1.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
2.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
3.Evaluation of the quality of Jingangteng capsules based on UPLC fingerprinting combined with multi-component content determination
Li SHEN ; Yue SHEN ; Yuying YANG ; Dandan ZHANG ; Yuxi WU ; Xuxiang ZHOU ; Jingyu YANG ; Peng HU ; Lei WANG ; Heming WU ; Dan LIU ; Xiaochuan YE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(10):1290-1294
OBJECTIVE To establish the UPLC fingerprint and the method for multi-component content determination in Jingangteng capsules, and to evaluate its quality by combining chemical pattern recognition analysis. METHODS An UPLC method was established. Separation was performed on a Zorbax SB-C 18 Rapid Resolution HD column, with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase for gradient elution.Using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicines (2012 edition), UPLC fi ngerprints were established for 10 batches of Jingangteng capsules, and similarity was evaluated. SPSS 22.0 and SIMCA 14.1 software were used to perform hierarchial-cluster analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), respectively. The same UPLC method was employed to determine the contents of chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzoic acid-3- O -glucoside (M1), caffeic acid, astilbin, oxyresveratrol, quercitrin and resveratrol in the 10 batches of samples. RESULTS A total of 17 common peaks were identified in UPLC fingerprints of the 10 batches of samples, of which 7 were identified as chlorogenic acid, M1, caffeic acid, astilbin, oxyresveratrol, quercitrin, and resveratrol. The similarities of 10 batches of samples ranged from 0.820 to 0.985. The results of hierarchial-cluster analysis showed that 10 batches of samples were grouped into four categories: S1-S4 formed one group, S5 and S6 formed another, S7, S8 and S10 formed a third, and S9 formed a fourth, consistent with the OPLS-DA results; the variable importance projection values for peaks 7, 10, 2, 16 (resveratrol), 13 (oxyresveratrol), 11, 6 (caffeic acid), 5 (M1) and 15 (quercitrin) were >1. Quantitative analysis results showed that the contents of chlorogenic acid, M1, caffeic acid, astilbin, oxyresveratrol, quercitrin, and resveratrol were 1.650 8-4.213 7, 0.636 2-2.161 7, 0.031 0-0.086 5, 0.239 1-1.069 3, 0.211 9-1.104 0, 0.488 8-2.399 2, and 0.164 0-0.699 8 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS UPLC fingerprint and content determination methods established in this study are simple to operate, accurate, reliable and reproducible; when combined with chemical pattern recognition analysis, they can be used to evaluate the quality of Jingangteng capsules. Nine components, such as resveratrol, oxyresveratrol, caffeic acid, M1 and quercitrin, may serve as markers of quality variation.
4.Analysis of scalp fungal communities in severe alopecia areata patients by ITS sequencing
Chunlan ZHANG ; Yilong LEI ; Ruixuan CHENG ; Dawei DUAN ; Xin DU ; Wenming ZHOU ; Dandan ZANG ; Feng WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):576-582
ObjectiveTo compare the differences in fungal community composition between lesional and non-lesional scalp areas in patients suffering from severe alopecia areata (AA), and compare these with healthy scalp areas in control subjects. Additionally, to preliminarily explore the changes in scalp fungal communities in severe AA patients and their potential underlying immunological mechanisms. MethodsA total of 20 severe AA patients and 18 healthy controls were enrolled. Skin swab samples were collected from lesional and non-lesional scalp areas of severe AA patients, as well as from the normal scalp of healthy controls. The fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified and analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. ResultsThe lesional scalp areas of severe AA patients exhibited higher α-diversity and species richness in fungal communities. Notably, the relative abundance of Ascomycota, along with genera such as Mycosphaerella, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Wallemia, significantly increased in the bald regions. In contrast, Acremonium and Schizophyllum were more predominant in the non-lesional areas of severe AA patients. ConclusionDistinct region-specific differences in scalp fungal microbiota in severe AA patients suggests that fungal dysbiosis may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. These findings provide new insights into the disease characteristics of severe AA from the perspective of scalp microecology.
