1.Huangqi Jianzhongtang Regulates Polarization of Macrophages M1/M2 and Improves Fat Consumption in Cancer Cachexia Mice
Zhiyan FANG ; Haiyan ZHU ; Wenying HUAI ; Cong HUANG ; Ruocong YANG ; Haiyan YU ; Tiane ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):61-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huangqi Jianzhongtang (HQJZ) on macrophage polarization and fat consumption in cancer cachexia (CC) mice. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was used to control the quality of HQJZ. (1) In vitro experiment: HQJZ-containing serum was prepared, and the optimal concentration was determined by cytotoxicity assay. Mouse monocyte-derived macrophages (RAW264.7) were cultured and randomly divided into six groups, including a blank group, a classically activated macrophages (M1) group, an alternatively activated macrophages (M2) group, a HQJZ + blank group, a HQJZ+M1 group, and a HQJZ + M2 group. The relative expression of macrophage marker genes CD86, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg1) was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR ). (2) In vivo experiment: Thirty-two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) group, and a HQJZ group. Except for the control group, the other mice were injected with CT-26 colon cancer cells to establish a CC model. Mice in the MPA and HQJZ groups were given MPA (0.13 g·kg-1·d-1) or HQJZ (13.13 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage, respectively, while mice in the control and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage, with interventions continued for 10 d. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of macrophage markers (iNOS, Arg1, CD86, CD206) and fat browning-related genes uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in epididymal adipose tissue. Western blot (WB) was used to detect protein expression levels of UCP1 and PPARγ. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to measure residual fat volume, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess fat browning and calculate pathological scores. ResultsIn vitro, the dominant effective concentration of HQJZ-containing serum was 12.5%. Real-time PCR results showed that, compared with the blank group, Arg1 expression decreased in the HQJZ+blank group (P<0.05), CD206 showed a downward trend without statistical significance, while iNOS and CD86 expression were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the M1 group, Arg1 and CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M1 group (P<0.05). Compared with the M2 group, CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M2 group (P<0.05), CD86 expression increased significantly (P<0.01). In vivo, Real-time PCR results showed that, compared with the control group, CD86 and CD206 expression levels were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, CD206 expression in the MPA group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). In the HQJZ group, CD206 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). WB results showed that, compared with the model group, protein expression of UCP1 and PPARγ was significantly reduced in the HQJZ group (P<0.05, P<0.01). micro-CT results showed that the total white fat volume in the HQJZ group was greater than that in the model group (P<0.05). HE staining results showed that pathological scores in the HQJZ group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionHQJZ may inhibit white adipose tissue browning by promoting macrophage M1 polarization and suppressing M2 polarization, thereby delaying fat consumption in CC mice.
2.Exploration of the effects of quercetin on intervertebral disc degeneration in lumbar intervertebral disc herniation rats based on the FOXO3/Sirt1 pathway
Bowen XIAO ; Cong PENG ; Senwei ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):49-54
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of quercetin (QUE) on intervertebral disc degeneration in rats with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LDH) and explore its mechanism based on the forkhead box protein O3/silent information regulator 1 (FOXO3/Sirt1) pathway. METHODS A rat model of LDH was established. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into LDH group (gavaged with and intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline), QUE-L group (gavaged with 50 mg/kg QUE+intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline), QUE-H group (gavaged with 100 mg/kg QUE+ intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline), and QUE-H+EX-527 (a Sirt1 inhibitor) group (gavaged with 100 mg/kg QUE+intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg/kg EX-527), with 12 rats in each group. Additionally, 12 healthy normal rats were selected as the control group (gavaged with and intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline). All rats were administered the corresponding agents once daily for consecutive 8 weeks. After the final administration, the pain threshold and serum levels of inflammatory factors in rats were measured; pathological damage of lumbar intervertebral disc tissue was observed, the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in lumbar intervertebral disc tissue was assessed, and the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), as well as apoptosis-related proteins and FOXO3/Sirt1 pathway- related proteins in intervertebral disc tissue were determined. RESULTS Compared with LDH group, pathological damage of intervertebral disc tissue were improved significantly in QUE-L group and QUE-H group; paw withdrawal mechanical threshold, paw withdrawal thermal latency, the serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) as well as the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), FOXO3 and Sirt1 were significantly increased or prolonged (P<0.05). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1β, histopathological score of intervertebral disc tissue, apoptotic rate of nucleus pulposus cells, positive expressions of MMP-3 and PLA2 in intervertebral disc tissue and expression levels of Bcl-2 associated X protein were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the QUE-H group, the QUE-H+EX-527 group presented aggravated pathological damage of intervertebral disc tissue, and the trends of all the above indicators were significantly reversed(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS QUE can ameliorate intervertebral disc degeneration in LDH rats, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of the FOXO3/Sirt1 pathway.
