1.Autophagy-related gene expression in pulmonary fibrosis models:bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation
Kexin LIU ; Kaimin HAO ; Wenyue ZHUANG ; Zhengyi LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1129-1138
BACKGROUND:The stress effect of autophagy on epithelial cells,fibroblasts and myofibroblasts is closely related to the formation process of pulmonary fibrosis.OBJECTIVE:To screen the genes related to autophagy in patients with pulmonary fibrosis,and explore their correlation with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis,in order to provide a new target for clinical intervention in pulmonary fibrosis.METHODS:The gene expression profiling dataset downloaded from GSE70866 was used as a training set,differentially expressed genes between pulmonary fibrosis patients and normal healthy individuals was analyzed using the R language and intersected with autophagy-related genes to identify the differentially expressed genes with the most significant changes.Multiple analysis methods were used to identify key prognostic genes and construct genetic prognostic models.Patients with pulmonary fibrosis were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups according to their risk scores,and the validity of the prognostic model was verified using the Siena cohort and Leuven cohort validation sets.A cell model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by inducing HFL-1 cells(human embryonic lung fibroblasts)with transforming growth factor-β1,and an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis was established in mice by tracheal instillation of bleomycin to validate the expressions of prognostic genes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There were 2 650 differentially expressed genes between fibrotic tissue and normal tissue.Among them,34 genes related to autophagy showed significant expression changes.(2)Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curves for the Siena cohort and Leuven cohort validation sets showed significantly lower survival in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group.(3)Three autophagy genes related to prognosis were screened out:myelocytomatosis viral oncogene(MYC),C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2),and GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1(GABARAPL1).(4)Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that compared with the control group,the expression levels of myelocytomatosis viral oncogene and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the lung fibrosis model group(P<0.01,P<0.05),while the expression levels of GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1 mRNA and protein were lower(P<0.001).To conclude,bioinformatics methods are used to analyze the expression of three autophagy-related genes in pulmonary fibrosis and their correlation with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.The constructed prognostic model has good predictive ability for the 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.Moreover,in vivo and in vitro models have been used to verify that myelocytomatosis viral oncogene and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 are highly expressed in lung fibroblasts and tissues,and that GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1 is lowly expressed.
2.Potential Mechanism of Zuojinwan in Improving Liver Fibrosis Based on Hepatic Tissue Metabolomics
Yiting JIANG ; Kexin LIU ; Yixi QIAN ; Rui ZHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Hongyan WU ; Li CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):54-61
ObjectiveThis study aims to elucidate the potential mechanism of Zuojinwan in improving liver fibrosis through hepatic tissue metabolomics analysis. MethodsTwenty-four mice were randomly allocated into normal group, model group , positive drug group (silymarin, 100 mg·kg-1), and Zuojinwan group (Zuojinwan solution, 2.5 g·kg-1), with per group six mice. Liver fibrosis model was induced via intraperitoneal injection of olive oil solution with 10% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.5 μL·g-1, three times weekly for 8 weeks) in all groups except the normal group. During the final 4 weeks, the silymarin group received silymarin (100 mg·kg-1) by gavage thrice weekly, while the Zuojinwan group was administered Zuojinwan solution (2.5 g·kg-1) under the same regimen. After the last administration, the levels of liver fibrosis indicators and liver injury markers in serum were detected. The pathological morphological changes of the liver tissues were observed. The levels of liver fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen Ⅰ(ColⅠ) were detected. Metabolomics was analyzed on mice's liver tissues. The mice's serum was collected for metabolomics analysis. ResultsCompared with the model group, Zuojinwan significantly improved indicators related to liver fibrosis and liver injury. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly elevated levels of fibrosis markers such as laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen typeⅢ (PC-Ⅲ), and type Ⅳ Collagen (Ⅳ-C), while liver injury indicators such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and total bilirubin (TBIL), exhibited a marked upward trend (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the silymarin group showed a significant decrease in the aforementioned indicators (P<0.05). Notably, compared with the model group, the Zuojinwan group exhibited a significant reduction in all these indicators (P<0.05), with efficacy comparable to that of the silymarin group. Zuojinwan reduced mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA and ColⅠ in the liver tissue. Metabolomics results revealed that compared with the model group, Zuojiinwan significantly reduced levels of glucose metabolism-related metabolites such as D-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), sodium beta-D-fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), fumaric acid, and D-glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) (P<0.05). Serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect glucose metabolism indicators and further validate the regulatory effect of Zuojinwan on glucose metabolism. ConclusionThese results suggest that Zuojinwan may improve liver fibrosis by regulating the dysregulated levels of glucose metabolism during the progression of liver fibrosis.
