1.Screening of biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome and analysis of immune infiltration
Yani LIU ; Jinghuan YANG ; Huihui LU ; Yufang YI ; Zhixiang LI ; Yangfu OU ; Jingli WU ; Bing WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):1091-1100
BACKGROUND:Fibromyalgia syndrome,as a common rheumatic disease,is related to central sensitization and immune abnormalities.However,the specific mechanism has not been elucidated,and there is a lack of specific diagnostic markers.Exploring the possible pathogenesis of this disease has important clinical significance. OBJECTIVE:To screen the potential diagnostic marker genes of fibromyalgia syndrome and analyze the possible immune infiltration characteristics based on bioinformatics methods,such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),and machine learning. METHODS:Gene expression profiles in peripheral serum of fibromyalgia syndrome patients and healthy controls were obtained from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database.The differentially co-expressed genes were screened in the expression profile by differential analysis and WGCNA analysis.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE)machine learning algorithm were further used to identify hub biomarkers,and draw receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome.Finally,single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration and pathway enrichment in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Eight down-regulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were obtained after differential analysis of the GSE67311 dataset according to the conditions of log2|(FC)|>0 and P<0.05.After WGCNA analysis,497 genes were included in the module(MEdarkviolet)with the highest positive correlation(r=0.22,P=0.04),and 19 genes were included in the module(MEsalmon2)with the highest negative correlation(r=-0.41,P=6×10-5).After intersecting DEGs and the module genes of WGCNA,seven genes were obtained.Four genes were screened out by LASSO regression algorithm and five genes were screened out by SVM-RFE machine learning algorithm.After the intersection of the two,three core genes were identified,which were germinal center associated signaling and motility like,integrin beta-8,and carboxypeptidase A3.The areas under the ROC curve of the three core genes were 0.744,0.739,and 0.734,respectively,indicating that they have good diagnostic value and can be used as biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome.The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that memory B cells,CD56 bright NK cells,and mast cells were significantly down-regulated in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome compared with the control group(P<0.05),and were significantly positively correlated with the above three biomarkers(P<0.05).The enrichment analysis suggested that there were nine fibromyalgia syndrome enrichment pathways,mainly related to olfactory transduction pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,and infection pathway.The above results showed that the occurrence and development of fibromyalgia syndrome are related to the involvement of multiple genes,abnormal immune regulation,and multiple pathways imbalance.However,the interactions between these genes and immune cells,as well as their relationships with various pathways need to be further investigated.
2.Analysis of gemcitabine adverse drug reactions and risk factors in Inner Mongolia
Shengnan YANG ; Wei SHI ; Yufang ZHAO ; Zhien LIU ; Wenpu LEI ; Yanan ZHANG ; Ke ZHAO ; Hao GUO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):486-490
OBJECTIVE To analyze the occurrence characteristics and risk factors of adverse drug reactions (ADR) of gemcitabine for injection in national centralized volume-based procurement (hereinafter referred to as “centralized procurement”), and provide reference for clinical safe drug use. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted to collect the relevant case reports of gemcitabine for injection reported to the National Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System by Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from January 2022 to December 2023; basic information of patients, drug use status, patient outcomes, rational drug use and other information were collected, and the occurrence characteristics of ADRs with leukopenia, myelosuppression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction were analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the correlation of gender, age, combination of antitumor drugs, original malignant tumor and drug dose with ADR. RESULTS A total of 315 cases reports (315 patients) of gemcitabine-induced ADR were included in this study, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.42∶1 and age of (61.17±9.13) years. The primary malignant tumor was pancreatic cancer (73 cases, 23.17%). Leukopenia, myelosuppression and nausea were the most common ADR, followed by neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, liver dysfunction and so on. The severity grade of ADR was mainly 1-2, and the outcome of most ADR was good. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that combination of antitumor drugs was a risk factor for myelosuppression and neutropenia (RR=2.154, 95%CI: 1.218- 3.807, P=0.008; RR=3.099, 95%CI: 1.240-7.744, P=0.016); gender (female) was a risk factor for leukopenia and liver dysfunction (RR=0.508, 95%CI: 0.302-0.853, P=0.010; RR=0.301, 95%CI: 0.102-0.887, P=0.029). In terms of drug use rationality, there were 143 cases (45.40%) of drug 126.com use in accordance with the indications of the label, and 172 cases (54.60%) of off-label drug use. Among them, the primary malignant tumors were bladder cancer, bile duct cancer and ovarian cancer, which ranked the top three off-label drug use. CONCLUSIONS The ADR caused by gemcitabine in Inner Mongolia is mainly in the blood and digestive systems. The severity of ADRs is mainly classified as 1-2 levels, and most ADRs have good outcomes. Gender (female) and combination medication are risk factors for gemcitabine-induced ADR. Appropriate chemotherapy regimen should be selected according to the patient’s condition and physical condition, and ADR monitoring in blood and digestive systems should be strengthened during medication of gemcitabine.
