1.Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification Unraveled The Mechanism of Pachymic Acid in The Treatment of Neuroblastoma
Hang LIU ; Yu-Xin ZHU ; Si-Lin GUO ; Xin-Yun PAN ; Yuan-Jie XIE ; Si-Cong LIAO ; Xin-Wen DAI ; Ping SHEN ; Yu-Bo XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2376-2392
ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB.
2.Incidence of extrauterine growth retardation and its risk factors in very preterm infants during hospitalization: a multicenter prospective study.
Wei SHEN ; Zhi ZHENG ; Xin-Zhu LIN ; Fan WU ; Qian-Xin TIAN ; Qi-Liang CUI ; Yuan YUAN ; Ling REN ; Jian MAO ; Bi-Zhen SHI ; Yu-Mei WANG ; Ling LIU ; Jing-Hui ZHANG ; Yan-Mei CHANG ; Xiao-Mei TONG ; Yan ZHU ; Rong ZHANG ; Xiu-Zhen YE ; Jing-Jing ZOU ; Huai-Yu LI ; Bao-Yin ZHAO ; Yin-Ping QIU ; Shu-Hua LIU ; Li MA ; Ying XU ; Rui CHENG ; Wen-Li ZHOU ; Hui WU ; Zhi-Yong LIU ; Dong-Mei CHEN ; Jin-Zhi GAO ; Jing LIU ; Ling CHEN ; Cong LI ; Chun-Yan YANG ; Ping XU ; Ya-Yu ZHANG ; Si-Le HU ; Hua MEI ; Zu-Ming YANG ; Zong-Tai FENG ; San-Nan WANG ; Er-Yan MENG ; Li-Hong SHANG ; Fa-Lin XU ; Shao-Ping OU ; Rong JU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2022;24(2):132-140
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China.
METHODS:
A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined.
RESULTS:
The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female
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Fetal Growth Retardation
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Gestational Age
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Hospitalization
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Humans
;
Incidence
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Infant
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Infant, Newborn
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Infant, Premature
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Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
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Prospective Studies
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Risk Factors
3.Clinical Analysis of Bloodstream Infection after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
Ying-Ying WU ; Bei-Cai LIU ; Lian-Jin LIU ; Shi-Si YUAN ; Jie-Min WEI ; Li-Lin WANG ; Pei-Xi WANG ; Ji-Cong LIU ; Yong-Rong LAI ; Qiao-Chuan LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2022;30(1):292-297
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical characteristics of bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients treated by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
METHODS:
The clinical characteristics, distribution of pathogenic bacteria causing BSI and drug sensitivity of 910 patients treated by HSCT in our department from January 2013 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS:
Among 910 HSCT patients, 111 patients were diagnosed as BSI within 100 days after transplantation, and 98 patients showed BSI during the period of agranulocytosis. Multivariate analysis showed that the usage of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), long duration of agranulocytosis and low infusion volume of mononuclear cell (MNC) were the independent risk factors affecting BSI after HSCT. Among 121 pathogenic bacteria isolated, 76 Gram-negative (G-) bacteria (62.8%), 40 Gram-positive (G+) bacteria (33.0%), and 5 fungi (4.1%) were detected out. The top three pathogens were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The drug-resistance rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to carbapenems was 14.3% and 7.7%, respectively, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 66.7%. The susceptibility of G+ bacteria to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin was 97.5%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The crude mortality rate of the patients with BSI at 100 days after HSCT was significantly higher than that of patients without BSI (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The usage of ATG, long duration of agranulocytosis and low infusion volume of MNC are independent risk factors for BSI after HSCT. The pathogens after HSCT are mainly G- bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is highly resistant to carbapenems. Key words ;
Bacteremia/epidemiology*
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Bacteria
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
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Humans
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Retrospective Studies
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Sepsis
4.Rental Service of Assistive Devices in China: Policy Research
Bao-lin XIONG ; Qing LAI ; Si-cong GUAN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2021;27(9):1032-1037
Objective:To sort out the current situation of rehabilitation assistive devices rental service in China, and suggest the policy for its development. Methods:Based on the four-dimensional social security policy analysis framework, with the combination of subject retrieval and field research, the market players, supporting systems, rental products, financial security and professionals in some pilot areas of community rental of assistive devices in China were summarized. Results:There were still some problems in the rental service of assistive devices in China, mainly as insufficience of main players of the rental market, supporting policies and systems, payment security system, professionals, and social recognition, etc. Conclusion:It is important to reasonably set up rental products, standardize service enterprises, cultivate market players, increase investment, promote talent training, and strengthen publicity, to promote the development of the rental of assistive devices.
