1.Mechanism study of SIRT3 alleviating oxidative-stress injury in renal tubular cells by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis via regulating mitochondrial redox balance
Yaojun LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jing LIU ; Yunfei SHAN ; Huhai ZHANG ; Pan XIE ; Liying ZOU ; Lingyu RAN ; Huanping LONG ; Lunli XIANG ; Hong HUANG ; Hongwen ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):86-94
Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods Cells were stimulated with different concentrations of H2O2 and divided into four groups: control (NC), 50 μmol/L H2O2, 110 μmol/L H2O2 and 150 μmol/L H2O2. SIRT3 protein expression was then measured. SIRT3 was knocked down with siRNA, and cells were further assigned to five groups: control (NC), negative-control siRNA (NCsi), SIRT3-siRNA (siSIRT3), NCsi+H2O2, and siSIRT3+H2O2. After 24 h, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2•−) levels were determined, together with mitochondrial expression of SIRT3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), acetylated-SOD2 and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1). Results The 110 and 150 μmol/L H2O2 decreased SIRT3 protein (both P<0.05). ATP and mitochondrial O2•− did not differ between NC and NCsi groups (both P>0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the siSIRT3 group exhibited elevated O2•− level, decreased SIRT3 protein and increased expression levels of SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein (all P<0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the NCsi+H2O2 group exhibited decreased cellular ATP levels, elevated mitochondrial O2•− levels, and reduced protein expression levels of SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the siSIRT3 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 protein expression levels and a decrease in acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the NCsi+H2O2 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1, TFAM protein expression levels, and an increase in SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Conclusions SIRT3 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in tubular epithelial cells via the AMPK/PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM axis, representing a key mechanism through which SIRT3 ameliorates oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
2.Unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion reduces paravertebral muscle atrophy and enhances recovery compared with Wiltse-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in lumbar degenerative disease: a retrospective study in a Chinese cohort
Chong CHEN ; Jing ZHUANG ; Xiang LONG ; Xingchen ZHAO ; Jun OUYANG ; Jianxiong ZHUANG ; Shuaihao HUANG ; Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Yunbing CHANG ; Dong YIN ; Yongxiong HUANG
Asian Spine Journal 2026;20(2):232-243
Methods:
Fifty patients who underwent UBE-TLIF and 50 patients who underwent W-TLIF, each with >2 years of follow-up, were retrospectively analyzed. Outcomes included operative parameters, time to postoperative mobilization, paravertebral muscle atrophy and fat infiltration rates, clinical scores (Visual Analog Scale [VAS], Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA]), modified Macnab criteria, fusion rates, and complications.
Results:
Compared with W-TLIF, the UBE-TLIF group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss, shorter operative times, and lower postoperative drainage volumes (p <0.05). The UBE-TLIF group showed faster postoperative recovery and shorter hospital stays. At 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, W-TLIF patients had higher multifidus and erector spinae atrophy, and greater paravertebral muscle fat infiltration (p <0.05). The UBE-TLIF group also had lower VAS and ODI scores at 1 year and 2 years (p <0.05) and fewer surgical complications (6% vs. 10%). Fusion rates (94% vs. 92%) and modified Macnab outcomes (88% vs. 86%) were comparable (p >0.05).
Conclusions
UBE-TLIF is associated with reduced intraoperative trauma, quicker recovery, and fewer complications. In the long-term, it better preserves paravertebral muscle integrity and provides superior pain and functional outcomes.