3.Analysis of clinical characteristics of 442 measles cases
Shiheng CUI ; Xiaomeng XU ; Wei WANG ; Yafei WANG ; Li SUN ; Yanli CONG ; Jinghui WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):45-48
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of measles cases in the measles elimination stage and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of measles. Methods The descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the clinical characteristics of 442 confirmed measles cases in Hebei Province from 2018 to 2020. Results Among the 442 measles cases, the main symptoms were rash (96.61%), fever (90.50%), cough (56.11%), and Koplik spots (30.09%). Complications were mainly pneumonia (12.22%). There were significant differences in symptoms among different age groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of symptoms in children under 5 years old (except cough) was higher than that in other age groups. Immunization history had no significant impact on the symptoms of fever and rash (P > 0.05), but the incidence of symptoms such as cough, conjunctivitis, Koplik's spots and catarrhal rhinitis in the immunized group was lower than that in the non-immunized group (P < 0.05). The group with an interval of 0 days from fever to rash was the largest, and the proportion of people with an immunization history in the 0-day group (68.06%) was significantly higher than that in the 3-4-day group (49.44%) (P < 0.05). Pneumonia complications were mainly concentrated in children under 5 years old (87.03%), and most of the cases had a 0-dose immunization history (81.48%). Conclusion In the measles elimination stage, the incidence of fever and rash in cases is relatively high, while the incidence of Koplik spots is relatively low. The symptoms are more obvious in the younger age group. Vaccination can reduce the incidence of specific symptoms. The change in the time of rash appearance suggests that the diagnosis and treatment plan need to be adjusted. This study provides key data support for the formulation of measles prevention, control and treatment strategies.
4.Characteristics of recent infection among newly confirmed HIV-1 cases in some areas of Hubei during 2017-2022
Cong LIU ; Xingfu SHEN ; Fanghua MEI ; Meng GUO ; Junqiang XU ; Kun CAI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):132-135
Objective To analyze the newly reported HIV-1 infection in several prefectures of Hubei Province,and analyze its influencing factors. Methods The limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay(LAg-avidity EIA,LAg) was conducted on HIV-1 positive samples confirmed by Western blot of Hubei in 2017-2022. The demographic characteristics of the newly infected samples were analyzed by χ2 test.Logistic regression model was used to analyze influencing factors of new infection rate and predict the factors associated with the HIV-1 recent infection. Results There were 403 new cases of HIV-1 from 2017 to 2022 in several prefectures of Hubei Province, of which 77 were newly infected sorted by LAg,with a new infection rate of 19.11%. The newly confirmed HIV-1 persons of whom aged ≤24 years (40.00% new infection ratio), unmarried (29.41%), college or above (31.37%), and from Voluntary counseling and testing testing(VCT) clinics (40.00%) had a higher proportion of new infections, and the difference was statistically significant. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≤24 years old (aOR=4.346,95%CI: 1.342-14.075) and screening from the VCT clinic (aOR=6.761,95%CI: 1.460-31.319) were more likely to be newly infected. Conclusion The proportion of new HIV infection in several prefectures of Hubei province is relatively low in recent years.Further effective publicity and intervention measures for young students and the construction of VCT clinic should be continuously promoted to achieve early diagnosis and treatment.