5.Mechanism of Wenyang jieyu granules regulating NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway on antidepressant effect in rats
Shuang MENG ; Jie ZHAO ; Xinxin WANG ; Dandan TAN ; Xiaorong ZHOU ; Huimin SUN ; Xiaojuan MA ; Zhenyu FENG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1440-1446
OBJECTIVE To explore the antidepressant mechanism of Wenyang jieyu granules (WYJYG) via the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3)/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC)/Caspase-1 pathway. METHODS A rat model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with single-housing for 42 consecutive days.The experiment set up blank group, model group, MCC950 (NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor) group (10 mg/kg), fluoxetine group (positive control,2.08 mg/kg),low-dose WYJYG(3.78 g/kg) and high-dose WYJYG group (7.56 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group. From the 22nd day of the experiment, rats in the fluoxetine group, low-dose and high-dose WYJYG groups were intragastrically administered with the corresponding drugs and intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline. Rats in the MCC950 group were intraperitoneally injected with MCC950 at the corresponding concentration and intragastrically administered with an equal volume of distilled water. Rats in the blank group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage and an equal volume of normal saline by intraperitoneal injection. All interventions were performed once a day for 21 consecutive days. Behavioral tests were conducted once a week. After the last administration, the contents of ASC, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18 in hippocampal tissues were detected. The protein expressions of NLRP3, cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68), Caspase-1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein were determined, and neuronal apoptosis was observed. RESULTS After the last administration, compared with the model group, the open-field activity time was significantly prolonged ( P <0.05), and the latency to feed in a novel environment was significantly shortened ( P <0.05) in rats of the high-dose WYJYG group. In hippocampal tissue, the contents of ASC, Iba1, IL-1β, and IL-18, as well as the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and CD68, and the positive rate of neuronal apoptosis were all significantly decreased/downregulated ( P <0.05). Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly upregulated ( P <0.05), and the density of neuronal apoptosis-positive cells was significantly reduced ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS WYJYG play on antidepressant role by inhibiting the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway, reducing microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, and inhibiting hippocampal neurons apoptosis.
6.Extracellular Ubiquitin Enhances Autophagy and Inhibits Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway to Protect Neurons Against Spinal Cord Ischemic Injury via CXCR4
Hao FENG ; Dehui CHEN ; Huina CHEN ; Dingwei WU ; Dandan WANG ; Zhengxi YU ; Linquan ZHOU ; Zhenyu WANG ; Wenge LIU
Neurospine 2025;22(1):157-172
Objective:
Neuronal apoptosis is considered to be a critical process in spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite growing evidence of the antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and modulation of ischemic injury tolerance effects of extracellular ubiquitin (eUb), existing studies have paid less attention to the impact of eUb in neurological injury disorders, particularly in SCI. This study aimed to investigate whether eUb can play a protective role in neurons, both in vitro and in vivo, and explores the underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
By utilizing an oxygen glucose deprivation cellular model and a SCI rat model, we firstly investigated the therapeutic effects of eUb on SCI and further explored its effects on neuronal autophagy and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis-related indicators, as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.
Results:
In the SCI models both in vivo and in vitro, early intervention with eUb enhanced neuronal autophagy and inhibited mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, significantly mitigating SCI. Further studies had shown that this protective effect of eUb was mediated through its receptor, CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4). Additionally, eUb-enhanced autophagy and antiapoptotic effects were possibly associated with inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Conclusion
In summary, the study demonstrates that early eUb intervention can enhance autophagy and inhibit mitochondrial apoptotic pathways via CXCR4, protecting neurons and promoting SCI repair.
7.Extracellular Ubiquitin Enhances Autophagy and Inhibits Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway to Protect Neurons Against Spinal Cord Ischemic Injury via CXCR4
Hao FENG ; Dehui CHEN ; Huina CHEN ; Dingwei WU ; Dandan WANG ; Zhengxi YU ; Linquan ZHOU ; Zhenyu WANG ; Wenge LIU
Neurospine 2025;22(1):157-172
Objective:
Neuronal apoptosis is considered to be a critical process in spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite growing evidence of the antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and modulation of ischemic injury tolerance effects of extracellular ubiquitin (eUb), existing studies have paid less attention to the impact of eUb in neurological injury disorders, particularly in SCI. This study aimed to investigate whether eUb can play a protective role in neurons, both in vitro and in vivo, and explores the underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
By utilizing an oxygen glucose deprivation cellular model and a SCI rat model, we firstly investigated the therapeutic effects of eUb on SCI and further explored its effects on neuronal autophagy and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis-related indicators, as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.
Results:
In the SCI models both in vivo and in vitro, early intervention with eUb enhanced neuronal autophagy and inhibited mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, significantly mitigating SCI. Further studies had shown that this protective effect of eUb was mediated through its receptor, CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4). Additionally, eUb-enhanced autophagy and antiapoptotic effects were possibly associated with inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Conclusion
In summary, the study demonstrates that early eUb intervention can enhance autophagy and inhibit mitochondrial apoptotic pathways via CXCR4, protecting neurons and promoting SCI repair.
8.Severe Anti-HER2 Drug-induced Interstitial Lung Disease: A Report of Two Cases and Clinical Implications
Zhu SHEN ; Dandan FAN ; Lei CHEN ; Guangqiang CHEN ; Yanan WANG ; Zhanhong HU ; Jie PAN ; Zhou GENG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1419-1424
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a key therapeutic target for breast cancer. With the wide application of anti-HER2 and HER2 antibody-drug conjugates such as trastuzumab, pertuzumab, trastuzumab emtansine, and trastuzumab deruxtecan, the survival of patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancers have been significantly improved. However, the subsequent drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DILD) has gradually become an important complication affecting the therapeutic effect and safety. However, the clinical understanding of interstitial lung disease (ILD) caused by this type of drugs is still insufficient, the management lacks unified standards, and the molecular mechanism has not been fully clarified. This study, through two clinical cases of severe DILD, explores the pathogenesis, treatment strategies, risk factors and follow-up monitoring requirements of ILD caused by HER2-targeted drugs, providing a scientific basis for optimizing the clinical diagnosis and treatment plan.
