1.Mechanism by which KRT18 interacts with mRNA and long non-coding RNA to regulate intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cell injury
Zhongyuan LIU ; Yang LI ; Zhiwen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):312-321
BACKGROUND:Differentially expressed RNA-binding proteins in the intervertebral disc plays a key role in intervertebral disc degeneration,and decreased levels of the RNA-binding protein KRT18 are associated with degenerative disc disease,but its specific role in the nucleus pulposus cells has not yet been fully determined. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the interaction of KRT18 with mRNA and long non-coding RNA on nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc and its mechanism. METHODS:Normal and degenerated nucleus pulposus cells were obtained from nucleus pulposus samples of patients undergoing interbody fusion for lumbar fracture or intervertebral disc degeneration.iRIP-seq,functional enrichment analysis,and DNA microarray analysis were performed to identify the mRNA and long non-coding RNA binding with KRT18.Subsequently,KRT18 was knocked down in nucleus pulposus cells based on the analysis results,and the expression levels of related genes were detected at the protein and RNA levels through protein immunoblotting and qRT-PCR,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Through iRIP-seq analysis,we identified abundant KRT18 binding sites within the GUAAUC and AGCCUC sequences,indicating that KRT18 may be involved in regulating RNA transcription,translation,stability or play a role in cell signaling pathways.It can stably bind to mature mRNA,among which highly expressed genes include CRLF1,IGFBP4,etc.At the same time,the peak genes of long non-coding RNA binding with it include SNHG25,SNHG12,NEAT1,USP32,EIF4A2 and CDH4.Most of these genes are involved in various biological processes such as apoptosis and inflammation,and can mediate related pathways of extracellular matrix metabolism.KRT18 can regulate their stability,transport,translation,splicing and other functions,thus affecting gene expression and cell function.We further verified through experiments the knockdown of KRT18 in nucleus pulposus cells,and found that the level of extracellular matrix metabolism was inhibited and unbalanced,resulting in intervertebral disc degeneration in vitro.This study investigated the regulatory mechanism of KRT18 from the perspective of its binding with mRNA and long non-coding RNA for the first time,and speculated the potential function of KRT18 in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration,laying a foundation for future research on the key functions of KRT18.
2.Application of PROTACs in antiviral drugs
Miaoxia PU ; Shuangshuang ZHANG ; Haifeng WANG ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Shuangxi GU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):667-677
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have shown considerable therapeutic potential across diverse fields such as cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases, with numerous candidates already progressing into clinical trials. More recently, their application in antiviral therapy has been rapidly gaining momentum. This review systematically outlines the mechanistic foundations and design principles of PROTACs, highlights recent advances targeting coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and influenza viruses, and critically assesses key challenges—particularly the limited diversity of E3 ligase ligands, suboptimal oral bioavailability, and the lack of integrated platforms for druggability evaluation. Looking ahead, innovations in ligand discovery, pathway modulation, delivery technologies, and conditionally activated PROTAC designs are anticipated to overcome these barriers, ushering in a new era of precise and effective antiviral therapeutics.
