1.Effect of Modified Duhuo Jisheng Mixture Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway on Synoviocyte Pyroptosis in Rabbit Models of Knee Osteoarthritis
Zifeng YE ; Yiwei YUAN ; Liguo QIU ; Xuyi TAN ; Liang OU ; Gaoyan KUANG ; Min LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):170-179
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanisms of action of the modified Duhuo Jisheng Mixture (JDJM) in treating synovial lesions in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsA total of 43 male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into a blank group (n=8) and a model group (n=35). The KOA model was induced by immobilizing the right hind limb with a high-molecular resin plaster bandage, with a modeling period of 6 weeks, resulting in successful modeling in 32 rabbits. These rabbits were then randomly allocated to the model group, celecoxib group, JDJM group and JDJM+740Y-P group, each consisting of 8 rabbits. The celecoxib group received celecoxib via gavage at a single dose of 0.009 3 g·kg-1, while the JDJM was administered a single dose of 6.8 mL·kg-1 (4.515 2 g·kg-1) of the herbal preparation via gavage. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway activator + JDJM group received 4.515 2 g·kg-1 of the herbal preparation via gavage along with an auricular vein injection of 0.15 μmol·kg-1 740Y-P. For a period of 6 weeks, the remaining groups received an equal volume of physiological saline via gavage daily. After the medication period, the knee joint pain threshold and circumference were measured, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess the pathological changes in the synovial tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-18) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the joint fluid. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteine-requiring aspartate protease-1 (Caspase-1) and gasdermin D (GSDMD) in the synovial tissues. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assay was performed to assess the protein expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD. Western blot was carried out to analyze the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD. ResultsCompared to the blank group, the model group showed a significant increase in knee joint circumference and decrease in pain threshold, the synovial tissue pathology score was higher (P<0.05), and the levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α in the joint fluid significantly increased (P<0.01). PI3K, Akt, mTOR phosphorylation as well as mRNA and protein expression increased (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD also significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the celecoxib and JDJM groups exhibited a significant reduction in knee joint circumference and increase in pain threshold, the synovial tissue pathology score was lower (P<0.05), and the levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α in the joint fluid decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were reduced (P<0.01). Compared to the JDJM group, the JDJM+740Y-P group showed a decrease in the improvement of synovial lesions, an increase in knee joint circumference, and a decrease in pain threshold. The synovial tissue pathology score was lower (P<0.05), and the levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α in the joint fluid were higher (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD increased (P<0.01). ConclusionJDJM is effective in treating KOA. Its mechanism may involve modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in synovial tissues, inhibiting pyroptosis, reducing inflammatory factor release, and protecting bony structures.
2.Clinical Validation of a Rapid Automated Lymphoma Next-Generation Sequencing Panel
Michael KRIGSTEIN ; Emily JUDE ; Aleisha JAFFREY ; Stephen BYE ; Bin WANG ; Min Ru QIU ; David MA
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2026;46(3):319-326
Background:
Our genomic understanding of lymphomas, a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, has grown exponentially. The latest World Health Organization (WHO) and International Consensus classifications reflect the importance of genetic assessment in the diagnosis and prognostication of and therapeutic decision making in lymphoid neoplasms. To address this clinical need for routinely available and timely testing, we aimed to validate the Ion AmpliSeq Liverpool Lymphoid Network Panel (IALLNP; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA).
Methods:
We clinically validated the IALLNP on the Ion Torrent Genexus Sequencer (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The panel detects single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions/deletions (indels) in 60 clinically relevant genes. The validation set included a commercial control and 54 DNA samples covering the spectrum of clinically aggressive and indolent lymphomas.
Results:
After optimizing for poor coverage regions, recurrent artifacts, and false-negative calls, the panel showed good performance in terms of depth of coverage, on-target reads, and uniformity. Its sensitivity for SNVs and indels at a lower limit of detection of 5% variant allele frequency (VAF) was 100%. Specificity in variant-negative samples was 100%, and the mean per-sample number of false-positive variants—which were easily identifiable and excluded upon interrogation of raw data—was 0.4. The panel demonstrated 92.8% reproducibility; however, all nonreproducible variants fell below the 5% VAF analytical threshold.
Conclusions
The IALLNP is an accurate and reproducible next-generation sequencing panel that delivers genetic results for lymphoid neoplasms in a clinically meaningful timeframe.
3.Experimental study of magnetic tracer technique in the localization of pulmonary nodules in dogs
Huan-chen SHA ; Miao-miao ZHANG ; Jia-hui WAN ; Qiu-ye ZHONG ; Rui-min GONG ; Yi LYU ; Xiao-peng YAN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):841-845
Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic tracer technique for locating pulmonary nodules.Methods A tracer magnet and a matching puncture instrument were designed by ourselves for locating pulmonary nodules.After preliminarily verifying the feasibility of the operation in the isolated lung,four beagle dogs were used as animal models to perform puncture localization of the assumed lesions in the upper lobe of the right lung under the guidance of X-ray by using self-designed tracer magnets and puncture instruments,and the positioning effect was observed and evaluated after thorax opening.The operation time required for the tracer magnet implantation,whether there is bleeding at the puncture site,whether the tracer magnet is displaced,and the positioning time of pulmonary nodules after thorax opening were recorded.Results Two tracer magnets were successfully inserted into the upper lobe of the right lung under X-ray guidance in four beagle dogs,and the magnets were successfully attracted and fixed.The median insertion time of the tracer magnet was 5 minutes(4 to 7 minutes),and the insertion process was smooth without bleeding at the puncture site.After thorax opening,oval forceps were used to conveniently locate the location of the tracer magnet,achieving accurate positioning of pulmonary nodules with a median positioning time of 13 seconds(10 to 17 seconds),and the tracer magnet did not shift during the whole process.Conclusion The magnetic tracer technique is simple to operate and pricise for localization of pulmonary nodules.With further optimization of the operation process,this technique is expected to be applied in clinic.
4.Effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality and spermatogenic cell apoptosis in a varicocele model of rats
Biao WANG ; Yang YANG ; Ze-rui QIU ; En-min FENG ; Xiang ZHAO ; Neng WANG ; Xin HUANG ; Qun-fang LIN ; Qing ZHOU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(2):150-156
Objective:To observe the effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality in varicocele(VC)models of rats,and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods:Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups(sham group,model group,Guilu Taohong Formula group and L-carnitine group).After the establishment of models,the rats were treated with intra-gastric administration for eight consecutive weeks.The general condition of the rats was observed.After the gavage,the testicular and epididymal indices were calculated.Semen quality was assessed using an automatic semen analyzer.Apoptosis of testicular cells was assessed by TUNEL staining.And the expression levels of B-cell lymphocytoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and cys-teine aspartate protease-3(caspase-3)in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the sham group,testicular index,epididymal index,sperm concentration,the percentage of progressive motility of sperm(PR%)and the expression level of Bcl-2 decreased in model group(P<0.01).An increased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were observed in model group as well(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the testicular index,epidid-ymal index,sperm concentration,PR%and the expression level of Bcl-2 in Guilu Taohong Formula group increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01).A decreased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were de-tected in Guilu Taohong Formula group as well(P<0.01).Similarly,the L-carnitine group showed increased testicular index,epidid-ymal index,sperm concentration,PR%and the expression level of Bcl-2 protein(P<0.05,P<0.01),where showed decreased ap-optosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins compared with model group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion:Guilu Taohong Formula improves semen quality in VC model rats and reduces the apoptosis rate of spermato-genic cells in testicular tissue,which may be related to the promotion of Bcl-2 protein expression and the inhibition of Bax and caspase-3 protein expression levels.
5.Characterisation of whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity in children with Chinese developmental dys-lexia
Dandan LUO ; Min SHEN ; Sujuan WANG ; Wengxin QIU ; Yuxuan ZHANG ; Yun WU ; Shengxiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(9):1023-1031
Objective To examine resting-state whole-brain network connectivity in children with Chinese developmental dyslexia(DD)and typically developing(TD)children using functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS).Methods From November to December,2024,19 DD children aged six to twelve years in Children's Hospital of Fudan University were enrolled,along with 18 TD children matching age and sex.Regions of interest included frontal cortex(FC),temporal lobe(TL),occipital lobe(OL)and parietal lobe(PL).Resting-state data were acquired by fNIRS for five minutes in both groups.Functional connectivity strength was calculated at rest,and between-group differences in connectivity strength and brain networks were compared,based on the time series of oxyhe-moglobin concentration.Results The whole-brain functional connectivity strength was higher in DD group than in TD group(t=2.100,P<0.05).Connectivity between the right OL-right FC(t=2.426,P<0.05),right OL-left FC(t=2.483,P<0.05),right TL-right FC(t=2.568,P<0.05)and right TL-left FC(t=2.304,P<0.05)were stonger in DD group than in TD group.The major regions exhibiting differences of whole-brain connectivity between two groups were the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,right visual association cortex,right frontal cortex,left orbitofrontal cortex,left visual association cortex,left primary visual cortex and right primary motor cortex.Conclusion Children with DD exhibited significantly stronger connectivity in the right occipital and temporal lobes,as well as between these regions and the prefrontal cortex,suggesting possible right-hemispheric compensation for insufficiency in the left-hemisphere reading network.
6.Research progress of airway epithelial cell senescence mechanism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Zhao-liang LI ; Lue-li WANG ; Qian YI ; Ruo-qiu MA ; Rong GUO ; Chang-li XU ; Xiao-hua DU ; Wei-min YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):805-810
As the first defense of respiratory system,airway epi-thelial cells(AECs)play an important role in separating the re-spiratory internal and external environment.They are essential for the natural immune function.Small airway lesions are an im-portant early pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),when AECs are exposed to harmful particles or gases for a long time,the epithelial barrier is damaged,and the signa-ling pathways which involved in differentiation,repair,and in-flammatory are disordered,resulting in epithelial cell cycle stag-nation and accelerated aging.A number of studies have sugges-ted that AECs of COPD patients express high levels of aging markers,suggesting that senescence of AECs is closely related to COPD.This review discusses the potential mechanisms of AECs senescence in COPD,the impact of AECs senescence on the de-velopment and severity of the disease,and highlights potential targets for modulating cellular senescence in airway epithelium as a therapeutic approach in COPD.
7.Advances in the role of disease-associated microglia in retinal ganglion cell injury in glaucoma
Ziyu QIU ; Pengfei CHEN ; Xi LIU ; Huaijin GUAN ; Min JI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(7):578-582
Glaucoma,characterized by optic nerve damage and progressive damage to retinal ganglion cells(RGCs),is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.However,the specific mechanism of RGC damage has not been fully elucida-ted.In recent years,there is increasing evidence that microglia,especially disease-associated microglia(DAM),may play an important role in glaucomatous ganglion cell injury.In this paper,we reviewed the role and mechanism of DAM in RGC damage in glaucoma,aiming to provide new insights for further research on the mechanism of RGC damage and subsequent protection of RGCs.
8.Etiological characteristics of children with pneumonia and serum CRP,IL-10 and PCT
Ying QIAN ; Min GONG ; Haiqing XIE ; Huixian QIU
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1357-1361
OBJECTIVE To observe the etiological characteristics,serum C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-10(IL-10),procalcitonin(PCT)and treatment outcomes of the children with pneumonia.METHODS A total of 350 children with pneumonia who were treated in Jinhua People's Hospital from Sep.2021 to Sep.2023 and 30 healthy children matched with age and gender who received physical examination were recruited as the research subjects.The etiological characteristics,serum CRP,IL-6,PCT and treatment outcomes of the children with pneumonia were observed.RESULTS The etiological isolation rate was 74.00%(259/350)among the 350 children,the chil-dren who had viral infection accounted for 39.38%,the children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)infection 32.82%,the children with bacterial infection 20.08%,the children with mixed infections 7.72%.The viral infec-tion was prevalent in winter and was more common among the children aged between 1 and 3 years old;Myco-plasma pneumoniae infection was more common among the children aged between 3 and 6 years old.The CRP levels of the viral infection group,the bacterial infection group,the M.pneumoniae infcection group and the mixed infection group were(10.53±1.54),(38.11±9.32),(21.07±6.55)and(33.33±8.11)mg/L,respectively,higher than those of the healthy children and the children negative for etiological test.The PCT levels of the viral infection group,the bacterial infection group,the M.pneumoniae infcection group and the mixed infection group were(0.61±0.17),(2.84±0.51),(1.35±0.31)and(2.41±0.46)ng/ml,respectively,higher than those of the healthy children and the children negative for etiological test.The IL-10 levels of the viral infection group,the bacterial infection group,the M.pneumoniae infcection group and the mixed infection group were(23.47±5.12),(26.45±7.15),(25.45±5.03)and(25.29±6.05)pg/ml,respectively,higher than those of the healthy children and the children negative for etiological test(P<0.05).The levels of CRP and PCT of the bacterial infection group and the mixed infection group were higher than those of the M.pneumoniae infcection group,and the level of above indexes of the M.pneumoniae infcection group were higher than those of the viral infection group(P<0.05).Among 259 children who were confirmed positive for etiological test,237 had favorable treatment out-comes,and 22 had poor treatment outcomes.The rate of poor treatment outcomes of the children with viral infec-tion was higher than that of the children with M.pneumoniae infcection(x2=5.930,P=0.015);the rate of poor treatment outcomes of the children with mixed infection was higher than that of the children with M.pneumoniae infcection(x2=9.954,P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS The children with viral infection are dominant among the children with pneumonia,followed by the children with M.pneumoniae infcection.The rate of poor treatment outcomes of the children with viral infection or mixed infection is relatively high,the children with M.pneumoniae infcection generally have favorable treatment outcomes.The children with viral infection have slight increases of peripheral blood CRP and PCT,while the children with bacterial infection and mixed infection have a remarkable rise.
9.Long-chain acylcoenzyme A synthase 4 regulates effects of fatty acid synthase on malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells and resistance of gefitinib
Qian-hua ZHOU ; Lei JIANG ; Zhang-gui WANG ; Chao RUI ; Yi-min SHI ; Yan-xin FANG ; Qiu-shui JIN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1108-1115
Aim To investigate the effect of ACSL4 on the malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells and gefitinib resistance by regulating FASN,and to explore the related mechanism.Methods Thirty-five fresh esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent nor-mal tissues,and 30 esophageal cancer tissues with ge-fitinib resistance were collected.The expressions of ACSL4 and FASN were detected by qRT-PCR and im-munohistochemistry.The expression levels of ACSL4 and FASN in human normal esophageal cells HET-1 A,esophageal cancer cell lines ECA109,EC9706,TE-1 and TE-1/GR were detected by qRT-PCR.Cells in each group were constructed by liposome transfection technique,and the drug resistance and proliferation a-bility of cells were detected by cloning and CCK-8 as-say,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell,and EMT pathway protein expression was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with adjacent normal tis-sues,the expression of ACSL4 and FASN genes in cancer tissues increased,and there was a positive corre-lation.The expression of ACSL4 significantly increased in ECA109,EC9706 and TE-1 cells compared with HET-1 A cells.With the increase of gefitinib concen-tration,the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1 cells gradually increased,and the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1/GR cells was higher than that of TE-1.Compared with the control group and the si-NC group,the cell proliferation and invasion ability of si-ACSL4 group decreased,the number of apoptosis increased,the expression of E-Cadherin increased,and the expression of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin decreased.The response ex-periment showed that compared with the si-ACSL4 group and the si-ACSL4+oe-NC group,the cells in the si-ACSL4+oe-FASN group increased drug resistance,increased proliferation and invasion ability,decreased apoptosis number and decreased expression of E-Cad-herin.The expressions of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin increased.Conclusions By down-regulating the expression of FASN,ACSL4 reverses the resistance of esophageal cancer TE-1/GR cells to gefitinib and in-hibits the proliferation,invasion and accelerates apopto-sis of TE-1/GR cells,which may be related to the regu-lation of EMT signaling pathway.
10.Poly gala fallax Hemsl.improves diabetic kidney disease in rats via Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway
Si-chao WANG ; Qiu-hong LIU ; Shi-wei ZHAO ; Yu-qiong LEI ; Min-chao FENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1186-1193
Aim To observe the interventional effects of Polygala fallax Hemsl.(PFH)on diabetic kidney disease(DKD)rats and the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis.Methods Thirty-six SD rats were ran-domly divided into the control group,DKD group,fer-rostatin-1(Fer-1)group,PFH-L group,PFH-M group,and PFH-H group,with six rats in each group.Model-ing was induced by a one-time intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg·kg-1 streptozocin(STZ)in combination with high-sugar and high-fat feed.Ferrostatin-1(25μmol·kg-1)was injected intraperitoneally in Fer-1 group.The PFH-L,PFH-M,and PFH-H groups were gavaged with 50,100 and 200 mg·kg-1 of alcoholic extracts of PFH respectively,and the control and DKD groups were gavaged with an equal volume of distilled water once a day for eight weeks.At the end of drug administration,blood glucose,24h-UP,BUN and Scr levels were measured in each group of rats.HE stai-ning and Masson staining were used to observe renal histopathological changes.ELISA was employed to de-termine the levels of total iron,MDA and GSH activity.IHC was used to observe the expression of Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 in renal tissues.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of COL1A1,α-SMA,TGF-,FTH-1,TFR-1,Nrf2,SLC7A1 1,GPX4,in renal tissues.RT-qPCR was used to detect the ex-pression levels of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 mRNA in re-nal tissues.Results Compared with the control group,blood glucose,24h-UP,BUN,Scr increased(P<0.05);glomerular volume increased,tubular dilata-tion and collagen fiber deposition were obvious;total i-ron,MDA content increased and GSH activity de-creased(P<0.05);there was increased protein ex-pression of COL1A1,α-SMA,TGF-β,TFR-1 and de-creased protein expression of FTH-1(P<0.01);there was decreased mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 in DKD group rats(P<0.01).Compared with the DKD group,blood glucose,24h-UP,BUN and Scr decreased(P<0.05);renal tissue le-sions were significantly reduced;total iron and MDA content decreased,and GSH activity increased(P<0.05);COL1A1,α-SMA,TGF-β,and TFR-1 protein expression decreased and FTH-1 protein expression in-creased(P<0.05,P<0.01);Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 mRNA and protein expression increased in Fer-1 and PFH dose groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusions PFH attenuates renal histopathological injury in DKD rats,and the mechanism may be related to the regula-tion of the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway.

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