the content of the iconic effective component, namely chlorogenic acid,decreased sharply during the withering period. Caffeic acid,ferulic acid, 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde,p-coumaryl alcohol, and syringin were higher in leaves. These four key genes belong to the cinnamic alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) family, 4-coumaric acid: Coenzyme A (4CL) family, hydroxycinnamyl transferase (HCT) family, and L-phenylalanine ammonlyase (PAL) family genes. ConclusionAmong the four key genes excavated from L. macranthoides, TRINITY_DN42767_c0_g6 is related to the synthesis of p-coumaryl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. TRINITY_DN43525_c4_g1 uses caffeic acid,ferulic acid,and cinnamic acid as substrates to catalyze the next reaction. TRINITY_DN47958_c3_g4 correlates with the synthesis of 3-p-coumaroyl quinic acid and caffeoyl-CoA, and TRINITY_DN52595_c1_g2 correlates with cinnamic acid synthesis. These findings provide a basis for further exploring the synthesis and regulation mechanism of phenylpropanoids in "Xianglei" L. macranthoides.
2.Explanation for the Methodological Framework for Interventional Clinical Research of Chinese Medicine under the Research Mode of Syndrome Dominating Disease
Qian HUANG ; Li ZHOU ; Meiling XUAN ; Xiaohui GUO ; Xingying QIU ; Bingqing LIU ; Wencong CAO ; Zehuai WEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(13):1328-1333
The methodological framework for interventional clinical research of Chinese medicine (CM) under the research mode of syndrome dominating disease provides a set of technical principles and methods to design, evaluate, and implement of this kind. It consists of three main parts including general principles, research points and key design elements, with a total of 25 items. This methodological framework proposes implementing requirements and recommendations in a variety of aspects, including basic norms to be followed in relevant studies, perspectives for selecting research topics, as well as the technological details on study population (P), intervention (I) and comparison(C), outcome measurement (O), time frame (T) of treatment and follow-up, sample orientation (prospective versus retrospective), study design (S) format and type. To provide practical guidance for future studies, this article clearly explains each items of the methodological framework through some supportive cases.
3.Paeoniflorin ameliorates chronic colitis via the DR3 signaling pathway in group 3 innate lymphoid cells
Huang SHAOWEI ; Xie XUEQIAN ; Xu BO ; Pan ZENGFENG ; Liang JUNJIE ; Zhang MEILING ; Pan SIMIN ; Wang XIAOJING ; Zhao MENG ; Wang QING ; Chen JINYAN ; Li YANYANG ; Zhou LIAN ; Luo XIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(6):889-901
Inhibiting the death receptor 3(DR3)signaling pathway in group 3 innate lymphoid cells(ILC3s)pre-sents a promising approach for promoting mucosal repair in individuals with ulcerative colitis(UC).Paeoniflorin,a prominent component of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.,has demonstrated the ability to restore barrier function in UC mice,but the precise mechanism remains unclear.In this study,we aimed to delve into whether paeoniflorin may promote intestinal mucosal repair in chronic colitis by inhibiting DR3 signaling in ILC3s.C57BL/6 mice were subjected to random allocation into 7 distinct groups,namely the control group,the 2%dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)group,the paeoniflorin groups(25,50,and 100 mg/kg),the anti-tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A(anti-TL1A)antibody group,and the IgG group.We detected the expression of DR3 signaling pathway proteins and the proportion of ILC3s in the mouse colon using Western blot and flow cytometry,respectively.Meanwhile,DR3-overexpressing MNK-3 cells and 2% DSS-induced Rag1-/-mice were used for verification.The results showed that paeoniflorin alleviated DSS-induced chronic colitis and repaired the intestinal mucosal barrier.Simultaneously,paeoniflorin inhibited the DR3 signaling pathway in ILC3s and regulated the content of cytokines(interleukin-17A,granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor,and interleukin-22).Alternatively,paeoniflorin directly inhibited the DR3 signaling pathway in ILC3s to repair mucosal damage indepen-dently of the adaptive immune system.We additionally confirmed that paeoniflorin-conditioned me-dium(CM)restored the expression of tight junctions in Caco-2 cells via coculture.In conclusion,paeoniflorin ameliorates chronic colitis by enhancing the intestinal barrier in an ILC3-dependent manner,and its mechanism is associated with the inhibition of the DR3 signaling pathway.
