1.Construction of a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated VEGFA gene knockout vector and its effects on ARPE-19 cells
Wenhua ZHANG ; Jingxuan XU ; Keying CAO ; Chunmei WANG ; Zongming SONG ; Xiaoli LI
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1127-1132
AIM: To develop a novel gene-delivery therapeutic based on CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology capable of specifically targeting and knocking out the VEGFA gene, thereby achieving sustained suppression of VEGFA expression in retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells and providing a new strategy for gene therapy in retinal neovascular diseases.METHODS:Single guide RNAs targeting the human VEGFA gene for knockout were designed, and corresponding recombinant plasmids were constructed. A novel polymer(PTEE)was used to encapsulate the plasmids to prepare a PTEE-loaded anti-VEGFA plasmid(PLAP)gene delivery system. PTEE materials at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 μg/μL were co-incubated with ARPE-19 cells, and the biocompatibility of PTEE was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay. Recombinant plasmids expressing green fluorescent protein(GFP)were constructed. Lipofectamine 3000 and jetOPTIMUS®DNA transfection reagents were used as control groups, and PTEE nanomaterials were used as the experimental group to encapsulate the plasmids. When the cell confluence reached 80%, the formulations were transfected into ARPE-19 and 293T cells. GFP expression was observed under light microscopy, and the transfection efficiencies of each group were compared. ARPE-19 cells were induced under hypoxia, and PLAP was transfected into the cells. The expression level of VEGFA was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)to evaluate the efficacy of this novel gene delivery system.RESULTS: After co-incubation of ARPE-19 cells with different concentrations of PTEE for 24 h and 48 h, no significant effect on cell viability was observed in any group. The transfection efficiency of PLAP in ARPE-19 cells was higher than that in the Lipo3000 and jetOPTIMUS groups, with statistically significant differences(P<0.01). Hypoxia for 6 h significantly induced the upregulation of VEGFA mRNA expression in ARPE-19 cells, and under hypoxic conditions, the PTEE group exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on VEGFA expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:PLAP exhibits favorable biocompatibility and prominent VEGFA inhibitory effects in vitro, making it a potential candidate drug for gene therapy of retinal neovascular diseases.
2.Association between household solid fuel use for cooking and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly adults in rural China: Evidence from the China Family Panel Studies Database
Ting YANG ; Yong LIU ; Xufeng LI ; Yun GAI ; Zhihao XIE ; Junkui WANG ; Yong YU ; Jingxuan WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):926-931
Background Although current evidence suggests a link between outdoor air pollution and depressive symptoms, the effect of solid fuel use (a significant indoor air pollutant) on depressive symptoms in China's rural middle-aged and elderly population remains poorly understood. Objective To explore the association between solid fuel use for cooking and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly people in rural areas of China, and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of depressive symptoms among residents in rural areas. Methods Data were obtained from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), depressive symptoms were assessed using 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and cooking fuel type was self-reported. Subsequently, two-level binary unconditional logistic regression models were fitted to assess the impact of solid fuel use for cooking on depressive symptoms. Results A total of
3.Metabolite identification and metabolic pathway analysis of pirtobrutinib in rats
Meijuan ZHANG ; Jie LI ; Hang YIN ; Mengyu HOU ; Jiangshuo LI ; Jingxuan WU ; Ruihua DONG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1076-1081
OBJECTIVE To analyze and identify the metabolites of pirtobrutinib (PTN) in rats, and clarify the possible metabolic pathways of PTN in rats. METHODS Six rats were intragastrically administered with 10 mg/kg PTN suspension. Blood samples were collected from the rats 30 minutes before administration and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 hours after administration. Urine and feces samples were collected 12 hours before administration and 24 hours after administration. UHPLC- Orbitrap Exploris 240 system combined with Compound Discoverer 3.0 and Xcalibur 2.0 software were adopted for structural identification and metabolic pathway analysis of PTN metabolites in rat plasma, urine, and feces. RESULTS A total of 29 PTN metabolites were identified, including 17, 19 and 22 metabolites in plasma, urine and feces, respectively. The metabolic pathways of PTN mainly included oxidation, sulfation, glucuronidation, etc., and its metabolites were mostly combination products of two or more different metabolic forms. In detail, a total of 26 metabolites were associated with phase Ⅰ metabolic reactions (14 oxidation metabolites, 9 reduction/dehydrogenation metabolites, 8 demethylation metabolites, and 5 hydrolysis metabolites). Meanwhile, a total of 20 products were involved in phase Ⅱ metabolites (14 sulfation metabolites and 8 glucuronic acid binding metabolites). CONCLUSIONS PTN exhibits a diverse range of metabolites in rat fecal samples, with the primary metabolic pathways being oxidation, sulfation, glucuronidation, and others.
