1.Study on the role and mechanism of SPP1+ macrophages in the formation of chronic renal allograft fibrosis
Zexin YANG ; Zeping GUI ; Junqi ZHANG ; Gang ZHANG ; Hao CHEN ; Li SUN ; Shuang FEI ; Min GU ; Zijie WANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):413-421
Objective To investigate the role and potential mechanism of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1)+ macrophages in the formation of chronic renal allograft fibrosis. Methods The expression features of SPP1+ macrophages in renal allografts of chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) patients were analyzed based on single-cell transcriptome data of renal tissues from patients with CAD. Transcription factor VIPER analysis and DoRothEA transcription factor activity analysis were performed on the single-cell transcriptome data. Renal tissue samples were collected from kidney transplant recipients, including the CAD group (n=5) and the non-renal allograft fibrosis group (CTL group, n=5). A mouse model of chronic allograft rejection was established and divided into the allogeneic kidney transplantation group (CAD group, n=3) and the syngeneic kidney transplantation group (SYN group, n=3). Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to detect renal tissue injury in mice, and Masson staining was used to detect renal tissue fibrosis. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect SPP1 expression in renal tissues of transplant recipients and mouse renal allografts. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were extracted from mice and subjected to hypoxia stimulation. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and SPP1 was detected by Western blot, and SPP1 expression was detected by flow cytometry. BMDMs were transfected with HIF-1α overexpression plasmid and HIF-1α small interfering RNA (siRNA) followed by hypoxia intervention, and the expression of HIF-1α and SPP1 was detected by Western blot. Mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) were co-cultured with the supernatant of BMDMs, and the expression of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT)-related markers was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results Single-cell transcriptome analysis showed that the proportion of SPP1+ macrophages in renal allograft tissues was significantly higher in the CAD group than in the CTL group (P<0.05). The renal injury score and the percentage of interstitial fibrotic area in the CAD group were significantly higher than those in the SYN group (both P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the proportion of SPP1+ macrophages was increased in the CAD group compared with the CTL group, and also increased in the CAD group compared with the SYN group (both P<0.05). VIPER analysis and DoRothEA transcription factor activity analysis revealed activation of the hypoxia pathway and upregulated expression of transcription factors such as HIF-1α in SPP1+ macrophages. SPP1 expression was elevated in BMDMs under hypoxic conditions. Knockdown of HIF-1α inhibited hypoxia-induced SPP1 protein expression, whereas overexpression of HIF-1α upregulated SPP1 protein levels. After co-culture of hypoxia-induced BMDMs with MAECs, the expression levels of EndMT-related markers were increased. Conclusions SPP1+ macrophages differentiated under hypoxia are significantly infiltrated in the formation of chronic renal allograft fibrosis, and may promote renal allograft fibrosis by inducing EndMT in renal vascular endothelial cells.
2.Salidroside exerts cytoprotective effects on bone endothelial progenitor cells via the AMPK pathway in atherosclerotic mouse model
Fang JIA ; Mengfei WANG ; Sifan FEI ; Jiayi XU ; Tianhong YU ; Lin ZHU ; Min ZHOU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):653-661
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of salidroside (SAL) on the impaired bioactivity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in atherosclerotic (As) mice and the potential mechanisms regarding AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). MethodsAtherosclerosis was induced in 8-week-old male ApoE-/- mice with high-fat diet. Intragastric administration of SAL was given to one mice group to investigate the effects of SAL on aortic plaque burden, plasma NO level, the migration and angiogenic capabilities of bone marrow-derived EPCs (BM-EPCs). The proliferation, migration and vasculogenic properties of EPCs isolated from As mice were investigated in vitro. AMPK-sh-RNA or the AMPK inhibitor Compound C was used to investigate the role of AMPK/Akt/eNOS pathway in the regulatory effects of SAL. ResultsCompared with As group, NO level was significantly elevated in SAL group. The sizes of atherosclerotic plaques at the aortic root were reduced with smaller lipid cores in SAL group compared with As group. Moreover, the migration and angiogenesis capacity of EPCs markedly decreased in As mice, while SAL treatment reversed these impairments. Incubation with SAL at concentrations of 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L for 48 hours significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs. AMPK-sh-RNA transfection abrogated the 20 μmol/L SAL improvement in EPC biological activities. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that treatment with Compound C blocked the activation of AMPK/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway induced by SAL. ConclusionSAL upregulates the biological functions of EPCs through activating the AMPK/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating EPC dysfunction during the pathological progression of atherosclerosis.