3.Research on the transdermal delivery of triptolide encapsulated in hyaluronic acid-phospholipid micelles for the treatment of psoriasis
Xiaoli WANG ; Xiangyi LIU ; Xiaohui NING ; Zhenhai ZHANG ; Yuling WANG ; Yu BAO ; Huixia LYU ; Peiwei ZHU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):719-728
Psoriasis, a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, is difficult to cure and prone to relapse, often leading to systemic damage. Triptolide (TPL) can modulate cutaneous immune responses and inflammation, yet its therapeutic window is narrow with significant toxicity. To enhance skin targeting and retention of TPL while reducing systemic absorption and toxicity, a TPL/hyaluronic acid/phospholipid polymeric micelle (TPL/HA-DOPE) was constructed via HA's targeting of the CD44 receptor on skin cells. The prepared TPL/HA-DOPE exhibited a uniform spherical morphology with particle size of (130.4±1.23) nm, drug loading capacity of (19.74±0.084) %, and encapsulation efficiency of (85.53±1.34) %. Transdermal permeation studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that TPL/HA-DOPE not only enhanced uptake in HaCaT cells but also exhibited excellent skin retention. In a murine model of psoriasis, the TPL/HA-DOPE gel at the dose of 50 μg/(kg•d) showed the most significant improvement in erythema, scaling, and epidermal thickening. Histological analysis confirmed that TPL/HA-DOPE markedly reduced stratum corneum thickness, epidermal hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Ki67 immunostaining proved that its anti-inflammatory mechanism might be achieved by reducing the number of Ki67-positive cells and lowering the levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α. The above results demonstrate that HA-DOPE as a drug delivery carrier for the treatment of psoriasis-like skin diseases has high value of scientific research and good prospects for clinical application.
4.Study on the Mechanisms of Successful Aging at Work of Senior Clinicians in Public Hospitals Based on Grounded Theory
Yating CONG ; Min WANG ; Jingjia ZHU ; Yueming LI ; Hongbing TAO
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(11):65-69
Objective An exploratory study of the mechanisms for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians in public hospitals by applying grounded theory and proposing appropriate management recommendations.Methods 24 medical staff from 5 public hospitals in Hubei and Shandong Provinces were interviewed in semi-structured interviews by using purposive sampling methods from June to August in 2023.The interview records were coded,analyzed and integrated with grounded theory.Results Through open coding,spindle coding and selective coding,204 original concepts,47 categories,16 main categories and 5 core category related to model of the mechanism for achieving successful aging at work of clinicians.Conclusion Successful aging at work of senior clinicians encompasses five main areas:physical and mental health,work adaptation,relationships and legacy,internal and external compensation,and value realization.Organizational support factors,individual job crafting affect successful aging at work of senior clinicians by meeting the psychological needs,achieving effective resource management,and promoting person-job matching;individual characteristic factors play a moderating role;job crafting mediates the effect of organizational support factors on successful aging at work among clinicians.
5.Effect of electroacupuncture on the NEK7/NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway in intestine of mice with Parkinson's disease
Hanzhang LI ; Yanan LI ; Lei GUO ; Yao WANG ; Xiaolei ZHANG ; Mengni HU ; Ling QI ; Zhen RONG ; Jun MA
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(10):1466-1473
Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on the intestinal NIMA-related kinase 7(NEK7)/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway in mice with Parkinson's disease.Methods According to the randomized number table method,36 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,and the electroacupuncture group,with 12 mice per group.The Parkinson's disease mouse model was established by gavage of rotenone solution(10 mg/kg)for 28 d.After molding,the electroacupuncture group was stimulated with"Fengfu"(DU17),"Taichong"(LR3),and"Zusanli"(ST36)for 14 d,while the control group and the model group were only treated with immobilization.The motor ability of mice was detected by pole climbing test and hindlimb rating score,the positive expressions of nigral tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and colon occludin were detected by immunohistochemistry,the histological morphology of colon was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,and Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NEK7,NLRP3,Caspase-1,and interleukin-1β(IL-1β).Results Compared with the control group,mice in the model group had lower score on the pole climbing test and a higher hindlimb rating score(P<0.01);the average optical densities of nigral TH and colon occludin were decreased(P<0.01);significant inflammatory infiltration was observed in the colonic tissue,and the muscularis propria was thinned;and the protein expressions of NEK7,NLRP3,Caspase-1,and IL-1β in the colonic tissue were elevated(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,mice in the electroacupuncture group had higher score on the pole climbing test and a lower hindlimb rating score(P<0.01);the average optical densities of nigral TH and colon occludin were increased(P<0.01);the degree of inflammatory infiltration of colonic tissues decreased,and the muscularis propria was thickened;and the protein expressions of NEK7,NLRP3,Caspase-1,and IL-1β of colonic tissues were decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at"Fengfu"(DU17),"Taichong"(LR3),and"Zusanli"(ST36)can improve motor functional impairments in mice with Parkinson's disease,and the mechanism may be through the inhibition of intestinal NEK7/NLRP3 pathway,improving the intestinal barrier damage,relieving the intestinal inflammation,and improving the dopaminergic neuron injury.