3.Exploration of the Staged and Phased Differentiation and Treatment Approach for Gastric Cancer Immunotherapy Based on the Theory of Shaoyang (少阳) and Shaoyin (少阴) as the Pivots
Wenkang ZHANG ; Yuansha GE ; Kexin LIU ; Jie LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):730-735
Based on the theory that Shaoyang (少阳) and Shaoyin (少阴) function as the principal pivots, and integrating the laws of qi-fire transformation, yin-yang alternation, and the waxing and waning of healthy qi and pathogenic factors, as well as the action characteristics of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), this study systematically expounds the dynamic evolution laws of the Shaoyang and Shaoyin pivots and constructs a stage- and phase-based differentiation and treatment framework for gastric cancer immunotherapy. In the neoadjuvant treatment stage, the core pathogenesis is the dysfunction of the Shaoyang pivot and the disorder of qi and fire transformation, often accompanied by stagnation of cold-deficiency in the middle jiao (焦). In the postoperative adjuvant treatment stage, the dominant factors are the depletion of Shaoyin fire and the damage of yin fluid, accompanied by the lingering of residual pathogen in the Shaoyang level and the obstruction of collaterals by phlegm and stasis. In the advanced stage, the critical conditions are the exhaustion of the Shaoyin pivot, the blockage of orifices by turbid toxins, and the separation of yin and yang, leading to the rampant of pathogenic toxins and the emergence of various complicated syndromes. The treatment should be guided by the principle of regulating the double pivot. In the neoadjuvant treatment stage, it is recommended to activate the Shaoyang pivot and warm and promote the qi movement in the middle jiao. In the postoperative adjuvant treatment stage, clearing the residual pathogenic factors from the pivot and nourishing the Shaoyin. In the advanced stage, rescuing the Shaoyin pivot and opening the orifices to transform turbidity. Furthermore, stage-based treatment should serve as the foundation for dynamically assessing the patient's immune status and phase-specific changes in immunity, thereby promoting immune activation while preventing and managing immune overactivation and drug resistance.
4.Autophagy-related gene expression in pulmonary fibrosis models:bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation
Kexin LIU ; Kaimin HAO ; Wenyue ZHUANG ; Zhengyi LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1129-1138
BACKGROUND:The stress effect of autophagy on epithelial cells,fibroblasts and myofibroblasts is closely related to the formation process of pulmonary fibrosis.OBJECTIVE:To screen the genes related to autophagy in patients with pulmonary fibrosis,and explore their correlation with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis,in order to provide a new target for clinical intervention in pulmonary fibrosis.METHODS:The gene expression profiling dataset downloaded from GSE70866 was used as a training set,differentially expressed genes between pulmonary fibrosis patients and normal healthy individuals was analyzed using the R language and intersected with autophagy-related genes to identify the differentially expressed genes with the most significant changes.Multiple analysis methods were used to identify key prognostic genes and construct genetic prognostic models.Patients with pulmonary fibrosis were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups according to their risk scores,and the validity of the prognostic model was verified using the Siena cohort and Leuven cohort validation sets.A cell model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by inducing HFL-1 cells(human embryonic lung fibroblasts)with transforming growth factor-β1,and an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis was established in mice by tracheal instillation of bleomycin to validate the expressions of prognostic genes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There were 2 650 differentially expressed genes between fibrotic tissue and normal tissue.Among them,34 genes related to autophagy showed significant expression changes.(2)Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curves for the Siena cohort and Leuven cohort validation sets showed significantly lower survival in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group.(3)Three autophagy genes related to prognosis were screened out:myelocytomatosis viral oncogene(MYC),C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2),and GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1(GABARAPL1).(4)Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that compared with the control group,the expression levels of myelocytomatosis viral oncogene and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the lung fibrosis model group(P<0.01,P<0.05),while the expression levels of GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1 mRNA and protein were lower(P<0.001).To conclude,bioinformatics methods are used to analyze the expression of three autophagy-related genes in pulmonary fibrosis and their correlation with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.The constructed prognostic model has good predictive ability for the 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.Moreover,in vivo and in vitro models have been used to verify that myelocytomatosis viral oncogene and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 are highly expressed in lung fibroblasts and tissues,and that GABA type a receptor associated protein like 1 is lowly expressed.