3.A Brief Exploration of Endogenous Wind (内风) by Tracing Its Origin and Development
Xiaojin QIU ; Min LI ; Fei YU ; Ruiying SHU ; Dandan DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):197-200
The historical development of endogenous wind (内风) is traced with time as the thread, based on the progression of factors such as syndromes, causes of disease, and pathogenesis. It is believed that the concept of wind syndrome originated in The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》), encompassing both exogenous wind (外风) and endogenous wind syndrome. Over time, exogenous wind syndrome gradually evolved into mild syndromes and severe syndromes, while endogenous wind syndrome emerged from severe syndromes of exogenous wind. Endogenous wind syndrome has both syndrome and pathogenic attributes, and its theoretical system has gradually become more refined. Based on the theories of ancient and modern medical practitioners, and combining the holistic perspectives with Xiang (象) thinking, it is proposed that endogenous wind has both physiological and pathological distinctions. The physiological endogenous wind refers to the liver's moderate dispersing and regulating function, which helps to distribute qi (气), blood, and body fluids, while pathological endogenous wind arises from abnormal liver dispersal. Therefore, in clinical practice, different treatment methods, such as tonifying, unblocking, and warming, can be applied according to the differentiation of deficiency and excess in the pathogenesis.
4.Clinical features of traumatic optic neuropathy in 323 cases
Ziyi ZHANG ; Yan JIANG ; Min CHEN ; Fei CHE ; Junfeng WEN ; Na LI ; Jianbao JU
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(10):1284-1290
Objective:To analyze the clinical features of patients with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) and to explore its clinical patterns and treatment outcomes.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 323 patients (334 eyes) with TON, who were treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from April 1999 to October 2024. Among these patients, 288 were male and 35 were female, with ages ranging from 4 to 70 years. All patients were followed up for a period of 6 to 24 months, with the final follow-up visual acuity recorded as the ultimate visual outcome. The visual acuity evaluation criteria were classified into five levels: no light perception, light perception, hand movement in front of the eye, counting fingers at 1 meter, and "chart-visible acuity". A treatment outcome was deemed effective if the post-treatment visual acuity improved by one level or more compared to pre-treatment, or if the chart-visible acuity improved by two lines or more on the logMAR chart. The clinical characteristics of patients, causes of injury, complications, treatment methods, and changes in visual acuity before and after treatment were summarized. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the influencing factors affecting treatment efficacy.Results:TON occurred mostly in young (215/323, 66.56%) males (288/323, 89.16%), the majority of patients came from villages and towns (236/323, 73.07%). Traffic accidents (232/323, 71.83%) remained the main etiology. Most patients had craniofacial injuries and other bodily injuries. The effective rate of vision improvement was 50.30% (168/334). Multiple logistic regression analyses identified that residual vision (light perception or better) at presentation ( OR=3.26, P<0.001) and receiving treatment within 7 days after injury ( OR=2.04, P=0.008) were protective factors on visual acuity recovery, while the presence of orbital wall fracture was a risk factor for visual acuity recovery ( OR=0.26, P<0.001). Additionally, undergoing surgical treatment was a protective factor for visual improvement in patients with no light perception ( OR=2.94, P=0.007). For patients with residual vision at presentation, orbital wall fracture was a significant risk factor ( OR=0.28, P=0.009). Conclusions:TON is more prevalent in young males and is primarily caused by traffic accidents, leading to a poor prognosis. Timely medical intervention following injury significantly influences prognostic outcomes. Early surgical intervention (within 7 days) is recommended, particularly for patients with no light perception at presentation.