4.New insights into the dule roles CDK12 in human cancers: Mechanisms and interventions for cancer therapy.
Wei DAI ; Dong XIE ; Hao HUANG ; Jingxuan LI ; Caiyao GUO ; Fuqiang CAO ; Luo YANG ; Chengyong ZHONG ; Shenglan LIU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):101173-101173
The dysregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), which may result from genomic alterations or modulation by upstream effectors, is implicated in cancer oncogenesis and progression. CDK12 overexpression or activation is sufficient to induce tumor initiation, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance. However, CDK12 may also exert tumor-suppressive functions in a context-dependent manner. Therefore, caution is warranted when targeting CDK12 in future clinical trials. A comprehensive elucidation of the dual roles and underlying mechanisms of CDK12 in carcinogenesis is urgently needed to advance precision oncology. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the dysregulation and biological roles of CDK12 in cancer. Subsequently, we systematically summarize the functions and mechanisms of the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of CDK12 in different contexts. Finally, we discuss the potential of CDK12 as a novel therapeutic target and its implications in clinical oncology, offering insights into future directions for innovative cancer treatment strategies.
5.Effect and mechanism of Macleaya cordata extract promoting the growth per-formance of Sichuan White Geese by regulating apoptosis
Yufei XIE ; Pingrui YANG ; Xifeng LI ; Huan HUANG ; Fuxing GUI ; Jingxuan NI ; Shich-eng BI ; Yongfeng HAO ; Chonghua ZHONG ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(9):2040-2050
To explore the effect of Macleaya cordata extract(MCE)on growth performance and serum biochemistry of Sichuan White Geese,and to analyze its mechanism of action by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology combined with animal experiments verification.A total of 90 1-day-old healthy goslings were randomly divided into 5 groups with 18 goslings per group after 5 d of adaptive feeding.The control group(CON)was fed with basal diet,the antibiotic group(CTC)was supplemented with 450 mg/kg chlortetracycline premix,and the low MCE group(MCEL),medium MCE group(MCEM)and high MCE group(MCEH)were supple-mented with 200,300 and 400 mg/kg MCE,respectively.The experimental period was 21 d.On the basis of the above experiments,Network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were used to predict the core targets and signaling pathways of MCE to promote geese growth from the levels of antioxidant,immune and apoptosis,and the expression levels of the core target genes were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.The results showed that compared with the CON group,MCE supplementation could increase the average daily weight gain,decrease the ratio of feed to gain,significantly increase the contents of serum GH,T3,T4,TP and ALB(P<0.05),and significantly decrease the contents of serum AST and TG(P<0.05).Network pharmacology analysis predicted 2 active ingredient and 237 active ingredient targets,and concluded that the mechanism of MCE promoting the growth of Sichuan White Geese may be related to the role of 5 key targets such as SRC,HSP90AA1,CASP3,ESR1 and MAPK14,and the action of MAPK,apop-tosis and other signaling pathways.Molecular docking results showed that the active ingredients of sanguinarine and chelerythrine in MCE could act through MAPK14.The validation results of core targets showed that MCE could significantly reduce the mRNA expression levels of CytC,CASP2,CASP3 and CASP9 in spleen(P<0.05)and significantly increase the mRNA expression levels of Mcl-1(P<0.05).These results indicated that MCE could promote the growth performance of Si-chuan White Geese by regulating apoptosis,promoting the secretion of serum growth-related hor-mones and improving biochemical indicators.
6.New insights into the dule roles CDK12 in human cancers:Mechanisms and interventions for cancer therapy
Wei DAI ; Dong XIE ; Hao HUANG ; Jingxuan LI ; Caiyao GUO ; Fuqiang CAO ; Luo YANG ; Chengyong ZHONG ; Shenglan LIU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):1477-1496
The dysregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 12(CDK12),which may result from genomic alterations or modulation by upstream effectors,is implicated in cancer oncogenesis and progression.CDK12 over-expression or activation is sufficient to induce tumor initiation,recurrence,and therapeutic resistance.However,CDK12 may also exert tumor-suppressive functions in a context-dependent manner.Therefore,caution is warranted when targeting CDK12 in future clinical trials.A comprehensive elucidation of the dual roles and underlying mechanisms of CDK12 in carcinogenesis is urgently needed to advance pre-cision oncology.This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the dysregulation and biological roles of CDK12 in cancer.Subsequently,we systematically summarize the functions and mechanisms of the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of CDK12 in different contexts.Finally,we discuss the potential of CDK12 as a novel therapeutic target and its implications in clinical oncology,offering insights into future directions for innovative cancer treatment strategies.
