1.Research progress of acetylation in the pathogenesis of MASLD
Li YAN ; Fengyu JU ; Xin SHEN ; Ye YU ; Wenhui WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):31-39
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, and its intricate pathogenesis presents challenges in the development of new drugs. As a common way of post-translational modification, acetylation regulates protein stability, enzyme activity, and subcellular localization, occurring extensively in MASLD-associated processes such as lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress. In this paper, we comprehensively review the mechanism of acetylation in MASLD, analyze the expression levels of acetylases in liver tissues of MASLD patients from the gene expression omnibus (GEO), discuss the changes in relevant enzyme expression and mechanisms in animal models, and further explore the feasibility of targeting acetylation for MASLD treatment, in the hope of offering a new perspective for advancing drug discovery in the field of MASLD.
2.Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease with peripheral neuropathy as the initial symptom: A pedigree analysis and literature review
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(7):646-651
Objective To summarize the diagnosis and treatment of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) with peripheral neuropathy as the initial symptom in a Han Chinese family, and to improve the clinical awareness of this disease through a literature review. Methods A pedigree investigation was performed for a patient with NIID who was admitted to the outpatient service of Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, in January 2023, and the clinical and imaging features of the family members were summarized. Various techniques, such as second-generation whole-exome sequencing, third-generation whole-genome sequencing, and PCR capillary electrophoresis, were used for genetic analysis, and a family lineage map was plotted. A literature review was performed to summarize the features of cases with peripheral neuropathy as the initial symptom. Results There were 3 generations and 16 members in this family, among whom 5 had clinical manifestations, 8 underwent blood sampling, and 3 were found to have a GCC repeat expansion mutation in the 5' non-coding region of the NOTCH2NLC gene. The proband was aged 39 years, with the initial symptom of weakness in the extremities, and cranial MRI did not show the characteristic signal of NIID, while electromyography suggested multiple peripheral nerve injuries in the extremities. Genetic testing showed that the proband, his aunt, and his cousin all had a GGC repeat expansion mutation in the NOTCH2NLC gene, with a number of more than 60 repeats (154,144,and 148,respectively). Conclusion In hereditary peripheral neuropathy, the possibility of NIID should be considered in case of negative results for common pathogenic genes. In addition, third-generation sequencing has a marked diagnostic value in repeat expansion mutation-related disorders.
3.Protective Effect of Bushen Zhuyun Prescription on Abortion Rats with Kidney Deficiency-Corpus Luteum Inhibition Syndrome via ERα/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathwa
Changyue SONG ; Siyu LI ; Fengyu HUANG ; Mingzhu QI ; Daiyue DING ; Shuangfei DENG ; Heqiao LI ; Jinghong XIE ; Guohua WANG ; Chen ZANG ; Hong XU ; Xiaohui SU ; Xiangying KONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):107-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Bushen Zhuyun prescription (BSZY) on abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome. MethodsAn abortion rat model with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome was constructed. Pregnant mice aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into a control group (Control), a model group (Model), low-dose BSZY (BSZY-L), medium-dose BSZY (BSZY-M), and high-dose BSZY (BSZY-H) groups (2.57, 5.14, 10.28 g·kg-¹), and a Zishen Yutai Pill (ZSYT) group (1.575 g·kg-¹). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate histopathological changes in ovarian and decidual tissue of rats in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure levels of estrogen (E₂), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. The candidate targets of BSZY were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform (TCMSP) and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP) v2.0 databases, while disease targets for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) were retrieved from GeneCards, DrugBank, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The intersection targets were identified by the Venny 2.1.0 platform. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted based on the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of BSZY. Additionally. Western blot was used to verify the effects of BSZY on the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) and explore its protective mechanism on RSA rats. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly decreased uterine, ovarian, and embryonic wet weights (P<0.05, P<0.01), with an abortion rate of 57.18%. The ovarian tissue showed varying degrees of reduction in primordial follicles, primary follicles, mature follicles, and corpora lutea, along with a large number of atretic follicles. The endometrium was thinner, and decidual tissue exhibited cellular edema and disorganized arrangement. In contrast, compared with the model group, the BSZY groups at all doses and the ZSYT group demonstrated increased uterine, ovarian, and embryonic wet weights, along with a reduced abortion rate. The number of primordial follicles, primary follicles, mature follicles, and corpora lutea increased, while atretic follicles decreased. The endometrium thickened, and decidual tissue displayed normal cellular structure with tight arrangement. Additionally, the model group showed significantly decreased levels of E₂, P, PRL, and FSH in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), along with a decreasing trend in LH level. In contrast, the BSZY groups at all doses exhibited significantly elevated levels of E₂, P, LH, PRL, and FSH in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01). Network pharmacology predictions suggested that BSZY may exert protective effects against abortion in rats by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Western blot results confirmed that BSZY significantly upregulated the expression of ERα, PI3K, and p-Akt proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBSZY has a protective effect on the abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome, possibly by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to reduce ovarian apoptosis and regulate endocrine function, thereby lowering the abortion rate.