5.Survival analysis and prognostic factors of a long-course venetoclax-based regimen in acute myeloid leukemia
Kong FANCONG ; Ji DEXIANG ; Yu MIN ; Qi LING ; Song BAOQUAN ; Chen ZHIWEI ; Li TIANTIAN ; Zhang LUTAO ; Li FEI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(10):515-522
Objective:To explore the survival and prognostic factors of a long-course venetoclax-based(VEN-based)regimen in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia(AML)and provide evidence for the maintenance treatment of AML.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted in patients who received a VEN-based regimen and completed at least four courses of efficacy evaluation at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May 2021 to January 2024.The composite complete response rate(cCR),minimal residual disease(MRD)-negative rate,overall survival(OS)time,relapse-free survival(RFS)time,and adverse events were analyzed.Results:Overall,30 newly diagnosed patients with AML were enrolled in this study.The median age was 65(range,53-78)years,and the median number of treat-ment cycles was 7(range,4-20)years.After one cycle,the CR-and MRD-negative rates were 80.0%and 63.3%,respectively.The cumulative cCR was 96.7%,and MRD negative rate was 80.0%,respectively.The median follow-up time was 21.3(95%confidence intervals 14.7-27.9)months.The median OS time was 32.3 months and RFS time was not reached.The 2-year OS and RFS rates were 70.6%and 54.8%,respect-ively.Univariate analysis suggested that ELN2017 risk stratification and relapse status affected RFS and OS(P<0.05).However,the multivari-ate analysis failed to reveal any relationship between these factors and survival(P>0.05).In terms of safety,hematological adverse events were the most common,followed by infections.Overall,the VEN-based regimen was tolerated for patients with AML.Conclusions:A long-course VEN-based regimen is effective and safe.More than half of patients survive for>2 years,and it can be used as an effective mainten-ance treatment option for patients with AML.
6.Drug interaction of donepezil combined with moxifloxacin
Xuemei SUN ; Zhenying ZHAO ; Yuxi WANG ; Peipei CHEN ; Zixuan LI ; Min ZHANG ; Fei YU
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(6):517-522
Objective To investigate the drug-drug interaction between donepezil hydrochloride and moxifloxacin hydrochloride during combined administration through in vitro liver microsomal metabolism and changes in pharmacokinetic characteristics in rats.Methods A rat liver microsomal incubation system was constructed and optimized.Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)analysis of donepezil hydrochloride and high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)analysis of moxifloxacin hydro-chloride were performed.The pharmacokinetic and metabolic characteristics of the two drugs,alone and in combination,were compared in vitro using rat liver microsomes and in vivo using rats.Results In the liver microsomal system,the half-life(T1/2)of donepezil hydro-chloride in the combined administration 1 group was prolonged by 29.892%(P<0.01)and the intrinsic clearance(CLint)was reduced by 23.194%(P<0.01)compared with the donepezil hydrochloride group.Conversely,the metabolic parameters of moxifloxacin hydrochlo-ride in the combined administration 2 group did not differ significantly from that of the moxifloxacin hydrochloride group(P>0.05).In the in vivo study,the AUC0~t and AUC0~∞ of donepezil hydrochloride in the combined administration 1 group increased by 44.259%and 44.496%,respectively,maximum plasma concentration(Cmax)increased by 117.723%,T1/2 was prolonged by 98.063%,and CLint was reduced by 35.293%,compared with that in the donepezil hydrochloride group.Moreover,the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).The in vivo study findings were consistent with the results of the in vitro study.Conclusion A drug-drug interaction occurs when moxifloxacin hydrochloride is used in combination with donepezil hydrochloride.Moxifloxacin hydrochloride promotes the absorption of donepezil hydrochloride,inhibits its metabolism,slows its CLint,and increases donepezil exposure in the body.