5.Society of Critical Care Medicine 2024 Guidelines on Adult ICU Design: An Interpretation
Hui ZHANG ; Jianhua SUN ; Wanchen ZHAO ; Lingli XIE ; Cong MA ; Yifan FANG ; Jing CAI ; Na GUO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):421-428
This article provides a systematic interpretation and review of the
6.Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of eleutheroside B on Parkinson’s disease model mice by regulating the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway
Xiaoli WANG ; Hua RONG ; Siwen PAN ; Chunlei YU ; Tianjiao XU ; Yu SUN ; Huan CONG ; Yu PANG ; Gang CHEN ; Xiaoming LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(8):998-1002
OBJECTIVE To investigate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of eleutheroside B (ELB) on Parkinson’s disease (PD) model mice by regulating the IκB kinase β (IKKβ)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. METHODS Fifty mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, positive control group (selegiline hydrochloride, 10 mg/kg), and ELB low-dose and high-dose groups (80, 160 mg/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Each group was given relevant medicine or normal saline intragastrically for 14 consecutive days. Starting from the 10th day of administration, the model group and all administration groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) 30 mg/kg, for five consecutive days to establish the chronic PD model. After the last administration for 24 h, six mice were randomly selected from each group to test their behavioral abilities; detect the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in brain tissue and their mRNA expressions were measured, and positive expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), protein expressions of TH, α -synuclein ( α -syn), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as phosphorylation levels of IKKβ and NF-κB p65 proteins in the brain tissue were detected. The ultrastructure of neurons in substantia nigra was observed. RESULTS Compared with the model group, rotarod endurance time and climbing score of each administration group (except for the ELB low-dose group) were increased significantly ( P <0.05), while the levels and mRNA expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, α -syn, and Iba-1, as well as phosphorylation levels of IKKβ and NF-κB p65 proteins in brain tissue were decreased significantly (except for TNF-α in the ELB low-dose group). Conversely, the level and mRNA expression of IL-10 (except for the ELB low-dose group), TH positive expression and protein expressions were significantly increased ( P <0.05). Typical neurodegenerative pathological changes, such as neuronal karyopyknosis, mitochondrial swelling and vacuolization, and endoplasmic reticulum dilation, all showed varying degrees of improvement. CONCLUSIONS ELB may exert neuroprotective effects by inhibiting the activation of the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway, alleviating inflammatory responses, reducing abnormal α -syn aggregation and neuronal loss, and further improving motor dysfunction in PD mice.
7.Determination of tiamulin concentration in minipig plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application in pharmacokinetic studies of different formulations
Jiahui TU ; Mei GENG ; Qingming HOU ; Xianhai LUO ; Zhixia QIU ; Cong WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(1):54-59
The present study aimed to establish an LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of tiamulin in minipig plasma and to further conduct a pharmacokinetic comparison of different formulations. The plasma samples were extracted with acetonitrile (meloxicam as internal standard), separated on a C18 column, and quantified by multiple reaction monitoring mode (ESI+). Sanyuan minipigs were used as experimental animals. Plasma samples were collected after intravenous injection (10 mg/kg) and intragastric administration (20 mg/kg). The method showed good linearity, with intra- and inter-batch RSD of 1.00%–8.13% and RE within ±15%. The extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability of the analytical methods met the relevant requirements. Tiamulin fumarate active pharmaceutical ingredient was intravenously administered, with c0 of about (4383.73±2676.78) ng/mL, AUC0-t of about (4803.50±965.68) h·ng/mL, t1/2 of about (4.66±1.68) h, and CL of about (2.14±0.46) L/(kg·h). Three tiamulin formulations were intragastrically administered, with cmax of (552.00±328.55), (545.00±136.97) and (590.60±237.02) ng/mL, tmax of (1.47±0.68), (0.69±0.75) and (0.72±0.72) h, and F of 24.85%, 15.28% and 16.97%, respectively. The validated method meets the requirements for biological sample analysis and is applicable for the pharmacokinetic evaluation of tiamulin formulations in minipigs.