5.Research Progress in Treatment of Chemical Liver Injury with Chinese Medicine Based on Metabolomics
Lin-jing WU ; Xue-chun YU ; Jia-qun KE ; Si-yu DENG ; Cong HU ; Yin-hua XIONG ; Xi-lan TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2021;27(12):202-215
Liver, as a critical organ of metabolism and detoxification, can be damaged by viral infection, drug abuse, and heavy drinking. Liver diseases pose a serious threat to people's health and life in China.At present, drug therapy has been primarily adopted clinically in the treatment of the liver injury.In-depth investigation of the mechanism of liver-protective drugs is of great significance to the prevention and treatment of clinical liver diseases.In recent years, with the development of the medical industry in China, an increasing number of studies have focused on the treatment of liver injury with Chinese medicine.Compared with western medicine, Chinese medicine is advantageous in few side effects and overall regulation, which plays a pivotal role in liver protection.However, its underlying mechanism in liver protection still needs to be further studied due to its complex compositions and diverse targets.Metabolomics, a new approach to studying the metabolic pathway of biological systems, provides integral and systematic views in the investigation of liver protection with Chinese medicine. By virtue of metabolomics, the mechanism of Chinese medicine in multi-target and multi-pathway liver protection can be analyzed comprehensively, and the corresponding biomarkers can also be screened out. The authors analyzed the studies of the treatment of chemical liver injury models induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), dimethylnitrosamine (DMN),
6. Research progress of lipomics in liver diseases
Cong HU ; Lin-Jing WU ; Yin-Hua XIONG ; Xi-Lan TANG ; Xue-Chun YU ; Si-Yu DENG ; Yin-Hua XIONG ; Xi-Lan TANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2021;37(1):6-12
Liver disease is a kind of common and frequently occurring disease, which seriously threatens human life and health. The study of liver disease has become a hotspot and difficulty in the field of organic diseases. In recent years, scholars have found a close relation between liver disease and the metabolism of lipid compounds in body. Lipomics, an important branch of metabolomics, can evaluate liver diseases by analyzing the level of lipid changes in the body, find biomarkers of liver diseases, and study the possible mechanism of liver diseases. It plays an important role in the study of liver diseases. In order to provide reference for further study of liver diseases and their clinical treatment, the research methods of lipomics have been reviewed, and the application of lipomics in liver diseases summarized and analyzed based on different types of liver diseases in this paper.
7.Clinical efficacy of transabdominal preperitoneal prosthesis based on inverted "T" peritoneotomy for lumbar hernia.
Si Tang GE ; He Xin WEN ; Lu Gen ZUO ; Shi Qing LI ; De Li CHEN ; Ping Sheng ZHU ; Cong Qiao JIANG ; Jie LUO ; Mu Lin LIU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2021;24(12):1103-1106
8.Prescription Law of New Coronavirus Pneumonia in Different Stages
Lu-hua XU ; Yan-rong LI ; Dan-ru ZHENG ; Zong-fang SHAO ; Si-qi WEN ; Feng-xia LIN ; Zi-cong ZENG ; Yin-zhi SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2020;26(13):8-16
Objective:To study the clinical medication regulation for the prevention and treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),especially prescriptions,on the basis of "treatment in accordance with seasonal conditions". Method:The guidelines and suggestions on novel coronavirus pneumonia formulated and published by national,provincial and municipal governments and experts before February 17,2020, were retrieved and summarized. Data was recorded in stages according to "prevention period,clinical observation period,pre-clinical period,middle clinical period,late clinical period and recovery period". The frequency analysis of TCM and its efficacy,prescription and proprietary Chinese medicine was carried out,and then the factor analysis and cluster analysis of TCM were carried out to obtain rational drug combinations. Result:Totally 172 suggestions on combined structure of drugs,50 suggestions on prescriptions and 31 suggestions on proprietary Chinese medicine were involved in the study,and provided by 24 official agencies and 24 medical experts, 147 kinds of herbs,44 prescriptions and 16 proprietary Chinese medicines were collected. No matter for the drug category or for the specific drug selection,the law of drug use in different stages was not the same. Huoxiang Zhengqi capsule,Shufeng Jiedu capsule,Lianhua Qingwen capsule and Jinhua Qinggan capsule can be used in the observation period. Xuanbai Chengqitang can be used in the middle of the disease. Angong Niuhuangwan,Suhexiangwan or Zixuedan, and Angong Niuhuangwan can be selected in the middle of the disease. And Qingfei Paidu decoction can be used in all stages of the disease. Conclusion:Doctors need to adjust their prescriptions along with the progress of the disease,because the law of medication in each stage of the new coronavirus pneumonia is different.
