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.Construction and application of enterovirus D68 infectious clone expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein
Dong ZHANG ; Fengyu CHI ; Xu ZHANG ; Yuting ZHAO ; Xiaoqian WANG ; Juan LI ; Zhenjie ZHANG ; Jie TONG ; Yuming LI
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(11):906-913
Objective:To construct a full-length infectious clone of enterovirus D68(EV-D68)expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP)by reverse genetics in order to provide an efficient tool for studying the biological characteristics and screening antiviral drugs for EV-D68.Methods:Gene synthesis and overlap PCR techniques were used to construct the full-length clone plasmid pUC57-EV-D68 of EV-D68. The full-length viral sequence was then transferred into the pCAGGS plasmid to obtain the pCAGGS-EV-D68 plasmid. The EGFP gene was amplified and inserted into the pCAGGS-EV-D68 plasmid to construct the pCAGGS-EGFP-EV-D68 plasmid. Then,the two constructed plasmids were transfected into human rhabdomyosarcoma(RD)cells to rescue recombinant viruses RV-EV-D68 and RV-EGFP-EV-D68. The rescued viruses were identified using PCR,Western blot,and immunofluorescence techniques. The antiviral effect of doxycycline was evaluated using the rescued RV-EGFP-EV-D68. Statistical analysis was performed using the two independent samples t-test. Results:The recombinant virus RV-EGFP-EV-D68 capable of expressing EGFP was successfully rescued. Even after 15 serial passages,the virus retained EGFP expression with no significant difference in viral titers compared to the parental virus,indicating its stable passage in RD cells. Besides,the rescued strains exhibited similar replication characteristics to the parental virus. While at 24 and 36 h after infection,the titers of the rescued strains were significantly lower than that of the parental strain(both P<0.05). This study demonstrated that doxycycline significantly reduced the fluorescence intensity of RV-EGFP-EV-D68-infected RD cells( P<0.01). Meanwhile,a negative correlation was observed between the doxycycline concentration and the fluorescence intensity,indicating that the rescued virus could be used for antiviral drug evaluation. Conclusions:This study successfully constructs an infectious clone of EV-D68 expressing EGFP. The rescued recombinant virus RV-EGFP-EV-D68 has been verified to be applicable for the evaluation of antiviral drugs.
5.Innovative design and statistical considerations in vaccine clinical trials
Fengyu SUN ; Wen LIU ; Sijia DING ; Fangrong YAN ; Jun WANG ; Zhihang PENG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(2):254-259
In recent decades, the global community has encountered several significant viral outbreaks, including the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the Zika virus epidemic in South America, and the recent worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. In these instances, the deployment of effective vaccines has been instrumental in protecting public health. Nevertheless, as new challenges emerge in the prevention and management of infectious diseases, the traditional model of global vaccine development confronts both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. These circumstances underscore the limitations inherent in conventional vaccine development, particularly the protracted timelines and substantial costs involved. This article examines innovative approaches in contemporary vaccine clinical trials, investigates randomization techniques specific to vaccine studies, and delineates essential statistical considerations pertinent to vaccine trial design. The objective is to provide scientific support for vaccine development and to foster ongoing innovation and optimization within the realm of vaccine research and development.