6.Exploring the mechanism of pre-electroacupuncture at"Neiguan"(PC6)and"Jianshi"(PC5)acupoints on learning,memory,and locus coeruleus-hippocampal neural circuit in Alzheimer's disease-like rats via the β2AR/β-arrestin2/NF-κB pathway
Chuan HE ; Li WANG ; Xiaoli PAN ; Chaochao YU ; Juan XIAO ; Zhenkun LU ; Xiangyu LI ; Yanjun DU ; Feng SHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1612-1622
Objective To investigate the effects of pre-electroacupuncture(EA)on spatial learning and memory,the locus coeruleus-hippocampal neural circuit,and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease(AD)-like rats,and to explore the possible mechanism of pre-EA in preventing and treating AD.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were divided into the normal,model,EA,and sham EA groups using the random number table method,with nine rats per group.An AD-like rat model was prepared through intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/(kg·d)D-galactose for eight consecutive weeks.After daily intraperitoneal injection,the rats in the EA group underwent EA stimulation at the"Neiguan"(PC6)and"Jianshi"(PC5)acupoints with a continuous wave,frequency of 50 Hz,and a current of 1 mA for 20 min once a day for 8 weeks.The sham EA group was only superficially punctured to the subcutaneous tissue at the"Neiguan"(PC6)and"Jianshi"(PC5)acupoints without electricity,and the rest of the operations were the same as those in the EA group.The Morris water maze experiment was then used to evaluate the spatial learning and memory of the rats.Immunofluorescence labeling was used to detect dopamine β hydroxylase and c-Fos co-localization in the locus coeruleus of noradrenergic neurons,as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)co-localization in the CA1 area of the hippocampus of astrocytes.Western blotting was used to measure the protein expressions of norepinephrine(NE),β2-adrenergic receptor(β2AR),β-inhibitory protein 2(β-arrestin2),nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)inhibitory factor protein α(IκBα),and NF-κB in the hippocampus of rats.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the TNF-α,interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)contents in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the normal group,the average escape latency of the model group rats was prolonged,and the times of crossing platform and exploration time in the target quadrant were reduced(P<0.01),while the EA intervention can shorten the average escape latency and increase the times of crossing platform and exploration time in the target quadrant(P<0.01).Compared with the normal group,the expression of co-located noradrenergic neurons in the model group decreased,co-located astrocytes increased(P<0.01);NE,β2AR,β-arrestin2,and IκBα protein expression decreased(P<0.01),NF-κB protein expression increased(P<0.01);the contents of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the EA group showed an increase in the expression of co-located noradrenergic neurons,a decrease in co-located astrocytes(P<0.01),an increase in NE,β2AR,β-arrestin2,and IκBα protein expressions(P<0.01),a decrease in NF-κB protein expression(P<0.01),and a decrease in TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels(P<0.01).No significant difference was observed in the above indicators between the model and sham EA groups.Conclusion Pre-EA at"Neiguan"(PC6)and"Jianshi"(PC5)can alleviate learning and memory dysfunction,alleviate noradrenergic neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus,inhibit astrocyte activation,protect the locus coeruleus-hippocampal neural circuit,and may be associated with inhibiting β2AR/β-arrestin2/NF-κB inflammatory pathway activation.