3.Pseudolaric Acid B-linked Double-network Hydrogel Alleviates Pruritus by Inhibiting The Growth of Staphylococcus aureus
Ye YOU ; Yan YANG ; Tong-Yu LI ; Cheng-Long CAI ; Ting WANG ; Chan ZHU ; Zong-Xiang TANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1734-1745
ObjectiveThis study aimed to elucidate the mechanistic role of Staphylococcus aureus in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by pruritus and barrier dysfunction. A key focus was screening traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) active components with dual antibacterial and antipruritic efficacy, followed by systematic evaluation of their in vitro antibacterial activity. Additionally, a novel drug delivery system was constructed to enable localized efficient drug delivery, inhibiting S. aureus proliferation and alleviating its induced pruritus, thereby providing new strategies for targeted AD therapy. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks (body weight 18-22 g) were used to establish an AD model via repeated oxazolone sensitization. On day 14, microbial samples were collected from the lesional area (1 cm²) using sterile cotton swabs, followed by vortex mixing, serial dilution, and plating on 5% sheep blood agar plates (incubated at 37°C for 24 h). Single colonies with complete transparent β-hemolytic zones were isolated and identified as vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) via 16S rRNA sequencing. An S. aureus mono-infection animal model was then established by applying gauze saturated with bacterial suspension (McFarland turbidity 0.1) to the nape and back skin of mice. The pruritic phenotype and inflammatory cell infiltration induced by S. aureus were evaluated using comprehensive approaches including behavioral assays (e.g., scratching frequency recording), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and toluidine blue staining. The in vitro antibacterial efficacy of the TCM monomer pseudolaric acid B (PAB) and double network hydrogel (DN) was separately assessed by disk diffusion assay, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PAB was determined via broth dilution method. Further validation of the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the composite system (PAB@DN, composed of PAB and DN) was conducted through behavioral assays, HE staining, and dermatitis scoring, with its drug release profile evaluated by mass spectrometry analysis. Based on scratching behavioral analysis and dermatitis scoring, the optimal ratio and concentration of PAB@DN were optimized. ResultsThe S. aureus load in AD lesional tissues was significantly higher than in normal skin ((5.3±0.33)×10⁶ CFU vs. (3.6±0.26)×10⁷ CFU, P<0.001). In the S. aureus mono-infection group, mice exhibited a 6.7-fold increase in scratching frequency compared to the control group. HE staining revealed marked epidermal thickening ((10.4±2.39) μm vs. (85.6±1.95) μm, P<0.000 1), and toluidine blue staining showed a 23-fold increase in mast cell degranulation. Pseudolaric acid B exhibited a significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effect onS. aureus growth, with its in vitro antibacterial effect being 57% that of the antibiotic cefepime (inhibition zone diameter: PAB (1.885±0.036) cm vs. cefepime (3.636±0.005) cm, P<0.000 1) and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 g/L. The carrier double network hydrogel (DN) itself lacked direct antibacterial activity (no significant difference in inhibition zone diameter compared to the control) but effectively ameliorated the dry symptoms of AD-like lesions. The PAB@DN composite system demonstrated a synergistic effect compared to individual components, resulting in a 50% reduction in scratching behavior, an 86% decrease in dermatitis score, and a 60% reduction in epidermal thickening. It also reduced the S. aureus load in mouse skin by approximately 34%, with the optimal effective formulation being PAB at 1 g/L loaded onto DN. ConclusionS. aureus colonization plays a critical driving role in the onset and progression of AD. Using an S. aureus infection model, this study confirmed that the pseudolaric acidB-hydrogel composite delivery system (PAB@DN) can effectively alleviate S. aureus-induced pruritus and skin damage, providing experimental evidence for microbiota-targeted therapy of AD.
4.Expert consensus on the management of radiopharmaceuticals in medical institutions
Lu XIANG ; Long QIU ; Mingru ZHANG ; Shuai JIANG ; Wanyi CHEN ; Xiaoliang CHEN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2073-2083
OBJECTIVE To formulate the Expert Consensus on the Management of Radiopharmaceuticals in Medical Institutions (hereinafter referred to as “the Consensus”), focusing on key aspects such as the procurement of radiopharmaceuticals, the management of self-made radiopharmaceutical preparations, standardized clinical application, and patient medication safety management, so as to provide a reference for improving the whole-process management of radiopharmaceuticals in medical institutions.METHODS The Consensus was initiated by the Chinese Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Clinical Pharmacy Professional Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association, and the Committee of Integrative Oncology Pharmacy of the China Anti-Cancer Association. Organized by the consensus drafting group more than 90 experts from the fields of nuclear medicine, nuclear pharmacy, and pharmacy science across China were involved. The Consensus was developed through systematic review of relevant laws, regulations, policy documents, and existing experience in radiopharmaceutical management, followed by extensive discussion and deliberation to finalize the consensus. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS The Consensus establishes 10 key points for whole-process management of radiopharmaceuticals in medical institutions, covering organizational management and personnel requirements, procurement, preparation, acceptance, storage, risk prevention and control during use, radiation protection, and waste disposal. The Consensus provides a reference for improving radiopharmaceutical management in medical institutions and for ensuring their efficacy and safety in clinical application.