3.Research progress on the pathogenesis of central retinal vein occlusion
Qi HAN ; Xue HAN ; Xingchen GUO ; Yuanhui YANG ; Yuanmin LI ; Yufang TENG
International Eye Science 2025;25(8):1261-1266
Central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)is a retinal vascular disorder that significantly impairs vision, with its underlying mechanisms involving complex interactions across multiple biological systems. This article provides a systematic review of the pathological mechanisms associated with CRVO, emphasizing critical factors such as endothelial dysfunction, arteriosclerosis, thrombophilia, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The pathological mechanisms of CRVO are characterized by arteriosclerosis, which obstructs venous return through a dual mechanism involving mechanical compression and endothelin-1-mediated contraction; endothelial dysfunction, which exacerbates disturbances in blood flow; genetic and acquired coagulation abnormalities that disrupt hemostatic balance and promote thrombosis; and the synergistic effects of inflammation and oxidative stress that activate cytokines, thereby aggravating ischemia and vascular leakage. Innovatively, this review explores emerging mechanisms such as miRNA-mediated vascular regulation via exosomes, gut microbiota-retina crosstalk through the “gut-eye axis,” and systemic metabolic interactions that link local retinal lesions to broader dysregulation of CRVO. These insights underscore the importance of integrated eye-system interventions and provide a theoretical foundation for advancing early biomarker discovery, multitarget therapeutics, and personalized treatment paradigms. By bridging localized pathology and systemic mechanisms, this work promotes a transformative shift toward an integrative medicine model in the diagnosis and management of CRVO.
4.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
5.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
6.Gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk: an observational and Mendelian randomization study.
Yuanyue ZHU ; Linhui SHEN ; Yanan HUO ; Qin WAN ; Yingfen QIN ; Ruying HU ; Lixin SHI ; Qing SU ; Xuefeng YU ; Li YAN ; Guijun QIN ; Xulei TANG ; Gang CHEN ; Yu XU ; Tiange WANG ; Zhiyun ZHAO ; Zhengnan GAO ; Guixia WANG ; Feixia SHEN ; Xuejiang GU ; Zuojie LUO ; Li CHEN ; Qiang LI ; Zhen YE ; Yinfei ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Youmin WANG ; Shengli WU ; Tao YANG ; Huacong DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Tianshu ZENG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yiming MU ; Weiqing WANG ; Guang NING ; Jieli LU ; Min XU ; Yufang BI ; Weiguo HU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):79-89
This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans
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Mendelian Randomization Analysis
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Gallstones/complications*
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Female
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Male
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Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data*
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Middle Aged
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Risk Factors
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Aged
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Adult
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Neoplasms/etiology*
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Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*
7.Clinical significance of determining the level of biliary calprotectin in patients with cholangiocarcinoma or choledocholithiasis
Tingting JI ; Bingqing BAI ; Yufang CUI ; Shaofei WANG ; Jianglong HONG ; Yang LI ; Junjun BAO ; Qiao MEI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(3):568-572
ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in the level of biliary calprotectin between patients with cholangiocarcinoma and those with choledocholithiasis. MethodsClinical data and bile samples were collected from 34 patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 78 patients with choledocholithiasis who were diagnosed and treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from May 2021 to September 2022. Fluorescence lateral flow immunoassay was used to measure the levels of calprotectin, hemoglobin, and lactoferrin in bile. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups; the Spearman correlation test was used for correlation analysis; the DeLong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsCompared with the choledocholithiasis group, the cholangiocarcinoma group had significant increases in the levels of calprotectin [4 795.50 (2 286.79 — 20 179.73) ng/mL vs 411.16 (67.03 — 1 991.88) ng/mL, Z=5.572, P<0.001] and fluoride [115.70 (109.10 — 125.50) mmol/L vs 106.60 (98.60 — 114.40) mmol/L, Z=2.702, P=0.007]. The patients with cholangiocarcinoma were further divided into high cholangiocarcinoma group and low cholangiocarcinoma group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the level of calprotectin [3 867.71 (2 235.66 — 26 407.40) ng/mL vs 4 795.50 (2 361.15 — 13 070.53) ng/mL, Z=0.129, P>0.05]. Biliary calprotectin level was correlated with white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and lactoferrin concentration in bile (r=0.316, 0.353, and 0.464, all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that biliary calprotectin (with a sensitivity of 79.4% and a specificity of 75.6%), blood CA19-9 (with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 78.2%), and their combination (with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 73.1%) had good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. ConclusionThere is an increase in the level of biliary calprotectin in patients with cholangiocarcinoma, and therefore, it might become a biomarker for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.
8.OX40L promotes early antibody production after recombinant rabies virus immunization by activating dendritic cells
Yufang WANG ; Ting GAO ; Xiao XING ; Yong WANG ; Shaomei ZI ; Yaping LIU ; Yang HU ; Kang LI ; Yingying LI
Immunological Journal 2024;40(5):425-432
This study performed to determine whether OX40L overexpressed by recombinant rabies virus(LBNSE-OX40L)can enhance the innate immune response through activation of dendritic cells and thus activate early antibody production.Bone marrow dendritic cells(BMDCs)were extracted from the femur of Balb/c mice and cultured for 6 days,and the cultured BMDCs were infected with the parental virus LBNSE and the recombinant virus LBNSE-OX40L with the multiplicity of infections(MOI)=1.The effect of each virus on the maturation of BMDCs was analyzed by flow cytometry;ELISA was used to detect the expression of innate immunity-related cytokines such as interferon-α(IFN-α)and interleukin-12p40(IL-12p40)in the supernatants of the infected BMDCs.For in vivo study,Balb/c female mice were injected intramuscularly with 106 FFU of parental virus LBNSE and recombinant virus LBNSE-OX40L in both hind limbs,and the inguinal lymph nodes of mice were collected on day 6 after immunization,and the proportion of mature DCs was detected by flow cytometry.The serum was collected on day 6 after immunization,and the content of virus-neutralizing antibody(VNA)was detected by antiviral neutralizing antibody titration.Mouse serum was collected on day 6 after immunization,and virus neutralizing antibody content was measured by titration of antiviral neutralizing antibody,while IgG antibody in mouse serum was detected by ELISA.IgM antibody subclasses were detected by ELISA on days 2,4,and 6 after immunization.Compared with the parental virus LBNSE,the recombinant virus LBNSE-OX40L was able to activate more BMDCs in vitro and produce significantly higher levels of IFN-α and IL-12p40.Furthermore,the recombinant virus LBNSE-OX40L stimulated the maturation and differentiation of the DCs in vivo,which led to the rapid production of high levels of VNA and RABV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies.Taken together,LBNSE-OX40L activates dendritic cells to promote the body's innate immune response,and in turn enhances early antibody production,thus can be an early effective rabies vaccine candidate.