7.Association between smoking status,cognitive function,and personality traits in first-episode male patients with schizophrenia
Cong LIU ; Fei ZHAI ; Min LI ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Han SHI ; Ningning GUO ; Chang-hong WANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(12):1922-1928
Objective To explore the associations among smoking behavior,cognitive function,and personality traits in first-episode male patients with schizophrenia,thereby providing theoretical underpinnings for individualized treatment strategies in clinical settings.Methods A total of 140 first-episode male inpatients with schizophrenia admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were recruited.According to their smoking behavior,they were categorized into a smoking group(n=80)and a non-smoking group(n=60).Moreover,healthy controls were recruited and classified into a healthy smoking group(n=62)and a healthy non-smoking group(n=67)based on their smoking status.The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS)was employed to evaluate psychiatric symptoms in the schizophrenia groups.Nicotine dependence was measured using the Fagerstr?m Test for Nicotine Dependence(FTND)in the two smoking groups.Cognitive function and personality traits were assessed in all participants using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status(RBANS)and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ),respectively.Results Regarding cognitive function,the smoking group among schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly higher scores than the non-smoking group in immediate memory,attention,and delayed memory(all P<0.05).Among schizophrenia patients,FTND scores were moderately negatively correlated with attention and delayed memory(r=-0.552 and-0.657 respectively;both P<0.001).Concerning personality traits,smokers had significantly higher scores in neuroticism and psychoticism compared to non-smokers(both P<0.001).Both patient groups had significantly lower lie scale scores when contrasted with healthy controls(P<0.01),while the healthy smoking group showed significantly higher extraversion scores than the other groups.Conclusions The smoking behavior of male patients during their first episode of schizophrenia exhibits specific characteristics in relation to cognitive performance and personality traits.Smokers demonstrate relatively superior performance in cognitive domains including attention,immediate memory,and delayed memory.However,higher degrees of nicotine dependence are associated with poorer cognitive function,especially in the aspects of attention and delayed memory.Regarding personality,smoking patients display elevated levels of neuroticism and psychoticism.These findings indicate that smoking behavior may be closely associated with cognitive functioning and personality traits,thus meriting clinical attention in the management of schizophrenia.
8.mRNA vaccine molecular design,delivery,and molecular mechanisms of immune activation
Hui-min CHEN ; Fei-fei LIU ; Ke SHANG ; Chun-jie ZHANG ; Song-biao CHEN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):186-192
Vaccine immunization is the most effective and cost-efficient method for infectious disease prevention and control.Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia(caused by the novel coronavirus,COVID-19)at the end of 2019,third generation mRNA nucleic acid vaccines has been applied to stop viral spread.mRNA vaccines,rather than relying on the immune activation mode of traditional vaccines,are an innovative breakthrough using the body's own cells to produce antigens,thereby activating double specific immunity,forming immune memory,and providing more lasting specific immunity.Com-pared with the traditional first-generation(inactivated)and second-generation(genetically engineered)vaccines,mRNA vac-cines,because of the advantages provided by this platform,play important roles in the prevention and control of major sudden infectious diseases.Consequently,mRNA vaccines were the world's first COVID-19 vaccines to be applied clinically,thus ser-ving as a barometer in the field of vaccine research and development.Herein,the molecular design and presentation of mRNA vaccines,and the molecular mechanisms of their activation of the immune response are reviewed,to provide a theoretical basis for future application of novel mRNA vaccines in the prevention and control of animal infectious diseases.