4.Development and test of reliability and validity of the Visual Cognitive Ability Assessment Scale for Preschool Children
Na WANG ; Shuqing ZHOU ; Xiaojie GUO ; Xin ZHANG ; Xia CHI ; Xiling LI ; Meiling TONG
Chinese Journal of Child Health Care 2024;32(2):138-141
【Objective】 To develop the Visual Cognitive Ability Assessment Scale for Preschool Children and to evaluate its reliability and validity, in order to provide reference for clinical evaluation of visual cognitive ability of preschool children. 【Methods】 1) From November 2021 to February 2022, construct the dimension framework was constructed and the pool of scale items was compiled according to the theory. 2) In March to June 2022, items were screened preliminarily through group discussion and Delphi method. In August 2022, the entries was revised by a pre-survey in a small sample (n=50). 3) Parents of children aged 4 - 7 from 8 kindergartens in 4 main urban areas of Nanjing were investigated by stratified cluster random sampling method in September to December 2022. The valid sample of the first survey (n=344) was analyzed to conduct item analysis and re-test reliability analysis, the valid sample of the second survey (n=695) was tested for reliability and confirmatory factor analysis, then the scale was finally compiled and evaluated. 【Results】 1) The scale contained 19 items in 4 dimensions:visual memory, discerning vision, spatial vision and visual integration. All items passed the project analysis test. 2) The Cronbach′s α coefficient of each dimension ranged from 0.604 to 0.886, and the Cronbach′s α coefficient of the whole scale was 0.917. During the two surveys, the scores of each item were correlated, and the average retest reliability coefficient was 0.601 (P< 0.05). 3) Content validity index (S-CVI) at scale level was 0.91, and item level content validity index (I-CVI) ranged from 0.8 to 1.0. After several rounds of model modification, the confirmatory factor model fit well. 【Conclusion】 The reliability and validity of the Visual Cognitive Ability Assessment Scale for Preschool Children are acceptable and meet the requirements of the scale, which provides a practical tool for clinical screening of visual and cognitive disorders.
5.Clinical efficacy and safety of amlodipine besylate and benazepril hydrochloride tablets (II) in the treatment of primary hypertension
Min ZHANG ; Na ZHOU ; Xiufeng LIU ; Qunqun YU ; Guangping CHEN ; Meiling XIE ; Meihua LIU ; Xiang YANG ; Yali CHEN
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2024;31(5):691-695
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of amlodipine besylate and benazepril hydrochloride tablets (II) in the treatment of primary hypertension.Methods:A total of 280 patients with primary hypertension who were treated at Shougang Shuigang Hospital between June 2022 and June 2023 were selected as study subjects. A clinical case-control study was conducted, and the RAND function method was utilized to randomly allocate the subjects into four groups, each receiving a different treatment: amlodipine besylate group (Group A, n = 70), benazepril hydrochloride group (Group B, n = 70), compound formulation amlodipine besylate and benazepril hydrochloride tablets group (Group C, n = 71), and amlodipine besylate plus benazepril hydrochloride group (Group D, n = 69). Relevant therapeutic indicators (blood pressure compliance rate, changes in blood pressure values) and safety indicators (adverse reactions, medication adherence) were observed. Results:The blood pressure compliance rates of Group C and Group D were 91.5% (65/71) and 89.9% (62/69), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 1.24, P = 0.143), but both were higher than the rates of 77.1% (54/70) and 74.3% (52/70) in Group A and Group B, respectively ( χ2 = 5.68, 4.86, P = 0.004, 0.012). Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure among the four groups of patients (all P > 0.05). After treatment, there was a statistically significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among the four groups compared with their pre-treatment levels (all P < 0.05). Specifically, Group C and Group D exhibited significant reductions in blood pressure following treatment ( t = 4.35, 5.12, 7.25, 5.86, all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, there was no statistically significant difference in systolic blood pressure between Group C and Group D after treatment ( P > 0.05), while diastolic blood pressure was lower in Group C than Group D after treatment ( t = 6.01, P < 0.05). There was a significant downward trend observed in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (all P < 0.05). Notably, Group B and Group D reported higher incidences of dry cough, with 15 and 10 cases, respectively, compared with Group A and Group C, which had 1 and 3 cases, respectively. These differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.25, 5.04, both P < 0.05). Furthermore, the treatment compliance rates for Group A, Group B, and Group C were 72.9% (51/70), 71.4% (50/70), and 74.6% (53/71), respectively, all exceeding the 46.4% (32/69) compliance rate of Group D. These differences were also statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.68, 5.24, 4.98, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:The clinical efficacy and safety of the compound formulation amlodipine besylate and benazepril hydrochloride tablets (II) in the treatment of primary hypertension are superior to those of single tablets and combination therapy.