5.Preparation of new hydrogels and their synergistic effects of immunochemotherapy
Wen-wen YAN ; Yan-long ZHANG ; Ming-hui CAO ; Zheng-han LIU ; Hong LEI ; Xiang-qian JIA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):479-487
In recent years, cancer treatment methods and means are becoming more and more diversified, and single treatment methods often have limited efficacy, while the synergistic effect of immunity combined with chemotherapy can inhibit tumor growth more effectively. Based on this, we constructed a sodium alginate hydrogel composite system loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and tumor vaccines (named SA-DOX-NA) with a view to the combined use of chemotherapeutic agents and tumor vaccines. Firstly, the tumor vaccine (named NA) degradable under acidic conditions was constructed by
6.Effects of honey-processed Astragalus on energy metabolism and polarization of RAW264.7 cells
Hong-chang LI ; Ke PEI ; Wang-yang XIE ; Xiang-long MENG ; Zi-han YU ; Wen-ling LI ; Hao CAI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):459-470
In this study, RAW264.7 cells were employed to investigate the effects of honey-processed
7.Study on the mechanism of hyperoside regulating hepatic lipid synthesis to ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Changrui LONG ; Shijian XIANG ; Zhenhua ZHANG ; Huixing WU ; Benjie ZHOU ; Chengyu LU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(6):668-673
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement mechanism of hyperoside (HYP) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal (NFD) group, model (HFD) group and HYP group, with 8 mice in each group. Except for NFD group, the mice in other groups were fed with HF60 high-fat diet to establish NAFLD model; HYP group was simultaneously given HYP 100 mg/kg intragastrically every day, for 16 consecutive weeks. The body weight and liver weight of mice in each group were recorded 16 h after the last medication; the histopathological changes and lipid accumulation in the liver were observed, and the contents of triglyceride (TAG) in liver tissue and serum contents of TAG, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured; LC-MS/MS method was adopted to detect lipid changes in the liver tissue of mice for lipidomics analysis, and protein expressions of lipid synthesis-associated proteins peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) were also tested. Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was divided into normal control group, model group, HYP low-concentration group (50 μmol/L), HYP high-concentration group (100 μmol/L), HYP low-concentration+GW6471 (PPARαinhibitor) group, and HYP high-concentration+GW6471 group. Except for normal control group, the remaining cells were induced with oleic acid and palmitic acid to establish a high-fat cell model. The accumulation of lipid droplets in each group of cells was observed, and the TAG content was detected. RESULTS Compared with HFD group, HYP group exhibited significant reductions in liver fat vacuoles, lipid accumulation, liver weight, and TAG content in liver tissue, as well as serum contents of ALT, AST and TAG (P<0.05). Additionally, the expression of PPARα protein in liver tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the pathological morphological changes associated with NAFLD were alleviated. Lipidomic analysis revealed that HYP significantly reduced the levels of TAG, diacylglycerol and other lipids in the liver. Compared with model group, cellular lipid droplet accumulation and TAG content decreased significantly in HYP low- and high-concentration groups (P<0.05); GW6471 could significantly reverse the improvement effect of HYP on above indicators (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS HYP can effectively ameliorate NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in mice, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of PPARα to regulate hepatic lipid synthesis.
8.ToxBERT:An explainable AI framework for enhancing prediction of adverse drug reactions and structural insights
Yujie HE ; Xiang LV ; Wulin LONG ; Shengqiu ZHAI ; Menglong LI ; Zhining WEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):1926-1936
Accurate prediction of drug-induced adverse drug reactions(ADRs)is crucial for drug safety evaluation,as it directly impacts public health and safety.While various models have shown promising results in predicting ADRs,their accuracy still needs improvement.Additionally,many existing models often lack interpretability when linking molecular structures to specific ADRs and frequently rely on manually selected molecular fingerprints,which can introduce bias.To address these challenges,we propose ToxBERT,an efficient transformer encoder model that leverages attention and masking mechanisms for simplified molecular input line entry system(SMILES)representations.Our results demonstrate that ToxBERT achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC)scores of 0.839,0.759,and 0.664 for predicting drug-induced QT prolongation(DIQT),rhabdomyolysis,and liver injury,respectively,outperforming previous studies.Furthermore,ToxBERT can identify drug substructures that are closely associated with specific ADRs.These findings indicate that ToxBERT is not only a valuable tool for understanding the mechanisms underlying specific drug-induced ADRs but also for mitigating potential ADRs in the drug discovery pipeline.