8.Prognostic significance of TRIM28 elevation in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia
Siqi GONG ; Cong LI ; Mengmeng FAN ; Huiping WANG ; Wanqiu ZHANG ; Xue LIANG ; Qianshan TAO ; Qiang HONG ; Zhimin ZHAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):301-308
ObjectiveTo clarify the expression of TRIM28 in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its correlation with clinical indicators and prognosis, and to further explore the effect of TRIM28 expression levels on the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells using small interfering RNA. MethodsThe GSE34577 dataset was analyzed using R software to compare TRIM28 expression between healthy controls and non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Clinical samples from non-M3 AML patients were collected, with TRIM28 expression levels measured using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The analysis focused on correlations between TRIM28 expression and various clinical indicators, treatment efficacy, and patient prognosis. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was employed to downregulate TRIM28 expression in human primary AML cells (HL60 cell line). The effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis were then assessed through CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry, respectively. ResultsThe results showed that TRIM28 was up-regulated in non-M3 AML of both online database GSE34577 and clinical samples (P<0.000 1), TRIM28 expression of new diagnosis group and relapsed refractory group was higher than iron deficiency anemia group (P<0.01), and there was no significance between different French-American-British classification systems subtype. TRIM28 expression was higher in non-M3 AML patients with a poor genetic prognosis stratified as moderate than in the good prognosis group, and TRIM28 expression was associated with NPM1 combined with the FLT3-ITD mutation, positively correlated with age, bone marrow blast, peripheral blood blast and white blood cell, negatively correlated with hemoglobin. In addition, interference TRIM28 greatly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. ConclusionThis study reveals that TRIM28 is highly expressed in non-M3 AML and associated with prognosis, and plays a key role in the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells, suggesting that TRIM28 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for non-M3 AML.
9.Visualization analysis of studies on Oncomelania hupensis control from 2005 to 2024
Wen ZHU ; Huatang LUO ; Hao WANG ; Yuelin XIONG ; Cong LIU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):84-91
Objective To analyze Chinese and English publications pertaining to Oncomelania hupensis control from 2005 to 2024, so as to decipher the research status and hotspots of O. hupensis control. Methods Chinese and English publications pertaining to O. hupensis control from 2005 to 2024 were retrieved in the Web of Science Core Collection Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The annual number of publications was analyzed from 2005 to 2024, and the author and institution cooperation networks were mapped using the software CiteSpace 6.3.1. Keywords were extracted from publications to map the co-occurrence, burst and timeline of keywords to identify the research hotspots of O. hupensis control. Results A total of 158 English publications and 771 Chinese publications were included for bibliometric analyses. The overall output of English publications was relatively small from 2005 to 2024, the annual average publication was 7.90 publications. Parasites & Vectors was the most productive journal by the number of publications (21 publications). The three most productive authors included Li Shizhu (24 publications), Zhou Xiaonong (13 publications), and Yang Kun (12 publications), and the three most productive institutions included Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (49 publications), the WHO (27 publications), and Fudan University (25 publications). The annual average number of Chinese publications was high from 2005 to 2015 (57.73 publications), and reduced to 15.11 publications during the period from 2016 to 2024, with Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control as the most productive journal (241 publications). The three most productive authors included Wang Wanxian (18 publications), Sun Qixiang (16 publications), and Dai Jianrong (16 publications), and the three most productive institutions included Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases (55 publications), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (47 publications), and Hubei Uni-versity (38 publications). Among the 158 English publications, molluscicidal effect, climate change, geographic information, biological control, machine learning were current research hotspots, and the Yangtze River and elimination were emerging research hotspots. Among the 771 Chinese publications, molluscicidal effect, niclosamide, comprehensive management, molluscicide, effectiveness evaluation, marshland, and endophyte were current research hotspots, and the future research hotspots shifted to molluscicidal effect and pyriclobenzuron. Conclusions Limited attention is paid to the research on O. hupensis control across the world. The Yangtze River, elimination, molluscicidal effect, and pyriclobenzuron may be future research hotspots. High attention is recommended to be paid to the research on O. hupensis control, and development of diverse approaches for O. hupensis control is of urgent needs. We should continue to attach importance to the control research of O. hupensis and strengthen the exploration of diverse snail extermination and control methods.