4.Differentiating consistency of meningioma based on grey-level histogram analysis of T2WI
Fengyu ZHOU ; Tao HAN ; Xianwang LIU ; Wenjie DONG ; Ting LU ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Junlin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(8):1151-1155
Objective To observe the value of grey-level histogram analysis based on T2WI for differentiating consistency of meningioma.Methods Data of 109 patients with meningioma were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into hard group(n=71)and soft group(n=38)according to the consistency of tumors.Tumor ROI was outlined on axial T2WI showing the largest tumor section,gray levels were extracted and histogram analysis was performed.The value of each histogram parameter were compared between groups.Then receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficiency for differentiating soft and hard meningioma.Results P1,P10,P50,P90,P99 and the mean grey levels on T2WI in soft group were all higher than those in hard group(all P<0.05),while the variance,the kurtosis and the skewness were not significantly different between groups(all P>0.05).The differentiating efficiency of P1,P10,P50,P90,P99 and the mean grey levels on T2WI were all fine,with AUC of 0.774 to 0.833,and no significant difference was found(all P>0.05).Conclusion Parameters of grey-level histogram analysis such as P1,P10,Ps0,P90,P99 and the mean values based on T2WI were all valuable for differentiating soft and hard meningioma.
5.Study on the expression, prognosis and mechanism of minichromosome maintenance protein 10 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2024;30(3):207-213
Objective:To investigate the expression, prognostic value and mechanism of MCM10 in hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC).Methods:The transcriptome and clinical data of hepatocellular carcinoma were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and the rank sum test was used to analyze the expression level of MCM10 in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between MCM10 expression level and the survival prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was utilized for pathway enrichment analysis between MCM10 high and low group gene expression profiles. The effect of MCM10 knockdown on the proliferation of HepG2 cells was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) cell viability assay. The effect of MCM10 knockdown on the expression of G1/S-specific cyclin D1 was detected by Western blot.Results:The expression value of MCM10 in hepatocellular carcinoma was 0.709±0.595, and that in adjacent tissues was 0.077±0.094 ( P<0.0 001). Cox regression analysis showed that high expression of MCM10 was a risk factor and prognostic predictor of overall survival ( HR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.19~1.48) and disease-specific survival ( HR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.22~1.61) in LIHC. GSEA analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in cell cycle, p53 signaling pathway and positive regulation of G1-S phase transition, et al. CCK-8 assay showed that MCM10 knockdown could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells. Western blot analysis further confirmed that knockdown of MCM10 expression inhibited the expression of cyclin D1 in HepG2 cells. Conclusions:MCM10 is a risk factor for the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, which can promote the proliferation of hepatoma cells through cyclin D1.