9.Application and prospects of erythropoietin in bone tissue engineering
Yufang YANG ; Zhishan YANG ; Mianmian DUAN ; Yiheng LIU ; Zhenglong TANG ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(9):1443-1449
BACKGROUND:Bone defects are caused by many factors,such as inflammation,tumor,trauma or bone diseases.Erythropoietin can promote the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts and osteoclasts and act on vascular endothelial cells to induce angiogenesis and accelerate the repair of bone and cartilage defects.Erythropoietin is a growth factor with potential application in bone tissue engineering construction. OBJECTIVE:To expound the application and potential mechanism of erythropoietin in bone tissue engineering. METHODS:The first author searched the related articles published in CNKI,WanFang,VIP,and PubMed databases from 2004 to 2022 by computer.Search terms were"erythropoietin,bone defect,bone regeneration,angiogenesis,osteogenesis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone tissue engineering"in Chinese and English.Finally,64 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Erythropoietin can directly act on osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the bone marrow microenvironment by promoting the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts,osteoclasts,adipocytes,nerve cells and stromal cells.The activation of Wnt/β-catenin,hypoxia-inducible factor 1α/vascular endothelial growth factor,p38 MAPK and EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling pathways mediates the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.(2)Erythropoietin can not only regulate the production of erythrocytes to alter the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood but also stimulate vascular endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis.The new blood vessels can carry oxygen,nutrients,growth factors,and bone progenitor cells necessary for osteogenesis to the osteogenic site,thereby promoting bone formation and fracture healing.(3)Currently,erythropoietin is being used as a growth factor with osteogenic and angiogenic effects in various types of scaffold materials such as chitosan,polycaprolactone,bioceramics,and nanofibers through various drug delivery methods.Erythropoietin,along with other growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein-2 and bone morphogenetic protein-9,has been applied to the surface of scaffold materials to participate in the repair of bone defects.Erythropoietin has demonstrated excellent practicality in the construction of new tissue-engineered bone and has potential clinical application value.
10.Establishing N-ELISA-based method for rapid detection of neutralizing antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus
Yufang SUN ; Hui ZHAO ; Huijie YANG ; Ying XIE ; Chunting BAO ; Shuyan LI ; Jiaolei WANG ; Changgui LI
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(2):162-169
Objective:To prepare rabbit polyclonal antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) N protein and use them as the detection antibodies to establish a N-ELISA-based method for rapid detection of neutralizing antibodies.Methods:A plasmid of pET30a-N for the expression of RSV N protein was constructed. After purification, the protein was immunized into New Zealand rabbits to prepare polyclonal antibodies, which were used as the detection antibodies. Positive serum samples were diluted and used to neutralize RSV (100 TCID 50/well). Hep-2 cells were inoculated and cultured, and then the cells were fixed with 80% acetone. ELISA was performed to detect RSV N protein in infected cells. When the absorbance value of a well was below the cut-off value, it was regarded as the positive well in the neutralization test. The highest dilution of a positive well serum was the neutralizing antibody titer. After optimizting the antibody dilution, detection time, cell density and the duration of neutralization, the method for neutralizing antibody detection was established based on N-ELISA. The established method was verified by analyzing the influences of different cell generations and edge effects, and calculating the accuracy, repeatability and precision. The correlation between the established method and microneutralization method was analyzed by detecting human RSV IgG-positive serum. Results:The plasmid pET30a-N was successfully constructed, and the expressed N protein showed high purity and good specificity. After the third immunization, the antibody titer in rabbit serum was 1∶51 200, and the antibodies could specifically bind to RSV. The prepared rabbit anti-RSV N polyclonal antibodies had a titer of 1∶51 200, and showed good specificity. The neutralizing antibodies could be detected on day 4 with the established method, and the duration of neutralization was shortened to 30 min. Cell generations and the position of wells in the 96-well plate (edge well and non-edge well) had no significant effect on the method, and the repeatability, precision and accuracy of the method were good. In the detection of 64 RSV IgG-positive human serum samples by the established method and microneutralization method, the correlation coefficient was 0.929 6, indicating a good positive correlation between the two methods.Conclusions:A N-ELISA-based method for rapid neutralizing antibody detection is successfully established, which can be used to evaluate the serum antibody level after RSV vaccination.

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