9.Correlation between serum GFAP level and transcranial Doppler parameters after carotid artery stent implantation
Xiang LÜ ; Long LÜ ; Min WEI ; Yuhua GAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(7):931-935
Objective To investigate the relationship between serum glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)level and transcranial Doppler(TCD)parameters in carotid stenosis patients after carotid stent implantation.Methods A total of 123 patients with carotid stenosis who received carotid stent implantation in our hospital from September 2021 to February 2024 were recruited,and di-vided into a normal group(39 cases)and a damaged group(84 cases)according to their cerebro-vascular reserve.The GFAP level and TCD parameters were collected before and after treatment.ROC curve analysis was employed to analyze the value of GFAP level in evaluating cerebrovascu-lar reserve in the patients.Results Significantly larger proportion of diabetes and higher level of total cholesterol were observed in the damaged group than the normal group(P<0.05).Mean flow velocity(MFV),pulse index(PI),peak systolic velocity(PSV),and levels of GFAP,neuron-specific enolase(NSE)and S-100β were all obviously decreased in both groups after surgery than the levels before(P<0.05).When compared with the normal group,the damaged group had nota-bly higher serum GFAP level before operation,and lower PI and PSV values and higher GFAP,NSE and S-100β levels after operation(P<0.05,P<0.01).Both pre-and post-operative serum GFAP levels were negatively correlated with postoperative MFV,PI and PSV(P<0.01).The concomitant diabetes,pre-and post-operative serum GFAP levels,and postoperative PSV value and NSE and S-100β levels were independent influencing factors for cerebrovascular reserve in ca-rotid stenosis patients after carotid stent implantation(P<0.05,P<0.01).The post-operative se-rum GFAP level showed significantly better value than the pre-operative level in assessing cere-brovascular reserve,with an AUC value of 0.860(95%CI:0.786-0.916)and 0.777(95%CI:0.693-0.847),respectively.Conclusion Serum GFAP level is related to TCD parameters in ca-rotid stenosis patients after carotid stent implantation.Combined GFAP level and TCD parameters together can be used to evaluate the cerebrovascular reserve for the patients.
10.Efficacy of Ureteral Dilation Versus Ureteral Reimplantation for Primary Obstructed Megaureter in Children
Jiabin JIANG ; Yin ZHANG ; Ye ZHANG ; Xiang FANG ; Daolong LI ; Peng TANG ; Tengyun LONG ; Min CHAO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(4):686-692
[Objective]To evaluate the efficacy of ureteral dilation versus ureteral reimplantation in treating pediatric primary obstructive megaureter(POM).[Methods]A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 53 pediatric patients with POM treated in the Department of Urology,Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital from April 2019 to September 2023.The cohort included 37 boys and 16 girls with 5 bilateral and 48 unilateral cases.The age ranged from 1 to 157 months,with a median age of 17.00(5.50-48.00)months.Patients were assigned to 3 groups based on the management of the ureteral stricture segment:dilation group(18 cases,19 sides),Cohen group(20 cases,24 sides),and Lich-Gregoir group(15 cases,15 sides).The duration of the operations,postoperative hospital stays,postoperative indwelling catheters,postoperative D-J stents;changes in renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter and ureteral diameter;and postoperative complications were compared to evaluate the therapeutic effects.[Results]All 53 patients successfully underwent surgery.The dilation group showed significantly shorter operative time,postoperative hospital stay,and postoperative catheterization duration compared to the Cohen and Lich-Gregoir groups(P<0.05).However,the postoperative D-J stent time was longer in the dilation group than in the other 2 groups(P<0.05).Upon follow-ups for 6-12 months after stent removal,all groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter and ureteral diameter compared to preoperative values(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed among the 3 groups in hydronephrosis resolution rates(P>0.05).Additionally,the incidence of postoperative complications(urinary tract infection,vesicoureteral reflux,and reoperation for restenosis)did not differ significantly among the groups(P>0.05).[Conclusions]Ureteral dilation demonstrated non-inferior short-term clinical efficacy compared to ureteral reimplantation in managing POM in pediatric patients.With reduced operative time,minimal invasiveness,and technical simplicity,ureteral dilation may be considered a preferential treatment option for children with POM.

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