7.Exploration on the Connotation,Characteristics and Path of High-quality Development of Health Care
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):18-22,35
Promoting high-quality development of health care is a strategic choice for realizing Chinese-style health care modernization at a higher level in the new era.At present,promoting the high-quality development of health care is a brand new theoretical and practical issue.Based on defining the boundaries of health care,it explores the connotation and characteristics of the high-quality development of health care:guided by the new development concept and centered on residents'health,it aims to meet residents'diversified and high-standard health needs,focusing on quality and efficiency enhancement,and ultimately achieving a higher level of health for the population,as well as the promotion and maintenance of health.In the process of development,attention needs to be paid to the public welfare of medical and health services,the equity and accessibility of health services,the synergy of health subjects,the practice of residents'health behaviors,and the hierarchy of development stages.To achieve high-quality development of China's health care in the new era,it is necessary to promote the matching of policy supply and demand and improve the quality of the factors of production of health care;to gather strong human resources to support the innovative allocation of the factors of production of health care;to give rise to diversified innovation bodies and promote the optimal combination of the factors of labor in health care;and to cultivate a health ecosystem and create a long-term endogenous impetus for the health of the entire population.
8.Research on New-quality Productivity Empowers the Construction of Healthy China
Chenxi LIU ; Qian WANG ; Lan YAO
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(7):6-9
Currently,China needs to comprehensively understand the theoretical support,historical experience,and practical requirements of new productive forces to support the construction of Healthy China,accurately grasp its core concepts and profound implications,clarify the strategic direction of new productive forces to support Healthy China,scientifically plan and implement precise measures,in order to find the best practice path for new productive forces to drive high-quality development of a Healthy China.
9.Comparative Study on Intelligent Audit and Monitoring Repository of Focused Audit Violations under DRG Payment
Zhiguo ZHANG ; Qingqin LIU ; Chen XIANG ; Xiangping LIU
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(6):77-82
Objective Comparative analysis of rule categories,key audit behaviors,and the degree of correspon-dence between rules and behaviors through intelligent auditing of key audit violations and monitoring of the rule base.To provide reference for the improvement of intelligent audit and monitoring rule library for key audit violations under DRG payment in medical insurance fund.Methods Searching and collecting policy documents such as DRG payment management methods issued by local health insurance bureaus from May 20,2019 to December 31,2023 and the literature related to DRG payment smart audit monitoring rules in the database,and targeting the rules therein that are related to the focus on auditing irregularities under the DRG payment.Literature analysis and comparative analysis were used to summarize and analyze the rules related to key audit violations under DRG payment.Results The intelli-gent audit rules for key audit violations under DRG payment can be divided into two major categories:logical judg-ment and parameter index,and the degree of correspondence between audit rules and key audit behaviors varies.Conclusion(1)Unify the key audit rules nationwide to ensure the universality and comprehensiveness of the rules;(2)Deepen the current situation of regional illegal activities and strengthen local characteristics;(3)Improve the quality of logical judgment rules and increase the quantity of parameter indicator rules;(4)Strengthen scientific re-search on new types of violations,and establish more targeted regulatory rules.
10.A Study of Organisational Support Strategies to Promote Mental Health among Healthcare Workers
Luo XU ; Yinhuan HU ; Xiandong FENG
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(9):53-57
Objective To sort out the organisational support strategies adopted by typical public hospitals to improve the mental health of healthcare workers,to provide reference for hospitals around the world,and to enhance the healthcare health force.Methods In December 2023,57 cases of organisational support for healthcare workers'mental health in public hospitals were searched and screened,and the textual content of specific measures in the case hospitals was coded using thematic framework analysis.Two rounds of expert consultation were conducted to further screen typical cases.Results 4 General strategies of system optimisation,professional services,promotion and education,and humanistic care and their corresponding 9 sub-strategies were identified based on the coding content.The 11 typical cases screened by experts were further summarised and analysed to distil the specific practices carried out by each hospital to improve the mental health of healthcare workers.Conclusion The mental health status of healthcare workers is not optimistic,and hospitals need to pay full attention to it and take supportive organisational measures to address the existing problems.For example,expanding the reserve of psychological professionals,enhancing the application of information technology,and improving the willingness of healthcare professionals to accept mental services.

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