9.Analysis of Characteristics and Relevant Factors of 1 340 Cases of Intentional Injury Cases in Southwest China.
Wu LONG ; Chun Mei HU ; Si Si LI ; Song Lin XIE ; Jin Sai WU ; Lin Cong LI ; Chun Yue JIANG ; Bo JIN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2019;35(4):433-436
Objective To investigate the characteristics and patterns of factors such as victims' information, injury tools and time of occurrence of intentional injury cases in southwest China. Methods One thousand three hundred and forty intentional injury cases from several places in southwest China from 2014 to 2016 assessed as minor injury level Ⅱ and above had been randomly selected. Data on victims' information, motives, injury tools, sites of occurrence, time of occurrence, injured parts and degrees of injury were classified and gathered, and then association analyses of motives and types of injury tools as well as degrees of injury and injury tools were made. Results Most of the victims were young adults between 20-50 years (65.2%), male (82.3%), rural household registration (62.8%); the motives were mainly dispute (45.8%). Injury tools were mostly blunt (54.6%) or sharp (36.0%). Specifically, injuries were mostly made bare-handed (36.9%) and by cutting tools (33.2%); the cases mainly occurred in public areas (59.0%). Cases occurred more frequently in January (11.3%), February (13.1%), March (11.6%) and from 22:00 to 01:00 every night. Injuries mainly involved the craniofacial region. The wounds were mainly assessed as minor injury level Ⅱ (61.6%). There was statistical significance in the difference of types of injury tools among cases with different motives (P<0.05). There was statistical significance in the difference of the distribution of injury tools among cases with different degrees of injury (P<0.05). Conclusion The occurrence of intentional injury cases in southwest China has potential patterns and relevant influencing factors. Prevention and analysis of such cases need to be comprehensively considered from the aspects such as victims' information, injury tools and time of occurrence.
Adult
;
Age Distribution
;
China
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Motivation
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Retrospective Studies
;
Sex Distribution
;
Violence
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Wounds and Injuries/etiology*
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Young Adult
10.The effect of early sequential enteral nutrition on postoperative rehabilitation in patients with gastric cancer
Shan WANG ; Si-Tang GE ; Ying ZHOU ; Rui HUO ; Lu-Gen ZUO ; Cong-Qiao JIANG ; Mu-Lin LIU ; Xian-Fang LIANG ; Wen-Qin JIAO ; Juan LI ; Xiu-Chuan LI
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2018;25(2):102-106
Objective:Our study was aimed to analyze the therapeutic effect of early sequential enteral nutrition on postoperative rehabilitation in patients with gastric cancer.Methods:Patients with gastric cancer receiving surgery at our hospital from 2016 to 2017 included and the clinical information was prospective collected and analyzed.Patients were randomly divided into two groups using random number table.Patients in group A were sequentially given amino acid type,short peptide type and then whole protein type,while those in group B received whole protein formulation only.The recovery of gastrointestinal function,postoperative systemic inflammatory response,six-minutes walking test,and enteral nutrition-related complications were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 71 patients were included in this study (Group A 36 cases,Group B 35 cases).There was no significant difference in terms of the restart anal exhaust between the two groups (P > 0.05).Patients in group A had a significantly shorter postoperative hospitalization (t =4.070;P < 0.01) and the earlier restoration of oral intake than that of Group B (t =3.400;P =0.001).One week after surgery,the levels of CRP (t =2.547;P =0.013) and IL-6 (t =3.172;P =0.002) were significant lower in group A when compared with group B.In addition,patients in group A had a significant higher six minutes walk steps than those in Group B [(416.1 + 36.7) m vs (358.9 ± 32.7) m;t =6.927,P < 0.01].However,no significant difference in enteral nutrition-related complications was found between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion:In patients with gastric cancer,early sequential enteral nutrition can effectively accelerate the postoperative rehabilitation.

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