9.Effect of deletion of G protein-coupled receptor 107 on the biological behaviour of HaCaT cells
Jing Wang ; Wei Zhao ; Deping Xu ; Kainan Liao ; Dandan Zang ; Haisheng Zhou
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(3):385-391
Objective :
To construct a human keratinocyte-forming cell line(HaCaT) with stable knockout of the G protein-coupled receptor 107(GPR107) gene, and to preliminarily investigate the effect of GPR107 deletion on the biological behaviour of HaCaT cells.
Methods :
Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, HaCaT cells with knockout ofGPR107gene were constructed and monoclonal cells with GPR107 deletion were obtained by limited dilution method. Genomic DNA was amplified using Western blot and PCR and sequenced to validate the single-cell clones with knockdown of GPR107. The cell cycle changes were detected by flow cytometry; cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8; apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry; changes in cell differentiation markers were detected by Western blot; cell migration ability was analyzed by cell scratch assay and other methods.
Results :
LentiCas9-Blast and plenti-guide-RNA-GPR107 plasmids were successfully transfected into HaCaT cells, 21 monoclonal cell lines were obtained by limited dilution, and Western blot showed that the GPR107 expression was significantly reduced in 8 of them; PCR sequencing of the cellular genome was used, which resulted in the obtainment of C4 and 2D8GPR107-/-HaCaT monoclonal cell lines. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry assay showed thatGPR107gene deletion resulted in G0G1phase block, significantly weakened proliferation ability and increased apoptosis level of HaCaT cells. Western blot found that the differentiation of HaCaT cells accelerated after knockdown ofGPR107. Additionally the results of the cell scratch assay indicated that the migration ability of HaCaT cells was enhanced after knockdown ofGPR107. The results showed that the migration ability of HaCaT cells was enhanced after knockdown ofGPR107.
Conclusion
HaCaT cell line withGPR107gene deletion is successfully constructed, GPR107 deletion blocks the G0G1phase of HaCaT cells, which inhibiting the proliferation of HaCaT cells and promoted apoptosis, and it was found that the differentiation and migration of HaCaT cells were enhanced after knocking downGPR107.
10.Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Impairment Multidomain Scale
Shilei WAN ; Dan YANG ; Nianquan LIU ; Qianping JIANG ; Dandan XU ; Yan ZHAO ; Jing ZHOU
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(11):1578-1586
Objective:To translate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Impairment Multidomain Scale(AIMS)into Chinese,and to investi-gate its reliability and validity among Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS)patients.Methods:A total of 161 ALS patients who were registered in the registry system of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Treatment Center for Motor Neuron Disease in Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from August 2023 to July 2024 were enrolled as subjects,and the Chinese version of AIMS was used for investigation after translation and revision.The Rasch model was used to assess the unidimensionality,in-ternal consistency,content validity,construct validity,and criterion-related validity of the questionnaire,and the classical test theory was used for item analysis,test-retest reliability analysis,and criterion-related validity analysis.Results:Unidimensionality testing showed that all three dimensions of AIMS have good unidimensionality.For all items except item 18,information-weighted fit statis-tic mean square(Infit MNSQ)and outlier-sensitive fit statistic mean square(Outfit MNSQ)ranged from 0.5 to 1.5,and point-measure correlation(PT-Measure)ranged from 0.63 to 0.87.The threshold between adjacent options of each item was>1.4 logit.Wright maps showed that item difficulties ranged from-2.24 to 2.08 logit,and the differential item functioning analysis showed that the absolute values of differences between patients across different char-acteristic subgroups were<1 logit.The overall scale and each di-mension had a reliability of>0.9,with an individual reliability of>0.7.The dimension of respiration had a separation index of 1.56,while the overall scale and the other dimensions had a separation in-dex of>2.The item analysis showed that the correlation coefficient between the items in each dimension and their respective dimen-sions ranged from 0.622 to 0.865(P<0.01).The overall scale and the dimensions of medulla oblongata,motor,and respiration had a test-retest reliability of 0.994,0.970,0.990,and 0.972,respectively(P<0.01).The criterion-related validity analysis showed that the correlation coefficients of total score and the score of each dimension between the Chinese version of AIMS and the revised version of AIMS were 0.863,0.829,0.876,and 0.755,respectively(P<0.01).Conclusion:The Chinese version of AIMS has a good degree of fit-ting and relatively high levels of reliability and validity,with moderate item difficulty,reasonable option settings,and high overall qual-ity,and it is suitable for the functional assessment of ALS patients in China.


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