9.Study on Risk Factors and Etiology of Urinary Tract Infection Caused by Urinary Calculi in Eastern Fujian Region
Jian CHEN ; Jian-ping WU ; Jian-jun LI ; Guo-min LI ; Fei-hui FANG ; Qiao-ming LIN
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(9):1534-1541
Objective:To explore the risk factors and etiological characteristics of urinary tract infection caused by urinary calculi in eastern Fujian region,in order to attract clinical attention and improve the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infection caused by urinary calculi.Methods:A total of 154 patients with urinary calculi admitted to Ningde People's Hospital(n=80)and Ningde Mindong Hospital(n=74)from November 2022 to October 2023 were selected as the main research objects.According to whether the patients had urinary tract infection,they were divided into infection group and non-infection group.The baseline data of the two groups were analyzed in detail,and the risk factors and pathogen distribution of urinary tract infection in patients with urinary calculi were analyzed.Results:There were 33 cases of urinary tract infection in 154 patients with urinary calculi,accounting for 21.43%.Univariate analysis showed that the urinary white blood cell count in the infection group was higher than that in the non-infection group,and the proportion of patients with effusion,urinary tract obstruction,calculi in the upper urinary tract,staghorn calculi,smoking history,diabetes,and urinary nitrite positive was higher than that in the uninfected group(P<0.05).The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that effusion,urinary tract obstruction,staghorn calculi,smoking history,diabetes,high urine white blood cell count and positive urine nitrite were independent risk factors for urinary tract infection in patients with urinary calculi(OR>1,P<0.05).A total of 33 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 33 patients in the infection group.Among them,23 strains(69.70%)were gram-negative bacteria,8 strains(24.24%)were gram-positive bacteria,and 2 strains(6.06%)were fungi.Among gram-negative bacteria,escherichia coli accounted for the highest proportion(48.48%),followed by klebsiella pneumoniae(9.09%).Among gram-positive bacteria,enterococcus faecalis accounted for the highest proportion(12.12%),followed by enterococcus faecium(6.06%).Candida and candida tropicalis in fungi was the same,accounted for 3.03%.Conclusion:The risk of urinary tract infection in patients with urinary calculi in eastern Fujian region is high.Effusion,urinary tract obstruction,staghorn calculi,smoking history,diabetes,high urine white blood cell count and positive urine nitrite are independent risk factors for urinary tract infection in patients with urinary calculi.The main urinary tract pathogens are gram-negative bacteria.
10.Establishment and application of ultra-fast real-time PCR for Brucella detection
Zhen-na XU ; Zhi-peng WU ; Wei-bin HONG ; Zhi-shen GUAN ; Qi-ming LIN ; Zuan-lan MO ; Yi-fei YE ; Hai-yan XIE ; Min LI ; Yan-qiu ZHU ; Xiao-jun LI ; Xian-peng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):278-283
This study was aimed at establishing a method of ultra-fast quantitative PCR for Brucella detection.We used an exogenous recombinant plasmid as the internal reference and targeted the T4SS secretion system,an important Brucella viru-lence factor,to design specific primers and probes.The sensitivity,specificity,and repeatability of this method were evaluated,and a standard curve was constructed.The coincidence rate of detection findings with this method versus quantitative PCR was determined.This method markedly decreased the detection time to only 10 minutes.The standard curve demonstrated a good linear relationship(Y=-3.410 7x+38.357,R2=0.998 5)with a low minimum detection limit of 10 copies/μL.The method exhibited good specificity and did not specifically amplify several common clinical bacteria other than Brucella.The de-tection of three concentrations of positive plasmids yielded coefficients of variation(CVs)of 0.20%to 0.91%,thus demonstra-ting the method's excellent repeatability.Furthermore,140 clinical samples were analyzed concurrently with the fluorescence PCR method,which yielded a 100%compliance rate and consistent results.Our findings indicated that the Brucella ultra-fast quantitative PCR was ultrafast;had high sensitivity,high specificity,and good specificity;and can be used for the clinical de-tection of Brucella and emergency investigation of epidemics.Therefore,this method is valuable for the early diagnosis of Bru-cella.

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