6.Jiawei Wendantang Regulates NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway to Reduce Inflammation in Rat Model of Diabetic Atherosclerosis
Chao LIU ; Lin WANG ; Fengyu YAO ; Yanmei HUANG ; Bingzhi WANG ; Yankun CUI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):71-77
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Jiawei Wendantang in preventing and treating diabetic atherosclerosis by observing the effect of this prescription on the nuclear factor-κB / NOD-like receptor protein 3(NF-κB/NLRP3) pathway and related inflammatory cytokines in rat model of diabetic atherosclerosis. MethodFifty-four SPF-grade rats were randomized into blank, model, atorvastatin (0.9 mg·kg-1·d-1), and high-, medium-, low-dose (18.2, 9.1, 4.55 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) Jiawei Wendantang groups. The rats in other groups except the blank group were modeled for diabetic atherosclerosis by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and feeding with a high-sugar high-fat diet, and those in the blank group were injected with an equal dose of citric acid buffer and fed with a regular diet. The drug administration lasted for 4 weeks, and the blood glucose level in the tail vein was measured every 6 days. After the last administration, the rats were anesthetized for sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Western blot was employed to determine the relative protein levels of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ICAM-1 in the abdominal aorta. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the abdominal aorta. The pathological changes in the thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated levels of IL-18, CRP, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 in the serum and blood glucose (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ICAM-1 (P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β (P<0.05). Compared with model group, Jiawei Wendantang lowered the levels of IL-18, CRP, TNF-α, ICAM-1 and blood glucose (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ICAM-1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, Jiawei Wendantang alleviated the pathological injuries in the thoracic aorta. ConclusionJiawei Wendantang may modulate the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway to reduce the release and adhesion of inflammatory cytokines and regulate the blood glucose level to treat diabetic atherosclerosis.
7.Clinical efficacy of anterior mediastinal tumor resection by thoracoscopic subcostal approach versus classic subxiphoid approach: A retrospective cohort study
Zefei LIAO ; Fengyu CHEN ; Yonglong LIN ; Ronghua WANG ; Gengjie WANG ; Le ZHANG ; Liangyun MA
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(12):1781-1787
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of two procedures in thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal tumor resection. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal tumor resection at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the 910th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force from October 2016 to January 2024. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical approach: a modified approach group (bilateral intercostal ports+two subcostal ports) and a classic subxiphoid approach group (one subxiphoid port+two subcostal ports). Perioperative data and postoperative improvement of myasthenia gravis (MG) subgroup were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 55 patients were included, including 27 males and 28 females with a mean age of (49.4±15.1) years. There were 23 patients in the modified approach group and 32 patients in the classic subxiphoid approach group. The modified approach group had shorter operation time [(129.0±20.5) min vs. (148.9±16.7) min, P<0.001], less intraoperative blood loss [(63.0±16.6) mL vs. (75.0±10.8) mL, P<0.001], shorter postoperative drainage tube removal time [(3.1±0.4) d vs. (3.9±0.6) d, P<0.001] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [(4.2±0.4) d vs. (5.0±0.6) d, P<0.001), and lower proportion of intraoperative cardiac dysfunction [4 (17.4%) vs. 14 (43.8%), P=0.040]. There was no statistical difference in maximum diameter of tumor resected [(4.5±1.7) cm vs. (4.0±0.9) cm, P=0.193] and postoperative drainage volume [(396.4±121.5) mL vs. (399.9±161.3) mL, P=0.932]. There was 1 patient of perioperative collateral injury in the modified approach group (pericardial injury), and 6 patients in the classic subxiphoid approach group (1 patient of diaphragm injury, 1 patient of liver contusion, 4 patients of pericardial injury). There was no statistical difference in pain scores at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after surgery (P>0.05). The postoperative improvement of MG symptoms in the modified approach group was better than that in the classic subxiphoid approach group at 1 year after surgery (complete stable remission rate: 77.8% vs. 50.0%; effective rate: 100.0% vs. 91.6%). No conversion to open chest surgery occurred in either group, and there were no postoperative rehospitalizations or deaths related to surgery within 30 days after surgery in both groups. Conclusion The modified approach is safe and controllable with more open surgical field and more reliable complete resection range than the classic subxiphoid approach group.
8.Multiple antibodies against-E,-c,-M,and-S:a case report
Wa GAO ; Bing LI ; Fengyu BAN ; Qiushi WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(5):511-515,533
Objective To identify antibody specificity in an elderly patient with hydronephrosis accompanied by ureter-al stones and shock who had multiple antibodies.Methods Microcolumn gel method was used to screen unexpected anti-bodies of red blood cells and identify antibodies.Enzyme method and antibody absorption method were used to help judge the specificity of antibodies in patients.The ABO blood type,Rh blood type and MNS blood type of patient were determined by saline tube method.Results The patient′s blood types were O,CCDee,NNss,and a combination of anti-E,anti-c,anti-M and anti-S antibodies was detected.Conclusion Repeated blood transfusion may lead to the presence of one or more un-expected antibodies in patients.Patients with multiple or high-frequency antibodies may experience difficulties in identifica-tion and delayed blood use.
9.Spatiotemporal expression specificity analysis of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy caused by DMD gene c.2622+2T>C variant
Liyu ZHANG ; Fengyu CHE ; Guoxia WANG ; Benchang LI ; Lidangzhi MO ; Ying YANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2024;40(2):153-161
Objective:To analyze the gene variants of a patient affected with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy in a pedigree and further explore the genotype-phenotype correlation for providing basis for family genetic counseling.Methods:The clinical features and family history of family members were collected.Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification(MLPA)was utilized to detect copy number variation of target genes.The pathogenic variations were ana-lyzed by whole exome sequencing(WES).The suspected gene variations were verified by Sanger sequencing.For the splice site mutations,mini-gene was constructed and expressed in vitro to detect the number of transcript and cDNA se-quence.Results:The proband of this family is a male,with no obvious involvement of the lower limbs.Laboratory tests showed an elevated level of creatine kinase(CK)in peripheral blood(700-1600 U/L),and electromyography showed myogenic damage.MLPA did not detect pathogenic exon copy number variation in dystrophin(DMD)gene.Genetic testing showed the proband carried a maternal hemizygotic splicing variation of DMD gene(NM_004006.2):c.2622+2T>C.An in vitro mini-gene splicing assay confirmed that this splicing mutation could affect RNA splicing.According to clinical features and genetic testing results,the proband was speculated first proof of Duchenne/Becker muscular dys-trophy(DMD/BMD)caused by DMD gene mutation.Conclusion:This study identified the pathogenic variation of a proband with DMD/BMD of DMD gene,which enriched the variation spectrum of DMD/BMD in China.It was con-firmed that the splicing variation of the DMD gene c.2622+2T>C can produce multiple transcripts leading to different functional impairments,and based on the specificity of temporal and spatial expression,it corresponded to the mild clin-ical manifestations of the patient,providing some reference value for the correlation between genotype and phenotype.
10.Clinical phenotype, genetic characteristics, and creation of immortalized cell lines for patients from a pedigree affected with Hunter syndrome
Benchang LI ; Fengyu CHE ; Lidangzhi MO ; Liyu ZHANG ; Guoxia WANG ; Ying YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(8):916-924
Objective:To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic variant in a Chinese pedigree affected with Hunter syndrome and create immortalized cell lines for the affected pedigree members.Methods:A pedigree of six members who had visited Xi′an Children′s Hospital in July 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data was collected. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for the pedigree members. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. In addition, peripheral B lymphocytes were transfected with Epstein-Barr virus to create immortalized cell lines, which were then subjected to enzyme activity analysis.Results:The patient, a five-year-and-seven-month-old boy, had exhibited stiff limbs and enlarged joints. He had developed hernia, scaphocephaly, and barrel chest from 3 months of age. His uncle also had stiff limbs, poor hearing, blindness, and right oblique inguinal hernia. Above features had resembled those of Hunter syndrome. Genetic testing revealed that both the child and his uncle had harbored an IDS (NM_000202.8): c. 823G>A (p.D275N) variant, which was unreported previously. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the D275 to be a highly conserved site, and the D275N variant may affect the stability of the protein′s spatial conformation, thereby decrease the catalytic activity of the enzyme. The successfully constructed immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines for the child and his parents showed increased volume, irregular shape, burr structure and cluster growth. And the value of IDS activity of the patient′s immortalized lymphoblastoid cells was below the limit of detection. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PS3+ PM2_Supporting+ PM5+ PP1+ PP3). Conclusion:Above finding has enriched the phenotypic and mutational spectra of Hunter syndrome, and provided a basis for the genetic counseling for this pedigree. The creation of immortalized cell lines has offered a model for further investigation of the impact of variant on the function of IDS and development of targeted drugs.

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