5.Ethical issues and countermeasures for peer psychological counseling conducted by university class committee member for psychology
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(6):819-825
This paper analyzed the characteristics of peer psychological counseling conducted by class committee member for psychology in universities and the dilemmas they faced in four aspects, including dual relationships, confidentiality issues, competence issues, and informed consent. It also examined the causes of these ethical dilemmas and corresponding countermeasures one by one. Specific work requirements were proposed for class committee member for psychology in conducting peer psychological counseling. These encompassed clarifying the nature and boundaries of the helping relationship, establishing appropriate settings, discussing the impacts of dual relationships, maintaining confidentiality awareness, adopting appropriate confidentiality measures, actively participating in training to improve competence, making timely referrals when exceeding their professional scope, ensuring proper informed consent, and maintaining value neutrality. Recommendations were also put forward for universities to strengthen the training and management of class committee member for psychology, enhance their ethical awareness, and ensure the effectiveness of peer counseling.
6.Survey of outbreak and whole genome tracing source of one case of suspected carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in ICU
Keke LIU ; Kexin WU ; Heng CAO ; Gui ZHANG ; Yuqing LIU ; Weiguang LI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1412-1416
OBJECTIVE To conduct the epidemiological survey for 4 patients with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRAB)that gathered to emerge in intensive care unit(ICU)within a short period so as to find out the sources of suspected CRAB.METHODS The clinical data and epidemiological history of the 4 patients with hospital-associated infection with CRAB who were treated in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from Mar.31,2023 to Apr.7,2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The whole genome second-generation sequencing was carried out for the CRAB strains isolated from the patients and their surround-ings,and the sources of the CRAB strains were traced by means of the whole genome sequencing.RESULTS The result of the epidemiological survey showed that the case 1,2,3 and 4 were close in spatial position and had the similar drug resistance spectrum,and there might be cross infection.With the combination of the result of genome analysis,it was found that the strain from the case 1 was brought from the community and was the evolutionary branch different from other CRAB strains causing nosocomial infection;the strains from the case 2,3 and 4 had the close original sources with the CRAB strains from surroundings.CONCLUSIONS The CRAB strain from the case 1 is brought from community,which differs in the evolution branch with the strains from the cases of hospi-tal-associated CRAB infection.The transmission of CRAB leading to the incident of suspected hospital-associated infection outbreak is multiple sources.It is an effective measure to early identify the outbreak of hospital-associated infection and take targeted prevention measures so as to control the outbreak of hospital-associated infection.
7.Emerging breakthroughs and future prospects of Claudin18.2 in targeted therapy and immuno-therapy for gastric cancer
Jiayu JIANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kexin ZHENG ; Baoshan CAI ; Yulong ZHAO ; Zhaodong LIU ; Changqing JING ; Leping LI ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(3):343-349
Gastric cancer, a highly malignant tumor, has seen a persistent rise in global incidence in recent years. Claudin 18.2, a protein with highly specific expression in gastric cancer, has emerged as a prominent research target in therapeutic development. The overexpression of Claudin 18.2 in gastric cancer cells and its abnormal surface exposure provide novel opportunities for targeted and immunotherapeutic interventions. Therapeutic approaches targeting Claudin 18.2 have shown promising initial results in clinical trials, primarily including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. The authors systematically summarize the biological characteristics, mechanism of action, clinical research progress, and future treatment prospects and challenges of Claudin 18.2.