7.Influencing factors and risk analysis of anxiety and depression in occupational population
Yuling CHEN ; Jingxuan MA ; Yajia LAN ; Ning LI ; Hongjian WANG ; Liming QUAN
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(1):44-48
Objective:To identify and evaluate the important risk factor set of anxiety and depression in occupational population, establish a risk prediction model, and provide scientific basis for making targeted mental health protection plan and promoting the mental health of workers.Methods:In August 2016, a cluster random sampling method was used to investigate 807 employees who underwent physical examination in a hospital as research objects. The simplified Chinese version of the core job content questionnaire, Athens Insomnia Scale, AIS-5 and Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90) were used for the Occupational stress, insomnai and negative emotional symptom investigation. Chi-square and Fisher exact probability method were used for data analysis, and Bayesian network was used for model construcion and analysis.Results:The score of occupational stress was 0.88±0.15, and the incidence of occupational stress was 18.09% (146/807). AIS-5 scores were (3.03±2.82), and the incidence of insomnia was 15.99% (129/807). Depression (16.89±5.73) scores, anxiety (12.36±4.11) scores. Depression (16.89±5.73) score, anxiety (12.36±4.11) score, the detection rate was 8.55% (69/755), 7.31% (59/762). Gender, illness, education, insomnia and occupational stress were correlated with depression ( P<0.01), while education, illness, insomnia and anxiety were correlated ( P<0.05). When both occupational stress and insomnia existed, the detection rate of depression was the highest (0.4006) . Conclusion:Insomnia was a valid predictor of anxiety and depression, suggesting that occupational groups should pay attention to sleep quality and managers should rationalize work tasks in order to reduce the risk of anxiety and depression.
8.Market Access Policy for New Antimicrobial Drugs:International Experience and Inspiration
Baolong DING ; Qiang LIU ; Jingxuan WEI ; Yuyang SUN ; Wenmin DU ; Xin LI
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(3):416-421
Objective By reviewing the access policies for new antimicrobial drugs internationally,this study provides a reference for the development of China's antimicrobial drug access policy.Methods The Chinese and English databases,offi-cial websites of health agencies,and health technology assessment agencies of various countries(CNKI,PubMed,NICE in the UK,HAS in France,etc.)were searched to collect and sort out the access policies of new antibacterial drugs.Taking the antibacte-rial drug ceftazidime-avibactam and the antifungal drug esaconazole sulfate as examples,the key evidence points for the evaluation of antibacterial drugs in the market access process of medical insurance were analyzed.Finally,the author put forward suggestions for China's antibacterial drug access policy based on the opinions of experts in related fields of antibacterial drugs in China.Re-sults Access policies for antimicrobial drugs had already established in the UK,US,EU,Sweden Switzerland,and Republic of Korea.These policies included a series of measures such as evaluation approval rewards,patent extensions,additional reimburse-ment,decoupling sales revenue from sales volume,etc.,with the ultimate goal being to encourage research and development of new antibiotics while reducing resistance rates.The review found that besides evaluating the safety,economy,and cost-effectiveness,some evaluation agencies also consider the actual clinical value and social value of drugs when reviewing the evidence of two types of new antibacterial drugs in the medical insurance access link.Conclusion China can draw upon international framework principles while considering unique demands such as national antibiotic management policy or national healthcare negotiation re-quirements to provide certain policy support throughout the market access process for new antimicrobials due to their unique val-ues so that it can encourage research & development while curbing antibiotic resistance.
9.Exploring the causal relationship between gut microbiota and gout: a Mendelian randomization study
Xinling LIU ; Zewen WU ; Ruonan WU ; Jingxuan LI ; Li ZHAO ; Qianyu GUO ; Liyun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2025;29(9):780-787
Objective:Using Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the unidirectional causal effects of gut microbiota on gout and serum uric acid levels.Methods:The Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The gut microbiota was used as the exposure factor, with gout and serum uric acid levels as the outcomes, utilizing the MiBioGen Consortium, FinnGen GWAS, and CKDGen Consortium meta-analysis databases. The analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) approach. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. This study used RStudio 4.3.1 software for analysis.Results:The IVW results confirmed that 17 microbiota taxa were associated with gout, including class Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], family Verrucomicrobiaceae [ OR(95% CI)=1.161(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Akkermansia [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], genus Collinsella [ OR(95% CI)=1.257(1.043, 1.516), P=0.016], genus Eubacterium hallii group [ OR(95% CI)=1.226(1.022, 1.471), P=0.027], genus Howardella [ OR(95% CI)=1.094(1.001, 1.195), P=0.046], genus Ruminococcaceae UCG010 [ OR(95% CI)=1.317(1.089, 1.593), P=0.004], order Clostridiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.182(1.007,1.387), P=0.041], order Verrucomicrobiales [ OR(95% CI)=1.162(1.004, 1.344), P=0.044], class Melainabacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.894(0.804, 0.994), P=0.038], family Streptococcaceae [ OR(95% CI)=0.851(0.727, 0.996), P=0.044], unknown family [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Streptococcus [ OR(95% CI)=0.836(0.710, 0.983), P=0.030], unknown genus [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800, 0.989), P=0.030], genus Victivallis [ OR(95% CI)=0.857(0.736, 0.998), P=0.046], order Gastranaerophilales [ OR(95% CI)=0.890(0.800,0.989), P=0.030], and phylum Bacteroidetes [ OR(95% CI)=0.827(0.692, 0.989), P=0.037]. Additionally, 5 microbiota taxa were associated with serum uric acid levels: phylum Actinobacteria [ OR(95% CI)=0.963(0.925, 0.992), P=0.027], family ⅩⅢ [ OR(95% CI)=0.965(0.932, 1.008), P=0.035], genus Escherichia Shigella [ OR(95% CI)=1.047(1.005,1.089), P=0.034], genus Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.974(0.941, 1.003), P=0.028], and genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group [ OR(95% CI)=0.966(0.943, 0.995), P=0.018]. No abnormalities in SNPs were found in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion:An increase in the levels of class Verrucomicrobiae, family Verrucomicrobiaceae, genus Akkermansia, and genus Escherichia Shigella is associated with an increased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels, while an increase in the levels of class Melainabacteria, family Streptococcaceae, unknown family, phylum Actinobacteria, and family ⅩⅢ is associated with a decreased risk of gout or serum uric acid levels.
10.Association of preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels with adverse outcomes 1 year after endovascular revascularization in diabetes complicated with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans
Yuanyuan DU ; Qingfeng WU ; Lan LI ; Cong LU ; Jingxuan WANG ; Junbo ZHANG ; Qingbin ZHAO
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):463-471
Objective To explore the impact of preoperative fibrinogen levels on the 1-year adverse outcomes after endovascular revascularization in patients with diabetes complicated with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans(LEASO).Methods We collected the baseline clinical data of 289 patients with diabetes complicated with LEASO,who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from May 2020 to December 2022 for endovascular revascularization.All patients were followed up for 13 to 24 months after interventional therapy,with the follow-up information including major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs)such as all-cause death,acute myocardial infarction and acute stroke,as well as major adverse lower extremity events(MALEs)such as rest pain in the lower extremities,ulcers or skin defects,gangrene,reocclusion and amputation.A multivariable Cox regression model was used to analyze the related risk factors for adverse outcomes 1 year after endovascular revascularization in patients with diabetes complicated with LEASO,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were constructed to evaluate the predictive efficacy and optimal cutoff value of fibrinogen levels for endpoint events,and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were drawn.Sensitivity analysis was made to assess the differences in the impact of fibrinogen on endpoint events across various subgroups.Results We recruited a total of 289 patients(55 patients in MACEs and 234 in non-MACEs;68 patients in MALEs and 221 in non-MALEs),with a mean age of 67.6±9.3 years,including 215 males.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that elevated plasma fibrinogen was an independent risk factor for MACEs(HR=1.250,95%CI:1.053-1.484,P=0.011)and all-cause death(HR=1.297,95%CI:1.030-1.633,P=0.027)in the cohort followed up 1 year after interventional therapy,but had no significant impact on the occurrence of MALEs(P=0.625).Baseline plasma fibrinogen level 4.32 g/L was the optimal cutoff value for predicting MACEs(sensitivity=0.673,95%CI:0.582-0.767;specificity=0.688,95%CI:0.562-0.775)and all-cause death(sensitivity=0.679,95%CI:0.483-0.880;specificity=0.651,95%CI:0.465-0.755).The AUC for predicting MACEs and all-cause death after interventional therapy was 0.652(95%CI:0.564 2-0.739 1)and 0.619(95%CI:0.507-0.733),respectively.After a median follow-up of 14.03 months,patients with preoperative fibrinogen level ≥ 4.32 g/L had a significantly higher risk of MACEs and all-cause death compared to patients with preoperative fibrinogen<4.32 g/L(P<0.001),and there were no significant differences in different subgroups,including gender(male/female,interaction P=0.836),age(<65 years/≥65 years,interaction P=0.211),smoking status(never smoked/current or former smoker,interaction P=0.779),chronic kidney disease(yes/no,interaction P=0.360),and heart failure(yes/no,interaction P=0.114).Conclusion Preoperative plasma fibrinogen≥4.32 g/L is an effective indicator for predicting MACEs and all-cause mortality following endovascular revascularization in patients with diabetes and LEASO.

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