6.Effect of bluetongue virusinfection on type Ⅰ interferon response in BHK-21 cells
Shimei LUO ; Yunyi CHEN ; Qisha LI ; Yanmei ZHOU ; Yifei WANG ; Xinyu LIAO ; Xuer-Ou HU ; Yuanjian WEI ; Mengqin LI ; Meng ZHU ; Xun ZHANG ; Beirui CHEN ; Xianping MA ; Jiarui XIE ; Meiling KOU ; Haisheng MIAO ; Fang LI ; Huashan YI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(8):1639-1644,1690
Bluetongue virus is an arbovirus that seriously harms ruminants such as sheep,this study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism of bluetongue virus infection and host cell interferon antiviral immune response.The study was conducted to characterize the mRNA expression of inter-feron pathway genes by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,as well as Western blot analysis of MDA5,TRAF3,RIG-Ⅰ,and TBK1 protein expression in BHK-21 cells induced by BTV with a multiplicity of infections(MOI)of 1 for 18,24,and 36 h.The results showed that the most pro-nounced changes in the expression of interferon signaling pathway genes were observed at 24 h of induction,the gene mRNA expression levels of the IFN-α,IFN-β,RIG-Ⅰ,TBK1,MDA5,VISA,and TRAF3 genes were upregulated.However,the mRNA expression levels of IKKε and TRAF6 genes were downregulated.At the protein level,MDA5 and TBK1 proteins were upregulated while RIG-1 and TRAF3 proteins were downregulated,which showed that BTV infection induces a typeⅠ interferon immune response in BHK-21 cells.This study lays the foundation for further exploring the antiviral immunity mechanism of IFN-Ⅰ signaling pathway regulatory genes in host cells infected with BTV infection.
7.Impacts of muscle visual feedback intervention combined with continuous nursing on exercise ability of patients with knee osteoarthritis
Meiling ZHOU ; Yingli HUANG ; Wen SI ; Li LI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2023;39(30):2335-2340
Objective:To observe the impacts of muscle visual feedback intervention combined with continuous nursing on exercise ability of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), so as to provide a reference for improving the rehabilitation quality of KOA patients.Methods:Using a randomized controlled trial method. The 104 KOA patients admitted to the Department of Arthrology and Sports medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from December 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the research objects by convenient sampling method. They were divided into the control group and the research group according to the random number table method, with 52 cases in each group. The control group was given routine care, and the research group was given muscle visual feedback intervention combined with continuous care on the basis of the control group. Before and after the intervention, the knee joint function, range of motion of the affected knee joint and exercise ability of the two groups were compared.Results:After the intervention, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Knee scores of pain, function, range of motion, muscle strength, flexion deformity and stability in the study group were 21.39 ± 4.21, 17.08 ± 2.43, 13.92 ± 2.02, 8.52 ± 0.54, 8.12 ± 0.74 and 8.04 ± 0.89, which were higher than those of the control group 19.68 ± 4.14, 16.12 ± 2.08, 13.11 ± 1.89, 7.76 ± 0.62, 6.85 ± 0.68, 7.11 ± 0.94, and the differences were all statistically significant ( t values were 2.09-9.11, all P<0.05). After the intervention, the flexion-extension, internal rotation and external rotation of the affected knee in the study group were (90.83 ± 14.26)°, (20.89 ± 3.72)° and (30.72 ± 3.86) °, respectively, and those in the control group were (76.78 ± 24.74)°, (16.81 ± 4.63)° and (24.62 ± 5.07) °, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.55, 4.95, 6.90, all P<0.05). After the intervention, the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score of the study group was 24.72 ± 4.38, which was higher than 21.15 ± 4.64 of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=4.04, P<0.05). Conclusions:Muscle visual feedback intervention combined with continuous nursing can improve the knee joint function, range of motion of the affected knee joint and exercise ability of KOA patients.