8.Screening and validation of glucose metabolism genes in osteoarthritis
Kexin LIU ; Chao MA ; Kai LIU ; Maochen HAO ; Xingru WANG ; Lingting MENG ; Mei DONG ; Jianzhong WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(20):4181-4189
BACKGROUND:Glucose metabolism plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal physiological function of the body.Glucose metabolism disorder can lead to a range of health problems.At present,the molecular mechanism of glucose metabolism and potential gene targets in osteoarthritis need to be further studied.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the genes related to glucose metabolism in osteoarthritis by bioinformatics methods,and to verify them by cell experiments in vitro,so as to provide new ideas for prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis from the perspective of glucose metabolism.METHODS:Differentially expressed genes and glucose metabolism related genes were screened out from GEO database and GeneCards database.The genes related to both osteoarthritis and glucose metabolism were obtained.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis were used to screen the functions and pathways of these genes.To further investigate the interactions between these genes,a protein-protein interaction network was constructed and computational methods using Cytoscape software were utilized to identify key genes(Hub genes)for osteoarthritis glucose metabolism.In addition,CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze immune cell infiltration in GSE98918 data set.Finally,the expression of Hub gene was verified by cell experiment in vitro.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 134 osteoarthritis glucose metabolism-related genes were obtained.GO enrichment analysis showed that GO was mainly involved in the reaction of toxic substances,the positive regulation of inflammatory reaction,the reaction of lipopolysaccharide and so on.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that it was closely related to PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,interleukin-17 signaling pathway,and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications.Macrophages,monocytes,resting natural killer cells,regulatory T cells,and CD8+T cells were the main infiltrating cells obtained by immune infiltration analysis.In vitro cell experiments showed that the expression of Hub genes SERPINF1,TAC1,GLUL,APOE,and TMEM176A in the experimental group was significantly different from that in the control group.The mRNA expression of HLA-DRA was not statistically significant.The results show that SERPINF1,TAC1,Glul,APOE,and TMEM176A may be the key genes of glucose metabolism in osteoarthritis,and may be potential new targets for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis.
9.Visualization Analysis of Research Progress on Outpatient Services in Geriatric Pharmacy in China by CiteSpace
Qingfang WU ; Xiaoyu LI ; Kexin LIU ; Peng CHEN ; Na SU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(8):1317-1321
Objective The purpose of this study is to utilize CiteSpace visualization software for literature analysis to investigate published literature concerning geriatric pharmacy outpatient services,create a knowledge graph,and analyze and discuss the developmental process and relevant hotspots of geriatric pharmacy outpatient services in China.Methods Utilizing the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)as the source database,a search for literature containing the core phrases"pharmacy outpatient",'pharmacist outpatient","drug outpatient","drug consultation outpatient"and"elderly"was conducted from the inception of the database to March 2024 for data extraction.CiteSpace was employed to generate a visual knowledge graph,analyze,and discuss key nodes such as authors,institutions,and keywords within the realm of geriatric pharmacy outpatient services.Results After screening based on inclusion criteria,a total of 396 articles were included in the study.Scholars such as Ge Weihong,Wu Qiuhui and Liu Yang have made significant contributions to the research field of geriatric pharmacy outpatient services.Drum Tower Hospital affiliated with Nanjing University Medical School,the Sixth People's Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao tong University,Dali University rank as the top three publishing institutions in terms of publication volume.The most frequently occurring keywords in the published literature include"pharmaceutical services","clinical pharmacists","pharmacy clinics","rational drug use"and"pharmacists".Conclusion"Drug safety","survey questionnaires"and"tertiary hospitals"have emerged as prominent and evolving topics within the realm of geriatric pharmacy outpatient services in China in recent years.In general,there remains considerable potential for further development in both the scope and depth of outpatient services for the elderly in the field of pharmacy in China.
10.Research Progress on the Prevention and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the MAPK Signaling Pathway
Linguo CAO ; Yanyan WANG ; Kexin DENG ; Jiaqing LIU ; Zuowu XI ; Zongyue GAO ; Kai WANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(9):2624-2635
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a common chronic non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease clinically.Its pathogenesis is complex,prolonged the disease course,and it is frequent clinical recurrence.In recent years,the incidence of UC has shown an upward trend and tends to younger onset,which seriously affects the quality of life of patients and increases the social medical burden.Mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)plays an important role in the occurrence and development of UC,participating in inflammatory response,oxidative stress,autophagy,apoptosis,pyroptosis,and intestinal barrier.MAPK may be a new target for the treatment of UC.Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and remarkable curative effect in treating UC,with the advantages of multiple pathways,multiple targets,and multiple components.In recent years,many studies have shown that single Chinese herbal medicines and compound prescriptions can mediate MAPK signaling pathway to inhibit inflammatory response and oxidative stress,regulate autophagy,inhibit apoptosis and pyroptosis,repair the intestinal barrier,and treat UC in many aspects.This article reviews the MAPK signaling pathway,the mechanism by which the MAPK signaling pathway regulates UC,and the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in treating UC based on the MAPK signaling pathway,hoping to provide theoretical support for the treatment of UC by traditional Chinese medicine and new ideas and references for the research of related new drugs.

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