6.A pedigree study of pontine autosomal dominant microangiopathy and leukoencephalopathy caused by COL4A1 gene mutation in 3′-untranslated region
Xiaoming QIN ; Rong LI ; Siyuan LIU ; Chenhong LI ; Shuai CHEN ; Jiewen ZHANG ; Fengyu WANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(10):1048-1056
Objective:To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of a Henan Han family with pontine autosomal dominant microangiopathy and leukoencephalopathy (PADMAL), aiming to enhance understanding of this disease.Methods:The proband was first admitted to the Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital, Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital in December 2019 due to cerebral infarction and unilateral limb numbness and weakness. Detailed medical history collection, pedigree mapping, whole-exome sequencing screening, and Sanger sequencing validation were performed for the proband and family members. The patients′ clinical manifestations, imaging features, neuropsychological scale assessment results, and pathological changes were summarized, and genetic analysis was conducted on the gene variant site. Relevant literature was reviewed to summarize the characteristics of PADMAL.Results:The proband was a 47-year-old female, with 3 generations of family members affected, including 7 patients, 3 of whom had died. The clinical features of the patients were similar, with the first stroke occurring around the age of 40, without vascular risk factors such as hypertension or diabetes. The main clinical manifestation was unilateral limb numbness and weakness. The proband and her niece sought medical attention due to stroke symptoms. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed acute infarct lesions located in the pons, accompanied by multiple oval infarct foci (the "raisin bread sign") and white matter hyperintensity changes. Genetic testing showed that 4 patients carried a heterozygous c. *34GT mutation in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the COL4A1 gene, while the other 4 unaffected family members did not carry this variant, consistent with genotype- phenotype co-segregation in the family. Conclusions:PADMAL is an extremely rare monogenic cerebral small vessel disease caused by pathogenic variants in the 3′-UTR of the COL4A1 gene. The "raisin bread sign" in the pons is a relatively specific imaging feature that distinguishes it from other cerebral small vessel diseases. For patients with this sign, genetic testing for PADMAL should be considered.
7.Progress in animal models of autosomal dominant cerebral arteriopathy with subcortical infarction and white matter encephalopathy
Xiaoyang AI ; Dandan GAO ; Junkui SHANG ; Fengyu WANG ; Yadan WANG ; Jiewen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(12):1343-1350
Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a non-atherosclerotic, non-amyloidogenic inherited cerebral small vessel disease caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene, typically manifesting in middle age. The diagnosis can be confirmed through the detection of granular osmiophilic material in skin biopsies and NOTCH3 gene mutations identified by genetic testing. However, the pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear, and treatment options are limited. A major contributing factor is that currently available preclinical animal models fail to adequately recapitulate the characteristic pathological features and clinical phenotypes of the disease. Therefore, a comprehensive review of recent advances in CADASIL animal models was conducted, and the advantages and limitations of existing models were systematically analyzed, aiming to offer guidance for selecting appropriate animal models in fundamental research and to propose future directions for developing experimental models.
8.Loneliness in mid- to late pregnancy and risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms in late pregnancy: a longitudinal cohort study
Ziwei DING ; Lanfang ZHAO ; Le WANG ; Shuangqin YAN ; Lanci XIE ; Guopeng GAO ; Tianli ZHU ; Jingjing LIU ; Tuyan FAN ; Fengyu YANG ; Hui GAO ; Huayan MO ; Wenjing QIANG ; Beibei ZHU ; Fangbiao TAO
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(12):1107-1114
Objective:To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and longitudinal associations of loneliness during mid- to late pregnancy with anxiety and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, 1 107 pregnant women at 24-28 weeks' gestation were enrolled between June 2021 and December 2022. Psychological status was assessed during mid-pregnancy (24-28 weeks) and late pregnancy (≥32 weeks) using standardized electronic questionnaires, including the Revised University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA) Loneliness Scale-Short Form (Cronbach's α=0.82), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ( α=0.86), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 ( α=0.88). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors for loneliness. Cross-lagged path models analyzed the longitudinal predictions between loneliness and anxiety/depressive symptoms. Results:The prevalence of loneliness decreased significantly from 10.8% (120/1 107) in mid-pregnancy to 4.8% (37/777) in late pregnancy ( χ2=21.81, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors for loneliness: age <30 years ( OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.15-2.50), annual household income <50 000 CNY ( OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.28-5.02), unemployment during pregnancy ( OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.39), history of alcohol consumption ( OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.03-2.56), and the presence of mid-pregnancy depressive ( OR=2.76, 95% CI: 1.51-5.04) and anxiety symptoms ( OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.01-2.71) (all P<0.05). Cross-lagged path models indicated bidirectional associations between loneliness and both anxiety ( β=0.32, P<0.01) and depressive symptoms ( β=0.28, P<0.01). However, the predictive effect of loneliness on subsequent depressive and anxiety symptoms ( β=0.28-0.32) was substantially stronger than the reverse prediction (mid-pregnancy anxiety on late-pregnancy loneliness: β=0.12; mid-pregnancy depression on late-pregnancy loneliness: β=0.11). Loneliness demonstrated high temporal stability (autoregressive effects β=0.29-0.32). Conclusion:Loneliness in mid-pregnancy exhibits a symmetric bidirectional association with anxiety and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy, suggesting it may be a core driver in the development of these emotional symptoms. Younger maternal age (<30 years), low household income (<50 000 CNY/year), unemployment during pregnancy, and a history of alcohol consumption were associated with a higher risk of loneliness and should be prioritized for psychological screening and intervention.