10.Establishment and Preliminary Analysis of GP73 Interactome Using Proximity-dependent Labeling Technology
Mu-Yi LIU ; Chang ZHANG ; Meng-Xin YANG ; Xin-Long YAN ; Lu-Ming WAN ; Cong-Wen WEI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):711-723
ObjectiveProtein-protein interactions (PPIs) are fundamental to the execution of biological functions within living cells. However, traditional biochemical methods, such as co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), often fail to capture transient, weak, or membrane-associated interactions due to the stringent detergent requirements for cell lysis. Proximity labeling (PL) has emerged in recent years as a transformative technology for mapping the proteomes of specific subcellular compartments and identifying dynamic interactomes in situ. Golgi protein 73 (GP73, also known as GOLPH2), a resident type II Golgi transmembrane protein, is a well-recognized clinical biomarker for liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite its clinical significance, the comprehensive physiological and pathological functions of GP73 remain partially understood. This study aims to establish an APEX2-mediated proximity labeling system specifically targeting GP73 to map its interactome in a living cellular environment, thereby providing new insights into its molecular roles and regulatory mechanisms. MethodsTo achieve spatial specificity, we first constructed a stable cell line expressing a fusion protein consisting of GP73 and the engineered soybean peroxidase APEX2. The localization of the GP73-APEX2 fusion protein was validated to ensure it correctly targeted the Golgi apparatus. The proximity labeling reaction was initiated by incubating the cells with biotin-phenol (BP) for 30 min, followed by a brief (1 min) treatment with1 mmol/L hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This catalytic reaction converts BP into highly reactive, short-lived biotin-phenoxyl radicals that covalently attach to endogenous proteins within a small labeling radius of the GP73-APEX2 enzyme. Subsequently, the cells were quenched, and biotinylated proteins were enriched using high-affinity streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. The captured “neighbor” proteins were subjected to on-bead digestion and analyzed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for high-throughput identification. Rigorous bioinformatics analysis, including Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and protein-protein interaction network mapping, was performed to interpret the biological significance of the identified candidates. ResultsOur results demonstrate the successful establishment of a robust and sensitive APEX2-based proximity labeling system for GP73. We identified a total of 95 high-confidence interacting proteins that were significantly enriched in the GP73 proximity proteome compared to control groups. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these interactors were predominantly associated with biological processes such as vesicular transport, protein localization, and, most notably, molecular functions related to “ribosome binding” and “translation regulation”. This suggested an unexpected role for the Golgi-resident GP73 in the cellular translation machinery. To validate these findings, we performed targeted biochemical assays which confirmed a direct interaction between GP73 and the subunits of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) complex, specifically EIF3G and EIF3I. Furthermore, functional validation using the surface sensing of translation (SUnSET) assay—a non-radioactive method to monitor protein synthesis—revealed that the overexpression of GP73 significantly promoted global protein translation levels in the cell, whereas its depletion or inhibition resulted in reduced translation efficiency. ConclusionThis study successfully utilized APEX2-mediated proximity labeling to provide the first systematic map of GP73 interactome in living cells. Our findings uncover a novel, unconventional function of GP73 as a regulator of cellular protein translation, likely mediated through its interaction with the eIF3 complex. This discovery significantly broadens our understanding of the biological roles of GP73 beyond its traditional function in the Golgi apparatus and suggests that it may act as a bridge between Golgi-related trafficking and the protein synthesis machinery. Furthermore, the technical framework established in this study provides a valuable template for investigating other complex organelle-associated protein networks and resolving transient macromolecular interactions in various physiological and pathological contexts.


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