8.SARS-CoV-2 genetic characterization of the first cases from 12 local epidemics in border areas of Yunnan province caused by Omicron variant
Meiling ZHANG ; Xiaoqing FU ; Yong ZHANG ; Chunrui LUO ; Zhaosheng LIU ; Xiaonan ZHAO ; Jienan ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2023;37(1):13-19
Objective:To understand the characteristics of the local Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in the border areas of Yunnan province, and to analyze and trace the genome variation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2).Methods:The basic information and samples of the first cases of 12 local epidemics in the border areas of Yunnan province from mid-February to April 2022 were collected. The virus genomes, genotypes and mutations were determined by the whole genome sequencing technology, the Pangolin COVID-19 Lineage Assigner and MEGA software. The sources of virus infection were estimated based on the contents of epidemiological investigations.Results:The first cases from 12 local epidemics in the border areas of Yunnan province had diverse occupations, and none of them had ever left the local area. The virus genomes of 12 first cases were Omicron (BA.2) variants and every two of them further belonged to the evolutionary clades BA.2.10 and BA.2.3.2, respectively. The genome-wide nucleotide-level mutation analysis showed that there were 1 or more specific nucleotide mutation sites in 10 first cases of the local epidemics. Combined with the epidemiological investigations, it was suggested that there might be different sources of virus infection in all 12 local epidemics. Further analysis of amino acid mutations revealed that in addition to the representative mutation sites of evolutionary clades, there were also specific amino acid mutation sites (such as S: E1188 D) in the genome sequences between the cases, which also deserved attention. The result of phylogenetic tree analysis were consistent with Pangolin Assigner and mutation analysis.Conclusions:The 12 local epidemics in Yunnan may have different sources of virus infection, which indicates that the COVID-19 epidemic in the border areas of Yunnan province is extremely complicated. Strengthening the frequency of nucleic acid screening and the scope of key populations and monitoring the variation of SARS-CoV-2 are of great significance for the precise prevention and control of the epidemic.
9.Human 8-cell embryos enable efficient induction of disease-preventive mutations without off-target effect by cytosine base editor.
Yinghui WEI ; Meiling ZHANG ; Jing HU ; Yingsi ZHOU ; Mingxing XUE ; Jianhang YIN ; Yuanhua LIU ; Hu FENG ; Ling ZHOU ; Zhifang LI ; Dongshuang WANG ; Zhiguo ZHANG ; Yin ZHOU ; Hongbin LIU ; Ning YAO ; Erwei ZUO ; Jiazhi HU ; Yanzhi DU ; Wen LI ; Chunlong XU ; Hui YANG
Protein & Cell 2023;14(6):416-432
Approximately 140 million people worldwide are homozygous carriers of APOE4 (ε4), a strong genetic risk factor for late onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), 91% of whom will develop AD at earlier age than heterozygous carriers and noncarriers. Susceptibility to AD could be reduced by targeted editing of APOE4, but a technical basis for controlling the off-target effects of base editors is necessary to develop low-risk personalized gene therapies. Here, we first screened eight cytosine base editor variants at four injection stages (from 1- to 8-cell stage), and found that FNLS-YE1 variant in 8-cell embryos achieved the comparable base conversion rate (up to 100%) with the lowest bystander effects. In particular, 80% of AD-susceptible ε4 allele copies were converted to the AD-neutral ε3 allele in human ε4-carrying embryos. Stringent control measures combined with targeted deep sequencing, whole genome sequencing, and RNA sequencing showed no DNA or RNA off-target events in FNLS-YE1-treated human embryos or their derived stem cells. Furthermore, base editing with FNLS-YE1 showed no effects on embryo development to the blastocyst stage. Finally, we also demonstrated FNLS-YE1 could introduce known protective variants in human embryos to potentially reduce human susceptivity to systemic lupus erythematosus and familial hypercholesterolemia. Our study therefore suggests that base editing with FNLS-YE1 can efficiently and safely introduce known preventive variants in 8-cell human embryos, a potential approach for reducing human susceptibility to AD or other genetic diseases.
Humans
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Apolipoprotein E4/genetics*
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Cytosine
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Mutation
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Blastocyst
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Heterozygote
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Gene Editing
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CRISPR-Cas Systems
10.An engineered xCas12i with high activity, high specificity, and broad PAM range.
Hainan ZHANG ; Xiangfeng KONG ; Mingxing XUE ; Jing HU ; Zikang WANG ; Yinghui WEI ; Haoqiang WANG ; Jingxing ZHOU ; Weihong ZHANG ; Mengqiu XU ; Xiaowen SHEN ; Fengcai YIN ; Zhiyuan AI ; Guangyan HUANG ; Junhui XIA ; Xueqiong SONG ; Hengbin LI ; Yuan YUAN ; Jinhui LI ; Na ZHONG ; Meiling ZHANG ; Yingsi ZHOU ; Hui YANG
Protein & Cell 2023;14(7):538-543

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