9.Investigation on the clinical status of optical surface guided radiotherapy technology
Yue WANG ; Fengyu LU ; Meng LIANG ; Fukui HUAN ; Jingjing LU ; Chao LI ; Shanshan XIA ; Yifan LIAN ; Tantan LI
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(4):318-325
Objective:To investigate the current status of clinical practice of optical surface guided radiation therapy (SGRT) technology in China.Methods:A survey questionnaire was designed based on a similar investigation conducted by the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology in collaboration with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine on SGRT. The questionnaire covered aspects such as the installation, implementation, commissioning, quality assurance, clinical application, challenges, and cost considerations of SGRT systems. An online questionnaire was distributed to 49 institutions in China that have installed or are in the process of installing SGRT systems. Data were summarized and analyzed using Excel and SPSS 29 software.Results:Among the 49 institutions, 96% had at least one SGRT system. In terms of commissioning, quality assurance and implementation, it was mainly operated by physicists (94%) and technicians (82%), the cycle of test items for quality assurance was only achieved by the highest percentage of units with end-to-end test items for the annual inspection (50%). Eighty-six percent of the institutions used phantoms provided by suppliers, and 53% followed supplier recommendations or guidelines. For the installation of the first SGRT system, 37% of the institutions reported that initial staff training required more than 48 hours, while 73% found the training content easy to understand. Regarding the clinical application of SGRT technology, the majority of the institutions (53%) had used it for 1-3 years, with breast radiotherapy being the most commonly used treatment site. The primary scenario of SGRT application was intra-fraction motion monitoring / patient monitoring (69%). Furthermore, 47% of the institutions combined SGRT with open-face masks, and 71% used visual feedback devices for breath-hold or free-breathing gating. In terms of treatment thresholds, the median thresholds for monitoring and positioning were the same for breast, abdominopelvic (non- stereotactic body radiation therapy), and head-and-neck (non-brain stereotactic radiosurgery) treatments but varied for other sites.Conclusions:Although SGRT technology requires a relatively long initial training period, it is generally well accepted in terms of training and operation. Clinically, SGRT has been widely applied in breast radiotherapy, playing a crucial role in patient monitoring and intra-fraction motion management. However, most institutions have had limited clinical experience with the technology, highlighting the need for continuous technical supervision and improvement. The establishment of standardized protocols is necessary to ensure broader clinical adoption and long-term effectiveness.
10.Innovative design and statistical considerations in vaccine clinical trials
Fengyu SUN ; Wen LIU ; Sijia DING ; Fangrong YAN ; Jun WANG ; Zhihang PENG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(2):254-259
In recent decades, the global community has encountered several significant viral outbreaks, including the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the Zika virus epidemic in South America, and the recent worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. In these instances, the deployment of effective vaccines has been instrumental in protecting public health. Nevertheless, as new challenges emerge in the prevention and management of infectious diseases, the traditional model of global vaccine development confronts both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. These circumstances underscore the limitations inherent in conventional vaccine development, particularly the protracted timelines and substantial costs involved. This article examines innovative approaches in contemporary vaccine clinical trials, investigates randomization techniques specific to vaccine studies, and delineates essential statistical considerations pertinent to vaccine trial design. The objective is to provide scientific support for vaccine development and to foster ongoing innovation and optimization within the realm of vaccine research and development.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail